City Island
The Bronx fishing village is full of yacht clubs and waterfront restaurants. It’s popular with visitors during the warmer months for its laidback vibe, fresh seafood dining options and range of activities—including scuba diving. There are relatively few apartments or condos—most everything (the new 41 Degrees North is an exception) has been denied by the island’s commerce board to preserve its quaint, small-scale environment.
Once you drive over City Island Bridge you hit the main strip of City Island Avenue, lined with restaurants serving various cuisines but known largely for its seafood.
If you are looking for popular chains like Starbucks and McDonald’s, you won’t find them. Locals, or “clamdiggers” as they like to call themselves, have fought ferociously against such development. The only franchise allowed on the island in more recent years is Dunkin’ Donuts—one assumes to make coffee more easily available to the large population of police officers, firemen and workers from nearby hospitals.
Things to Do
Food & Drink The Lobster House is a favorite for my family dinners, with options for all of us picky eaters. Good drinks, amazing crab legs, oysters, lobster roll and delicious options for fish—you really can't miss. Plus, being off the main strip means less traffic and less noise, especially welcome on summer weekends when the island is at its busiest.
For the best king crab legs, go to Sammy’s Fish Box toward the end of the strip. It’s an island favorite, so make reservations or grab a to-go order for home or a picnic. Try the Piri Piri whole red snapper or Chilean sea bass, accompanied by a drink of choice, either the Dusse Colada or Gilly's Aperol Spritz. Both Sammy’s Fish Box and The Lobster House are family-friendly, with lots of indoor and outdoor seating.
If seafood is not your thing, don’t fret because this boat town caters to all food lovers. Ohana Hibachi Steakhouse is a traditional hibachi-style restaurant though it also has an eight-course meal (the “Jap ‘A’ Rican”) that mixes Japanese and Puerto Rican dishes. Portofino, an authentic Italian spot, satisfies my oyster cravings, and I follow with either the lobster Allargiatta or the shrimp fra diavolo.
Nautical Museum The City Island Nautical Museum is housed in a historic school building designed by C.B.J. Snyder and built by the City of New York. Originally built in 1897, this handsome structure served as a vital educational hub for generations of City Islanders. Today, it stands as a beacon of maritime heritage, preserving the rich history of our island community for all to explore and enjoy.
Wetlands City Island consists of 230 acres, surrounded by the Long Island Sound and Eastchester Bay. Although a bridge connects this maritime oasis to the bustling Bronx, its tranquility is guarded by its closest neighbor and New York City’s largest park, Pelham Bay.
Plan Your Visit
There are several ways you can arrive to City Island:
- Driving: The main way to get across the bridge, take City Island Road across Pelhman Bay Park and on to the Island. Take Hutchinson River Parkway, Bronx and Pelhman Parkway,
- Boating
Trusted Sources
City Island Camber of Commerce City Island Wetlands Exploring City Island