Which spots are cash only?

Johnny's Reef Restaurant and Tony's Pier Restaurant are both cash only, so hit an ATM before you cross the bridge onto the avenue.

Where can I get a late-night meal?

Sammy's Fish Box stays open until 1am year-round, so go after 10pm when everything else on the avenue is closing for the island's one dependable late-night lobster.

Good for a group, and is anything BYOB?

The Original Crab Shanty's family-style shore dinners, like the lobster, shrimp and ribs feast, are built for the table, bib included; The Artist (Starving Artist Café) is BYOB, so bring your own bottle.

TOP10NYC

All lists

of City Island · verified Jul 21, 2026 · By Piyush Puri

Best of City Island

The 10 best places to eat and drink on City Island, from Belden Point fried-shrimp trays to a 1929 dockside dining room, all verified open in 2026.

The map

Loading the map

1
Johnny's Reef Restaurant
City Island · $$ · 2 City Island Ave, Bronx, NY 10464
Also No. 6 on Best Hangouts in the Bronx →
Official site ↗·Map ↗verified 6d agoCash onlyOutdoor
Cafeteria-style fried seafood hall at Belden Point, the very tip of City Island, with picnic tables on an open deck over Long Island Sound. Cash-only trays of fried shrimp, whiting, scallops, clams and lobster since the 1950s.
Because the cafeteria line has been sliding trays of fried shrimp and whiting onto the same open deck at Belden Point since the 1950s, and the picnic tables still sit directly over Long Island Sound.

Good to know

Which spots are cash only?: Johnny's Reef Restaurant and Tony's Pier Restaurant are both cash only, so hit an ATM before you cross the bridge onto the avenue.
Where can I get a late-night meal?: Sammy's Fish Box stays open until 1am year-round, so go after 10pm when everything else on the avenue is closing for the island's one dependable late-night lobster.
Good for a group, and is anything BYOB?: The Original Crab Shanty's family-style shore dinners, like the lobster, shrimp and ribs feast, are built for the table, bib included; The Artist (Starving Artist Café) is BYOB, so bring your own bottle.