Where To Eat In Westport

Must-try restaurants in Connecticut’s charming yet cosmopolitan Fairfield County.

Located within Connecticut’s Gold Coast, Westport has the perfect blend of New England charm mixed with a cosmopolitan vibe. Whether it be Italian comfort food, New American cuisine, or Japanese fusion dishes, the culinary scene in Westport is full of fresh, diverse, and local foods.

The charming yet cosmopolitan character of Fairfield County is home to some of Connecticut’s must-try restaurants. So if you’re craving hand-crafted food that is as delicious as it is thought out, read on and learn about the best places to eat in Westport!

The Cottage

Influenced by farmers in the region and cultures around the world, The Cottage is a stand-out restaurant in Westport. Opened in 2015 by Brian Lewis—one of Connecticut’s most outstanding chefs—The Cottage uses high-quality ingredients in all of its dishes and provides unforgettable dining experiences for guests.

The Cottage features a blend of American, French, Italian, and Asian flavors. Since chef Lewis also wanted the restaurant to be rooted in seasonality, the menu is always evolving. So although you may not know what your options are until you arrive at The Cottage, you can be sure that each menu item is made up of fresh and local ingredients.

The Cottage’s appetizers feature Japanese plates such as sashimi and spicy scallop nigiri. Some of the most popular main dishes include tender Wagyu brisket steamed buns topped with crunchy kimchi napa cabbage, homemade pasta, dry-aged steak, and confit duck fried rice topped with sunny-side-up quail eggs. For dessert, you cannot miss the peanut butter and hot fudge ice cream sundae.

This New American restaurant has received numerous accolades, including a spot on Esquire Magazine’s “Best New Restaurant” list and an “Excellent” review from The New York Times. Chef Brian Lewis even placed as a semifinalist for the James Beard Awards’ Best Chef: Northeast, and made a national television appearance on “Beat Bobby Flay” in which he defeated Bobby with his astounding pasta dish.

From its creative fusion dishes to warm hospitality, The Cottage is a welcoming restaurant that is all about good food and a friendly community.

Tarry Lodge

Tarry Lodge offers a modern take on traditional Italian food. The Michelin-starred team that opened Tarry Lodge is all about creating intriguing food combinations. Hence, new meets old is the theme at Tarry Lodge. Michelin-acclaimed chef Andy Nusser has put his personal touch into each menu concept to make sophisticated dishes. The menu at Tarry Lodge features hand-made comfort dishes like pasta, fritti, and meats all cooked over a wood-fired grill. The blend of contemporary and classic dishes includes pork belly with apple mostarda, grappa-cured salmon topped with lemon and capers, and a pork chop with quince and red cabbage. Tarry Lodge has a superb wine selection too, including white, red, and sparkling wines.

The centerpiece of Tarry Lodge is its dramatic pizza oven that is surrounded by a large marble dining counter. Guests can eat at the counter all while watching pizzaiolos toss the dough into the air, layer on toppings, and then send the pies into the hot wood-burning oven. Once out of the oven, these thin-crusted pizzas are mouthwatering. Some of Tarry Lodge’s gourmet pizza combinations include guanciale with black truffles and egg, burrata and pancetta topped with chili oil, and goat cheese with pistachios and truffle honey. Tarry Lodge’s pizzas are so tasty that the restaurant even made Connecticut Magazine’s “Best Pizzas in the State” list!

This enoteca and pizzeria host many food events as well, including food and wine pairing specials and holiday feasts. Previous events have included World Pasta Day, National Pizza Party Day, a four-course Nose-to-Tail Pig Dinner, and the Christmas Eve tradition of The Feast of Seven Fishes.

Tarry Lodge is the perfect place to get together with loved ones over delectable Italian food and wine.

The Whelk

For exquisite seafood in a relaxed atmosphere, check out The Whelk. Located on the Saugatuck River, The Welk has private tables, communal seating, a bar, and outdoor seating to enjoy the food and the scenery.

