Rustic Cafe | Gastropub in East Lyme, CT
Welcome to The Rustic Cafe
The Rustic Cafe has been a landmark on Route 1 in East Lyme for over 75 years! It has been a restaurant and dance hall, a wine bar, a local watering hole, and continues to morph into one of the greatest “little secrets” to all of those whom have visited this tiny bar on their way to or from the shoreline. A cozy bar with an extensive menu, the popular term “GastroPub” is fitting for this establishment serving several skillfully prepared dishes typically found in fine dining. Locals and tourists alike enjoy conversation of the day along with great food, beer, wine and cocktails.
Visit Us
Menus
Lunch
Wednesday - Sunday
11:30am - 4:30pm
Rustic Bites
Daily Soup
see specials board for todays preparation
$9
Rustic Fries
rosemary - salt - herb dipping sauce
$9
Buffalo Chicken Spring Rolls
sweet thai chili - smoked blue cheese dip
$15
Steak & Cheese Eggrolls
onions - peppers - mushrooms - spicy ketchup
$17
Lobster Rangoon
cream cheese - scallion - sweet thai chili sauce
$18
Chips & Queso
avocado - black beans - cheddar - jalapano - corn pico de gallo - sweet spiced tortilla chips
$14
Chicken Tenders or Wings
choice: buffalo - magic sauce - teriyaki - parm dry rub blue cheese dipping sauce
$15
Crusted Crab Quesadilla
parmesan crust - fresh crab - corn - jalapeno - pico - jack cheese - black beans
$18
Veggie Dumplings
japanese dipping sauce
$13
Salads
Grilled Romaine
bacon - rstd red onion/tomato - croutons parmesan -avocado dill dressing
$13
Mixed Greens
pine nuts - goat feta - caramelized onion - black garlic vinaigrette
$11
Thai Chicken
shredded chicken - cabbage - carrot - cucumber - peanuts - scallion - cilantro - chili/lime dressing
$14
Salad Additions
chicken $6
steak $10
shrimp $8
Handhelds
All handhelds served with choice of french fries, dressed greens, or crispy fingerling potatoes
Basic Burger
lettuce - tomato
Add cheese $1
$15
Rustic House Burger
aged cheddar - bacon - caramelized onion - chimi aioli
$17
Fried Chicken Sandwich
kimchi slaw - special sauce - soft brioche bun
$16
Grilled Chicken Sandwich
swiss - pickled onion - let - tom - baguette
$16
Turkey B.L.A.T
bacon - let -tom - avocado - ranch - wheat
$15
Pork Belly Sandwich
provolone - veggie slaw - chili mayo - blackberry/Dijon glaze
$16
Beer Battered Fish
lettuce - pickles - house made tartar - brioche bun
$16
Short Rib Grilled Cheese
house braised short rib - cheddar jack - caramelized onion - grilled sourdough
$16
Basics
Bread Choice: White, Wheat, Rye
All basic sandwiches served with chips and a pickle
Grilled Cheese
add bacon +3
$10
Bacon Lettuce Tomato
served on toast with mayo
$12
Chicken Salad Sandwich
$12
Entrees
Cajun Chicken Pasta
grilled chicken - andouille - spinach - tomato - fettuccine - cajun cream sauce
$17
Swordfish Skewers
bacon wrapped sword bites - maple glaze - sweet potato hash
$20
Shrimp Fried Rice
bacon - shredded veggies - sweet soy
$18
Pork Belly Noodle Bowl
egg - scallion - bok choy - bamboo - somen noodles
$20
Korean Fishermans Soup
shrimp - fish - mussels - kimchi broth - ramen noodles
$24
Chicken Cauliflower Pasta
shredded chicken - rstd cauliflower - pine nuts - raisins -parmesan - casarecce pasta - no chicken= vegetarian
$19
Miso Parmesan Pasta
corn - miso butter - black pepper - dashi - fettuccini
$18
Steak Toast
shrooms - onions - garlic butter - gorgonzola - shallots
$24
Sides
Broccolini
$6
Bok Choy
$6
Crispy Fingerlings
$6
Fries
