As owner of Abbey’s Lantern Hill Inn, I have curated this handpicked list for you from years of exploring the local culinary scene. I have included lots of insider tips on must-know topics like reservations, parking, and nearby points of interest to ensure you have a memorable and fun dining experience. Based on a combination of consistently excellent food quality, service, atmosphere, and value, this list has earned my recommendation. Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure!
13 Water Street, Groton, CT, 06335
This upscale farm-to-table restaurant in downtown Mystic features ingredients from many local producers. It’s a great place for a meal to mark a special occasion. If you want a table guaranteed, it’s best to reserve well in advance. They also have a summertime outdoor restaurant called The Treehouse, which is more casual but also busy. Parking is somewhat tricky as the restaurant does not have its own lot. You can either walk from a street space if you are lucky enough to find one or use the paid lot at the Mystic Museum of Art.
143 Water Street, Stonington, CT, 06378
Located on the magical peninsula of Stonington Borough, Water Street Café has been a local institution for three decades and one of the best restaurants in southeastern Connecticut. The menu features a good mix of seafood, meat, poultry, and vegetarian options prepared with a gourmet flair. Our longtime favorite dishes are the London broil, tuna tartare, duck & scallops, petit filet, and warm duck salad. They often feature the catch of the day brought in by Stonington fishermen. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends and in summer. You can always try your luck at the cozy bar, where you can catch up on the local gossip.
19 East Main Street, Mystic, CT 06355
23 Main Street, Chester, CT, 06412
A visit to this restaurant could be part of a day trip to explore the wonderful Connecticut River Valley or justified in its own right. Owned by chef Jonathan Rapp, the River Tavern is classy, refined, and eclectic, serving farm-to-table ingredients on a menu that changes daily. Chester, where the River Tavern is located, is perhaps the most quaint, charming village in Connecticut, filled with artists and artisans. Modern art lovers will appreciate the paintings of Sol LeWitt, a longtime Chester resident and famous 20th-century conceptual artist whose work adds flair to the restaurant’s walls.
32 Water Street, Mystic, CT 06355
Another downtown Mystic mainstay for four decades. The downstairs pub in this building dating back to 1756 is as cozy and authentic as can be. The menu is a mix of unpretentious red meat, poultry, seafood, and vegetarian dishes. Their baked onion soup can’t be beat. The atmosphere of the pub is the main draw and one of the last places to experience what Mystic used to be. Their parking lot is above the restaurant.
14 Holmes Street, Mystic, CT, 06355
142 Water Street, Stonington, CT 06378
The owner/head chef is Mexican, so don’t expect much Tex-Mex on the menu. The food transports you to Mexico in a casual, laid-back atmosphere. The carne asada tacos, cochinita pibil, enchiladas verdes, and enchiladas al horno (vegetarian) are our favorite dishes. The selection of margaritas on offer is impressive with many house made flavored tequilas. Reservations are suggested for weekends in peak season (June-October).
223 Thames St, Groton, CT 06340
This hole in the wall is a local treasure serving up Italian American fare and homemade pasta from their unassuming location on the Thames River. The ambiance is charming and cozy and the prices are reasonable. You can choose between half and full portions for many entrees.
30 Broadway Ave, Mystic, CT 06355
A fun spot that’s made the most of its location at a former gas station. Retro themed with lots of outdoor as well as indoor seating and a diverse menu of you guessed it — tacos! Though owned by a gringo, the food is authentic enough to be respectable. If you’re looking for unique, upscale fast food, this is the spot.
15 Railroad Ave, Westerly, RI 02891
If you’re in the mood for good Thai food, this is a great option. The food is authentic, fresh, and tasty. With reasonable prices and ample portions, it’s easy to look beyond the fairly basic ambiance. It’s located in downtown Westerly. If you haven’t yet discovered it, this is a cute area to walk around. Wilcox Park, in the center of downtown, and has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1973, and is definitely worth a visit.
117 Pearl Street, Groton, Connecticut, 06340
Abbott’s Lobster is Noank’s original lobster-in-the-rough spot and a lovely place to enjoy seafood with a gorgeous waterfront view in a very casual atmosphere. It’s BYOB, so bring your favorite wine or beer.
16 Snyder Road, Haddam, CT, 06438
If your adventures take you over to the Connecticut River Valley, do consider a visit to the Blue Oar. This no-frills, funky outdoor eatery is right on the Connecticut River. Enjoy dining amongst a rainbow of brightly-colored picnic tables surrounded by twinkling white lights while listening to gentle reggae sounds. Bring your favorite adult beverage as it’s BYOB. The menu features a variety of seafood plates, burgers, salads, grilled chicken sandwiches, as well as the ever-popular lobster rolls. This is a great place whatever the occasion, but be sure to bring cash, as they don’t take credit cards. They are open seven days a week, but not if it’s raining.
