Places to Eat in Connecticut
No matter what you’ve got a taste for, restaurants in Connecticut can dish it out. From top-rated dining spots to roadside clam shacks, local comfort food to global cuisines — we have it all. Find unique culinary experiences like farm dinners, vineyards, brew pubs, and even a Pizza Trail. Wherever your tastebuds lead you, prepare to kick up the flavor.
No matter what you’ve got a taste for, restaurants in Connecticut can dish it out. From top-rated dining spots to roadside clam shacks, local comfort food to global cuisines — we have it all. Find unique culinary experiences like farm dinners, vineyards, brew pubs, and even a Pizza Trail. Wherever your tastebuds lead you, prepare to kick up the flavor.
No matter what you’ve got a taste for, restaurants in Connecticut can dish it out. From top-rated dining spots to roadside clam shacks, local comfort food to global cuisines — we have it all. Find unique culinary experiences like farm dinners, vineyards, brew pubs, and even a Pizza Trail. Wherever your tastebuds lead you, prepare to kick up the flavor.
No matter what you’ve got a taste for, restaurants in Connecticut can dish it out. From top-rated dining spots to roadside clam shacks, local comfort food to global cuisines — we have it all. Find unique culinary experiences like farm dinners, vineyards, brew pubs, and even a Pizza Trail. Wherever your tastebuds lead you, prepare to kick up the flavor.
Culinary Tastes
From James Beard Award winners to acclaimed pizza and seafood, restaurants in Connecticut are increasingly celebrated — marking the state as a world-class destination for culinary experiences.
From James Beard Award winners to acclaimed pizza and seafood, restaurants in Connecticut are increasingly celebrated — marking the state as a world-class destination for culinary experiences.
From James Beard Award winners to acclaimed pizza and seafood, restaurants in Connecticut are increasingly celebrated — marking the state as a world-class destination for culinary experiences.
From James Beard Award winners to acclaimed pizza and seafood, restaurants in Connecticut are increasingly celebrated — marking the state as a world-class destination for culinary experiences.
Food & Drink Trails
If the foodie scene is your kind of vibe, you simply must tour the food and drink trails in Connecticut. Pizza, chocolate, wine, beer — dig into all your favorites.
If the foodie scene is your kind of vibe, you simply must tour the food and drink trails in Connecticut. Pizza, chocolate, wine, beer — dig into all your favorites.
If the foodie scene is your kind of vibe, you simply must tour the food and drink trails in Connecticut. Pizza, chocolate, wine, beer — dig into all your favorites.
If the foodie scene is your kind of vibe, you simply must tour the food and drink trails in Connecticut. Pizza, chocolate, wine, beer — dig into all your favorites.
Award-Winning Restaurants
The James Beard Awards recognize excellence in the culinary arts, food and beverage, and hospitality industries. You'll find some of the country's best talent right here in Connecticut, with several recent winners, nominees, and semifinalists representing nearly every corner of the state.
Connecticut is well-represented on the list of semifinalists for the 2026 Restaurant and Chef Awards, with six honorees:
- David Standridge of The Shipwright's Daughter in Mystic is a semifinalist in the national Outstanding Chef category. Standridge also won the Best Chef: Northeast award in 2024.
- ROLi in New Haven is a semifinalist in the national Best New Restaurant category. The modern European restaurant opened in the summer of 2025.
- Port of Call in Mystic is a semifinalist in the national Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program category. The restaurant and bar was also a 2025 semifinalist in this category.
- David DiStasi of Materia in Bantam, Bolivar Hilario of Community Table in New Preston, and Shilimat Tessema of Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant in New Haven are semifinalists in the Best Chef: Northeast category, representing chefs in the six New England states.
The James Beard Awards recognize excellence in the culinary arts, food and beverage, and hospitality industries. You'll find some of the country's best talent right here in Connecticut, with several recent winners, nominees, and semifinalists representing nearly every corner of the state.
Connecticut is well-represented on the list of semifinalists for the 2026 Restaurant and Chef Awards, with six honorees:
- David Standridge of The Shipwright's Daughter in Mystic is a semifinalist in the national Outstanding Chef category. Standridge also won the Best Chef: Northeast award in 2024.
