The Shipwright's Daughter

Fantastic restaurant! Came here for happy hour with one of my friends and we loved it! This place has been on our list since one of the chefs is a James Beard Award winner. And let me tell you, this place did not disappoint! We made reservations for a Thursday evening at 5:30pm. As the first people there is was fairly empty, but during our 2 hour stay it got busy. I recommend making a reservation. The space has ample seating and the decor is very nice. We decided to participate in happy hour which means all the appetizers and oysters were 50% off! Such a good deal, everything we got was less than $75 total. The crispy oysters was too die for! I would definitely get those again along with the deviled eggs. In addition, we got the shishito peppers, duck pate, sourdough bread w/ miso butter, 2 cocktails of the day, and mushroom buccinti. Everything was so wonderfully crafted and all the flavors blended well together. I would definitely go back.

Finally checked Shipwrights out for my wedding anniversary, and I’m not exaggerating when I say this was one of the best meals I’ve ever had in my life. My husband echoed this, he is the foodie in our partnership that has traveled just to eat, and has eaten at multiple Michelin star restaurants. The most incredible thing about the food is that even the “small stuff” is planned to perfection. Little tweaks to seemingly minute things that make every bite a symphony of perfection in your mouth. We started with the sea-scargot, which was perfect. Limpets are a little tougher than snails, but the flavoring was better than expected. I was really impressed with the serving of bread that came with this dish, as many American restaurants miss this vital part of the dish. One of the tiny tweaks I spoke of that enhanced the flavoring was the pipes of mayo on the piece of bread. For mains we ordered the 5 spice swordfish, the green crab crispy rice, and the whelk campanelle. We shared everything. Absolutely everything we had was amazing. If you must try one, the green crab crispy rice isn’t to be missed. It was the star of our show for sure. For dessert we ordered the fall pavlova, and it was life changing. I am a dessert lover and self proclaimed expert, it was the best pavlova I’ve ever had. The meringue was perfection, the black currant sorbet transported me back to Île Saint-Louis and getting the same thing at Berthillon. This was better though, not as sweet and more complex! The poached pear and even the mint greens made the whole event sing in your mouth. The perfect balance of light, sweet, and tart to cap off the evening. Even the post dinner espresso was a nice pull and had significant crema. My only teeny, tiny, little note is that I would love to see locally roasted coffee supported. CT has an amazing coffee industry full of people also fulfilling their passions. The service was also excellent, but traditionally, this matters less to me than most. The vibe was great. I love that it’s a little on the casual side. A bit noisy, simply because it was a busy Saturday night and everyone was enjoying themselves. I’m a young person who is hard of hearing without my aids, but I made use of lip reading. I can’t wait to return and try more things. If nothing else I will be back for more pavlova! Thank you so much!

The avocado toast with egg was yummy. The pickled onions were perfection and the dish had the right amount of spice. Our server was not very attentive. We had to flag him down to order, to get more water and to pay the bill

The food here was absolutely delicious. We had the swordfish (green sauce and mushrooms) and the tautog (yellow sauce). Both were excellent but the swordfish was truly scrumptious, everything cooked to perfection as well as warm, attentive, and knowledgeable staff.

Amazing dinner! Highly recommend the dogfish and bucatini, but everything was very good. Tried two of the gin and tonics and both were excellent. Fantastic service from our waiter, Lee! Make sure to get a reservation. If you’re driving don’t count on parking - the lot for the hotel this is attached to was full when we arrived so had to pay $25 to park in the public lot a 5 min walk away.

We had a wonderful experience at The Shipwrights Daughter. We loved the cozy atmosphere and the friendly staff...and the food was excellent. We really enjoyed the sea-scargot (limpets) and the roasted organic chicken. Highly recommend.

Had the loveliest breakfast at Shipwright's Daughter. The restaurant is gorgeous and the staff was accommodating and knowledgeable without feeling fussy or forced. My latte was smooth and velvety but the real star was my chai spiced oatmeal. Lightly sweetened, thoughtfully spiced and exactly what I was hoping for. Menu hits a little something for everyone and is very fairly priced.

10/10 Recommend ! We started off with Duck Toast, Deviled Egg and out New Found Favorite, Escargot. Then my partner had the Squid & we both truly Loved it. I ordered the Scup and it was heavenly. Turns out our Bartender, Mickey, was the one who caught the fish on his boat that Morning ! It was an honor to be feasting on seafood caught by the staff themselves. The bartender crafted cocktails to our liking and each round of drinks was delightful. We finished up with the pavlova and it was light and refreshing. We drove is from Out or state and this is a place worth Visiting. Thank you Mickey for a wonderful dinner.

