I visited one of Ina Garten's favorite farm stands that sells homemade muffins, giant tomatoes, and $71 steaks. I'd shop there all the time if I could.

Gabbi ShawSep 1, 2023, 02:12 IST

Outside of Round Swamp Farm.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

Ina Garten is, and always will be, the reigning queen of the Hamptons.
So when I saw she recommended Round Swamp Farm, a farm stand in East Hampton, I had to go.

As any true Ina Garten fan knows, the Barefoot Contessa has been associated with the Hamptons — the exclusive set of towns on the east end of Long Island, New York — for years.

She owned a specialty food store (naturally called Barefoot Contessa) in Westhampton Beach for 20 years, though she told Today Food in 2017 that she doesn't think she'd ever run a store again.

Although her store closed almost two decades ago, Garten still spends plenty of time out in the Hamptons. In a 2021 blog entry, Garten listed Round Swamp Farm, a farm stand and country market, as one of her can't-miss spots. She also mentioned it in her 2022 cookbook, "Go-To Dinners," according to an Instagram post by Round Swamp Farm.

The market was also the subject of a recent viral TikTok after user Jack's Dining Room visited the Montauk location and was surprised by the high prices, including $42 grilled shrimp and $32 chips and guacamole, as shown in his video.

As a Long Island native (and Garten fan), I decided to drive out east and see what all the hype was about.

Ina Garten is the unofficial queen of the Hamptons, so when I found out one of her go-to places is the country market Round Swamp Farm in East Hampton, I had to visit.

Ina Garten in 2019.Brad Barket/Getty Images

Here's where East Hampton is on a map. It's around 110 miles from New York City.

Round Swamp Farm on a map.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

Round Swamp Farm has been so successful that there are three locations now. I visited the original in East Hampton, seen here. The other two are in Bridgehampton and Montauk.

The exterior of Round Swamp Farm.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

Round Swamp Farm has been so successful that there are three locations now. I visited the original in East Hampton, seen here. The other two are in Bridgehampton and Montauk.

The store is off the main drag of East Hampton, nestled on a quieter road between homes. This location is open from May to November, with different hours depending on the season. In summer, the market is open from Tuesday to Saturday.

The street outside Round Swamp Farm.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

The store is off the main drag of East Hampton, nestled on a quieter road between homes. This location is open from May to November, with different hours depending on the season. In summer, the market is open from Tuesday to Saturday.

When I visited on a Thursday, I arrived to find a busy parking lot. There was a sign asking everyone to park diagonally — I assume to fit in more cars.

Parking at Round Swamp Farm.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

The first thing I was greeted with on the front porch was fresh produce — all grown on their 20-acre farm out back.

Corn at Round Swamp Farm.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

They also sell fresh herbs, like parsley and mint.

Herbs at Round Swamp Farm.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

But these tomatoes particularly caught my eye. They were bigger than my hand.

The tomatoes at Round Swamp Farm.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

They had a rainbow of cherry tomatoes available, too. The tomatoes ranged from $5.29 to $6.99 a pound, or $5.99 for one container of cherry tomatoes.

Tomatoes at Round Swamp Farm.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

It was clear that they felt proud that their produce was all grown locally.

A sign proclaiming that everything was grown on Long Island.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

Then it was time to head inside. With the wood ceilings and exposed beams, I felt like I had entered a barn.

The interior of Round Swamp Farm.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

The store makes it clear that this is a family business. According to the website, Carolyn Lester Snyder started the farm stand as a young girl over 40 years ago, when her father "built her a small red stand to peddle her goods" on their 20-acre family farm.

A sign inside Round Swamp Farm.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

The store makes it clear that this is a family business. According to the website, Carolyn Lester Snyder started the farm stand as a young girl over 40 years ago, when her father "built her a small red stand to peddle her goods" on their 20-acre family farm.

Later, near the check out, I also noticed an article by local newspaper Newsday with the headline, "All in the family."

A Newsday article in Round Swamp Farm.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

Inside, the small store was definitely crowded, but it felt cozy, rather than overwhelming. Plus, everyone around me kept mentioning how cute the space was.

The interior of Round Swamp Farm.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

I was immediately drawn to the baked-goods section. According to Round Swamp Farm's website, bakers Lisa, Claire, Shelly, and Dianna wake up every morning to create the delectable treats I saw in front of me.

