Connecticut has a lot to offer for local diners and visitors. Here are the top establishments for the best cuisines and refined service.
Oyster Club
This is the best Connecticut Restaurant that offers a beautiful dining experience in Mystic, CT. It has an extensive menu that consists of signature dishes like:
- roasted mystic oysters
- Italian bread
- lobster bun
- seared Stonington scallops
- line-caught fish
Also, they have a four-course tasting menu that features pasta made on-site, local fish, and shellfish. And every four nights a week, Oyster Club hosts a dinner party that welcomes visitors and locals alike. In addition to that, they offer happy hours that include Connecticut craft beers and half-price oysters. As you take your meal, you can enjoy a breeze from the outdoor dining deck.
Restaurant Bricco
Since 1996, Bricco in West Hartford has been serving visitors foods with an Italian flare. It invokes the spirit of a family dinner setting and adds a modern Italian-American spirit. Restaurant Bricco is rustic, vibrant, and inviting.
Whether you need a special holiday meal or planning to customize your menu, this Connecticut restaurant has you covered. And to ensure they meet the needs of every visitor, their menus keep changing.
Another feature that makes Restaurant Bricco stack up above the competition is the outside catering service. Whether you’re looking for something more intimate or a formal affair, the professional team will make your life easier.
Millwright’s restaurant
Millwright’s restaurant offers carefully crafted dishes that feature locally-sourced ingredients. It has partnered with the local farms in Simsbury, CT to create new weekly menus. And as such, the professional chefs care about knowing where the food they serve comes from.
Besides, the setting provides a spectacular backdrop to the dining experience. This Connecticut restaurant features an extensive cocktail menu and wine list to meet the needs of every person. In the basement, there’s a tavern that serves upscale food. The crafted bar offers an intimate setting that adds to the ambiance.
To ensure you dine in a hospitable environment, the restaurant features a rustic but refined interior with a stunning view.
The cottage
The cottage boasts of seasonally changing menus that consist of the best American cuisines. Because the menu is ever-evolving, you’ll also find foods with French, Asian, and Italian flavors.
Since 2015, the New York Times has reviewed cottage as the best Connecticut restaurant – for good reasons. To satiate your taste buds, you can start with the appetizers that consist of deviled farm egg, little red gem lettuces, or shaved radish toast. Then, you can head to the mains that consist of:
- Main halibut
- Braised beef short rib
- Duck fried rice
- Cottage burger
Another feature that makes the Westport, Connecticut restaurant unique is the private dining and catering services. Chief Brian Lewis will prepare a perfect meal to ensure you enjoy your intimate dinner party. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner, the menu is curated to fit your needs and preferences.
The Cottage can accommodate 40-60 guests, and there’s plenty of space where you can enjoy specialty cocktails. Furthermore, the dedicated team will offer suggestions for the best wine options to complement your dining experience. No matter your needs, they will put the best foot forward to ensure you have a memorable event.
The bar section offers the best selection of cocktails, craft beers, and wines.
Elizabeth’s Farmhouse
The best word to describe Elizabeth Farmhouse is `eclectic’. It’s owned by Heidi Hoenig Bouchard and named after her grandmother. At first glance, you’ll appreciate the tavern-like atmosphere in Putnam. To create an intimate setting, you’ll find ladderback chairs, black-painted Barnwood, and stone flooring.
If you find yourself in Connecticut, you can stop by for lunch. Before you go for the main course, you can try Keith’s New England Clam Powder – it’s creamy and classic. There’s also a wide selection of appetizers that consists of:
- Brussels sprouts
- Rhode Island stuffies
- Clam fritters
- Pot-O- Cheese
Elizabeth’s farmhouse also offers a wide selection of salads like the Traditional caesar, fall apple, Cobb salad, and antipasto.
When it comes to catering options, this Connecticut restaurant has a lot to offer. They provide a special service to discerning clients.
Zohara
Zohara is one of the best Connecticut restaurants that feature Mediterranean cuisines. It features some of the top celebrated chefs and offers an innovative menu with inspiration from the Middle East, North America, Greece, Turkey, and Eastern Europe.
