What's Open Now: Restaurants Last Updated: September 2023
It’s so good to be able to escape your own kitchen for a change. Sitting back, relaxing, and having a delicious meal delivered right to your table – who came up with this amazing concept? And with many restaurants adding new features to their patios, eating out is just as great as ever. From stunning waterfall views to chandelier-adorned gazebos, you’ll find plenty of dining options to enjoy.
And safety is Connecticut restaurants' top priority. In fact, many are upholding The Connecticut Restaurant Promise. Here are just a few of the new protocols:
- Tables are now at least 6 feet apart and restaurant capacity has been reduced
- Items that could pass through the hands of many different guests, like menus or salt and pepper shakers, have been replaced with single use, digital, or frequetly sanitized options
- All employees are required to wear a facemask and gloves, and gloves must be replaced frequently
- Customers are required to wear masks, but they can be removed while you are seated at your table
- Sanitizer is available and accessible
Find the perfect spot for a bite with this growing list of re-opened restaurants following these safety protocols. You can filter the list by town, region, or type of cuisine.
And whether you prefer wine or hops, many Connecticut vineyards and breweries are also open, so you can enjoy everything from views to brews.
Below are a few restaurants going above and beyond to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for their diners.
Flanders Fish Market & Restaurant, East Lyme
Flanders Fish and The Stand in Niantic are opening with a fresh fish market, grocery items, prepped meals, a full takeout menu with plexiglass guards at all takeout windows, and 6 feet between outdoor tables. They are implementing a strict sanitation schedule, PPE and temperature monitoring for every employee, hand sanitzer availability, one-way traffic flow, and 50% reduced seating capacity, so that customers can focus on eating yummy seafood!
Millwrights, Simsbury
Millwrights has also taken their offerings outside. They’ve created a socially distant seating arrangement with just 60 seats set beside their waterfall. Not only does the setup cater to safety, but it includes a prix-fixe menu made strictly from local products – delicious!
J Restaurant & Bar, Hartford
J Restaurant & Bar has worked with Kloter Farms and Connecticut Lighting to create four stunning gazebos for a beautiful and safe outdoor dining experience – and did we mention that chandeliers hang overhead? The restaurant also has expanded their usual outdoor patio dining with bench seating.
Fire at the Ridge, Middlefield
To keep eating safely outdoors, Fire at the Ridge is offering outdoor dining with table service on the deck plus their new Fire Pit Dining Experiences. Take out picnics are available for base mountain dining or with free lift service to picnic on the mountain and curbside pickup.
Grano Arso, Chester
Grano Arso is also taking great measures to ensure a safe and aesthetically pleasing experience. They’ve turned their parking lot into a beautiful outdoor dining space with a garden, picnic tables, and string lights so that diners can kick back and savor the locally-sourced menu. Additionally, they've recently opened indoor dining under Phase 2 guidelines. For extra safety precautions, customers must wear masks until they are eating as well as use hand sanitizer and have temperature checks upon entering the space.
116 Crown, New Haven
116 Crown has opened its garden patio for outdoor dining under string lights with an urban flair! Just be sure to keep your party on the small side: among other safety guidelines, groups are limited to 5 people or less and all reservations are limited to 90 minutes.
Spartan Restaurant, Waterbury
Safely devour pan pizzzas and other Italian and Greek treats with a brand new outdoor dining spot. Spartan Restaurant is going the extra mile by creating a new patio in front of the restaurant so diners can keep their minds on the great cuisine!
Mario Cugino's, Farmington
Going the extra miles for older customers, Mario Cugino's is offering a special seniors-only seating time from 2-4:30pm on weekdays! All diners may enjoy their scrumptious Italian cuisine, seafood, and steak indoors or out on the patio.
Villa Italia Ristorante & Bar, Stamford
Indulge in classic French technique with flavors of the Mediterranean out on a large patio and lawn space! Villa Italia Ristorante & Bar has expanded their outdoor dining across the entire front lawn of the hotel in order to spread tables out generously. Safe indoor dining options are also available.
Marty's Cafe, Washington
Dine out on the patio at Marty’s Cafe and sample their brand new summer menu! Marty’s is keeping customers safe by requiring masks for all staff and diners (unless you’re eating of course), keeping diners socially distanced and more. They’re also offering take-and-bake pizzas for at-home enjoyment!
Breakwater, Stonington
Who doesn’t love dinner with a view? Enjoy a waterfront meal at Breakwater, where you can be sure to find staff wearing masks, sanitized surfaces, socially distanced indoor and outdoor dining, and of course, an incredible menu! They are also still offering curbside and even dockside delivery!