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    Sandbar Cafe & Lounge

    2.4 (9 reviews)

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    Fat Tuna

    Fat Tuna

    3.9
    (96 reviews)
    4.1 mi

    I came here with several friends for lunch mid week. The location is right on the shore near a…read moremarina where you can watch trains crossing over the river and boats going by. There is a road bridge that crosses the river way above so it does not impact views of the water. We were promptly seated outside where the umbrellas provided shade and the sea breeze was gentle. We were fortunate to catch a beautiful summer day that was not humid or extremely hot. I started with Niantic Bay oysters which are local. They were expertly plated, plump and delicious served with a mignonette sauce. Next I ordered the Chilled Seafood Salad which is listed as an appetizer but was plenty for me. The salad had Stonington scallops, Long Island scungilli, large shrimp, hot peppers with a lime vinaigrette. It was nicely seasoned including the shrimp and scallops. Although the scungilli was sliced thin, they were somewhat tough and a little chewy. My friends enjoyed their selections which ranged from burgers and fries to salads and chowders. The wait staff were pleasant and efficient. The inside decor was very pleasant. Prices are within range of what one would expect.

    We've been coming here often since they first opened and have generally always been happy, but…read moresomething has recently changed food wise and the costs have gotten out of control. The service is always great, so kind and quick, no complaints ever. Even with summer hires they are great! The setting is beautiful, nice outside patio, great raw bar seating, and even in the winter the indoors is comfortable and warm. A few months ago our meal was off and seemed poorly made with lesser quality ingredients, but we let it go as we thought maybe it was just a bad night. We came back again this weekend and it was more of not worse of the same. Our staple go to here has always been the crab cakes with Kimchi. I love it so much that I sometimes order 2 of it as my meal, with extra kimchi on the side! We have also tried many other options though, both kinds of lobster rolls, scallops, ravioli, always 2-3 things from the raw bar, and generally get an entree and drink special too. I'm not sure if staffing/decision making in the kitchen changed or they are cutting costs but something is definitely off. The crab cakes are no longer what they were, they have no signs of the large lump crab, and honestly tasted like a frozen version made with imitation crab. Add to that that they raised the price and I am baffled they thought it was ok to serve. The kimchi is no longer actual kimchi but plain raw cabbage chopped and lightly dusted with what could only be the leftover spices from a poor attempt at kimchi mix. The entire thing was so bad we had to send it back. When I asked about what had changed I was met with a firm denial that it was any different than it had ever been. We have eaten them around 15-20 different times and I honestly couldn't believe they were trying to convince me it was the same. The lobster roll was awful, tasted almost day old. If we had done what we wanted we would have sent our entire meals back and just left. On top of all of this, the prices have been consistently raised and yet the food quality has gone way down. I think if it were not for tourists and the location this place would suffer greatly from the changes and cutbacks they have made. Sadly, we will not be returning.

    Photos
    Inside (not my pic)
    Inside (not my pic)
    Terrific spiced apple dessert
    Terrific spiced apple dessert
    Cheese Plate

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    Cheese Plate
    374 Kitchen & Cocktails

    374 Kitchen & Cocktails

    4.3
    (107 reviews)
    5.2 mi
    $$

    My wife and I had a great meal at 374 when we spent a day in Niantic. We started with the buffalo…read morewings, which were excellent. Crispy, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. My wife ordered the tomato soup, which she also said was very flavorful. I had the hot and cold lobster roll combo and loved the option to try both styles. The lobster was fresh, generously portioned, and delicious! The cocktails were also outstanding and complemented the meal perfectly. The restaurant has a very cute, welcoming vibe and we stopped by between lunch and dinner times, so it was not busy. It was perfect. We'll definitely be back the next time we're in Niantic!

