• Stamford, Connecticut is a popular tourist destination during New England's summer season, because it offers boating and other activities on Long Island Sound. During your stay in Stamford, check out the dining establishments in downtown Stamford and near Westcott Cove and Cove Harbor. Restaurants near the Cove areas tend to serve seafood dishes; downtown restaurants offer a variety of ethnic cuisines, including Italian and Spanish food.
  
  

Pellicci's Ristorante

• Pellicci's Ristorante is a family-owned Italian establishment located on the western edge of downtown Stamford, about 10 minutes from Mill River Park. This casual restaurant, which opened in 1947, features an "Old World" lounge area with a mahogany bar and stained-glass windows. The lounge also features a television for sporting events.
  
  Pellicci's Ristorante serves lunch and dinner every day. Specialties include eggplant parmigiana, and a family-style dinner that combines baked chicken, sausage and ziti with peppers. The restaurant's five dining rooms can easily accommodate private parties and events.
  
  Pellicci's Ristorante
  
  96 Stillwater Ave.
  
  Stamford, CT 06902
  
  203-323-2542
  
  pelliccis.com
  
  

Brasitas

• Brasitas is right off the Connecticut Turnpike in eastern downtown Stamford. This Latin cafe-style restaurant features a festive atmosphere, and has received a favorable mention in the travel section of "The New York Times."
  
  Brasitas serves lunch and dinner every day. The dinner menu includes camarones al ajillo (sauteed shrimp), and pollo Caribeno al curry (Caribbean chicken in a coconut-curry sauce). On Sundays, the restaurant offers a brunch menu that includes Latin Eggs Benedict (two poached eggs on grilled cheese arepas with lime hollandaise sauce) and perico tacos (scrambled eggs and potatoes rolled in a soft tortilla). Brasitas can also provide catered meals.
  
  Brasitas
  
  954 E. Main St.
  
  Stamford, CT 06902
  
  203-323-3176
  
  brasitas.com
  
  

Market Restaurant

• Located in the heart of downtown Stamford, Market Restaurant is a local favorite; the readers of "Fairfield Weekly" voted it the "Best Restaurant of 2010." This casual restaurant features exposed brick walls in the dining room; sidewalk seating is also available.
  
  Market serves lunch and dinner seven days a week. The kitchen is open to the dining room, allowing patrons to watch the chefs prepare their meals. The "Fat Cow" skirt steak and swordfish is a signature entree. The dessert menu offers white chocolate bread pudding and gelato.
  
  Market Restaurant
  
  249 Main St.
  
  Stamford, CT 06901
  
  203-348-8000
  
  marketstamford.com
  
  

Seaside Tavern

• The Seaside Tavern in southern Stamford is within walking distance of Cove Island Park, which features walking paths and boating docks on Cove Harbor.
  
  This casual pub-style establishment serves seafood for lunch and dinner every day; options include beer-battered shrimp, fish 'n' chips and fried oysters. Happy Hour runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays. In the evening, Seaside Tavern showcases live music from local rock and folk bands. The restaurant also has a game room with pool tables and dartboards.
  
  Seaside Tavern
  
  891 Cove Road
  
  Stamford, CT 06902
  
  203-964-9225
  
  seasidetavern.net