The Whelk’s changing menu items incorporate sustainable food and local produce from community farmers. Starters include plates like barbecue clams, deviled eggs with fried oysters, and smoked trout dip. Some of The Whelk’s larger plates include scallops, shrimp and grits, squid ink cavatelli, and halibut. Be sure to save room for sweets, as the restaurant makes one-of-a-kind desserts such as the almond cake, olive oil cake, and chocolate pot de crème.

This seafood bar is also known for its bright, signature cocktails. Sangre Fresca is a tequila drink with hibiscus, plum, and lime, and Chief 2.0 is a mix of bourbon, oloroso dulce sherry, bitters, and sugar.

The Whelk is your go-to for superb yet casual seafood dishes in Westport.

Match BURGER LOBSTER

Match BURGER LOBSTER offers a twist on Connecticut roadside favorites. Can’t decide between a burger or a lobster roll? Well, you don’t have to because Match has it all!

The food at Match comes as local as it gets. All of the restaurant’s shellfish comes from The Bloom Family of Copps Island Oysters, while the meats are from Provisions on State.

You can indulge in Match’s lobster rolls either hot or chilled, or you can order the classic Cracked Lobster plate served with melted butter. If you’re in the mood for shellfish other than lobster, try Match’s fried clams and oysters, or fish and chips.

There are all types of juicy burgers to choose from too, such as The Match Burger, Salt & Pepper Burger, Slider Combo, and Lamb Burger. The restaurant’s foot-long hot dog has also become a fan favorite.

This northeastern road shack is all about quick service and excellent food in a casual environment. Match’s owner-chef Matt Storch wanted the restaurant to be fun yet dignified. His vision came to life as Match is now a Westport spot with wonderful and fast table and take-out services.

For locally sourced burgers and lobster rolls with a roadside quirkiness, check out Match BURGER LOBSTER.

Little Barn

Rustic, welcoming outpost Little Barn will quickly become your go-to destination for scrumptious dishes that combine bold flavors with a backyard ambiance. Sporting a menu of New American favorites, diners here can enjoy a taste of everything from tuna tacos to lobster mac and cheese, baby back ribs to fish and chips, and Thai chicken Buddha bowls to reuben egg rolls. Plus, you won’t want to miss their iconic colossal pretzels.

Little Barn makes the most of their outdoor patio — during the summer months, it is a breezy platform for alfresco eating, and in the wintertime, it is enclosed and heated to provide plenty of additional seating. Live music is provided for evening entertainment, and there is plenty of beer on tap to keep things lively. You’ll always find an uptempo atmosphere when you dine here.

OKO

Inspired by Japanese cuisine and style, OKO is another successful innovation by chef Brian Lewis. This renowned Connecticut chef took his fondness for Japanese food and created a restaurant that is authentic and heartfelt.

OKO’s menu features a wide range of sushi. Some of the restaurant’s nigiri sushi options include avocado kabayaki, local maitake, Ora king salmon, and red king crab. OKO’s Japanese sushi options include rolls like Suzuki sea bass, Hamachi yellowtail, Anago sea eel, and A5 Miyazaki beef. The restaurant also has crispy sushi such as spicy tuna or salmon, as well as five- and ten-piece selections chosen by chef Lewis himself.

Dinner options at OKO include tempura, ramen noodles, bento boxes, and poke bowls. Traditional Japanese sake is available as well, which can be ordered by bottle or glass.

One of OKO’s most distinct features, however, is its Omakase—or Chef’s Choice—offered nightly. In this 15-course tasting menu, OKO chefs share their favorite dishes, including an assortment of fish and shellfish from both local and Japanese waters. Omakase is the perfect way to discover and celebrate Edomae sushi and Japanese cuisine.

The food at OKO isn’t the only part of the restaurant with Japanese influence. The restaurant boasts an open design that starts in the dining room and bar and flows all the way to the kitchen.

For a truly holistic experience in which Japanese design meets gastronomy, visit the unforgettable OKO.

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