At Misquamicut Beach in Westerly, Rhode Island, lunch can come with a view of sand, surf and the broad Atlantic rather than a parking lot. This beachfront restaurant sits immediately beside the shoreline, close enough that the sound of waves and an ocean breeze belong naturally to the meal.
It works nicely as a stop folded into a beach day or a coastal drive. Settle in for seafood and a drink, then keep looking out toward the water between bites; the beach is only steps from the dining areas.
More than one way to sit by the water
Outdoor dining is not limited to a single row of tables. There is a patio, an open deck, canopy-covered seating and tent seating, giving the restaurant a little flexibility when the sun is strong or the weather changes.
The open deck includes tarp-covered sections, and its seating has room to breathe rather than being packed tightly together. Some tables look directly over the water, which can turn a reserved table into a particularly pleasant setting for a birthday dinner, a reunion with friends or an unhurried evening for two.
Coverage matters on a hot beach afternoon. Canopy and tent areas have provided a more comfortable place to eat even in very warm weather, while an outdoor fireplace and ceiling-mounted heaters help keep the waterside tables useful when the temperature drops.
Indoor seating is available, too, so the restaurant is not an all-or-nothing weather proposition. Still, the outdoor tables are a natural choice when the beach is busy and the light over the ocean starts to soften.
Lobster rolls with some heft
Lobster is a major reason to come, and the lobster rolls have a notably generous reputation. They suit the setting perfectly: a substantial seafood lunch that does not require leaving the shoreline behind.
Lobster bisque offers a warmer start, while baked haddock and baked scallops give the menu a more traditional New England dinner direction. One baked scallop plate has come with a breaded topping, mashed potatoes and seasoned green beans, a full plate rather than a small seafood sampler.
Fried seafood, fish and plenty of choices
The fried side of the menu has its own following. Fish and chips made with Narragansett-battered fish have been served in a portion large enough to cover a platter-sized plate, and a seafood basket brings hot fried seafood with crisp French fries.
Fried clams, clam strips, clam fritters and coconut shrimp give a group plenty of reasons to pass plates around. Stuffies and Sriracha calamari are useful starters when everyone at the table wants a different first bite.
Seafood does not have to arrive fried. Jerk shrimp tacos and shrimp fra diavolo add some heat to the options, while crab cakes and scallops offer other ways to work through the menu. A honey-glazed salmon entrée with mashed potatoes has been especially well received for its fresh, well-seasoned character.
A table that can handle mixed appetites
The seafood is the focus, but not every person in a party needs to order from the sea. Chicken francais, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and seasoned green beans give the menu some welcome range, especially for family meals and larger groups.
That breadth helps the restaurant fit different rhythms of the day. A solo diner can keep it simple with a basket or a roll; a couple can linger over entrées and cocktails; a family can make a relaxed dinner of seafood, sides and familiar comfort food.
Drinks and a playful dessert finish
Cocktails, frozen drinks and pitchers add to the beachside mood without demanding a formal occasion. A cold drink on the deck is an easy companion to fried clams, shrimp tacos or a lobster roll, particularly when the ocean is doing most of the decorating.
Dessert can stay lighthearted. Carrot cake is available for a more conventional slice-and-fork finish, while s’mores bring an interactive element to the table. It is a fittingly casual way to stretch out a meal near the outdoor fireplace.
The easygoing side of service
The staff is known for being friendly, attentive and welcoming, the sort of service that works equally well for a quick beach lunch and a longer dinner with family or friends. Returning diners are sometimes welcomed like familiar faces, which helps explain why summer visits become a recurring tradition for some people.
The restaurant has enough variety in seating and menu style for casual meals, celebrations and group gatherings. The setting keeps the tone relaxed even when the table is marking an occasion.
A few useful details before settling in
Dedicated or free parking is associated with the restaurant, a practical convenience in a beach area. Both indoor and outdoor seating are offered, with the patio, deck, canopy and tent areas providing several ways to stay near the shore.
On sunny beach days, outdoor tables can be in demand, particularly for diners hoping for a water-facing seat. Reservations are used by many guests seeking outdoor or water-view seating, though not every table has the same direct sightline to the ocean.
The outdoor experience naturally depends on the weather, but the covered sections and cooler-weather heaters make the shoreline setting less limited than a fair-weather-only patio. On the right afternoon, the simple plan of seafood, a frozen drink and a table near the waves is plenty.