The baked goods at Round Swamp Farm.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

I was immediately drawn to the baked-goods section. According to Round Swamp Farm's website, bakers Lisa, Claire, Shelly, and Dianna wake up every morning to create the delectable treats I saw in front of me.

The muffins were the star of the show, though. A worker told me that Snyder's favorites — banana crumb — were available to purchase for $20 for four. They smelled delicious.

Muffins at Round Swamp Farm.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

The muffins were the star of the show, though. A worker told me that Snyder's favorites — banana crumb — were available to purchase for $20 for four. They smelled delicious.

I made my way to the jarred goods section, which had rows of jellies and chutneys. "Much of our own and local produce goes into our finished product," the store's website says.

Jarred products at Round Swamp Farm.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

I made my way to the jarred goods section, which had rows of jellies and chutneys. "Much of our own and local produce goes into our finished product," the store's website says.

But making things in-house doesn't come cheap. This jar of bread-and-butter pickles was $18.99.

Pickles at Round Swamp Farm.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

And this lobster salad is sold at $83.99 per pound. Lobster is always expensive, so I wasn't too shocked, but when I noticed that tuna salad was priced at $29.99 per pound, I was a little taken aback.

Lobster salad at Round Swamp Farm.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

And this lobster salad is sold at $83.99 per pound. Lobster is always expensive, so I wasn't too shocked, but when I noticed that tuna salad was priced at $29.99 per pound, I was a little taken aback.

Also in the refrigerated section, a New York strip steak was priced at $70.95, or $46.99 per pound. Round Swamp Farm has not responded to Insider's request for comment about its prices.

Steaks at Round Swamp Farm.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

Also in the refrigerated section, a New York strip steak was priced at $70.95, or $46.99 per pound. Round Swamp Farm has not responded to Insider's request for comment about its prices.

I was, however, impressed with the variety of prepared dishes and salads available. I was most drawn to the Detox Salad, which had quinoa, kale, cucumbers, carrots, cabbage, turmeric, scallions, agave nectar, and hemp seeds.

Salads at Round Swamp Farm.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

I was, however, impressed with the variety of prepared dishes and salads available. I was most drawn to the Detox Salad, which had quinoa, kale, cucumbers, carrots, cabbage, turmeric, scallions, agave nectar, and hemp seeds.

Not every grocery store sells Korean beef bao buns ...

Korean beef bao buns at Round Swamp Farm.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

... or creamsicle trifles.

A creamsicle trifle at Round Swamp Farm.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

But Round Swamp doesn't only sell locally made goods. I came across the high-quality olive oil I have in my own apartment on the shelves.

Graza olive oil in Round Swamp Farm.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

Back outside, I saw flowers and plants for sale. Prices ranged from $16.99 for a bunch of sunflowers to $35 for a classic mixed bouquet.

Flowers at Round Swamp Farm.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

After purchasing a few things, I remarked to my mom, who came with me, that I would shop here all the time if I were summering in the Hamptons, like Garten, and if money were no object.

Proudly displaying my purchases.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

After purchasing a few things, I remarked to my mom, who came with me, that I would shop here all the time if I were summering in the Hamptons, like Garten, and if money were no object.

The best thing I bought was this $24 tomato-and-fresh-mozzarella sandwich made with their tomatoes, mozzarella, and arugula. We couldn't wait until we got home to eat it, and it was simple but mouth-wateringly delicious.

The tomato-and-fresh-mozzarella sandwich.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

The best thing I bought was this $24 tomato-and-fresh-mozzarella sandwich made with their tomatoes, mozzarella, and arugula. We couldn't wait until we got home to eat it, and it was simple but mouth-wateringly delicious.

We also bought a sour-cream coffee cake for $15. I appreciated that almost everything we bought had a detailed list of ingredients.

Claire's Sour Cream Coffee Cake.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

We also bought this s'mores brownie for $6.

A s'mores brownie.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

The inside was filled with delicious and moist dark chocolate surrounded by a graham-cracker crust, and it was topped with a marshmallow.

The inside of the s'mores brownie.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

Despite the high prices, I would return to Round Swamp Farm in a heartbeat — even just to get that sandwich again. As usual, the Barefoot Contessa was correct.

