Stonington and Mystic's Top Places for Outdoor Dining: In and Around Edition

Looking to eat outside this weekend without turning on the grill? Patch is here to help with a list of the best places in and around your area to dine while sitting outside, according to Yelp. Let us know if you don’t see your favorite spot on the list by commenting down below!

Captain Scott’s Lobster Dock
80 Hamilton St, New London
Yelp reviewer Nonna T. said “Best Lobster Roll in CT! Husband and I spend time during each summer checking out the area's lobster rolls, from Mystic to Niantic, and Captain Scout's is by far the winner!”

Gaspar’s Restaurant
385 Bank St, New London
Ming L. said “The food was very very delicious and it was obvious there was a lot of heart put into the dish, both in terms of cooking and presentation. The clam chowder was creamy and had some real good clam pieces in there. My burger was very tender and juicy, and the veggies were placed on the side to maintain freshness. The whipped potatoes were a delight and were light and crunchy.”

Dog Watch Cafe
194 Water St, Stonington
Allison G. said “The fried clams were also good. Not oily and nicely fried. My husband really enjoyed that the beef stew was poured on top of mashed potatoes instead of having chunks of potatoes in it. Definitely stop by here if you are in the area!!”

Oyster Club
13 Water St, Mystic
Gedda G. said “The oysters were great, I really enjoyed that they put chopped ginger on the plate alongside traditional horseradish. Mussels were phenomenal! They were all intact, all open and the creamy curry sauce was delicious. The lobster roll was a great dish too, but what made the meal even better was their bread basket. Overall a very pleasant experience and definitely one of the best choices in Mystic!”

Engine Room
14 Holmes St, Mystic
Kelly C. said “If you ever have a one-meal day, choose to eat that one meal at Engine Room. My sandwich was delectable. I don't even know the right words to use to describe it. I would make the 75 minute drive every weekend if I knew I would get the same quality every time. Delicious. Amazing. Splendid. Drooling.”

When Pigs Fly
97 Rope Ferry Rd, Waterford
Derek A. said “Great service, delicious food, good coffee - what more could you want from a breakfast place? The menu has the usual suspects, but also has some really unique options for omelets and skillets, as well as indulgent specials. Was our first visit, but certainly not our last.”

Paul’s Pasta Shop
223 Thames St, Groton
Dan G. said “You can tell this is a local family owned business which makes it even better. It's great to support local restaurants and it makes it so much easier when it's fresh homemade pasta! This was my first trip to Paul's Pasta shop and it did not disappoint. I didn't know what to expect but it is a cozy old fashioned "hole in a wall" type restaurant.”

Johnny’s Snak Shak
197 E High St, East Hampton
Leanne M. said “the best burger we had in a long while. Fresh not frozen burger, cooked perfectly, toppings were all fresh. Staff all very pleasant! Will definitely go back when in the area!”

Mel’s Diner
266 CT-163, Montville
Amazing first time experience! As soon as I walked in I felt extremely welcome and comfortable...Food was amazing! I wanted to take a picture but I just couldn't wait to eat it.
Best. Hashbrowns. Ever.”

Rustic Cafe
516 Boston Post Rd, East Lyme
Tom P. said “What a great surprise, it's a small bar, with a good selection of homemade foods, excellent services, and a full size bar...I had the RI clam chowder, which was the best, and the lobster rolls and burgers were very good at a great price. The only bad part of my visit is that this place to far from my home, otherwise, this would be a new hang out for me.”

Two Wrasslin’ Cats
374 Town St, East Haddam
Alyssa C. said “I have always wanted a place to open like this in the area I live in...I tried 3 sandwiches as my group shared with each other and they were all delicious. There is outside seating on the porch and garden area and the inside is a cozy cafe with 3 different seating areas (I sat in a big comfy chair and ate while watching a great acoustic performance). It's super family friendly and cat lovers will surely love the decor here.”

Maugle Sierra Vineyards
825 Colonel Ledyard Hwy, Ledyard
Roger A. said “Maugle Sierra is the best winery in CT. The St Croix red is very good and the stand-out among their choices. The setting is very picturesque, with outdoor seating that overlooks the vineyard. Nice service-staff.”

Jack’s Brick Oven Pizza
493 W Main St, Norwich
Melanie B. said “Jack's is a favorite! The food, atmosphere and staff are all top notch. If you like Italian food or fabulous pizza then Jack's is the place to go.”