Connecticut Shoreline Seafood Shack Guide
Lobster Landing | Photo by Allegra Anderson
Updated July 2019
When you live in Connecticut, summer and seafood shacks go hand in hand. A day at one of the many state beaches can come to the perfect end with a stop for a hot, buttered, Connecticut style lobster roll, a fried seafood platter and an ice cream cone. Here are a handful of my favorite Connecticut seafood shacks:
Lobster Landing
Lobster Landing is what you imagine a New England lobster shack to look like: a quaint building on a dock, with a slightly dilapidated sign, seating with a perfect view of the ocean, and an owner that looks like he just stepped off a fishing boat after a long journey at sea. They stay open until New Years, so if you miss them in the summer, just know that you can also see them with Christmas lights under a blanket of snow. Closes December 31 for the season.
152 Commerce St. Clinton, CT 06413
(860) 669-2005
website
Abbott's Lobster In The Rough
Pull your boat up to Abbott’s and enjoy a lobster extravaganza. Situated on the Mystic River in Noank, Abbott's has been serving seafood for over 65 years. This is the place to go if you’re up for a challenge. Their “famous lobster roll” has the standard quarter pound of meat, but their “OMG roll” has almost twice that, and the “LOL Hot Lobster Roll”? Well that has one pound of hot buttery lobster piled on. Closes for the season on Columbus Day.
117 Pearl St. Groton, CT 06340
(860) 539-7719
website
Guilford Lobster Pound | Photo by Alycia Chrosniak
Guilford Lobster Pound
This is where you come to eat if you want to be surrounded by water and a sea breeze, and eat a damn good lobster roll. I've never eaten anything else on the menu and that is 100% because I can't get myself to stray from the perfectly toasted, and buttered concoction that is their roll. so yeah, would eat again. Closes for the season on Columbus Day.
505A Whitfield St. Guilford, CT 06437
(203) 453-6122
website
Captain Scott's Lobster Dock
Captain Scott's checks all the boxes: a beautiful location on the water, outdoor seating, an ice cream window, and a fish market. While Connecticut may be famous for the hot lobster roll, don't sleep on Captain Scott’s lobster salad roll. Light, peppery and with the perfect amount of crunch from the celery and lettuce, it sets the standard. Closes for the season October 14.
80 Hamilton St. New London, CT 06320
(860) 439-1741
website
Clam Castle | Photo by Alycia Chrosniak
Clam Castle
Serving Madison for over six decades, this roadside eatery cooks up lobster rolls favored by Jacques Pepin and fried whole belly clams to die for. The extensive menu includes everything from blackened fish tacos and clam chowder to hamburgers and hotdogs, and is the perfect stop after a day at Hammonasset Beach. Closes at the end of October for the season.
1324 Boston Post Rd. Madison, CT 06443
(203) 245-4911
website
Ford's Lobster
If you’re not familiar with Ford’s infamous lobster bomb, let’s introduce you. Picture a bread bowl, hollowed out and stuffed full of your choice of hot or cold lobster, and then topped with a generous pour of lobster bisque. Dreamy, right? Add it to your list of things to eat before you die. Open year round except February.
15 Riverview Ave. Noank, CT 06340
(860) 536-2842
website
Bill's Seafood | Photo by Alycia Chrosniak
Bill's Seafood
If you're ever going to cheat on the lobster roll, cheat on it with this: Bill's Lobster Salad BLT. Best eaten on one of their outdoor picnic tables on the Patchogue River, the sweet lobster pairs perfectly with the savory bacon, the ocean breeze, and a cold beer from their full bar. Open year round.
548 Boston Post Rd. Westbrook, CT 06498
(860) 399-7224
website
Stowe's Seafood
Stowe's is one of my favorite little hideaways in the state. Nestled in West Haven, this restaurant makes you feel miles away with all the pirate paraphernalia and beach directly across the street. My order usually involves their hot lobster roll (which is superb), a cup of chowder, and the soft-shell crab during season. Open year round except for January.
