Guide: Restaurants at Station Yards in Ronkonkoma

"Transition" — that's how Amy Kardon, of Long Island City, Queens, describes what she sees at Ronkonkoma’s multiuse development Station Yards on a sunny summer evening.

"We’ve certainly come through Ronkonkoma on the train, but not by car very frequently," said Kardon, whose family was stretching their legs on the green space at Station Yards before hitting the road again to get to their second home in Laurel on the North Fork. "My husband works in real estate, so he sort of knew about this development in particular and he likes to see new changes in areas that you can sort of see the promise of what’s coming in the future. So we wanted to scope it out."

Meanwhile, Janice Sexton, a Ronkonkoma resident for the past decade, was dining at Great South Bay Brewery with her family of 14 before catching a train to a concert by country singer Chris Stapleton.

"It’s not an eyesore anymore," Sexton said.

The $1.2 billion housing and retail development across from the Ronkonkoma train station has become a community hub. Phase 2B of the project is currently underway. It will cost $113 million and bring 175 new residential units as well as 1,419 square feet of retail space, according to Chris Kelly, senior vice president at Tritec, developer of the project. Currently, 86% of the complex's commercial space is leased, he said.

Several eateries have opened recently (and a few more still to come), making it a formidable dining destination.

Toast Coffee + Kitchen

The popular all-day brunch chain opened in July after what owner Terry Scarlatos said had been nearly a year and a half of planning. The original Toast opened in 2002 in Port Jefferson and has outposts in Patchogue, Bay Shore, Long Beach and Port Jefferson Station.

All-day options include Nutella and banana crepe ($14.95) and a chicken burger ($17.95). Early commuters will be able to enjoy grab-and-go breakfast items such as overnight oats, sandwiches, bottled juices and lemonades.

The new and sleek space has more seating than any other location, with 180 seats with metallic damask ceiling tiles and a striking mural.

Scarlatos shuttered the brand's nighttime concept, Revival by Toast, in the original Port Jefferson location in early 2025. He plans to bring that back this fall with evening hours at Station Yards.

More info: 3 Hawkins Ave., 631-913-0039, toastcoffeehouse.com

Vespa Italian Kitchen & Cocktails

This is the second location for owner Benedetto LoManto's Italian American restaurant. The original opened in 2016 on Main Street in Farmingdale. The 6,500-square-foot property is 70% larger than the original.

Appetizers include meatballs and burrata ($23) with pastas such as a’forno Siciliana, ring-shaped pasta with eggplant, peas and cheese in a meat sauce ($27). An added lunch menu from noon to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays includes sandwiches, soups and salads.

The elegant, chandelier-laden dining room has a notable backlit wall that holds about 72 bottles of wine. The 20-seat bar and covered patio adds tables for another 45 guests.

More info: 3 Hawkins Ave., 631-528-3772, vespaitaliankitchen.com

Tap Room

Chow down on "Tapchos" ($17) or a burger wrap ($17.50) at the ninth outpost of the popular gastropub, which opened in January. Tap Room’s list of seasonal beers, IPA’s and ales, ciders and fruit beers and wheat beers. Their menu also has a solid list of mocktails. The eatery is nearly 6,000 square feet with seats for 220 indoors.

More info: 1 Hawkins Ave., 631-615-1800, taproomofny.com

Artemis Cocktail Bar

You'll have to work a little to find the "hidden" speakeasy cocktail bar, Artemis. The Art Deco-themed space is named after a Prohibition-era rum-running boat that operated off the shores of the East End.

Sip on a South Bay Sazerac ($19) and peruse a menu of small bites such as a grazing plate ($40) that includes meat, cheese and a substantial spread of European offerings.

More info: 3 Hawkins Ave., Unit 1110, 631-266-8534, artemisspeakeasy.com.

Great South Bay Brewery

Great South Bay Brewery was the first restaurant to open at the development, in October, with a spacious 8,400-square-foot tasting room with a capacity to seat 355 guests. There are 24 beers on tap, mocktails, nonalcoholic brews and a menu of pizzas, salads, burgers and overstuffed sandwiches.

More info: 1 Hawkins Ave., Ronkonkoma, 631-392-8472, gsbronkonkoma.com.

Lucharitos

The colorful aesthetic of this popular Tex-Mex chainlet is on full display at the 1,500-square-foot free-standing building that houses Lucharitos. The ambience with red, green and blue detailing across the walls and terra-cotta floor tiles was inspired by Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The restaurant has seats for 22 guests indoors and 22 outside, with a front window that opens to the development's courtyard. Tacos range from traditional al pastor ($5.50) to mahi mahi and fried chicken ($6 each).

More info: 7 Hawkins Ave., 631-309-4999, lucharitos.com

Coming soon atto Station Yards

The French Workshop, an upscale bakery serving elegant pastries, breads, quiche and cakes, will open its first Suffolk County outpost at Station Yards by early 2026. Cornucopia Natural Foods is scheduled to open later this summer, while a new location of the ice cream chain Ben and Jerry’s is also in the works.

Newsday's Andi Berlin and Erica Marcus contributed to this story.