"A turn-of-the-century shingled seafood house on the Five Mile River — warm Rowayton lobster rolls and a riverside deck that earn the booking."
About Rowayton Seafood
Rowayton Seafood sits in a turn-of-the-century grey shingled house at 89 Rowayton Avenue, on the banks of the Five Mile River in the Rowayton village of Norwalk. It anchors part of our Norwalk guide and our wider seafood coverage as the area's classic waterside catch.
The restaurant grew out of an old fishing shack that Kevin Conroy bought in 1978 and turned into a market; he added the restaurant on the same site in 1996, building it into one of the shoreline's most sought-after seafood tables.
The Kitchen
The kitchen leads with three lobster rolls: the warm, butter-poached Connecticut-style Rowayton roll, the cold Maine lobster-salad roll, and a chipotle lobster roll. Beyond them sit raw-bar oysters, day-boat fish, and a market counter selling the same seafood to take home.
It is straightforward, ingredient-led cooking that lets the catch and the river setting do the work, backed by a wine list that earned a Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence for 2025.
The Room
The room is all New England charm — a weathered shingled house with a riverside deck that opens, weather permitting, from April to November. The deck and the water views are the draw, and they fill fast on warm evenings.
Booking is advised, especially for deck tables in summer and for weekend dinners.
Not for
Not for a fine-dining tasting menu or a guaranteed quiet table — it is a busy, casual waterside seafood house that trades on its river deck and its lobster rolls.
Frequently Asked
What is Rowayton Seafood known for?
Waterside Connecticut seafood, especially its lobster rolls. The warm, butter-poached Rowayton roll, the cold Maine roll and a chipotle lobster roll headline a raw bar and day-boat fish menu.
Where is Rowayton Seafood?
At 89 Rowayton Avenue, in a grey shingled house on the Five Mile River in the Rowayton village of Norwalk, Connecticut.
Does it have outdoor seating?
Yes — a riverside deck opens, weather permitting, from April to November, with water views over the Five Mile River.
How much does it cost?
It sits in the upper-moderate $$$ band, with lobster rolls and mains running roughly $25-45 and a typical meal for two around $90-140.
Has it won any awards?
Its wine list earned a Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence for 2025.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Rowayton Seafood
Booking is advised, especially for the riverside deck in summer. Find it at 89 Rowayton Avenue on the Five Mile River.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
Address89 Rowayton Ave, Norwalk
NeighbourhoodRowayton, on the Five Mile River
CuisineSeafood
PriceLobster rolls and mains roughly $25-45; about $90-140 for two
Dress CodeCasual
OutdoorRiverside deck, April to November
ReservationBooking advised, especially for deck tables
