This is hands down my favorite restaurant in the Mystic area. The service is consistently top notch, most servers don't need to write down your order but they have never missed anything for me. Their recommendations are always helpful and they seem genuinely happy to give them. The bar staff are energetic and engaging. For lunch today we started with the Cowboy Dip, which is candied jalapeño cream cheese dip with house made tortilla chips, served warm. Excellent portion for anywhere from 2-4 people. My wife got the half Rotisserie Chicken with a side of macaroni salad and fries, I got the Grass Fed burger with a side of blue cheese, and we finished with the Mint Chocolate Brownie shake. The extra blue cheese was served as both a cup of crumbles and as a slice, which apparently comes locally from the Mystic Cheese Co. It was so soft and tasty, I ended up adding the whole slice to the burger and still sprinkling some extra crumbles on each bite. The apple butter on the burger was an amazing contrast of sweetness, although I could have used more of that. I wanted the apple butter in every bite but it was only every 4-5 bites maybe. So much daylight comes in the windows during the day, it's a really nice atmosphere with the dark wooden walls and the bright daylight streaming in. I'll be back again and again. read more

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Engine Room is a New American gastropub that opened in Mystic, Connecticut in December 2013. It was founded by restaurateurs Dan Meiser and James Wayman. A native of Manchester, Meiser began his culinary career working at Trumbull Kitchen in Hartford. He later enrolled at the French Culinary Institute in Manhattan, graduating first in his class. After graduation, Meiser worked under the guidance of world-renowned chef Daniel Boulud. He later returned to Connecticut and worked at a number of different restaurants. Meiser opened his first restaurant, Firebox, in Hartford in 2007. After joining forces with executive chef Wayman, they opened the Oyster Club in Mystic in 2011. Following its success, the two partners decided to open a sister restaurant (with the assistance of executive chef Chris Vanasse) in the old Lathrop Marine Engine building on the banks of the Mystic River. Like Oyster Club, Engine Room was also met with rave reviews. The menu features 16 craft beers of draught, the area's largest bourbon selection, craft cocktails, a full wine list, and locally-sourced American comfort food. My family and I recently dined at Engine Room while we were passing through Mystic. I had previously visited the restaurant and enjoyed it, but this was the first visit for the rest of my family. I totally love how the owners beautifully restored the historic building and preserved a lot of the industrial aesthetic. Our visit happened to be on a Monday and they have special "Beer & Burger Special" only on Mondays. I decided to order it, which consisted of a "Chicken Pesto Burger" (single grass-fed beef patty with chicken cutlet Milanese, basil pesto, mozzarella, roasted red peppers & tomato topped with a lemon-caper mayor on a brioche) with Fries and a draught pour of Fox Farm Brewery's "Roam: Citra" (Pale Ale). My meal was totally delicious! My wife ordered the "Chipotle Chicken Sandwich" (crispy fried chicken breast, smoked ranch, dill pickles, lettuce & spicy chipotle hot sauce) with Fries and the "Clarified Watermelon Punch" (The Lab's Rum blend, cucumber, green peppercorn, spearmint, honey, watermelon, lime & sparkling water clarified with whole milk) to drink. Our older son had the "Chicken Tenders & Fries" (fried, house breaded chicken tenders served w/ fries) and our younger son had the "Kids Mac n' Cheese" (pasta tossed in housemate cheese sauce). Everyone was very happy with their choices and the staff were friendly and accommodating. We really enjoyed our experience at Engine Room and hope to return again! read more

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We were here on a Friday night. The wait was about 25 minutes which was fine. The food was subpar. I ordered the fish and chips and the fish had no flavor. The breading also did not add any real flavor to the fish. The French fries were ok. The coleslaw needed a touch of vinegar and sugar. The service was slow and we had to tell the server multiple times we needed an extra silverware set and dressing multiple times. We were in a party of 6 and needed 3 separate checks and the server bristled that "she would try" but that's not something they can do. Folks, it's 2025 and any modern ordering software should easily be able to separate out checks at one table. Also I know it was busy and that can be stated as a reason for slow service but the management should not be surprised that it is busy on a Friday evening and staff accordingly. read more

