1. Join A League Of Extraordinary Dining
Union League Café
1032 Chapel St
New Haven, CT 06510
(203) 562-4299
Yelp: 4 stars, 166 reviews
Old world charm and sophisticated ambiance is the heart of Union League Café, a French-inspired brasserie in New Haven. With a professional and welcoming staff, the emphasis of this café is on what matters the most: the food, the drinks, and you, with a smidgen left over for superb desserts. Seriously, the chocolate soufflé here is the stuff that legends are made of.
2. Learn What The Buzz Is About At Max Downtown
Max Downtown
185 Asylum St
Hartford, CT 06103
(860) 522-2530
Yelp: 4 stars, 178 reviews
This bustling four star restaurant serves upwards of 300 people daily. Come here to make a special occasion even more special or just to enjoy a decadent meal for no reason other than you can. Steak lovers will salivate just seeing the dry aged bone-in NY Strip, and their chocolate chip ice cream has become the talk of the town.
3. Get An Upscale Meal Without Breaking The Bank At Olio
Olio
934 Hope St
Stamford, CT 06907
(203) 817-0303
Yelp: 4 stars, 72 reviews
Olio’s is a casual-classy fine dining experience that offers an upscale feel without emptying out your wallet. With a focus on locally sourced and organic ingredients, the menu boasts some of the freshest food in the area.
All of the stocks, sauces, pastas, breads, pastries, and ice creams homemade here on a daily basis…you’ll never need to ask the person you’re dining with how their meal is because you’ll already know: phenomenal.
4. South End Is Rough Around The Edges In All The Right Ways
South End
36 Pine St
New Canaan, CT 06840
(203) 966-5200
Yelp: 4 stars, 43 reviews
Old meets new is the theme at South End, an intentionally raw but stunning neighborhood restaurant tucked away in New Canaan. The repurposed barn wood paneling and enlarged farm animal prints points to the Chef and Owner, Nick Martschenko’s commitment to sustainable food practices.
At South End, you’ll get seasonal comfort foods so full of flavor, they almost jump off your plate. The beer and wine lists are equally as impressive, offering everything from to apple cinnamon-infused moonshine to PBR.
5. Clean Your Plate Like Your Mama Taught You At Bailey’s
Bailey’s Backyard
23 Bailey Ave
Ridgefield, CT 06877
(203) 431-0796
Yelp: 4 stars, 61 reviews
When Bailey’s Backyard decided to remodel itself as a true farm-to-table restaurant experience, they didn’t hold back. Bailey’s uses meat, poultry, and produce from local and neighboring farms as well as sources the freshest seafood from the shores of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and even the Chesapeake Bay.
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6. Eat Farm To Table At The Whelk
The Whelk
575 Riverside Ave
Westport, CT 06880
(203) 557-0902
Yelp: 4 stars, 101 reviews
Another shining star in the farm-to-table renaissance is The Whelk, a sustainable restaurant known for its unique dishes and creative uses of seafood. With a strong dedication and passion to their practices matched only by their love for seriously good food, diners are always thrilled with the selections they are given here.
If it’s available on the menu, you have to try the squid ink cavatelli, Norm Bloom’s Big Copps Island Oysters, trout dip, and Peekytoe crab fondue.
7. Treat Yourself With Fine Dining And Wine Pairings At Bernard’s And Sarah’s
Bernard’s & Sarah’s Wine Bar
20 West Ln
Ridgefield, CT 06877
(203) 438-8282
Yelp: 4 stars, 58 reviews
There are no shortages of fine dining experiences in Connecticut, but Bernard and Sarah’s Wine Bar offers just a little something more. Tucked away in Ridgefield, this inn-turned-award-winning restaurant that is perfect for enjoying a romantic dinner for two or celebrating with a group of friends.
Using their own vegetable gardens which provides more than half of the produce that they use, Bernard’s and Sarah’s proves that it doesn’t just talk a good game, it creates a game of its own. Sarah’s Wine Bar is separate upstairs which includes its own bistro style menu, but the spirits available while dining downstairs are equally stunning.
8. Get Some Pizza That Can Cause A Four Alarm Fire At Fire Engine
Fire Engine Pizza Company
2914 Fairfield Ave
Bridgeport, CT 06605
(203) 333-3473
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 61 reviews
Fire Engine Pizza Company, which became famous when they began serving their brick oven pizzas from a 1985 International Fire Engine, has an inviting and rustic feel, with the background of the pizza oven.
Diners can enjoy the variety of pies ranging from classic favorites to innovative modern creations. Gluten free options are also available with a homemade mozzarella wedge oozing with cheese, red peppers, basil, garlic and spinach.
