Dock & Dine! Boat On Up to 30 Waterfront Restaurants, Seafood Shacks, and More

Waterfront. Dockside. Don’t those words just bring a smile to your face? Whether you are traveling by boat to go for a summer Sunday lunch or just wanting to enjoy your dinner with a beautiful view of the water, these restaurants will fit the bill for your summer enjoyment. And how is it exactly that everything tastes better when you are near the water?

Check all websites for details on slips and mooring.

Bill’s Seafood-Westbrook

www.billsseafood.com

Bill’s Seafood, located in Westbrook, CT, is familiar territory to boaters who dock in some of the finest marinas on the East Coast. Their spacious outside deck and picnic tables sit next to the Singing Bridge on the edge of the Patchogue River that streams out to Long Island Sound. The center bars, dining room, and outside bar all encompass a nautical atmosphere and is the “Best on-going party in Connecticut.” When thinking of fried clams, lobster rolls, fish & chips or sweet lobsters and their daily specials, Bill’s Seafood is the place to bring the family to Dock & Dine!

Dockside Brewery-Milford

www.docksidebrewery.com

Dockside Brewery, located on the Connecticut Shoreline in Milford, CT, is more than just a beer bar! The expansive multi-level decks, indoor and outdoor bars, waterfront biergarten, and sandy beach area offer unparalleled views creating a lively environment you won't want to miss with room for everyone. If you are traveling by boat, head to Dockwa.com to reserve your boat slip today! Dockside has assembled the most talented kitchen and front-of-house crew in the state offering a dining experience with an extensive menu of casual favorites and New Haven style pizza accompanied by more than 40 tap lines, wines, and specialty cocktails. Call 203-693-3900 or head to Opentable.com to make a reservation. To book a private party event email events@docksidebrewery.com.

The Galley Waterfront Cafe-Norwalk

www.norwalkcove.com
The Galley Waterfront Café in Norwalk, CT is a culinary gem renowned for its gourmet breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Each sandwich is a masterpiece, as they understand that great food takes time, and their dedication to quality shines through in every bite. Beyond the exceptional cuisine, The Galley has fostered a welcoming community that feels like family. From the friendly staff to the regular patrons, there’s a sense of warmth and camaraderie that envelops the café. In addition to their mouthwatering sandwiches, The Galley offers an impressive selection of handcrafted cocktails, hosting “Golden Hour” every Wednesday-Sunday. With its inclusive atmosphere, The Galley is enjoyable for all ages, making it a delightful destination for families, friends, and solo diners alike.

Siren Kitchen and Bar-Essex

www.sirenkitchenandbar.com
Come dine island side! Siren Kitchen & Bar is a casual, New American, full-service restaurant and bar featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients. Nibble on an appetizer, order a meal, sip a cocktail while feeling the dockside breeze, or enjoy a cold beer from a featured nearby brewery. The laid-back atmosphere of both the outdoor and indoor spaces allow guests to truly relax and enjoy the sights and sounds that charming Essex Village has to offer. Dock the boat at Essex Island Marina or ride the continuously-running, complimentary ferry to Siren Kitchen & Bar where dining and leisure become one!

Bacari Social-Westbrook

www.bacarisocial.com

Located at the Safe Harbor Pilot’s Point Marina, dine on shoreline faves of lobster rolls, fish tacos, linguine and clams, as well as hearty pasta dishes, seafood towers and burgers.

Boca Oyster Bar-Bridgeport

www.bocaoysterbar.com

Enjoy expansive water views while you brunch, lunch and dine at this Steelpointe Harbor eatery. Seafood is highlighted, but there is something for everyone from flatbreads and burgers to entrees such as chicken Milanese stack and organic roasted chicken.

Captain’s Cove Seaport-Bridgeport

www.captainscoveseaport.com

Whether on their upper or lower deck, enjoying dishes of steamed lobsters, fried clam strips and piled high sandwiches always taste just that much better with a view of the water at this waterfront restaurant.