- ROLi in New Haven is a semifinalist in the national Best New Restaurant category. The modern European restaurant opened in the summer of 2025.
- Port of Call in Mystic is a semifinalist in the national Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program category. The restaurant and bar was also a 2025 semifinalist in this category.
- David DiStasi of Materia in Bantam, Bolivar Hilario of Community Table in New Preston, and Shilimat Tessema of Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant in New Haven are semifinalists in the Best Chef: Northeast category, representing chefs in the six New England states.
The James Beard Awards recognize excellence in the culinary arts, food and beverage, and hospitality industries. You'll find some of the country's best talent right here in Connecticut, with several recent winners, nominees, and semifinalists representing nearly every corner of the state.
Connecticut is well-represented on the list of semifinalists for the 2026 Restaurant and Chef Awards, with six honorees:
- David Standridge of The Shipwright's Daughter in Mystic is a semifinalist in the national Outstanding Chef category. Standridge also won the Best Chef: Northeast award in 2024.
- ROLi in New Haven is a semifinalist in the national Best New Restaurant category. The modern European restaurant opened in the summer of 2025.
- Port of Call in Mystic is a semifinalist in the national Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program category. The restaurant and bar was also a 2025 semifinalist in this category.
- David DiStasi of Materia in Bantam, Bolivar Hilario of Community Table in New Preston, and Shilimat Tessema of Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant in New Haven are semifinalists in the Best Chef: Northeast category, representing chefs in the six New England states.
The James Beard Awards recognize excellence in the culinary arts, food and beverage, and hospitality industries. You'll find some of the country's best talent right here in Connecticut, with several recent winners, nominees, and semifinalists representing nearly every corner of the state.
Connecticut is well-represented on the list of semifinalists for the 2026 Restaurant and Chef Awards, with six honorees:
- David Standridge of The Shipwright's Daughter in Mystic is a semifinalist in the national Outstanding Chef category. Standridge also won the Best Chef: Northeast award in 2024.
- ROLi in New Haven is a semifinalist in the national Best New Restaurant category. The modern European restaurant opened in the summer of 2025.
- Port of Call in Mystic is a semifinalist in the national Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program category. The restaurant and bar was also a 2025 semifinalist in this category.
- David DiStasi of Materia in Bantam, Bolivar Hilario of Community Table in New Preston, and Shilimat Tessema of Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant in New Haven are semifinalists in the Best Chef: Northeast category, representing chefs in the six New England states.
Waterfront Dining
What's even better than a mouthwatering meal? Taking in the flavors with a seaside, lakefront, or riverside view. Grab lunch, dinner, or drinks at waterfront dining in Connecticut.
What's even better than a mouthwatering meal? Taking in the flavors with a seaside, lakefront, or riverside view. Grab lunch, dinner, or drinks at waterfront dining in Connecticut.
What's even better than a mouthwatering meal? Taking in the flavors with a seaside, lakefront, or riverside view. Grab lunch, dinner, or drinks at waterfront dining in Connecticut.
What's even better than a mouthwatering meal? Taking in the flavors with a seaside, lakefront, or riverside view. Grab lunch, dinner, or drinks at waterfront dining in Connecticut.
Brunch Spots
Every weekend, Connecticut goes all-in on brunch. Pancake stacks, boozy bathtubs drinks, chicken and waffle creations — prepare to get your fill when you dine at brunch spots in Connecticut.
Every weekend, Connecticut goes all-in on brunch. Pancake stacks, boozy bathtubs drinks, chicken and waffle creations — prepare to get your fill when you dine at brunch spots in Connecticut.
Every weekend, Connecticut goes all-in on brunch. Pancake stacks, boozy bathtubs drinks, chicken and waffle creations — prepare to get your fill when you dine at brunch spots in Connecticut.
Every weekend, Connecticut goes all-in on brunch. Pancake stacks, boozy bathtubs drinks, chicken and waffle creations — prepare to get your fill when you dine at brunch spots in Connecticut.
Family-Friendly Restaurants
Hungry, hungry kiddos? Let 'em chow down on chicken fingers, mac & cheese, french fries, and all their favorites at family-friendly restaurants in Connecticut.