We had a fabulous dinner here and enjoyed every meal and drink we were served. The servers were friendly and passionate about the food they were serving. Would highly recommend enjoying this cosy and elevated restaurant if you’re in Mystic.

Highly recommend the Shipwright's Daughter for breakfast! Great coffee selection from regular to cappuccino to latte. Poached eggs out of this world - while the have regular Benedict selections, they have other choices that are out of this world such as the Eggs Shakshuka in green tomatillo sauce. Reservations recommended at busy times.

The brioche French toast with the apples are delicious. The highly suggest the Golden Latte. It's my new favorite. Tasty, healthy and warm. Our waitress was very sweet and informative.

Dinner at The Shipwright’s Daughter in Mystic, CT was everything I want in a meal—beautifully cooked food, thoughtful flavors, and a vibe that makes you want to linger. We did the tasting menu. Worth it to not have to think and just let a James Beard winning chef pick for you. The duck was unreal—perfectly tender, paired with lentils and blackberries that somehow made the whole thing feel both earthy and elevated. I could have eaten three more of the mushroom dish, it was that good. And the service? Lee made the night. Attentive, warm, and just fun to be around. Can’t wait to go back. Oh, make sure you get the bread and homemade pavlova.

We've been here once before for a light dinner, but had a friend visiting & decided to have a more formal dinner with them after visiting the aquarium. Great as always! There was a guest book with the bill which was fun to write in & memorialize the visit. The only issue we experienced (if you could even call it that) is the ice cream flavors were listed by the basic flavor, so my friend ordered the pistachio but it was a pistachio chocolate, which wasn't to his taste. The staff let him have a different flavor & all was well. This is a risk you take when trying anything new!

We had a wonderful brunch here on a Saturday early afternoon. We absolutely loved the drinks. They really know how to make them here. They infused aperol with strawberries for a mimosa which was great. My husband had the hot stepper which had an acidified carrot juice which was delicious. We also tried the spicy Bloody Mary - excellent. Everything we ate was great! I’d highly recommend!

I had the best dining experience of my life this evening. The servers are welcoming, full of knowledge, and accommodating. The tasting menu was incredible! I ate things I never thought I would. From the business model to the sustainable practices, I could not be happier with our choice.

We very much enjoyed dinner last night. The vibe was energetic and we appreciated the street side table. Our server was knowledgeable and very pleasant. Of course the highlight was the food. So good. I’m not sure how to describe the wonderful flavor combinations. You just have to try them.

This James Beard award winning restaurant did not disappoint! amazing fresh made mushroom pasta, fishers island oysters, and the most amazing deviled eggs!

Everything about dining here is first rate! Seamless service, warm, intimate dining space, bartenders who excel at their craft. And the food...exceptional! Creative, delicious, using seasonal and local ingredients. I live 300 miles away, and continue to return because I dream of eating here when I'm home. Definitely a special occasion place, highly, highly recommended! Update: still an incredible experience! Reliably awesome, with an ever changing, local menu!

I will be dreaming about this place until our next visit! We came in for brunch without a reservation and were able to sit at the bar without a wait. Bartenders were very nice and helpful. I ordered the Benedict sub Gravlax with capers and oh my god—it was OUT OF THIS WORLD. I order lox benedict everywhere we travel (if I can) and this one beats them all! The biscuit is also the best biscuit I’ve ever had. My boyfriend ordered the egg sandwich with hashbrown and we agreed it was phenomenal, especially the hashbrown! I also ordered an iced oatmilk latte with honey and oh my god, I wasn’t expecting it to be so good! I’m a latte connoisseur, and this was checked off every single box. Just wow. Can’t recommend this place enough, and it’ll be our go to spot on all our next visits! Atmosphere was delightful as well.

This restaurant is a gem within the wonderful port town. Although it was my first time dining there, I will be sure to be back the next time I visit. The service was friendly and professional. We had a wonderful server, but all wait staff worked as a team. The food was executed perfectly and I looked forward to each coming dish. This has been a dining experience to remember.

We had the pleasure of indulging in breakfast at the Shipwreck Diner, an experience that truly exceeded our expectations in every way. This charming establishment stands out not only for its inviting ambiance but also for its recent accolade as a recipient of the prestigious James Beard Award in 2024. This honor signifies the diner’s exceptional culinary performance and commitment to excellence. The chef, hailed as the finest in the Northeast, played a pivotal role in crafting an unforgettable meal. With his remarkable culinary expertise and innovative techniques, each dish was a masterpiece that tantalized our taste buds. From the perfectly fluffy pancakes drizzled with locally sourced maple syrup to the savory omelettes filled with farm-fresh ingredients, every bite showcased the chef's commitment to quality and creativity. The combination of flavors, textures, and presentation elevated our breakfast into a true gastronomic journey, making it an experience we will fondly remember.