    I have struggled with whether to write this review because this has become one of our favorite…read morelocal restaurants over the last year. In fact, one of the reasons we kept coming back was because this was one of the very few local restaurants that I believed truly understood celiac disease and took gluten-free dining seriously. However, as someone with celiac disease, I feel a responsibility to share my experience because what I have encountered goes far beyond a one-time mistake. Several months ago, we ordered takeout and I tested three separate items that were represented as gluten-free: tacos, a wedge salad, and a pop tart dessert. Most was already naturally gluten free. All three tested positive for gluten. These tests are not cheap, costing approximately $12 each, so this was not something I did lightly. I contacted the restaurant and spoke directly with the head chef. She was professional, understanding, and seemed genuinely concerned. She thanked me for bringing it to her attention and even mentioned that she planned to order a test herself because she could not understand how those items would contain gluten. Because of that conversation, I chose not to leave a review. I genuinely believed the issue would be investigated and corrected, and I wanted to give the restaurant the opportunity to make things right. Unfortunately, a later visit resulted in a positive gluten test on the smoked fish appetizer. Most recently, I returned again and tested several items. The calamari tested negative, but my gluten-free tacos once again tested positive for gluten. At this point, I have simply been glutened one too many times by a restaurant that I genuinely wanted to trust. What makes this especially difficult is that this restaurant presents itself as understanding celiac disease. I was told that members of the restaurant's family, including a daughter, have celiac disease. Hearing that gave me confidence that gluten-free orders would be taken seriously and that proper precautions would be in place. That is what makes these repeated positive gluten tests so confusing and disappointing. When a restaurant claims to understand celiac disease, I expect more than simply offering gluten-free menu items. I expect systems that actually prevent gluten contamination. After multiple positive gluten tests across multiple visits and after bringing my concerns directly to management months ago, it is difficult for me to reconcile those claims with my actual experiences. During my most recent visit, the waitress was kind and helpful, and I appreciate the way she handled the situation. However, I was told that a manager would come speak with me, and no manager ever did. My tacos were removed because they tested positive for gluten, yet I was still charged for them after deciding to take them home (for my non celiac hubby) rather than have them thrown away. In the end, I received a discount, but only after spending nearly $50 on gluten tests during that visit alone. As I write this, I am sitting here sad, frustrated, and in pain, knowing exactly what the next couple of weeks are likely going to look like for me. People often do not see what happens after someone with celiac disease is exposed to gluten. We do not go into anaphylaxis in the restaurant. We go home and suffer through the consequences alone. The symptoms may not be immediately visible to others, but the physical toll is very real. Every restaurant can make a mistake. My concern is not a single mistake. My concern is a repeated pattern over multiple visits, over several months, after the issue was brought directly to the restaurant's attention. I truly wanted to continue supporting this restaurant. I truly wanted to be able to recommend it to others in the celiac community. Unfortunately, after repeated positive gluten tests, repeated gluten exposures, and no evidence that the underlying problem has been corrected, I cannot in good conscience recommend this restaurant to anyone with celiac disease or anyone who requires a truly gluten-free meal for medical reasons.

    Photos
    Bar inside
    Bar inside
    Tomato soup
    Tomato soup
    Adult Capri sun

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    Adult Capri sun
    The Blue Duck Bar & Kitchen

    The Blue Duck Bar & Kitchen

    4.1
    (109 reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$

    Great experience all around here - easy to get a seat outside on a weekday, friendly and attentive…read moreservice, great menu, great food. Music was a bit loud for our taste, but the outside patio was refreshing and had shade on a very sunny day. Love the variety on the menu; I got the bao buns which were tasty and a just-right portion for me. I don't remember what my dining companion got, but I remember he liked it. We loved our experience and would return for sure. We noticed that they kept trying to seat people at the first table on the patio in front of the doors that go from inside to outside, and everyone (including us) would ask to be sat at another table further away. Seems like that table needs to be moved further away or only set up when needed; no one wants to sit that close to the doors.

    TO BE FAIR THE WINGS WERE FIRE And I WENT ON A MONDAY…read more I'm giving this place 3/5 stars because the food was great, the hostess was extremely attentive but I simply did not get the full experience of the location due to the time and day. Therefore, I will need to revisit to give a better review. I visited The Blue Duck this past Monday, on Presidents' Day at happy hour. I got there around 3 and left just before 5. The wings were 5 for a little over $5 or something like that. Which honestly $1 wing in this economy! Excellent for my pockets. Anyways, the place was quiet, a few people did start coming in as I was leaving, and again, I came on a Monday. Not really a peak bar day. But I would say the location is near the water which is a plus. The seating area at the bar was massive. I'm curious to see how busy it gets on the weekend. This isn't necessarily and instagramable/ social media picturesque kind of spot. Ok, so the wings- I CAN'T STRESS ENOUGH- they were AMAZING . I love it when the skin after being smothered in sauce is still crispy. And they were! The blue cheese wasn't liquidity or too chunky. The fries were crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The best part- for me- is that they were the shoestring kind of fries. I'm not big on the steak fries or thicker cuts. They were salted just right! No condiments needed for dipping. I ordered two drinks, which I honestly wasn't too impressed by. But it's my bad. I probably should have stuck to shots or basics like A sour of some sort. Idk. The other drinks could be delicious. Overall the only reason at this point that I'm coming back is the wings. Truthfully, the only reason I traveled 45 minutes to New London was after seeing an IG post about all-you-can-eat wings on Mondays. Sadly they aren't doing that anymore.

