Love this place, although I was a bit disappointed in current menu (12/7/16). Still found enough tasty options. All was a bit saltier than I'd like, especially the wonderful french fries. read more

My absolute FAVORITE restaurant in Fairfield County! The food is SPECTACULAR!!

I was there this past week. If you can get in before 6pm, they have a happy hour menu with food at a slightly lower price. Otherwise the menu is expensive. There are only a few tables that can be reserved and they are very close together. It is a big bar scene and noisy. The food, which was pricey, was not good. The chief has a menu full of experimental food which was not great. My husband disliked each course. The service was fine, but for the money. I would pass. read more

My husband and I joined another couple for the Tasting menu at The Whelk last night, and the food was spectacular. The deviled eggs w/fried clams were crispy and tender and fried potato appetizers were a wonderful way to start the meal. The main course tastings included the best shrimp and grits north of Charleston, an amazing swordfish w/tapenade, and squid ink cavatelli. They even served something like a spicy, cajun carrot filet. The wine pairings were perfect and included a sparkling white burgundy - something I'd never had before. We went early and on a Tuesday night - so we could sit at a table (not at the family-style high top tables), and it was not too crowded; which made conversation easy. read more

Get the brussles sprouts. Just get them. Eating here was a fantastic experience. We ate at a communal table, as the place was crowded and we had no reservation on a Saturday night for a last minute meal out, but it was really fine. The people we shared a table with were politely disinterested in us, in other words, perfect. The waiter was top notch. He had great recommendations and was very knowlegeable about the menu. He recommended a new gin to me, and even brought me a small taste, which I loved. A memorable meal out. read more

Absolute perfection every time. Creative and delicious food.

Great food. I would give it five stars except for the ambience. It gets very loud as the crowd grows. Seating is a little tight. The long wooden bench seating along the window gets uncomfortable after an hour or so. Those are minor negatives that are easily overcome by the quality of the food and interesting preparation. read more

Outstanding. The service was very friendly and quick. We never had to ask for help. The menu is a little difficult to understand and they should restructure it so people can better understand what they're ordering but close your eyes and point to anything. It's all good. The deviled eggs with fried clams and the crab appetizers were out of this world. I ordered a fish sandwich and after the great appetizers was concerned that it couldn't get better but was I ever wrong. I'm used to some outstanding fish in Miami but the way they prepared this was over the top. The lobster roll was great and the squid ink popardelle with chorizo and tomatoes was delicious. They have a full bar with some interesting specialties. Definitely worth stopping by if you're anywhere near. read more

Delicious food in relaxed, lovely setting. Seafood was fresh and prepared perfectly.

I don't think I can ever eat normal food again. The Whelk IS as good as it gets. If you can get reservations here and you're from out of town... do it. Location - Walking into the Whelk, your eyes will catch the nice view of the river with paddle boards docked alongside it. The ambiance inside is trendy and lively but not just full of hipsters. When you get there you feel like you're at the hottest restaurant in Fairfield County (actually, that's fact). The crowd is a nice mixed of townies, young couples and you'll even see some families with kids pop up before the dinner rush. There are communal tables separating the bar crowd and regular dining crowd so groups are also encouraged. I've enjoyed two date nights at the bar and it's just as comfortable as sitting at a regular table or a communal table. Service - Very good. My server or bartender is always attentive & the food always comes out at a good pace. The staff is very friendly in general. They are highly professional but with no air. Successful restaurants are fueled by their every day staff (Kitchen, Front of the house) and The Whelk seems to be winning in that department. Menu - Always changing - which makes me keep going back for more. The menu is primarily seafood, however they do have options for less-enthused-about-fish folk. There's a killer burger and a chicken sandwich. Be sure to order the deviled eggs when you go (complete with a fried oyster right on top), any of the toasts, ...and basically everything else on the menu. Everything I've eaten at Whelk exceeds my expectations. I wish I could rate The Whelk 100 stars. It's absolutely fantastic. read more

Had a lovely time there. Enjoyed the oysters, shrimp, clams and grits. Cocktail was tasty. Staff was friendly. Scored nice seats on the patio. read more

Our server was AMAZING. We never wanted for anything. A serious pro who takes his job very seriously. If all people cared about their job this much our world would be a better place. The food was delicious. Wine was great. Atmosphere was perfect. read more

Bill Taibe is a mastered fantastic chef with a touch of environmentally friendly. His restaurants Kawa NI and Jesus Hall are unique and warm but clean and spacey. Genius! read more

Great place, amazing food, awesome and welcoming staff. The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is because the chairs are very uncomfortable and there's not much room. Seems too crowded all the time. read more

Love this place!!! The wine list is fantastic, Lobster Butter to die for, great spot!

