FRESH SALT, Old Saybrook, Connecticut
The mouth of the Connecticut River is one of the best boat-spotting sites just off Long Island Sound., and one of the best places to find top dock and dine. You can see pretty much every style of boat cruise by, from classic sailboats to power-packed center consoles to the occasional megayacht. More than a few of these boats are headed for Saybrook Point Resort & Marina, which is where Fresh Salt restaurant is located. It serves up three meals a day with brunch on Sunday, all of it on the waterfront with a view of the local fleet. Menus are heavy on fresh seafood and ingredients from local farms. A kids’ menu makes this eatery a fan favorite among families.
DOLPHIN MARINA & RESTAURANT, Harpswell, Maine
Maine’s Casco Bay is all about rugged beauty. The rocky outcroppings and countless islands are in many ways an unspoiled paradise, with recreational boats and ferries winding their way around the buoys and landmasses from before sunrise until well into the evenings. Dolphin Marina & Restaurant is smack in the middle of it all, located at the tip of Basin Point with water views far into the distance. It’s a family owned spot that specializes in Maine coastal fare, with seafood as the star. Where else can you find haddock nuggets on a kids’ menu? Cocktails and beer selections are diverse, with a solid wine list.
THE OAR, New Shoreham, Rhode Island
Block Island has long been a favorite summer getaway for cruisers, and The Oar is on the waterfront in Great Salt Pond, with a broad view of the marine scene. Indoor and outdoor seating make this a popular spot no matter the weather, and groups of powerboaters and sailors are welcome after a rally or rendezvous cruise. The restaurant takes no reservations, which sometimes means a bit of time watching the boats while waiting for a table, but it’s hard to imagine a better view. The menu includes a raw bar and sushi, which sets this waterfront spot apart from many others in the region.
CHART ROOM, Cataumet, Massachusetts
Just past the iconic Cleveland Ledge Lighthouse—the only Art Moderne light of its kind in New England—you can point the bow east, cruise past Scraggy Neck and Bassetts Island Landing, and make your way to the Chart Room. It’s convenient to Kingman Yacht Center, Buzzards Bay Yacht Sales and Parker’s Boat Yard, and has been keeping diners of all ages smiling since the 1960s. Grilled cheeses, burgers and hot dogs will make most kids happy, while adults can check out the stuffed quahog, crab cakes and lobster. The restaurant is open every day during the summer cruising season, and on weekends in the spring and fall.
22 BOWEN’S, Newport, Rhode Island
As date spots on the waterfront go, it’s hard to find a more impressive option than 22 Bowen’s. This location—ideal for special occasions—is right in the heart of the historic Newport waterfront. Everywhere you turn, you are immersed in boats, boaters and the very history of boating in one of America’s yachting capitals. There’s an upscale feel to this place: Child strollers must be checked at the desk, and children are forbidden at the bar. Prime cuts include dry-aged porterhouse at $145 per serving, which is a bargain compared to the wagyu served with freshly shaved wasabi. As for the wine list, it’s 44 pages long.
