Dog Watch Cafe

A lovely spot right near the water and marina, this longstanding institution serves up delicious seafood! My NE clam chowder was excellent, as were the fish tacos. My kids had the fried calamari and the brisket cheese sandwich, all very good. And if their seasonal special blueberry crisp is on the menu, don’t miss it! From the woman who showed us to our table to the waitress, service was friendly and helpful. Reservations during peak summer season, even at off-peak hours, are recommended. Abundant parking right nearby, kid and dog friendly.

This place is an absolute 10/10 all the way around. Beautiful view of the marina and the food was awesome. I ordered the yellow fin tuna, my wife had the seafood casserole and my son had the fish tacos. It did not disappoint! If you are looking for great food with an awesome atmosphere..this is the place to check out in Stonington

Super special Fourth of July because we had perfect weather, great lobster rolls and a surprise 30+ minute fireworks shows put on by locals across the water and could see various shows in the distance. Perfect place for a great drink food and sunset!

Food was standard but tasted very fresh, and since it's by the water the price is always a bit higher. We came in on a weekend around 2pm and the place was full and only the patio was available which was fine for us. You can buy clothes here such as sweaters and vests with their own branding.

We didn’t have a reservation. The wait was sitting outside among gorgeous flowers, enjoying fabulous drinks! Our dinners were delicious and perfectly prepared. Service was excellent, as was an our table with views of the water.

amazing amazing amazing!!! always the date night spot when we come home to visit cause nothing beats new england seafood!! the clams casino, oysters, and roasted cod were fantastic! sit outside on the dock, great ambiance! the cocktails were great too! see you for the next special occasion 😁

Came here on a super rainy day with our dog and we sat on the covered and heated patio. Our waiter was super friendly and attentive, gave us blankets and our puppy a water bowl. We felt welcomed and well attended to. Food was phenomenal, and it was a peaceful time spent sitting on the porch, eating, and watching/listening to the rain. Had the fish and chips, warm lobster rolls, New England clam chowder, and pasta. Can't recommend this place enough!

My husband and I absolutely Love this fabulously unique restaurant on the water, inside or outside! First. The food is incredibly well done! The service is remarkable and so friendly, professional, always checking on your dinner. The Prices are the best i ever found. The lobster roll is made with fresh daily lobster with choice of sides and I must say the best i ever had with a lot of lobster hot or cold. My husband had scallops that were fresh and delicious with 2 sides. So much food you will leave very well satisfied! We have been their 4 times in a month. It's casual but so amazing It's far far above any very expensive white linen restaurant. It's the perfect place on a summer day with beautiful boats docked. Outside ice cream tent! Delicious! It's our most favorite restaurant! Thank you to all the staff and chefs for the Best Restaurant in Connecticut!💙💙💙🪻🌷🌸🎉🔥🔥🔥

Top Dog! Been here several times over 2-3 years and it never disappoints. Celiac, so must eat Gluten-free. They have that down. Trust has been earned. Service is friendly, professional and very efficient. Food is very good and drinks too. Last time I was in it was jammed...but I got a spot near the bar and let the server know I was in a hurry. Despite the big crowd, I got my lobster roll (v. fresh and tasty) in a gf wrap in record time as someone from the kitchen literally ran it out to me. Great vibe and very well run restaurant.

Better than the Mystic CT twin, the Stonington restaurant boasts a terrific view from indoors and an even better view outside, sited next to a marina. Service was polite, informative, and timely. We enjoyed an early dinner with a locals clientele: baked cod with two sides which was good; broiled Stonington scallops with two sides, which were fantastic. We both got a house salad with house citrus vinaigrette dressing as one side, wild rice with the cod, and onion rings with the scallops. Everything was piping hot, right from the kitchen. Yum! It's just across the railroad Viaduct, with plenty of parking across the street.

Really great spot on the water and from start to finish a very nice experience. From the hostess to the servers, everyone was very welcoming and gracious. Didn't feel rushed and they were able to answer some questions re: food alergy issues. The nachos were a bit hit, served on a plate shaped like a dog's paw, and there are a lot of dog photos around the restaurant. Makes sense given the name! The brisket grilled cheese was great and filling, so it made for a nice lunch the next day also. The kale salad was crisp and tasty, and the poke bowl was fresh and delicious. Burgers and wings got a big thumbs up from the kids. Not a huge dining room, but it didn't seem crowded or uncomfortable. Small bar, with nice selection of liquor and beers. Definitely will be a repeat visitor!

