Stories > Places to Grill and Chill - and Pick Up Fresh Meat and Seafood in Connecticut

Places to Grill and Chill - and Pick Up Fresh Meat and Seafood in Connecticut Last Updated: August 2023

Summer is the time for outdoor fun, and that means getting together with friends and family at Connecticut's state parks and beaches. Many Connecticut state parks offer grills, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Here’s a current list of where to find them. A few of the state parks with beaches offer grills too, like Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison, Rocky Neck State Park in East Lyme, and Burr Pond State Park in Torrington. Passport to the Parks program is for residents with Connecticut license plates on their vehicles who can enter all state parks and state forests free of charge. But wherever you decide to have your cookout or picnic, we’ve got a few suggestions on where to pick up fresh meat and seafood on the way!

Many of these locations are offering curbside pickup or delivery, so be sure to check out their websites before placing an order.

Craft Butchers

Thanks in large part to our agriculture industry, in Connecticut, you’ll find a growing number of boutique butchers that specialize in sustainably raised livestock from Connecticut farms. 

Find a list of local and family-owned livestock farms throughout Connecticut, here.

Fish Markets

And when it comes to fresh fish for the grill, there are many markets and stands around Connecticut in the summer where you can get fresh locally sourced fish, as well as other seafood favorites.

Find spots to catch your own fish all around Connecticut, here.

Extra Help

Here are a few businesses that can help you plan your next cookout or DIY clambake!