Easter lunch today from their special Easter prix fixe menu. Wonderful food and service. Highly recommended!

I have been an the past and have always enjoyed the food and the location. However, I had the WORST experience ever this past Sunday 6/19/22. 6:30 Dinner reservations outside on the deck. Beautiful setting, seated immediately. Restaurant was very busy. Ordered drinks which came relatively quickly and the dinner, which for me was a soup and an entrée. The soup arrived at 7:30. By 8:30 (after asking) we were told our entrée's would be coming out next. Followed by other tables being served before us. At 8:40 (2 hours and 10 minutes after arriving) I informed them we would be leaving and I would settle the bill for what we has consumed. The manager gave me attitude, no apology and nothing for our troubles. Very disappointing. read more

My friend ordered the "pan seared sole". It came out lightly breaded and the waiter argued with her that "pan seared" is always a breaded dish. No where in the menu nor have I ever heard of anything pan seared being breaded. My blue berry margarita tasted like ever clear so I sent it back, the waiter offered no apology or offer to bring me anything different. The waiter never came back to check on our table other to bring the check. I won't be going back nor would I recommend this place to anyone. read more

Our cash tip was stolen! We took our friend out to celebrate her birthday. It was a leisurely and fun evening. We paid our bill and left a cash tip so that our servers could share their tip immediately. It was after 10 pm and only a few tables were occupied. Prior to leaving we stopped at the restroom. While we were waiting for the restroom, the waiter passed by us, but then the manager approached us quite upset showing us the check folder and asking us if there was a problem since we didn't leave a tip. We assured her that we had left cash inside the folder along with our signed credit card receipts. She said they had cameras but I doubt it. I felt so bad for our server I gave him another tip since these are struggling Covid times. But it was very disconcerting that this happened in such a nice restaurant. Lesson learned! I will always hand our check folder to our server directly next time. I just never had our cash taken at any diner let alone upscale restaurant. I certainly hope they get to the "bottom of this" as the manager and owner said they would! read more

Mediocre food, weak cocktails, and TOTAL inability to manage time... we had to wait over 1 hr for dinner and had to walk out when we learned that they hadn't even started preparing our food. Ambiance isn't all that great either. read more

I am surprised no one has reviewed this place. It is gorgeous restaurant over looking the Long Island sound what in what is called east norwalk, right on the shore. The view from this restaurant itself is breathtaking specially at sunset. The interior is an all wooden affair, with wooden ceiling, floors, and the tables nicely laden with white cloth and napkins. The menu is not too big, but what they have is all good. I went on a company dinner, and you saw other corporate events being held there as well. I ordered the Salmon Romesco which is Pan roasted Atlantic Salmon topped with romesco sauce served with lobster mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus. Just the description in itself was worth ordering and the taste backed it 100%. The place has ample parking and there is a boardwalk on the back, where you see people getting on and off their boats. Nice place, nice setting and great food, in a Quiet area. read more

This restaurant is classic Fairfield County: act like a Michelin-rated restaurant in NYC while offering peanuts. They have paid valet parking for the very lot you can park your own car in. The food is fine, not inspired and definitely not great, but the prices are high. As for service, you get much better and attentive service in diners. Here you wait 20 minutes to place an order, the waiter waits 20 minutes before placing it himself, and before you know it they're trying to clear your table to seat the next party. The owner doesn't even say thank you as he holds the door for departing customers. Finally, barely no staff were wearing masks indoors so, choose your Covid exposure wisely. read more

Sad, very Sad: * Called on a Tuesday evening to make a reservation : the person who took my reservation ; was rude . When asked if there was any Way We could get window seat : answer : " we'll try" : as If the restaurant was full of reservations : When we got there it was empty !! * They seamed to have gotten rid of one of the best waiter we have ever experienced ( George ) * Our waitress that day provided us with mediocre service at best .. There weren't any specials ( we had To ask for it ) to which she rapidly said only soup !! We asked for our table to be fixed ; because It was unbalanced ; nope; never got fixed . We were offer bread 1/2 way through our meal : it was cold and accompany by what It appear to be mashed up olives ( ewwww). We ordered a bottle; which we had to serve our selves . While she wondered around ; doing I don't know what ; restaurant was empty!!!!! * Menu was changed ; many of the dishes we loved removed for non inspiring dishes!! , Our food was horrible ; calamari was done with burned oil , my wives risotto was dry and tasteless ; my stuffed shrimp def . Frozen . Badddd!! * Their was another waiter and he obnoxiously ignored us as he chatted with a drunk team of ladies ; as we try to get his attention several times because our waitress was M.I.A!!! * After our meal , the funniest part wast that our waitress was surprise that we were not staying for dessert ! No way , Jose ; we payed ( prices at this place are not cheap ) and took our tails to Osteria Romana , where we knew dessert ; would not disappoint. Should of gone there first or Mediterraneao ; hearing great things about this new place .. Below you will find a review I wrote a year ago to show ; how this place has fallen .. I will try this place in 2 months( if it is still open ; doubt it) hopefully I can bring a better review . My review a year or so ago : * True / fresh seafood, essential to a seafood restaurant . * forward dishes ( it's all about the food , not the chef ) as most mediterranean meals are including province .. * great wine list ( the Australian sav blanc is def really good and they have it by the glass ) * nice dining room * good vista( not great), but still good * I will venture in saying a summer day and evening would be the ideal,time( if your coming to entertain your sight) * good location , not Rowayton or SONO , in between * Excellent service ! * Fair priced. With a doubt the best option for seafood in Norwalk, CT Tip : The grill octopus & anything with red snapper ! read more