Not a lot of parking unless you get there 15 minutes before opening. Excellent service, and the ambiance is enjoyable, especially from our large corner booth. We ordered every appetizer for 5 adults and an infant, all of which were well received. The chicken wings are quite good, as is the mac & cheese and the beef tartar. Definitely worth the visit. read more

My Randy's Double Stack burger was very good. The fries were also very good. My side if Classic Mac n Cheese was quite tasty. It was creamy and filling. read more

Engine Room - Mac n cheese side dish - Southern Near Me - Mystic, Connecticut

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The staff made us feel at home, comfortable. I had a cocktail here that I still have been trying to reproduce it was so delicious, called Open Sesame. My fish sandwich was delicious, so were the hush puppies and onion rings. Plus we enjoyed watch the sunset. read more

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At 11ish am we got a table right away. I got the grass fed burger with gluten-free bun. Husband got a fish sandwich. We both got fries. Burger was great, it had flavor! Gf bun was really good. Fish sandwich was really good. Pickles were delicious. Fries we okay; kinda cold and not crispy. Would try something else. Like the place, it was cute for a date and the brick was really nice ambiance. Not too loud either. read more

Engine Room - Grass-Fed Burger Fried Fish Sandwich - Southern Near Me - Mystic, Connecticut

So, you know how road trips with a 3-year-old can feel like you're trying to survive a hostage situation with snacks? Yeah, that was us driving back from Newport. Then we stumbled upon The Engine Room in Mystic, and let me tell you, it was like finding an oasis in the middle of a tantrum desert. First off, the vibe. Picture this: you walk in, and it's like you've been transported into this old factory--because, surprise, it used to be one! The place is a Marine Engine Building, and they've done it up real nice. You half expect a grizzled old sailor to be in the corner, sipping a bourbon and spinning yarns about "the one that got away." We got there right when they opened, so it was just us and the friendly staff, who seemed genuinely happy to see people, which is refreshing. But let's talk about the real reason you're here: the food. My wife--who's basically a burger connoisseur at this point--ordered the Mushroom Mae Burger. And out of nowhere, she drops this bomb: "This is the best burger I've ever had." Boom. Just like that. Apparently, the crust on the patty was seasoned by the gods themselves, and the mushrooms were so good they made a mushroom hater a believer. So yeah, safe to say it was a win. We also got the Cowboy Dip and the Carolina Hush Puppies. Now, these Hush Puppies? Straight-up star of the show. The Cowboy Dip, though--it's like the hype man at a comedy show. You think it's just gonna hang out in the background, but then it surprises you with this cold cream cheese jalapeño action that would be right at home on a bagel. Not what we expected, but we weren't mad about it. For the main event, I went with the Fish Sandwich. The cornmeal batter on that fish? Crunchy perfection. And underneath? Flaky goodness. Throw in some slaw and tartar sauce that could make a grown man cry, and you've got yourself a winner. Now, let's talk kids' menu. It's not your usual chicken nugget fare. Our 3-year-old, who's got a more sophisticated palate than I did at 25, went with the Avocado Toast. Yeah, we're raising a little hipster. The toast was on point, but the crust was a bit too crunchy for those tiny teeth, so we had to go full surgeon mode and extract the soft bits. Still, she loved it, and I'm not about to argue with a toddler who just had avocado. Oh, and pro tip: Get all the sauces. Seriously. It's like a sauce flight. The smoked ranch and chipotle were the standouts, but honestly, they're all worth a try. Bottom line? The Engine Room is a solid stop. If you're cruising through Mystic and need to refuel--figuratively and literally--this place is a no-brainer. read more

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Stoped by Mystic Connecticut and decided to visit the Engine Room after seeing all their good reviews. Would have to say it's definitely worth the hype. There is parking in both the front and back of the restaurant however on the day that we went they were all full so we had to park on the streets. It was a nice sunny day so we sat outside. We decided to order the chicken wings for appetizers which were delicious. I got the fish and chips and my boyfriend got the steak and fries. Both were very good! Service was decent however we did have to wait a while for the server to come take our order. read more

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We planned to have dinner here on 11/22. The hostess had told us that the only seat available was a reserved table and that the party will be arriving in an hour, which basically gave us a limited time to eat. At first we decided to stay cause we were looking forward to having dinner here. After we were seated we started feeling uncomfortable, and a little nervous because of the time limit. Also we did happen to notice that there were plenty of seats available, it did not appear that they were busy. Because of this shortly after we were seated we decided that we were longer interested in staying and left. This was our first and last experience with this restaurant. read more

