Posted in Connecticut Food & Dining March 26, 2023 by

13 Incredible Waterfront Restaurants Everyone In Connecticut Must Visit

Waterfront restaurants in Connecticut provide some of the best dining experiences out there. But it can be hard to come by if you happen to live in a landlocked state. But lucky for the Constitution State, we’ve got miles of coastline, plus a number of lakes and rivers, which means waterfront restaurants galore! If you’ve been looking for a way to make dining out even better, then look no further than these nice restaurants on the water!

1. The Blue Oar, Haddam
Gabrielle R./Yelp
Bill K./Yelp
This restaurant sits on the bank of the Connecticut River and is a favorite nighttime spot because of the lighted trees. Read more about The Blue Oar, one of the best Connecticut shoreline restaurants.

Listen to the story of the Blue Oar from the owner Jody Reilly in this quick video about one of the nicest restaurants on the water in CT:
The Blue Oar, 16 Snyder Rd, Haddam, CT 06438, USA
2. Mill on the River, South Windsor
Tiffany G./Yelp
Martin S./Yelp
Mill on the River Restaurant, a beautiful waterfront restaurant in Connecticut, features a walking path and fountains in addition to its super romantic vibe. For more information, read more about the Mill on the River in this article.
The Mill on the River, 989 Ellington Rd, South Windsor, CT 06074, USA
3. The Hopkins Inn, Warren
The Hopkins Inn/Yelp
AWandering1/TripAdvisor
This charming restaurant offers a view of Lake Warimaug. The only thing that rivals the views is the food. You've really got to visit this lakeside restaurant in Connecticut to experience it for yourself. Read more about The Hopkins Inn in our previous article.
The Hopkins Inn & Restaurant, 22 Hopkins Rd, Warren, CT 06777, USA
4. Water’s Edge Resort and Spa, Westbrook
ImaYesfa N./Yelp
Juliana T./Yelp
If you've been looking for "the best seaside restaurants near me," look no further! This beachside hotel provides guests with jaw-dropping scenery and with several different restaurants on the property, there are plenty of dining options. Read more about the Water's Edge Resort and Spa in our featured article.
Water's Edge Resort & Spa, 1525 Boston Post Rd, Westbrook, CT 06498, USA
5. Stonebridge Restaurant, Milford
Stonebridge Restaurant/TripAdvisor
Singing With Light
Stonebridge draws crowds with its tasty seafood and outdoor seating as close to the water as you can get. For more information, visit the official website of Stonebridge Restaurant.
Stonebridge Restaurant, 50 Daniel St, Milford, CT 06460, USA
6. Brushmill by the Waterfall, Chester
Brushmill by the Waterfall/Yelp
boatboat/TripAdvisor
Brushmill by the Waterfall has exactly what it says - a mill, a waterfall, and (bonus!) really good food. Read more about this waterfall-side restaurant, one of the prettiest, waterfront restaurants in Connecticut, in our previous article.

Take a look at the refreshed and refurbished Brushmill by the Waterfall restaurant in Chester, CT in this video from Frank DiNardi:
The Brushmill by the Waterfall, 129 W Main St, Chester, CT 06412, USA
7. Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough, Noank
Dom M./Yelp
Ghaith A./Yelp
Eating outdoors in Connecticut is as good as it gets at this casual eatery. A fan favorite, their lobster rolls are fantastic! Read more about Abbott's Lobster in our previous article.
Abbott's Lobster In the Rough (Noank), 117 Pearl St, Noank, CT 06340, USA
8. Down the Hatch, Brookfield
Tom P./Yelp
George G./Yelp
Down the Hatch is a great pick for a day trip since there's boating just feet away. Learn more about this eatery by visiting the official website of Down the Hatch.
Down The Hatch, 292 Candlewood Lake Rd, Brookfield, CT 06804, USA
9. Guilford Mooring, Guilford
Joe C./Yelp
Mary H./Yelp
The lovely town of Guilford is home to Guilford Mooring, where a great experience and low cost come together for a perfect date night. And if you're looking for Connecticut restaurants with great views, you better add this one to your list. To learn more, visit our previous article about Guilford Mooring.
Guilford Mooring, 505 Whitfield St, Guilford, CT 06437, USA
10. Outriggers Restaurant, Breward Stratford Marina
Outriggers Restaurant/Yelp
Jim P./Yelp
This is an ideal place to take boat lovers who also happen to love food. You might call it one of the best Connecticut shoreline restaurants. Read more about it on the official website of Outriggers Restaurant.
Outriggers Restaurant, 555 Broad St, Stratford, CT 06615, USA
11. On the Waterfront, New London
Pui S./Yelp
Pui S./Yelp
This spot is where you go for some of the best fish and chips in the state and really good bread along with water views that can't be beaten. Learn more about it by visiting the official website of On the Waterfront.
On The Waterfront Restaurant, 250 Pequot Ave, New London, CT 06320, USA
12. The Restaurant at Rowayton Seafood, Norwalk
Troy D./Yelp
Elena R./Yelp
This waterfront restaurant in Connecticut has incredible seafood that will keep you coming back for years. To learn more, visit the official website of Rowayton Seafood.
Rowayton Seafood Restaurant and Market, 89 Rowayton Ave, Norwalk, CT 06853, USA
13. Madison Beach Hotel, Madison
Wil S./Yelp
Ji Won K./Yelp
Folks come for dinner at Madison Beach Hotel and end up wanting to stay forever. This luxury spot and the views are to die for; it's one of the most popular Connecticut shoreline restaurants. Read our featured article about the Madison Beach Hotel to learn more about dining on the property.

Take a quick peek at the accommodations at the Madison Beach Hotel as well as the scrumptious waterfront restaurant in this video from Allyson Berger:
Madison Beach Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton, 94 W Wharf Rd, Madison, CT 06443, USA

Yum! Definitely treat yourself to one of these joints as the weather begins to warm up! What other waterfront restaurants in Connecticut would you add to this list? Please let us know in the comments.

For even more delicious Connecticut restaurants both on and off the water read about these romantic restaurants in Connecticut.

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Waterfront Restaurants In Connecticut

May 07, 2021
Melissa M

Where can I dine outdoors in Connecticut?

Several restaurants where you can dine outdoors in Connecticut include:

  • Lobster Landing, Clinton, CT
  • Harry's Place, Colchester, CT
  • S&P Oyster Company, Mystic, CT

 

Unfortunately, we can’t dine outdoors all year long in Connecticut and must wait until the warmer months. But luckily, there are many restaurants with spectacular outdoor dining options. You can read about several such restaurants in our article that feature eight outdoor restaurants in Connecticut.

Where can I find good seafood in Connecticut?

As a coastal state, Connecticut has some of the best seafood in the country. City Fish Market in Wethersfield has been around for over 90 years and there’s a good reason for that - they provide some of the freshest seafood you can find. Here you can get the catch of the day, fresh fish that you can take home and cook yourself. They can also cook for you. Try the fish ‘n’ chips...it’s delicious!

What are some of the best beaches in Connecticut?

Some of the best beaches in Connecticut include:

  • Cove Island Park
  • Sherwood Island State Park
  • Milford Point
  • Walnut Beach
  • Hole-in-the-Wall Beach

 

There are countless beaches around the Constitution State, but maybe you want to check out some that aren’t overrun with tourists in the summer. From Cove Island Park to Bluff Point, discover some new beaches on our Hidden Beaches Road Trip.