5 Best Seafood Restaurants…

…On the Beach in Connecticut

Living on the coast has a certain feel to it, from the salty breezes to the scent of low tide, those who are fortunate enough to grow up near the ocean appreciate the subtle characteristics of life on the beach. Anyone can get a taste of it, visiting beach side restaurants and sampling the local delicacies fresh from the depths of the Atlantic. Here are the top 5 beach side spots along the coast of Connecticut.

With an outdoor patio for dining al fresco, complete with a gate that opens onto the beach, Lenny’s on the Beach in Old Lyme a great spot to have lunch. It is the ideal place to go spend a few hours on the beach, playing in the water and then head in for an ice cold Soundview beer, their own microbrew. If you can your visit right, there is an all you can eat lobster night which is incredible. Who doesn’t love a never-ending plate of lobster while listening to the waves crash on the beach?

If you love traditional, clear broth chowder and lobster rolls drizzled with freshly melted butter then you must visit Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough in Noank. They have been in business since 1947 and have expanded their menu to include all the local, fresh seafood to compliment the gorgeous ocean views from the deck. They have soft drinks aplenty and you are welcome to bring your own wine or beer. An ice cold brew goes great with their New England Seafood Feast!

If you are looking for the perfect romantic spot to take your sweetheart, then New Haven’s Shell and Bones Oyster Bar is the place for you. A wide open dining area that opens onto the beach offers beautiful panoramic views of the beach and ocean. The atmosphere pays homage to the nautical history of the area, serving artfully created dishes made from sustainable sources. Dress up or down, bring your appetite and sandals for a charming dining experience and after, take a romantic walk on the beach.

Marnick’s in Stratford is located right on Long Island Sound and is not only a great beach side seafood restaurant but a delightful motor lodge, a perfect for road trips down the coast. Family owned and operated since 1956, the area is steeped in history of the Indians and first settlers from England. Take a tour around the property and stroll the beach at sunrise or sunset – you will be thrilled you made Marnick’s a destination!

This quirky place offers seating on logs while your meal cooks on an 18 foot firepit. The Place in Guilford is a funky spot that has some incredible fire roasted clams and sweet corn. Open seasonally, The Place is a fun destination and reasonably priced. Originally called Whitey’s, it opened in 1940’s by an old sailor of the same name. His famous phrase was, “There is no place quite like this place, anywhere near this place, so this must be the place.” Hence the name given to it by Vaughn Knowles when he bought it in the 1970’s.

No matter where you are in Connecticut, there are great beach side places to stop and have an amazing dining experience. Take advantage of the coastal flavors and Enjoy!

By LA DiNardi