Connecticut has great dining options all across the state, but some stand out among the rest. To find the most highly rated restaurants around, we turned to Zagat, Connecticut Magazine and Yelp to help us hone in on places that were offering the best overall experience in food, service and location. Get ready for a magical dining experience, because these places are pretty awesome.
Check out our list of highly rated restaurants:
- Golden Lamb Buttery
ThePackedBag/TripAdvisor 499 Wolf Den Road, Brooklyn, CT 06234
Sarah K./Yelp Please note, Golden Lamb Buttery has permanently closed. Dine at a scenic, remote farm and take a secret passageway into the dining area. You’ll find lots of antiques and treasures in the main hall and are free to roam the property as well. Just be sure to make a reservation!
- Bar Bouchée
Bar Bouchée/Facebook 8 Scotland Avenue, Madison, CT 06443
Bar Bouchée/Facebook This quaint French restaurant brings a little piece of France home to Connecticut. The small space fills up fast so you’ll want to make a reservation now, but the beautifully prepared plates are totally worth it.
- Max Downtown
Eduardo S./Yelp 185 Asylum Street, Hartford, CT 06103
Max Downtown/Facebook This is one sophisticated steakhouse! Carnivores and seafood enthusiasts will love this downtown locale and its extensive wine list. This is a great place to gather with friends after a long work week.
- South End
South End/Facebook 36 Pine Street, New Canaan, CT 06840
South End/Facebook This intimate modern space serves up seasonal New American cuisine and some pretty tasty cocktails. Brunch is a fan favorite, but be warned… this place is a little pricey.
- Union League Cafe
Union Leauge Cafe/Facebook 1032 Chapel Street A, New Haven, CT 06510
Union League Cafe/Facebook Located in a historic space, this former men’s club on the Yale Campus is the perfect spot for special occasions. The interior is full of elegant charm and the French cuisine is definitely worth raving about.
- Viron Rondo Osteria
Viron Rondo Osteria/Facebook 1721 Highland Avenue, Cheshire, CT 06410
Viron Rondo Osteria/Facebook Not only does this Italian restaurant use local ingredients, but they make a darn good pizza too. Plus, this cozy laid back restaurant offers a gluten free menu so there really is something for everybody.
- Community Table
Community Table Restaurant/Facebook 223 Litchfield Turnpike, Washington, CT 06777
Community Table/Yelp This farm to table hotspot is a real state gem. With its open, airy space, this place prides itself on making you feel like you really are on the farm. You’ll love the creative, colorful plates.
- The Whelk
Sabin C./Yelp 575 Riverside Avenue, Westport, CT 06880
Kim S./Yelp This riverfront seafood joint is a popular hangout, so you should try to arrive early even with a reservation. The lively bar scene coupled with classic American dishes makes this the perfect spot for a Friday night out.
- Arethusa al tavolo
Arethusa al tavolo/Facebook 828 Bantam Road, Bantam, CT 06750
Lar S./Yelp This restaurant and farm has over 350 cows, and it prides itself on using its own dairy products for its eclectic menu. Now in its fourth year of service, this fun restaurant rose in popularity because of its bold flavors.
- Oyster Club
Erin K./Yelp 13 Water Street, Mystic, CT 06355
Oyster Club/Yelp The best place to dine under the stars, this restaurant offers farm fresh plates and seafood options straight from the sea. Located at a seaport, this peaceful locale is family friendly and worth the drive.
It’s hard to talk about highly rated restaurants without talking about pizza. Did you know that a Connecticut restaurant was named the best pizzeria in America? It’s true! Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana is serving up the most delicious slice around.
ThePackedBag/TripAdvisor
499 Wolf Den Road, Brooklyn, CT 06234
Sarah K./Yelp
Please note, Golden Lamb Buttery has permanently closed. Dine at a scenic, remote farm and take a secret passageway into the dining area. You’ll find lots of antiques and treasures in the main hall and are free to roam the property as well. Just be sure to make a reservation!
Bar Bouchée/Facebook
8 Scotland Avenue, Madison, CT 06443
This quaint French restaurant brings a little piece of France home to Connecticut. The small space fills up fast so you’ll want to make a reservation now, but the beautifully prepared plates are totally worth it.
Eduardo S./Yelp
185 Asylum Street, Hartford, CT 06103
Max Downtown/Facebook
This is one sophisticated steakhouse! Carnivores and seafood enthusiasts will love this downtown locale and its extensive wine list. This is a great place to gather with friends after a long work week.
South End/Facebook
36 Pine Street, New Canaan, CT 06840
This intimate modern space serves up seasonal New American cuisine and some pretty tasty cocktails. Brunch is a fan favorite, but be warned… this place is a little pricey.
Union Leauge Cafe/Facebook
1032 Chapel Street A, New Haven, CT 06510
Union League Cafe/Facebook
Located in a historic space, this former men’s club on the Yale Campus is the perfect spot for special occasions. The interior is full of elegant charm and the French cuisine is definitely worth raving about.
Viron Rondo Osteria/Facebook
1721 Highland Avenue, Cheshire, CT 06410
Not only does this Italian restaurant use local ingredients, but they make a darn good pizza too. Plus, this cozy laid back restaurant offers a gluten free menu so there really is something for everybody.
Community Table Restaurant/Facebook
223 Litchfield Turnpike, Washington, CT 06777
Community Table/Yelp
This farm to table hotspot is a real state gem. With its open, airy space, this place prides itself on making you feel like you really are on the farm. You’ll love the creative, colorful plates.
Sabin C./Yelp
575 Riverside Avenue, Westport, CT 06880
Kim S./Yelp
This riverfront seafood joint is a popular hangout, so you should try to arrive early even with a reservation. The lively bar scene coupled with classic American dishes makes this the perfect spot for a Friday night out.
Arethusa al tavolo/Facebook
828 Bantam Road, Bantam, CT 06750
Lar S./Yelp
This restaurant and farm has over 350 cows, and it prides itself on using its own dairy products for its eclectic menu. Now in its fourth year of service, this fun restaurant rose in popularity because of its bold flavors.
Erin K./Yelp
13 Water Street, Mystic, CT 06355
Oyster Club/Yelp
The best place to dine under the stars, this restaurant offers farm fresh plates and seafood options straight from the sea. Located at a seaport, this peaceful locale is family friendly and worth the drive.
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