City Dock-New London

www.citydockpier.com

Dock your yacht, catch some live music and easy, fun food-raw bar, quahog stuffs, salads, fried seafood, tacos and sandwiches.

Copps Island Oyster Shack- Stratford

www.coppsislandoystershack.com

The Oyster Shack is located at Brown’s Marina, and serves up a menu highlighting Copps Island Oysters, a fourth-generation, family-owned-and-operated shellfish farm. They use traditional oystering techniques to provide a high-quality, consistent and sustainable product all year.

Crab Shell-Stamford

www.crabshell.com

In addition to the dining-in space for lunch or dinner, they have a dockside bar and patio that they call “The Shack”. Slide your boat into a slip, jump ashore and dive into succulent seafood, fried faves and plenty of cocktails to enjoy in the summer sun.

Dolphin’s Cove Marina and Restaurant-Bridgeport

www.dolphinscovect.com

Casual and family-friendly, this family-owned restaurant has been going strong for over 20 years. They got seafood galore, such as their raw bar, chowder, Spanish-style clams and Puerto Rican-style fried red snapper, plus plenty for the landlubbers. It’s close to the Jefferson Ferry dock, so make a day of it.

Down the Hatch-Brookfield

www.downthehatchrestaurant.com

DTH began in 1946 as a hot dog stand and now, they are a full-fledged restaurant serving everything from Korean BBQ pork tacos and shrimp po’boys to classic Waldorf salad and Nashville hot chicken sandwiches.

Fair Haven Oyster Co.

www.fairhavenoysterco.com

 Fair Haven Oyster Co. is an elevated seafood bar where elegant mid-century design meets a modern and cozy tavern. This intimate and nautical restaurant by Chef Emily Mingrone features expansive waterfront views, a large deck, and an eclectic yet classic menu paired with gin and sherry-focused drinks.

Fresh Salt-Old Saybrook

www.saybrook.com

Fresh Salt restaurant at Saybrook Point Resort & Marina reflects a lively diversity of seasonal menus led by Executive Chef Jeffrey Renkl and his culinary team. Seasonal menus offer a simple, high-quality approach of transforming fresh ingredients that are sourced locally into artistic and delicious dishes.

Guilford Mooring-Guilford
www.guilfordmooring.com
Views of Long Island Sound, indoor and outdoor dining-how can you beat that? They got dishes that span surf-and-turf, so there is something for every palate; hot lobster rolls, ribeye steak tacos, cioppino, lobster mac-and-cheese.

Kitchen Little-Mystic
www.kitchenlittle.org
Kitchen Little (no relation to Chicken Little -ha!), a fab little spot for breakfast and lunch with great views of the Mystic River. Given it’s “seafood tradition”, scrambled eggs with fresh crab and lobster benedict are no strangers to this extensive menu.

L’escale-Greenwich
www.lescalerestaurant.com
Upscale seasonal Mediterranean dining overlooking yacht-filled Greenwich Harbor. Since 2003, diners have been treated to continental ambiance and dishes such tuna tartare, gazpacho andaluz and Maine lobster fra diavolo.

Liv’s Shack-Old Saybrook
www.livsshack.com
Liv’s is known for their“no mayo” Connecticut-style lobster rolls-all grilled buns, succulents lobster and loads of melted butter. Enjoy a myriad of seafood specialties and grilled hand-heads while you sit but the Sound.

Lobster Landing-Clinton
www.lobsterlandingct.com
They have exactly 14 things on their menu (and that’s including beverages and rolls) but their mantra is to do what they offer “to perfection.” Case in point – their much acclaimed lobster roll, with its Vermont-delivered roll, squeeze of lemon and double-boiler melted butter.

Marker 37-Chester
www.markerthirtyseven.com

Moor at the Chester Point Marina and enjoy water views and a summery menu of seasonal favorites such as crispy Thai vegetable spring rolls, salmon fritters, Stonington sea scallops, shucked oysters, tacos and more.