Nice bar with a large bourbon selection. You can even buy bottles of their single barrel picks! Most prices for a pour are very reasonable. Great happy hour specials. Bartenders were excellent and accommodating. Would return to try more food since we only got apps this visit. read more

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This not your average diner, I would call it brewery restaurant that has distinct style. Plase has relaxed yet stylish atmosphere and creative menue. They have their own salmon jerky which is basically a piece of salmon that is particularly smoked and particularly dried, we ended up having two orders of this. Also whipped ricotta was very good and unorthodox. Ceasar salad has hefty amount of grilled chicken and burgers were very good too. read more

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I'm usually not an onion ring kind of gal but my lunch buddy used all her charm to coax me into foregoing the tried-and-true hush puppies and giving the onion rings a try. OMG! The batter was deliciously decadent and inside was the softest, sweetest, juiciest onion ever. What a treat! We had an upbeat, attentive server, and I really appreciated that the kitchen was able to substitute grilled chicken in the Hot Fire Burger that's topped with a habanero cheese sauce. My buddy enjoyed her bucket of steamed mussels too. We'll trek back to the Engine Room during the summer bustle per usual, but this visit on a windy, winter day sure was cozy. And I'm thinking, from now on, we'll have to get the Onion Rings AND the Hush Puppies! read more

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Yum. This friendly casual place was just the ticket for three friends getting together from MA and Stonington. The atmosphere is low frills and laid back. My friend says it's one of the few places that takes reservations during the busy summer season. Friend 1 asked for something of her own creation, a cheeseburger on top of salad greens, and the server said "of course!" without hesitating a beat. A sign of great service! Friend 2 had a chopped salad which was good but not very chopped (she had to cut everything in order to eat it. I had a special burger after quizzing the server about the toppings, which she answered patiently and with good cheer. The burger and accompanying fries were quite tasty. Friendly and efficient staff, I would go back. read more

Service was awful. Server never said his name but had a small curly ponytail and wore glasses. Not friendly what so ever, didn't answer any questions at all and was extremely rude! We were in the patio area and 3 tables including ours walked out! Horrible experience! read more

The atmosphere was loud and a touch overwhelming but I would die for the potato salad. We ate dinner here before our ghost tour and ate wings, hush puppies, and potato salad. My tastebuds were in heaven rotating between the three. Would highly recommend! read more

They forgot about us. We waited an hour before receiving apps and then another 30 minutes after that for the entree. The tables around us that arrived after us received apps and food within 10-15 minutes. We were waiting for 45 minutes before my husband flagged down the waitress (she hadn't checked on us) and he asked where our food was. We were clearly forgotten about. Our waitress comped our wings which we thanked her for but the fact that we had to wait that long to even be noticed and then wait further still for food is ridiculous. Not a great first impression and I don't think we'll have dinner here again. read more

Stopped in for a drink before reservations at another restaurant and stumbled into a great happy hour! The deviled eggs were superb! Also tried the pimento peppers. Will be back for a burger as they looked great! Love the interior!! read more

It was ok Food was pretty bland like I could eat it but I wouldn't come back again for it The corn bread was really good specifically with the butter, it was kinda dry without it The shake was very small for the price But overall the staff was super friendly and that was the best part read more

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The Engine Room is one of my favorite restaurants in the area to grab a casual meal with friends. Our waitress was so helpful in helping us pick our drinks, and she provided really good service throughout the meal. We shared an order of Hush Puppies, which are always a hit, and they were just as good as I remember. I also got my go-to burger (Hot Fire) which has the perfect spice level. It is served with salad or fries, and I ordered fries (treat yourself!). They were perfectly cooked and salted. Their draft list is rotating with local brews, so I always love checking out what's on tap! I ultimately decided on a can this time, but some of their upcoming brews look great. read more

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i absolutely loved the mussels in wine sauce. the ceviche was spicy, but amazing. both of these can be apps to share or an entree. theyre both priced very reasonably. engine room has a great selection of beer too! there will be a wait, this place gets packed, but thankfully they have outdoor seating too. read more

