We've been patrons for many years. The meals are superb. Presentation is excellent. The staff will go out of their way to ensure a wonderful dining experience. Add the ambiance looking out on the Norwalk Harbor, and you'd think you were on vacation. We enjoy Harbor Lights so much that we had them host my daughter-in-law's baby shower. The comments from the guests were that it was the best shower they've ever attended. read more

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Great spot with a beautiful waterfront view. The seafood was fresh and flavorful, and the staff was welcoming and attentive throughout the meal. Definitely a place I'd come back to. read more

Harbor Lights is hands down one of my favorite restaurants in Norwalk. Every single meal I've had has been absolutely delicious, and you can tell they genuinely care about the quality of their food. What really makes this place stand out, though, is the staff. Everyone goes above and beyond to make you feel welcome, and the service is consistently warm, attentive, and professional. The atmosphere strikes the perfect balance of comfortable and relaxed while still feeling elegant and upscale. Whether you're celebrating something special or just grabbing dinner, it always feels like the right place to be. And the view? Absolutely breathtaking. Sitting by the water while enjoying an incredible meal makes the entire experience unforgettable. If you're looking for amazing food, exceptional service, and one of the best waterfront dining experiences in Connecticut, Harbor Lights should be on your list! read more

Hey East Norwalkers - here are my faves; Greek Spreads (ask for more pita tho') , grilled octopus app (med style; it's the whole arm), crab stuffed shrimp, and the pesto shrimp. Jimmy the chef and his crew do a great job. Nice views all year; they built a new deck post-COVID that's wonderful for lunches (it does get packed during the summer at peak dinner.) Active marinas to the north so there is some boat watching to do. Solid bartenders, Joe & Alexandra (also the hostess and floor manager) - generous martinis! Never tried the dock'n'dine since I have a slip nearby, but I do see people pulling up for dinner. read more

We had a extremely negative experience at Harbor Lights last night. Beware of being overcharged (significantly). Poor service and management in great need of customer service training. Ruined a special event. read more

Beautiful spot..we had perfect weather for lunch. Lobster roll was very good but should be at @$43. Maryland crab cakes were overcooked, bready hockey pucks. So disappointed. Would go back and try something else just for the view. Server was pleasant. read more

Harbor Lights Restaurant - Crab cakes - Seafood Near Me - Norwalk, Connecticut

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Food was delicious. I don't like crab cakes or steak much , but tried it here and I loved it so I'm changed lol. I would definitely come back it's a very nice restaurant and the staff were very friendly and helpful. The ambiance was great. We did outdoor seating and the weather was beautiful. Give it a try! We tried the calamari, burgers, steak and chicken piccata and it was all good. We had a chocolate dessert with raspberry and we all enjoyed it. I'd highly recommend this establishment. read more

Harbor Lights is your choice for the more formal dining room approach to seafood in Norwalk. Good indoor or outdoor options although the sun and heat had us choose indoor more than once. The seafood is fresh, well presented and tasty. Definitely runs traditional but not in a tired way. The crab stuffed shrimp (see picture) had real connection with the spinach and beurre blanc and as a result the jasmine rice was not dry or incidental to the dish. Service was good although we may have benefited from being a welcome no drama reprieve for our waiter. Given this is Norwalk and next to the harbor, it is perhaps not a shock to learn that entitlement could be on display. It literally was the "a lobster for you, a lobster for you, a lobster for you" kind of approach to ordering at the next table. And then come on man, really? The lobster is served and then you decide you want a sandwich instead and send it back? Showing off for both your kid and for your friend? Perhaps it my Midwest background that makes this so cringe worthy, but let's just say there is a risk of running into more money than sense. read more

Harbor Lights Restaurant - Crab stuff shrimp with sauteed spinach, beurre blanc and jasmine rice as the sun goes down - Seafood Near Me - Norwalk, Connecticut

Hands down the best seafood and waterfront dining experience in the Norwalk area! From the warm, family-owned atmosphere to the amazing service, this place never disappoints. Chef Jimmy's stuffed shrimp is absolutely incredible with fresh, flavorful, and one of the best seafood dishes I've ever had. Pair that with the beautiful views on the water, a great wine selection, and a welcoming staff, and you have the perfect spot for any occasion. If you love fresh seafood and a great atmosphere, this is a place you'll keep coming back to! read more

