Captain Scott’s Lobster Dock, New London, CT

Anyone for a clam roll? Photo/Tom Richardson

No day of boating near New London, Connecticut would be complete without tying up at Captain Scott’s Lobster Dock for a great seafood meal or ice cream.

A Lobster Roll and Fish n’ Chips. Photo/Tom Richardson

This family-owned restaurant, which has been around for nearly 30 years, is located inside Shaw Cove, just south of the New London Custom House Pier. The restaurant is named for Captain Thomas A. Scott, the former ship captain, master diver, and engineer whose marine construction company built the Race Rock and Ledge Light lighthouses.

To access Shaw’s Cove by boat you’ll need to hail the railroad bridge tender, but the wait is generally short. Once inside, you can usually find an open slip in front of the restaurant; look for the clock signs indicating when the slip owners are due back. If unsure of which slip to borrow, just ask the restaurant staff.

Chili Dogs, photo/Capt. Scotts

Once ashore, place your order at the window and grab a picnic table under the covered dining area. Captain Scott’s specializes in fried seafood and lobster, of course, and they do a great job of it. On a visit, we ordered a variety of items, including fried whole-belly clams, the famous lobster roll, and chowder, and found all of it delicious. The fried food wasn’t overly greasy and the lobster rolls were heavy on the meat, light on the mayo.

Captain Scott’s also serves steamers, salads, chowder, scallops, grilled chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, and more, plus the aforementioned ice cream (30 flavors). Fish tacos, po’ boys with fried shrimp and oysters, and a Friday night raw bar are offered as specialties.

Captain Scott’s closes for the season in late October and reopens in the spring, with opening and closing dates being weather dependent.