We had a nice day in the RI area while on our family vacation. 8-26-25. We looked up restaurants and this one sounded good. Drove about 25 minutes to get there. We were seated. The server stopped by and took drink orders after a while. Then things turned south. The receipt says that his name is Titus. I just found the receipt. He kept attending to other (seemingly more important) tables and wouldn't even make eye contact with us. We sat and sat--long enough to have gone into the kitchen and cooked the food ourselves! All he had to do was acknowledge us and say he would be with us soon. But nope--nothing. We would have left but we were all hungry and had already read over the menu for so long that we didn't want to start from scratch at another place. And we didn't know the area. Anyway one of us got his attention and he had the nerve to bark "I SEE YOU"! Can you imagine? This was so rude. His attitude was terrible. Our family all just looked at each other in disbelief. And Mr Titus even had a server assistant. So he didn't even have to run the food. I took it upon myself to walk up to him at his POS station by the front door where we wouldn't be heard in front of other patrons. It was out in the open between the patio and entry door. I nicely/quietly told him that I just wanted to tell him one-on-one that we were all upset by his comment. He took offense to this and said that he would tell his (male) manager. Told him that was the end of our interaction and we just wanted to leave. So that wouldn't be necessary. Then a female manager (not the man he was referring to) came over to the table and stood up for him over and over again with excuses. And just made things worse! She kept rambling and never once offered any compensation for our awful experience. She could have taken something off our bill for leaving us sitting there forever. Or even offered a dessert. Or SOMETHING. But indeed she did nothing. Our bill was almost $200. Food was fair. I am very familiar with the service industry. The manager seemed to insinuate that we didn't know how things worked. Oh not so--my daughter is a server in a nationally famous steak restaurant in Indiana. So I'm quite familiar with how life works. Thank goodness she wasn't with us on this family trip or she would have lost her mind after hearing his rude comment and bad service. She would never treat guests like that. Plus we didn't do anything wrong except try to get our order taken! Anyway, this has been eating away at me since our vacation which ended days ago. Titus ruined our experience when we were hoping to have a nice lunch in CT! Not sure if the restaurant owner sees these reviews. But I'd be more than happy to call and chat about it. read more

Food was delicious! Homemade gluten free buns and service that knew about gluten allergies and were just so sweet. We come here often! The prices are a little expensive, but happy hour is definitely the time to go! The ambiance is super cute, with a country New England twist. Highly recommended. read more

Food was good. I bought the hangover burger for about $18. Taste was good but wish it was slightly bigger. They do load up on the fries on the side. My wife got the half off avocado which was different than your usual avocado toast, so that was unique. We also got the maple waffle milkshake which is a must try. Overall spent about $60 on a Sunday afternoon and was seated relatively quickly. The vibe is very rustic which my wife loved read more

Engine Room - Hangover burger - Southern Near Me - Mystic, Connecticut

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Really liked Engine Room! We made a res for a Saturday lunch easily on Reddit. We had gotten a filling breakfast earlier so we decided to split the Mushroom Mae Burger with mac salad and a side order of Onion Rings. We appreciated that they had already split the burger and mac salad in half for us, rather than us having to struggle with cutting it. The burger was perfectly cooked and came with a delicious creamy cheesy mushroom sauce. Mac salad as good too but I'd probably try the fries next time. Onion rings were delicious!! So crispy and a big portion for $7 too. Not the biggest fan of the sauce it came with and would've preferred a garlic mayo instead. Wish we could have gotten the onion rings as a side to the burger though. read more

Engine Room - Southern Near Me - Mystic, Connecticut

Wow this place is phenomenal! Clean, rustic, with an open floor plan. The drinks were great, the staff is excellent being very attentive and friendly. The cobb salad might be the best ive ever had. The creative and fun dessert menu had us ordering a twix and a fruity pebble milkshake! A perfect way to end your dinner! Will 100% be back and tell our freinds & fam to check it out as well! read more

Engine Room - Southern Near Me - Mystic, Connecticut

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Pinot Grigio is pink. Cobb salad comes dismantled on a bed of lettuce and corn bread was burnt. My son's Mac and cheese had no taste. Really don't understand the reviews on this place. Really disappointed. Also the enclosed porch is cold. No heat lamps. read more

