New American Restaurants near Mystic, CT

“The Shipwright's Daughter came highly recommended to us by locals we had talked with while vacationing in Mystic, and it did not disappoint. We booked a reservation for 7:15pm on a Saturday evening, and we were seated promptly at 7:15. From the hosts initial greeting, to our server first introducing herself at the table, every staff member made us feel welcomed. It was lovely. The cocktail my girlfriend ordered and the local draft I ordered were both outstanding. Our appetizers of Oysters on the Half Shell and a Yellowfin Tar Tar served on a Potato Pavé, were both so delicious, full of flavor, and beautiful. Our entrees consisted of the Zucchini Bucatini and the Duck Confit special, and both came out perfect. The seasoning, the cook of the duck, the plating were all immaculate. It's very clear the staff takes pride in their work, and make sure the guests have an outstanding experience. We finished with dessert, a Plum Sorbet Pavlova with a Peach Reduction, an Espresso Martini, and an Irish Coffee. We were finished with our meal and drinks and on our way by 8:20pm. All in all, it was the best experience I've had in a restaurant. The meals were phenomenal, the staff was top tier ( I apologize I can not remember our waitresses name, but she was outstanding), and the overall experience was more than I could have hoped for. If you are traveling to the mystic area, and you want to have an outstanding dining experience, this is the place for it“

“We’ve been coming to Oyster Club since it opened in the early 2010s, and this visit may have been our most memorable yet. This restaurant — and its ownership group — has been the driving force behind the Mystic restaurant renaissance, and they continue to set the standard for excellence.\n\nThe space itself adds so much to the experience. With rough-hewn beams and warm wooden paneling, it feels like a cozy New England barn — inviting, intimate, and perfectly aligned with the farm- and sea-driven menu.\n\nWe began with the beets. Beets! Truly the best we’ve ever tasted. Deep, sweet, earthy, and prepared with such care that you can tell everything is sourced thoughtfully and cooked with intention.\n\nFor entrées, I had the winter flounder with cabbage while my wife had the tagliatelle. Both were outstanding. After my first bite of flounder, I actually closed my eyes just to savor it and try to identify each layer of flavor — everything complemented everything else.\n\nThe service was exceptional. Our server, Colleen, along with the rest of the staff, made sure we were never without a refill or anything we needed. And what we’ve always loved is that Oyster Club aims to turn customers into friends — after this visit, I’m pretty sure we’ve become their newest best friends.\n\nRenee Toupance, a two-time James Beard Award finalist (Best Chef: New England and Best Chef: U.S.), clearly pours tremendous thought into every dish. The flavors are balanced, intentional, and beautifully harmonious. And my rye cocktail was the perfect balance of delicious and boozy.\n\nAnother unforgettable visit to a place that remains a true gem. We’ll be back again — and often.“

“Our server Randi was very attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. She is a real p.lus for your business. The firecracker shrimp was amazing.“

“The food was very good! My husband and I shared the Lobster roll it wasn’t overly buttered , you can taste the lobster. The atmosphere eas nice and service was good.“

“We love going to the Mystic seaport and this was a great pub! The food was terrific and the beer was great. You order inside of the counter and they bring it to your table outside. They also have indoor seating. Would recommend if you are going to see the historic village.

Kid-friendliness: Great for the kids because you sit outside.“

“I love Owl and Dove. It is a wonderful place to have a dinner in the fall and winter. It's very cozy. The hostess who is always at the front is so nice. The food is outstanding. The only draw back is the service is extremely slow so dont go there if you have somewhere to be afterwards.“