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Do not recommend this restaurant. Had a $500 dollar meal with my family and wanted to go to ice cream place next door with kids. They would not allow allow me to leave my vehicle in the lot for 10 mins read more

I can't go to Greece every year, I don't live precisely on the water, but I CAN remember Little Venice in Myconos with a glass of wine, fabulous dips and seafood@Harborlights, on the deck or next to a window. My family considers this location, the only spot for special dinners or a cheat mini-vacation for lunch. This is where we make our memories. read more

Harbor Lights Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Norwalk, Connecticut

My husband and I just left after probably the worst experience at a restaurant in my life. Which says a lot. The oysters and clams were just shell off, not properly shucked, and they were dirty (dirt and green flecks all over them). They made my husband sick before we even got halfway back to Stamford. The lobster bites were 90% puff pastry and you get 2 for $22. We didn't even touch our entree. My pear and Gorgonzola salad came with two small pieces of Gorgonzola, mushy pears that seemed super old, and drenched in oil to cover up the wilted arugula. The lobster brioche came on a toasted hamburger bun and was majority mayo onion and celery. We paid and left quickly to get my husband to the car so he didn't vomit on the restaurant deck. We called the restaurant to tell them we just wanted a refund and to not have to write a review because these things happen, and we were argued with, and were told "food poisoning doesn't happen that fast and we don't give refunds".... That told me that this Probably happens so often you'd be out of business. Avoid this place like if you value your money and your health. Ambience isn't everything. My poor husband is still getting sick, and just to prove they are uneducated (they said food poisoning takes 6-24 hours to set in and they "had to take classes so that makes you wrong") I've included a photo. They'd rather deny food poisoning than take any accountability. Horrendous hospitality. Avoid at all costs. I'm honestly at a loss for any more words especially due to the appalling management of the establishment. Truly stunned. read more

Harbor Lights Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Norwalk, Connecticut

Harbor Lights had always been our family's go to for special occasions. Not any longer. You can't get a better meal than at Harbor Lights and now with the warm weather to be able to eat outside, it doesn't get any better then that. I've had several different entrees there and their chef cooks everything to perfection. Their staff is always top notch. If you haven't been, give it a try. It won't disappoint. read more

I'm giving Harbor Lights one star because of the way we were treated by a staff member--not because of the restaurant itself. My husband and I arrived on a Friday afternoon without a reservation. We understood that the restaurant was busy and appreciated being seated. However, our table was in a corner beside the building, overlooking weeds and the parking lot. Since one of the main reasons people visit Harbor Lights is the waterfront view, I politely asked whether we could move when another table became available. We were initially told the wait would be approximately 30 minutes, which was fine with us. Five minutes later, we were told it would be an hour. We calmly decided to cancel our food order and go elsewhere. As we were leaving, the waiter placed a glass of wine on our table, but neither of us touched it. While we were waiting for our car at the valet, a staff member followed us from the patio to the parking area and demanded payment for the $12 glass of wine. The cost was never the issue--my husband calmly handed her his credit card. The problem was her unnecessarily rude and confrontational attitude. When I politely mentioned that her approach felt disrespectful, she scoffed and said, "I don't have time to argue with you," before walking away with the credit card. I followed her inside and asked to speak with the manager, Chris. He told me he had been informed that we were leaving because I believed we had been seated there because we were Hispanic. That was completely untrue. I never said, suggested, or implied anything about race because race was entirely irrelevant to my complaint. My only concern was the view of the weeds and parking lot. To be absolutely clear, I did not "play the race card." The issue of race was introduced by the staff member and then falsely attributed to me. I was extremely disturbed that my words had been so seriously misrepresented, seemingly to justify the way she had treated us. Introducing such a serious accusation into a simple customer-service concern was inappropriate and unacceptable. I used to visit Harbor Lights regularly, including during the winter, and I do not believe it is necessarily a bad restaurant. However, this experience demonstrated a serious need for better customer-service training, professionalism, honesty, and basic communication skills. We left and went to Sunset Grille, where we enjoyed excellent food, a beautiful view, and welcoming service. Sadly, after this experience, I will not return to Harbor Lights. Management should pay close attention to how certain staff members treat customers--and how they represent those customers' words afterward. read more