347 Beach St. West Haven, CT 06516
(203) 934-1991
website
The Place | Photo by Alycia Chrosniak
The Place
This no frills roadside shack serves lobsters, clams, corn, fish and veggies all cooked over a giant wood-fired grill. It’s BYOB (including food items not on their menu), is pet friendly and cash or check only. Sit your rump on one of their many tree stump seats and enjoy a meal while summer nostalgia inevitably overcomes you. Open through September and weekends only in October.
901 Boston Post Rd. Guilford, CT 06437
203-453-9276
website
LobsterCraft
You probably know LobsterCraft from their two food trucks, which used to wander the street serving lobster rolls with their special secret seasoning. Well they recently opened a brick and mortar in Fairfield serving all their signature rolls, including their Coastal with melted butter and seasoning; California Roll with cucumber, wasabi infused soy sauce and avocado; and their Heat Wave with spicy butter. Open year round.
1891 Post Rd. Fairfield, CT 06824
(203) 292-5350
website
Knot Norm’s To Go + Eatery
A brick and mortar extension of the catering company, Knot Norm’s To Go + Eatery is an airy retreat just blocks from the water. Here you can find New England staples, such a roasted oysters, steamed clams, and lobster and fried oyster rolls, alongside non-traditional dishes like a pork belly roll with pickled cabbage, and a fried chicken roll with pickled cucumbers and daikon. Pro tip: if a soft shell crab roll is on special, order it. Open year round.
10a First St. Norwalk, CT 06855
(203) 354-3194
website
Treehouse at Oyster Club | Photo by Alycia Chrosniak
Treehouse at Oyster Club
Downtown Mystic’s version of a seafood shack is located high in the trees above the Oyster Club. Here in the Treehouse you can enjoy clam shack classics like a hot lobster roll topped with crispy shallots, oysters ($1 during happy hour), and an assortment of cocktails while taking in the summer breeze. Open Memorial Day through Columbus Day.
13 Water St. Mystic, CT 06355
(860) 415-9266
website
Sea Swirl
Located on the Mystic River, Sea Swirl is famous for their whole belly clams and clam strips, and has over forty flavors of soft serve ice cream for your enjoyment. You can sit on one of their many picnic tables and watch the sunset over the flood tides, while you chomp away at their lobster rolls, hot dogs and clams fritters. Open April through October.
30 Williams Ave. Mystic, CT 06355
(860) 536-3452
website
Liv's Shack | Photo by Alycia Chrosniak
Liv's Shack
This little marina side shack serves a simple menu during the summer months. A seasonal offshoot of Liv's Oyster Bar, you can expect the same great quality in a much more casual atmosphere. Dine on picnic tables in the yard, or on their porch (outdoor seating only) and make sure to call ahead if the weather is looking spotty. Enjoy classics like a hot lobster roll (they don't offer a cold version), a lobster grilled cheese, fried shrimp, hand cut old bay fries, and a grill menu with hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken tenders. Closes for the season on Labor Day.
26 Bridge St, Old Saybrook, CT 06475
(860) 391-8353
website
Lobster Shack | Photo by Alycia Chrosniak
Lobster Shack Branford
Located in Bilbarie Marina, just across the water from Stony Creek Brewery, the Lobster Shack serves simple summer fare including grilled clams, chowder and their perfectly buttered lobster roll. It’s the perfect place to grab a bite while watching the boats head out. Closes for the season on Columbus Day.
7 Indian Neck Ave. Branford, CT 06406
(203) 483-8414
website
Lenny and Joe's Fish Tale
This family friendly restaurant group has three locations on the Connecticut shore: New Haven, Madison and Westbrook. All relaxed venues with both counter and table service, they're a great place to have a lobster dinner, friend whole belly clams or a lobster roll. And they all have full bars. Open year round.
Locations in New Haven, Madison and Westbrook
website
Photo by Alycia Chrosniak
The Lobster Hut
A food truck with a permanent parking location in Milford, The Lobster Hut serves up classic seafood shack fare- roadside. Come for the lobster roll and the clam roll, and if seafood isn't your thing, hotdogs and onion rings are also available. Open year round.
826 Bridgeport Ave. Milford, CT 06460
(203) 631-2162
website
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