We try and dine at Outriggers once a week. Love the menu and always great specials. Food is always fresh and delicious. The outside deck is comfortable and fun but the inside dining room is so pretty with a great view from in or out. The staff is friendly and efficient. read more

Traveling for work I am afforded the chance to try many great eateries. I have to say my experience at Outriggers tonight was one of the worst. Staff was inattentive and rude. Bus boy asked haughtily "is it just you here?" Waiter Never once asked if I needed an iced tea refill, yet doted on the table next to me who's daughter is going to work there. Had the fisherman's platter, clam strips were good, shrimp was tasty, everything else was overcooked. Cocktail sauce was gelatinous, and they serve Hunts ketchup, my Pittsburgh roots refuses to allow me to use that. Nice atmosphere wish it wasn't raining the deck would have been nice to sit on. Overall thoughts it was overpriced with subpar food and terrible service. I would recommend Red Lobster over this place anytime! read more

The food was terrible...the service was worse. Went here with my family to celebrate a "big" birthday. Had a horrible experience. Our waiter was inexperienced, overloaded, but worst of all, downright rude. The food was sub-par on every count (e.g. very "pasty" chowder") with the exception of the shrimp cocktail, which was average. The manger we sought out to talk about the food and service was not much help. It's clear this restaurant is living entirely off its nice setting on the water. But despite this, I frankly can't recall a dining experience in my entire life that was this bad! Stay away. read more

Went with friends on a beautiful weekend afternoon. We sat outside and enjoyed a variety of seafood. The food was average, the service decent, but the views were amazing. We were also treated to an acoustic guitar player, which was an unexpected treat! read more

What can I say , great customer service , wait staff and great food ! I am anticipating my next trip back .

I came here for lunch and have been here many times before, each time its a different experience, the food ranging from good to awful but has been on the decline for sometime now, never know what you're going to get. This time: PRO: Casual, Nice marina view on a nice sunny summer day, wait staff friendly and gave good service, not expensive CON: NE Chowder: Gross! Tasted like straight heavy cream or maybe it had gone bad, only had two bites. Shrimp & Pear Salad: used to be my favorite...now its gross! dressing was off, lettuce was wilted, served in a tiny bowl, how can I cut or even get my utensil in it? Barely ate it. My guest had the same salad but with chicken, she said it was ok but I think she was trying not to be rude as she moved her fork through it uninterested. So bad, barely ate, I went home and made lunch! This will be my last meal at outriggers. I will take my appetite and wallet elsewhere where the food isn't so volatile. read more

Fun place great atmosphere on the water. Seafood is good and entertainment what more can ask for. I love sitting by the bar over looking the ocean. read more

Initially our hostess sucked. She let others ahead of us and completely ruined my mood. Mark (the manager) however completely brought the dead experience back to life. He was kind, understanding and social. He made us feel appreciated. Will come back again, for Mark, and not our entitled hostess. read more

Aghast at the treatment myself and girlfriend received yesterday at Outriggers! During the course of the meal we each received a second glass of wine to which we told our new waiter that we didn't order. She said, "no, for you", and we once again reiterated that we didn't order it. Again she said, "no, for you" and put the glasses on the table, so we then thought that the original waiter decided to comp us. When I received the check, I questioned the waiter and told him we didn't order it. He got the manager who very nastily came out and yelled that we pay for it. My (black) girlfriend said, "why won't you let us explain this to you?", to which Brittany's nasty mouth said, "I've already listened enough to you". My friend and I were horrified and we both said, "this is not right". At that point I was so disgusted with how nasty Brittany was that I put down the cash to cover the meals and first round of drinks and we walked out. Then I was accosted!!!! She threw herself in my front door and wouldn't move, started pounding with her fists on the hood of my audi and had her waitstaff surround the car! So now that her waitstaff were surrounding my car, who was serving the customers in the restaurant? Finally and thankfully the police were called after Brittany started telling people in the parking lot that we left without paying our tab! So two of her drunken friends came by and shouted expletives at me, one pretty much spitting at me calling me "white trash"!!!!! And mind you, she was NOT wearing a mask!!!! And as soon as this girl got to the front entrance, she fell on her butt! What an absolute HORRID experience! I am now going to boycott this restaurant which is too bad because their food is good and we were having a nice time for my friend's birthday. This Brittany is certainly not a good manager, very hostile and I should have had her arrested yesterday. read more

It's a shame this restaurant doesn't focus on better quality food. The location is so great. Staff was fun, attentive and amazing. But all the food is so frozen and not fresh. read more

This place did not disappoint based on my low low expectation of waterfront dining. No locally sourced food, oily mussels and lack luster cafe salad. I was warned by other reviews but the water was too good to resist. read more

Eaten here 2 times in the past year and the food, cocktails and staff were mediocre. I want to love it because it's down the street but I can't. read more