    Photos
    Other side of outside seating/bar area
    Other side of outside seating/bar area
    The Blue Duck Bar & Kitchen
    Deck view

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    Deck view
    Rossa Negra

    Rossa Negra

    4.6
    (91 reviews)
    6.6 mi

    We were a party of 8. We felt welcomed, every guest was very pleased with their dish ( picked from…read moretheir traditional menu and from the specials) and their drinks. We left the restaurant feeling very happy to have come to celebrate at this wonderful restaurant.

    Rossa Negra absolutely delivered. The food was muy delicioso from start to finish, and the…read morecocktails... well, let's just say they're the kind you need to keep an eye on. They go down way too easily. Do yourself a favor and order the pistachio martini -- dangerously smooth and totally worth it. The restaurant itself is super easy to get to -- it's right in a shopping strip near I‑95, and there's plenty of parking, which is always a relief. Inside, the vibe is simple elegance. You've got options: table seating, counter seating, and a full bar if you're in a cocktail mood. We couldn't decide on just one thing, so we went all‑in on appetizers: * Tuna Tartar - super fresh and flavorful * Calamari Ecuadorian Style - tender with a sauce that was different in the best way * Trio Empanadas - the Colombian beef and Ecuadorian chicken were my favorites; the plantain & cheese one wasn't really my thing * Chickpea Salad - the dressing deserves its own award And shoutout to Fausto, our server. He was knowledgeable, charming, and on top of everything without hovering. Just really solid service all around. Already thinking about what I'm trying next time.

    Photos
    Rossa Negra
    Maracuya pisco sour
    Maracuya pisco sour
    Inside

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    Inside
    The Black Sheep

    The Black Sheep

    3.2
    (227 reviews)
    5.0 mi
    $$

    The Black Sheep is an Irish pub in Niantic serving things like Shepherds Pie and Bangers and Mash…read more It's one of the few restaurants in Niantic, so if you've visited more than once, you've probably been to the Black Sheep. I prefer visiting during the warmer months, because it gives you the option of eating outside. I find the interior to be too dark and the tables are often found sticky. The food is decent and the portion sizes are good. The sides are basic. Definitely pick the sweet potato fries if you have any doubts. My son insists that the regular fries need more salt to even taste ok. The service has always been a little slow but when the food comes out, they always have plenty of help getting it to the table. Because it's a fixture to a town I love, I'm sure I'll be back.

    This is one of our local faves. The pub was for many years a family owned pharmacy honored by the…read morequote for the back room. The owner brought over the wood and decor from an Irish Pub so when you walk through the door you have magically been transported to Dublin. Creative cocktails and many beers on tap along with traditional Irish food complete the scene. The food is a awesome mix of Irish and American dishes. Guinness Beef Stew, Bangers and Mash, PEI Mussels, Steak Frites, and seafood dishes are sure to make this a pub favorite. They also have live music on the weekends and trivia nights. Hats off to the staff who make this place a local Cheers favorite.

    Photos
    Bartender too busy to help the customer on her phone texting.
    Bartender too busy to help the customer on her phone texting.
    Brisket nachos
    Brisket nachos
    The Black Sheep

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    La Llorona Progressive Mexican Cuisine

    La Llorona Progressive Mexican Cuisine

    4.1
    (139 reviews)
    5.1 mi
    $$

    I came here on a weekday evening and it was moderately busy. I got the guacamole and chorizo ($16)…read morefor an appetizer and chimichangas ($26). The guacamole and chorizo was solid! Chips were very crispy. The chimichanga was stuffed with chicken, rice, bean and smothered over some Cajun queso. The food was solid, but nowhere near mind blowing according to the achievement and recognition on the wall. It also is way higher then other spots and for there price I would expect a lot more flavor and even complimentary chips. Staff and service was fair. Overall the food was fair and given the area there aren't many other Mexican restaurants to provide competition, won't be my first choice to eat within this area but I wouldn't be mad either. Food(50%): 6.0 Staff/service(25%): 7.0 Value(25%): 5.0 Overall: 6.0/10

    First time trying this restaurant, they had indoor and outdoor seating option. The food tasted so…read moregood the chips and four varieties of salsa was complimentary. and my favorite was the pineapple salsa. The others were spicy for my taste, bud. My Husband ordered shrimp taco, the quantity of shrimp and the taste was top-notch. I ordered a black bean veggie taco. It was good portion. Didn't order any desserts. The house made mango horchata was good didn't contain too much sugar. Judi was so attentive, whether we like it or not too gets added to the check.

    Photos
    La Llorona Progressive Mexican Cuisine
    Guacamole y Chorizo (GF)
    Guacamole y Chorizo (GF)
    La Llorona Progressive Mexican Cuisine

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    Sandbar Cafe & Lounge - lounges - Updated August 2026

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