40 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!!“

“This place is really a wonderful establishment. It is not often in this area that you find a place with great quality, interesting, and rotating/seasonal dish options. And all of this is at a fairly reasonable price and a great view of the Lieutenant river. Highly recommend.“

“Good food.. great service“

“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.,“

“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!!!“

“Birthday dinner. Everything was fantastic. Service impeccable. Our server lylia was awesome. Will definitely be coming back.“

“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“

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

“This place is great. Great food, great people. Even great customers. We always meet fun people here, that’s a big why it’s a favorite. Growing up on the Boston area, I love fried seafood. Charlie’s fried seafood is the closest reminder to the fried whole bellies I grew up with. And the Bahamas Mamas are on point!“

“Group of 7 to celebrate my in laws 50th Anniversary. Absolutely AMAZING service. Shout out to Sara who was the best server on the planet. Food was delicious. Portions were plentiful. Drinks were great. Could not give higher praise. Definitely highly recommend!!“

“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.“

“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“

“Exceeded my expectations. Food, drinks and service were good and the bull available for riding was a nice touch. I got the Country Fried Chicken and we shared the table chips and guac. The 3 other diners had different entrees which they enjoyed. Would return if I am there again“

“I have two words for you, Malibu chicken. This is a favorite in our home. Our family finds themselves just wanting to go there for this alone sometimes it is that good!! My son also really enjoys their salmon dish. I wish Otter Cove had more visibility to gain more recognition because it’s fully deserved. Well, not on a main strip it is worth the drive!The food is really really delicious and you owe it to yourself to go there for a treat!“

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

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

“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.“

“Best halal fried chicken in the area, hands down. The chicken is always fresh, crispy on the outside and tender inside. I love their combos — you get chicken, fries, and a drink at a great price. Also tried the lamb over rice and it was packed with flavor. Owner and staff are polite and the place is clean. Late night cravings? They’re open late. 10/10 will be back! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“

“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'“

“the food is super great and so is the service. we've gone twice and all the waitresses are so friendly and helpful. the food is also incredible. the biscuits and gravy is a standout for my husband and I, and hes from the south so he knows good biscuits and gravy. the waffles are delicious and fluffy. the Christmas cookie waffle is super tasty and seasonally adorable. highly recommend!“

“Perfect weather to sit on the patio. Our waitress, Molly, was terrific as she was able to commandeer a blender to get 3 of our party a pina colada. Surf & turf specials were outstanding as was the tropical lobster roll. Only down side was the grilled octopus appetizer special was super salty(the olives) and pretty light on the octopus as there were a lot more olives and fava beans. A beautiful spot for special occasion meals for sure, not inexpensive but what isn't these days. We will definitely return“

“They gave me a choice of yes or no as to whether or not I would recommend them. Of course I said yes, but unfortunately, we did experience something that was unfortunate. We were a party of eight, one of us being a three-year-old. They sat us in the bar at a large table, and my grandson was seated between his parents. We arrived at noon, knowing we wanted to be quick because we had a three year-old with us. My grandson did really good. He had one or two episodes where he cried, but overall pretty good. Unfortunately, the table setting next to us made a comment to their waitress saying that children shouldn’t be in the restaurant and their waitress replied, yeah I know, that’s why I don’t have any. Then as we were leaving a group at the bar had something to say about kids should stay home. It was Easter Sunday, we were there about an hour total simply because we knew a three-year-old wouldn’t last long. The food was awesome. Our waitress was outstanding, but I would suggest not putting children in the bar area. It was disappointing hearing the other waitress agree with the table next to us that children shouldn’t be there. My grandson stayed seated between his parents and their focus was not on the meal. Their focus was keeping him busy and happy. To the lady at the table next to us and the loud mouth at the bar please remember you were once a child. Texas Roadhouse is family friendly so if you don’t like children don’t go to a family friendly restaurant, respectfully of course!“

“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“

“Stopped at a great little spot in Old Lyme today— Hallmark Drive In for lunch. Sorry no pictures. The food was great! We shared the clam strip platter and the grilled hotdog platter (with curly fries). Both choices were delish! The clams were flavorful and very tender. The “dog” was grilled just the way we like it. The servers were delightful too! Next time we stop by I think I’ll try their 🦞 roll! They also have great ice cream!“

“Sin temor a equivocarme, es uno de los lugares donde se puede degustar la mejor comida peruana. Ayer fue un día especial (Día de las Madres) y fui a almorzar con mis hermanos. Llegamos aproximadamente a las 12:15 pm. e hicimos nuestro pedido de tragos y nuestro almuerzo. Una demora total: media hora para que lleguen los tragos y a las 2:00 pm. recién nos llegó el almuerzo. Llegó mucha gente y varios de ellos se fueron después de esperar más de una hora. Si van a tener una mayor carga de trabajo, contraten más personal aunque sea por ese día. Una cliente se quejo de la demora y uno de sus trabajadores dijo que no tenían personal, a lo cual ella respondió que le hubieran dicho eso desde el inicio y no después de esperar más de una hora. Tenía razón. En otra mesa, se olvidaron del pedido de una de las comensales, tuvo que comer del plato de su esposo. A la gente les gusta su sazón, pero corrijan por favor, el hecho de que cada cliente debe esperar como mínimo media hora para recibir su pedido. No es mi intención decirles como deben manejar su negocio, pero tengan más respeto por el cliente, que somos nosotros los que damos vida, ingresos y movimiento a esta empresa. Este comentario es solo una crítica constructiva Gracias por su atención ❤️“

“The 6 oz Renegade steak seved with a loaded baked potato is delicious! The bread was fresh and warm and we had unlimited Coke Zero drinks. Ryan our server was very attentive and checked to see if we were satisfied with our meals-excellent service, great tasting steak and baked potato - all at a very reasonable price! I definitely recommend this Longhorn Steakhouse to steak lovers! We will return!“

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

“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“