Best Restaurants in Connecticut – 2023

Union Kitchen is a trendy spot with a superb menu highlighting fresh vegetables alongside mains like fennel scented pork belly and honey lavender duck. Along with your meal, expect an expertly curated wine list and creative cocktails from the bar's spirit wall that displays over 450 labels.

The Charles offers exciting cuisine in the historic village of Old Wethersfield — a vintage feel with a modern taste. Set in a restored space, enjoy the award-winning, chic interior you sip exceptionally crafted cocktails and try dining favorites from salmon and lamb sirloin to chicken & dumplings.

Taste refined, creative dishes crafted from the famous milk, cream, yogurt, ice cream, butter and cheese Arethusa Dairy Farm when you dine at Arethusa al tavolo. Set in what was the Village General store, it is situated next to the Arethusa Dairy store, formally the Bantam Firehouse. 

@ The Corner prides itself in the marriage of artisanal eats and craft beer. Menus are seasonal and the chefs continually update the options at this spot for American fare. Take a bite of favorites such as uniquely seasoned brussels sprouts, chicken wings, braised short ribs, salmon, and beyond – each with a clever name on the menu.

At this cool spot, you'll find strictly salads and pizzas — but expect them to be top-notch. Try killer square and thin & crispy style pies with an exquisite bar program to boot. All in a vintage 70's/80's dungeon basement.

L’Ostal is an elevated Provencal restaurant rooted in history and tradition celebrating the cuisines of Southern France and its boundaries. Stemming from the old Occitania language, the word ‘ostal’ refers to house & the warmth of hospitality that encompasses welcoming one into your home. L’Ostal celebrates the traditions of each country through their amazing cuisine as well as showcasing the wine and heritage of indigenous products.

Big on barbecue? You'll want to consider Hindsight for a savory feast of all your favorites. Chow down on pumpkin honey cornbread, jerk wings, brown butter burnt ends, and creamy mac & cheese. Then top it off with apple pie empanada a la mode. Truly a flavorful experience!

Award-winning chef Emily Mingrone thinks outside the box with her ever-changing, ever-inventive menu. The creative ambiance comes complete with a flamingo theme (including a signature neon flamingo that lights up the space) and alleyway sidewalk tables.

Experience traditional Cantonese cuisine at Sichuan Pepper in Vernon. Try tasty bites from chilled scallion ginger chicken and beef brisket noodle soup to classics like vegetable fried rice and chicken lo mein. And don't miss the star of the show: a wide selection of hot pot dishes — the chef's specialty!

Crafting fresh, gourmet meals from local grass-fed beef, fresh seafood, and seasonal, organic vegetables from both local farms and their very own garden, Trattoria da Lepri takes an environmentally conscious approach to their kitchen. Plus, guests can sip on craft cocktails, local brews, and a large wine selection.

Most known for its to-die-for homemade pasta, Grano Arso boasts high end Italian cuisine made from locally sourced ingredients that are seasonally inspired. Guests will be welcomed with knowledgeable hospitality and a feeling that they are dining right in the chef’s own home. Set inside the former Old Savings Bank built in 1902, this spot is quaint, intimate, and quite the destination restaurant – the old bank vault is even still inside!

Osa specializes in creative local eats. The second venture of Krust (Middletown) restauranteurs Kevin Wirtes and Rich Garcia, this spot serves up mouthwatering wood-fired small plates, bespoke cocktails, whiskey, wine and local beer.

85 Main is a New American fusion cuisine with casual fine dining set in the heart of downtown Putnam. Created with the goal of offering fresh, quality seafood and steaks along with locally grown produce in an atmosphere one might expect to find in a “big” city, guests can look forward to a fantastic menu plus a full bar, raw bar, sushi bar, patio & wine cellar.

Elizabeth's Farmhouse small, intimate restaurant in the quaint town of Putnam. This spot serves up delicious comfort meals from meat loaf and filet mignon to swordfish, short ribs, and chowder. Plus, don't miss their seasonal cocktails!

Chef owned and operated, this farm-to-table bistro is one of Niantic's best kept secrets. The locally sourced menu changes monthly, with produce and meat coming from 12 Connecticut farms. Enjoy carefully curated dishes and even seasonal cooking classes.

Get an authentic taste of Italy at Via Emilia, set in the heart of downtown Mystic. Treat your taste buds to house made pasta, seasonal ingredients, and award-winning wine in a stylish atmosphere.

Inspired by the culinary culture of Israel, Lebanon, Turkey, Greece, Morocco, and the Aegean region, Esh reimagines the bold flavor and aromatic spices of Middle Eastern cuisine. Sample unique plates and cocktails in a classy, modern space and let the flavors take you across the globe.

Fire by Forge is a Pan-American inspired, chef-designed experience that includes a café, full-service restaurant, bar, and catering service. Expect excellent seasonal menus crafted using fresh, local, and sustainable ingredients.

Hachiroku Shokudo & Saké Bar boasts an amazing menu and an impressive selection of Japanese whiskey and saké — which you can sample by the flight. Get a taste of Japanese culture when you order dishes from Tsumire duck meatballs and smoked ocean trout sashimi to Yaki Kinoko mushrooms and Agedashi tofu.

Trigo Wood Fired Pizza is a "harvest-to-hearth" restaurant serving up seasonal pizzas with local ingredients. Try deliciously inventive pies from the Lemon white pie to the Elote pie, featuring corn, chili, cotija, cilantro, and lime crema.

When you want over-the-top foodie creations, head to Elm Street Diner, a premier family-owned diner, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. This spot specializes in photo-worthy dishes such as their famous milkshakes, homemade cinnamon sugar donuts. WoW Waffle Towers and unique creative brunch options.

What was once the 1970s' Garden Poultry is now a fan favorite catering joint known for its wildly popular chicken nuggets. Order nuggets by the pound! Or try their other specialties from sandwiches and wraps to milkshakes and all-day breakfast.

Rein's New York Style Deli-Restaurant has been bringing traditional New York style Jewish Deli fare to Vernon or over 30 years. Try their famous Reubens, smoked fish sandwiches, deli plates, breakfast dishes, and more.

Since 1997, Willibrew (as the locals call it) has been serving up craft brews and bites in a repurposed post office that operated from 1910 to 1966. The award-winning landmark restaurant and pub brewery is located in the cultural town of Willimantic and serves as a popular community gathering place.