41 Best American Restaurants near East Lyme

“Not only is the food delicious, but the staff are fantastic and truly make you feel like family. The East Lyme Shack is our go-to restaurant! Thanks, guys!!“

“Amazing food and a really great atmosphere. The chef puts so much care into what she does and she makes everything tasty“

“Food was delicious, service was spectacular - the way the manager in the brown jacket spoke to the all-female front line staff was disgusting. Do yourself a favor ladies, record his cowardly intimidation talking and get him for hostile work environment. He should be ashamed of himself.“

“Great food, great service, and fun time with the pool tables and Juke box“

“Girls run this world, the bartenders here are genuine no joke queens! Be patient, there is 1 of them to 50 of us and they make it look easy and that’s an understatement. Wings are great, drink selection is diverse and plentiful atmosphere is comfortable and local. Great meet up spot for friends! Come on down and see this staff sleigh their magic, shoutout to Jenna, Lisa, & Abigail!“

“My favorite place to go at Mohegan Sun Casino! I had the chicken and waffles, my Daughter had the lemon chicken … delicious!“

“Not only is the food delicious, but the staff are fantastic and truly make you feel like family. The East Lyme Shack is our go-to restaurant! Thanks, guys!!“

“We were in the area last night- headed home from the casinos- and like to sing Karaoke. We stopped here and the people were so warm and welcoming. Also drinks were very reasonable. I’ll definately stop again next time I’m in the area. Only wish I lived closer. It’s a good atmosphere for any age group.,“

“We had the most wonderful experience with Langley’s for our small, intimate wedding reception. The customer service was great from start to finish. The event manager Brian was incredibly attentive and made sure every detail was taken care of, ensuring our day went smoothly. The food was fantastic and we received rave reviews from our guests. The team went above and beyond by setting up our decorations exactly as we envisioned, making the space look beautiful. They were also very accommodating and willing to work with us in case we needed to move our outdoor ceremony indoors, as well. We highly recommend this venue for anyone looking for a place to hold your event.“

“Love this place!!! Very friendly staff“

“Good food.. great service“

“Terrific location in a small New England town bordering the Connecticut River. Excellent food, wine and comfortable rooms.“

“The food is great and my family and I go at least once a week. All so the people that work there are great to. Love that place.“

“Service and drinks were awesome!! Temperature in the restaurant was 20 degrees too COLD!! I like cold but even I could not take the temperature there!! Our Server was very kind and attentive to our needs!! We were served quickly after we needed a few extra minutes to decide on your great menu offerings!! Caesar side salad and tater tots and sweet potato fries were Excellent!! Brisket and Burgers were overcooked!! 6/10 on that!! Not coming back till you guys close some vents or I wear my down jacket in the Casino!! That will not happen as left it in the car for a reason!! Comedy show at 6pm was Hilarious too!! Glad we came up there !!“

“1st time here and wow was everything from the appetizer to the main course top notch dining.“

“So happy they are here! The foos is always good and the servers are always friendly and welcoming!!! Thank you for bringing a great restaurant to this town!!!“

“Amazing food and friendly staff!!
First time here, but definitely returning. I tried the French onion soup (now one of the best I've ever tasted), seafood stuffed mushrooms (definitely the best), coleslaw (also exceptional) and the BBQ brisket sandwich (perfect). I definitely recommend coming here!!“

“I’d give this place ten stars if I could. Here at the Mohegan Sun Casino for a work conference. Decided to stop in for dinner, unbelievable!!! Was alone so I sat at the bar. No request was too big for the staff. Worth every penny. MJ is the 🐐“

“Not only is the food fantastic but they’re so hospitable friendly but they don’t invade when you’re eating just kind hearted people their love shows in their food please visit I try something different every time“

“While it is a little off the beating path, it is a fine establishment that has been in the area for several years. Their prices are reasonable. Their menu is varied and quite good. Always a consideration when looking for a last-minute place to go during the week for dinner.“

“The Neon Chicken — Comfort Food, Community, and the Warmest Welcome in Town

The Neon Chicken is one of those rare, special places where the food is wonderful, but the people and the feeling are what make it unforgettable. From the moment you walk through the door, Jamie greets you like she’s known you your entire life — and honestly, it’s hard not to feel that way. She has that effortless warmth, that genuine kindness, that ability to make everyone feel like family the moment they arrive. It’s the kind of welcome that stays with you.

