Beach Eats on the Shoreline
[naviga:u]Casual Waterside Dining[/naviga:u]
Bight Restaurant at the Guilford Yacht Club
379 Whitfield Street, Guilford, 203-415-3427
Types of Food Offered: Eclectic with vegetarian options
Note: This new restaurant opened May 24
Bill's Seafood
548 Boston Post Rd., Westbrook, 860-399-7224
Types of Food Offered: Traditional New England seafood and comfort food
Known For: Dining along the Patchogue River by the Singing Bridge
Must Try Items: Old Bay Shrimp and mudslides
Note: Live music most nights and a spacious patio keep things lively.
Dockside Seafood & Grill
145 Block Island Rd., Branford, 203-488-3007
Types of Food Offered: Fresh seafood entrees, salads, sandwiches, chicken, steak, and burgers
Known For: Seafood and sunsets
Must Try Item: Honey lemon salmon
Guilford Lobster Pound
505 Old Whitfield St., Guilford, 203-453-6122
Types of Food Offered: Lobster rolls, stuffed clams, clam chowder, hot dogs, coleslaw, potato salad, chips, and gelato
Known For: Beautiful views of Guilford Harbor
Must Try Item: Lobster rolls with fresh-caught lobster meat, homemade clam chowder, and stuffed clams
Guilford Mooring
505 Whitfield St., Guilford, 203-619-2549
Types of Food Offered: Seafood and American fare
Known For: Dockfront location that has been completely renovated
M&J Beach Grille and Seafood
87 Surf Club Road, Madison, 203-458-2921
Types of Food Offered: Seafood and American fare
Known For: Beachside location at the Surf Club in Madison
Note: Park entry fee for non-residents
Rocky's Aqua
34 Riverside Dr., Suite 2, Clinton, 860-664-3788
Types of Food Offered: American-style menu with a concentration on fresh seafood
Known For: Decks overlooking Long Island Sound and Cedar Island
Must Try Item: House-made ice cream, clams casino, fried oysters, filet of beef, and blackened salmon
Shanks Waterfront Dining
131-C Grove St., Clinton, 860-669-4224
Types of Food Offered: Fried and grilled seafood, lobster selections, land-lover selection, and vegetarian and gluten-free options
Known For: Tacos and lobster bisque
Must Try Items: Shanks Combo, lobster taco, and scallops
Note: BYOB; live music on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning in mid-June
Water's Edge
1525 Boston Post Rd., Westbrook, 860-399-5901
Types of Food Offered: Italian and casual fare from Seaview Bistro and Sunset Bar & Grill. (see Dattilo Fine Italian page 18)
Known For: Array of options with a waterfront setting
Must Try Item: Signature cocktails
[naviga:u]Must-Try Lobster Rolls[/naviga:u]
Liv's Shack
26 Bridge St., Old Saybrook
Types of Food Offered: Lobster rolls, burgers, tacos, and more
Known For: Lobster rolls
Must Try Item: 8-ounce lobster rolls and truffle fries
Lobster Landing
152 Commerce St., Clinton, 860-669-2005
Types of Food Offered: Lobster rolls, hot dogs, sausage and peppers, coleslaw, Gelato Giuliana
Known For: Lobster rolls
Must Try Item: Lobster roll with ¼-pound of lobster meat on a grinder roll hollowed out, drizzled melted butter, and squeezed lemon
Note: Bring anything not served: wine, beer, salads, desserts
Lobster Shack
3 Cosey Beach Avenue, East Haven (former Beachhead Restaurant), 203-483-8414
Types of Food Offered: Lobster rolls, hot dogs, and chowder Lobster rolls, hot dogs, and chowder
Known For: Seafood al fresco
Must Try Item: The award-winning lobster roll
Westbrook Lobster Eatery and Bar
346 East Main St., Clinton, 860-664-9464
Types of Food Offered: Lobster, seafood, steak, chicken, and sandwiches
Known For: Connecticut lobster roll
Must Try Item: Lobster mac & cheese
[naviga:u]Casual Fare[/naviga:u]
Clam Castle
1324 Boston Post Rd., Madison, 203-245-4911
Types of Food Offered: Fried clams, fresh seafood, burgers,
sandwiches, salads, daily special, gluten-free items, and more
Known For: Award-winning chowder
Must Try Item: Fish tacos
Note: Indoor and outdoor seating, dog friendly, BYOB
The Deck
359 Boston Post Rd., Westbrook, 860-339-5277
Types of Food Offered: Wings, steaks, burgers, and seafood
Known For: Chicken wings and sports-bar setting
Must Try Item: $12 all-you-can-eat fish & chips on Sundays
Johnny Ad's
910 Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook, 860-388-4032
Types of Food Offered: Hot and cold lobster rolls, fried fish,
drive-in style burgers
Known For: Popular Route One spot with a summer vibe year-round
Must Try Item: Fried clam and split hot dogs
Lenny's Indian Head Inn
205 S. Montowese St., Branford, 203-488-1500
Types of Food Offered: New England seafood classics
Known For: Riverfront dining, live music
Must Try Item: The Lenny's fried seafood platter
Lenny & Joe's Fish Tale
86 Boston Post Rd., Westbrook, 860-669-0767
1301 Boston Post Rd., Madison, 203-245-7289
Types of Food Offered: Seafood and American summer classics
Known For: Lobster rolls and the fried seafood platter
Must Try Items: Those in the know say it's the best fried fish you'll find
Note: The Madison Restaurant is the home of Lenny & Joe's Magical Charity Carousel. 100 percent of the ride money goes to local charities and organizations, raising more than $1,070,000 in 19 years.
