We ate at the S&P Oyster Company, great food, service ambiance... couldn't say anything bad.

http://www.sp-oyster.com/

Not high-end by any means, but we love to stop at the Seaview for fried clams or sometimes a lobster roll. Sit at their picnic tables while you wait for your number to be called and watch the river traffic as the sun sets... A New England classic!

We very much enjoyed Abbott's Lobster in nearby Noank. Some people feel it's too "touristy". And it can be very busy. But we happened to go on a rainy Tuesday in June when it wasn't crowded at all.

We also enjoyed a lunch at Kitchen Little.

These may have been mentioned. There's a little shack on the right heading into town that is fabulous for bfast. Next door is a fried seafood shack that had some decent fried clams.

Another vote for the Seaview fried clams. BYOB.

Not that it makes a great deal of difference, but after I posted I realized that we were in Mystic in July, not June. And, as I said, managed to hit Abbott's on a night when it wasn't crowded.

Kitchen Little (only eight tables and always a wait, but they serve coffee in real mugs while you wait with a splendid view) is probably the best breakfast on the planet - if you're not too concerned about fat, calories, etc. Amazing egg dishes, omelets, etc.

Abbott's is quite pricey, for what it is, and service is dreadful when they're busy.

About the same distance from Mystic to the east is Skipper's Dock (www.skippersdock.com).

Also worth the drive are Dad's in Niantic

Worth the drive (and a lovely drive it is with a good map along the coastal roads) is Bill's Seafood Restaurant in Westbrook.

Sorry, thunder and lightning here...

Anyway, another terrific place, right in Mystic, as mentioned above, is the S&P Oyster Company. But, be sure to phone ahead for "priority seating" because it's so appealing and well located that it's always mobbed.