Optical connectors and optical couplings for fiber-to-chip optical connections are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical connector includes a ferrule body having a surface, an optical interface disposed within the surface. The optical interface is recessed with respect to the surface by an offset distance, and at least one fiber bore through the ferrule body and terminating at the optical interface. The optical connector further includes at least one optical fiber disposed within the at least one fiber bore such that the optical fiber protrudes beyond a surface of the optical interface. In another embodiment, a compliant material is disposed on a ferrule surface of a ferrule body such that one or more optical fibers pass through the compliant material and protrude beyond a surface of the compliant material. A clamp may also be provided to clamp the optical connector to a substrate.