I really love this place. The food is really delicious and the atmosphere is "city-quality" in that it's lively and fun. We have only made a reservation when we've gone with a larger group, but my husband and I often go and have a drink at the bar before dinner. We are usually seated fairly quickly. The oysters are super fresh, the lobster butter entree is heaven, the burrata is amazing and my husband has tried all the more adventurous dishes without regrets! Other favorites include the trout dip, crab and grits, crudo and even the chicken sandwich is great if you don't want fish. If you need help with wine, Massimo is great with offering suggestions. The dessert is also delicious so save some room. read more

What a great Saturday night dinner experience! Reservations are a must though as this place is packed from open till close. The service and cocktails were both on point. Our table started with the Mussels, Smoked Trout Dip w potato dill bread, Lobster Croquettes, Fried Brussel Sprouts, and Shoestring French Fries. Entrees: Burger w fries, Lobster w butter & toast, Trout w slaw, and Shrimp w/ grits. Every single dish was fantastic. I especially LOVED the Smoked Trout Dip and sweet n salty fried brussel sprouts! The seared trout with fresh fennel slaw was perfectly cooked. Lobster is melt in your mouth. The burger is killer! Can't wait to go back! read more

Good food interesting atmosphere. Great olde fashioned. I tried the squid ink pasta and it was interesting. Dessert was good!!

I went there on a cold winter night...we were early and it was empty, but not for long. The place was packed by the time we left. Food was pricey, but very good. Fish sticks appetizer was a crowd pleaser, and the skate was delicious, but you have to be willing to separate the fish from the bones. Scallop dish was also great, but not good if you are hungry, as there were only 3 in the bowl. The real hit to me was the side dish which came with the skate: it was a rice mixture with fresh fennel, and a delicate, lemony sauce that was just fabulous! I could make an entire meal of just that! read more

Had dinner last night with another couple.. Very clean, pretty spot. The waiter was very helpful. Had brussel sprouts, trout dip and a shrimp dish to start, all very good. My dinner was the best, a delicious hamburger. Everyone at the table took a bite. The ladies had scallops which they loved. Expensive, but a good value. Steve read more

We loved the atmosphere in the Whelk when we arrived at 5 pm before the crowds; around 5:45 pm, it was quite noisy and busy on a Saturday night because the place is small. Service for our appetizers and main dishes was quite slow. Drinks came quickly from our efficient waitress; however, she was rather reserved, passively responding to our inquiries versus suggesting/recommending items or explaining the unusual menu. Example: the raw oyster sampler my husband ordered had multiples of the same oysters from MA vs. 8 different kinds of oysters which was his expectation. The barbecued clam appetizer was savory and tasty, but the tangy sauce and bacon overpowered the clams, which I couldn't taste at all. I LOVED and I mean LOVED the lobster dish, which as others have said was quite small for $36, but the sauce was to die for... literally one of the best I've EVER eaten....lemony, buttery, lobstery goodness that I wanted to eat with a spoon. The dish included part of a tail, a claw & knuckle meat... superb and worth the price for a superb gastronomic memory. My husband's chorizo dish was OK; he liked it, but was wanting for something more, and was still hungry when we left. The handcut french fries were too salty and should have been advertised as the shoestrings they were... plentiful, but we like fries that taste more like potatoes. We didn't finish them. Would we go back? Heck yeah... for the lobster dish alone, and maybe to try something else, again early! read more

Amazing food and drinks. Squid cavatelli and the scallops were amazing. Everything has great flavor. Some unusual menu items are fun to try and are always very good. Great location especially for summer dinner. Nice river view. read more

3rd or 4th time here and I continue to be blown away. It truly is the best seafood restaurant in the area. Oysters are first rate. Whole branzino was so moist and flavorful. Shrimp and grits was out of this world. Oh, and I can't forget the grilled octopus. Tremendous flavor and soooo tender. Great, friendly service. read more

Top notch across the board. Sat at communal table which was casual, and never rushed. Raw and Roasted oysters were the best I can remember. Small plates were actually quite large, we over ordered for two. Definitely better than most NYC attempts at this concept (sorry mermaid inn). also great lighting which makes your date look beautiful and your hair look fuller, which in turn makes the food taste better. read more

