The Best of Mystic
Food scene
Featured in the New York Times, this restaurant is a great 'fancier' option with dim lighting, oyster bar and seafood-focused American cuisine. We recommend visiting the Tree House bar beforehand, and then having a drink at Port of Call afterwards.
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Oyster Club
13 Water StFeatured in the New York Times, this restaurant is a great 'fancier' option with dim lighting, oyster bar and seafood-focused American cuisine. We recommend visiting the Tree House bar beforehand, and then having a drink at Port of Call afterwards.
This is where the locals go for lunch - featuring sandwiches, salads and prepared foods. It's a short drive from town or a quick bike ride (a little too far to walk). We always get a chocolate chip cookie when we visit! They also offer great breakfast options in the morning. They have a more elevated location on the other side of the bridge, but this one is our favorite :)
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Mystic Market West
375 Noank RdThis is where the locals go for lunch - featuring sandwiches, salads and prepared foods. It's a short drive from town or a quick bike ride (a little too far to walk). We always get a chocolate chip cookie when we visit! They also offer great breakfast options in the morning. They have a more elevated location on the other side of the bridge, but this one is our favorite :)
A must visit for lobster, lobster rolls and other great seafood fare. While there's often a small wait, you'll sit facing the ocean and can enjoy the view. Don't miss it! You can also choose to stroll around Noank for its quiet charm and small shops.
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Abbott's Lobster In the Rough
117 Pearl StA must visit for lobster, lobster rolls and other great seafood fare. While there's often a small wait, you'll sit facing the ocean and can enjoy the view. Don't miss it! You can also choose to stroll around Noank for its quiet charm and small shops.
We know you're looking for Mystic Pizza and we get that. But if you want more than a cheesey pie, head to Pizzetta for a variety of pizza options and live music on the weekends.
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Pizzetta
7 Water StWe know you're looking for Mystic Pizza and we get that. But if you want more than a cheesey pie, head to Pizzetta for a variety of pizza options and live music on the weekends.
Wonderful setting and wonderful Italian food. A great way to mix things up from your standard seafood fare.
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Via Emilia
24 W Main StWonderful setting and wonderful Italian food. A great way to mix things up from your standard seafood fare.
A more casual option with a good amount of seating - this is a reliable option when there might be longer waits elsewhere.
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The Mariner
21 W Main StA more casual option with a good amount of seating - this is a reliable option when there might be longer waits elsewhere.
We probably didn't need to include this in the guide, but we can't help but recommend it. There's a line but it will move fast. We especially recommend the local creations.
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Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream
2 W Main StWe probably didn't need to include this in the guide, but we can't help but recommend it. There's a line but it will move fast. We especially recommend the local creations.
We love the atmosphere and the food here. If you're looking for some fun and some heat in your cocktail, we especially recommend the 'Hot & Dirty Martini'.
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S&P Oyster Restaurant and Bar
1 Holmes StWe love the atmosphere and the food here. If you're looking for some fun and some heat in your cocktail, we especially recommend the 'Hot & Dirty Martini'.
A newer entry to the food scene with creative options, we think this is an under appreciated gem. Give it a try!
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The Shipwright's Daughter
20 E Main StA newer entry to the food scene with creative options, we think this is an under appreciated gem. Give it a try!
Great casual food options in a high energy setting. We love it here.
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Engine Room
14 Holmes StGreat casual food options in a high energy setting. We love it here.
It might seem like a bit of a trek to get there (it's not), but the setting and location on the waterfront can't be beat. Great to visit at sunset. There's often a wait and reservations aren't available - but it's worth it for sure.
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Red 36
2 Washington StIt might seem like a bit of a trek to get there (it's not), but the setting and location on the waterfront can't be beat. Great to visit at sunset. There's often a wait and reservations aren't available - but it's worth it for sure.
This is where you can walk to grab a quick salad or soup for lunch. The staff is great and the product is always reliably good.
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Mystic Sweet Shop
7 W Main StThis is where you can walk to grab a quick salad or soup for lunch. The staff is great and the product is always reliably good.
Bars
Named by Esquire magazine as one of the best new bars in the country in 2022, Port of Call offers creative, elevated cocktails in a beautiful setting. Local residents will recall the space as the former home of 'The Emporium' - a gift store full of oddities and treats popular in the 80's and 90's before its closure. We're happy to see the space restored and resurrected! It's also fun to check out the Dive Bar in the cellar.
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Port of call
15 Water StreetNamed by Esquire magazine as one of the best new bars in the country in 2022, Port of Call offers creative, elevated cocktails in a beautiful setting. Local residents will recall the space as the former home of 'The Emporium' - a gift store full of oddities and treats popular in the 80's and 90's before its closure. We're happy to see the space restored and resurrected! It's also fun to check out the Dive Bar in the cellar.
Listen - this isn't authentic Mexican food by any stretch, but if you're looking for margaritas and a juke box in a dive setting - this is the place to go.
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Margaritas Mexican Restaurant
12 Water StListen - this isn't authentic Mexican food by any stretch, but if you're looking for margaritas and a juke box in a dive setting - this is the place to go.