Harbor Lights is a great seafood date spot right on the water in Norwalk. The warm seafood salad is absolutely delicious and everything is reasonably priced. The staff is courteous and attentive. Always would recommend this place to anyone looking for a nice dinner. read more

Food was alright. Was expecting more, for the price we paid. Way too over priced, however the decor was beautiful. The service wasn't great either. Our waitress was clue less and slow. Took over 20 mins to get our drinks from the bar. (Jack and ginger and mojito... Certainly not rocket science) Probably will not be returning. $400 meal for 4 people, and bad service. Not a good look. We will bring our money and business else where. read more

Terrific evening at Harbor Lights. They honored reservation and made a point of providing a nice table by the window since I reserved through Open Table. The setting is fantastic, a well appointed room on dock overlooking harbor. It is surprising how few nice water settings are available in Westchester and Fairfield, and this makes for a nice splurge/intimate dinner. Seafood is the main attraction, and we had terrific oysters, calamari, clams, mahi, and snapper at the table. The service was fine and the menu offered meat and chicken, too; but, it really would be a shame to miss the fish. The broiled seafood was beautifully presented. Desserts were upscale, too, and plenty of wine by the glass and bottle. I'll return and bring friends. FWIW, there's valet parking in the lot, but plenty of street parking around the area. The two block walk helped with the key lime pie! read more

We have been to Harbor Lights several times. We probably will not return. While the quality of our seafood was adequate last night, the service experience was at best a C+. Our waiter was cordial, but when we arrived with a reservation, we waited 10- 15 minutes while we watched the staff set other tables than ours and listened to the bartender bark at the waitresses. Once seated, it appeared that our waiter was very distracted and it took some time to order drinks; unfortunately, once we ordered dinner it arrived immediately. Our experience was not well paced. The real frustration came when the bus staff began to clear the table and insisted on stacking every plate from the table before she finished clearing. We asked her to refrain and take only a few at a time, but either she did not understand or ignored us. Why has this time-saving technique transformed the restaurant experience everywhere except in the top-tier restaurants? Bottom line, if a restaurant is going to charge $28-30 an entree, the overall experience must be better. The staffing needs to be adequate and staff training needs to be better. There are few seafood restaurants in Fairfield County so Harbor Lights will continue to get an audience, but I hope that pride will motivate the owners to improve the customer experience! read more

Few options around for water views without food quality being compromised for geography. This location actually has as good of food as the view, if not better. Both are very good, not great. Portions are grand, service is attentive, and the owners have several other ventures to leverage and keep standards running as they are. read more

Harbor Lights - Seafood Near Me - Norwalk, Connecticut

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My biggest mistake was taking my 3 kids here but the truth is they enjoyed the food too (one a burger, others split the steak). The blackened swordfish was excellent as was pear Gorgonzola salad and key lime martini. The best part of course was the setting, worst part being the price tag which did hurt, $320 for 3 adults/3 kids. I'd still go back. read more

Harbor Lights - View from our table - Seafood Near Me - Norwalk, Connecticut

Had dinner here last night. The service was sorely lacking. There were four of us, and my friend and I got there early to discuss the payment of the check. We wanted to treat our friend whose birthday it was, and I asked the waiter if he could give us three separate checks, and split her meal within our three checks. He said that wouldn't be a problem, but when the time came, he brought us ONE check, and then said he couldn't do anything about it because he had already done the one check. It was very awkward having to do money dealings in front of the birthday guest. He also was sorely lacking In the service department. He never told about specials, and I had to ask him when he came over to take our order if there were any. He was also not attentive, and the place was far from busy. I had to ask him for more water two times, and for another glass of wine. You can't exist on the view/atmosphere alone. Service is more important. This is one of my favorite places, but I will not go back anytime soon because of this experience. read more

