Food & Drink Near Mellow Monkey
Coffee, Tea, Breakfast & Lunch (aka: fuel up before or after the damage you do here)
The Drowsy Whaler – Casual coffee spot with bakery, breakfast, lunch… and yes, cocktails, because we respect range. Indoor and outdoor seating right at the entrance to Short Beach, so you can experience a coastal morning (or afternoon). Tip: Their biscuits are legendary!
📍 1 Dorne Drive, Stratford
⏱ Less than 5 minutes from us
👉 Take a left out of Sniffens Lane, then first left onto Dorne Drive. You’ll see it right at the entrance. Try not to miss it.
Open Door Tea – Cozy, comfy, community vibes. The kind of place where you sit down for tea and accidentally stay for lunch.
📍 3552 Main Street, Paradise Green, Stratford
📞 (203) 345-9569
⏱ About 10 minutes from us
👉 Right out of Sniffens Lane onto Main Street, go straight to Paradise Green. Easy.
Frenchies Coffee Bar – Coffee for you, treats for your dog. Finally, a place that understands priorities.
📍 2420 Main Street, Stratford
📞 (203) 296-4810
⏱ About 7 minutes from us
Dine-In (you’ve earned it… or you will after shopping)
The Landing at Five Twenty (formerly Knapp’s Landing) – Waterfront everything. Massive patio, outdoor bar, panoramic views, sushi bar, happy hour and all the vibes of a summer getaway.
📍 520 Sniffens Lane (our literal neighbors)
📞 (203) 378-5999
👉 Take a left out of our parking lot and… you’re basically there. No excuses.
⏱ Open daily for lunch and dinner in summer (call in off-season)
Riley's by the Sea – One of the two iconic Lordship Seawall spots. Waterfront dining, live music, holiday pop-ups, and access to Point No Point Beach because why not make a whole day of it.
📍 14 Beach Drive, Stratford
📞 (203) 693-9255
⏱ About 6 minutes from the store
👉 Left out of Sniffens Lane, straight ~1.5 miles, left onto Washington Parkway
🗓 Open Tues dinner, Wed–Sun lunch & dinner. Closed in winter.
Little Pub of Stratford – The other Seawall staple. Same great views, plus a bar, live music, and it’s connected to the Surfside Hotel in case you just fully commit to the day.
📍 10 Washington Pkwy, Stratford
📞 (203) 612-7523 (Pub) | (475) 476-7873 (Hotel)
⏱ About 6 minutes from the store
👉 Same directions as Riley’s. You’ll figure it out.
The Windsock – Local legend. Airport views, no-nonsense comfort food (whatever the chef cooks is what you're eating), strong drinks, and the kind of place where everyone seems to know each other… and now you do too.
📍 295 Main Street, Stratford 📞 (203) 378-9117
⏱ less that 3 minutes from the store
👉 Left out of Sniffens Lane, immediate right into the parking lot. Don’t overthink it.
Cibus DOS – Indoor/outdoor latin-fusion dining, bar, live music. Solid choice when you want food and a little energy.
📍 2415 Main Street, Stratford
📞 (203) 378-9117 / 203-612-6629
⏱ About 7 minutes from the store
Takeaway (because sometimes you just want to eat in your car)
The Parlor, A Pizza Joint – New Haven-style pizza. Thin, crisp crust and amazing toppings. We love it!
📍 999 Stratford Ave, Stratford
📞 (203) 522-5055 ⏱ About 6 minutes from the store
Cricket Car Hop – 50s-style drive-through. Burgers, shakes, outdoor tables. Feels like a time warp—in a good way. Fun fact: this drive-through was legendary back in the day when workers from the factories (now being demolished) lunched here. When the factories closed, so did the drive-through. It was reconstructed to it's original form and splendor giving old timers a way to step back in time. Our favorites: Long Dog and Salted Caramel Milkshake!
📍 900 Access Road, Stratford ⏱ About 5 minutes from the store
📞 (203) 378-5191
Copp's Oyster Shack (seasonal)– Casual outdoor seafood at Brown’s Marina. Also has non-seafood options for the cautious ones.
📍 638 Selby Pond Road, Stratford ⏱ About 6 minutes from the store
📞 (203) 290-4308
Dal Mar Pizzeria – Takeaway and sidewalk seating. PIzza, Best of Connecticut Grinders (yes, that's what we call a sub sandwich here), and legendary cannolis. Yes, we said it.
📍 346 Stratford Rd, Stratford ⏱ About 5 minutes from the store
📞 (203) 870-8877
Lordship Corner Market & Ice Cream – Quick bites + step up ice cream shop + sidewalk seating.
📍 350 Stratford Avenue, Stratford ⏱ About 5 minutes from the store
📞 (203) 540-5837
Dessert (because obviously)
Zack's Frozen Yogurt (Seasonal) – Build-your-own situation. Dangerous. Non-dairy options available.
📍 60 Access Road, Stratford ⏱ About 3 minutes from the store
📞 (203) 378-7441
Goody Bassett's Old Fashioned Ice Cream – Classic, nostalgic, and worth it every time. Impress Paul (the owner) with your knowledge of the legend of Goody Bassett, a Connecticut woman executed by hanging for witchcraft in Stratford on May 15, 1651.
📍 2404 Main St, Stratford ⏱ About 7 minutes from the store
📞 (203) 612-8075
Lordship Corner Market & Ice Cream – Yes, again. It’s that convenient. Step up for all the flavors. Non-dairy options available.
📍 350 Stratford Avenue, Stratford ⏱ About 3 minutes from the store
📞 (203) 540-5837
Breweries (for when shopping turns into a full-day event)
Two Road Brewing Company – Taproom, tours, beer garden, festivals. You came for a drink, you stayed for… a while.
📍 1700 Stratford Ave, Stratford ⏱ About 9 minutes from the store
📞 (203) 335-2010
Area Two Experimental Brewing– Same people, more experimental. If you like trying new things, this is your spot.
📍 1526 Stratford Ave, Stratford ⏱ About 9 minutes from the store
📞 (203) 335-2010
If you made it this far, congratulations—you’ve officially turned a quick stop into a full itinerary. We support that.