Another fantastic spot near mystic that I would recommend for their clam chowder and affordability! If you want good seafood but don't want to spend a lot, this is a great place for quality and price. It was also one of the best clam chowders I have ever had. The service was fantastic and the space was very sunny and they have lots of cute outdoor space to eat and chill. I believe they are also known for their fish and chips & lobster roll. We didn't get either of them but the fish and chips looks great from the pic! I also got a french onion soup and would not get it again. I personally would skip it and get more clam chowder and calamari! There is a large parking lot across the street.

Our go-to place when we come into town. Love the local atmosphere. Our server, Sarah, was great (as is all the staff). We started with beverages, clams and oysters on the half shell, poke bowl, and a burger. No room for dessert. Give it a try, reservations needed. Enjoy!

Walked in and was seated right away. Ordered a drink and then ordered the tuna tartare. Ate all the tuna quickly while saving the crackers for dinner. The swordfish was juicy and flavorful. I would definitely visit again. My reviews are from the Bariatric persons point of view. It Took an hour to eat the protein and my drink while nibbling on the crackers and sides.

I love the Dog Watch Cafe! My friends and I came here for one thing, The seared tuna!! It was on-point! The service was super attentive. The ambiance was busy, but that didn't stop us. One thing I will say, that I didn't overly appreciate, was the ole fashion I had. I know better than to send drinks or food back, but for future reference, use the Luxardo cherries and be more meticulous in making this drink. It'll pay off with tips. That's all I have for y'all.

It was a nice cozy restaurant had a nice view of the harbour. The food were delicious. My favorite dish was the fish chips. Our waitress is friendly and had some good recommendations on drinks and food.

Stopped by for dinner while staying in Stonington. We enjoyed the ambiance, it was decorated cute for Christmas. The food was enjoyable, especially the French onion soup! Must order.

Returned to this great restaurant last night while on our vacay in Misquamicut. The view and the service didn't disappointment! It was a perfect evening to eat outside on the deck and the servers were very attentive. We ordered a cup of the special shrimp and corn chowder, along with the fish tacos and stuffed flounder. The chowder was a little light on flavor and the flounder was yummy, but would have been better if served at a higher temperature. The flounder came with two sides. I ordered mashed potatoes and salad. Both were good. The fish tacos looked delish, but were also a bit bland. However, we both enjoyed our mocktails. The hibiscus iced tea was really great!

We had food catered for Super Bowl, Sunday. We ordered ribs that were not smoked but oven cooked, no flavor, then the chicken wings were dried out no flavor , sauce wouldn't even help it. The greens had no flavor they were from frozen collard greens no flavor,. The cornbread was from a box probably jiffy or Martha White box, I was very disappointed with this meal. And for the price that I paid it should've been much, much better.

The brisket bites alone made me a fan! Really decent food, not cheap but at least you wont leave here feeling hungry! Will definitely return.

I've always heard good things about Dog Watch Cafe, and I'm so glad I finally went. This is a charming, waterfront restaurant that is staunchly New England. They have an impressive amount of outdoor seating. Inside they've maximized the space so there's plenty of seating. The staff is all 5 star plus from the hostesses to the server. Ours was a great, young lady named Riann (spelling). She was perfect in every way- attentive, had great suggestions, always smiling. The lavender lemonade is an amazing drink. I appreciate a restaurant like this where the cocktail is a good size. Nachos for an app, burger and scallops were all delicious and again, generous portions. The star of the day was the Limoncello dessert. Wow! It comes in flute glass and it's the perfect way to end a meal. Definitely look forward to coming back!

I had the pleasure of being invited to dinner with a friend and his wife. Not familiar with the area at all, as I was visiting from out of town, I loved the charm of this place. It's in a great location, right on the water. They had inviting Christmas displays and lights out front and there was a super friendly greeter that smiled and welcomed us right when we walked in. We were sat immediately and our server, to her credit, was so patient with us as we explored the mouth watering menu. She must have came back at least three times to check on us until we were finally ready. Their clam chowder was mind blowing. The salmon was absolutely incredible. Loved the calamari app too.

