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 best waterfront restaurants in CT!

1. Mill on the River, South Windsor

Tiffany G./Yelp
The Mill on the River, 989 Ellington Rd, South Windsor, CT 06074, USA
Martin S./Yelp
Mill on the River Restaurant, one of the most beautiful restaurants in CT on the water, 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.

2. The Hopkins Inn & Restaurant, Warren

The Hopkins Inn/Yelp
The Hopkins Inn & Restaurant, 22 Hopkins Rd, Warren, CT 06777, USA
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. The Hopkins Inn & Restaurant is one of the loveliest restaurants in CT on the water.

3. Water’s Edge Resort and Spa, Westbrook

Susan T./Yelp
Water's Edge Resort & Spa, 1525 Boston Post Rd, Westbrook, CT 06498, USA
Juliana T./Yelp
If you've been looking for the best CT shoreline restaurants 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. You'll love everything about Water's Edge Resort and Spa.

4. Stonebridge Restaurant, Milford

Stonebridge Restaurant/TripAdvisor
Stonebridge Restaurant, 50 Daniel St, Milford, CT 06460, USA
Summer Stubbs/TripAdvisor
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.

5. The Brushmill by the Waterfall, Chester

Brushmill By The Waterfall/Facebook
The Brushmill by the Waterfall, 129 W Main St, Chester, CT 06412, USA
boatboat/TripAdvisor
Looking for "lunch with a view near me" and happen to be close to Chester, CT? The Brushmill by the Waterfall has exactly what it says -- a mill, a waterfall, and (bonus!) really good food. This waterfall-side restaurant is one of the prettiest, waterfront restaurants in CT.

Take a look at the refreshed and refurbished Brushmill by the Waterfall restaurant in Chester, CT in this video from Frank DiNardi:

6. Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough, Noank

Dom M./Yelp
Abbott's Lobster In the Rough (Noank), 117 Pearl St, Noank, CT 06340, USA
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! And it's absolutely one of the best restaurants on the water in the state.

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7. Down the Hatch, Brookfield

Tom P./Yelp
Down The Hatch, 292 Candlewood Lake Rd, Brookfield, CT 06804, USA
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.

8. Guilford Mooring, Guilford

Joe C./Yelp
Guilford Mooring, 505 Whitfield St, Guilford, CT 06437, USA
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.

9. Outriggers Restaurant, Breward Stratford Marina

Outriggers Restaurant/Yelp
Outriggers Restaurant, 555 Broad St, Stratford, CT 06615, USA
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.

10. On the Waterfront, New London

Dr. Giraffe/Google Local
On The Waterfront Restaurant, 250 Pequot Ave, New London, CT 06320, USA
David Kurman/Google Local
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.

11. Rowayton Seafood Seafood Restaurant and Market, Norwalk

Troy D./Yelp
Rowayton Seafood Restaurant and Market, 89 Rowayton Ave, Norwalk, CT 06853, USA
Elena R./Yelp
This waterfront restaurant in Connecticut has incredible seafood that will keep you coming back for years. To learn more about one of the best waterfront restaurants in CT, visit the official website of Rowayton Seafood.

12. Madison Beach Hotel, Madison

Wil S./Yelp
Madison Beach Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton, 94 W Wharf Rd, Madison, CT 06443, USA
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:

Yum! Definitely treat yourself to one of these joints as the weather begins to warm up! Have you been to any of the best waterfront restaurants in CT? 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. You may also consider taking a food or beverage tour. Check out the Connecticut tours available on Viator.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Dining In Connecticut

Melissa M | May 07, 2021

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 Restaurant and Bar, 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 several 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.

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