Long Islanders Voted the Massapequa Diner in Massapequa Best Diner on Long Island!

Long Island is home to only discerning beer drinkers. Well, that describes some of us, anyway. And for us, the best beer selection is a thing of great value. Because we don’t drink Natty Light and Bud Ice. We only drink the good stuff. And we want a wide selection to choose from.

Long Islanders Voted Croxley Ales The Best Beer Selection On Long Island!

Croxley Ales
Multiple locations
www.croxley.com

Hit one of these friendly British-style pubs and get a load of the tap system with dozens of cool taps jutting from the wall, ready to flow forth with an awesome variety of more than 60 craft beers and regional favorites. And to drive home the serious nature of the selection is the intentional omission of Bud and Miller. These five-time Best of L.I. winners know what having a cold one is all about.

2nd Place – Brick House Brewery and Restaurant. 67 W. Main St., Patchogue. 631-447-2337. www.brickhousebrewery.com

With fresh beers on tap every day, the Brickhouse Brewery & Restaurant offers a great selection of ales and lagers along with darker beers as well. For a sneak peek check out their website for their list of current beers on tap!

3rd Place – Canterbury Ales. 46 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay. 516-922-3614. www.canterburyalesrestaurant.com

If you like an array of different types of beer you have to check out Canterbury Ale House. They have a huge beer list that includes beer from Belgium, Canada, Denmark, England, Russia, and America. This list will keep you coming back for more.

National – Miller’s Ale House. 1800 The Arches Circle, Deer Park. 631-667-0288. 3046 Hempstead Tpke., Levittown. 516-520-7000. www.millersalehouse.com

Bartenders are just as important as bars, right? Who wants to down a drink served by a jerk delivering snotty service and expecting big tips in return? On Long Island, we have lots of bartenders, ranging from great to awful…but only a few best.

Long Islanders Voted Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall In Wantagh And Centereach The Best Bartenders On Long Island!

Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall
3232 Railroad Ave.
Wantagh
516-783-7500.

1702 Middle Country Rd.
Centereach
631-696-1111
www.muls.com

Anyone who’s ever seen the Legends of Bartending World Championships knows there’s way more to bartending than working a tap. It’s not just a job—it’s an art form. Long before “Last Call” is announced, each night is a booze-drenched adventure. Mulcahy’s, a Best of L.I. all-star with a staggering seven wins this year alone, is no exception. The gang behind the bars at Mul’s is a lively one; a well-oiled machine made up of seasoned mixologists who make drinks that are attractive as the bartenders, and taste just as good as they look.

2nd Place – Croxley Ales. Multiple locations. www.croxley.com

The crew behind the bar at Croxley’s is nothing short of an all-star team. They make the amazing drink menu even better with lively, quick service. Even when the bar’s empty it’s still a good time thanks to the bartending staff!

3rd Place – The Crazy Donkey Bar & Grill. 1058 Broad Hollow Rd., Farmingdale. 631-753-1975. www.thecrazydonkey.com

It gets pretty crazy at the Crazy Donkey but their staff behind the bar never falters. They’re always on top of getting the drinks to the crowd as fast as possible!

Directions to Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall in Wantagh:

For years, Long Island wandered in the BBQ wilderness, having to hit long-gone places like Tony Roma’s for a plate of ribs. Like slow-cooked meat, the LI BBQ developed on its own timetable, taking its sweet time to find the right combination of smoky meats, funky digs and the best vibe.

Long Islanders Voted Smokin’ Al’s in Bay Shore And Massapequa Park The Best Barbecue On Long Island!

Smokin’ Al’s
19 W. Main St.
Bay Shore
631-206-3000

4847 Merrick Rd.
Massapequa Park
516-799-4900

www.smokinals.com

Now that Long Island is inundated with BBQ joints and even has an annual contest in Sayville, it’s easy to forget the days when we were “cue-less.” Five-time Best of L.I. winner Smokin’ Al Horowitz put an end to that with his ribs, pork and brisket in perfectly nuanced settings. He made BBQ an essential meal for the masses.

2nd Place – Zorn’s. Multiple locations. www.zornschicken.com

In their seventy years of service, they have gained many fans. They have scrumptious wraps and sandwich deals that also come with drinks. Their vegetables are quite fresh and wholesome.

3rd Place – Bobbique. 70 W. Main St., Patchogue. 631-447-7744. www.bobbique.com

Named for his daughter Bobbi, Chef Eric Rifkin has created a nice spot where one can listen to some good blues and sink their teeth into some tender, St. Louis styled ribs. Then, they can enjoy a selection of seventy different beers. What more could you want?