Visiting Stonington we stopped here for lunch between museum visits. It was a hot, hot day. There was a 30 minute wait for a table. We were told there was bar seating around back where we could wait for our table. They have a gravel parking area across from the main entrance. Behind the restaurant there is quite a lot of deck seating. Although each table has an umbrella I ended up with the sun on my back. Luckily I was able to switch with someone to be in the shade. Still, I was definitely over heating. There is a hostess in this area and it appears you can make a reservation to dine on the deck. She was escorting parties to their tables and acting as waitress for those in the bar area. With all the activity, it took a while for an order to be taken. Shortly after our drinks arrived we received a text message - our table was ready. We had to settle up w/the hostess for the drinks before we were seated instead of moving the bill over to our dining tab. This took a few minutes and we never received the receipt we requested. Unfortunately we were seated outside on the deck for dining. By this time my face is red, I am getting a headache and generally don't feel well. A busser stopped by with four short glasses of ice and a bottle of cold tap water. I asked her immediately to bring another and began gulping water. By the time the second bottle came I had consumed the first and was holding the cold glass to my face trying to cool off. I used the restroom after ordering and on my way through the restaurant to the (all gender) restrooms I see only half the tables inside are occupied. This kind of annoyed me as it was nice and cool in there and I was outside feeling faint. But I don't know their staffing issues, and maybe they all *just* cleared out. It is kind of 'cozy' (aka tables are close) in there, and loud, so maybe outside is better? The restrooms were decently clean. I ordered myself a light lunch of kale salad with salmon added. The vinaigrette is very nice and the kale fresh. I very much enjoyed this salad but it was so hot out it was no longer a cold salad by the end. Oh well. They seat you according to whatever is next available and it was a hot day. The waitress did try to assist another party to get more shade out of their umbrella but at lunch time it wasn't possible. I recommend a hat and sunscreen if you plan to dine here just in case. We left soon after eating and enjoyed the AC at the next museum.

Lovely spot on the water, books up early, make a reservation even for lunch and certainly for dinner Had the dogwatch salad with the amazing salmon, wife had the summer salad special with shrimp, scallops and Avocado. Both had the peach ice tea, recommend! Sit outside and enjoy the view

What a great spot! Friendly service, amazing cocktails, and great food! We went in December so couldn't enjoy the outside, but our visit was still a ton of fun. Will definitely be back!

Amazing food great service! Great views! Love it! Oysters are awesome! Calamari is best ever

I have been drinking here for years, but never had dinner- that changed the dat after thanksgiving, Four of us went for dinner and the food was incredible. THE BEST BANG BANG SHRIMP IN THE WORLD. I had the Whole belly clams- best Ive had in decades. The parents had the Excellent New England Clam Chowder, delicious Brisket Grilled Cheese and super fresh Lobster Roll and more. Great drinks, as always - and excellent service. This place is a gem - will be eating here every time we are up there.

I wanted a meal to " Wow" me. I went to DogWatchCafe. I was seated ( without a reservation) on the front porch. It was warm out but we had a beautiful breeze so it was great. I ordered the salmon with a ginger glaze and candied nuts . Also came with a Brussel sprout salad. I asked for the salmon to be cooked medium rare. Also had French onion soup. Soup was ok, I've had better. Salmon was not cooked as I asked, but it wasn't overcooked. Glaze on the salmon was good, but I couldn't find any of the candied nuts. Brussel sprout salad was really good. I couldn't finish it so I brought it home. My chickens enjoyed it also. Key lime pie ended the meal. Not impressed with that. So was this a meal that " Wowed" me??? Not at all. It was good , but not exceptional. Will I go back?? Maybe, but not any time soon.

Fantastic. We went early before the dinner rush and sat outside on the rear deck overlooking the marina. Dog and kid friendly. Drinks were delicious, food was great. Calamari had banana peppers and sausage and it was crispy and enough for the table to share. Scallop risotto was creamy and tasty. Mahi fish tacos offered two tacos that were very filling. Will return!

A foodie friend suggested I have dinner at Dog Watch Café. Located in a shipyard, the parking lot is a gravel lot across the road. I was greeted by a lovely woman who said she had the perfect table for me. A table for one overlooking the water at sunset. It was perfect. My server, Rose was friendly and attentive and engaging. I ordered a cup of the New England clam chowder and the Truffled Scallop Risotto. Both were delicious. Tasty scallops and perfectly cooked risotto. Locals were at the bar which is always a good sign. There were many options I wanted off this menu. Perhaps, another time.

