Posted in Connecticut Nature May 01, 2021 by

Try These 10 Connecticut Restaurants For A Magical Outdoor Dining Experience

When the weather starts to get warm, we start itching for some Connecticut restaurants with magical outdoor dining. There’s no reason you shouldn’t be able to enjoy a delicious meal and the great outdoors all at the same time. These local favorites are guaranteed to help you make the most of the warmer weather, offering great outdoor dining options and mouthwatering menus. Check them out now:

1. Fresh Salt, Old Saybrook
Saybrook Point Inn, Marina & Spa/Facebook
Roy B./Yelp
Located at the Saybrook Point Resort & Marina, Connecticut Magazine voted this place as one of the "most gorgeous and delicious outdoor dining spots." This relaxed waterfront restaurant has a seasonal menu inspired by local farmers and a great view of the sound. Fresh ingredients and an award winning brunch make it a must visit spot this summer. For more information on Fresh Salt, visit our previous coverage.

Address: 2 Bridge Street, Old Saybrook, CT, 06475
2. Lakeview Restaurant & Bar, Coventry
Lakeview Restaurant & Bar/Facebook
Lake View Restaurant and Bar/Yelp
Located directly on Coventry Lake, this restaurant is a popular dive in Eastern Connecticut. The sunsets here are simply magical, and on Friday and Saturday nights there is live music to compliment the views. Though the menu leans Italian you will also find seafood and American classics. Learn more about Lakeview Restaurant & Bar by visiting the website.

Address: 50 Lake Street, Coventry, CT, 06238
3. L'Escale Restaurant, Greenwich
L'escale restaurant/Facebook
L'escale restaurant/Facebook
If you love french cuisine, elegant decor, and dining al fresco in Connecticut, look no further than this gem at the Delamar Hotel. A little piece of Provence, you'll find their waterside dining extremely charming. It pairs well with the unique menu and will make you feel like you're on a beach in Southern France. Learn more about L'escale Restaurant on the website.

Address: 500 Steamboat Road, Greenwich, CT, 06830
4. Mezzo Grille, Middletown
Mezzo Grille/Facebook
Mezzo Grille/Facebook
This is definitely where the cool kids go. This modern bar scene has an expansive American menu featuring all of your favorites and your visit is often accompanied by a live band or DJ. Perfect for adults only outings, this fun restaurant offers a spacious patio that's perfect for sharing drinks on a summer's day. Visit the Mezzo Grille website to learn more.

Address: 106 Court Street, Middletown, CT, 06457
5. The Blue Oar, Haddam
Gabrielle R./Yelp
Bill K./Yelp
Since this place is BYOB, you'll be able to pair your favorite drink with your favorite thing- seafood! A long time local favorite, this seasonal spot puts you right in the water as you enjoy fresh caught favorites and American classics with a view of the sea. It's family friendly and worth waiting in line for. Read more about The Blue Oar in our previous coverage.

Address: 16 Snyder Road, Haddam, CT, 06438
6. Abbott's Lobster in the Rough, Noank
Dom M./Yelp
Ghaith A./Yelp
This small dive offers big tastes. In fact, despite its impressive waterfront location and stunning views, folks come from miles away for one thing, and that's the best lobster roll in New England. Enjoy your foodie find on the dock with unparalleled views of the Noank Harbor. Learn more about Abbott's in our previous post.

Address: 117 Pearl St, Noank, CT, 06340
7. Down The Hatch, Brookfield
Tom P./Yelp
George G./Yelp
Who wouldn't want to spend time at Candlewood Lake? Plan a day of hiking and swimming and stop at this locale for an unforgettable day trip. Simple favorites like burgers and fried seafood are served up here with a waterfront seating option. Learn more about Down the Hatch on the website.

Address: 292 Candlewood Lake Road, Brookfield, CT, 06804
8. Goodfellas Restaurant, New Haven
Goodfellas Restaurant/Facebook
Goodfellas Restaurant/Facebook
This Italian eatery throws in a bit of that cinematic mobster theme, creating a fun, but cozy atmosphere. But the best part about this little brick establishment is its rooftop dining. Enjoy scrumptious pasta plates and soak up the sun, or head indoors where mafia movies are playing on the flat-screens. Learn more about Goodfellas Restaurant on the website.

