Sunset Beach
André Balazs' beachfront restaurant on Shelter Island's Crescent Beach — French-Mediterranean plates, rosé and one of the East End's most iconic sunset settings.
The restaurant at Sunset Beach is the see-and-be-seen summer table on Shelter Island. The menu is French-Mediterranean — bouillabaisse, niçoise, grilled whole fish, a serious raw bar — served right on the sand looking west across Peconic Bay. Open seasonally (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day); reservations essential on weekends. My honest advice: come for a late lunch, not dinner. The 2:30 seating is quieter, the light on the bay is still beautiful, and the wait for a Wölffer rosé at the outdoor bar is 10 minutes instead of 45. Order the plateau de fruits de mer for two and the grilled branzino. Bring the North Ferry schedule up on your phone before you eat — the last boat back to Greenport runs earlier than most guests realize, and taxis on Shelter Island are scarce. Staying overnight at Sunset Beach's rooms or The Pridwin removes the ferry stress.
Beachfront dining, sunsets, French-Mediterranean menu, scene
Hours and service pattern
Per the restaurant's OpenTable listing, Sunset Beach serves breakfast daily from 7 to 11am, lunch daily (Monday–Friday noon–3pm, weekends noon–3:30pm), and dinner nightly — Sunday through Thursday 6–10pm, Friday and Saturday 6pm–midnight. The restaurant operates seasonally as part of the Sunset Beach hotel, opening in mid-May and running through the summer. It is not bookable through OpenTable's network; reservations go through the restaurant directly. 1
The setting
The hotel and restaurant sit on Crescent Beach on Shore Road in Shelter Island Heights, with both an indoor dining room and an open-air pavilion overlooking Shelter Island Sound, plus a rooftop deck. The property is owned by hotelier André Balazs. 3 4
Getting there
Sunset Beach is on Shelter Island, reached only by the North or South Ferry from Greenport or Sag Harbor — there's no bridge — so a visit needs to be built around ferry schedules rather than a straight drive from the North Fork or the Hamptons.
History and cuisine
Sunset Beach was opened by hotelier André Balazs, who is also known for the Chateau Marmont, the Mercer and the Standard hotels; Balazs has said the property began small, on the site of a former scallop shop he bought overlooking Crescent Beach, and has described its now roughly 25 years of operation as a continuing project of evolution modeled on summers he spent in St-Tropez. The restaurant's food has been described as French bistro cuisine, served against sunset views over Shelter Island Sound.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
- How do I make a reservation at Sunset Beach?
- Sunset Beach accepts reservations on OpenTable. Use the “Reserve on OpenTable” button on this page to check live availability, or call (631) 749-2001. Weekends fill up first, especially in the summer wine-tasting season.
- Where is Sunset Beach located?
- Sunset Beach is at 35 Shore Road, Shelter Island Heights, NY 11965, on the Shelter Island of Long Island.
- What kind of food does Sunset Beach serve?
- Sunset Beach serves French Mediterranean · Beachfront. It is a upscale restaurant ($$ · $28–48 entrées). Known for beachfront dining, sunsets, french-mediterranean menu, scene.
- Which Long Island wineries are near Sunset Beach?
- Sparkling Pointe and Channing Daughters Winery are all within an easy drive of Sunset Beach, making it a natural lunch or dinner stop on a Shelter Island wine-tasting day.
- Where can I stay near Sunset Beach?
- Hotels within easy reach of Sunset Beach include Sunset Beach, The Pridwin, and The Ram's Head Inn. Booking a room nearby lets you enjoy the wine list without driving back.
- Is Sunset Beach good for dietary restrictions?
- Sunset Beach can typically accommodate common dietary restrictions — vegetarian, gluten-free, and shellfish allergies — with advance notice. Note them in your OpenTable reservation or call (631) 749-2001 so the kitchen can plan around them, especially on busy weekend services.
- When are the busiest times at Sunset Beach?
- Friday and Saturday dinner service (6–8:30 pm) is the busiest window at Sunset Beach, along with Sunday lunch during the Shelter Island wine-tasting season (May–November). Weeknight dinners and early seatings are the easiest tables to get and usually a calmer experience.