Explore Huntington’s bars, restaurants, shops and more

Besito

You’ll find authentic Mexican food in an upscale setting. There is tableside made-to-order guacamole, tacos for all (including vegetarian options like roasted sweet potato tacos), dinner specialties such as the Sonora ribs, and a drink menu that includes a variety of tequilas and margaritas.

INFO: 402 New York Ave.; 631-549-0100; besitomexican.com

Piccolo Restaurant

A longtime staple in the community, having opened in 1988, this Italian restaurant also mixes in New American cuisine. In addition to homemade pasta and traditional Italian dishes, the menu includes steaks, the popular crispy Blue Point oysters, and an award-winning wine list.

INFO: 215 Wall St.; 631-424-5592; piccolorestaurant.net

Bar Petite

Find here mostly small plates and an intimate venue (hence the name), but a big drink menu. Over a dozen martinis, along with hand-shaken cocktails and wine by the glass is served. Popular shareable dishes include the bacon-wrapped apricots, grilled baby octopus, fish tacos, and chicken wings coated with a homemade orange glaze.

INFO: 56 Stewart St.; 631-819-0165; barpetite-li.com

Babalu

This Cuban-Mediterranean bistro recently expanded, both in square footage and menu options. In addition to favorites like the housemade pernil (slow-roasted pulled pork shoulder), there is steak, fish, roasted chicken and specialties like braised pork belly over cauliflower purée.

INFO: 286 New York Ave.; 631-683-4666; babaluny.com

Finley’s

Finley’s is one of the true backyard bars in the village. You’ll feel right at home at this tavern, which is set inside a house just off the hubbub of New York Avenue. It prides itself as the leader of the craft beer experience with 30 taps and the latest trending beers. On the menu: New Orleans neighbors New England, with everything from fish and chips to twin lobster rolls, as well as Sheppard’s Pie (short rib, Guinness gravy, vegetables, crisped potatoes).

INFO: 43 Green St.; 631-351-3440; finleyshuntington.com

The Rust and Gold

This spot combines the traditional sports viewing elements of high-definition televisions, an oversized projection screen, and stadium surround sound with a restaurant feel and chef-driven menu. The classic dishes remain, such as the wings (around a dozen flavors all made in-house), flat-top burgers (get a signature or build your own), and Philly cheesesteaks (three variations on the menu). An award-winning cocktail program offers draft and local beers, and classic cocktails with a twist like the all-natural Tequila cocktail (tequila, pineapple, lime, cucumber, basil, agave, nectar).

INFO: 70 Gerard St.; 631-629-4431; therustandgold.com

Vauxhall

At this intimate, Brooklyn-like Gastropub with mood lighting and wood ceilings with a brick accent over the bar, the music is loud (the owners are, after all, musicians), and the craft beers and burgers are the draw. Particularly the kitchen sink burger, which has bacon, pepper jack, beef brisket, mac and cheese and crumbled housemade barbecue chips on a brioche bun.

INFO: 26 Clinton Ave.; 631-425-0222; vauxhallhuntington.com

The Founder’s Room

A speakeasy-style, members-only hideaway beneath The Paramount this spot provides a rock starlike experience. Members and their guests can lounge in hidden theme rooms, order drinks and small plates, and on occasion get the opportunity to mingle with the performers. Exclusivity comes with perks, but does not come cheap, with annual membership ranging from $4,000 to $6,000.

INFO: 370 New York Ave.; 631-673-7300; paramountny.com

Repeal XVIII

The bar celebrates, not just the Roaring 20s, but a specific day in the 1930s: the day Prohibition ended. In the front and back lounges — there’s also an outdoor beer garden — the lights are dim and the rooms are adorned with period artifacts and furniture. The drink menu — with Happy Hour daily from 4:30 to 7 p.m. (begins at 12:30 p.m. on Sundays) — includes a mix of craft and traditional beers. A light menu with bar bites is newly available and the place can now be reserved for private events.

INFO: 30 New St.; 631-629-5878; repealxviii.com

Honu Kitchen and Cocktails

It’s sophisticated dining by day. The dining area is contemporary chic with exposed brick, a stacked stone fireplace, and chandeliers that hang from its dramatically high ceilings. The New-American menu includes small plates (including pork mac and cheese, pumpkin ravioli, and many others), salads and burgers, and large plates (steak, fish, short rib, etc.). The bar supplies an array of classic and craft beers, wine by the glass, and handcrafted cocktails.

INFO: 363 New York Ave.; 631-421-6900; honukitchen.com

Mission Taco

A venue that prides itself on being a true taco joint, offering more than a dozen taco varieties, and shareables like chicken lollipops, housemade empanadas, and Mexican street corn.

INFO: 371 New York Ave.; 631-614-8226; missiontacoli.com

Finnegan’s Restaurant and Tap Room

Referred to by locals as the “Cheers” of Huntington, this Irish pub has been operating since 1912, and has a mural painted on the exterior brick wall of more than 100 past patrons. Once a speakeasy, now an intimate local gathering spot and classic town bar setting where everybody knows your name. There’s classic pub fare like Rubens, steak sandwiches and burgers, and a wide-ranging drink menu with craft beers and cocktails.

INFO: 5 Wall St.; 631-423-9696; finnegansny.com

KuraBarn

At this Japanese restaurant, currently open for takeout and delivery only, find a mix of traditional dishes and new creations. The menu features the popular sushi/sashimi for two, which includes a sampling of tuna, yellowtail, salmon, white fish and a choosing of sushi rolls.

INFO: 479 New York Ave.; 631-673-0060; kurabarn.com

Sapsuckers

This spot is known for its elevated pub fare, with appetizers like homemade pierogies, sandwiches like the classic Cubano (pulled pork, ham, swiss, pickles, spicy Dijon mustard), entrees like burgers and tacos made with organic meats, and drinks like 16 craft beers on rotating taps. Dimly lit with Audubon lithographs on the wall and tin on the ceiling, it’s an intimate setting for grub and hops. Limited outdoor, bar and dining room seating is currently available.

INFO: 287 Main St.; 631-683-4945; sapsuckersli.com

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