The Wine Bar & Bistro at The Griswold Inn

Name: The Wine Bar & Bistro at The Griswold Inn
Address: 36 Main St, Essex, CT, United States, 06426
Telephone: (860) 767-1776
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 5

5 (102)

$30 and under

Wine Bar

36 Main St, Essex, CT 06426

Make a reservation

2 people

Jun 30, 2025

8:00 PM

Booked 3 times today

About this restaurant

Great for fine wines
Charming
Good for groups

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.

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Wine Bar, Tapas / Small Plates
Hours of operation
Wed, Thu 5:30 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:30 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(860) 767-1776
Website
http://griswoldinn.com/food-wine/wine-bar-dining/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Eric Bond

Location
36 Main St, Essex, CT 06426
Neighborhood
Essex
Cross street
1 Ferry Street
Parking details
There are two parking lots located off of Ferry Street directly across the street from the Wine Bar. There is also street parking. All is free!
Additional
Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Wine

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What 102 people are saying

The Wine Bar & Bistro at The Griswold Inn reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

5.0

5.0 based on recent ratings

4.9Food
5.0Service
4.9Ambience
4.9Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Connecticut
Best Overall
Connecticut
Best Service
Connecticut
Best Ambiance
Connecticut
Best Value
Connecticut
Innovative
Connecticut
Great for fine wines
Middlesex
Best Overall
Middlesex
Best Food
Middlesex
Best Service
Middlesex
Best Ambiance
Middlesex
Best Value
Middlesex
Innovative
Middlesex
Good for groups
Middlesex
Hot spot
Middlesex
Neighborhood gem
Middlesex
Great for fine wines
Middlesex
Romantic
Middlesex
Good for special occasions

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

The Wine Bar & Bistro at The Griswold Inn offers a "fabulous" dining experience with its diverse summer menu and exceptional wine selection. Guests rave about the "outstanding service" and "elegant ambiance," praising dishes like the watermelon salad and steak frites. It's a "special place" for tapas, wine flights, and "first-class" hospitality.

102 Reviews

P
Paul VIP
New York City8 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Just a nice relaxed setting. Good time had by everyone. Good people!
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B
Bruce
London1 review
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Small plates were excellent, as was the wine special.
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T
Tania VIP
San Francisco Bay Area12 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 11, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fabulous new summer menu & love the new wines. We will be back for sure!!! Thank you Steve & Essex Wine Bar team for the outstanding service - first class all the way, as always!!
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L
Lisa VIP
New York City41 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 7, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful evening at The Wine Bar! The watermelon salad, lamb kebobs, steak frites and amish chicken were all amazing. Wait staff is incredibly attentive. I loved the wine recommended by the team. You CAN also get any cocktail there! Not just wine. It is a special place.
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J
John
New York City20 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 28, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Great place for and light fare. They have a wonderful cheese board and a variety of lighter fare ( small plates to share). I enjoy the wine flights.
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AT
AlbertT
San Francisco Bay Area3 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 17, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent place for some wine and food. Cozy and warm environment. Alexis, my server, was superb. Very helpful choosing my beverage to pair with my food.
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J
Jada VIP
New York City23 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 16, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Everything was perfect, as always! Ambiance, food and service all spot on! It was especially nice to get to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Wine Bar!
Is this helpful?
T
Tom VIP
New York City111 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 2, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
A lovely dinner. A truly elegant experience. Great food and service.
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D
Deanne VIP
San Diego7 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 24, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful night - great food. We did the 3 pours very fun .
Is this helpful?
D
David
New York City1 review
5.0
Dined on April 18, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wine bar never disappoints. Always a nice evening at the Wine Bar in beautiful downtown Essex.
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FAQs

The Wine Bar & Bistro at The Griswold Inn is rated 5 stars by 102 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Jun 30, 2025

8:00 PM

Booked 3 times today

Google Map for The Wine Bar & Bistro at The Griswold Inn

36 Main St, Essex, CT 06426

Additional information

Cross street
1 Ferry Street
Neighborhood
Essex
Hours of operation
Wed, Thu 5:30 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:30 pm–10:00 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Wine Bar, Tapas / Small Plates
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
There are two parking lots located off of Ferry Street directly across the street from the Wine Bar. There is also street parking. All is free!
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Eric Bond
Additional
Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Wine

Website
http://griswoldinn.com/food-wine/wine-bar-dining/
Phone number
(860) 767-1776

The Wine Bar & Bistro at The Griswold Inn

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Additional information

Ask Concierge
AI Beta

Menu

What 102 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is The Wine Bar & Bistro at The Griswold Inn restaurant rated?

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Additional information