Groton is a great place to visit and reside. It is a city in New London County, Connecticut, USA.
It is near the Thames River on the southeastern side of Connecticut. It also shares borders with the Mystic River too; for this reason, the city is nicknamed the “Submarine Capital of the World.”
The city features beaches, riverside restaurants, parks, and tidy family homes. The city has a population of over 38,600 people.
As you are planning a trip to Groton, you will definitely want to dine in the best restaurants in Groton, CT.
The restaurants in this article are the top to visit in this area. Let’s get started!
Best Restaurants in Groton, CT
1. Paul’s Pasta Shop
Paul’s Pasta Shop is one of the best places to eat in Groton, CT. It is a family-run joint doling out huge servings of house-made pasta and other Italian eats on the riverfront. It was established in 1988 to serve all communities around the shoreline of the Thames and Mystic River.
Paul Pasta Shop prepares fresh pasta daily using only the highest quality ingredients available. You will find the friendly atmosphere and reasonably priced meals attractive.
Some of the food they serve include garlic bread, meat lasagna, spaghetti pie, spaghetti & meatballs, cheese ravioli, and more. A strongly recommended dish to try out here is their chicken parmigiana with fettuccine alfredo. It is delicious and satisfying!
The restaurant’s ricotta cannoli with chocolate chips are yummy and highly recommended. Once you order it and eat it, you’ll likely order more of it next time.
This Groton restaurant opens by 11 am and closes by 9 pm every day.
Address: 223 Thames St, Groton, CT 06340-3955. Phone: +1 860-445-5276
2. The Fisherman at Long Point
Are you craving seafood? Then you must visit The Fisherman at Long Point in Groton, CT. It is one of the best restaurants in Groton, CT.
The Fisherman at Long Point is a quaint waterfront eatery offering lots of seafood at lunch and dinner (different menus) and a full bar. The eatery has been remodeled with a clean, classic, contemporary style, making it resemble a Mediterranean cottage.
This seafood restaurant features a 2-level patio that overlooks Palmer Cove, thus affording customers a riverside view during indoor or indoor dining. The available spaces amaze guests with all the picturesque views and expertly prepared, fresh seafood.
We recommend ordering their scrumptious grilled swordfish puttanesca. It is worth every bite and penny. Some of the interesting menu items include lobster bisque, fish & chips, fish tacos, crab cakes, burgers, lobster grilled cheese, and more.
The prime ribs served at The Fisherman at Long Point are super delicious. We also love their bar selection of beer, cocktails, and wines.
This fine seafood spot opens daily by 11.30 am and closes by 9.30 pm.
Address: 937 Groton Long Point Rd, Groton, CT 06340-5606. Phone: +1 860-536-1111
3. The Shack Restaurant
The Shack Restaurant is a local, family-owned eatery serving southeastern Connecticut residents. This restaurant has branches in East Lyme and Waterford. The Shack is revered one of the best Groton restaurants.
This restaurant was established in 1989, and since then, have been dishing out high-quality American meals to customers. The Shack Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, which includes all-American favorites and classic comfort foods.
They serve hashbrowns, Mac & Cheese, home fries, waffle mountain, banana walnut waffles, vegetable omelet, Biscuit & Gravy, and more. When you order The Shack’s eggs benedict, you’ll be served Canadian bacon on a grilled English muffin topped with two poached eggs and Hollandaise sauce (also served with home fries). Now isn’t that tantalizing?
Address: 441 Long Hill Rd, Groton, CT 06340-4149, USA. Phone: +1 860-445-5500
4. Mirch Masala Cuisine of India
Searching for Indian eats in Groton? Then you should treat yourself to Mirch Masala Cuisine of India. It is the best Indian restaurant in Groton, CT. It is a casual spot for classic Indian cuisine and all-you-can-eat buffets.
Mirch Masala makes dine-in, takeout, curbside pickup, and delivery possible for all. The restaurant is located in the prestigious Ramada by Wyndham Groton. Chicken tikka masala is the best-recommended item.
Biryani, butter chicken, garlic naan, chicken ammwala, malai kofta, and chana masala are part of this restaurant. There is also tandoori chicken for your enjoyment; let me tell you, it’s delicious. Channa masala and chicken vindaloo perfection are the favorite dinner items for some customers.
Address: 156 Kings Hwy, Groton, CT 06340-3436. Phone: +1 860-445-8043
5. Olio Restaurant & Bar
Olio Restaurant & Bar is one of the best restaurants in Groton, CT. Olio offers new American fare in a high-energy, contemporary setting where candles line the entrance. It provides creative and exciting culinary treats to all customers walking through its doors.
The menu includes bang bang shrimp, fish & chips, hamburger salad, stuffed avocado, pork tenderloins, and more. Salad pizza is one of the best Italian foods to eat at Olio Restaurant & Bar. Glass-fed burgers, vanilla bean crème Brulee, stuffed chicken breast, prime rib, and grilled chicken breast are part of the menu.