This is comfort food at its absolute best. Hearty, homemade, generous portions, full of flavor, and clearly made with love. My personal favorite is the turkey dinner — the kind of meal that instantly takes you back to holidays and home-cooked memories. Tender turkey, classic sides, savory gravy… it’s exactly what comfort food should be: soothing, satisfying, familiar in the best possible way.

What makes The Neon Chicken truly shine, though, is the heart behind it. Jamie is the soul of this place. I once watched her help a man at his table who was being a little gruff and frustrated — the kind of situation many people would tiptoe around. But not Jamie. She handled it with absolute grace. She walked over with a smile, kindly answered every question, helped him with his food, and somehow managed to turn the entire moment around. You could see the tension leave the table. It was one of those quiet, human moments where you realize: this is what community looks like.

And that’s The Neon Chicken — a place where people are taken care of. Jamie seems to know everyone who walks through the door. Regulars greet her by name, she remembers families, favorites, stories. New visitors get the same warmth as returning ones. It’s a restaurant, yes, but it’s also a little anchor of comfort in the neighborhood.

The atmosphere itself matches the spirit of the place: cozy, simple, unpretentious, and filled with the comforting smell of good food cooking. It’s a place you can go when you’re hungry, when you need a moment of kindness, or when you just want to feel welcomed by people who genuinely care.

In a world where so many restaurants feel rushed or impersonal, The Neon Chicken is a breath of fresh air — a reminder of what hospitality really means. Excellent food, generous hearts, and a sense of community that’s impossible to fake.

Jamie makes this place shine, the food keeps you coming back, and the feeling of being treated like family stays with you long after you leave.

If you’re looking for comfort — on your plate and in your day — The Neon Chicken is exactly where you want to be.“

“This is absolutely my favorite place to eat in old saybrook. Whether it be breakfast or lunch or dinner I have not been disappointed. I was especially impressed by breakfast here. My waitress Paige was so accommodating and kind. She made all the difference in the experience we had. I wish they had 10 of her. I would highly recommend for atmosphere hospitality and food. Above and beyond and excellent.

I have been back a dozen times since the review posted above. Valentine's Day brunch was nice. The dining enhanced by the pasta station which was fabulous. Chef Lam is simply amazing! He went out of his way to make the food and the Fresh Salt experience perfect. Staff like this will keep us coming back again and again. Thanks Fresh Salt and Thank you Lam.

Since my last review I have continued to visit Fresh Salt. It is hard to believe that my experience has been better and better.

Owner Viola so genuine and sincere. She is thoughtful and really cares about her customers experience in her hotel and restaurant. She also cares about people and that shows. I love the restaurant but will always choose this as a number one spot as an owner with so much integrity is too rare. Thank you Viola from Elena and family.“

“01.26.25- 'Big Al's Reel Reviews' - Little Galapagos Restaurant ❤️ City of New London ❤️ I dropped into The Little Galapagos Restaurant this evening to review a couple of their popular menu items which were Chicken Wings, Thai Chilli Sauce followed by Carne Asada Ecuadorians Style meal that was actually really Dope ❤️ however the Chicken wings were not great at all so they earned a Thumbs 👎🏾 The atmosphere and service was really dope there and I am sure that had I ordered anything else on the menu besides the Wings would have been just as good as the Carne Asada. This is a great place to have a great meal and a dope light experience at the same time 😎 Thank you, Little Galapagos Restaurant 119 Broad St. ❤️ City of New London ❤️ ☝🏾❤️ -Big Al Mayo 'Always Keeping it REAL to REEL'“

