OUTrageous Restaurants – Outside Dining in Fairfield County

This unique and innovative casual/fine dining restaurant with New England-inspired American cuisine emphasizes a farm to table approach, offering a one-of-a-kind experience in Southport, with a décor that conveys the charm and coziness of a countryside living room paired with a bar/lounge designed to capture the energy of a tavern, resulting in an exciting and effervescent ambiance.

Recognized for having the best water view in Westport, this exciting seafood restaurant boasts soaring views of the Saugatuck River, serving savory American fare.

Simply stated, Brewport in Bridgeport enriches lives, with thin crust pizza, gourmet salad, and Connecticut-style beers so amazingly great, that staff and guests keep coming back for more. Doesn’t hurt to be housed in an old but cool newspaper distribution building with remnants of old steam pipes, industrial green paint and other vestiges of a time long past. Great outdoor eating, too.

One of Connecticut's most popular outdoor summer fun destinations since the 1980s, Captain's Cove is a family-owned and operated marina, restaurant, bar and boardwalk located along historic Black Rock Harbor in Bridgeport. Their tremendous patio with spectacular harbor views fabulous bars and extensive menu featuring fresh seafood and other specialties will make you a fan for life!

Accessible by boat (they have slips) or car (free parking), this Stamford’s waterfront dining establishment offers fantastic views of Stamford Harbor and Harbor Point. With an extensive menu of fresh seafood and traditional favorites served inside or out and the lively dockside bar, The Shack is the place to be to soak up the warm weather, live music and great times.

Come by boat, car, or seaplane to Candlewood Lake's only waterfront restaurant, Down the Hatch in Brookfield, is where you will feel like you are on vacation the minute you arrive. Take in the beautiful views and grab a cool, tasty drink on their huge outdoor patio bar. Their extensive menu offers casual fare, fresh seafood, and a kids' menu to delight all who come ashore.

Open year-round, this contemporary and romantic restaurant on Norwalk Harbor serves well prepared, attractively presented and sophisticated Mediterranean/Seafood fare in a relaxed waterfront setting.

This iconic restaurant bar, or “port of call” for seasonal Mediterranean cuisine is designed to transport the ambiance of Provence to the Gold Coast of Connecticut on Greenwich Harbor. Two-hundred-year-old stone terra cotta tiles adorn the floors with a wood-burning fireplace lending an unmistakable charm and beauty.

Located dockside at Brewer’s Stratford Marina in historic Stratford, Outriggers Restaurant serves fresh fish and other culinary delights made to order. The upstairs room boasts a terrace with spectacular views of the marina, the Housatonic River and Long Island Sound.

Call it a landmark or call it an institution, either way, Overton’s Seafood in Norwalk has been an integral part of the fabric of Norwalk for 60 years. The venerable seaside restaurant, where families have eaten fried clams and teenagers have worked summer jobs since 1948 has changed little, if at all, over the past six decades.

Enjoy exceptional cuisine in an upscale yet relaxed waterfront setting in Westport with a menu that reflects the new trend in American casual dining, consisting of many comfort food favorites like mac-n-cheese, mushroom meatloaf, barbecue ribs, and their famous French dip. Every ingredient in the menu arrives fresh at the restaurant to make your experience even more delicious and memorable.

Like the legendary bistros of Paris, Rive is warm and convivial, a true ‘bistro populaire’ on the Saugatuck River in Westport. The dining room accented with suave lighting and urban décor with a wrap-around wall of windows overlooks a bend in the river; and the outdoor patio feels like a cafe on the Seine. During cold months, the fireplace will keep you toasty.

Overlooking the Housatonic River, Riverview Bistro in Stratford is warm and inviting, with a newly renovated dining room, a spacious, secluded bar and a charming seasonal patio with picturesque views. The menu is sure to please every palette with its various offerings of classic items prepared with a contemporary flair.

The Restaurant, as locals call it, has been delighting palettes since 1996, offering upscale dining and a low-key atmosphere in an amazing setting on the Five Mile River located in Rowayton. Traditional seafood preparations such as oysters, chowder, lobsters and seasonal dishes punctuate their menu which changes seasonally.

Enjoy a true taste of Spain in South Norwalk with an authentic tapas menu (over 30 to choose from), plus traditional Spanish dishes, global wine list, and live music. High energy fuels the block with indoor/outdoor dining and active bar scene.

Experience the best of American cuisine with a delightful Japanese twist at the spectacular waterfront dining destination in Stratford specializing in delectable fresh seafood dishes.

At The Little Pub in Stratford, It’s not rocket science; it’s just sticking to their core values of providing great food and generous drinks coupled with a relentless focus on customer service. You'll feel right at home in the warm and lively pub atmosphere that emphasizes fun over fancy, comfortable over cool – inside or out!

The realization of the collective dream of four life-long restaurant employees comes together in one cohesive unit to share their love and passion for food, drink and good times in a spectacular setting in South Norwalk. Chef Carlos Baez’ extensive and varied background serves him well in creating the memorable dishes on their ever-evolving menu, influenced by all culinary corners of the world.

Take a step back in time to the days when Drive-In restaurants were the rage, and order up a Dagwood Burger and a root beer float at the Sycamore Grill in Bethel, one of the few remaining “Car Hop” joints in the state. This popular, award-winning restaurant has been around since 1948 and still features Classic Car shows every Saturday night from May until September.