The best places for avocado toast on Long Island and New York City

Trendy foods such as over-the-top milkshakes and fancy sushi rolls are now all the rage.  Recently, avocado toast has been at the top of this list.  

In its most basic form, avocado toast is exactly what it sounds like: avocado spread onto toast.  However, that by no means is the only form it comes in.  Given the simplicity of the dish, there are limitless possibilities for restaurants to put their own creative twist on the recipe. 

But what’s the best place to find the perfect avocado toast? Port Washington is home to Schmear Bakery and Market, which has recently added avocado toast to their menu in response to the food’s growing popularity. Although Schmear originally offered a single recipe that consisted of avocado, lox, and an egg on top of a thick slice of toasted bread, they have since expanded into a variety of additional types, including the option to make your own.  A town favorite is the Greek avocado toast, which includes cherry tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, onions, cucumbers, and olives.  

“I love Schmear’s avocado toast.  Its prime location and endless possibilities can’t be beat.  I like to change up my order every time to be able to experience a variety of combinations,” said junior Molly Schiff. 

A little further outside of Port Washington is Le Pain Quotidien, which has locations at Roosevelt Field Mall and all over New York City. The Belgian restaurant-bakery chain is most famous for their tartines, or open-faced sandwiches. Avocado is a staple ingredient on their menu, and their avocado tartine has long been a popular choice.

“Le Pain Quotidien offers both quality and quantity. It is my go-to for avocado toast due to its basic yet tasty design,” said junior Nicole Jimenez. 

 Le Pain Quotidien uses whole wheat sourdough toast and fresh avocados for their tartines, which are topped with citrus cumin salt, chia seeds, and extra-virgin olive oil.  If you’re looking for a bit more variety, you can always add a hard-boiled egg, smoked salmon, or prosciutto for an additional fee. If you’d like to try your hand at making your own avocado toast, Le Pain Quotidien makes many of their recipes publicly available online.

Lower Manhattan is home to a plethora of up-and-coming eateries, each of which offers a unique spin on the classic avocado toast. The Butcher’s Daughter, for example, makes avocado toast with two poached eggs, curried hollandaise, mustard seeds, and lime, all on 9-grain toast. Citizens of Chelsea is famed for their own take on avocado toast as well.  There, citrus, cilantro, feta, beet hummus, pumpkin seeds, watermelon radishes and pickled onions all top avocado on sourdough toast.  Two Hands, which serves their avocado toast with chili flakes, lemon, and olive oil, is another popular spot. 

It’s evident that avocado toast has unlimited opportunities for experimentation. Fortunately, Port Washington and the surrounding area has a variety of restaurants that serve avocado toast, each with their own spin on the classic brunch meal. Go find your favorite combination!