9. ‘Where The Sushi’s At?’ For $400, Alex
Oishi Sushi & Izakaya
124 Washington Street
Norwalk, CT 06854
(203) 957-3888
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 14 reviews
Connecticut has never been accused of not having amazing fish and seafood, but surprisingly, finding a high quality Asian restaurant and sushi bar can be challenging. Luckily, Oishi Sushi & Izakaya fills the void with some truly superb dishes along with a fun dining experience.
The attention to detail here makes all the difference. You’ll find yourself truly having fun when you eat here, with uniquely impressive presentation. Order the Coconut Shrimp Roll along with a side of Ramen and you won’t be sorry you came out to Norwalk for it.
10. Super Duper Weenie Means Serious Business
Super Duper Weenie
306 Black Rock Tpke
Fairfield, CT 06825
(203) 334-3647
Yelp: 4 stars, 173 reviews
You’ll find some of the best hot dogs of your life at this food truck turned permanent stand (Don’t’ worry, the food truck still lives!) located off of Black Rock Turnpike in Fairfield. Split and grilled on toasted buns, these super dogs come in every different variety you can imagine, from the New Englander to the Chicago to the Dixie Dog, you’ll never have to leave the state in order to visit every kind of weenie there is out there.
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11. Find The Best Burger In Connecticut At Match
Match Restaurant
98 Washington St
Norwalk, CT 06854
(203) 852-1088
Yelp: 4 stars, 105 reviews
The burgers at Match are that rare work of culinary art that most places strive to achieve yet always seem to miss. But perhaps no review can do these burgers as much justice as the menu description from Match can. It describes their burgers as “7 ounces of Craft Butchery’s finest, char-grilled, caramelized onion-sesame brioche, bacon-cheddar ‘dip’, bacon, sweet and sour onions with fries and a NYC pickle.” If that doesn’t make you hungry, then you might want to see a doctor.
12. Head To Danbury For A Unique Pie
Stanziato’s
35 Lake Ave Extension
Danbury, CT 06811
(203) 885-1057
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 168 reviews
If you limit your Connecticut food experience to places around Yale or outside of New York City, you’re going to miss out on gems like Stanziato’s. This wood fired pizza will have you laughing every time you hear New Yorkers bragging about their pies. You can also make a trip here for the salads alone, which are in a league of their own, too.
13. Unrivaled Sandwiches Are Waiting At Salerno’s Import & Deli
Salerno’s Import & Deli
597 Main St
Torrington, CT 06790
(860) 482-9144
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 8 reviews
If you’re looking for one of the best sandwiches in the state of Connecticut, then make the trip up to Torrington to Salerno’s Import & Deli. Don’t expect anything fancy. This no frills deli is old school, even down to still being a cash-only establishment. But it just means that they’re saving all their skills for where it matters the most – in their sandwiches.
With a huge selection and huge portions, it won’t take you long to decide that Salerno’s was worth the trip. Try the Diavolo, a freshly baked roll stuffed solid with capicola salami, ham, provolone, hot peppers and the works to taste for yourself.
14. Bubble Tea Lovers, Get Excited
Pho75
209 Ella Grasso Tpke
Windsor Locks, CT 06096
(860) 627-7575
Yelp: 4 stars, 145 reviews
If you find yourself all the way up in Windsor Locks, make sure that you don’t miss out on lunch at Pho75. This is some of the best Vietnamese food across Connecticut. Fresh spring rolls, spicy noodles, and fried rice are all staples that they get just right.
Definitely save room for the Pho Dac Biet ordered with extra meatballs because they’re delicious and there’s no such thing as too many meatballs. The Bubble Tea is a favorite in this Connect Pho hotspot, so grab yourself one to get everything washed down.
15. Meet Your New Stomping Ground
The Stomping Ground
132 Main St
Putnam, CT 06260
(860) 928-7900
Yelp: 4.5 stars, 35 reviews
A great time, live music, awesome company, and uniquely delicious food is waiting for you at The Stomping Ground in Putnam. It might be a little off the beaten path, but it’s worth any drive you might have to make to spend an evening here.
You’ll get to hear some of the best local bands at open mic nights along with viewing some great exhibits from Connecticut artists. Craft beers pair perfectly with the food that is just as fun as it is delicious. Named after artists, you can get a Neil Young or an MCA burrito, the DeNiro pot pie, or a Van Gogh grilled cheese.
What’s your go-to for great grub in Connecticut? Tell us in the comments below!