Sandpiper Restaurant
161 Cosey Beach Ave., East Haven, 203-469-7544
Types of Food Offered: Assortment of seafood
Known For: Convenience to the town beach and seafood options
Must Try Item: Fried shrimp and lobster roll
[naviga:u]Upsale Dining[/naviga:u]
Boom Restaurant
63 Pilots Point Dr., Westbrook, 860-399-2322
Types of Food Offered: Seafood and steak
Known For: Upscale dining on the water
Must Try Item: Lobster risotto
Dattilo Fine Italian
1525 Boston Post Rd., Westbrook, 860-399-5901
Types of Food Offered: Fine Italian food
Known For: Authentic Italian food with water views
Must Try Item: Raw bar
Fresh Salt
2 Bridge St., Old Saybrook, 860-388-1111
Types of Food Offered: Pasta dishes, sandwiches, salads, raw bar, steaks; breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily
Known For: Upscale, fresh, and seasonal seafood dishes
Must Try Items: Grilled Grand Banks swordfish loin; Connecticut lobster roll
Liv's Oyster Bar & Restaurant
166 Main St., Old Saybrook, 860-395-5577
Types of Food Offered: Raw bar, seasonal seafood-centric menu, off-premise catering
Known For: Six different types of oysters nightly
Must Try Item: Fennel and pepper crusted tuna
The Wharf at Madison Beach Hotel
94 West Wharf Rd., Madison, 203-350-0014
Types of Food Offered: Upscale New England classics
Known For: Sweeping views of Long Island Sound from the elegant dining room or covered porch
Must Try Items: Tuna tartare; Prince Edward Island mussels
[naviga:u]Local Food Trucks[/naviga:u]
Bowl'd Creations
Often Found at: New Haven and Madison
Offerings: Acai bowls, smoothies, locally roasted coffee
How to Locate: lifebowlsct.com
Meriano's Cannoli Truck
Often Found at: Throughout CT
Offerings: Cannolis
How to Locate: cannolitruck.com
The Fire Pizza Company
Often Found at: Throughout CT
Offerings: Brick oven pizza
How to Locate: thefirepizzacompany.com
Food Extrovert
Often Found at: New Haven
Offerings: Eclectic fare
How to Locate: foodextrovert.com
Frank Andrews Mobile Kitchen, LLC
Often Found at: Clinton Crossing
Offerings: Pizza
How to Locate: franksmobilekitchen.com
Melly P's
Often Found at: Branford area
Offerings: Paninis
How to Locate: mellyps.com
Rabbit on the Run
Often Found at: Old Saybrook
Offerings: Burgers, wings, and more
How to Locate: rabbitontherunct.com
Shoreline Prime Food Truck
Often Found at: Throughout CT
Offerings: Steak
How to Locate: shorelineprimefoodtruck.com
Sugar Bakery
Often Found at: Throughout CT
Offerings: Cupcakes
How to Locate: thesugarbakery.com/trucks
Taco Pacifico
Often Found at: Clinton Crossing
Offerings: Tacos
How to Locate: tacopacifico.com
Taqueria Cinco
Often Found at: Guilford and Madison Greens
Offerings: Authentic Mexican food
How to Locate: taqueriacinco.com