Meet the Hauppauge family behind Smithtown’s new restaurant

A familiar Long Island restaurant family is back — and this time, they’re doing it right in their own backyard.

The Nyholm family, who previously owned Port Bistro and Pub in Port Jefferson, has opened Smithtown Bistro and Pub — a new neighborhood spot built around something simple: family.

Christine and Bob Nyholm run the restaurant side by side with their sons, Chris in the kitchen as chef and Rob behind the bar as bartender.

“It’s a family affair,” Bob said, noting even their granddaughters have been pitching in on busy nights.

That dynamic is nothing new for the Nyholms, who have worked together for years, but this concept leans into it more than ever.

From Port Jeff to Smithtown

The family made a name for themselves in Port Jefferson with Port Bistro and Pub, known for its approachable menu and laid-back, family-friendly feel.

The former Port Bistro location is now under new ownership and is being transformed into an Italian restaurant.

Longtime Hauppauge residents, the Nyholms say the move brings them closer to the community they’ve been part of for decades, and makes day-to-day life a little easier.

“We’ve always been right here,” Chris said.

The new restaurant, which opened in September at 65 E. Main St., sits in one of Smithtown’s most recognizable restaurant spaces.

Over the years, the location has been home to Smithtown Pasta House, Alexandro’s, ABK and Butera’s, and dates back to the original Smithtown Haus, a German restaurant that opened in the mid-1900s.

“We’ve been passing this location for years,” Bob said. “We had our son’s communion here when it was Butera’s.”

A menu for everyone

The menu blends Italian staples with elevated pub fare, giving groups plenty of options.

“You might want pasta, someone else wants a burger — now you have both,” Bob said.

While they’ve kept select favorites from the previous restaurant, the Nyholms are steadily putting their own stamp on the menu.

New additions include slow-roasted chicken, a 16-ounce pork chop and short ribs, along with a lineup of sandwiches and burgers.

Chris, who trained in culinary school and has worked in restaurants, catering and hotels, continues to roll out specials and new dishes.

Early favorites are already emerging — especially the wings, which took off around the Super Bowl.

“We were selling over 100 wings a day that week,” Chris said.

Built for the neighborhood

Unlike Port Jefferson, which draws more of a destination crowd, Smithtown Bistro and Pub is built with locals in mind.

That’s already showing.

Bob said he’s been reconnecting with people he hasn’t seen in years — including families he once coached in youth sports — now stopping in to support the new venture.

“We know so many people. It’s funny — in the last few weeks, I’ve seen people whose sons I coached in soccer,” Bob said.

For the Nyholms, that’s the goal.

A restaurant run by family, for the community — where familiar faces are always part of the experience.

And this time, it’s right at home.