Connecticut’s shoreline spans more than 600 miles, according to the Department of Environmental Protection, and Fairfield has its fair share of that waterfront. The city’s coast comes alive in the summer months as residents enjoy the boating, swimming and fishing they could only dream of during the winter. The area offers waterfront restaurants that locals flock to at the end of the day where they can continue to enjoy the water views over a relaxing meal.
Sunset Grille is located just 11 miles from downtown Fairfield on the banks of the Norwalk Harbor. The restaurant is an institution at Cove Marina, known for serving up freshly caught seafood in a casual setting. The restaurant has limited hours from November through March but then comes alive in the warmer months with visitors arriving by boat and by car, a lively atmosphere and plenty of outdoor seating overlooking the harbor.
The menu offers a selection of appetizers, soups, salads and sandwiches as well as seafood, beef, pork, poultry, pasta and veal entrees. A bar menu is also available serving up lighter pub-style grub, and brunch is served on Sundays. Popular dishes include lobster risotto, seafood pot pie and paella.
Sunset Grille
52 Calf Pasture Road
Norwalk, CT 06855
(203) 866-4177
sunsetgrille.net
Positano’s Restaurant is located just six miles from downtown Fairfield overlooking Compo Cove. It “nestles so close to the water you can stroll down, take your shoes off and wade,” according to Connecticut Magazine. The bright yellow building with wrought-iron flower boxes is reminiscent of the small Italian oceanfront town of Positano. The warmth and charm of Italy is evident in the restaurant’s interior with an extensive wine list, lively atmosphere and attentive wait staff.
The cuisine features authentic Italian dishes including appetizers, salads and beef, veal, pasta, seafood and poultry entrees. Customer favorites include homemade lobster and crab ravioli with a fresh tomato and basil sauce (Ravioli Ai Crostacei), breaded veal chops topped with arugula, tomato, onions and fresh mozzarella (Veal Capricciosa), and pan-seared chicken served in a white wine, lemon and garlic sauce with artichokes (Pollo Scarpariello). Reservations are suggested.
Positano's Restaurant
233 Hillspoint Road
Westport, CT 06880
(203) 454-4922
positanoswestport.com
Knapp’s Landing Restaurant enjoys a prime waterfront location where the Housatonic River feeds into the Long Island Sound, roughly 10 miles from downtown Fairfield. The spacious dining features neutral tones and dark woods setting the stage for the water views afforded by the floor-to-ceiling windows. A large outdoor patio offers al fresco dining opportunities in the warmer months.
The menus at Knapp’s change seasonally and reflect the freshest seafood available. Diners can choose from a variety of appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches and pastas as well as seafood, poultry, beef and pork entrees. Customer favorites include the pecan-crusted salmon with a honey-butter glaze, lightly battered fish and chips, and sautéed chicken with eggplant, roasted peppers, pepperoncini and Monterey jack cheese in a lemon-basil sauce with garlic. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Knapp’s Landing Restaurant
520 Sniffens Lane
Stratford, CT 06615
(203) 378-5999
seagrapecafe.webbersaur.us
