ROCKAWAY BEACH — As the summer heats up, residents flock to one of the city's many beaches, from Coney Island to Orchard Beach.
The city's largest is Rockaway Beach, boasting 70 acres of public beaches and a more than five mile-long boardwalk that is fully connected for the first time since Hurricane Sandy.
You can take the NYC Ferry to Rockaway — although long lines may have you re-directing to the A train.
This summer there's art along the boardwalk, part of the 14 Sculptors on the Rock exhibit. There's live music nearly every night on the boardwalk and in bars, and weekly yoga Saturday mornings.
But one of the biggest draws is the variety of restaurants and bars to enjoy after a day on the beach.
Here's your guide to eating on the peninsula, with selected restaurants, stands and concessions from east to west:
► Dred Surfer, 16-27 Seagirt Blvd., Far Rockaway
Enjoy barbecue and Caribbean specialties at this boardwalk concession, which features indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the beach. Menu items include jerk chicken wraps, tostones, macaroni and cheese, smoothies, plus sorrel, ginger beer and alcoholic drinks.
► Edgemere Food Fair & Market, Beach 30th to Beach 50th streets (weekends only)
The owner of Dred Surfer is hosting food vendors on this mile-long stretch of newly-built boardwalk on weekends throughout the summer.
► Boardwalk Pizza, 68-20 Rockaway Beach Blvd, Arverne
This pizza restaurant, steps from the A train at Beach 67th Street, sells inventive slices and pies, like a penne alla vodka pizza and crustina pizza with a garlic bread crust.
► Goody's, 70-18 Amstel Blvd., Arverne
Jerk chicken, juicy hamburgers, oxtail, curry goat and shrimp roti are favorites of this longstanding peninsula favorite. They also have indoor and outdoor seating to feast after the beach.
► Rockaway Brewing Company, 415 Beach 72nd St., Arverne
The Long Island City-based brewery returned to its peninsula roots last year with a new bar and space in Arverne. They spin vinyl records all day while selling their beers in cans and on tap — including a rotating list of special beers like Tidal Variations 2 and Mother of Oates. The bar also features another outpost of Tacoway Beach, so you can eat tacos while enjoying fresh beer.
► Epstein's Beach, 88-22 Rockaway Beach Blvd., Rockaway Beach
The former Rockaway Beach Inn, a dive bar favorite, was purchased and quickly transformed into Epstein's Beach before the start of summer. It's the chiller cousin of Epstein's Bar, the former Lower East Side bar owned by Pat Conlon, who's returned home to Rockaway to run the newest bar on the peninsula. There are drink specials and DJ nights — and a large-scale replica of the famous Ramones cover for their "Rockaway Beach" single.
► Thai Rock, 375 Beach 92nd St, Rockaway Beach
Sit outside on the deck while eating authentic Thai food at Thai Rock, which has epic sunset views. They are usually host to live bands throughout the summer.
► Bungalow Bar, 377 Beach 92nd St., Rockaway Beach
The menu includes burgers, sandwiches, appetizers and a raw bar — including the seafood tower with Maine lobster, oysters, clams, shrimp and crab. A DJ or live band plays the outdoor deck most weekends — and you’re encouraged to stay for the sunset and dance until sunrise.
► Connolly's, 155 Beach 95th St., Rockaway Beach
The air conditioning inside this basement bar can rescue you from too many hours in the sun. The bar is famous for their piña colada, pink lemonade and (rarely) Red Bull frozens, but there's also ice-cold beer on tap.
► Super Burrito, Beach 97th Street concession, Rockaway Beach
This spot inside the longest concession stand on the boardwalk opened in May and sells San Francisco-style burritos and quesadillas, including breakfast specialties. The hefty burrito melts cheese on the tortilla for a cheesy mouthful in each bite.
► Liquid Bread, Beach 101st Street and Rockaway Beach Boulevard
The owners of Community House purchased the lot next door to create a beer garden with bocce, beers and a separate food menu. Enjoy their special “Redbull Slushies” menu, with drinks like creamsicle, orange vodka bullfrog and Liquid Bread lemonade mixed with the energy drink.
► Brothers Rockaway, Beach 106th Street concession
Fresh smoothies, avocado toast, granola and healthy egg sandwiches are served up at this stand next to Caracas Arepa Bar on the boardwalk.
► Cuisine by Claudette, 143 Beach 116th St., Rockaway Park
Enjoy specialty coffee drinks like lattes and "Jamaica Bay Sludge" — a thick cold brew coffee — along with pastries and meals baked and cooked by Claudette, the chef and owner. Your beach trip will be better with the fresh falafel, grilled cheese or heroes, or a breakfast acai bowl.
► Pico, 419 Beach 129th St., Belle Harbor
Enjoy a twist on traditional Mexican food — like pastrami tacos and honey wings with a cumin sauce — along with burritos, chips and guacamole, and quesadillas. Enjoy a margarita and a list of microbrews on tap, too.
► Rockaway Clam Bar, Bay 9 East, Riis Park
From the owners of the Red Hook Lobster Pound comes an authentic clam shack, with a menu that includes lobster rolls, fried clam strips, and shrimp.
► Ed & Bev’s Detroit-Style Coney Island Diner, Bay 9 East, Riis Park
Brothers Max and Eli Sussman bring the beloved “Coney dog” — doused with chili sauce, onions and mustard —like they enjoy in Detroit. They also sell burgers and veggie dogs. The brothers also run Samesa, selling Middle Eastern specialties like creamy beet hummus and chicken shawarma.
