Fora Favorites: A Foodie's Guide to Watch Hill, Stonington & Mystic

Watch Hill

Watch Hill itself is a tiny enclave and elegant region within the larger town of Westerly, Rhode Island. 

The Cooked Goose: Great breakfast and lunch spot on the road into Watch Hill. Get their takeout and find a nice spot to eat.

Olympia Tea Room: Historic, family-owned and operated restaurant with locally-sourced food and generous cocktails. 

Ten Sandwiches: Right on the main drag, Ten Sandwiches is a solid go-to with classics as well as some new twists. 

Secret Garden: A glass of Champagne at the grande dame of Watch Hill (Ocean House) is practically a requirement.  

Sift: Indulgent bakery to satisfy your sweet tooth. 

St. Clair Annex: A family-owned Watch Hill staple, St. Clair Annex is the perfect spot to satisfy your sweet tooth after an active day.

Stonington

Stonington is right on the RI / CT border, about 10-15 mins from Watch Hill. It’s a very cozy old fishing village.

Beer’d: Exceptional, artisanal, local brewery you will find carried throughout the region, but you can visit their beer garden location in The Mill, a refurbished velvet mill in Stonington.

Breakwater: Located on a dock in the harbor, so it has a fantastic waterside location. The food is very fish focused. Bring sunglasses and a hat.

Noah’s: Tiny little spot in Stonington that has been around for 40 years. Fine dining in a casual atmosphere.

Saltwater Farm Vineyard: Best vineyard in the area. It’s an old airplane hangar that has been converted into a tasting room.

Mystic

The town of Mystic is famous for the drawbridge that goes through the center of town and is the most active / touristed of these villages.

Abbott's: Abbott's has been around forever and is a bit more of a machine (they have an assembly line), but this is the place for straight-up boiled lobster with corn while wearing a bib.

Costello's: The sister restaurant to Abbott's (and right next door), Costello’s does the traditional fried fare you would find in any beachy area (fish tacos, fried clams, hamburgers.) 

Engine Room: Fantastic food and drinks in an old machinery shop. 

Ford's: Where the locals go; it's fantastic. 

Mystic Pizza: Yes, it exists! And they play the movie non-stop inside. It’s more of a kitsch experience, but good for kids. They have a great Greek salad. (The pizza is better at Mangos or Nana’s.)

Nana’s Bakery & Pizza: Another great option for take-out food for a picnic. Their breads (and bagels) are all baked in house, and they have a small but creative menu. 

Red 36: A favorite on the water hidden in a marina in downtown Mystic. (It’s so popular they recently had to change the traffic patterns on the surrounding roads.)

Sift: Also mentioned in the Watch Hill section. Their original location is in Mystic, along with their donut shop, Young Buns.

Spicer Mansion: Residential house that has been converted into a boutique hotel and club in downtown Mystic. They have a lovely speakeasy for members and guests, and private dining.