By The Nancy Mesham Team
Life in and around Old Lyme comes with a wonderful advantage: exceptional dining is always close at hand. From beloved local favorites right in town to elegant destinations just a short drive away in Essex and Old Saybrook, the best restaurants near Old Lyme offer memorable experiences worth savoring. Here is our guide to a few of the finest spots in and around town.
Key Takeaways
- The best restaurants near Old Lyme include historic inns and refined modern kitchens
- Kokomo's Restaurant and Sapore Ristorante & Pizza Bar bring beloved local favorites right in Old Lyme
- Liv's Oyster Bar offers a beloved, chef-driven seafood experience in Old Saybrook
- The Essex and The Griswold Inn showcase the charm of nearby Essex village
Kokomo's Restaurant
Right on the water in Old Lyme, Kokomo's Restaurant has been a shoreline fixture for more than three decades. The kitchen specializes in fresh, quality seafood alongside American favorites, and the scenic waterfront setting turns any meal into a memorable one.
Beyond the food, Kokomo's is known for its polished yet easygoing atmosphere, making it a wonderful choice for a relaxed dinner with sweeping water views. Its long-standing reputation and consistent quality have made it a true destination for both longtime residents and visitors to the shoreline.
Beyond the food, Kokomo's is known for its polished yet easygoing atmosphere, making it a wonderful choice for a relaxed dinner with sweeping water views. Its long-standing reputation and consistent quality have made it a true destination for both longtime residents and visitors to the shoreline.
Highlights of Kokomo's Restaurant
- Sweeping water views right in Old Lyme
- Fresh, carefully prepared American and seafood favorites
- A relaxed atmosphere suited to any occasion
- More than three decades serving the shoreline community
Sapore Ristorante & Pizza Bar
Right in Old Lyme, Sapore Ristorante & Pizza Bar has earned a devoted following for its wood-fired pizza and thoughtfully prepared Italian fare. Beyond the pizza that has drawn regional acclaim, the menu features gourmet pastas and seafood dishes that showcase real culinary craft.
The setting is polished and inviting, making it just as suited to a relaxed dinner as a lively evening at the bar. Consistently high praise from guests has made Sapore one of Old Lyme's most beloved dining spots.
The setting is polished and inviting, making it just as suited to a relaxed dinner as a lively evening at the bar. Consistently high praise from guests has made Sapore one of Old Lyme's most beloved dining spots.
Highlights of Sapore Ristorante & Pizza Bar
- Acclaimed pies with a devoted local following
- Gourmet pastas and seafood dishes beyond the pizza menu
- A polished setting for dinner or drinks at the bar
- Consistently high praise from guests and critics alike
Liv's Oyster Bar & Restaurant
Just a short drive to Old Saybrook brings you to Liv's Oyster Bar, a beloved dining destination since 2006. Founded by chef John Brescio and named for his daughter, the restaurant is known for freshly shucked oysters, a stunning raw bar, and simple, focused dishes built around the finest local seafood.
The setting is casually elegant, with dining available in the main room, at the bar, or on the seasonal patio. A menu that changes with the seasons keeps the experience feeling fresh, while consistently high praise from guests and critics alike has made Liv's a true shoreline favorite.
The setting is casually elegant, with dining available in the main room, at the bar, or on the seasonal patio. A menu that changes with the seasons keeps the experience feeling fresh, while consistently high praise from guests and critics alike has made Liv's a true shoreline favorite.
Highlights of Liv's Oyster Bar & Restaurant
- A stunning showcase of freshly shucked local oysters
- Seasonal, focused dishes built around quality seafood
- Dine in the main room, at the bar, or on the patio
- Consistently high praise from guests and critics alike
The Essex
A short drive to the charming village of Essex brings you to The Essex, a destination dining experience with a reputation well beyond the shoreline. The menu showcases modern American cuisine inspired by the land, sea, and rich heritage of the Connecticut River Valley, with locally sourced ingredients shaping an ever-changing menu.
Recognized by regional and national publications alike, The Essex is a wonderful choice for a tasting menu on a special evening or a memorable dinner with friends. The result is a dining experience that feels both elevated and deeply connected to the surrounding region and its rich culinary traditions.
Recognized by regional and national publications alike, The Essex is a wonderful choice for a tasting menu on a special evening or a memorable dinner with friends. The result is a dining experience that feels both elevated and deeply connected to the surrounding region and its rich culinary traditions.
Highlights of The Essex
- A nationally recognized restaurant in historic Essex village
- Dishes inspired by the Connecticut River Valley
- An ever-changing menu built around the freshest ingredients
- Ideal for a tasting menu or a special celebration
The Griswold Inn
Also in the historic seaport village of Essex, the Griswold Inn is one of the region's most storied dining destinations. Known simply as "the Gris" to locals, this beloved inn has welcomed guests for generations, pairing New England charm with a menu that celebrates the flavors of the shoreline.
The inn's series of intimate dining rooms, each with its own character, makes every visit feel a little different. Whether you are settling in for a full dinner or stopping by for a drink in one of its historic taprooms, the Griswold Inn offers an experience steeped in history, warmth, and genuine hospitality.
The inn's series of intimate dining rooms, each with its own character, makes every visit feel a little different. Whether you are settling in for a full dinner or stopping by for a drink in one of its historic taprooms, the Griswold Inn offers an experience steeped in history, warmth, and genuine hospitality.
Highlights of the Griswold Inn
- A storied seaport inn beloved by generations of guests
- Several distinct spaces, each with its own character
- A menu that celebrates the best of New England
- Historic bars offering a memorable drink and gathering spot
FAQs
Where can I find great seafood near Old Lyme?
Liv's Oyster Bar & Restaurant in nearby Old Saybrook is a beloved destination for fresh, local seafood, known for its stunning raw bar and consistently high praise from guests and critics alike.
Are there fine dining options in nearby Essex?
Yes. Both The Essex and the Griswold Inn offer exceptional dining just a short drive from Old Lyme, ranging from a nationally recognized tasting menu to the timeless charm of a storied historic inn.
Where can I find waterfront dining in Old Lyme?
Kokomo's Restaurant offers sweeping water views paired with fresh seafood and American favorites, making it a wonderful choice for a memorable meal right on the shoreline.
Contact The Nancy Mesham Team Today
At The Nancy Mesham Team, we love sharing what makes Old Lyme such a special place to call home, from its scenic riverfront to its wonderful, ever-growing local dining scene. Exploring the best restaurants in Old Lyme, CT is just one of the many joys of life along this beautiful shoreline.
If discovering all that Old Lyme has to offer has you thinking about making it your next home, we would love to help. Reach out to us, The Nancy Mesham Team, to start the conversation.
If discovering all that Old Lyme has to offer has you thinking about making it your next home, we would love to help. Reach out to us, The Nancy Mesham Team, to start the conversation.
