The Whale’s Tale, Northport — A Long Island Coastal Favorite Waves Goodbye
It’s the end of an era on the North Shore of Long Island. After 16 memorable years, The Whales Tale in Northport is closing its doors. The restaurant’s last day of service is slated for November 8, 2025. newsday.com
Roots & Rise
What began in 2009 as a modest snack bar at the Britannia Yachting Center — part of the marina on Fort Salonga Road — grew into one of Northport’s most talked-about dining destinations. longislandpress.com+1
Owner Sosh Andriano built a laid-back, “tacos-cold beer-sunset” kind of vibe, combining coastal décor, outdoor decks, and an approachable menu heavy on tacos, wings, and fun cocktails. longislandpress.com+1
The location — 81 Fort Salonga Road, Northport — offered marina views and a casual waterfront setting, a differentiator for dining on the North Shore. thewhalestalenorthport.com+1
Why the Closing?
According to a recent article in Newsday, the closing is being called a “professional and responsible exit.” The owners note their lease is up and they intend to move on, outside of continuing operations at that site. newsday.com+1
With the lease expiry, and given the shifting economics of waterfront dining, this move feels both business-minded and bittersweet: the space has been a vibrant part of the Northport waterfront scene.
The Impact on the Local Scene
For locals and visiting clients of Huntington’s upscale waterfront market (a context I know well), The Whales Tale has offered:
- A relaxed outdoor deck where waterfront dining met casual socializing.
- A gathering place after boat rides, beach days or summer evenings.
- A go-to for “taco nights” with a view.
Its departure leaves a gap: waterfront dining options in the Huntington/Northport corridor are fewer, and a location like this carried both nostalgia and high-foot traffic, especially for younger or more informal dining.
For you, Sean, as a realtor specialising in waterfront properties, the closure may signal shifts in how marina-adjacent commercial uses are evolving — something useful to monitor for your listings in places like Huntington Bay, Lloyd Harbor, and Lloyd Neck.
What Comes Next?
Interestingly, the story doesn’t end exactly here. The Whales Tale brand is moving east. A new location in Hampton Bays is under way—and already opened in soft-launch mode. longislandpress.com+1
This expansion suggests the owners still see value in the concept — just perhaps in a different geography and lease structure. For Northport, the 81 Fort Salonga site will soon be either re-purposed or relaunched under a new tenancy. It will be interesting to see what is coming to replace this long-time favorite spot. Stay Tuned!
Why It Matters
- Community anchor: Over its 16 years, The Whales Tale became more than a restaurant. Weekly events like Taco Tuesdays, outdoor seating overlooking boats, and the casual, embrace-the-coastlife tone helped the business weave into the local fabric.
- Economic signal: As restaurants struggle with rising costs, waterfront rent, staffing, supply chain, the closing is a real-world data point on the challenges of marine-business-district dining.
- Real Estate Relevance : For the world of waterfront residential sales and lifestyle appeal, the presence (and departure) of amenities such as this can influence neighbourhood appeal, renters’ interest, or even suite of buyers seeking “live, dine, boat” settings.