The chefs have extensive knowledge of Mediterranean cooking, so they will prepare your food to perfection. Of course, the authentic entrees and powerfully-favored small plates will leave you wanting more.
Another reason why Zohara is one of the most exciting Connecticut restaurants is the fact that they feature creative cocktails. The team believes that catering is not just about setting up chaffing dishes – it’s creating an immersive experience. If you want to hold an event, the passionate chefs will ensure your occasion is unforgettable.
Grano Arso
While Grano Arso may be the newest kid on the block, it caters to the needs of every visitor to Chester, CT. It offers foods with an Italian twist and has a special private dining room. This is the go-to eatery for wholesome dining, specialty dining, cocktail beers, and more. This Connecticut restaurant offers an experience – the moment you get in, you’ll be greeted by the friendly staff. They will attend to your needs promptly and you’ll leave a happy person.
When you get to Grano Arso, you’ll meet Chef Joel Gargano (the son of an Italian baker). Some of the top food on the menu is the iron skillet, topped with garlic, grilled eggplant, and balsamic vinegar. You’ll also be thrilled by the signature drinks like cocktails and craft beers.
David Burke Prime
David Burke Prime is a steakhouse located in Foxwoods resort casino. It showcases American cuisine classics, seafood, and steaks. Since it opened its doors in 2008, this Mashantucket, CT restaurant has shown its culinary expertise to locals and visitors alike.
What’s’ more, all meats on the menu are picked by chefs and you’ll find a few selections in the in-house dry-aging room. Not to mention, the steaks have more intense flavors. The menu offers awe-inspiring specialties that include classic caesar salad and black pepper maple glaze.
Kawa Ni restaurant
Kawa Ni is a Japanese restaurant and a perennial favorite for many people in Westport, CT. Their menu consists of pork & garlic ramen, pork belly, broth bonanza, and trout mazeman, and cold noodle. Some of the appetizers include banh mi and bao. Their signature drinks include wines, spirits, beers, and cocktails.
Taproot
Taproot is a hidden gem in Bethel, CT that caters to the needs of every visitor. Their extensive menu consists of popular plate options and locally-crafted beers.
This Connecticut restaurant is owned by Jeff Taibe and Steph Sweeney. Previously, Taibe worked with a Japanese restaurant and learned a simple and signature cooking style.
Every Tuesday and Saturday, they offer takeout dining – you can choose small or big plates. There’s also a wide assortment of sandwiches to choose from. Depending on your needs, you can order:
- Pimento cheese
- Vietnamese chicken wings
- Smoked spare ribs
- Fried Brussels sprouts
- Spicy pickled carrots
- Cornbread
- Red gem lettuce
If you go for a big plate, you can choose crab & pork fried with rice, shrimp and grits, roasted chicken, cornmeal fried fish, or tonkatsu ramen.
This Connecticut restaurant also offers a `grab-and-go’ option. You can order buttermilk ranch, spicy wing sauce, traditional bbq sauce, pimento cheese, or sweet garlic wing sauce. When it comes to beverage options, Taproot restaurant has a lot to offer. You can choose wines, cocktails, or booze. If you want non-alcoholic drinks, you can choose diet cola, coke, pink lemonade, grapefruit, elderberry, lime juice, ginger beer, etc.
If you have a special event coming up like a birthday, wedding, anniversary, you can go for private catering services. The Connecticut restaurant delivers the best service to ensure your experience is unforgettable. The taproot can host 35-50 people for a cocktail party.
Tavern at Graybarns
If you’re looking for a farmhouse aesthetic to accompany your meal, the Tavern at Graybarns in Norwalk, CT is a sure bet. It’s set along the Silvermine River that was once hosted by Eddie Fisher and Elizabeth Taylor.
The Connecticut restaurant offers a variety of food options that feature bold and seasonal flavors. The menu consists of Truffle berretta, tuna, prime beef, chicken breast, and CACEO E PEPE. On the other hand, the restaurant offers different cocktails like holiday mule, coffee old-fashioned, espresso martini, and lonely hearts.
If you’re a wine lover, you can try their wide assortment of wines like champagne, white, Spain, and red wines.
