Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Connecticut
  4. Fairfield
  5. Westport
The Whelk, Westport, CT

The Whelk

4.8
4.8
263 Reviews
$31 to $50
Seafood

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 34 times today
  • Innovative
  • Lively
  • Great for creative cocktails
The Whelk is a seafood and oyster bar located on the Saugatuck River. We offer a locally sourced and meticulously crafted menu Tuesday through Saturday. Hope to see you there!

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, American, Oyster Bar
  • Hours of Operation
    Tue–Thu 4:30 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:30 pm–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 12:00 pm–2:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (203) 557-0902
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Cash not accepted, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Bill Taibe
  • Neighbourhood
    Westport
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    Westport Train Station Metro North
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 263 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Connecticut

    Innovative

  • Connecticut

    Seafood

  • Fairfield

    Innovative

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Whelk in Westport, Connecticut offers a "lovely setting near the water" with an "excellent menu" featuring fresh and tasty dishes. Diners rave about the "fantastic food and fantastic service," especially the "outstanding" Roasted Oysters and striped bass. While some note noise and service inconsistencies, the overall experience is "amazing," making it a favorite for many.

263 Reviews
  1. Jason

    VIP

    New York City

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on December 11, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Another wonderful meal. Excellent new items on the menu along with some classics.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Laura

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 30, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    The food was good, but the service honestly wasn’t that great and they included a tip in our bill, which I thought was strange for only five people. Plus, I really thought that it would’ve had pretty water views and it didn’t. 

    Is this helpful?

  3. Jill

    VIP

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 26, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food is off the charts and service was perfect. Burrata dish is one of the best things I’ve had in a while.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Marc

    Greater Boston

    8 reviews

    4.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on November 15, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Went for lunch. Great service, fish & chips were tasty, but cool. Maybe better at dinner time.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Lindsay

    Greater Boston

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 9, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Recommend fried oysters, blackened cod sandwich, fish and chips, maitake mushrooms

    Is this helpful?

  6. Susan

    New York City

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on October 30, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was fantastic. Lots of interesting selections on the menu.

    Is this helpful?

  7. joelle

    VIP

    Alabama

    37 reviews

    5.0

    37 reviews

    Dined on October 26, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    The whelk is a family favorite and the food and atmosphere never disappoint! It was my husband’s birthday and we were all happy to be at one of the best local restaurants in Westport! Last night we had one waiter who was exceptional, he engaged and was helpful and knowledgeable and then sadly another waiter who was awful, she just didn’t want to be there. It won’t keep us away from the whelk but she was a bad reflection on the rest of the servers who are always fantastic at all of Bill’s restaurants!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Elliot

    New York City

    17 reviews

    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on October 5, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely lunch spot with the Saugatuck River as a welcoming backdrop

    Is this helpful?

  9. Kate

    VIP

    New York City

    49 reviews

    5.0

    49 reviews

    Dined on October 4, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The Whelk is consistently one of my favorite restaurants. Great service, delicious food and a vacation like atmosphere. I love it!

    Is this helpful?

  10. Hillary

    New York City

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on October 4, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    One of the few restaurants worth going to in CT. Very innovative and VERY reasonably priced. Love that the tip is included in the bill! Nice pro waitstaff

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Whelk offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (203) 557-0902.

The Whelk is rated 4.8 stars by 263 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 34 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for The Whelk

575 Riverside Ave, Westport, CT 06880-5934

Additional information

  • Neighbourhood
    Westport
  • Hours of Operation
    Tue–Thu 4:30 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:30 pm–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 12:00 pm–2:30 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, American, Oyster Bar
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Public transit
    Westport Train Station Metro North
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Cash not accepted, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Bill Taibe
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2024 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo