Some of us are die-hard food fans at heart. We watch all the Food Network shows just hoping that the next featured place will be in our own backyard. Dining out does not include anything resembling a fast food chain and we love to try new restaurants from local eateries to upscale digs. In Connecticut, there is an abundance of worthy places to eat out, but we can help you narrow the choices by sending you straight to these eight foodie towns that are jam-packed full of flavor and inspiring dishes. They are, without a doubt, among the best places to eat in Connecticut!

1. South Norwalk
South Norwalk, Norwalk, CT 06854, USA
TripAdvisor/Management
Please note, Burger Bar & Bistro has permanently closed.

So first up on our list of the best places to eat in Connecticut is South Norwalk. The city is bursting at the seams with fabulous restaurants. They are all close together, so get your bearings before you choose. Cask Republic, Match, Mecha Noodle Bar, O'Neill's Pub & Restaurant, and Burger Bar & Bistro are just a few of your tasty options to dive into.
2. Middletown
Middletown, CT, USA
Facebook/Luce Restaurant
Please note, Forbidden City has permanently closed.

Located in central Connecticut, Middletown is emerging as one of the state's diverse foodie towns. Stroll down Main Street and you'll encounter more than 40 restaurants each offering their own unique fare. For outdoor dining, visit the Tuscan inspired Luce Restaurant and those who like nostalgic diners will appreciate O’Rourke’s Diner. Other notable spots include Krust Pizza Bar, The Hop Knot, and Forbidden City.
3. New Haven
New Haven, CT, USA
TripAdvisor/520mirjam
Please note, Tikkaway Grill has permanently closed.

Full of culinary delights, New Haven has been a food lover's paradise for decades. If you are looking for pizza head to the iconic Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana and burger lover's will love Louis' Lunch, creator of the original hamburger. Those two spots are just the beginning as there seem to be delectable offerings at every turn of the corner. Union League Café, Tikkaway Grill, and Barcelona Wine Bar are other favorite choices.
4. Bridgeport
Bridgeport, CT, USA
Jacob Parmentier/Google Maps
So moving on to more good places to eat in Connecticut, we come to our largest city - Bridgeport. The city has begun emerging as a culinary powerhouse during recent years with the development of the Black Rock area. Visit Walrus + Carpenter for upscale BBQ, Bereket Turkish Cuisine for a little ethnic flair, and Taco Loco Mexican Restaurant for margaritas and Mexican fare.

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5. West Hartford
West Hartford, CT, USA
TripAdvisor/LeisaS
With a new eatery opening every time you turn around, West Hartford is becoming a grazing ground and one of the best foodie towns in Connecticut! You'll find a wide variety of flavors with choices like Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Restaurant Bricco, Arugula Bistro, and Max's Oyster Bar, just to name a few.
6. Westport
Westport, CT, USA
TripAdvisor/Shiv G
You'll find plenty of restaurants that pay homage to seasonal and fresh ingredients in Westport, a quintessential Connecticut shoreline spot. Terrain Café, The Cottage, Tarantino Restaurant & Bar, and The Whelk present stunning plates packed with flavor to their diners.
7. Mystic
Mystic, Stonington, CT, USA
TripAdvisor/Ladope
Please note, Latitude 41 Restaurant & Tavern and Mezza Mediterranean Cuisine have permanently closed.

The famed Mystic Pizza sets the stage for the culinary hotspots in this town. Latitude 41 Restaurant & Tavern, S&P Oyster Restaurant and Bar, Mezza Mediterranean Cuisine, Engine Room, and Oyster Club are worth a visit.
8. New Britain
New Britain, CT, USA
Facebook/Little Poland, New Britain, Connecticut
Wildly overlooked as a destination for foodies, remember that this Connecticut city is home to its very own Little Poland. The cuisine is true to its roots. From sausage to pierogies these dishes are known for packing quite a punch in the flavor department.

Have you ever been to any of these delicious restaurants? If so, which were your favorites? Which one of these foodie towns do you like the best? Or do you have another city or town in the Nutmeg State that you think deserves a spot on this list? We’d love to read about your experience in the comments section below!

While the weather is still warm, you’ll definitely want to check out these outdoor restaurants in Connecticut.

If you’re still in the mood for more mouthwatering Connecticut dining adventures, take a look at this video:

 

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More to Explore

Food Adventures in Connecticut

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | April 11, 2023

Where can we find beachfront restaurants in Connecticut?

  • Stowe's Seafood in West Haven is a cozy waterfront spot serving up tasty fried fish and sandwiches.
  • Lobster Landing in Clinton serves up some of the best lobster around.
  • Ripka's Beach Cafe in Norwalk offers delicious oysters, scrumptious seafood, and more.

Read on to learn more about the other picturesque beachfront restaurants in Connecticut.

Where can we find the best burgers in Connecticut?

  • The Lake Zoar Drive-In in Stevenson is an off-the-beaten-path joint serving up great burgers, hot dogs, and French fries.
  • GoldBurgers in Newington offers build-your-own burger options as well as some good ole standards.
  • Max Burger CT in Hartford specializes in fantastic tasting farm-to-table burgers.

Read on to learn more about other tasty places to get the best burgers in Connecticut.

Where can we find the best pizza restaurants in Connecticut?

  • The Colony Grill in Stamford has been an area favorite since 1935 and features a wide array of varieties you might not find elsewhere.
  • Zuppardi's Apizza in West Haven is a popular family-owned restaurant serving up lots of options, including both white and tomato-based sauces.
  • Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana in New Haven serves clam pizzas as well as so many others that fans love.

Read on to learn more about other popular pizza restaurants in Connecticut.

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