I found a live (yes live) crab in my tuna tartare. This was after my wife had a spider crawling on her plate. We waited 20 minutes before we had to request our waiter come by. When we showed him, he said "it comes with the oysters". Except it was tuna tartare. I was beyond disgusted. As a former waiter, I would expect the manager would be notified and would come apologize to us. Nope, the waiter just gave us our check after we cancelled the rest of our meal. As I got to the parking lot, I decided a manager should be notified. I went back in to make sure they knew. The person I spoke to happened to be the owner who brushed it off as if nothing happened. The only person I would recommend this restaurant to is Jon Taffer. What a joke. read more

I went here with a coworker on a business trip in mid-June 2014. My coworker was insistent on finding a restaurant with a water view and boy, did this place deliver! Our hotel concierge had suggested this place. Otherwise, I would have ruled it our based on others' yelp reviews alone. If I could rate it on the scenery and decor, I would rate this place 5 stars. Unfortunately, the food was severely lacking. I ordered the crab soup that was on special that day. It came out luke warm and tasted a lot like creamy old bay seasoning. For my entree, I ordered the Scottish Salmon. The Salmon was overdone and ,therefore, a little tough. The menu said it came on a black bean and papaya "salad". I had no idea what that meant, but it looked like they literally poured a can of black beans on the plate and mixed some papaya chunks in it. Wasn't very appealing looking. The taste of that was alright, but the presentation needed to be WAY better. The only redeeming quality of the food was the Ekmek that I had. Delicious! The coconut and creamy custard were perfect. It was very heavy and filling, though. Overall, the view is what you're paying for, but even for that the place was way overpriced. The food is okay, at best. If I ever have to come up again, I will probably go elsewhere and then go to that cute ice cream shop next door for the view. read more

There are some things that Harbor Lights does right. It is a lovely spacious restaurant with lovely water views of the Sound. The birdwatching was wonderful. We saw ospreys, egrets, cormorants, gulls, crows and starlings during our 30 minute wait for our food. The wait staff was very attentive about filling up our water glasses. When the food did arrive, my poach salmon was over cooked. They graciously remade the dish.The linguine with shellfish was a big hit at our table, but it was not served with any bread to soak the lovely broth up. The eggs benedict with smoked salmon were good. The coffee was weak. The creme brulee was unevenly burnt on top. So if you want to have a lovely view of the Sound and have a time to bird watch while waiting for your meal, you should definitely consider Harbor Lights an option for water side dining! read more

Very unprofessional personnel from the manager to the valet parking person. I would never return to this restaurant.

Horrible !!!!! 2 days ago I celebrated my birthday at this place . Horrible customer service !!!! I Made a reservation for 8:30pm the lady who I spoke with never told me the kitchen closes at 9pm, me and my family ordered in a rush , we could not enjoy each other's company or talk because everything was in a rush. I had to take a pic of the menu for my friend's therefore they could order some food while they were driving to the restaurant because they got there almost 9 pm ... HORRIBLE!!!! read more

I made a RESERVATION for 8pm. It was my 15th wedding anniversary and I wanted to take my wife someplace special. We got to Harbor Lights on time and the manager told us that there was nothing available for at least 45 minutes. We said we made a reservation. She said that they had walk ins. I said, A reservation means that you don't seat the walk ins and you hold the table for those who make a reservation! She said, well there is nothing I can do. She did not offer any drinks at the bar or appetizers while we wait. We only had a 2.5 hour window while we had child care. My plans for a special anniversary dinner were ruined!!!! There were other patrons who suffered the same fate. We all left!!! Stay away! read more

Last year a lobster roll was $20ish this year it is $30ish. It's pretty good, but I won't be buying it again at that price. I get inflation but this is gouging. read more

I eat here once in a while, the view is spectacular and the service is very attentive. Food is always top notch, Harbor Lights is definitely one of my favorite restaurants! read more