$6
Desserts
Sticky Toffee Pudding
cinnamon gelato
$10
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake
$10
Lemon Curd
served in a jar - blueberry compote
$10
Mississippi Mud Brownie Sundae
$10
Daily Creme Brulee
$10
*Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness, especially if you have certain medical conditions
Dinner
Open Wednesday - Sunday
Bar Open 4pm - 10pm Kitchen Open 4:30pm - 9:30pm
Closed Monday - Tuesday
Rustic Bites
Daily Soup
see specials board for todays preparation
$9
Pork & Shrimp Dumplings
chili crisp - cilantro/scallion - crispy shallot
$16
Buffalo Chicken Spring Rolls
sweet thai chili - smoked blue cheese dip
$15
Steak & Cheese Eggrolls
onions - peppers - mushrooms - spicy ketchup
$17
Smoked Duck Nachos
wonton crisps - shallot - tamarind - red onion - lime creme - chipotle aioli
$16
Lobster Rangoon
cream cheese - scallion - sweet thai chili sauce
$18
Chips & Queso
avocado - black beans - cheddar - jalapano - corn pico de gallo - sweet spiced tortilla chips
$14
Rustic Fries
rosemary - salt - herb dipping sauce
$9
Chicken Tenders or Wings
choice: buffalo - magic sauce - teriyaki - parm dry rub blue cheese dipping sauce
$15
Chilled Seafood Salad
octopus - shrimp - scallop - mussels - peppers - tomato celery - onion - spices
$16
Shrimp Wontons
coconut Penang prawn broth - bok choy - furikake spice
$15
Salads
Grilled Romaine
bacon - rstd red onion/tomato - croutons parmesan -avocado dill dressing
$13
Mixed Greens
pine nuts - goat feta - caramelized onion - black garlic vinaigrette
$11
Thai Chicken
shredded chicken - cabbage - carrot - cucumber - peanuts - scallion - cilantro - chili/lime dressing
$14
Handhelds
Choice: French fries - crispy fingerlings - greens
Basic Burger
lettuce - tomato
Add cheese $1
$15
Rustic House Burger
aged cheddar - bacon - caramelized onion - chimi aioli
$17
Fried Chicken Sandwich
kimchi slaw - special sauce - soft brioche bun
$16
Turkey B.L.A.T
bacon - let -tom - avocado - ranch - wheat
$15
Pork Belly Sandwich
provolone - veggie slaw - chili mayo - blackberry/Dijon glaze
$16
Tomato Mozz B.L.T
pepper bacon - fresh mozz - let/tom - herb mayo - baguette
$14
Entrees
Pork Belly Noodle Bowl
egg - scallion - bok choy - bamboo - somen noodles
$20
Korean Fishermans Soup
shrimp - fish - mussels - kimchi broth - ramen noodles
$24
Chicken Cauliflower Pasta
shredded chicken - rstd cauliflower - pine nuts - raisins -parmesan - casarecce pasta - no chicken= vegetarian
$19
Miso Parmesan Pasta
corn - miso butter - black pepper - dashi - fettuccini
$18
Steak Toast
shrooms - onions - garlic butter - gorgonzola - shallots
$24
Italian Meat Ragu
braised veal, pork, beef - papardelle - shaved parm
$26
Everything Crusted Salmon
crispy fingerlings - broccolini - dill yogurt sauce
$28
Harissa Half Chicken
boneless 1/2 chicken - golden rice - baby bok choy
$27
Grilled Pork Chop
cold sesame noodles - broccolini - shallot sauce
$26
Boneless Sea Bass
mashed potato - wild mushroom fricassee
$28
Soy Braised Short Rib
mushroom fried rice - baby bok choy
$32
Steaks
Choice: french fries or crispy fingerlings. Served with trio of house made sauces chimichurri - horseradish - rustic steak house
Filet Mignon
8 oz $38
New York Strip
12 oz $36
Hanger
10 oz $30
Desserts
Sticky Toffee Pudding
cinnamon gelato
$10
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake
$10
Lemon Curd
served in a jar - blueberry compote
$10
Mississippi Mud Brownie Sundae
$10
Daily Creme Brulee
