A Hamptons institution (with locations in Southampton, East Hampton, Bridgehampton and Sag Harbor), the Golden Pear sells delicious gourmet sandwiches, soups, salads and coffees and is always bustling with activity. Hamptons homeowner Alec Baldwin expressed the sentiment of many regulars when he said the following (for the Golden Pear Café cookbook): “Nothing says you are home in the Hamptons more than standing in line at the Golden Pear.”

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UPDATE 2009: Grappa has closed.

A forty-foot bar is the centerpiece of the latest venue of uber-restaurateur Ed Kleefeld (known as Jean-Luc), who also owns Prime 103 in East Hampton. Grappa Wine Bar is housed in the former space of his Cajun restaurant Mumbo Gumbo and besides grappa, there will be a long list of local and international wines by the glass.

Across the country, a number of soup kitchens call themselves “Loaves & Fishes”, after the biblical story (in which Jesus miraculously fed a multitude of people with just 5 loaves of bread and two fish). In the Hamptons, Loaves & Fishes refers to (in addition to a high-end cookware store as well as a cooking school at the Bridgehampton Inn) a specialty foodshop that sells $100/pound lobster salad and, as of this year, accepts Euros. Despite the hefty price tags though, the store’s homemade salads, pot pies, salsas and pies rarely disappoint. Closed New Year’s Eve through Easter.

Raw food and delicious juices that can be used for a serious cleanse or just a commitment to cleaner living or even just one healthy meal. Open daily.

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Toni Ross, who opened Nick & Toni’s with her late husband Jeff Salaway (a.k.a Nick), also owns this casual little bistro where tables are easier to come by and the most popular item is fish and chips. There’s an extensive selection of microbrews so the bar scene is usually lively but don’t expect to see and be seen.

In a building that once housed a post office and general store is the Sagg Store (formerly known as the Sagg General Store), a little deli and food shop that sells gourmet salads, paninis and fresh baked goods. The store is the main business in the sleepy town of Sagaponack and has, over the years, gone through a number of owners and transformations. Currently, it’s in the hands of Karen and Richard Thayer, the latter of whom is a descendant of the original proprietors. Staying true to the Sagg’s general store roots, the Thayers sell various odds and ends, like town-pride coffee mugs, sweatshirts, canvas totes and even onesies, all of which display the word “Sagaponack” on them.

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Not to be confused with Montauk’s cool Surf Lodge, this casual beachside lobster shack opened Memorial Day 2008 and offers a large outdoor area (that seats more than one hundred) with prime sunset views. The Surf Shack is the brainchild of Alex Gordon, owners of such clubby venues as Bamboo Bernie’s and Zoo Bar, who will make sure that the vibe is fun and laid-back (there’s live music on the weekends).

While the Hamptons is home to a number of yoga studios and health food stores, none are quite like the Juicy Naam, which is meant to be a “one-stop” health and healing emporium. In addition to selling smoothies (which can come tailored to your sign) juices (like wheatgrass) and vegetarian raw soups, the store offers yoga and meditation classes, guided cleanses, lifestyle coaching sessions and a number of Eastern-based spa treatments.

It’s always bustling at this Southampton shop, which stocks both imported and American artisanal cheeses and often has great fondues and raclettes available at the cheese bar. Many, though, come here solely for the illy coffee and takeout sandwiches, salads and soups. In 2001, owners Rosemary and Adam Batcheller opened another shop in Mattituck (on the North Fork of Long Island) which hosts a number of wine and cheese tasting events throughout the year.

Celebrities and socialites have hired Thyme & Again to cater the most sophisticated of soirees as well as simple dinners.