New American Restaurants near East Lyme, CT

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

“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!“

“This was our first time eating at Otter Cove. We sat at the bar and ordered a dozen oysters and a half dozen littleneck clams. They were delicious and well shucked. We then got a salad to split and Lisa's rigatoni, which was clearly handmade pasta and was very tasty. Highly recommend this local establishment for food and drink“

“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 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.“

“Good food.. great service“

“The food is great the atmosphere is good. However the service is poor. We were there yesterday, May31st for lunch. When we approached the reception counter there were 5 members of the staff I said good morning and no answer from anyone, they seemed confused and lost. The guy who sowed us the outside seating availability was spacing out and looking at his watch constantly (strange). We decided to seat inside in the sunroom. The waitress assigned to our table was not a professional waitress, she seemed nervous and not willing to be working on a Sunday. She brought my wine and dropped a considerable amount all over me and the table... Apparently there was no manager onsite. The staff looked like some students and no professional staff. It is fine it is cheaper for the restaurant but at least provide them training, it is very detrimental to the restaurant having workers that don't know how to treat customers.“

“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“

“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 ❤️“

“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.“

“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“

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

“Great atmosphere and food. A must visit!!!“