Their pork tenderloin meal is sumptuous and worth each bite. Grilled perfectly and drizzled in a balsamic sauce, this prime cut is extremely flavorful, juicy, and meltingly tender.
Olio opens by 11.30 am and close by 8.30 pm daily.
Address: 33 Kings Hwy, Groton, CT 06340-3542. Phone: +1 860-445-6546
6. Norm’s Diner
Norm’s Diner is one of the excellent Groton restaurants. It is an old-school dining car with counter stools for breakfast favorites, burgers, and other American grub. The restaurant serves some of the tastiest cups of coffee.
Cheese omelets, sausage Gravy, Norm’s burger, Biscuit & Gravy, steak & eggs, blt with eggs, and banana pancakes are part of the breakfast menu. Scrambled eggs, home fries, and toast is a great choice for breakfast at Norm’s Diner.
The chocolate chip and pancakes at Norm’s Diner are to die for. They are sweet and palatable.
Norm’s Diner has a Ph.D. at satisfying your taste buds and stomach with the best-tasting American treats. They are good at making sandwiches, burgers, pizza, and salads. You won’t regret any minute you spend at Norm’s Diner. They open early by 7 am and close by 12.30 pm to 1 pm.
Address: 171 Bridge St, Groton, CT 06340-3605. Phone: +1 860-405-8383
7. Groton Townhouse Restaurant
Groton Townhouse Restaurant serves American breakfast, lunch, and dinner favorites, plus an ample dessert menu in casual quarters.
The restaurant is receptive to all customers, especially university students, thus making it a very good social venue. Groton Townhouse Restaurant serves home fries, coffee, eggs Benedict, chocolate chip pancakes, scallops, banana pancakes, and more. You can visit the restaurant’s Facebook page to see more and view the full menu.
Spinach salad is becoming the vegetarian favorite for those coming to Groton Townhouse Restaurant. Dairy treats like cheese or blueberry blintzes, along with sour cream and apple sauce, are highly recommended.
Groton Townhouse Restaurant opens around 6.30 am and closes by 9 pm every day.
Address: 355 Route 12, Groton, CT 06340-2947. Phone: +1 860-449-0355
8. Octagon
Octagon is the best steak house in Groton, CT. It is located at a prime spot in Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa, making it an upscale eatery.
Octagon’s menu is filled with steak and seafood offerings. They serve turkey club, prime rib with bacon, chicken wings, truffle parmesan fries, and so on. Fettuccine alfredo with chicken is a simple choice to pick from the menu.
Another great dinner choice at Octagon is their filet mignon with asparagus and potatoes. It is delicious and satisfying. Octagon has a great staff, a cozy environment, and reasonably priced foods. It is no doubt one of the best places to eat in Groton, CT.
Octagon operates in the evenings from 5 pm to 10 pm.
Address: 625 North Rd, Groton, CT 06340-3212. Phone: +1 860-326-0360.
Are you considering more exploration of Connecticut? Here is our list of things to do in Wilton, and things to do in Essex for a fun vacation.
9. Sneekers Café
Sneekers Café is the best-rated café in Groton, CT. It is a festive gameday hangout that offers a wide menu of American comfort fare in cozy digs with live music performances. This fun restaurant was built in 1984 to be the liveliest food establishment along Poguonnock Road.
They serve chicken wings, fish & chips, French onion soup, fried Brussels sprouts, shrimp bruschetta, veggie quesadilla, and more. Sneekers calamari is very sumptuous, and we love it. You should try that out!
There is a lot about this restaurant/bar – friendly staff, fun food & drink selection, and entertainment. Sneekers Café hosts a variety of events throughout the week, like trivia Tuesdays and live music on Fridays and Saturdays. However, they are open every day from 11 am to midnight but don’t open on Mondays.
Address: 568 Poquonnock Rd, Groton, CT 06340-4568. Phone: +1 860-445-1967
10. Spot Cafe & Restaurant
The Spot Café & Restaurant is a come-as-you-are tavern with a comfort-food menu and a fully stocked bar with a wide variety of drinks.
This eatery provides a decent venue for socializing and dining. It is the best business lunch spot in Groton, CT. The Sports Café and Restaurant serves chicken wings, burrito bowls, lobster Mac & Cheese, fish & chips, and others.
They serve the tastiest sirloin steak that is often ordered by people who come here for lunch or dinner. The Spot Café will give you the best prime rib dinner you’ve ever had. Many who choose to order this don’t regret it. It is highly recommended that you go for their prime rib dinner combo.
The Spot Café is a great place to eat brunch and dinner in Groton, CT. It opens by 11 am and closes by 10 pm daily.
