Mother’s Day is a time of year to celebrate those who have given us life, and it could not be better timed.

Spring brings with it a multitude of opportunities to explore the Long Island area, but the holiday also has its challenges. Namely: where to eat?

Some have prepared long before the day began while others have noticed that their favorite spots are drying up on reservations. While spots continue to fill up fast and cannot be guaranteed, we’ve compiled a promising list of Long Island’s best Mother’s Day spots for brunch and dinner.

The list below is in no particular order.

1.Library Cafe: Library Café is a popular restaurant and pub located at 274 Main St. in Farmingdale. They are based out of the former Farmingdale Public Library. While some features from its roots remain, it was entirely transformed to allow for a sophisticated pub feel. With a creative, literary-themed cocktail menu and great food, they are a treat to visit.

Along with other Lessing’s Hospitality Group restaurants, Library Café is offering a Mother’s Day package. Unlimited mimosas and champagne will be available with a choice of brunch options. For adults, brunch will cost $28 and for kids $15. Reservations will be required. To book a time slot, call (516) 752-7678. For menu information as well as seating times, visit the Lessing’s website here.

2. Babylon Carriage House: Babylon Carriage House was established in 2003, and its long history within the village has made it a prime location for events and holiday festivities.

Their Mother’s Day 2021 menu, unlike other parts of this list, is catered towards delicious dinners more so than brunch. Several seafood favorites like their blackened swordfish and pan-seared scallops will make an appearance. Asides from seafood, there are other choices like their braised short rib ravioli, certain to make a dinner outing to Babylon Carriage House an exciting one.

Find the restaurant at 21 Fire Island Ave. in Babylon. To reserve a table, call (631) 422-5161. You can also check out their website to find out more.

3. The Fifth Season: Port Jefferson’s The Fifth Season will have take-out and dine-in options for their Mother’s Day celebration. While the menus will differ, both have a fine assortment of dishes to choose from.

Reserving a Mother’s Day table will be $70 a person, but with a four-course meal to enjoy, any Mother’s Day can be made a success. While the first course is fixed with their spinach croquettes, the second through fourth have a wide variety of menu items to choose from.

The Fifth Season is well established for their high-quality restaurant fare, and this extends to their curbside pickup. Since this option is especially popular, they are expecting orders by Thursday, May 6. Within their general menu, a family-style dinner for four will be available at $160 for the mothers who wish to celebrate at home.

The restaurant is located at 34 East Broadway, Port Jefferson. To reserve a table or order curbside pickup either visit their website or call them at (631) 477-8500.

4. Long Island Aquarium: The Long Island Aquarium, which we have written about here, will be hosting a Mother’s Day brunch in their “Sea Star Ballroom.” The event is popular across the Island and comes complete with a delectable menu and a day at the aquarium. This annual brunch is meant to accommodate the whole family, with menu items from their omelet station, hot dishes, and kids’ items like french fries, chicken fingers, and mac and cheese.

Reservations for children 3-12 costs $29.95, while adults aged 13 and up cost $59.95. As a reward for members, seat reservations can be purchased at a discounted price. Reservations dry up fast, so do not hesitate to call them at (631) 208-9200, ext. 426. The aquarium is located at 431 East Main St. in Riverhead. Visit their website to learn more.

5. Leilu Huntington: Leilu was opened in 2019, quickly becoming a well-reviewed Huntington hot spot. Located at 10 New St. in Huntington, the restaurant has a comfort food-based menu with brunches on Sundays. Served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the already popular brunch menu has been revamped for Mother’s Day.

Rather than the usual 3 p.m. end time, Leilu will be hosting Mother’s Day until 5 p.m. During the restaurant’s first Mother’s Day in 2020, they were forced to limit themselves to to-go orders, but with the opportunity for dine-in customers, they have announced their three course, fix-priced menu for the occasion. The brunch will include live music and will have seating both indoors and outdoors.

Their website can be found here with Mother’s Day information and ways to reserve a table. If you would like to call, their number is (613) 944-3111.

6. Thyme Restaurant: Thyme Restaurant is located at 8 Tower Place in Roslyn. Known for their menu that changes with the seasons, utilizing locally sourced ingredients, their weekend brunches are a treat any time of the year. For Mother’s Day specifically, they have created an exclusive menu. Chock full of new cocktails, including the choice of a complimentary drink, Thyme is hoping to bring a hearty celebration to the mothers of Long Island.

You can reserve a table by phone at (516) 625-2566, or visit their website. Outdoor and indoor reservations will be required. Their outdoor patio area with a great view of Roslyn Pond was recently renovated to accommodate more customers and update its appearance.

7. Your Mother's House: Your Mother’s House is a perfect Mother’s Day destination for more than just its name. Describing themselves as a “place for everyone and anyone,” their focus is on variety and customer satisfaction. Having opened its doors in 2011 at 2349 Jericho Turnpike in Garden City Park, they have been one of the area’s most sought-after bar and grills.

For Mother’s Day, the restaurant is bringing several different options to the table. A $25 bottomless brunch will be available, as well as a breakfast in bed to-go option in true Mother’s Day fashion. 

Brunch items include their “Mother’s Favorite” section: chicken waffle and eggs, their Baja pulled pork hash, and their Monte Cristo sandwich. On their website you can order online or reserve a table. You can also call them at (516) 493-9030.

8. Hatch: Another popular Huntington Mother’s Day spot, Hatch caters to any brunch lover. Their mission is clear: “We are here to change the perception of the typical brunch.” Hatch prides themselves on new takes for classic meals, and their menu is absolutely packed with variety.

This eatery specializes in breakfast and brunch. On their refined yet comfortably familiar menu, patrons will find plenty of different tastes. Some of their most popular meals are the loaded breakfast burrito and their many omelette and cage-free egg styles. As far as drinks are concerned, Hatch has its customers covered. Their classic mimosa is a fine take on tradition with several different choices of juice, as well as the option for a build-your-own mimosa for the table.

Reservations are necessary to find a time slot that works for you. Call them at (631) 424-0708. Their website contains further information on their menu and reservations.

9. Oakdale Brew House: The Oakdale-based restaurant Oakdale Brew House will be having two seatings for their Mother’s Day Brunch on Sunday, May 9. The first will be at 10:30 a.m. and the second at 1 p.m.

Their menu is extensive with many shareable, full-table options as well as individual tastes like their breakfast dilla and croque monsieur. Mother’s Day drinks will include their house mimosas, coffee cocktails, and other brunch-time favorites to make up their packed menu.

You can find the restaurant at 927 Montauk Highway in Oakdale. Reservations will be required. Call them at (631) 212-1255 and visit their website. 

10. Chadwicks: Chadwicks American Chop House & Bar will be a Mother’s Day treat for all families to enjoy. The well-known chophouse has made a name for itself not only through its delicious dinner menu and seasonal tastes like those offered on their sunset menu, but also for their notable brunches.

Brunch at Chadwicks is perfect for those who lean towards breakfast as well as those who prefer heartier afternoon meals. There are plenty of salads to choose from, a great lobster bisque, and more conceptual foods like their Cancún burrito. In short, there is something for everyone’s mother to enjoy.

As usual, reservations will be necessary to celebrate Mother’s Day at Chadwicks. The restaurant is located at 49 Front St, Rockville Centre. To reserve, call (516) 766-7800. You can find their website here.

Comment your favorites below! Did we miss any? Let us know!