7 Best Caterers near Old Saybrook

“Choosing Coastal Gourmet as our wedding caterer was one of the best decisions we made for our big day, and we cannot recommend them enough. From our very first tasting to the final send-off station, they exceeded every expectation.
Their menu is genuinely extensive, and choosing what to serve was one of the most fun parts of planning. Cocktail hour was a standout on its own — a great variety of passed apps paired with several different stations, so guests could wander and graze rather than feeling rushed. The salad course offered nice variety as well, and when it came to entrees, we loved that Coastal Gourmet let us choose four different options rather than limiting us to one or two. It meant every guest, no matter their taste or dietary preference, had something they were excited to eat.
And the food itself did not disappoint. Every single dish was delicious, but the filet mignon was the true standout of the night — we lost count of how many guests told us it was the best wedding filet mignon they had ever had. That's not an easy feat when you're feeding a large group, and Coastal Gourmet pulled it off beautifully. On top of the entrees, we loved the bar package options, and the opportunity to add signature cocktails ended up being one of the highlights of the evening. Our guests loved having drinks that felt personal to us, and it was such a fun, easy way to add a custom touch to the night.
Beyond the food, though, what truly set Coastal Gourmet apart was their team, and especially our event coordinator, Jenna. From the very beginning, Jenna responded to every single message with patience and swiftness, no matter how small the question or how many times we changed our minds. And we changed our minds a lot — we made countless edits throughout the planning process, and Jenna never once made us feel like we were being difficult. She was endlessly flexible and offered wonderful suggestions along the way, whether it came to food pairings, linens, or how to make the room feel exactly how we envisioned it.
Jenna's attention to detail also showed up in ways we didn't expect. She made sure all of our decor was set up exactly as we had envisioned it, down to the smallest details, so that when we walked into the space for the first time, everything looked perfect. We didn't have to worry about a single detail being overlooked or misplaced — Jenna made sure of that.
Jenna's role extended well beyond the food and decor, too. She built out our entire wedding day timeline and made sure that we got onto the dance floor as quickly as possible after our reception began — something that meant a lot to us. When my grandparents ended up running late to the ceremony and we had to push back our start time, Jenna handled the ripple effects of that delay so smoothly that we genuinely didn't feel the stress of it. Honestly, I didn't think about our timeline even once the entire day. I had complete trust that Jenna was coordinating everything behind the scenes, which allowed my husband and me to be fully present and just enjoy every moment instead of worrying about logistics.
We also have to give a special shoutout to our bridal assistant, who was with us throughout the entire day. She made sure our drinks were always full and that we actually sat down to eat — something couples often forget to do on their own wedding day in the whirlwind of it all. She was attentive without ever being intrusive, and she was truly a star in making sure we felt taken care of from start to finish.
If you're planning a wedding and looking for a caterer who combines incredible, memorable food with a team that genuinely has your back every step of the way, Coastal Gourmet is the one. They made our day feel effortless, and we are so grateful for everything Jenna and her team did to make it perfect.

Photos by Isabelle Stowik“

“Always a great place to grab lunch! Today's melt special was simply aaaaamaaaazzzzing! It may be a place you don't think about often because of the location, definitely worth the extra few minutes to get there!“

“Wonderful customer service, loved the sundae and small ice cream even bought a shirt and the lady at the register took the time to find my size in the back.“

“Great fresh food with a lot of options. Plan ahead on weekends, you should expect hour plus wait times once you are seated for your food. We come here frequently for breakfast - it’s faster to order takeout for sure.“

“Unique specials everyday large portions at a good price“

“Our wedding over Memorial Day Weekend at The Lace Factory was all we ever dreamed (and more)! Venue: The actual venue is STUNNING and SO UNIQUE, especially for the New England area! We toured almost a dozen venues and did not find one that had the vintage & ornate touches that The Lace Factory did. Furthermore, they have 2 great outdoor areas: one which has a beautiful garden and is used for ceremonies and cocktail hours, and a second in the front which has views of the Connecticut River. The inside is so charming, and they have beautiful decorations in their Decor Book to choose from. But they also allow & encourage each couple to make the space personal by using the shelves and tables they provide for frames, guest books, memorial tables, etc. Since the space is so large and flexible, we were able to have a Photo Booth, couch seating area, kids play area, AND a large Dance Floor. And to top it all off, The Lace Factory is one of the few we found that allows for "sparkler send-offs" which was a blast for everyone. Planning: We did a 1 year engagement and from the start it was a very easy process working with the staff. 11 months prior, we were given a very detailed tour and all of our questions were answered, so we secured our date over email with ease. Although we were planning from out of state, they were in constant communication with us, ensuring we completed all steps within our timeline. Anytime we had a question, they responded to an email within 24 hours or a phone call immediately. Additionally, they have a great reputation with various vendors and took care of contacting the vendors to provide them logistics for the big day (which was a huge weight off our shoulders)! Food/Drink: All of the food is fantastic! They have an extensive menu that can be served plated or buffet. We chose plated (and highly recommend the roasted statler chicken)! We were also in awe at the cake they designed for us that perfectly matched the example photo we provided (and tasted great)! They have many fun add-on options, such as a Donut Bar which was a huge hit with our guests. The drinks were great and the package included a Signature Cocktail which was fun to create with them. The Lace Factory truly created the BEST day of our lives and we are forever grateful!“

“We had a 35th birthday party at Caius last night. Fire in the Kitchen food truck was our meal. It was amazing! All our guests raved about how good the pizza was, fresh tasty, timely. The chef team was super friendly and accommodating. I cannot say enough good things. Highly Recommended.“