After having spent the day or two in greater Mystic or Mystic Country as it is known the villages of Noank and Stonington offer some great dining.  Throw in Groton on the shores of the Thames River and one has suprisingly many great dining choices.

Closest to Mystic's Historic Downtown is the village of Noank  just a few miles off Water Street on the Groton Side of the Mystic River. The most famous of all is Abbotts in the Rough  a summer tourist and locals spot, moreso the first named where views of small islands, boats tied up offshore and birds dominate the skyline. Famous for Lobster and Steamers lines can be long and service just a plain "ok" but one is paying for the lobster and steamers as well as the view and not the service at this old lobster shack. Just a few hundred feet down the waterfront is Costello's a Clam Shack that opened a few years back. If Abbotts and Lobster are not your thing then Costello's may meet your tastebuds. . For breakfast and lunch  Carson's General Store in Noank Village is loaded with locals and summer visitors. Small but very cozy and accommodating, Carson's is great for that early morning start.  From here Groton offers a few nice dining options that are not of the fast food type. Of the many choices the best two are Olio near the Groton bowling lanes just off of Route 1 where bistro meets gourmet and martini. Excellent appetizers and main courses... Olio is a hit with the business crowd and professional crowd and offers SE Connecticut some more upscale and trendy dining. Well worth a stop.

Also in Groton is the locally famous house of homemade pasta.. Paul's Pasta on Thames Street offering everything homemade and a view of the New London skyline to boot. Great food, good prices and always busy. Paul's pasta is a hit!

From Groton we suggested at one time you re-enter I-95 and follow to Exit 92 and take the Foxwoods Reservation Exit and follow on Route 2 West for about 3 mins. Here is/was Randall's Ordinary a dining experience unmatched by any. Why? This 17th century farmstead, the home to one of the areas first settlers John Randall offered Open Hearth Cooking that included local produce, costumed personel and a simple but appropriate decor. Some of the favorites were Nantucket Scallops, Pumpkin Soup, Corn Bread and Roast Duck. After many many years the Mashantucket People purchased the restaurant and recently closed it as it appeared not to be a profitable as their "in house" restaurants at the Foxwoods Casino. A real treasure has been lost.

Randall's Ordinary

However in the same area are some of the regions best Vineyards including the nationally acclaimed Jonathan Edwards Vineyard which offers a line of wines that are comparable to any Californian Wine or even it's European Counterpart. J.Edwards actually produces much of his wine from California grapes and has recently began to produce several local types as well f.e. Merlot, Pinot and Chardonnay. Just a few minutes from Edwards is the Stonington Vineyards. Like J.Edwards Stonington Vineyards is on the Connecticut Wine Trail and offers an array of types including their popular Chardonnay. Both Vineyards offer wine diners and wine tastings. Each can be purchased at the Vineyard shop or at local package stores. Call ahead or email us for more information.

More dining selections can be found in our next stop at Stonington Borough a quaint seaside village just minutes from Mystic.