This was the final stop on our east coast trip. We traveled to Rhode Island and figured we might as well drive to Connecticut before we leave back to Nevada. We could not have asked for a cuter place to end our trip. The food was amazing and the waitress was the sweetest. It was obviously a small town but we felt like locals. The food and drinks too were top notch as well.

Excellent, well prepared food. A nice variety of menu choices. Good service . Very comfortable serttng with ourdoor seatinf.

Service is excellent. We arrived and were greeted by the hostess and were immediately seated out outdoors as requested. Out server very quickly brought us menus and water and asked if we would like anything to drink. We both had clam chowder and it was the best clam chowder I have had since I was on the Cape. It was excellent and I had scallops that were wonderful and my sister had fish and chips that were also very good. This was not our first time eating here and will certainly NOT be the last

The very very best fried whole bellied clams and New England clam chowder ! Amazing customer care. Welcoming, comfortable atmosphere. HIGHlY recommend!!

Beautiful location, great service, lots of regulars, but skip the sliders. I had them as a meal with fries (fries were fantastic) but the sliders tasted like nothing, maybe they were made from frozen patties? I would return again and try something different

The food was awesome ....both the fish and the burger . Great drinks too...bartender was great and took very good of his customers ! Don't know his name but it was a tues nite. Wished I had gotten there earlier cuz the outside seating on the water looked really nice !

Service was lovely with my daughter after Mystic Aquarium. We had the chowder yummy!!!calamari Was epic with the chorizo and peppers, cod sandwich was great and my mahi mahi tacos!!!! Yummy Service 10, waitress was super attentive and meal was timely. Must go back On a nicer day to sit outside. Well worth a trip!! Will return!!

We were seated outside on the patio in a nice shady spot away from the bustle inside the restaurant. Our servers were super kind and attentive and helped bring our kids meals out first which included Mac and cheese and pasta with red sauce. They enjoyed it very much. My wife and I ordered a bowl of clam chowder, the seafood bouillabaisse, a lobster roll with fries and onion rings, and finally half a dozen fresh oysters on the shell. The clam chowder tasted great and the bouillabaisse had so much variety of seafood. The lobster roll was not bad but was missing a little something. The fries and onion rings were on point and the oysters were also super fresh and tasty which we enjoyed very much. Overall great visit and would visit again given the chance for another weekend visit to mystic area!

The environment and view was awesome being on the harbor. The food was absolutely amazing! We got a couple types of oysters which were delicious, I got a lobster carbonara which was to die for and my husband got a seafood casserole that he said was the best he had ever had. Our server was quick and super nice! Will definitely go back here.

A beautiful local joint right in the water. A little slow with service, but they were busy so I didn't mind just kicking back and enjoying the view. The food was fresh.. I had a summer peach salad that I could eat all day.. can't wait to come back!

What a great find in Stonington! The Cafe uses Open Table for reservations, and our table was ready at arrival. The atmosphere and view are inviting. Seafood choices are great! We settled on whole belly clams and scallops, they did not disappoint. Both dishes were delicious with good sized portions. Every staff member we encountered made us feel welcome. Looks like they have a fantastic setup for outside dining and we look forward to trying that this spring. If you are in the area definitely check out this gem of an eatery!

The food and service were wonderful. Glad they fit us in on the porch on such a busy Sunday!

We love everything about this restaurant. Food was delicious, service was amazing and the location is fantastic. Sitting on the front enclosed porch area is very quant. Although it is heated you are given blankets for extra warmth if needed.

My amazing fish tacos with slaw and my dining companion's cod witch and fries. Oh and the absolutely delicious Blue Point toasted lager!!

Food was delicious and the service was wonderful. I loved that the fire was on it created such a comforting ambiance. Excited to go back again and try something else off the menu.

Start off by recommending Reservations!!!! This place is always packed no matter what day of the week is , so I strongly recommend reservations. Looked on the water. Menu is compromised of fresh seafood and has a full bar for drinks. Typical New England style food New England clam chowder, Lobster Bisque jut to name a few. I can mention my husband had ordered the Lobster Bisque and they never brought it out but when he inquired after the entrees came out and our daughter's order of soup came out the waitress said there was none left. But failed to tell him. Service was fast and food came out quick . Definitely a place to check out of in the area. Note there are 2 of them 1 smaller the the other and easily confused so make sure your gps is with the correct one you want to eat at especially if you have a reservation!!!

Returned during spring and enjoyed a nice lunch on the porch. Excellent service and some great lunch choices make this a favorite spot.