National - Famous Dave’s. 1060 Corporate Dr., Westbury. 516-832-7300. 716 Smithtown Bypass, Smithtown. 631-360-6490. www.famousdaves.com

Directions to Smokin Al’s in Bay Shore:

There are few places in the world that seem to have quite so many bars as we do on Long Island. And with such a wealth of places from which to choose, why wouldn’t you seek out the very best the bar scene has to offer?

Long Islanders Voted Croxley Ales The Best Bar On Long Island!

Croxley Ales
Multiple locations
www.croxley.com

The terrific and well-loved Croxley Ales offers not just an incredible variety of beer and ale on tap but a Brit-infused menu of Bangers and Mash, Shepherd’s Pie, Fish and Chips, and of course American pub grub boasting your favorite appetizers and salads, along with good sandwich options, all with multiple views of the big game.

2nd Place – Mulcahy’s Pub & Concert Hall. 3232 Railroad Ave., Wantagh. 516-783-7500. 1702 Middle Country Rd., Centereach. 631-696-1111. www.muls.com

This place is a 21 year-old and over pub and concert hall where various bands perform. Tickets to see these bands can be purchased at the Mulcahy’s box office or at Ticketmaster. Mulcahy’s has two locations in Wantagh and Centereach and both are sure to be loads of fun.

3rd Place – Post Office Cafe. 130 W. Main St., Babylon. 631-669-9224. www.lessings.com

A restaurant by day, the Post Office Cafe turns into the “PO” at night. With a popular lifeguard night on Tuesdays during the summer along with a full stacked bar, the twenty-somethings of the South Shore are known to pack in this Babylon Village hangout.

The next time you trip down to Florida take some time and try to find a decent bakery. Your search usually begins and ends in a supermarket. On Long Island we have an embarrassment of riches, the best bakeries in the world: destination bakeries known for a particular cake or bread; ethnic bakeries including Italian, French, German, Irish, Jewish, Greek, even Korean, Indian and Afghani. Why leave the Island?

Long Islanders Voted Dortoni Bakery In Levittown The Best Bakery On Long Island!

Dortoni Bakery
3264 Hempstead Tpke.
Levittown
516-796-3033
www.dortonibakery.com

A four-time Best of L.I. winner, Dortoni Bakery is a destination bakery for sweet shopping. One of those places whose reputation extends way past the neighborhood, partly because of its something-for-everyone variety of baked goods. From French and Italian pastries for country clubs and catering halls to cupcakes and Barbie cakes for birthdays, this is one of the best.

2nd Place – A Taste of Home. 1992 N. Jerusalem Rd., North Bellmore. 516-486-1670. www.atasteofhomebakery.com

A Taste of Home will fulfill all of your bakery needs with their specialty bakery items and delicious custom bakery needs. They offer catering services as well as take care of all of your needs for parties or other special occasions. They also do custom cakes for weddings to make your special day even more delicious.

3rd Place – Alpine Bakery Pastry Shop. 59 Rte. 111, Smithtown. 631-265-5610. www.alpinepastryshoppe.com

Alpine Bakery Pastry Shop has been in Smithtown for over 30 years serving up delicious pastries and other bakery products. They guarantee an authentic Italian taste customers love. They offer an extensive list of specialty cakes and pastries.

Directions To Dortoni Bakery In Levittown:

Bagels and Long Island go together like, well, bagels and lox. Bagel stores are everywhere and a bagel and coffee has become a part of so many morning routines. Long Islanders like the original varieties—onion, egg, sesame, poppy—let the rest of the country have blueberry and the like. We’ve got the best.

Long Islanders Have Voted Bagel Boss The Best Bagel On Long Island!

Bagel Boss
Multiple locations
www.bagelboss.com

With a dozen LI locations, this chain keeps a loyal following because of its consistent quality—the bagels are chewy on the inside and crispy on the outside. Smear on the combo of fresh, appetizing cream cheese, and stores that always seem to be open, and you have a winner for the fifth year in a row.

2nd Place – A&S Bagels, Inc. 761 Hempstead Tpke., Franklin Square. 516-326-9288. www.aandsbagels.com

A&S Bagels is great choice for all those seeking out those delicious New York City style bagels. Family owned and operated, A&S Bagels only has one store and it is located off Hempstead turnpike in Franklin Square. Their amazing quality and taste has been endorsed by many New York media outlets such as Z-100 and CBS.