Even on a rainy night, the view from Harbor Lights is impressive. What was even better was the prix fixe - your choice of soup or salad, entree, and dessert for only $25! With such a low price for the meal, we started with a plate of oysters. They served meaty Blue Points with freshly made cocktail sauce and mignonette. The seaweed salad garnish was tasty as well. The lobster bisque that followed was decadent with its heavy cream and sweet lobster chunks, and the Caesar salad dressing was well balanced with only the slightest hint of anchovy. For entrees, I thought my trout was well cooked and beautifully presented, but my boyfriend's crab stuffed shrimp were perfectly seasoned and incredibly rich. The three shrimp were more than enough to fill him. I found the bread pudding to be a bit of a mediocre effort, but the pumpkin cheesecake with a cappuccino was a great way to end the meal. The prix fixe might be an off season draw, but the food was great and the service was friendly. I'll definitely be back even paying full menu prices. read more

A great restaurant with a great view of the harbor! Never too crowded but i always get a reservation. The lobster risotto is a favorite as well as any steak they cook up! Decent wine list as well read more

I had dinner with my wife here for Valentine's Day. We had an excellent experience.The service was great ( Clara our server was amazing) and the food even better. I will defenetly come back during the summer. They have a great view. read more

Harbor Lights - Chocolate dipped cheesecake. Delicious. - Seafood Near Me - Norwalk, Connecticut

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We went for a family reunion brunch on Sunday and it was just gorgeous! The view of the harbor is amazing and the ambiance is very peaceful and classic New England with seagulls and boats sailing by as you eat. The large windows were open so you could feel the breeze! Food was very good. We had the mussels for appetizers and tuna tartar which was like sashimi and very fresh and light. The crab cake was also very good. For main course I had the fish and chips which was amazing! It was light and crispy and not very heavy. Everyone said my entrée was the best. Others had Salmon au citron salad which was ok, and grilled Mediterranean sea bass which was good. I think my entrée was the best. Service was good. read more

I ate here last night with my husband and my friend and I really like this place. If you want a seat near the windows definitely make your reservation well in advance. We sat towards the front entrance of the restaurant and it was a bit stuffy as there was not much of a breeze coming through the windows. The decor of the restaurant is very nice and elegant, with beautiful lights and vaulted ceilings in the part closest to the water. This is definitely a great place for a romantic dinner. I had the mussels appetizer, which was good but I wasn't crazy about it being doused in marinara sauce. I prefer mussels in a more brothy type of sauce. My husband and I shared the octopus appetizer which was very yummy and flavorful. I had the swordfish for the entree, which came with what looked like cous-cous and a serving of green beans. The swordfish was good but a bit dry. I had to really go nuts dipping the fish in the basil pesto sauce. The green beans were good, but the ends were a bit sharp and overcooked. The only food on my plate I really liked was the cous-cous. It was very moist and had a wonderful lemon flavor. My friend had the chicken with mashed potatoes and spinach. The chicken was very good and moist, but the mashed potatoes were fluffy and very bland. The spinach was tasty as well. My husband really liked his seafood pescatore, especially the large shrimp. I ordered the vanilla creme brulee and my friend ordered the chocolate mousse for dessert. We each sampled each other's desserts and they were very very delicious! The dessert drinks were also really great. The Oban scotch had a very strong and smoky flavor, but was really good, and the ice wine was the perfect amount of sweet to go with my dessert(s). Other notes: Our waitress was very friendly and knowledgeable, but she was a bit slow. I'm not sure how many other tables she had, if they had her doing other things, or if the kitchen was just being slow. Also, the bathroom is one room and it was VERY hot in there. Put a fan in there in the summer time! The parking at and around the restaurant could be vastly improved. Short of adding another parking lot, I really think they should have valet. We had to park on the street kind of far away since their lot was completely full. Overall I do like the restaurant, but I would like to come back another time and get a window seat, and possibly come a bit earlier for better parking options. read more

Had Easter 2019 dinner that was excellent. The staff were gracious, attentive and terrific! The food looked as good as it tasted. Presentation was perfect! Every dish was delicious from start to finish. The ambiance was lovely. It was my first time eating at this establishment and we will definitely return. read more

The decor was very nice and festive, but I felt that it seemed to have more of a Mexican feel to it that a seafood restaurant. It had a very nice waterfront view. I thought that the service was ok, nothing amazing. I ordered the crab cakes and they were very good, but they were a little spicy. For my entree I ordered the angus burger it was overcooked, the bacon was very thick and I could not eat it. I think that I would give this restaurant another try. read more

Harbor Lights - Seafood Near Me - Norwalk, Connecticut

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Yesterday, my family went here for lunch. We were seated at a table where the windows were open and the wind was blowing . So when we politely asked the staff to adjust the window, she had to go back to the owner to ask permission and the owner said NO! I was shocked by the poor customer service at this restaurant. After changing tables, we really just felt like leaving. This type of poor attention deteriorates the otherwise nice setting of the place.. Despite the water view at this place, reconsider going because you not only may receive poor service, but the food is not that great for the price read more

