CTBites Connecticut Top Picks

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Curated collection of the best restaurants in Connecticut

About this guide

CTbites’ picks for Connecticut — chosen with taste.

Curated by CTbites (@ctbites) CTbites is your guide to the best food in the state of Connecticut. From restaurant openings, to hidden gems, to cottage bakers, and farmers' markets-we make sure you have all the latest CT culinary news.

Restaurants in this guide

  1. The Essex offers a sophisticated menu focused on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, presenting modern American cuisine with creative and elegant dishes.

  2. Materia Ristorante offers a refined menu of modern Italian cuisine, emphasizing fresh, seasonal ingredients. Dishes include house-made pastas, expertly prepared seafood, and choice meat entrees, complemented by a curated wine list.

  3. Oyster Club offers a seasonal, farm-to-table menu with a strong emphasis on fresh, local seafood, especially oysters, alongside other New American dishes.

  4. Zeneli Pizzeria e Cucina Napoletana specializes in authentic Neapolitan pizza baked in a wood-fired oven, alongside traditional Italian pasta dishes, appetizers, and desserts, emphasizing fresh, high-quality ingredients.

  5. Jam City Pizza offers a wide selection of pizzas, including specialty pies and gluten-free crust options. The menu also features grinders, calzones, pasta dishes, salads, appetizers like wings, and desserts.

  6. Specializing in New Haven-style 'Apizza' with classic and specialty toppings, along with appetizers, salads, and calzones. Beer and wine are available.

  7. Crust Issues Pizza specializes in artisanal pizzas with a focus on high-quality ingredients and creative flavor combinations. They offer a variety of classic and gourmet pizzas, including options for gluten-free crusts and vegan cheese, alongside appetizers and salads.

  8. Offers a variety of classic and gourmet pizzas, including gluten-free and vegan options, alongside appetizers and salads in a casual setting.

  9. Specializes in wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas made with high-quality ingredients, complemented by a selection of Italian appetizers, fresh salads, and pasta dishes.

  10. A sophisticated menu featuring Japanese-inspired small plates and izakaya-style dishes, perfectly paired with an extensive selection of craft cocktails.

  11. Esh Modern Mediterranean offers a contemporary take on traditional Mediterranean cuisine, featuring a variety of hot and cold mezze such as hummus, baba ghanoush, and falafel. The menu also includes grilled skewers, shawarma, fresh salads, and bowls, all prepared with an emphasis on fresh ingredients.

  12. A modern Japanese gastropub offering a diverse menu that includes sushi, sashimi, yakitori skewers, small plates, bao buns, and ramen. The beverage program features creative cocktails, sake, and a selection of beer.

  13. Kawa Ni is a Japanese izakaya serving a diverse menu of small plates, including yakitori, bao, gyoza, and steamed buns. They also offer a variety of ramen, rice bowls, and larger entrees, with a focus on shareable dishes.

  14. TACO GUY offers a diverse menu of Mexican-inspired street food, featuring a wide variety of tacos with traditional and creative fillings (including Korean BBQ), burritos, quesadillas, nachos, and customizable bowls. Sides like chips, salsa, and guacamole are also available.

  15. Offers a variety of sushi, sashimi, and other Japanese dishes.

  16. Specializes in authentic Shanghainese cuisine, most famously a variety of soup dumplings (xiaolongbao), alongside other traditional dishes like noodles, fried rice, wontons, scallion pancakes, and various appetizers.

  17. Upscale Italian restaurant offering classic pasta dishes, fresh seafood, and prime steaks in an elegant setting.

  18. The Laurel offers a sophisticated menu of seasonal American cuisine, featuring locally sourced ingredients, creative appetizers, entrees, and desserts, with a focus on fresh, high-quality dishes.

  19. Belden House & Mews offers a sophisticated menu of modern American cuisine, emphasizing fresh, seasonal ingredients and elegant preparations in a historic setting.

  20. Serves traditional Peruvian dishes such as ceviche, lomo saltado, and pollo a la brasa.

  21. Little Lotus specializes in authentic Sichuan cuisine, offering a wide range of spicy and flavorful dishes including traditional noodles, stir-fries, and classic Chinese fare.

  22. Match offers sophisticated Modern American cuisine with European influences, emphasizing fresh, seasonal ingredients. The menu typically features creative appetizers, house-made pastas, fresh seafood, and a variety of refined meat dishes, often changing to reflect seasonal availability.

  23. Modern Italian cuisine featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients, wood-fired pizzas, house-made pastas, seafood, and meat dishes, complemented by an extensive wine list and full bar.