“📅 01.10.26 ✍🏾 BIG AL’S WRITTEN REVIEW ✨Big Al’s Reel Reviews - EP.200 🍾🎉 🍽️ Tin Peddler 👍🏾🫳🏾 📍 North Stonington, CT Visited on 01.10.26 ✨ Episode 200 was very special for me. I’ve now walked into 200 small businesses, spent my own money, recorded, edited, and put together 200 full episodes shining a light on local spots and by bringing real eyes, real viewership, and real attention to places that deserve it. That doesn’t even count all the other videos I’ve done along the way supporting even more businesses. This moment means a lot to me because this entire journey has been 100% done by me and 100% supported by you. I truly appreciate every like, share, comment, message, and conversations along the way. Thank you for riding with me and being part of this from the beginning. It doesn’t go unnoticed. Now… let’s talk about how this night went. Walking inside, the place immediately looked beautiful. Warm, clean, and inviting. As the night went on, the room kept filling up naturally. I counted 14 tables total, and while we were sitting there, 10 of them were occupied. The vibe was lively, people were enjoying themselves, and the energy in the room felt right. Service was solid from the jump. Big shout-out to Tayla, our server, who was attentive, and kept everything moving smoothly throughout the visit. Most importantly, she was very friendly and I absolutely love her personality 😎 Now let’s talk about the food. Here’s what I lined up: 1️⃣ BBQ Dry-Rub Chicken Wings - $14 👍🏾👎🏾 Yo, these wings were good. Cooked well, seasoned nicely, and enjoyable to eat. No complaints there. But value matters. You’re getting six wings for $14, which breaks down to about $2.33 per wing, and that’s definitely on the high end for some wings. Taste gets a 👍🏾 Value gets a 👎🏾 They serve good wings… but the price stings a little. They should consider increasing the order from 6 to 8 wings. 🤷🏾‍♂️ 2️⃣ Mussels Marinara - $17 👍🏾 Solid mussels. Great portion size, served in a flavorful broth, and that warm grilled ciabatta bread was perfect for dipping. The Swiss chard mixed in with the onions was a really nice touch. No complaints here because it was delish.😎 3️⃣ Davis Farm Cornbread - $10 👍🏾 It was soft, moist, a little loose in texture, but still enjoyable. Nothing crazy, nothing that blew me away but a decent, respectable starter. 4️⃣ Peddler Burger & Hand-Cut Fries - $22 💣 Yo… let me talk about this burger for a second. This right here was an amazing burger. Cooked perfectly, juicy, flavorful, and balanced exactly how it should be. The special sauce with the onions was hitting, the bun was right, and I enjoyed every bite. 😋 This burger was a home run. Straight up. If this burger didn’t come through the way it did, this review would’ve been a lot more iffy. But it did. 😁 Easy bomb 💣 5️⃣ Beer-Battered Haddock & Fries - $26 👎🏾🤮 And now… the huge miss. This dish was horrible. The haddock was mushy, translucent, and the batter was separating from the fish. I love Haddock, it should be firm and flaky but this wasn’t even close. One bite and it ended up in a napkin. I don’t know if it was frozen, over-battered, or overcooked, but the texture was completely wrong and it did not taste good. I couldn’t eat it. I tried the coleslaw, hoping it might help save the plate. No way. It wasn’t good either. I just gave up. This earned a clear thumbs down 👎🏾. Note: Before wrapping up, I met Julian, the owner, on our way out the door and we took a photo together. I always respect when an owner shows face and engages with guests. My Final Thoughts: So here’s the thing with Tin Peddler. There’s a lot to like here. The space (I remember when it used to be a Subway Restaurant) has been remodeled beautifully, the vibe was right, and the place was clearly buzzing while we were there. Some dishes absolutely hit, especially that burger. But I’ve gotta keep it real. That burger saved the review. The fish & chips were an insult.🤷🏾‍♂️😄 When a dish comes out mushy, translucent, and inedible, that’s not something I can overlook. The wings were good but p“

“Arrived in town and craving a good chowder. While here we also ordered the crab cakes and grilled swordfish. Done to perfection with excellent seasoning. Heirloom tomato and watermelon salad was a great starter. This hotel restaurant did not disappoint.“