“Food and service is great. Music on the other hand a bit loud.“

“The brisket quesadilla were good and the customer service was great. 👍🏼“

“Black point pizza is always my go to when I want an absolutely amazing pizza. for me I have the cooks keep it in the oven a bit longer so it stands up when you pick it up to eat. the sauce is to die for also. if you like your pizza a little more firm just ask and the cooks are happy to make your food exactly as you like. minor the owner is a stand up guy and really did good with this recipe. the salads and his homemade balsamic dressing is the best I've had from anywhere. if you have not come out to black point you are really missing out. I promise you won't be disappointed 🍕 #gettotheoint #Blackpoint #thebestpizza #soooyummy #greatcustometservice“

“is a 100% recommended... new Menu, New Chef... breakfast lunch and dinner“

“A Perfect Dinner at Longhorn Steakhouse

We had a fantastic experience at Longhorn Steakhouse! From the moment we sat down to the final bite, everything was spot on.

Why We’ll Be Back:
* Perfectly Cooked Steaks: The kitchen knows exactly what they’re doing. Our steaks were seasoned beautifully and cooked to the precise temperature we ordered. They were juicy, tender, and full of flavor.
* Top-Notch Service: Our waitress was wonderful. She was attentive and friendly without being overbearing, ensuring our drinks stayed full and we had everything we needed.
* Excellent Old Fashioned: If you enjoy a good cocktail, their Old Fashioned is a winner. It was well-balanced and the perfect companion to a hearty steak dinner.
* Impressive Speed: We were surprised by how quickly the food came out, especially considering how high the quality was. It’s the perfect spot for a great meal that doesn't drag on all night.
> Summary: If you're looking for a reliable, delicious steakhouse experience with great drinks and even better service, Longhorn is the place to go.“

“Went for the first time tonight and had delicious food! Our waitress Keyshla was absolutely outstanding! 😍😍“

“The rice is unsurpassed. The side salads are REAL salads, not just a wedge of lettuce with a green wedge of tomato and a slice of cucumber. These people know food. Chicken is great, their Fish 'n Rice Platter is really really good.“

“My go to spot before going to an event at the Sun or just spending the day gambling. .99 cent wings and $4 domestic drafts in this economy? Yes please! Not to mention they have 2 top notch servers in Amie and Elise.I notice the difference in service when I don't get them.“

“I ❤️❤️❤️ the honey chipotle chicken crispers !!! I also ❤️❤️❤️ the margaritas ! 🍹😁 and the Mexican street corn and creamy Mac and cheese.😋👍“

“Love Sellfish Restaurant!!! The service it’s Excellent !!!! The Food It’s Extraordinary Great…Recommend 100%“

“Just got back from the 1st Sunday of the month night with Mystic Dead. Met the owner who seemed like a super humble and unassuming guy. The staff and the food and the band (of course) were all amazing! Looking forward to chilling down by the river after the shows when the weather warms up a bit. Drove down 2 hours for this show at this venue. Totally worth it on all accounts!!“

“Excelente lugar para disfrutar en familia“

“Came here from out of town. The food was delicious and the service was great. Noticed all the employees cleaning and thought it was strange and i looked online and realized they had closed over ten minutes ago. The employees didn’t even say anything and let us finish and take our time. I feel bad because if I had known we of course would have left but kudos to them for their patience truly. Would definitely come here again! Not to mention the restrooms were clean and even smelt good.“

“I used to go here when they first opened, and the burgers were genuinely great. I recently went back to give it another try, and the quality has clearly declined. The food no longer stands out the way it once did, and it feels like the place has lost what made it special. It may be time for Bobby to take a closer look and bring things back to the original standard.“

“good food but over priced for what you get. probably won't go back.“

“I never write reviews but our server Kyle was probably one of the best servers I have ever had and I am in the industry. He was attentive, kind, and genuinely made our day shine brighter. So I have decided to take a couple minutes out of my day just to say thank you for the exceptional service and great attitude. We will be back. Also our 2 girls wanted me to tell you thank you again!“

“The wait staff especially jade was very nice. The food was good also. It’s funny to me that people want a five star rating for a happy days restaurant . Pick foods you know wil be fast to cook and you won’t be dissatisfied!! Loved the cook he is great at what he does.“