Ina Garten, aka the Barefoot Contessa, is synonymous with two things: good food and the Hamptons. In 1978, she boldly moved from being an analyst at the White House to owning a specialty food store in East Hampton with her husband, Jeffery.
The Barefoot Contessa has gained the public’s trust regarding ingredients, recipes, and food because she is famous for her successful top-rated Food Network shows and her thirteen bestselling cookbooks. Unsurprisingly, she’s an iconic figure and a mainstay of the Hamptons because of her love for the local food scene.
In a recent Instagram caption, Ina wrote, “Everyone thinks of ‘The Hamptons’ as being very fancy but the places I love most are the local markets and farmstands that have been here forever…These are what make living and cooking here so special.”
Who better to be a guide through the Hamptons’ food scene than the Barefoot Contessa?
Favorite Restaurants
First up is the favorite restaurant of Jeffery, the Contessa’s husband, where he loves to eat once a week. Duryea’s in Montauk is a local favorite. It’s a dockside seafood restaurant and market located at “the End” of the island.
“Everything is absolutely delicious,” Ina Garten told Food Network. “Their grilled fish has incredibly flavorful seasoning. You go out by the water and feel like you’re in Greece.”
It’s more than just Jeffery’s favorite place to eat. It’s a well-known celebrity favorite.
In East Hampton, the Contessa enjoys the roast chicken at the 1770 House, a tavern and fine dining restaurant. “The meatloaf at 1770 House in East Hampton is the best classic dish I’ve ever had. It’s always perfect,” Ina told Food Network’s Best Thing I Ever Ate.
For a delicious steak dinner, she visits The Palm.
Another popular East Hampton eatery is the East Hampton Grill, rumored to have the best coleslaw in the Hamptons. An additional draw to the East Hampton Grill is that it is open year-round and features a wood-burning to keep warm during the winter.
Another fun spot to eat is Candy Kitchen, a cash-only establishment in East Hampton since 1925. It serves only lunch and specializes in diner classics.
A trip on the ferry to Shelter Island is necessary to enjoy the Vine Street Cafe’s mushroom bolognese.
Favorite Speciality Food Stores
“Loaves & Fishes is one of the best specialty food stores in the country,” Ina Garten said to Food Network. The gourmet takeout spot is home to one of her favorite dinners, shrimp and swordfish curry.
The Barefoot Contessa has also been spotted shopping for “specialty imported cheeses and curated accouterments” at Cavaniola’s Gourmet in Sag.
Carissa’s Bakery is where the Barefoot Contessa goes for delicious pastries made from locally sourced ingredients. She is a huge fan of the croissants and loves their “perfect” gazpacho.
Tate’s Bake Shop is home to Ina’s favorite chocolate chip cookies. The shop is popular with tourists for its cookies and long waiting lines.
Favorite Hamptons Farm Stands
Ina Garten’s love of farm stands is well known. She often raves about her favorites on her Instagram posts and shares photos of their wares.
The Round Swamp Farm has multiple locations and is a favorite among locals and celebrities.
“Round Swamp Farm in East Hampton has the best produce, prepared foods, and baked goods,” Ina Garten declared in her social media post.
Pike Farms in Sagaponack is yet another favorite and “best known for their corn, tomatoes and basil, but their vegetables and melons are truly special, too,” according to the Barefoot Contessa at Home cookbook.
Ina Garten also stops at The Green Thumb for certified organic wildflowers, potted herbs, and vegetables, which is popular for its homemade hot sauce.
The Sag Habor Florist is where the Countessa indulges in her love of beautiful flowers.
Following in Ina Garten’s barefoot footsteps is the best way to enjoy the fine food of the Hamptons.