Round Swamp Farm.Gabbi Shaw/Insider

The best cheap place to eat in every state, according to Yelp

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I visited one of Ina Garten's favorite farm stands that sells homemade muffins, giant tomatoes, and $71 steaks. I'd shop there all the time if I could.

Ina Garten is the unofficial queen of the Hamptons, so when I found out one of her go-to places is the country market Round Swamp Farm in East Hampton, I had to visit.

Here's where East Hampton is on a map. It's around 110 miles from New York City.

Round Swamp Farm has been so successful that there are three locations now. I visited the original in East Hampton, seen here. The other two are in Bridgehampton and Montauk.

The store is off the main drag of East Hampton, nestled on a quieter road between homes. This location is open from May to November, with different hours depending on the season. In summer, the market is open from Tuesday to Saturday.

When I visited on a Thursday, I arrived to find a busy parking lot. There was a sign asking everyone to park diagonally — I assume to fit in more cars.

The first thing I was greeted with on the front porch was fresh produce — all grown on their 20-acre farm out back.

They also sell fresh herbs, like parsley and mint.

But these tomatoes particularly caught my eye. They were bigger than my hand.

They had a rainbow of cherry tomatoes available, too. The tomatoes ranged from $5.29 to $6.99 a pound, or $5.99 for one container of cherry tomatoes.

It was clear that they felt proud that their produce was all grown locally.

Then it was time to head inside. With the wood ceilings and exposed beams, I felt like I had entered a barn.

The store makes it clear that this is a family business. According to the website, Carolyn Lester Snyder started the farm stand as a young girl over 40 years ago, when her father "built her a small red stand to peddle her goods" on their 20-acre family farm.

Later, near the check out, I also noticed an article by local newspaper Newsday with the headline, "All in the family."

Inside, the small store was definitely crowded, but it felt cozy, rather than overwhelming. Plus, everyone around me kept mentioning how cute the space was.

I was immediately drawn to the baked-goods section. According to Round Swamp Farm's website, bakers Lisa, Claire, Shelly, and Dianna wake up every morning to create the delectable treats I saw in front of me.

The muffins were the star of the show, though. A worker told me that Snyder's favorites — banana crumb — were available to purchase for $20 for four. They smelled delicious.

I made my way to the jarred goods section, which had rows of jellies and chutneys. "Much of our own and local produce goes into our finished product," the store's website says.

But making things in-house doesn't come cheap. This jar of bread-and-butter pickles was $18.99.

And this lobster salad is sold at $83.99 per pound. Lobster is always expensive, so I wasn't too shocked, but when I noticed that tuna salad was priced at $29.99 per pound, I was a little taken aback.

Also in the refrigerated section, a New York strip steak was priced at $70.95, or $46.99 per pound. Round Swamp Farm has not responded to Insider's request for comment about its prices.

I was, however, impressed with the variety of prepared dishes and salads available. I was most drawn to the Detox Salad, which had quinoa, kale, cucumbers, carrots, cabbage, turmeric, scallions, agave nectar, and hemp seeds.

Not every grocery store sells Korean beef bao buns ...

... or creamsicle trifles.

But Round Swamp doesn't only sell locally made goods. I came across the high-quality olive oil I have in my own apartment on the shelves.

Back outside, I saw flowers and plants for sale. Prices ranged from $16.99 for a bunch of sunflowers to $35 for a classic mixed bouquet.

After purchasing a few things, I remarked to my mom, who came with me, that I would shop here all the time if I were summering in the Hamptons, like Garten, and if money were no object.

The best thing I bought was this $24 tomato-and-fresh-mozzarella sandwich made with their tomatoes, mozzarella, and arugula. We couldn't wait until we got home to eat it, and it was simple but mouth-wateringly delicious.

We also bought a sour-cream coffee cake for $15. I appreciated that almost everything we bought had a detailed list of ingredients.

We also bought this s'mores brownie for $6.

The inside was filled with delicious and moist dark chocolate surrounded by a graham-cracker crust, and it was topped with a marshmallow.

Despite the high prices, I would return to Round Swamp Farm in a heartbeat — even just to get that sandwich again. As usual, the Barefoot Contessa was correct.