Engine Room - Cobb Salad - Southern Near Me - Mystic, Connecticut

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This place is a hot mess. Came in last night to sit at the bar but all the seats were reserved. Not a big deal. But then we were sat at a table, watched the group of people that the seats were being saved for come in 5 minutes later, and they were able to get water, cocktails and order food meanwhile no one came to our table. It's not a big place. It shouldn't be that hard to wait on a couple tables. read more

Service was fast and friendly. Cocktails were strong and delicious. Food (burgers, maple milkshake -!: pulled pork) were all very good. Parking is very tough. Can get loud when crowded. read more

Engine Room - Maple milkshake - Southern Near Me - Mystic, Connecticut

The Engine Room is a quick walk from the shops on busy West Main St and East Main St in downtown Mystic. Our attentive server, Emily, went above and beyond making sure our party of three was well taken care of. Even though she had several other tables, she made us feel like we were her only customers. Though new to this restaurant, she confidently gave food and drink suggestions like she's been there forever. I got the loaded potato soup and the spinach salad with a specialty lemonade cocktail. No detail was overlooked... very utilitarian, yet charming establishment with reasonable prices, a nice variety of food, and excellent service! read more

Engine Room - Must Have Drink of Summer! Super refreshing!!! - Southern Near Me - Mystic, Connecticut

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Nice ambiance and dog-friendly patio across from the river. We enjoyed craft beers, cider and a refreshing cocktail called "Feeling Froggy". Nice breeze. We didn't eat but will be back! Quite a selection of typical bar bites. read more

Been there several times. Food is always good, the ambiance is very nice and service is good. Prices are a bit high but you are in the tourist trap that is Mystic read more

Great vibe, very good food and fun menu. Highlighting locally sources ingredients is always a plus for me. Great whiskey/bourbon list and they properly have the large cube. Definitely worth a visit and I hope to come back again. read more

Engine Room - Wings - Southern Near Me - Mystic, Connecticut

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First time back here since our last visit in 2019 and absolutely still one of my favorite burgers ever! The Mushroom Mae featuring Mystic Cheese CO's famous Melinda Mae cheese (similar to a creamy brie), mushrooms and double patty. It's absolute perfection! You also have to order the hush puppies, they're such a hit and even featured on their happy hour menu. I would definitely be happy ordering these alone. We ended up getting here during HH and ordered some Gin & Tonics which were very well priced and flavorful! Engine Room is definitely a must visit whenever we're in Mystic. read more

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Excellent service, very sociable waitress. We ate outside on the deck. The food was hot and tasty and offered at competitive price. We would definitely return. They offer ample parking. read more

This is one of my favorite spots to hit up while I'm in Mystic. This trip we sat near the Chef's Table which was fun and a unique experience! We ventured out of the norm and tried a few new dishes including the brussels and the chicken burger. Both were phenomenal. I just wish the brussels were a little larger portion for the price of the all. Drinks were also very good and everything came quickly even though the place was packed. The server was on top of it. Also the sauce flight is a must! read more

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Do you want a delicious American meal with interesting flavor combinations and solid preparation? Then go to the Engine Room. Their specials are exciting, their burgers always hit the spot, and they always seem to be busy because they're one of the best eateries in the area. While most times I feel like taking a nap afterwards (and the low light dining room usually doesn't aid that feeling), it's well worth it. Make a stop and enjoy your meal- I find myself there at least once a month and it always brings a smile to my face. read more

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My first visit to a new restaurant in 2023!! Sadly, disappointing. Let's start with the good. The atmosphere is nice. High ceilings, exposed brick, nice big windows. It's a little loud. The staff was pleasant. Not much for vegetarians on the menu, a few options for pescatarians. I ordered the fish sandwich. It was mediocre at best. My husband ordered a burger. Everything was just bland and boring. A big disappointment for me. The bathroom was messy and did not have any soap.. Maybe it was just a bad day? read more

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Dope space with great music, ambiance, and even a TV that can be seen from a lot of the bar. Wait staff was really kind and helpful to decide on food. We even set up and got some work done on our laptops. Great experience. 25/30 read more

The Engine Room is awesome! The staff is super nice and accommodating! Food was ok. I ordered a burger and it was cooked just right but it was just ok nothing to call home about. Next time if I'm in the area I will go back and I'll order the tomahawk steak because I heard it's amazing! The other downside to the restaurant is the parking. We had to park around the block and walk to the restaurant. read more