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

“📅 11.13.25 *WRITTEN REVIEW Big Al’s Reel Reviews - EP.180 Whitecrest Eatery 💎 (Velvet Mill - Stonington Borough, CT) Tonight I headed back inside the historic Velvet Mill for my next food adventure and Whitecrest Eatery did not disappoint. Founded in 2019 by husband & wife team Johan Jensen, a Danish born, British-trained chef, and Abby Hamann, a Connecticut native, Whitecrest focuses on fresh, high-quality ingredients and dishes that are handmade with care. You can seriously feel that philosophy the moment the plates hit the table/bar. I grabbed a seat at the bar, and the place was packed. The atmosphere was low-lit, warm, bustling, with high ceilings and beautiful décor that makes the Velvet Mill such a standout setting. Service was handled by a small three-person team: Liz (manager)- friendly, welcoming, and a supporter of Big Al’s Reel Reviews Amber (my bartender/server)- attentive and on point Jocy- helping run the floor Even with a full house, they kept everything moving smoothly. Service was bomb.💣 Now let's talk about the Food: 1️⃣ Steamed Wild Maine Mussels- $16 💣 BOMB The sauce- cream fraîche, herbs, Weissling, and lemon was addictive. Mussels cooked perfectly, full of flavor, and the sourdough they make in house and served with it was the perfect pairing. A strong bomb right out the gate. 2️⃣ Béarnaise Burger- $22 💣 BOMB Burger came out perfectly cooked bright pink inside, juicy, seasoned right. Alone, it’s a thumbs-up… But then the tallow fries hit. These fries are soft, hot, insanely flavorful, and some of the best fries I’ve had anywhere. The fries elevated the entire plate into a straight bomb. 3️⃣ Roasted Duck Breast- $36 💣 BOMB This dish was incredible. Duck breast cooked perfectly, tender, rich, and beautifully plated. The potatoes were absolutely amazing, and every bite delivered. I was full, but I wanted more. Another full bomb. ⭐ FINAL VERDICT: WHITECREST EATERY IS AN OFFICIAL BIG AL’S 💎 GEM SPOT 💎🔥 Every dish: bomb Service: bomb Atmosphere: bomb Experience: bomb That makes two Gem Spots inside the Velvet Mill 💎 Dock 9 and 💎 Whitecrest Eatery. If you’re in or near Stonington Borough, this place is absolutely worth checking out so get your a** down there right away, and make sure you tell ’em Big Al sent you! To the Whitecrest Eatery Team: Thank you, I had an amazingly Dope dining experience ❤️ ☝🏾❤️ - Big Al Mayo “See you on the Rebound, Peace✌🏾out”“

“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'“

“📅 11.15.25 *WRITTEN REVIEW Big Al’s Reel Reviews - EP.181 Noah’s Restaurant 👎🏾 Stonington Borough, CT Tonight I headed into the historic and absolutely beautiful Stonington Borough for Episode 181, and I started my evening with a quick stop at the nationally known Lobster Trap Tree. They just finished putting it up on Friday. You will see a ton of dope custom painted buoys, the whole display looks incredible. It’s only two blocks from Noah’s, so after checking that out, I took the short walk through the Borough and made my way over for dinner. I arrived early, around 4:30pm which was before the full dinner rush, but people were already flowing in. By 5:35 PM, in the dining section alone (10 tables total), 7 were filled and more guests were coming in minute by minute. Inside, Noah’s gives you that classic New England charm. It's beautiful. Warm lighting, rustic décor, and dope local prints of New London, Stonington, and shoreline scenes all across the walls. It genuinely felt like stepping straight into a Hallmark movie. My server tonight was Ryan, friendly, attentive, and had water waiting at my table right from the start. He also brought out bread with a plate of butter, which was a good touch. Service was friendly, but overall super slow. I waited 40 minutes for my main dish even though the restaurant wasn’t fully packed yet. Alright, let’s talk about the food... 🍽️ THE FOOD 1️⃣ Steamed Mussels- $14 Garlic, butter, white wine, parsley I really wanted to like these and I love garlic, but these mussels were overpowered. The garlic was extremely strong, to the point where it drowned out everything else. Worse, the mussels had a slightly sour taste, and the broth wasn’t enjoyable. I literally choked down 2 mussels on bread and I was done! I couldn’t finish them. 👎🏾 Thumbs Down 2️⃣ Oven-Roasted Chicken Wings- $13 (I chose BuffaBlue) The wings were a no-go for me. Dry, bland, over-baked - just not it. And the “Buffalo Blue” sauce? Yo Listen… I spent $13 for seven unseasoned chicken wings that were dry, over-baked, and came with a little tin of Frank's Red Hot sauce with a dollop of blue cheese dressing mixed in. That wasn’t going to cut it. No way. That was an insult 🤷🏾‍♂️ and that’s why these wings earned a 👎🏾 Thumbs Down 3️⃣ Fettuccine (Arugula/Walnut/Pesto)- $16+ Stonington Bay Scallops- $20 This dish saved the entire night. The pesto was fresh and flavorful, the pasta looked and tasted incredible, and the Stonington Bay scallops that are caught right off the boats here were sweet, tender, and absolutely delicious. This was the one plate that delivered. 💣 BOMB 4️⃣ Apple Crisp- $8 A rare move for me, I actually ordered dessert tonight. It was to cheer me up from the disappointing dinner. It didn't cheer me up but it was good. 💬 FINAL THOUGHTS Noah’s is a landmark here in Stonington, it’s been part of the Borough since 1979, and the atmosphere inside is truly beautiful. The town is charming, the décor is gorgeous, and the vibes were perfect. But the food tonight with one hit (💣), two major misses (👎🏾👎🏾), and slow service didn’t help. The mussels and wings were a disappointment, but the fettuccine with scallops was excellent. Based on tonights visit, Noah's Restaurant did not pass the Big Al's Reel Reviews 👎🏾 And as always, these are my honest opinions based on what I experienced. You know that I always keep it Real to Reel, and you can always go try it yourself and decide but for me, it's a no-go 👎🏾 "See you on the rebound, Peace✌🏾Out!" ☝🏾❤️ - Big Al Mayo “Always keeping it Real to Reel”“