This is one of my all-time favorite restaurants. First of all, it's right on the water, and the ambiance is really nice - fun and casual, not too loud, very pretty. While it's tough to get a reservation, they reserve a fair amount of seating for communal tables and the bar, so it's usually pretty easy to walk in with a small group. The food is absolutely unreal. Norman's Lobster Butter - worth every penny, probably the best lobster dish I've ever had. I am not a fan of lobster dishes that mask the subtle flavor of the meat (think lobster mac and cheese), so this dish is the perfect combination of providing just enough seasoning and sides to truly accentuate the natural flavor of the lobster. I've never eaten here without using every last piece of bread / side to mop up the sauce, and I will absolutely order this dish every time I dine at this restaurant. Shrimp & Grits - one of my favorite shrimp & grits dishes, and I've spent a fair amount of time in the south so have a lot to compare it with! The grits are very creamy, and it's got the perfect amount of kick. It's listed under appetizers, but it's big enough to be an entree if you're not starving. Fried Chicken Sandwich - delicious! I don't know that I would order again given all the items on the menu that I want to try, but if you're a fried chicken fan definitely give this sandwich a go. read more

Great atmosphere, fresh food a great new get out. Deviled eggs with fried oysters are definitely a must!

We've enjoyed all of our experiences at the Whelk. This one was no different. As many people have stated before, the deviled eggs are fabulous. The many other dishes we've had ranged from splendid to absolutely scrumptious. Our waiter, Doug, and all the other servers that attended to our table where excellent. Space is tight, and the seating can be claustrophobic, and that's not different from many restaurants in the Westport area. The interior design is attractive with its wood table tops supported by old school support hardware with white walls and ceilings framed by accents of dark colored surfaces. The cost, well that's up to you and your wallet. Don't expect to escape without relieving your bank account of around $80-$90 per person which includes the good tip. So, is it worth an excursion? Yes. read more

Classy place. I had one of the best lobster rolls I've ever had here. Fresh, plump, and friendly staff. The atmosphere is nice and clean, and I enjoyed sitting at the bar to eat. Good beer selection and fresh espresso. Little pricey but it's so worth it.....not your average seafood spot. The menu is short but the selections are wonderful. I will definitely be back! read more

Another Bill Taibe winner! This is a fun, high energy place to go for drinks and sit at the bar with some appetizers. The smoked trout dip is one of my favorite items on this menu. Dinner is a treat if you like seafood. Where LeFarm is heavier on pork and beef, The Whelk specializes in seafood. There are many creative dishes and pairings that are always changing. If you're a carnivore, don't fret, they have a lamb burger that is quite tasty. The fries are pretty darn good too! In the summer they have high tables set up outside in the square where you can enjoy the food and the fresh air. Massimo, the co-owner is usually around with a big smile. The staff is wonderful, from the bar tenders, to the wait staff to the bus boys. read more

The most unfortunate part of the whole experience was our arrival. My parents, who live in town, and I visited this past Tuesday evening and arrived to a packed house for an 8pm reservation. We were told that the they were waiting on a table to clear that was finishing desserts and that we could wait by the bar. No smile or apology which was a little odd and cold but that was no big deal. We waited for quite some time and were seated at about 8:40. This is quite a while to wait and during that time were just basically ignored; basically given the cold treatment. During the wait we inquired once about a table that was open but were told that was being held for a larger table they were tying to put together. When it came time our table was ready, the host came over, took menus out of our hands that we had been reading, and led us to our table. No apologies, no smile, no pleasantries at all! As we sat, my dad mentioned that I had been involved in the restaurant business in town ( I had managed two very successful restaurants in Westport during the late 80s and early 90s) and the host's response was a mumbled "well he should understand then". I do understand that reservations can be held up, but after an almost 45 minute wait, a little smile and apology can do wonders. A cold shoulder leaves a bad taste in the mouth, almost enough to ruin a meal. Fortunately the food was very good, as was our waiter. It just too bad the whole experience was tainted by a disinterested, unapologetic and cold welcome. read more

My husband and I visited this place for a lunch date on Saturday. We didn't have reservations but got seated right away. They had a steady stream of people but not overly packed. We had the deviled eggs, steak tartare, lobster toast, and burrata. They were all delicious. We will definitely go back. read more

Overrated, overpriced, mostly rude staff. Food is average at best. There are plenty of better places to dine in Westport.

Many of my friends recommended this place and my husband and I finally got to try it . Everything we ordered was delicious. We got crab toast with real fresh crab meat. HAke was cooked to perfection and it just melted in my mouth. The wine list was very reasonable. The only complaint I have is that it's hard to get a table esp on weekends. I would love to go back if I could make reservation again. read more

tasty food; can't hear a thing; crowded with a combination of food lovers, nice local folks, and Real Housewives Gold Coast Edition hopefuls. read more

We were told to move to make room for future customers at the communal table--it was 4:47pm and the place was empty. Rude staff, uncomfortable experience from the start. Won't be back. read more

The food is delicious and is delivered promptly. The atmosphere is perfect: it's not too loud, but it's lively and festive. The reason for only four stars is that the waiter was unhelpful. He didn't provide information when asked, Instead he talked in evasive circles. He seemed so over it! Still, I'll go back because the food and the venue are delightful. read more

I have been coming to the whelk every Saturday for lunch for a couple years now and I have to say that their food and service are fantastic. I'm appalled that a person - Eric S. - would take his "failure to thrive" child to a restaurant and not check out their menu ahead of time and expect a seafood centric restaurant to make a grilled cheese? You brought a support cup for your child - right? Why wouldn't you bring food your child could eat? I was at the whelk when Eric brought his family in- he spent the entire time on his phone - apparently it is more important to him to get a grilled cheese for his family than spend time wit them. read more

I completely understand what all of the buzz is about. Every single dish we ordered was better than the next! We started with the grilled octopus....tender and charred with a creamy Harissa sauce with briny olives, pickled peppers and fresh parsley....next we tried the smoked bacon arancini with maitake mushrooms....awesome but not as great as the arancini at Le Farm....I would still recommend it...Le Farm's are just that good....while I'm on the subject I actually preferred the food, ambience and over all experience at The Whelk to its sister restaurant Le Farm. (Obviously excluding the risotto balls) I got a little annoyed at my husband because he ordered some east coast oysters on the half shell....but when they came I wish we had ordered some more. Ice cold, fresh....best mignonette I've ever had. Seared scallops with Lima beans and fresh corn....perfectly seasoned and seared. The best dish(all 4 foodies agreed) hands down was the Squid ink cavatelli with shrimp, chorizo and tomato...unbelievable balance of flavor and texturally perfect. Obviously seafood is the main attraction here but even the pork belly, broccoli and desserts were impeccably executed...hands down best restaurant in Fairfield county...best meal I've had in a very long time....my husband said he wasn't crazy about the peekytoe crab fondue with grits... Maybe it needed a little textural contrast...perhaps something with crunch to compliment the creamy grits and cheesy crab fondue...but the flavor was delicate and the crispy fronions and tobiko were,in my opinion, crunchy enough. I suspect he liked it more than he admitted because he was dipping his broccoli into it and eating it with the serving spoon.....we can't wait to go back...it won't be long!!! Tried to make a last minute reservation yesterday and we were initially told they were fully booked...however we asked to be considered in case of a last minute cancellation and were notified later in the afternoon that they could fit us in....they called us back again and gave us an even more favorable reservation time....so impressed all around.... If you are a somewhat adventurous eater with an interest in fresh and inventive seafood enjoyed in a cozy, hip setting......no place better than The Whelk!! read more

ok...so i dont generally review but the experience we have had was beyond outrageous and prompts me to share we as a group of 4 have eaten at this restaurant a number of times and generally enjoyed it, although service was always a bit slow. I call ahead on sat night and ask for availability. A very nice lady says "30 minutes". Great! Make the drive, check in, the host says "30-45 minutes". Fantastic! We go to the bar and start ordering drinks. Check in 30 minutes into it, young man says "Will get back to you" (with a puzzled look). Noone does. 45 minutes into it a woman/manager comes by and says "Our host screwed up, he is new, no tables available for another 2 hours, communal table may be available but I dont know when, will get back to you"...ok....wait wait...she does not come by...1.25 hr+ into this I finally find her on the floor and politely ask for an update...she says "people eating deserts but i really dont know"...wait wait..1.5 hours into it now a gentlemen comes by who appears to be an owner and says "waiting times are approximate, you are giving us a bad vibe!!!" really?? when i attempt to describe the situation he interrupts with "LISTEN TO ME!!" I mean are you serious? this is how you treat your customers? Of course we did not want to stay any longer and left to have a great meal in restaurant nearby...When my friend tried to explain the situation owner "got into his face" with a wagging finger...Is this Westport? This is not how people behave in our town! My wife also tried to explain and he appeared to be nicer to a woman but needless to say never again do we or our friends go back to this place. awful. read more

This restaurant is radically overrated. We eat out at the best restaurant regularly and most importantly the ambiance is extremely poor like eating in a diner. If you like sitting right next to another table, enjoy deafening noise so you can hardly hear your dinner partner, and like having a view of the traffic in the road outside then you might like this restaurant. Also the food we tried incredibly had hot spices in it, even the swordfish and they did not even ask or tell us about this. In addition they serve wine and cocktails in water glasses NO option for stem ware. In short I would not recommend this to any sophisticated diner. read more