Address: 702 State Street, New Haven,, CT 06511
9. Rooftop 120, Glastonbury
Dan R./Yelp
Wendy L./Yelp
This rooftop dining spot is three stories up and includes heat lamps and fire pits. That means you can enjoy it even on those chillier spring nights. The lounge space serves up modern plates in a tapas style with tasty cocktails. Visit on the weekend for live music. Visit the Rooftop 120 website for more information.

Address: 120 Hebron Avenue, Glastonbury, CT, 06033
10. The Sandpiper Restaurant, East Haven
The Sandpiper Restaurant/Facebook
The Sandpiper Restaurant/Facebook
Complete with nautical-themed decor, this beachfront spot is all about making you feel as though you are really at the beach. Seafood, ice cream, hot dogs, and more are served up daily at this family-friendly spot. Lounge on the patio for a meal and some amazing beachfront views that make eating outdoors in Connecticut something we wish we could do year-round. Read our previous coverage for more on The Sandpiper Restaurant.

Address: 161 Cosey Beach Avenue, East Haven, CT, 06512

Don’t you just love finding Connecticut restaurants with magical outdoor dining? If you have any others you’d like to add, please let us know in the comments.

For indoor seating with jaw-dropping views check out The Mill On The River.

Address: 2 Bridge St, Old Saybrook, CT 06475, USA
Address: 50 Lake St, Coventry, CT 06238, USA
Address: 500 Steamboat Rd, Greenwich, CT 06830, USA
Address: 106 Court St, Middletown, CT 06457, USA
Address: 16 Snyder Rd, Haddam, CT 06438, USA
Address: 117 Pearl St, Noank, CT 06340, USA
Address: 292 Candlewood Lake Rd, Brookfield, CT 06804, USA
Address: 702 State St, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
Address: 120 Hebron Ave, Glastonbury, CT 06033, USA
Address: 161 Cosey Beach Ave, East Haven, CT 06512, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center

Connecticut Restaurants With Magical Outdoor Dining

May 06, 2021
Melissa M

What are some of the best restaurants in Connecticut?

Connecticut is no stranger to good food and as part of the northeast region, you are sure to find some amazing restaurants. If you haven’t yet dined at Millwright’s Restaurant and Tavern in Simsbury, you should put it at the top of your list. Not only will you enjoy a lovely meal in a historic building, but you will have views of a gorgeous waterfall as well. Stonebridge Restaurant in Milford serves some incredible seafood dishes and even has a deck and patio where you can dine outdoors with views of the Wepawaug River complete with a waterfall. 

What are some of the most unique restaurants in Connecticut?

Housed inside a 19th-century building of a former mill is Present Company, a marvelous restaurant that seamlessly blends the old with the new. Once a horse stable, the dining room has been transformed into a romantic space that’s perfect for a date night or special occasion. Aside from the atmosphere, you will also enjoy dining on seasonal American fare. Bohemian Restaurant in Litchfield is a funky, quirky place that’s decorated from floor to ceiling. Vinyl record covers and other vintage items adorn the walls and ceiling and you’ll see some tropical items around as well. Order some pizza while you’re here because it’s amazing!

What are some of the best waterfront restaurants in Connecticut?

Guilford Mooring, located in Guilford, sits along the Long Island Sound giving patrons gorgeous water views as they dine on fresh seafood dishes. Indoors has large windows all around and on warmer days, you can dine on the patio so you don’t miss out on seeing the water no matter what table you sit at. River: A Waterfront Restaurant and Bar resides along the Connecticut River in Putnam, offering both water and bridge views as you dine on Mediterranean fare.

 

Address: 2 Bridge St, Old Saybrook, CT 06475, USA
Address: 50 Lake St, Coventry, CT 06238, USA
Address: 500 Steamboat Rd, Greenwich, CT 06830, USA
Address: 106 Court St, Middletown, CT 06457, USA
Address: 16 Snyder Rd, Haddam, CT 06438, USA
Address: 117 Pearl St, Noank, CT 06340, USA
Address: 292 Candlewood Lake Rd, Brookfield, CT 06804, USA
Address: 702 State St, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
Address: 120 Hebron Ave, Glastonbury, CT 06033, USA
Address: 161 Cosey Beach Ave, East Haven, CT 06512, USA