3rd Place – Town Bagel. Multiple locations. www.townbagel.com

With multiple locations all over Long Island, Town Bagel is a local favorite. Not only do they have top quality fresh bagels, but Town Bagels also serves delicious salads and sandwiches, making it a great place to go for lunch or breakfast.

The many choices of American/Continental cuisine on Long Island made this a tough choice for voters. With so many terrific spots to pick from, it’s not easy to name the best. But these contenders came out on top.

Long Islanders Have Voted Argyle Grill & Tavern In Babylon The Best American/Continental Restaurant on Long Island!

Argyle Grill & Tavern
90 Deer Park Ave.
Babylon
631-321-4900
www.theargylegrill.com

Every village on LI should be so lucky as to have this inviting, cosmopolitan local favorite to come to, for innovative, thoughtfully prepared dinners or just a top-notch burger lunch. It was an immediate hit when it opened and has become a mainstay of Babylon’s burgeoning dining scene.

2nd Place - Tellers Restaurant. 605 Main St., Islip. 631-277-7070. www.tellerschophouse.com

Serving both lunch and dinner, guests can look forward to beautiful architecture and sculptures within. They serve great steaks, chops and seafood dishes along with a cocktail area.

3rd Place – Milk & Sugar Cafe. 49 W. Main St., Bay Shore. 631-969-4430. www.milkandsugarcafe.com

This café has a very intimate, elegant, and sophisticated setting and is located in Bay Shore. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Directions to Argyle Grill & Tavern:

There’s something comforting about All You Can Eat buffets on Long Island. It’s not just the perception of a good deal or the sheer variety of offerings. It’s like raiding the kitchen at home, or our fantasy of what home should be. After a day filled with hundreds of little decisions, we can have it all and all we want. And we want the best.

Long Islanders Voted Old Country Buffet In Levittown and Bay Shore The Best All-You-Can-Eat On Long Island!

Old Country Buffet
1701 Sunrise Hwy
Bay Shore
631-969-3943

3023 Hempstead Tpke.
Levittown
516-731-4533
www.oldcountrybuffet.com

Buffet restaurants are more commonplace in other parts of the country, but this chain provides one of the best spreads on LI, whether it’s breakfast, replete with fluffy eggs, crisp bacon and stacks of pancakes, or lunch and dinner, with dozens of hot entrees. Just belly up to the buffet, load your plate with hot fried chicken, pasta or maybe some beef stew and delight in the sheer volume of it all.

2nd Place – Minado 219 Glen Cove Rd., Carle Place. 516-294-9541. www.minado.com

This ultimate sushi buffet features 30 selections of different sushi and sashimi. The meals are commonly artfully prepared. Their most traditional and contemporary foods include: yakisoba, beef and chicken teriyaki and tempura. Seafoods that are also offered are jumbo shrimp and oysters, along with salads and desserts.

3rd Place – DJ’s International Buffet 1100 Stewart Ave., Garden City. 516-227-2472.

This buffet is very versatile with an array of food. This location is known for shrimp, sushi, crab legs, spare ribs, lamb chops and Italian rainbow cookies.

Directions to Old Country Buffet In Bay Shore:

Because even busy Long Islanders need more than a quick bagel or an egg sandwich. The best breakfast spots evoke lazy vacation mornings when there’s time to deliberate on pancake toppings and omelet fillings. Slow it down and get a heater for that cup of joe.

Long Islanders Voted Maureen’s Kitchen In Smithtown The Best Breakfast On Long Island!

Maureen’s Kitchen
108 Terry Rd.
Smithtown
631-360-9227

For the fifth year in a row, this morning institution has taken home the gold in the Best Breakfast category, and for good reason. The famous baked oatmeal and stuffed French toast just scratch the surface. Omelets are enormous, pancake varieties legendary, add bright, whimsical surroundings and a friendly staff and the choice is clear.

2nd Place - Thomas’ Ham & Eggery. 325 Old Country Rd., Carle Pl. 516-333-3060.

This breakfast spot has been around since before World War II. They are open Monday through Sunday, where they serve great egg skillets, Belgian waffles, French toast and much more.

3rd Place – Krisch’s Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlour. 11 Central Ave., Massapequa. 516-797-3149. www.krischs.com

This location has been in business for over 90 years. They specialize in homemade ice cream, chocolates, candies and burgers. They are also full-service lotto agents.

National - IHOP. Multiple locations. www.ihop.com

Directions to Maureen’s Kitchen: