Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Connecticut

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in Connecticut? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Canggio Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (202)

$30 and under

Peruvian

Norwich

About the restaurant

Canggio Restaurant is a classy but casual dining atmosphere for guests to enjoy the unique offerings of Peruvian cuisine.

Some well-loved dishes are Trio de Ceviche, Pato, Seco de Lomo, and Arroz Chaufa.

Chef Julio Cancho is born and raised in Peru, but classically trained in French and Italian cookery. He adds a Peruvian twist to some American dishes also on the menu.

Peruvian cuisine, considered among the best in the world, inherited its innovation, mix and flavors from Peru’s history. Its culinary fusion developed over a long process of cultural exchange between the Spanish, Africans, Chinese, Japanese and Italians, among others. The dishes became more and more varied as races mixed and migrants landed at the port of Callao.

Top review

Dylan

Dined 2 days ago

The food was fantastic as well as the service. It feels homey and they make you feel like family. Cannot recommend this place enough 10/10.

The Wine Bar & Bistro at The Griswold Inn

4.9

4.9 (83)

$30 and under

Wine Bar

Essex

About the restaurant

The Wine Bar at The Griswold Inn is an extraordinary space in which to enjoy a delicious experience in every respect. It features an innovative tapas menu, inspired "macro" plates, artisanal cheeses and handcrafted desserts. The menu changes periodically to take advantage of all that characterizes a particular season, though there are a few classics that remain on the menu throughout the year, like its very popular Grilled and Carved Bistro Steak, served with white truffle-laced pommes frites, arugula,
and red wine jus. A consistent winner of Wine Spectator's prestigious Award of Excellence, it offers numerous wines by the glass, wine flights, and a more extensive bottle list. A full-service bar is also available. A creative and accomplished chef and a knowledgeable and attentive service staff complete the experience.

Top review

Lisa

Dined on Dec 19, 2024

Festive and fun and delicious! Great food and ambience!

Red Lotus

4.9

4.9 (207)

$30 and under

Asian

Shelton

About the restaurant

Sophisticated Asian fare consisting of only handpicked favorites from Asia and around the world. Enjoy old and new favorites from fresh lobster salad to seared fish tacos to the freshest sushi and raw bar. Omakase menu available. Reservations recommended. Recipient of TripAdviser's Highest Award for Excellence Winner 2013-2023. Gluten Friendly, Vegetarian friendly. We Cook to Order.

Top review

Frank

Dined 2 days ago

First time here but it won’t be our last. Great sushi and attentive service.

Sushi Bar - Old Greenwich

4.9

4.9 (146)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Old Greenwich

About the restaurant

Sushi Bar is a modern Sushi restaurant, featuring delicious Nigiri and a unique sushi experience. This intimate and charming establishment is BYOB. Please be advised that the last Omakase seating is an hour before closing.

Top review

AdamVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Fanatics fresh fish in a comfortable friendly environment. The place is a gem.

Josie & Tony's - Norwalk

4.9

4.9 (12)

$50 and over

Italian

South Norwalk

About the restaurant

A classic throwback with a modern twist. By day, an Italian sandwich shop. By night, a luxury dining destination & membership club. Non-members welcome
Join Us For Lunch Wednesday Through Saturday from 12:00 to 3:00.

Top review

Gady

Dined on Dec 21, 2024

Amazing service ! Amazing food ! Amazing vibe! Highly recommend

Clubhouse Provisions by Stonybrook Golf

4.8

4.8 (87)

$31 to $50

American

Litchfield

About the restaurant

Clubhouse Provisions by Stonybrook Golf is a Chef Owned & Operated Modern Steakhouse featuring American, Asian, French, and Korean cuisine. At lunch, CHP caters to golfers & non-golfers casually. In the evening, the lights are dimmed offering composed entrees and ala carte steakhouse items with amazing hand crafted cocktails, wine & beer. Curated by Executive Chef & Owner Jonathan Philips diners will not be disappointed!
Appetizers like Thai Calamari, Spicy Pork Dumplings & Pork Belly Bites. Handhelds like our Smash Burger or Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich. Entrees like Miso Black Cod, Sea Scallop Risotto, Heritage Pork Chop & A la Carte Steaks. We also offer Sunday Brunch in addition to Lunch 5 Days a week.

Clubhouse Provisions doesn't just provide great food, drink and exceptional service, we provide an amazing 180 degree view of our pristine golf course, located in the hills of Litchfield, CT since the mid 50's.

We are a public restaurant where all guests are welcome!

Top review

Jennifer

Dined 3 days ago

The food was delicious and we highly recommend ordering the calamari appetizer (chef delivers his unique take on this common starter and it was fantastic). We enjoyed rice bowls which were spicy with great flavors (the blackened shrimp was cooked to perfection). Although we were stuffed, we still ordered dessert and the sorbet and lemon tart were a great way to end our dinner, with a light cleansing of our palates. Can’t wait to go back in the spring.

Elm Street Oyster House

4.7

4.7 (1110)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Greenwich

About the restaurant

Elm Street Oyster House is a little gem of a restaurant, located right off Greenwich Avenue, in the heart of downtown. We offer the finest quality seafood from raw oysters to yellowfin tuna and king salmon, in a casual, friendly, elegant atmosphere. We have a world class wine list and a knowledgeable, accommodating staff. You will not find a better seafood restaurant in Fairfield County Connecticutt, guaranteed.

Top review

CarolVIP

Dined on Dec 27, 2024

The playlist for the background music may be suitable for the bar crowd, but it was too loud and too thumping for eating dinner and having a conversation.

Sails Bar & Grill

4.7

4.7 (111)

$30 and under

Café

Darien

About the restaurant

Sails Bar & Grill provides fresh, high quality food for its patrons. Some of the starter items that are popular include the tuna tartare, Sails tacos and the grilled tiger shrimp flatbread. Sails Bar & Grill also offers a variety of sushi specialty rolls, gnocchi Bolognese, mac and cheese, wild king salmon, pork tenderloin and burgers. Another feature that helps make Sails Bar & Grill popular with the locals and visitors is the live music and dancing available on the weekends. It helps to provide a unique atmosphere for the eatery. It is a fun and casual experience for family and friends to enjoy.

Top review

Ken

Dined on Dec 20, 2024

Very good food and service, but the noise level is obscene, so enjoy the food in silence!

Doppio

4.7

4.7 (210)

$31 to $50

Italian

Greenwich

About the restaurant

Doppio located around the corner from historic Greenwich Avenue specializes in artisanal Italian Food & Wine.

Set In a stylish rustic environment, guests enjoy small plates like Grilled Polpo, Crispy Calamari, and Arincini to start the meal before moving on to a signature brick oven pizza, freshly hand made pastas including fettuccine and rigatoni or other traditional Italian favorites such as the popular bone in veal milanese and pan seared branzino.

Offering both indoor and outdoor dining guests can enjoy a glass of wine or crafty cocktail in the holiday themed corner patio under hanging lights beside the twinkling tree and flaming fire pit.

Top review

MarkVIP

Dined on Dec 27, 2024

GREAT find. Quiet neighborhood Food was great and liked that it was a bit different and updated.

Market Place Kitchen and Bar - Newtown

4.7

4.7 (162)

$30 and under

American

Newtown

About the restaurant

Welcome to Market Place Kitchen & Bar, a new modern American restaurant, located in the heart of Newtown, CT. We celebrate and encourage Local, Organic, and Sustainability harvested food. Come in and enjoy yourself with friends, family and our wonderful staff. Be part of a progressive approach towards healthier and sustainable foods and restaurants in America.

Top review

JeffVIP

Dined on Jan 1, 2025

Our favorite local restaurant. Always great food and service!

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Experience

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Experience

Sunday Brunch Specials

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