Popular with the college crowd, Friar's offers plenty of beers on tap and mixed drinks. We wouldn't seek out the food here, but it's a fun scene at night.
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Friar Tuck's Tavern
12 Water StPopular with the college crowd, Friar's offers plenty of beers on tap and mixed drinks. We wouldn't seek out the food here, but it's a fun scene at night.
While we know every guidebook will recommend Sift for its baked goods, we're going to suggest you have a rooftop drink at Mix. The cocktails are fun and the setting is lovely, especially if you have a fireside seat.
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Mix Rooftop & Bar at Sift
5 Water StWhile we know every guidebook will recommend Sift for its baked goods, we're going to suggest you have a rooftop drink at Mix. The cocktails are fun and the setting is lovely, especially if you have a fireside seat.
Offering a variety of events each week and local brews, this is worth a visit. Check out Trivia Night during the week or bring a game with you!
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Bank & Bridge Brewing
54 West Main StreetOffering a variety of events each week and local brews, this is worth a visit. Check out Trivia Night during the week or bring a game with you!
A divey Irish bar with a jukebox and fireplace - great place to hang out when it's cold!
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The Harp and Hound
4 Pearl StA divey Irish bar with a jukebox and fireplace - great place to hang out when it's cold!
Shopping
Bank Square Books
53 W Main StA local favorite for years, it's worth a browse here.
Breakfast
Offering baked goods each morning with plenty of coffee options, this is our favorite morning stop for quick breakfast options.
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Li's Bake Shop
15 Holmes StOffering baked goods each morning with plenty of coffee options, this is our favorite morning stop for quick breakfast options.
The donuts here are, understandably, *rich*, but it's worth treating yourself at least one day of your trip.
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Young Buns Doughnuts
46 West Main StreetThe donuts here are, understandably, *rich*, but it's worth treating yourself at least one day of your trip.
Fresh juices and Acai bowls - delicious! We love it here.
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Karma Kitchen Mystic & Juicery
15 Holmes StFresh juices and Acai bowls - delicious! We love it here.
Located in Stonington, Noah's offers dining options throughout the day. That said, breakfast is our favorite. It's worth the drive, but get there on the early side to avoid a wait.
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Noah's
136 Front StLocated in Stonington, Noah's offers dining options throughout the day. That said, breakfast is our favorite. It's worth the drive, but get there on the early side to avoid a wait.
Sightseeing
This is a great 6 mile loop around Mystic for runners or bikers. The views can't be beat and it's relatively quiet for most of the journey.
River Road
River RoadThis is a great 6 mile loop around Mystic for runners or bikers. The views can't be beat and it's relatively quiet for most of the journey.
Visit here for bike and kayak rentals to explore the town.
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Adventure Mystic Outdoor Retail Store & Paddle Mystic - Kayak, Paddleboard and Bike rental
15 Holmes StVisit here for bike and kayak rentals to explore the town.
This is certainly a challenging adventure, but this is a great activity to mix things up.
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Fields Of Fire Adventure Park
715 Noank Ledyard RdThis is certainly a challenging adventure, but this is a great activity to mix things up.
While the tickets are a bit pricey, we think it's worth it. Don't miss the sea lion show! We can't believe what they're capable of.
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Mystic Aquarium
While the tickets are a bit pricey, we think it's worth it. Don't miss the sea lion show! We can't believe what they're capable of.
This is a great option for walking around when you want to get out of downtown. There are fun shopping options, a movie theater and a couple restaurants. Make sure to check out the Magic store and the General store.
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Mystic Village station
This is a great option for walking around when you want to get out of downtown. There are fun shopping options, a movie theater and a couple restaurants. Make sure to check out the Magic store and the General store.
Take a ~2 hour sail in the harbor and sound on a beautiful ship. We love this adventure and recommend it frequently.
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Argia Mystic Cruises
12 Steamboat WharfTake a ~2 hour sail in the harbor and sound on a beautiful ship. We love this adventure and recommend it frequently.
This is a great apple picking option for the fall with plenty for kids to do, along with wine tasting.
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Holmberg Orchards & Winery
1990 Orchard LnThis is a great apple picking option for the fall with plenty for kids to do, along with wine tasting.
Offering a picturesque setting and lovely drive, this is worth a visit. Note that their seating is primarily outdoors.
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Jonathan Edwards Winery
74 Chester Maine RoadOffering a picturesque setting and lovely drive, this is worth a visit. Note that their seating is primarily outdoors.
A great winery with a lovely waterfront setting. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating, and food trucks are there on the weekends.
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Saltwater Farm Vineyard
349 Elm StA great winery with a lovely waterfront setting. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating, and food trucks are there on the weekends.
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Restaurant Reservations
Some of Mystic's most popular restaurants (including those highlighted in this guide) often have lengthy waits on the weekend - even in the 'off' season. We recommend visiting the restaurant's website or calling in advance to make a reservation, especially for Saturday night.
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Trains to New London are an option
There are only a couple direct Amtraks to Mystic each day, but there are many more options to New London. It's a short Uber or taxi ride and might give you some savings and flexibility over the Mystic train.