The Feed: Best Beach Eats Near CT's Favorite Beaches

Kevin & Jenna

Tuesdays on The Feed, Kevin and Jenna chat with CT Food Girly about all the great places to eat in Connecticut. You can find Alex on Instagram: @ctfoodgirly. Alex explores the best beach eats near Connecticut's favorite beaches. From the small-batch ice cream at Walnut Beach Creamery in Milford to the classic seafood at Lenny & Joe's Fishtale in Madison, she highlights the top spots to grab a bite. Whether you're looking for a casual snack to-go or a sit-down meal after a day in the sun, we've got you covered with delicious options for every beachgoer!
Check out Alex's picks below:
Walnut Beach – Milford

• Walnut Beach Creamery: A great spot to wind down after a hot summer day in the sun. The ice cream here is made in small batches on-site. They love to experiment with new ice cream flavors and keep fan favorites alive as well. They also offer some frozen goodies like ice cream pops, cookie sandwiches, and pre-packaged pints of ice cream if you want to grab and go right to the beach.
• The Lazy Lobster: Counter-serve nook with a patio for lobster rolls and other New England-style seafood. They also have BBQ ribs available. This is a great spot if you want to stay casual and get off the beach for a bit as you sit at a table on their front patio. It’s also BYOB, so it’s perfect if you already have a cooler packed with all your drinks.

Compo Beach – Westport

• Old Mill Grocery and Deli: They offer a diverse menu, spanning breakfast delights as well as Italian-style sandwiches, apps, and pizza. You can call ahead and take it to the beach for lunch, or you can head there after the day is done and enjoy dinner and dessert.
• Black Duck Cafe: Located on the water under I-95, this is a great bar to head to for a beach burger, seafood, steaks, and more. They have live music on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, which could make for a really fun day and night after the beach. You can order some sliders and snacks to go or head to the Black Duck Cafe after your day in the sand comes to a close.

Jennings Beach – Fairfield

• Circle Diner: If you want to be low-key and casual, this is the spot for you. They serve American and European comfort fare plus breakfast. A great choice if you’re with a big group and want to make sure there is something for everyone. Order some sandwiches ahead of time and pick them up on your way in, even breakfast, or swing by after the beach day has come to a close.
• Craft 260: Elevated pub fare and craft draft beer showcased in a cool, modern-rustic space with a covered patio. This would definitely be my after-beach hangout spot if you want to wind down with a nice cool glass of beer and reminisce about the summer days.

Calf Pasture Beach – Norwalk

• Ripka’s Beach Cafe: For over 50 years, “the concession” at Calf Pasture Beach was just a convenience in the summer; only open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Beginning in 2013, it has become a year-round destination. Ripka’s Beach Cafe is a very casual beachside restaurant that caters to a wide range of clients with a delicious beach menu, specialty pizzas, and a seasonal brunch menu as well.
• Sunset Grille: A great seafood spot in the Norwalk Cove Marina, with a small menu and beautiful harbor views. An amazing restaurant if you love raw bar options on the menu, good appetizers and rolls, shrimp, crab, crawfish, and lobster. You could head there for lunch or dinner after the day is done.

Hammonasset Beach State Park – Madison

• The Clam Castle: Did you even go to Hammonasset if you didn't stop at the Clam Castle? This little roadside seafood shack with picnic tables offers clams, award-winning chowders, and other fresh seafood delights all summer long. They recently started offering Mexican items on the menu as well—some fresh tacos sound perfect for a beach day.
• Donahue’s Madison Beach Grille: This is a lively Irish pub serving bar food and hosting great live music. Super casual and super fun, it has a great long bar where you can hang out. They have great burgers, sandwiches, and wraps that would be perfect for pick up and go, or if you choose to dine in, their award-winning soups are a must.
• Lenny & Joe’s Fishtale: This is a classic, a shoreline seafood staple with a casual dining room and a large covered deck overlooking the water. If you’ve got your kids in tow, this is a great family spot—they have the carousel and outdoor ice cream shack open daily. Take a seat outside on a picnic table, or grab some seafood orders to go. They have cod, shrimp, clams, scallops, calamari, lobster, and so much more.

image credit: Getty Images