The Whelk

4.7

261 Reviews

$31 to $50

Seafood

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 28, 2024

9:30 PM

Booked 5 times today

Innovative
Great for creative cocktails
Neighborhood gem

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
Website
http://www.thewhelkwestport.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Cash not accepted, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Bill Taibe

Location
575 Riverside Ave, Westport, CT 06880-5934
Neighborhood
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

Popular dishes

Deviled Eggs w/ Fried Oysters {4}$15.00
pickled onions
Roasted Oysters {4}$16.00
kimchi butter, parm, crumbs
BBQ Clams {8}$16.00
bacon, bbq sauce
Smoked Trout Dip$18.00
dill, trout roe, toast
Mussel Toast$17.00
lemon butter, garlic, escarole
Hand Cut French Fries$10.00
smoked mayo
Crab Toast$20.00
jalapeno mayo, celery, sourdough

-------------------

Young Lettuce$16.00
radish, sunflower seeds, lime creme
Broccoli$17.00
toum, pickled mustard seed, feta, mint
Burrata$21.00
asian pear, verjus honey, rosemary, pine nuts, toast
Maitake Mushrooms$21.00
nduja & garlic butter, egg yolk

-------------------

Fish Sticks$18.00
mateo's potatoes, cherry peppers, malt vinegar tartar
Octopus$22.00
gigante beans, paprika, serrano gremolata
Seafood Stew$21.00
pollock, clams, shrimp, fregula, aioli

-------------------

Whole Trout$45.00
charred lemon vinaigrette, chilled marinated garbanzos {typically available thurs-sat}
Cod$35.00
salsify puree, kale, chestnut, ras el hanout {not available at lunch}
Black Bass$35.00
bulgur, leek tops, mussel butter {not available at lunch}
Shrimp & Grits$26.00
shrimp jus, jalapeno, prosciutto
Squid Ink Cavatelli$26.00
shrimp, chorizo, tomato
LeFarm's Roast Chicken$32.00
farro verde, bacon-braised kale, parmesan, jus {may not be available at lunch}
Dry Aged Beef Burger$25.00
pickles, bacon, onion mayo, cheddar, brioche, fries
Fried Chicken Sandwich$22.00
pimento cheese, b&b pickles, cabbage slaw

Lunch Exclusives

Items below are available exclusively at lunch, Friday + Saturday starting at Noon in addition to our main menu above.

Blackened Pollack Sandwich$21.00
slaw, old bay mayo, brioche, fries

SWEETS

Chocolate Pot De Creme$12.00
dark chocolate custard, hazelnuts, caramel, whipped cream
Olive Oil Cake$12.00
cherry compote, whipped cream
Almond Cake$12.00
amaretto brown butter, whipped cream

What 261 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.6Service
4.6Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Connecticut
Seafood

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

The Whelk offers a delightful dining experience with its "fresh, tasty appetizers and entrées," set against a charming waterfront backdrop in Westport. Known for "fantastic service" and consistently "delicious food," the restaurant features standout dishes like oysters, fish stew, and crab toast. Despite some noise, its vibrant atmosphere and attentive staff make it a local favorite.

261 Reviews

J
Jill
San Francisco
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
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?
M
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.
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L
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
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S
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?
j
joelle
Alabama
37 reviews
vip
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!
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E
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
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K
Kate
New York City
49 reviews
vip
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!
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H
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
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F
Foodmad
New York City
40 reviews
vip
5.0
40 reviews
Dined on October 3, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Haven’t been to The Whelk since the first few years it was opened as we always found it a little fussy. However, so enjoyed our meal last night and super happy we finally went back. Food was amazing (a little over salted) and the menu is fresh and varied and caters to all dietary needs. Will be definitely be going back and highly recommend!
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R
Roberta
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on October 1, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We were pleasantly surprised by the whole experience.
Is this helpful?

FAQs

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

The Whelk is rated 4.7 stars by 261 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 28, 2024

9:30 PM

Booked 5 times today

Order delivery or takeout

575 Riverside Ave, Westport, CT 06880-5934

Additional information

Neighborhood
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

Website
http://www.thewhelkwestport.com/
Phone number
(203) 557-0902

The Whelk

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Shrimp & Grits

Roasted Oysters 4

Octopus

-------------------

Deviled Eggs w/ Fried Oysters {4}$15.00

Roasted Oysters {4}$16.00

BBQ Clams {8}$16.00

Smoked Trout Dip$18.00

Mussel Toast$17.00

Hand Cut French Fries$10.00

Crab Toast$20.00

-------------------

Young Lettuce$16.00

Broccoli$17.00

Burrata$21.00

Maitake Mushrooms$21.00

-------------------

Fish Sticks$18.00

Octopus$22.00

Seafood Stew$21.00

-------------------

Whole Trout$45.00

Cod$35.00

Black Bass$35.00

Shrimp & Grits$26.00

Squid Ink Cavatelli$26.00

LeFarm's Roast Chicken$32.00

Dry Aged Beef Burger$25.00

Fried Chicken Sandwich$22.00

Lunch Exclusives

Blackened Pollack Sandwich$21.00

SWEETS

Chocolate Pot De Creme$12.00

Olive Oil Cake$12.00

Almond Cake$12.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does The Whelk offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is The Whelk restaurant rated?

Is The Whelk currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information