The service in this plece is pathetic. I drove all the way from New York to have a birthday dinner with a family friends for my husband's anniversary. It was Sunday and we had a 7 pm reservation. Although the restaurant was almost empty the waiters were hard to find. We got as appetizers calamari- one of the worst I"ve ever had- how can you make such bad calamari- these must have been just unfrosen or something- very watery and oily. We also got blackened scallops that I have to say were good. At 7:45 we were told that the kitchen is closing at 8 pm and we have to rush our orders. As we got carried away in conversation and appetisers we had to quickly hear the specials and order. The waiter, who was too casual for this place anyway tried to pronounce Bearnaise sauce few times and ended with "this unpronouceable sause". Of the main courses we got the chilean seabass I got was ok, the seared tuna my husband ordered was severely overcooked. The dishes the other couple ordered (shrimp and pasta) looked ok and they did not make any comments so I concluded these were subpar. Then there started this awful experience of people - waiter or some other restaurant people coming to our table every single minite to ask us if we were done and they making loud coments next to us that they want to go home. I am quite thik skinned but this was quite irritating I have to say. Overall, I found the service at this place PATHETIC. I live close to Union Square and I have to say that even at University Place I get a better service. I had the feeling that the personnel were this randomly selected people. Honestly, I felt ripped off. The prices were not cheap. The chilean sea bass was $27 and I had a chilean sea bass at Aquagrill in the cit recetly for $30 that was awesome and the service was amazing. At the end the waiters forgot about the birthday cake with the candle but I just wanted to leave. Overall, I have not experienced such a bad and incompetent servive for a long time. I totally felt ripped off. I do not mind paying as far as there is a good mamory but this was definetely not. My husband is just numb when this dinner is mentioned because he ,does not want o insult his friends who proposed the place. As we are both sailors if I ever pass by I can stop for a drink in the summer at the tiki bar, but I do not want to be exposed to the horroble service. read more

We were 7 people for dinner on a Saturday night. Asked for chicken wings for an appetizer and they were all out. Very unusual not to have chicken wings. Who ever heard of a $25.00 dinner that gives you french fries and cole slaw. That would be a lunch thing. You would think it would come with a choice of mashed or baked potato, salad and vegetable. Nope, none of those. It's all about the water and outside bar. Noone enjoyed their food. Won't be back. read more

I have been coming here for the past two years having business lunches when corporate comes to town and NEVER had a complaint about outriggers.... I was there last night .. made reservations.. very accommodating as we wanted an outside deck table but it was too cold, so we were seated inside. We ordered apps, asked for rolls(that usually always placed at the table w/o asking, the waitress said they were coming out of the oven.... again waited......she then returned with 1 roll! This was a table for 4.. she said "I dont know what is going on with the bread" ok? They changed they're menu as I was here a couple of months prior. They use to serve grilled calamari which was one of the best I've ever had, I saw friend calamari and asked if they can grill it the staff said sure if they have calamari not a problem... well that was a couple of months ago. I asked this time and they said no... ok ? You were able to do it a couple of months ago? No. Apps were mussels, oysters, and blackened scallops. We should have stopped there. Because entrees were awful! Fish tacos... no taste.. actually had a weird unexplainable taste . Pear and shrimp"grilled" flat bread pizza. Grilled..ahh nope. Maybe thawed and warmed with balsamic to cover the tasteless shrimp . Now Cobb salad with grilled chicken, can that be ruined... yes when you add THICK slices of tasteless unseasoned chicken to it! And lastly.. salmon that was greasy from whatever topped it and the size of a 3/4 snicker bar for $25. When she dropped the check off we waited about 15 mins with no one returning to collect the check due to the fact they all staff were at the bar "coffee cloching " and not giving a shit about customers. I walked up there and said can someone ring this up? Uhh... ok with no urgency at all! When I left I asked the hostess is this place under new management or a new chef here, she replied" no it all the same". Well Outriggers. You better do something about your place, you have fallen off the map of great restaurants, you will only attract folks because of the water view and nothing else. So disappointed.. don't wast your money on this place b/c of there waterview, there are other great seafood places not far from there.. try 348 OYSTER BAR IN FAIRFIELD for DELICIOUS seafood and attentive staff! read more

Went on a Saturday night and surprisingly did not have to wait. The location itself is beautiful, which is right by the water. I'm sure that by the looks of the size of their outside patio that they get larger crowds during the warmer months. My friends and I ordered some seasonal cocktails which I usually don't do but went along with it and ordered a cider martini. It was a little ...ok way too sweet for my taste. The server was very pleasant and patient considering my group had a difficult time picking an entree. Their menu had a great selection of seafood, steaks, pasta, and salads. I picked the ahi tuna, one friend ordered the fish and chips and another friend ordered the salmon. Our orders came with salad, and once we received out main entrees we were quite pleased that there was barely any talking between the three of us. My tuna was cooked to my liking - medium rare- it was perfect that it melted in my mouth. After our meal we didn't quite want to leave yet so we ordered dessert which was a brownie with vanilla ice cream and coffee. Not as memorable as our dinners but it sure ended our meal quite nicely. I would definitely return during the warmer months to be able to enjoy the outside patio view. read more