Found this gem on the drive from Newport back to CT. A bit off the highway and so worth it! Busy on a Friday night but hostess came and found us when table was ready even though text alert sent. Didn't sit outdoors but it looked really inviting for another time. Great view of the sunset even from indoors. Roasted Cod dish was flavorful and choice of 2 sides made a full meal. Blackened Shrimp and Polenta came with Kale that was very tender and citrusy flavored. Staff seemed to be working together well to handle the crowd on a Friday. Fun atmosphere with bar seating but a bit loud when full.

The atmosphere is nice for outside dining. The drinks were good. The Lobster Rolls were all shredded which made us wonder if it was imitation lobster (I am not saying it was imitation as I do not know). A Lobster roll that's all shredded with just two very small pieces of lobster each is very suspicious. It tasted off and made us both feel sick after eating it. We used to love this place but the last couple of times the food just isn't very good. The baked Cod was awful. Coleslaw was gross. Whole Belly Clams were good. We had a very good server and still tipped her 20%, not her fault the food wasn't good. **see pics of our Lobster Rolls and judge for yourself

We stopped here for lunch on our way to Cape Cod with our dog, Hazel. Had such a great experience!!! Thank you DWC. Not only was the place stunning (it was a sunny day too!) but the service was wonderful, the waitress immediately came out with a bowl of water for our doggy, who was shell shocked from the long drive. I ordered a salad with salmon (delicious!) and my daughter got a salmon BLT with a beautiful salad. Everything was so yummy and we left feeling refreshed for the next leg of our journey. What an oasis!

Excellent service and the Lobster Roll was delicious! Went back the next evening for supper and tried the Pasta w/ fresh scallops...scallops were oh so good!!

Basic bar food. Plus is that it's away from the downtown and east to access. Service is fast. Outdoor patio dining is fair. Be aware that they have a party tent for private affairs and it is very close to the patio. You don't feel welcome dining when something else is going on. Better to try your luck at Dog Watch in Stonington Borough.

This review is for takeout. Even though I wasn't staying at Dog Watch Cafe, but rather opting for take out, I felt instantly welcomed in this cozy restaurant. The entrance had winter decorations and the music was classic/pop rock. It felt like I was going into a magical place. It looked like the kind of place that has a steady base of regulars. I placed my order and the prices were good, a 5. It was $7 for my mom's bowl of clam chowder which she enjoyed and gave a 4.5 rating. In addition to crackers, they included home made bread and quality butter, which I asked for, at no charge. My Dog Watch house salad was great, fresh and tasty, also a 4.5. The waitresses handling my order were friendly and efficient. I'm making a note to come in for dining the next time I'm in the Mystic area.

There were so many great things on this menu that I had to stop my husband from over ordering and we still brought home another night's meal as leftovers. Such good food, great service.

My absolute favorite restaurant ever! I always make sure to stop in when I visit New England and bring any and all friends that come with me. The seafood is always fresh and delicious and the limoncello is to die for! Good drinks, great vibe, even better food There can sometimes be a wait (it's a popular spot) but they accept reservations and have plenty of space to grab a drink while you wait for your table

We made reservations for 6:30 PM this past Friday night. It was a good move, since the place seemed busy. We were in town to see the lobster trap tree, and had searched for a highly recommended spot for dinner. I loved everything about this place. The interior is so cozy, and there is a pretty outdoor space that I'm looking forward to visiting in the summer. We were taken care of by the sweetest Italian woman who took such good care of us. I ordered the scallop risotto and it was very good. One friend ordered a lobster wrap and another the fried fish and chips platter. My last friend went with the French onion soup, a side salad and mashed potatoes. We ended the night with a gluten-free ice cream pie. There is plenty of parking across the street, and the surrounding area is just gorgeous and within walking distance of the cutest downtown that looks straight out of a hallmark movie. Even though there is a lot of seafood on the menu, there are plenty of other options, and I would highly recommend coming here for a high-quality meal in a warm cozy friendly setting. Five stars all around!

4.5/5 This was a fabulous lunch spot. We ate on the patio and the view was lovely. Our waiter was great. She was very friendly and had some recommendations on hand when we asked. The salmon sandwich was really tasty and so was the peach spritz they had. Only thing I'd recommend would be to make a reservation. We didn't have one, but luckily we got there right when they opened and there were only two in our party. When we were leaving, we heard folks being told about at least an hour wait.