1 Holmes Street, Mystic, CT, 06355
A longtime fixture of downtown Mystic with good reason; the food, service, and atmosphere are reliably good. They have a magnificently landscaped outdoor patio next to the Mystic Drawbridge where you can watch boats, cars, and people as they pass by wishing they were eating where you are sitting. If you’d rather eat indoors, they also have a dining room with lots of glass windows that look out over the Mystic River. The menu has a bit of everything, so it’s also suitable for non-seafood eaters. If you want to dine here from late May to October as well as on weekends year-round, it’s wise to make a reservation. They have two parking lots. One is at the restaurant; the other is across the street, near the Engine Room.
13 Water Street, Groton, CT, 06335
If you love raw oysters or farm-to-table dining, this is the spot. During their fantastic happy hour, daily from 4 PM-5 PM, the Oyster Club in downtown Mystic features a local oyster (usually Noank or Ninigrets) at a terrific price; $1.50 each, last we checked. There are also a handful of well-priced drinks and nibbles available and reasonably priced. Happy hour is only available on the bar side and at the oyster-shucking counter. Because it’s popular with locals and tourists alike, it’s best to arrive on the earlier side, especially in summer and on weekends. Parking is somewhat tricky as the restaurant does not have a parking lot. You can either walk from a street space if you are lucky enough to find one or use the paid lot at the Mystic Museum of Art.
66 Water Street, Stonington, CT 06378
19 East Main Street, Mystic, CT 06355
One of the most fun happy hours in Mystic, it is from 4 PM-6 PM, Tuesday-Friday. Only available at the bar, happy hour includes select wine, cocktails, and food. The food options are light bites, so don’t expect full-size portions. Order a few dishes, and you have a light meal for two, which can be just the thing if you’ve had a heavy lunch. Bravo Bravo is popular with locals and tourists and features a minimalist décor. It can be quite boisterous in the bar, so may not be a good choice if you have difficulty hearing. They are closed on Mondays.
2 Washington Street, Mystic, CT, 06355
Their prime location on the Mystic River is reason enough to make a plan to enjoy happy hour at Red36. Tuesday-Friday, from 4 PM-6 PM. Enjoy deals on some select house wine, draft beer, and cocktails. There is also a limited, but fun menu of food options at special happy hour prices. Expect smaller portions on these. Popular with locals and tourists alike, this happy hour is available in the bar area only, so it’s best to arrive at the start or even a bit ahead of 4 PM. The fresh sea air and sunshine sparkling off the boats make it definitely worthwhile.
KITCHEN LITTLE
36 Quarry Road, Stonington, CT, 06355
Breakfast at the Inn is terrific. However, if you want a late breakfast or just fancy getting out and about, you can’t beat Kitchen Little. This little breakfast oasis is well-loved by locals and popular on the weekends. The breakfast menu has many tempting options and is reasonably priced. Enjoy fantastic views of the lower Mystic River estuary, seldom seen by visitors to the area. The best times to have this paradise to yourself are off-season (November – May) and weekdays. Visiting Kitchen Little is an excellent excuse to explore Mason’s Island, a primarily residential, non-touristy spot off-the-beaten-track. While there, visit Ender’s Island, a beautiful 11-acre island retreat and monastery on the sea.
740 Colonel Ledyard Highway, Ledyard, CT 06339
Just 4 miles from the inn, Lucille’s has a cute, relaxed, bohemian vibe. There are an array of gourmet coffee and tea drinks to choose from as well as various egg sandwiches, avocado toasts, and pastries. Relax here on a sofa or takeaway.
2 Lincoln Avenue, Mystic, CT, 06355
The area’s most amazing ‘grinder’ shop. These babies are loaded with delicious deli goodness. Whether you’re in the mood for roast beef, turkey, capicola, or other choices, the sub-style sandwiches are loaded to the brink with meat, cheese, lettuce (or cabbage), and tomato on crispy Italian bread. A large grinder from here is enough for two people to share for lunch. We love stopping here on our way to the beach or before heading out for a day in the kayaks.
63 Williams Avenue, Mystic, CT, 06355
This popular deli is a Mystic mainstay and features everything from gourmet sandwiches, wraps, and paninis, to soups, salads, and prepared meals. There is also a gourmet cheese counter, bakery, and barista station. Dine-in or takeaway.
15 Holmes St, Mystic, CT 06355
The area’s most health-conscious eatery, the menu is primarily vegetarian and vegan. The menu has a wide array of smoothies, juices, wraps, salads, warm bowls, light bites, and avocado toasts to choose from. When you eat here, you can actually leave feeling healthier than got there.
740 Colonel Ledyard Highway, Ledyard, CT 06339
13 Washington Street, New London, CT 06320
The café offers gourmet coffee and tea drinks as well as an eclectic menu of healthy-ish, delicious food for breakfast and lunch. This is the best place in the area to get a little bit of office work done or meet with colleagues as long as you don’t mind some background noise. Some tables are adjacent to work-friendly electric outlets. While in New London, consider visiting the Connecticut College Arboretum or the Custom House Maritime Museum.
15 Water St, Mystic, CT 06355
62 High St, Westerly, RI 02891
A cozy and laid-back spot, albeit slightly scruffy, this spot is most known for its vast menu of generously sized specialty martinis. They also serve specialty coffee and wine. There is live music most evenings.
(Copyright: Erika Hall, 2024)
