City: Westport, CT

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (203) 226-2647

Address: 7 Sconset Sq.

Description: A block from the Westport Country Playhouse off the Post Road, the Blue Lemon’s white pergola and yellow and blue interior bring to mind a restaurant from another latitude. That’s appropriate, because globally inspired chef Brian Malcarney serves fascinating cuisine, with dishes like Vietnamese seafood stew, cassoulet with duck confit, and salmon carpaccio. Try the pan-seared skate for a change of pace. For dessert, the ginger crème brûlée is a can’t-miss classic. This is a small, quiet restaurant for a relaxing meal. And in case you’re wondering, the name does not refer to a rare species of lemon, but was simply conjured out of thin air, much like the wonderful recipes at this cutting-edge restaurant.

City: Westport, CT

Category: Restaurants

Address: 25 Powers Ct.

City: Westport, CT

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (203) 222-9549

Address: 292 Wilton Rd.

Description: Right off exit 41 of the Merritt Parkway is a huge red barn, one of the most popular and long-lasting restaurants in the area. The Red Barn has been a Westport landmark for over 50 years and has been lovingly restored. Inside, polished wood and roaring fireplaces welcome you, but the spotless tablecloths are certainly not rustic, nor is the food. It has an impressive raw bar, and serves a mostly continental and American menu, full of classics. If you need a fancy restaurant you can take your kids to, they have options for children and a kid-friendly atmosphere. The Red Barn is also popular with the afternoon business crowd. If it’s nice outside, definitely sit on the stone porch amid the gardens.

City: Westport, CT

Category: Restaurants

Address: 680 Post Rd. East

City: Westport, CT

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (203) 227-3808

Address: 343 Main St.

Description: Former president Bill Clinton put this place on the map when he declared their donuts to be the best in the land. The donuts here are made from scratch, crunchy on the outside and cakelike inside, with flavors like honey-glazed, coconut twist, cinnamon, chocolate-frosted, old-fashioned, and more. Watch them bring the donuts out of the bakery on a rod and slide them onto the trays. Or you can just hold out your hands and grab them and stuff them into your mouth. They also have hot and cold sandwiches for lunch, including a delicious pastrami. But even if you aren’t here for breakfast, get the donuts for Keats’ sake. You’ll never go back to . . . what is that other donut place called?

City: Westport, CT

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (203) 222-8899

Address: 43 Main St.

Description: This villa-like Mediterranean restaurant in downtown Westport has a frescoed ceiling that will have you leaning back in your chair to get a better look. With a number of different French and Italian dishes, you can try seafood, steak, pasta, and crisp thin-crust pizzas. The American dishes like Maryland crab cakes are tempting, too. If you’ve never had a dessert soufflé before, this is certainly the place to get one; the chefs here have mastered the art. While shopping this chic district of celebrity sightings, you’ll find Acqua is a great place to stop in for a dinner, except on Sun, when it’s closed. Try getting a seat in the upstairs bar, where there’s a view of the Saugatuck River.

City: Westport, CT

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (203) 226-0308

Address: 36 Railroad Place

Description: Located right by the train station in Westport, this local legend serves big portions for low prices, and has the friendliest bar in town. People come back here like to an old friend. Mario’s serves American and Italian food, with the prime rib a standout for many. This is also a place for old-school cocktails, and the drinks are even better (and stronger) than the food. Some people get off the train for a drink at Mario’s and then get back on to head to New York or Boston. That should tell you something. This has been an institution in Westport since 1967, and is a great place to find the many celebrities who live in the area throwing a drink back with the rest of us.

City: Westport, CT

Category: Restaurants

Address: 42 Main St.