“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 🐐“

“Really good service from Kate. Great atmosphere/ambiance, and it was really cool we could literally see right into the very clean and well-run kitchen directly from our seats.

Insanely fast service for a decently packed house. App was out in just a few minutes followed by the entrees before we could even finish the app

Reasonably priced and good food. Wings were small quantity (6) but absolutely massive and flavorful. Pulled pork sandwich and fries were solid as well. Really happy with our choice during our trip. Full bill with an app two entrees and shared dessert came to only ~60“

“Sept 16 Par Four hosted the 45th Class Reunion of Fitch High School! The sunset & cool, breezy evening was matched only by the excellent wait staff and delicious buffet! We all had such a great time!“

“This place is like Boston Market except it's locally owned and WAYYY BETTER! Same concept, just better tasting food 😋 with rotisserie chicken, roast loin of pork or meatloaf with sides to chose from like roasted potatoes, corn, stuffing, mac n cheese, butternut squash, collard grees and more plus their amazing corn bread 🤤

Its honestly a hidden gem that locals cherish but outsiders might miss unless someone points them there so if you're reading this and not from here, TRY THIS PLACE OUT!! If you’re ever nearby, it’s definitely worth a visit..“

“Sunday Fundays are the best!!!!!“

“Coast's quietly elegant ambience, top-level attentive service, and panoramic ocean views make it a great special-occasion destination. And, unlike many restaurants that let great views excuse mediocre food, Coast's prix fixe menu gets top marks start to finish, including gluten-free adaptations where needed for one of us. Everything was beautifully prepared, with intriguing and delicious flavors and garnishes. The portions for each of the five courses were sized just right, so that we did not end up uncomfortably filled, just happily thrilled! I also highly recommend a wine pairing add-on that's available. Even though we "settled" for the less expensive of the pairing menus, every wine was perfectly matched to the food, and knowledgeably described by our server. All told, a memorable dining experience!“

“Food was delicious. 10/10. Would highly recommend and come back when I’m in the area. Service was friendly even tho I did take out. Everything was packed neatly and included utensils.“

“Great local club. It’s been in great shape the last 2 years! Very good staff and lots of local members.“

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

“What a fun and elevated bowling experience! Great food and drinks . Service was lovely ! Very clean ! Highly recommend!“

“Good food.. great service“

“We stayed at Mohegan Sun last week and visited Bow and Arrow twice. The beer was cold and they have excellent wings. Great place to stop and have a drink and some snacks. Service was good, friendly and prompt. Lots of TV screens to watch your favorite sports. Will definitely go back next time we are at Mohegan Sun“

“We ate 4:30PM June 26th 2025 enjoyed the food service was great and friendly we will be back soon Anne and Jack“

“Catering plans for my daughter's birthday party fell apart the DAY BEFORE the party. Tony and the Pizza Lady bailed us out and provided great food (at a great price) with less than 24 hours to deliver. Amazing. I am impressed, grateful, and fully endorsing Pizza Lady as your next caterer (or movie-night Pizza Party).“

“My clam chowder and grilled mushroom sandwich were wonderful: cup of soup with half a sandwich were more than satisfying. My husbands toasted smoked turkey club sandwich was generous and delicious. Topping everything were two glasses of champagne and an over-the-top dessert of bourbon bread pudding topped with popcorn flavored ice-cream with caramel coated salty popcorn. Fantastic!“

“Excelente lugar para disfrutar en familia“

“Absolutely legendary experience at this spot - which is phenomenal.

The owner, Brian, took 30 minutes out of his day to talk to my girlfriend and I about the history of the area and the bar.

Drinks were phenomenal so was the food, truly an A+ environment.

Also, I had the best slice of cake in my entire damn life… I will be returning.“

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

“My husband and I are both gluten free. The gluten free pizza is the best. We love the chopped Italian salad and order it every time we come. The service is awesome, too.“