Went here for my 25th Birthday & had the MOST AMAZING experience. From start to finish it was impeccable, especially our server Lee. He created a warm and comfortable service experience. The food by far will knock your socks off. My most sincere complements to the chefs!!! I would give the place a 1000000/5 stars if I could. Definitely our new favorite place!!!!!!

Great service from staff and great food! The roasted chicken both dark and white meat were incredibly moist and so full of flavor. I recommend the monkfish, both the mortadella and the fried ones!

The Shipwright’s Daughter in Mystic, Connecticut, beautifully combines high-end a nautical decor with an elevated dining experience. From the sophisticated welcoming ambience to the impeccable service, everything here looked and felt top-notch. Our meal started with a delicious wine selection for myself and a lovely floral libation for my girlfriend. This was followed by a couple appetizers, but one stand out was the fresh oysters with a caviar topper. Additionally we tried the lions main mushroom steak, which was a standout as well offering a satisfying, innovative, vegetarian option that meat eaters would equally enjoy. The head chef, being a recent James Beard Award recipient, set the bar high. Each dish that we had was meticulously crafted, showcasing the culinary team’s dedication to quality alongside bountiful creativity. The Shipwright’s Daughter offers an exceptional dining experience that impresses and leaves a memory that is both delicious and unique. It’s a place we definitely will return to!

Truly phenomenal from the service, to the fabulous cocktails and food. We split a burger and they cut it for us and made spicy margaritas to our liking! Mike the bartender is outstanding! 5 stars all the way around.

An amazing way to spend dinner in Mystic! We loved it so much, we ended up coming back to try their brunch. We did not have this restaurant in our original itinerary (too many great options in the area), but realized it was connected to the Whaler's Inn. The Inn even provides a discount if you decided to stay there. Depending on the day, you'll need a reservation as they do seem to fill out completely on the weekend. They do have quite a few bar seats available for walk-ins. They accommodated us with a baby as well (it seems some other restaurants in the area do not offer high chairs). Food wise, the dinner was the stronger of the two meals. The appetizers were all 5/5, you can't go wrong with any of the: fluke, deviled eggs, and fried oyster. Caviar bump is worth it. All the entrees were good too but the two pasta dishes were standouts. Could easily stand up against top places in NYC like Via Carota and L'artusi in our opinion. The only disappointing dish we tried were the eggs benny, they came out a little cold and the ham wasn't very flavorful. Service was also noticeably slower in the morning compared to the evening. Unsure if it was due to the switch from breakfast to brunch. All in all, we'd love to come back to try the rest of their menu next time we're in Mystic.

We took a spontaneous day trip to Mystic just to eat here. It did not disappoint!! Beautiful food, service, and atmosphere. What you see pictured is the beef tare tare and fish crudo (I can’t remember which fish). It was a lovely time!!!

Bucatini was delicious, drinks were great. Best burger I’ve ever had, perfectly juicy, everything paired beautifully. Wife’s steak was a tiny bit on the bland side, but with the sauce added it was great. She loved the Mille-feuille potatoes. The guest book to sign with the check was a unique and great touch!

Absolutely fantastic experience, Daniel our server was beyond helpful. We had many dishes, small plates main courses, our kid had the ‘kids’ menu steak which was amazing to see on a kids menu. Highly recommend the ‘small plates’ we had 4-5 of them plus the Steak dinner and Tuna bolognese both delicious. Beer and wine recommendations were nailed by Daniel. Perfect dinner, thank you.

Shipwright’s Daughter continues to set the standard — not just in Mystic, but anywhere. We celebrated my sister’s birthday there last night and had one of those dinners you don’t forget. The food was thoughtful, seasonal, and beautifully executed (as you’d expect from a James Beard–recognized kitchen), but what truly stood out was the hospitality. They made us feel genuinely taken care of — from a wonderful table to a surprise birthday cake that made the night feel extra special. Beyond being an exceptional restaurant, they are deeply committed to the community and the relationships they build — something we’ve experienced firsthand over the years. If you’re anywhere near Mystic and care about great food, warm service, and a dining room that feels both elevated and welcoming, Shipwright’s Daughter is a must. Five stars without hesitation.