Address: 11 Buddington Rd, Groton, CT 06340-3280. Phone: +1 860-448-6276
11. Puffins Restaurant
Are you searching for a casual food spot in Groton? Puffins Restaurant is a nice place to grab a bite. Their extensive menu contains burgers, sandwiches, salads, and all-American comfort foods.
They serve eggs benedict, French toast combo, fried mushroom, home fries, grilled chicken salad, and Rhode Island clam chowder. As a side note, it is good that you check their Facebook page to view the full menu.
Puffins Restaurant offers dine-in, takeaway, and delivery services, making it fully competent and convenient for all customers. Mac & Cheese specials with ribs are popular picks at this riverside restaurant.
The staff opens the place by 8 am and closes it by 1.30 pm. This implies that Puffins is a breakfast-centric eatery in Groton.
Address: 169 Thames St, Groton, CT 06340-3630. Phone: +1 860-446-9348
12. Hot Rod Café
Hot Rod Café is one of the best sports bar in Groton, CT. It is an informal bar & grill offering 20+ chicken wing flavors, plus craft beers and live music. This pub offers a fun selection of beer, wines, and cocktails.
They also serve pub fare, which includes fried pickles, hot pretzels with cheese sauce, Philly cheese steak wrap, garlic lemon pepper wings, peanut butter wings, fish sandwich & sweet potato, honey BBQ, Caribbean burger & fried egg, and more.
The hot lobster rolls served in this café are special and tasty. They are sumptuous and highly recommended. Cajun dry rub mango Habanero Chipotle BBQ wings and a basket of garlic pepper farm fires are interesting top picks on the menu.
Hot Rod Café provides a lot of beer and alcoholic drinks that you can choose from. This fun, eclectic place with a beautiful deck overlooking the Thames River is what makes it more attractive. The bar and restaurant are open at around 4 pm and close by 1 am.
Address: 114 Bank St, New London, CT 06320-6002. Phone: +1 860-447-2320
13. On The Waterfront
On The Waterfront is among the top restaurants in Groton, CT, especially if you want seafood. This dockside restaurant with traditional décor serves seafood, steaks, and Italian specialties. The restaurant features a large dining room with riverside views, a full bar, and an outdoor patio.
On The Waterfront is also one of the best restaurants in New London County. Groton residents go there to buy fish and other seafood items either in their raw or cooked form.
The restaurant serves lobster bisque, fish tacos, Maryland crab cakes, fish & chips, lobster tacos, shrimp scampi, and fried shrimp. A seafood tower is a dish you may want to go with. Its portions are big and generous.
You will likely love to try out filet medallions and shrimp in this seafood restaurant in Groton. It is tasty, filling, and satisfying. On The Waterfront restaurant is truly a perfect restaurant for all in New London to visit and dine in.
It opens by 11.30 am and close between 7-9 pm every day.
Address: 250 Pequot Avenue, New London, CT 06320, USA. Phone: + 860-444-2800
14. RD86 Space
RD86 Space is just a few miles from downtown Groton. It is one of the most popular restaurants in the area. It features a dining room, a private crowdfunding program, and a socializing area with music and outdoor seats.
We recommend RD86 Space’5 delicious shrimp and grits. They are crunchy, munchy, and tasty.
Some of the menu items include mussels, burgers, short ribs, potato salad, pumpkin pancake, red snapper, sauteed spinach, nachos, and more. The blood orange margarita is a cocktail you’ll definitely like to try at RD86 Space. It is a unique drink.
Address: 86 Golden St, New London, CT 06320. Phone: +1 860-574-9335
15. The Social Bar + Kitchen
The Social Bar + Kitchen is a roomy venue offering American comfort eats, craft beer, cocktails, live music, and quiz nights.
The Social Bar + Kitchen is a modern American kitchen and bar in the heart of New London which serves the Groton community. It prepares and presents delicious food and the largest craft beer collection in the area.
This bar offers interesting menu items, including Brussels sprouts, fish & chips, chicken bites, deviled eggs, crispy wings, grilled ribeye, neipa, and shepherd’s pie.
The Social Bar & Kitchen operates between 4 pm to 10 pm which implies it’s a dinner-centric eatery.
Address: 208 Bank St, New London, CT 06320-6054. Phone: +1 860-442-6900.
Map of the Best Restaurants in Groton, CT
To get around during your trip to Groton, here is a map of the best restaurants in Groton with markers of the top places to eat in Groton, CT.
Are you considering more exploration of Connecticut? Here is our list of things to do in Greenwich, things to do in Bridgeport and things to do in Stamford for a fun vacation.
Plan a Visit to Groton
From American classics to inventive seafood fare, this town has no shortage of mouth-watering plates. So, start planning your food trip to the “Submarine Capital of the World.”
Our roundup of the best Groton restaurants will help you when you arrive in the city.
Have Fun!