I was very wary coming here due to the reviews. But the service was absolutely wonderful. People are more likely to write a bad review than a good review. My advice? Give it a try yourself and make your own judgement. The vibes in there were wonderful. Absolutely beautiful inside and out. Although next we will sit inside where the AC is haha. We were sweating and not too much shade outside. The food was delicious. I got the steak sandwich and it was so good. The horseradish sauce wasn't my favorite but I'm not a big horseradish fan so I would take that with a grain of salt. My friends got a crab cake sandwich and another got an angus burger. Both seemed well liked by them as well!! The crab cake sandwich came with a tartar sauce that was so flavorful. Regardless, loved the food. We wore dresses and was able to take some pretty pictures. I would recommend. read more

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Great food and ambience. Only bump in the road was that we came by boat and the dock gate was locked. Took about 10 minutes to find someone to unlock it. Otherwise a fun time at a nice restaurant. read more

First time in a while... Service was Tremendous. Gabby deserves a raise. Oysters Rockefeller app & Tuna Dinner Terrific Lobster Bisque app very good Got the Shrimp Scampi special for dinner which was ok not Great... Overall solid...Service was too notch... Waitress and Support Staff Super.. read more

celebrating my big boys birthday at Harbor Lights The service, food and atmosphere was beautiful read more

Excellent food, service and atmosphere Chef is amazing and seafood is always fresh Outdoor seating is the best in the area read more

Being on the water on a sunny day is always a treat. And that's what we got on our visit. The patio was in direct sun so we ate inside on the room overlooking the dock and water. We eat here once a year or so. The setting, food and service are always good. I had calamari and escargot which were OK. The crab cake, burger, lobster role and salmon were better. As we left on our drive home decided to use the restroom which was in need of a cleaning. read more

I've been to Harbor Lights countless times over the years, and it's still one of my favorite spots in Norwalk. Friendly service and a relaxed atmosphere keep me coming back. The waterfront location is hard to beat, especially when you can sit outside and enjoy the harbor views. It's also a great place for a date - quiet enough to have a conversation, yet lively enough to feel like you're somewhere special. My go-to appetizers are the grilled octopus and calamari, and they've never disappointed. The bartenders know what they're doing, so the cocktails are always on point. While Harbor Lights is well known for its seafood, I also enjoy their burgers and steaks. It's an excellent choice for a date night, a special occasion, or an evening out with family and friends. read more

Food, service, and ambience were all great. Unfortunately, the parking attendants were extremely rude and disrespectful. An unfortunate ending to an otherwise pleasant evening. read more

Awesome food...amazing service... and such a beautiful spot on the waterfront! Lobster roll is a must have!

I wish I could leave this place negative 100 stars. We ordered one glass of prosecco, six oysters, a steak sandwich, and shrimp on a croissant. Thirty minutes later, the oysters finally arrived. One was just an empty shell, another looked like it had already been chewed and put back, and the rest were completely dried out. We immediately sent them back. Then, instead of my steak sandwich, I received the wrong order entirely. My wife's $30 croissant had what looked like one tiny shrimp cut in half, while the rest was mostly celery and mayo. After waiting even longer, we asked to speak with a manager, who took another 15 minutes to come over. We explained that we were unhappy with both the food and the service and that we wanted to leave. Shockingly, she told us they prioritize serving their "important clients" first and that we were not a priority because they had a party spending more money. We honestly could not believe what we were hearing. She then told us we had to pay or she would call the police, even though we did not touch the food. Then she asked us to pay $12 for the prosecco. We gave her $20, waited for our change, but she never returned. We left very disappointed and appalled, and we will absolutely never come back. read more

Harbor Lights Restaurant - 1 shrimp cut in half - Seafood Near Me - Norwalk, Connecticut

Just had lunch on the deck at one of our favorite spots. I had the Pear & Gorgonzola salad with salmon. Delicious! The service was great and you can't beat the view. read more

What a lovely place!!! There are so few restaurants right on the water in this area, and as the sun sets as you overlook the harbor, it's stunning. The menu offers something for every taste, and the servers are well-trained and so professional. Every meal was delicious. I can't wait to go back -- just loved it. read more

Food & drinks were amazing!!! Friendly staff and sitting outside on the porch next to the water loved it!!!

