If the sceney goings on of a certain seaside hamlet is not your cup of tea, consider Bellport, New York. Just 45 minutes west of the Hamptons lies an under the radar beach town brimming with old-school charm and elegance. With its impeccably maintained historic homes, gorgeous private beach only accessible by ferry, and a Main Street brimming with art galleries and live theater, Bellport has been an insider secret of the creative set since the 1970s. Not to mention it’s a 90 minute drive from New York City and only two square miles—ensuring no summer traffic, ever.
Its low-key, beachy charm attracts notable residents, including model and writer Elettra Wiedemann and her mother, actress/model/author/filmmaker Isabella Rossellini (who owns a 28 acre chicken farm in the area), Bruce Pask, men’s fashion director for Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus, Calvin Klein’s Francisco Costa, art dealer Angela Westwater, film and television producer Michael Cohen, photographer Douglas Friedman (who is working on a renovation of an iconic farm, with Martha Stewart assisting on the gardens), architect Elizabeth Roberts, and Palm Beach interior designer Celerie Kemble, among others.
“The village has long been a haven for artists and creatives; Bellport’s reputation as a place for people in fashion, media, and the arts goes back decades,” says Howie Guja of Old Purchase, the go-to real estate firm in the area. Guja’s Instagram feed is a veritable advertisement for Bellport, from his perfectly worn emerald green Range Rover to the delectably charming cedar-shingled homes that he sells (and posts) frequently.
“The town is just as charming [as the Hamptons,] though more like New England; it’s all about understated beauty and quiet sophistication. It does not attract people who want to show off,” Guja says.
Luxury New York City real estate broker Erez Rose, a resident with his husband, producer Michael Cohen, agrees: “Bellport is my happy place, my perfect escape from the city that’s also close enough where going back and forth is never too much . Everything from the local farms—we frequent Hog Farm on Saturday mornings to get veggies for lunch and the best fresh bread – to the restaurants (we are huge fans of the State Room in Patchogue) make Bellport a gem.”
The town has a real sense of community, where dinner parties that go long into the night are commonplace, and everyone from the cheesemonger to the auto repairman is likely to know your name.
If you find yourself lucky enough to snag a coveted Airbnb—or even better, an invitation to stay at a Bellport-ite’s home for the weekend, Guja’s 48-hour itinerary has you covered. And if an invite isn’t in the cards, check out the recently opened Temperance Hall, a new bed and breakfast addition to the area. Some other great news? There are no longer restrictions on short-term rentals in the Village of Bellport—so if you want to come for just a weekend, now you can!
Activities
Most days in Bellport are spent at Ho Hum Beach, sailing or paddleboarding on the bays, bike riding through the historic districts, or taking trips to the many preserved open spaces. (Insider tip: you’ll need to prove you’re a resident of Bellport to get on the ferry to Ho-Hum!) Historical walking tours are also a fun Saturday morning excursion.
Brookhaven Hamlet is a neighboring town that is considered part of the Bellport area and has extensive walking trails including a boardwalk along Beaverdam Creek. Art fairs and outdoor screenings are also frequent occurrences, as are gatherings at The Gateway (also known as The Bellport Playhouse, a focal point of the social scene in town.)
The HOG Farm has weekend farmer’s markets and also offers weekly events—check the schedule for what’s happening.
Eat
If you’re more of a grill-at-home type, Deer Run Farms in Brookhaven offers an array of organic produce and is open every day. Hamlet Organic Garden is a CSA member, but also has a farmers market open every Saturday to the public. Isabella Rossellini’s farm, aptly titled, “The Farm”, has an organic operation focusing on eggs and honey.
The Bellport and Porter’s On The Lane are classic old-timey restaurants perfect for a burger and fries after a long day out on the water; you’ll find the former packed on Friday evenings when residents start to arrive for the weekend. Carla Marla’s is the 1950s ice cream parlor of your dreams, nostalgia included.
One of the hot new standouts getting critical acclaim is The State Room in Patchogue. Owner and chef, Fran Derby, a Bellport native, has a long history with some of the best restaurants in the country. Varney s Restaurant is a widely popular seafood shack in Brookhaven serving locally caught seafood. Painters is also a popular and large bar and restaurant in Brookhaven. Just outside Bellport proper, Silly Lily Fishing Station in East Moriches has great food and also offers boat rentals, charters, and, according to Guja, “is just a generally beautiful place to hang out.” Sold. And if you need a quick hit of java, Brewport is the place to go.
Shop
Copper Beech, Thomas O’Brien and Dan Fink’s beloved home furnishing and prepared food store, is an under-the-radar cult favorite with interior designers and artists alike. The Storefront, relatively new in town, is a great addition with everything a chic shop by the water could need, from well-curated interior design books to chic bathing suits. New art galleries, The Something Machine and Marquee Projects inject some culture and also function as gathering spaces. In town, Bellport General offers up excellent espresso, snacks, and beach wares, while It s Only Natural is the local health and wellness market.