Nellie’s-Branford
www.nelliesbranford.com
Casual dining on their waterfront patio. Enjoy their mix of Southern Californian and New England cuisine such as their vegan “crab” cake, BBQ beef skewers, and crispy cod.

On the Waterfront-New London
www.onthewaterfrontnl.com
Mediterranean dishes and a whole lot of lobster and seafood; white seafood lasagna, lobster tacos and rolls, yellowfin tuna, among many other mouthwatering offerings. Check out their summer music schedule, too.

Outriggers-Stratford
www.outriggersrestaurant.com
Perched on the Housatonic River in the Safe Harbor Marina where you can view the harbor and flying friends (bald eagles, osprey!), enjoy their raw bar menu of clams and oysters by the 1/2 or dozen, grilled octopus and blackened scallops, pizza, tacos and more.

Overton’s Seafood-Norwalk
https://www.facebook.com/overtonsseafood/
For over 60 years, Overton’s has been a staple of the Norwalk community. They tout gorgeous views of the Norwalk Harbor, delicious fresh fried seafood, lobster rolls, clam bellied and strips, and, of course, ice cream. Dockage is available for Overton’s’ customers!

Prime-Stamford
stamford.restaurantprime.com
Stamford may be a city but there’s a whole waterfront to explore and let Prime be a destination for your summer dining plans. Sunday brunch, lunch, dinner and cocktails, their menu is overflowing with raw bar delights, sushi, surf/turf and seasonal specials.

Red 36-Mystic
www.red36ct.com
With views of the Mystic River and harbor and quaint downtown Mystic, the beach vibe, open air lounge areas and vibrant menu will make any summer day perfect. Try their clam chowders, fried brussels sprouts, clam & bacon flatbread, burgers and seafood paella. Gluten-free menu available.

Rocky’s Aqua-Clinton
www.rockysaqua.com
Hungry from a day of shopping at the outlets? Head to Rocky’s for water views of the marina and almighty Long Island Sound. This is quaint CT shoreline dining – RI and CT clam chowder, hot lobster rolls, tacos, wraps and lots more from the sea and plenty for non-seafood eaters, too.

Rowayton Seafood-Rowayton
www.rowaytonseafood.com
Family-owned seafood (and market next door!) restaurant in the heart of quaint Rowayton, and the view couldn’t be better. Enjoy their fresh-off-the-boat seafood towers, smoke fish dip, entrees of barramundi Milanese, squid ink linguine fra diavolo and, of course, lobsters galore.

Shank’s Waterfront Dining-Clinton
www.shanksclinton.com
It’s a BYOB “Food Boat” that’s on land. What? Walk (not swim) up to this food boat situated in the marina, place your order from their extensive-for-a-boat menu, grab a picnic table and enjoy the views. Enjoy chowders, tacos, burgers, fried seafood platters, lobster-y delights-and your pet is welcome, too.

Sunset Grille-Norwalk
www.sunsetgrilled.net
Whether sunset or high noon, Sunset Grille has a great vibe overlooking Norwalk Harbor. Since 1994, they’ve been serving all manner of fresh seafood, lobster-rolls-your-way (Team Mayo? Team Butter?), fish tacos, pasta dishes and tasty wraps. Soak up the sun(set).

The Wheel-Stamford
www.thevillagewheel.com
Using locally-sourced ingredients from farmers to fishermen and purveyors, The Wheel features the best of the season on their fluctuating menu; recent highlights are smoked local swordfish dip, RI style calamari, and local branzino. Serving dinner and weekend brunch.

The Whelk-Westport
www.thewhelkwestport.com
Enjoy sustainable seafood and local produce at this beachy, chic eatery alongside the Saugatuck River. Start with the deviled eggs with fried oysters and work your way to the dry aged beef burger and black bass, then just keep going.