So this review is going to a little longer than most I post. This restaurant has a lot of press about it and boasts a beautiful setting. It was very busy when we came in and we waited to sit at the bar. The menu is very pretentious and so are the prices- but I knew that going in. The oysters were nice but pairing it with a $22 small pour of wine was tough to deal with. The pasta was a huge miss. Lots of places in CT make pasta and do it better. There was zero marriage of the ingredients in the sauce. I enjoyed the tuna tartar but the best part of it was the crispy potato it sat on. I looked over the very sparse dessert options and settled on a lovely Reposado Tequila that our awesome bartender suggested. Way too pricey to walk out the door still hungry. I didn't hate it but not worth the hype. The people watching was fun however.

The food was very good overall. We really enjoyed our appetizers, and the dessert was absolutely fantastic! However, the entrées fell a bit short of our expectations—they were just okay. Chef David Standridge is clearly a bold and creative talent, and while his innovative approach worked well in many dishes, not all of them hit the mark. The ambiance was pleasant but unremarkable. Given the chef’s James Beard recognition, we came in with high expectations, and while there were definite highlights, the experience didn’t quite live up to them across the board.

The atmosphere and service were fantastic but the breakfast was just OK - for the price I’d go elsewhere for brunch (and we did the other days).

I came here for my birthday and had a lovely time overall. The service was phenomenal—attentive, friendly, and truly made the evening feel special. That alone made the experience memorable. The food was good, but with all the accolades this place has, I expected to be more wowed. It didn’t quite knock my socks off. All in all, great service and a nice night!

Stopped by for lunch on the weekend and had a lovely time. Staff were really friendly and helpful. We ordered two sandwiches and the shashuka. The sandwiches were really good but the shakshuka wasn’t my favorite. It was an interesting take but not my preference. Highly recommend the Steak Sammy though! The place is spacious and would love to try other things from the menu.

Our expectations were very high based on the news articles and awards, and the food was decent just not as good as we expected. The oysters were fresh but only one kind, I like a bit more variety. The aged duck was okay, but the star of that entre was in the side not the meat. The deserts, also, are rather ordinary. The service was very helpful and pleasant, the restaurant looks modern and inviting. In Mystic, where parking is hard to find, the restaurant had parking spaces in the back and even two Tesla chargers, which was a pleasant surprise.

I had high hopes for this place, but it ended up letting me down. Service was great and very attentive, but food was ok, and cocktails could definitely use improvement. Crudo starter was quite small even for 1. The chicken was solid and definitely the best thing I ate that night. Cider donut dessert was kind of all over the place. Flavors were ok, but all the powder and random gummies felt incoherent. I was more disappointed by the drinks. For $18 you should have top notch cocktails and these were not. Had a daiquiri that was ok, but again nothing special. The real bummer was the irish coffee. Basically just some booze and coffee in a coffee mug. No cream, no nada. I’d heard good things about this place, but it a lot of it felt haphazard or mediocre.

I never give bad reviews but if you're going to charge this much money your food better be great. The house made sausage is a $9 rubbery hockey puck and it comes on that $22 breakfast sandwich which was poorly made and all the cheese just slipped off the sandwich. My $6 cold brew came in a tiny glass with ice, it must have been 6oz of cold brew total. That's a $1 an ounce. To be fair the Hollandaise sauce and the gravlax on the benedict was amazing and the hash browns are special. But it doesn't make up for a mediocre breakfast that cost $100 with tip and service fees. Our server was excellent but I think the owners need to either substantially reduce their prices or increase their food quality. Right now it's a solid mismatch.

I have a milk allergy, I notified the waiter, and was assured that I could have a salad without cheese to accommodate. However, when I got my salad it had bleu cheese in it. After letting the waiter know, I was dismissed and told that the cheese is right next to the salad. Additionally, there is a 3% add-on charge on the bill that is not mentioned on the menu (only once you receive the receipt)

Who would ever know how the food is as I was turned away. I wanted to come try to their desserts and when I walked in the hostess asked i would like a seat at the bar. Which about of places do when there is one person. But seeing they had a lot of free empty tables, I said I prefer a table. She then said the are booked bar would be the only place. I don’t like being lied to by a place of business. It says a lot. Why then did you ask if i was ok with the bar? Just tell me thanks all you have. But, she was caught in the lie. So they get no stars, no pics except the one showing they had plenty of space. And worst off, no money. Here is a tip. Mystic has a lot of amazing restaurants. So, stand out by giving amazing customer service and act like everyone who walks through the door is your best customer. Or, one day you will have none.