Living on Long Island we can be very spoiled. We have such a wide variety and selection of seafood restaurants to pick from. The ease of availability of fresh catches is every seafood lover’s dream. Even with issues of overfishing, pollution, and underwater habitat devastation from Hurricane Sandy, the market has bounced back. Two popular seafood delicacies on Long Island are clams and mussels.

Clams are served all different ways. They can be baked, served on the half shell, and paired with delicious sauces. Mussels too are a crowd favorite at seafood restaurants. They are steamed to perfection then served with different delectable kinds of dipping sauce.

Many restaurants also offer special deals and promotions on certain days of the week. In that case, if you’re looking to enjoy some seafood on a budget call ahead and ask them about the different promotions they currently have going on.

Rachel's Waterside Grill
281 Woodcleft Ave, Freeport, NY 11520, (516) 546-0050
To start, as an appetizer you can get either the baked clams with garlic, fresh herbs, and breadcrumbs or the clams on a half shell served with cocktail sauce. Rachel’s dinner menu features one and a half pounds of Prince Edward Island mussels in classic, gorgonzola, or spicy pomodoro flavor.

River House Grille
195 Woodcleft Ave, Freeport, NY 11520, (516) 608-5226
For starters try the dozen baked clams or raw clams or Casino clams that have double smoked bacon, onion, and pepper. You can also share a plate of mussels, they come with marinara or garlic white wine sauce.

Graceful Rose
154 West Broadway, Port Jefferson, NY 11777, (631) 509-1792
Graceful Rose offers baked clams done in their traditional family style, or raw Little Neck clams on the half shell sold by the dozen or half dozen.

Captain Bill's
122 Ocean Ave, Bay Shore, NY 11706, (631) 665-6262
Captain Bill’s in Bay Shore has a raw bar and offers baked stuffed clams, baked clams casino style, and freshly shucked clams.

21 Main
21 Montauk Highway, West Sayville, NY 11796, (631) 567-0900
From the raw bar you can order Little Neck clams on the half shell with wasabi cream. On the appetizers menu they serve clams Casino style and baked New Zealand mussels oreganata in a lemon, and white wine butter sauce.

Where are some of your favorite spots on Long Island to enjoy fresh clams and mussels? Let us know in the comments below!