$10
Sides
Broccolini
$6
Bok Choy
$6
Golden Rice
$6
Crispy Fingerlings
$6
Fries
$6
*Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness, especially if you have certain medical conditions
Wine By The Glass
Red
Cabernet
$7
$26
Cabernet
$14
Pinot Noir
$14
Merlot
$14
Tempranillo
$14
Chianti
$14
Zinfandel
$14
White
Pinot Grigio
$7
$26
Chardonnay
$14
Sauvignon Blanc
$12
Prosecco
$14
Rose
$14
Riesling
$14
Beer
Draft
Bud Light
$4.50
Michelob Ultra
$4.50
Pabst Blue Ribbon
$4.50
Two Roads Lil Heaven
$6
Subduction Ipa
$6
Blue Moon
$6
Bottles
Budweiser
Bud Light
Miller Lite
Coors Light
Rolling Rock
Coors Banquet
michelob ultra
Amstel Light
Sam Boston Lager
Sam Seasonal
Heineken
Long Trail
Corona
Corona Light
Stella Yuengling
Twisted Tea
Miller High Life
Cans
Guinness
Surfside
Nutrl
Citizen Cider
High Noon
N/A
Bud Zero
St. Pauly Girl
Cocktails
Cosmopolitan
absolut citron - lime juice - simple syrup - cran
$14
Classic Margarita
tequila - lime juice - simply syrup - sour - half salted rim
$10
Manhattan
bourbon - bitters - sweet vermouth - cherry - rocks
$14
Rum Punch
light & dark rum - pineapple & orange juice - grenadine
$10
Papa Doble
gold rum - luxardo - simple syrup - grapefruit juice - fresh lime juice - served up
$14
Blood Orange Paloma
tequila - blood orange liqueur - fresh lime juice grapefruit soda - half salted rim
$11
Pain Killer
pussers rum - pineapple & orange juice - coco cream - nutmeg
$13
Peter C.
hendriks gin - fresh lime juice - fresca - rocks
$13
Dirty Shirley
3 olives cherry vodka - gingerale - grenadine - cherries
$11
Liquid Desserts
Espresso Martini
vanilla vodka - espresso - tia maria - kahlua - creme de cocoa
$14
Caramel White Russian
$14
Strawberries & Cream
london dry gin - strawberry liqueur - white creme de cocoa cream - strawberry garnish - served up
$14
Events
Events
Coming Soon!
Catering
Let us cater your next event!
At our restaurant, we believe that every event is an opportunity to create unforgettable memories through extraordinary food and impeccable service. Whether you're planning an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, our team of culinary experts and event professionals is here to make your vision a reality.
Inquire NowPrivate Events
Our private rooms, intimate dining areas, and shareable menu make us the perfect setting for your next event. You can also buyout the entire restaurant for larger, fully private events. For all private event inquiries, fill out the form below and a member of our team will contact you to go over the details.
About Us
Our Story
Built in 1947 as the Rustic Inn, it was a large restaurant, bar and dance hall. It was known to have the likes of Frank Sinatra stop by for evenings out. After a devastating fire in the mid ’60’s, it was rebuilt in 1969 to its present, cozy size and renamed the Rustic Café. It had a brief stint as the wine bar the Fiddleleaf Inn, but was brought back to its roots in 2007. Now eccentric locals and summer tourists alike enjoy the freshest seafood, tastiest ribs and renowned hamburgers paired with delicious beer and cocktails in an open wood-beam atmosphere under the original iconic sign.
Come visit one of the greatest "little secrets" on your way to or from the shoreline
Careers
Work With Us
We’d love to have you join our team! Please use the form below to apply.
Press
Coming Soon!
Get in Touch
Send us a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Looking forward to hearing from you.