The tavern is nestled in the main dining room to ensure you get a comfortable and intimate dining experience. Whether you want to hold a family or business meeting, the sitting area can comfortably accommodate 25 people. Adjacent to the tavern, there’s a courtyard with cherry trees. This can be a great outdoor space for private dinners, baby showers, etc. It can accommodate about 30 people in a single sitting.
If you’re looking for something high-end, you can go to the porch. It overlooks the Guthrie pond and a kitchen garden. Being an outdoor weather-protected venue, you should make your reservations early. The tavern at Graybarns can also accommodate a large group at the barn. This is a unique structure filled with character – it can accommodate 75 guests. Don’t forget to place your order for your favorite dish.
Shell and Bones Oyster Bar and Grill
This is a signature New Haven Connecticut restaurant with a gorgeous waterfront view. It’s known for award-winning seafood specialties, steak, and raw bar. Each dish features sustainable raw ingredients, so it feels like the perfect seaside escape. And because it’s a few minutes’ drives from new heaven, you get the best from both worlds.
The oysters at Shell and Bones Oyster Bar and Grill are served with cocktail sauce, horseradish, and mignonette. After you enjoy your meal, you should go to the raw bar and ask the sommelier about the wine pairings. Some of the signature drinks offered include:
- Corralejo Blanco
- Cruzan Aged White Rum
- Old Forester Bourbon
- House infused Spicy Vodka
- Laubade Armagnac
Another feature that makes the Shell and Bones the best Connecticut restaurant is the diverse carry-out menu. It includes appetizers, soup and salad, chef’s cuts, and side dishes.
Metro Bis
Metro Bis is a Connecticut restaurant located in Simsbury. If you want to dine at the heart of the city, you can’t go wrong with this eatery. When you place your order, it will be prepared by Chris (an international cooking teacher from Mexico). The custom menus can be created for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Metro Bis is also a renowned Connecticut restaurant that offers the best space for private events. It can host birthdays, showers, weddings, anniversaries, business meetings, holiday parties, etc.
Another special feature about this Connecticut restaurant is that they offer accommodations. The room includes a king-size bed, mini-fridge, porch, pebble bathroom floor, and microwave.
Stone Row Kitchen and Bar
Stone Row is a Willimantic, CT restaurant that honors the heritage of Willimantic, CT. Formerly known as cafemantic, this eatery doubles down on commitment to community wellbeing. Also, it boasts of a state-of-the-art patio and offers an intimate dining experience.
The menu brings a sense of Yankee ingenuity. And because the restaurant works closely with farmers and fishers, their dishes feature fresh ingredients. Some of the highlights in the menu include:
- Grassroots burger
- Grilled asparagus
- Potato brioche roll
- Duck fat fingerling potatoes
If you have guests, the spacious dining room will ensure the comfort of every person.
Tavern on State
This is a community-driven Connecticut restaurant where you can get quality food and drinks. They prepare their signature dishes with freshly-sourced ingredients in one of the best small kitchen design we have ever seen.. Their diverse menu consists of deserts, main courses, cocktails, beer, and wines.
Despite the underlying complexities, the Tavern offers the most welcoming and modest dishes with American Cuisine.
Present Company
Since it opened its doors in 2016, the Present Company in Tariffville, CT has remained on top of the game. It offers French-American cuisines with inspirations from all over the world. When you place your order, Jeff will create a refining dish that will leave you wanting for more.
The dining menu consists of shaved duck ham, petite herb salad, butternut squash, pan-roasted halibut, and bacon-wrapped venison saddle. You can also go for a takeout menu that features chicken pot pie, chicken and dumplings, baked manicotti, Yankee pot roast, Berkshire pork, and lasagna Bolognese.
Arethusa Al Tavolo
Arethusa is arguably one of the finest Connecticut restaurants that feature a modern setting. Since 1999, it has become a destination for visitors’ local diners. Their menu consists of Black Truffle Custard, Arethusa Sour Cream, shaved pork shoulder, Maine lobster, grilled Spanish octopus, smoked pork belly dumplings, and more.