Amazing views in this place !! We tried Cherrystone Clams (very good!) and the Pastrami smoked salmon (also good, just missed the pastrami seasoning) Great service also ! We'll be back read more

Harbor Lights Restaurant - Pastrami smoked salmon - Seafood Near Me - Norwalk, Connecticut

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Amazing customer service! Everyone was so kind and welcoming. The food and drinks were delicious, and the view is absolutely beautiful. Such a great spot! read more

Harbor Lights is one of Norwalk's hidden gems! The waterfront setting is absolutely beautiful, especially around sunset, and the atmosphere is both relaxing and elegant. The food was fresh, beautifully prepared, and full of flavor, with excellent seafood and great cocktails. The staff was attentive, friendly, and made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just looking for a great meal with an incredible view, Harbor Lights is always a fantastic choice. We'll definitely be back! read more

Harbor Lights was absolutely amazing! The view is gorgeous and creates the perfect atmosphere whether you're there for lunch, dinner, or drinks. The service was exceptional--everyone was friendly, attentive, and made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. The food, the scenery, and the overall experience exceeded expectations. I can't wait to come back and would highly recommend Harbor Lights to anyone looking for a great meal with an incredible waterfront view read more

Doesn't get better than this! Sunset overlooking the water, attentive service and creative and tasty food. Their seafood is very, very fresh! Actually their burgers are also quite good! I recommend a cocktail at the beautiful bar before or after dinner. You can't lose either way! read more

I went to Harbor Lights last night and had the most amazing time!!! The food and the service were amazing The atmosphere was beautiful. 100% will be returning back! read more

We had dinner outside at Harbor Lights in Norwalk, and the setting couldn't have been nicer--right on the dock with a beautiful sunset view. I had the lobster roll, which was just okay, but the warm seafood salad looked excellent, and the Bronzino was very good. A lovely spot for a waterfront evening, especially if you choose wisely from the menu. read more

Best seafood reataurant in Norwalk. Waterfront! Service is phenominal. The food is fabulous!

A summertime staple on the Norwalk shoreline. After some years I had the pleasure of being back a fews time recently and had a lovely time. As always, the Greek inspired dishes are great. The perfect place to linger with a waterfront sunset. read more

I really loved my meal at Harbor Lights! The food and ambience was so good! The servers were really friendly and I enjoyed sitting outside on the patio, the views were great! read more

One of the worst experiences I have ever had. Let's start with the complete mess of a parking lot. You take your life in your hands just trying to pull up to valet parking. We had a reservation for 6:45PM. It took 20 minutes for a waiter to come by just to tell us how busy he was and that he would return momentarily. 10 minutes later, he came back to ask if we would like to order drinks. We decided to order our drinks AND our food to save time. 10 more minutes passed and our drinks arrived. We were 40 minutes in and just getting our drinks! Meanwhile, people who arrived after us were getting their appetizers and second drink orders. Our waiter never came by to ask if we wanted another drink while we waited. Our food finally arrived at 8:20PM at which point we asked for to go containers so we could just leave. WE HAD BEEN THERE FOR AN HOUR AND 40 MINUTES BEFORE OUR FOOD ARRIVED!!! On the way out, we spoke to the manager on duty who just said, "we're very sorry". No offer to make things right, no further comment of any kind. Just "sorry". What made it even worse is that it was my wife's birthday and she just wanted a nice seafood dinner. Instead what we got was ignored while everyone around us was being served. NEVER AGAIN! read more

Service is AWFUL!!! slow, no followup. Waited over an hour for entrees. Waiter seems clueless

This restaurant was like the hope of being a really good restaurant to eat out at in terms of seafood that is near a deck or around the harbor. However while the expectations of this restaurant were high it never lived up to what it should have been. My experience and my parties experience can only be explained as misstep after misstep food taking a long time and even the food not showing up, half of my party didn't get lobster rolls for a long time after and we even had to ask for bread twice. Yikes. However I will give it to them they gave us free desert and seem really sorry about it. However with price being more of a value over quality, missing food and long wait times for food it wasn't a good enough experience with what we expected. The view was the carry of everything. This was my initial review But here is the update that takes it down to one star, and that is the fact that I may have gotten food poisoning from the oysters I had. The next day was so painful and rough for me that it single handedly ruined my entire day and plans I had, thanks a lot. I know it. Could have not been that but still why, feed me rush food... read more