Food is good, plentiful, and reasonably priced. Somewhat limited menu, but hotdogs and burgers available for those who don't like seafood. Great seats inside and out. Girls at the front counter are friendly and quick.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Judith Bachand
Good food and friendly service. They've done a wonderful rehab job.
Great fried seafood and ice cream at reasonable prices ! Service was quick, staff friendly !
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Andrew Vitek
Nice family outdoor restaurant. It is cafeteria style. No table service. Big portions of fried seafood.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Me You
Horrible !! Whole belly clam dinner took one bite & returned both meals ! Old burnt oil ruined the meals
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Michael Ballestrini
Awesome atmosphere and view of the Niantic Bay. The Lobster roll was amazing. Can't wait to go back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Melanie Bock
As someone who once worked at Dad’s back in the day with the original owners, it was so disappointing to dine here today. Everything that made Dad’s great is gone. In its place is greasy fish, way too many fries, disgusting tartar sauce, and no onion rings on top. It is so sad to see everything in Niantic changing. Our quaint seaside town is gone. And now the food at Dad’s is as well, $68.00 bucks wasted.
Robert Sprague
So I was hopeful that the change in ownership would bring good things.. but food wise it didn't. the building looks very good, the staff was also very good. now the bad news ordered the whole belly clams they were WAY over cooked the french fries were cold and looked like they had been sitting for a while. the fish tacos where also poor.. it's unfortunate I had high hopes but more than likely won't return.
Steven Gagne
So sad it was closed last year. The remodel looks amazing, fresh and clean. Outdoor dining area is bigger and better. Seafood is never cheap but when that lobster roll his your mouth.. *chefs kiss*. Kiddos inhaled the cheese urger and chicken tenders (both huge!!).
06.01.25-
'Big Al's Reel Reviews' EP.111
Featuring Apathy & Tiana
Lobster Roll Season
Dad's Restaurant 👍🏾
❤️ Village of Niantic, CT ❤️
On my search to find the top notch lobster rolls in the SECT area, I found myself visiting the beautiful Village of Niantic, CT. My brother AP, his children, Tiana and I dropped into the newly remodeled Dad's Restaurant. This is a beautifully remodeled Beach Town restaurant! We decided to dine outside on the patio overlooking the beautiful Niantic Bay. We all arrived hungry and ready for seafood! I ordered and reviewed:
1. Clam Strip Dinner $20.00 👍🏾
2. Hot Lobster Roll $32.00 👍🏾
3. Hot Lobster Roll for Tiana $32.00
AP ordered:
1. Hot Lobster Roll $32.00 👍🏾
2. Side of Clam Strips $14.00👍🏾
After picking up the tray of food and carrying it to our table Tiana immediately began eating the Clam strips so I started with that meal first. The clam strips were really good and the fries were too! The clam strips were crispy and seasoned just right so that earned an easy thumbs 👍🏾
I loved onto the Lobster roll which was filled with Lobster on a warm buttery roll so I was very pleased with it! I enjoyed the lobster roll and it easily earned a thumbs 👍🏾. Tiana LOVED it all as you can see in the Reel Review 😎😆.
Apathy ordered the Lobster Roll and a side of Clam Strips. He likes both items and gave both items a thumbs 👍🏾
Dad's Restaurant is another great spot in the beautiful Village of Niantic and I truly look forward to returning again soon. What you need to do is get your a** down there right away, and make sure you tell em', 'Big Al Mayo sent you' ☝🏾😎
'See you on the Rebound, Peace✌🏾out!'
☝🏾❤️ -Big Al Mayo
augie2424 blake
I wish the new owners the best and hopefully they can make it the seafood restaurant it used to be. Dad's just really went from a great place to eat to a place I wouldn't recommend anymore and it had been a favorite of my family for years. Last meal there 2023 was terrible sadly.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Fish
Charles Cooper
Just about every seaside town on earth has a place like Dad's. A lowbrow fried seafood and chips joint in an aging old building with a view of the water. They'll serve burgers and hotdogs and onion rings too, and may even have something fresh if the local waters are known for their clams or oysters or salmon or crab or lobster. These places are popular for their big menus that are popular with large groups, and for their nostalgia, especially when they've served a popular vacation spot for years. But too many of these spots aren't very good, and unfortunately, this place is no exception. Dad's falls into the same trap that so many restaurants do and treats frying as if it's just dumping stuff in oil. The result is food thats too dense, too oily, lacking in any flavor, and that gets soggy quickly.I know some people like this spot, but at the risk of being a total snob, I think it's because they haven't had good fried food before. Fried food can be amazing with the right training and expertise. Like any other cooking skill, knowing how to prep your food for frying, create a seasoning that flavorful and compelling, and use the technique to produce something light and will stay crispy. I only wish more people could experience the output of an exceptional fry cook because their expectations would push seaside staples like Dad’s to do better.Now, even though I didn’t like the food, there’s ample parking, a decent view, and the service is solid if unremarkable. the people who enjoy this place seemed to really like it, so they’re doing something right. It’s just not for me.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
Barbara Morrison
Bathroom 4 ladies is very low to the floor. The steps are also steep...Thank You.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Fish
John Lodato
Great hot lobster rolls. The main problem is that it is not open all year long.
