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A beloved North Shore restaurant has officially expanded to the South Shore — with a French twist.
La Plage, the longtime waterfront staple in Wading River, has opened a brand-new sister spot in Bellport. It’s called La Plage Bistro, and doors officially opened this June at 14 Station Road.
“This has been a passion project of [La Plage founder] Wayne’s for years,” said Kristi Macdonald, the manager of La Plage and a trained chef who’s worked alongside owner Wayne Wadington for over a year. “We’re just so excited to bring this concept to Bellport.”
The new bistro, located in the former Bellport Brewing Company space, channels the cozy feel of La Plage’s Friday night prix fixe “Bistro Nights” — a local favorite that took off in Wading River during the off-season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Wadington, a veteran of the Long Island dining scene, purchased the original La Plage in 1996 — back when it was called Flipper’s Fish House. He renamed it La Plage (French for “the beach”) to reflect both its location and his love for French cuisine.
Over the years, the restaurant evolved into a “French Continental” experience, offering refined comfort food with bold ingredients and unexpected twists.
His idea for a second restaurant focused on the rustic, home-style dishes from Bistro Nights had been in the works for a while. But when he visited the Bellport location last fall, he knew it was the perfect fit.
“As soon as he walked in, he said, ‘This would be perfect for the bistro,’” Macdonald recalled.
The team signed the lease at the start of the year and quickly began renovations. The space got a full transformation, with a new bar, raw bar, and French-inspired details like penny tile and subway tile.
IF YOU GO
La Plage Bistro offers seating for about 70 guests, including 25 spots at the bar and an outdoor patio for warm-weather dining.
The menu is rooted in French comfort classics — escargot, steak frites, French onion soup — all crafted with thoughtful, modern touches.
And the setting matches the food: cozy, elegant, and intimate.
“It’s a small restaurant,” Macdonald said. “It keeps it nice and quaint and small, comfortable and personal.”
Top: Exterior of La Plage Bistro in Bellport. (Credit: Instagram)