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Great view but food just ok. I took some fish tacos, they were not the best but I ate everything. My friend was not thrilled with her dish as well. Same thing for the dessert she took. Buuuut we had a great view, it was a quiet environnement and we were able to catch up, which was why we were meeting. Waiters were very nice. read more

We stopped for dinner and the food was not great. I had the Parmesan crusted tilapia. It was a bit "fishy" tasting. It was also fried, so it was a little greasy. We also order fried mozzarella and calamari as appetizers and both were bland tasting. read more

What happened? For the past several years my family and I have been going to Outriggers to celebrate my birthday. I always looked forward to the soft shelled crabs that are in season. Big disappointment for us..... they didn't meet up to my expectations and my family's stuffed fish medley was NOT crab meat stuffing but mostly mushy bread stuffing. Mixed greens salad tasted like it wasn't cleaned. We will not be recommending this restaurant to our friends and family. Very disappointed!! read more

Great location on the water. Food is just ok. Service was very good. Good bar to hang out.

We have been to Outriggers several times now and have enjoyed the experience every time. The food is always good and the service is as well. The Sound looks beautiful from the back deck and it isn't buggy at all. read more

Was very disappointed. WE go there all the time and sit on the deck and eat and listen to music. We started this season going last weekend and had 2 appetizers and 2 drinks. We wanted to share a seafood platter. The menu said $4 charge to share a plate. So, we asked the waitress, since we already had appetizers and drinks if they would really charge us extra to share. She said she would check with the manager and came back and said , yes, it will be an extra $4. We then said we were leaving on principal. We would of had an expensive platter and at least 2 more cocktails so they lost $50 . I don't think we will go back as we share our meals all the time at fine dining restaurants and they always are happy to let us share without an extra charge. read more

Just overall a poor experience. Food was ok but the wait staff forgot my drink not once but twice. Then when we went to check out they put different parties on the same bill and refused to split it up. It's best to avoid this place at all costs. read more

Excellent exceeded expectations great view great food great service. Comes recommended

Very delicious a little pricey but well worth it. Service was excellent and the entertainment was amazing. Will stop in again soon.

I've tried this place at least 4 times because it is a great place to go when the weather is nice -- great harbor view on the Houstanic River. Unfortunately, the service is not very good and the food is mediocre at best. Last time, for lunch, I ordered the trout special. I took one bite and honestly couldn't even try another. The fish was bad -- smelled bad and looked bad. Definitely not fresh. I sent it back and got fried clam strips which were good. A place with this location should try harder to serve FRESH fish. I want to love this place. read more

We have had some very nice meals here but also a couple of disappointing ones which at the prices is not acceptable.

Wanted to sit outdoors tonight so decided outrigger would be a good choice. There were no seats at the bar so we sat,at a table directly behind the bar. There were several wait staff available and the patio was pretty empty. We were looking for drinks. Apps and probably dinner. We waited awhile before we were acknowledged. Menus were dropped and told we were not eligible for happy hour prices because we were not at the bar. Needless to say we were not happy with our experience and left and went elsewhere. We had not been there for a while and thought we would give it a try. Well too many choices with pleasant service to go to without rude service. no posting that happy hour prices are only at the bar and our table was right behind people at the bar. read more

We had dinner here several years ago and remembered the lovely setting overlooking the marina and river, so we returned when we were passing through Stratford. Our dinners were good--soft shell crabs and pasta fra diavlo. Plenty of scallops, mussels and shrimp, but watch out for that splashy tomato sauce (too late for me). Good, professional and pleasant service, and guess what? The view is still terrific. read more

It's a really beautiful location. My party just wishes the food was a little better. The fries were definitely old and/or sitting under a heat lamp for a long time. The chicken was dry. I will say I enjoyed my fish tacos and didn't really have much to complain about personally. The mango salsa was a highlight. I love that they feature local art for sale, and you can't beat the view. This place could be so much better! Maybe would be nice for drinks and a little app. read more

Made a reservation 2 days prior to our visit with a young lady named Sam. Requested the outdoor deck. Not dining inside due to COVID concerns. Upon arriving, there were 2 young girls at the hostess station. Took a while to be acknowledge us (one was on telephone & the other was looking at some papers - somewhat like our Boca in Bridgeport experience - 2 young hostesses to do a one person job that they can't seem to do satisfactorily). Once acknowledged, one of the hostesses went walking around outside, came back to the hostess station & said to the other, Table 42 is open. She then said to us "OK I have a table on the grass for you." I said "we're not eating on the grass." After much futzing around on her part, we settled for an indoor table. My spinach salad with salmon was excellent. The other entrees (3) were marginal at best with one (broiled scallops) being just plain not good. After our meals arrived, I spoke to the two young hostesses about our table seating experience. The answer was a mumble jumble razzle dazzle answer that danced around my question. I have tried to like this restaurant through the years, but it's hard. We won't be back. read more

Location is great, patio is welcoming and staff seemed fairly consistent. However prices are astronomical for what you get. I'm a fan of the Stuffed Sole however it is extremely over priced for both quality and quantity. This along with the other entrees are comparable in quality to chain restaurants and should be priced accordingly in the $9.99-$14.99 range. Also, every visit the vegetable of the day always seems to be green beans. When customers realize this and joke about it, that's a sure sign there's stagnation behind the scenes. A modernized menu would be a huge improvement. read more

Like @Evan R., I'm not digging on the Yelp hate here either. If you don't know what to expect from a place like this on the Gold Coast, what's wrong with you? The food was quite above average (smallish portion, agreed), the waitstaff attentive and friendly (if inexperienced, mostly college aged folks), and the view is fantastic. The feeling is laid back, at least for this my first visit... I'd much rather go here than similar places west of it on the shore. read more

Great location, mediocre food and poorly trained staff. Save your money. There are better places to spend your money. Once they sell the views, it's all downhill. read more

With a bit of trepidation after reading previous reviews, my friends and I had dinner yesterday evening at Outriggers. What we didn't know was that yesterday was the last evening of "A Taste of Stratford," a community event designed to get residents to try local restaurants in their town. The place was full and very busy from the time we arrived to the time we left. I'm very pleased to report that our overall experience was terrific! After a brief wait for a table (less than 10 minutes with a reservation) we were seated and immediately approached by our server, who was busy yet very attentive throughout our meal. Each of us ordered items from the "Taste of Stratford" prix fixe menu, which featured a diverse selection of appetizers, a house salad, several entrees and two desserts for $24.95. My husband had the Diver Scallops, which he said were cooked to perfection. Two friends had the Seafood Cannelloni, and both commented on how delicious it was. My Chicken Florentine was plump, juicy and flavorful, with enough left over for a hearty lunch today. Throughout the meal our server (unfortunately I didn't hear his name) was attentive, friendly and advising us when the next course would arrive. If he was frazzled by the volume of guests you never would've known it. Based on this experience we're looking forward to coming back when the weather gets warmer and we can enjoy the deck with the beautiful view of the Sound. As I mentioned at the beginning of this review I was a bit uneasy about our choice after reading the reviews here but our experience was excellent from start to finish, especially on a high-volume Saturday evening during a promotional restaurant week. Please check out this restaurant - you won't be disappointed!! read more

Great food ! Outstanding service! I've read some of the one and less than three star reviews. It seems that some people really don't have a appreciation for food from the ocean. Those who complained and held their tummies when they got home should probably stick to Mickie D's. It seems that when the great food served here hits the grease it causes tummie aches. Really Outriggers has come a long way with the food and service. Seafood pot pie OUTSTANDING! Lobster bisque SPOT ON! I don't think that I've seen or heard a complaint in the two hours that we sat on the table full deck . So I wouldn't take the one and less than three stars too seriously . read more

Food was delicious Outstanding views of marina Needed more servers Had to WAIT on EVERY refill of wine But not water Too many bus boys.. 3 to 1 to servers Do not undertand that Patio chairs were VERY FLIMSY and CHEAP So nervous the entire meal like they would break ...... PLEASE spent money on DECENT patio chairs BECAUSE of chairs we will not be back read more

I was at Outriggers on Friday night. We went to meet up with some friends and get a lite bite to eat. I ordered the ceaser salad with grilled chicken. It looked delish but had little to no taste. The chicken was overcooked and the portion was very small. The wait staff was terrible! Most of them were rude, making rude comments under their breath to customers that were in the way. The hostess was also rude...she was not happy that we were sitting around after dinner and having a few drinks. She wanted us to leave so she could sit others at our table. She was VERY rude about it! The only reason why I am giving this place one star is for the outdoor deck and view of the water. read more

I've eaten there maybe a hand full of times and everything is always on point!! Servers are very polite and the food comes out cooked to perfection! Great sunsets if you sit outside and the atmosphere inside makes you feel at home, If your in Stratford def stop by and have a drink and some seafood. Can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu :) ps. Try the stuffed sole or the sea bass both amazing! read more

The food and service has gone downhill fast! Don't know if there are new owners, but is not the same as it used to be. I would never recommend this restaurant to anyone. The live music is too loud, the lobster bisque is grossly thick and made everyone sick and the service poor. Not a good choice. read more