Food is good, plentiful, and reasonably priced. Somewhat limited menu, but hotdogs and burgers available for those who don't like seafood. Great seats inside and out. Girls at the front counter are friendly and quick.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Good food and friendly service. They've done a wonderful rehab job.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Fish, Clam Fritters, Shrimp Dinner
Great fried seafood and ice cream at reasonable prices ! Service was quick, staff friendly !
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nice family outdoor restaurant. It is cafeteria style. No table service.
Big portions of fried seafood.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Horrible !! Whole belly clam dinner took one bite & returned both meals ! Old burnt oil ruined the meals
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Awesome atmosphere and view of the Niantic Bay. The Lobster roll was amazing. Can't wait to go back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
As someone who once worked at Dad’s back in the day with the original owners, it was so disappointing to dine here today. Everything that made Dad’s great is gone. In its place is greasy fish, way too many fries, disgusting tartar sauce, and no onion rings on top. It is so sad to see everything in Niantic changing. Our quaint seaside town is gone. And now the food at Dad’s is as well, $68.00 bucks wasted.
So I was hopeful that the change in ownership would bring good things.. but food wise it didn't. the building looks very good, the staff was also very good. now the bad news ordered the whole belly clams they were WAY over cooked the french fries were cold and looked like they had been sitting for a while. the fish tacos where also poor.. it's unfortunate I had high hopes but more than likely won't return.
So sad it was closed last year. The remodel looks amazing, fresh and clean. Outdoor dining area is bigger and better. Seafood is never cheap but when that lobster roll his your mouth.. *chefs kiss*. Kiddos inhaled the cheese urger and chicken tenders (both huge!!).
Really good food and great outside seating 👍
Restaurantji Recommends
06.01.25- 'Big Al's Reel Reviews' EP.111 Featuring Apathy & Tiana Lobster Roll Season Dad's Restaurant 👍🏾 ❤️ Village of Niantic, CT ❤️ On my search to find the top notch lobster rolls in the SECT area, I found myself visiting the beautiful Village of Niantic, CT. My brother AP, his children, Tiana and I dropped into the newly remodeled Dad's Restaurant. This is a beautifully remodeled Beach Town restaurant! We decided to dine outside on the patio overlooking the beautiful Niantic Bay. We all arrived hungry and ready for seafood! I ordered and reviewed: 1. Clam Strip Dinner $20.00 👍🏾 2. Hot Lobster Roll $32.00 👍🏾 3. Hot Lobster Roll for Tiana $32.00 AP ordered: 1. Hot Lobster Roll $32.00 👍🏾 2. Side of Clam Strips $14.00👍🏾 After picking up the tray of food and carrying it to our table Tiana immediately began eating the Clam strips so I started with that meal first. The clam strips were really good and the fries were too! The clam strips were crispy and seasoned just right so that earned an easy thumbs 👍🏾 I loved onto the Lobster roll which was filled with Lobster on a warm buttery roll so I was very pleased with it! I enjoyed the lobster roll and it easily earned a thumbs 👍🏾. Tiana LOVED it all as you can see in the Reel Review 😎😆. Apathy ordered the Lobster Roll and a side of Clam Strips. He likes both items and gave both items a thumbs 👍🏾 Dad's Restaurant is another great spot in the beautiful Village of Niantic and I truly look forward to returning again soon. What you need to do is get your a** down there right away, and make sure you tell em', 'Big Al Mayo sent you' ☝🏾😎 'See you on the Rebound, Peace✌🏾out!' ☝🏾❤️ -Big Al Mayo
I wish the new owners the best and hopefully they can make it the seafood restaurant it used to be. Dad's just really went from a great place to eat to a place I wouldn't recommend anymore and it had been a favorite of my family for years. Last meal there 2023 was terrible sadly.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Fish
Just about every seaside town on earth has a place like Dad's. A lowbrow fried seafood and chips joint in an aging old building with a view of the water. They'll serve burgers and hotdogs and onion rings too, and may even have something fresh if the local waters are known for their clams or oysters or salmon or crab or lobster. These places are popular for their big menus that are popular with large groups, and for their nostalgia, especially when they've served a popular vacation spot for years. But too many of these spots aren't very good, and unfortunately, this place is no exception. Dad's falls into the same trap that so many restaurants do and treats frying as if it's just dumping stuff in oil. The result is food thats too dense, too oily, lacking in any flavor, and that gets soggy quickly.I know some people like this spot, but at the risk of being a total snob, I think it's because they haven't had good fried food before. Fried food can be amazing with the right training and expertise. Like any other cooking skill, knowing how to prep your food for frying, create a seasoning that flavorful and compelling, and use the technique to produce something light and will stay crispy. I only wish more people could experience the output of an exceptional fry cook because their expectations would push seaside staples like Dad’s to do better.Now, even though I didn’t like the food, there’s ample parking, a decent view, and the service is solid if unremarkable. the people who enjoy this place seemed to really like it, so they’re doing something right. It’s just not for me.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
Bathroom 4 ladies is very low to the floor. The steps are also steep...Thank You.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Fish
Great hot lobster rolls. The main problem is that it is not open all year long.
Loading...