10 Places to Dine by the Water

From the Atlantic Ocean to New England’s lakes and rivers, here’s a bonus list of places to dine by the water in New England.

In 2010 we brought you a list of the best places to dine by the water in each of the six New England states (see Restaurants with a Water View in New England). What follows are some extra favorites that we didn’t have room for in print. Enjoy!

New Hampshire Places to Dine by the Water

Ashworth by the Sea 295 Ocean Blvd., Hampton, NH. 603-926-6762; ashworthhotel.com Three restaurants with three perspectives on the Atlantic: The Wharfside Coffee Shop is a good place to start the day; The Breakers Cafe Lounge is the spot for cocktails; and the Ashworth Dining Room is all about white tablecloths and top-notch service. Bubbas at Newbury Harbor Route 103, Newbury, NH. 603-763-3290; bubbasbarandgrille.com Mount Sunapee and, in its shadow, Lake Sunapee are pleasing to look at, as are the brick-oven-roasted, thin-crust pizzas. A local favorite for seafood chowder, too.

Massachusetts Places to Dine by the Water

Newburyport Rear Range Light 61 1/2 Water St., Newburyport, MA. 800-727-2326, lighthousepreservation.org/dining.php Once you make it to the top of the winding 55-step staircase, you arrive at a glass-enclosed love nest, boating a 365-degree view of the Merrimack River, the Atlantic Ocean, Plum Island, and downtown. Wequassett Resort & Golf Club Pleasant Bay, Chatham, MA. 800-225-7125; wequassett.com Five options here: fancy dining room (Twenty-eight Atlantic), fireplaced club room (Thoreau’s), open-air room and seaside deck serving pizza, burgers, and other casual fare (Outer Bar & Grille), pergola on the beach (LiBAYtion), poolside hot spot featuring BBQs and clambakes (Pleasant Bay Terrace). Dining by the water couldn’t be easier, and the view from each site is superb.

Rhode Island Places to Dine by the Water

DeWolf Tavern 259 Thames St., Bristol, RI. 401-254-2005; dewolftavern.com Sophisticated world cuisine from nationally recognized chef Sai Viswanath in a dining room framing views of busy Bristol Harbor and Colt State Park on Poppasquash Neck. Adjacent to the Bristol Harbor Inn; book a table at sunset. Fluke 41 Bowens Wharf, Newport, RI. 401-849-7778; flukewinebar.com Overlooking Newport Harbor, the seating is tight in this three-tiered marina location, serving a Mediterranean and American menu matched with a globetrotting wine list. The twang and snap of halyards can be heard as they hit the tall masts of the big yachts in port.

Vermont Places to Dine by the Water

River Tavern 75 Billings Road (off Route 100), Plymouth, VT. 802-672-3811; hawkresort.com Sit at the bar, which is the best vantage point from which to contemplate the bubbling Black River feeding into Amherst Lake, and the charming Edita Hartig will wine and dine you with chef Marc Scott’s fine food. At Hawk Inn & Mountain Resort. Ruthcliffe Lodge & Restaurant 1002 Quarry Road, Isle La Motte, VT. 800-769-8162, 802-928-3200; ruthcliffe.com A meal here is an Italian feast of locally grown vegetables and thoughtfully prepared meats and fish. Isle la Motte is a world away, right on Lake Champlain.

Connecticut Places to Dine by the Water

The Boulders (now closed) East Shore Road (Route 45). New Preston, CT. We can’t get enough of the Bibb lettuce salad with pickled shallots, candied walnuts, poached pears, and piquant blue cheese, not to mention the backdrop of Lake Waramaug. L’Escale 500 Steamboat Road, Greenwich, CT. 203-661-4600; lescalerestaurant.com It’s French for “port of call,” and the upscale menu here, on Greenwich Harbor, takes its cue from Provence, with tasting menus of fruits de mer–raw clams and oysters, lightly poached shrimp, and mussels–and classic pissaladiere, a thin, flaky tart covered with silky onions, olives, and just enough anchovies. Where are your favorite places to dine by the water?