Hungry, hungry kiddos? Let 'em chow down on chicken fingers, mac & cheese, french fries, and all their favorites at family-friendly restaurants in Connecticut.
Hungry, hungry kiddos? Let 'em chow down on chicken fingers, mac & cheese, french fries, and all their favorites at family-friendly restaurants in Connecticut.
Hungry, hungry kiddos? Let 'em chow down on chicken fingers, mac & cheese, french fries, and all their favorites at family-friendly restaurants in Connecticut.
Romantic Restaurants
Fireside seating. Fine wine for two. Some dining destinations just say "romance." Dim the lights and set the mood at romantic restaurants in Connecticut.
Fireside seating. Fine wine for two. Some dining destinations just say "romance." Dim the lights and set the mood at romantic restaurants in Connecticut.
Fireside seating. Fine wine for two. Some dining destinations just say "romance." Dim the lights and set the mood at romantic restaurants in Connecticut.
Fireside seating. Fine wine for two. Some dining destinations just say "romance." Dim the lights and set the mood at romantic restaurants in Connecticut.
Sweet Treats
Sundaes, donuts, cupcakes — if you have a sweet tooth, prepare for all the sweet treats in Connecticut. Find over-the-top bake shops, old fashioned ice cream parlors, artisan chocolate shops, and everything in between.
Sundaes, donuts, cupcakes — if you have a sweet tooth, prepare for all the sweet treats in Connecticut. Find over-the-top bake shops, old fashioned ice cream parlors, artisan chocolate shops, and everything in between.
Sundaes, donuts, cupcakes — if you have a sweet tooth, prepare for all the sweet treats in Connecticut. Find over-the-top bake shops, old fashioned ice cream parlors, artisan chocolate shops, and everything in between.
Sundaes, donuts, cupcakes — if you have a sweet tooth, prepare for all the sweet treats in Connecticut. Find over-the-top bake shops, old fashioned ice cream parlors, artisan chocolate shops, and everything in between.
Instagram Heroes
Do it for the 'gram. From over-the-top ice cream creations to iconic photo op spots, Instagrammable restaurants in Connecticut are a treat for your tastebuds and your camera too.
Do it for the 'gram. From over-the-top ice cream creations to iconic photo op spots, Instagrammable restaurants in Connecticut are a treat for your tastebuds and your camera too.
Do it for the 'gram. From over-the-top ice cream creations to iconic photo op spots, Instagrammable restaurants in Connecticut are a treat for your tastebuds and your camera too.
Do it for the 'gram. From over-the-top ice cream creations to iconic photo op spots, Instagrammable restaurants in Connecticut are a treat for your tastebuds and your camera too.
Unusual & Repurposed Spaces
Inventive restaurateurs have transformed all sorts of landmark venues into showcases for fine food. From former post offices and jail houses to old fire stations, unique dining in Connecticut sets your meal inside a cool repurposed space.
Inventive restaurateurs have transformed all sorts of landmark venues into showcases for fine food. From former post offices and jail houses to old fire stations, unique dining in Connecticut sets your meal inside a cool repurposed space.
Inventive restaurateurs have transformed all sorts of landmark venues into showcases for fine food. From former post offices and jail houses to old fire stations, unique dining in Connecticut sets your meal inside a cool repurposed space.
Inventive restaurateurs have transformed all sorts of landmark venues into showcases for fine food. From former post offices and jail houses to old fire stations, unique dining in Connecticut sets your meal inside a cool repurposed space.
Late-Night Dining
Got a late-night appetite? We can fix that. Find extended hours and menus filled with your favorite munchies from chicken tenders and fries to shareable apps, milkshakes, and more at late night dining spots in Connecticut.
Got a late-night appetite? We can fix that. Find extended hours and menus filled with your favorite munchies from chicken tenders and fries to shareable apps, milkshakes, and more at late night dining spots in Connecticut.
Got a late-night appetite? We can fix that. Find extended hours and menus filled with your favorite munchies from chicken tenders and fries to shareable apps, milkshakes, and more at late night dining spots in Connecticut.
Got a late-night appetite? We can fix that. Find extended hours and menus filled with your favorite munchies from chicken tenders and fries to shareable apps, milkshakes, and more at late night dining spots in Connecticut.
