Shipwreck Diner: A Century at the Counter: Northport’s Shipwreck Diner

46 Main Street, Northport
631-754-1797
Website: www.nptshipwreck.com

Right by the harbor in Northport Village sits a true Long Island landmark: Northport’s Shipwreck Diner. With its signature diner car charm and a story that spans a full century, the Shipwreck isn’t just a restaurant – it’s a piece of living history.

Established in 1924, the diner began as a vintage railcar, believed to have originated in Canada. It was brought to Northport and set up on wheels at the end of the harbor, opening as the Northport Diner. In the 1940s, the entire car was moved up Main Street and placed on a concrete slab, where it still sits today. While wood and paneling have been added over the years, the original aluminum frame remains – a quiet tribute to its enduring past.

In 1972, Otto Hess bought the diner and gave it the nautical moniker “Otto’s Shipwreck Diner,” a nod to the harbor-town setting. His son, Tim, took over in 1994 and ran it for decades as “Tim’s Shipwreck Diner.” In late 2021, the keys were handed to a new trio of owners, including Denis Beyersdorf, a longtime Northport resident with deep community roots. They revived the classic name – Northport’s Shipwreck Diner – and began a new chapter in its story.

“We didn’t want to change a thing,” Denis says. “This place means too much to the town. We weren’t just buying a restaurant – we were preserving a legacy.” Tim stayed on for a few months to ensure a smooth transition. Most of the staff remained as well – some with over 30 years of service.

The diner has earned a few moments in the spotlight, too. It appeared in the 1997 film In & Out starring Tom Selleck and Kevin Kline, and in 2014, it was featured on Ty Pennington’s American Diner Revival, which refreshed the interior without altering its classic layout.

So, what keeps people coming back? Locals and visitors alike rave about Marion’s Homemade Cheese Blintzes, served with fresh fruit, sour cream, and homemade jam. The corned beef hash is slow-cooked daily, the eggs Benedict (offered in several inventive styles) is a favorite, and the seafood bisque has earned plenty of praise.

The diner is also home to beloved regulars like Barbara Blair, who’s nearing 90 and still visits daily. “If she doesn’t show up, we call to check in,” Denis says. “That’s just how it is here.”

On summer weekends, diners arrive by foot, car, and even boat – some crossing the Sound from Connecticut just for breakfast. And true to its name, Northport’s Shipwreck Diner is anchored in its community, supporting everything from the high school football team to concerts in the park.

After years of dreaming about preserving a place that means so much to the town, Denis made it happen. “This isn’t just a business to me,” he says softly. “It’s a gathering place filled with memories, stories, and heart.”