I read the reviews and thought to give this spot a try anyway. The view is beautiful. The set up inside is lovely as well. Unfortunately the food did not match. Our crabcake appetizer was too bread and flavorless. The mussels were overcooked. I ordered the seafood with risotto and my scallops, lobster and shrimp were very tough. Had to also add lemon for more flavor. Our party also ordered the stuffed shrimp with crab meat and the stuffing was all bread, no crab. The 1-1/2lb lobster was more sized as a 1/4 lobster. Over cooked as well. The dessert with a puff French pastry and homemade ice cream was okay. All and all, the view is nice and that is all. The Restuarant has a lovely menu but they need to hire a new chef that can spruce it up a bit. read more

Very poor indeed! Mussels were full of grit and were leathery. We ate on a Friday at 5pm BEFORE the weekend rush and they were out of West Coast Oysters. The Blue Points were hacked up like a 5 year old with a machete opened them. Ceviche was an interesting twist, tomato sauce, HUGE pieces pre-cooked without lime; WRONG....if I wanted a cold cioppino, I would have asked for it - getting poorly made ceviche in a small martini glass for $18 is RIDICULOUS! Service was slow and inattentive. Martinis needed to be made by a proper bartender. Very expensive for food that was mediocre at best. read more

My fiancée and I had an amazing time here! We got the oysters as an appetizer, lobster as the main course, and profiterole with ice cream for desert. The food was just superb, the service was excellent, the atmosphere was amazing. I can not recommend this place enough, I know I will be back again sometime soon! read more

Nice job to the staff good service great wine and well the food .... The food was exceptional. Kudos the the kitchen team. They need a raise! I came in expecting cheesy place but enjoyed my time location is gray but the food really sent this one to a 4-5 star spot. Highly recommended. read more

Harbor Lights - Great setting and surprise the food was fantastic! - Seafood Near Me - Norwalk, Connecticut

Great food, attentive service! Not sure what the negative reviews are based on, we really enjoyed ourselves. Can't wait to come when it's warmer and they'll have three windows open to the awesome view of the Marina. read more

Lobster roll sliders 21 bucks , just an example of overpriced mediocre food. Seriously there couldn't have been more than a tablespoon of lobster barely visible between some crappy bread rolls, ditto with the salmon sliders. The only thing this place has going for it is the view and location. There's better places nearby and you'd think the owners would wake up to the completion read more

burger is good, service is good overall view is nice... they have seasonal pre order prefix menus

Parked 5:15 for a 5:30 reservation. Rudely yelled at and embarrassed in the parking lot by a woman i believe was management, because a few of us went to throw bathing suits and towels in a boat at the marina next door. They thought we were there to just use their lot. I explained that I had a reservation and gave the name and said I'd be back in a minute but was nonetheless told "No! One person needs to wait with the car!" Idiocy. I was pretty angry at how this all went down. There were a lot of people around and it was embarrassing to be yelled and and accused etc. Food was pretty good with one huge miss - the "lobster roll sliders" were the worst I've ever had. The rolls were stale and the amount of lobster inside was ridiculous. It was like a smear. read more

If quality of food and customer service are important to you, make reservations elsewhere. Gabriele was super attentive until I gave her my credit card for a deposit. Unlike every other place I have ever booked, Harbor Lights makes you pay to taste their food ahead of time, even though I brought 25 people to my party. My party was scheduled to begin at 6, but somehow "6:30" was written down so the staff just stood while people arrived. At 6:10 with several guests holding their coats and not being approached by anyone for drink orders, I finally asked them to take coats, bring around appetizers and take drink orders. They were completely thrown off. They made a stink about giving me a table to place holiday gifts on, saying that people reserved the tables around mine, which wasn't true because no one was in there until our party was 1/2 way done and then they sat a group of four super close to us. The restaurant is large and has two parts to it, so sitting the only dining guests next to our group was inappropriate and demonstrated a lack of respect for them and us. The other party of 4 should have been seated elsewhere and the proximity made it uncomfortable for everyone, especially since the work holiday party included speeches and gift giving. Appetizers were terrible so people didn't really eat them. The food arrived cold, overcooked and basically inedible. Gabriele chose the menu for the party. The only redeeming part was that the view and location of the restaurant is nice and my group loved just being together. Be warned - I never, ever write negative reviews and wish I could say more positives about my experience at this restaurant, but it was the worst dining experience for me and my team. read more