Diners' Choice: Best Food restaurants in Hartford

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall cuisine in Hartford? 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!

Gather55 - Hartford

4.9

4.9 (324)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Hartford

About the restaurant

Gather55 is a unique restaurant that supports the mission work of Hands On Hartford. Each month a different Guest Chef offers a special menu for our guests. Where else can you sample offerings from award-winning chefs all in one meal? Gather55 is in the Parkville neighborhood of Hartford and there is plenty of free parking adjacent to the restaurant.

People in the know say Gather55 is worth the trip. Come and see what the buzz is all about!

Top review

Jean

Dined on Apr 24, 2025

Food was excellent; waitstaff very personable; very amenable to adjusting to meet our needs. We found the prefix menu both very affordable and of high quality. We are super supportive of the mission of Gather 55 intend to continue dining there.

Nataz Restaurant - Southington

4.9

4.9 (368)

$31 to $50

American

Southington

About the restaurant

Prepared by Hand from Scratch

Nataz is about Food; serving you a lot of fresh, excellent and top-grade food, prepared by hand from scratch with the cleanest and most professional presentation possible. Everything is served with a smile, based on our ability to render service. We are about giving you what you want, when you want it, no matter what!

Top review

DoreenVIP

Dined on Apr 24, 2025

Karem was our server he was very good. Had the veal chop outstanding, and the zuppa was delicious and fresh.

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Popular dish

Zuppa

The Russell Restaurant

4.4

4.4 (192)

$30 and under

Caribbean

Hartford

About the restaurant

Located in Downtown Hartford, Visitors love the Russell’s interior, which reminds them of an intimate getaway in a classic island hotel. “The Russell should feel like home,” says owner Hugh Russell, “I wanted to create a warm and cozy atmosphere.”

Open for, happy hour, dinner, and special events with live entertainment, there’s always a memorable moment to be made at The Russell.

Top review

Kim

Dined on Mar 21, 2025

Overall I like the Russell. I ordered the calamari, it was almost cold and had more peppers than calamari, but the flavor was good. I also ordered the yucca fries but they needed some Jamaican love. The best thing on the table was the pasta which was hot and flavorful. The atmosphere was elegant, classy and casual at the same time. The wait staff was extremely attentive and helpful. We were greeted upon arrival by the hostess - this was the icing on the cake.

Tosca

4.8

4.8 (385)

$50 and over

Italian

Suffield

About the restaurant

Tosca is a contemporary restaurant that serves both old school and modern seasonally inspired Italian and French influenced cuisine. Owner-chef Kevin Cousin and secondary, Sous Chef Rebecca Bates supervises a creative menu dominated by a nice range of Italian dishes and seafood entrees. All desserts and Pastas are freshly crafted.Visit for dinner and enjoy a savory dish of pan-seared salmon, or order the Bolognese alla Tosca for an appealing pasta dish that takes you to Bologna Italy.Fresh cuts of meat such as Black Garlic Sirloin or Today's Special .Finish off with a classic Vanilla bean Crème Brûlée.Or our famous Salted-Caramel ice cream.Tosca also boasts a nicely stocked bar and an outdoor patio that provides a scenic dining option during the warmer months.Craft seasonal Cocktails,New Specials daily and weekly . The restaurant’s casual and upscale vibe and intimate ambiance provides a welcoming backdrop for a spur-of-the moment dinner or a romantic date. Reservations encouraged.

Top review

Kevin

Dined 7 days ago

As it always is, Tosca was outstanding Saturday night. The menu is amazing and the food was spectacular. The service was also phenomenal. We were a party of four, and we had oysters, shaved Brussel Sprouts Caesar Salad to start - both amazing. We ordered the flounder special, Bolognese and Scampi. the pasta was cooked perfectly and arrived piping hot. For dessert we shared a flight of gelato on mini-cones. I just can't say enough about the overall quality of this restaurant, which I have been coming to for many years. Amazingly, it only gets better and better each time. I really feel it is one of the premier restaurants in Northern CT or Western Mass.

J. Gilbert’s – Wood Fired Steaks & Seafood – Glastonbury

4.9

4.9 (10576)

$31 to $50

Steak

Glastonbury

About the restaurant

J. Gilbert's is an "upscale casual" steakhouse serving prime-aged beef cooked over a mesquite wood-fired grill. Guests enjoy various cuts of steak, fresh seafood (including award-winning crab cakes) & other house made favorites like the Maytag Blue potato chips & chocolate velvet cake. The cozy atmosphere includes fire side dining, rich wood, brick & soft lighting where you can enjoy dinner for two or host a large party. The extensive martini & wine list offers the perfect compliment to an excellent meal delivered with attentive service. Reservations are highly recommended.

Top review

Freitas

Dined 5 days ago

As always, J. Gilberts never disappoints. Another great meal and this time from their new menu! Excellent food, excellent service, and excellent atmosphere.

New Mill Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (1923)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Southington

About the restaurant

Plantsville's well-known Old Mill is now New Mill Restaurant, featuring the culinary talents of its new Executive Chef, Bob Martucci. This lovely 1737 cider mill has been a Connecticut favorite for many years, and has now completely renovated by its owners, Chris and Michelle Calvanese. Menu specialties include fresh-only seafood and raw bar selections, "chop house" Angus steaks, and homemade pastas and desserts. An expanded wine list and a large sociable bar round out the new offering.

Top review

Edward

Dined 6 days ago

The best restaurant we have been to in 5 years through post covid. Great food. Genuinely attentive service and excellent value

Ruth's Chris Steak House - Hartford

4.8

4.8 (1764)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Hartford

About the restaurant

Ruth's Chris Steak House serves the finest aged, corn-fed USDA Prime beef. Broiled in a trademark 1800 degree oven & served on a plate heated to 500 degrees, your steak is presented sizzling hot at your table. In addition to steak, the menu features an assortment of chops, as well as fresh seafood and lobsters. We serve only the finest produce and offer over seven different types of potatoes. Dinner is not complete without trying one of our homemade desserts. Ruth's Chris is also proud of its award winning wine list featuring over 225 domestic and imported selections. At Ruth's Chris Steak House, there is truly something for everyone!

Top review

DomenickVIP

Dined on Apr 24, 2025

absolutely superb service great food and drinks love it there

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Bone-In New York Strip

Sadler's Ordinary

4.9

4.9 (882)

$30 and under

American

Marlborough

About the restaurant

Sadler's Ordinary has been an institution in Marlborough for decades, serving top quality local seafood and ingredients, comfort food, and Fine New England Cuisine. Set in a colonial style building, our cozy dining rooms feature two fireplaces and we offer outdoor dining on a beautiful stone patio during the summer and fall. All of our food is made from scratch in-house, including our delicious desserts and bakery items. We are open for indoor and patio dining, as well as take out every day.

Top review

Beverly

Dined on Apr 20, 2025

We loved the Easter meal and will be back. The good and portions were excellent.

Pond House Cafe

4.7

4.7 (2724)

$30 and under

Fusion / Eclectic

Hartford

About the restaurant

Nestled on the pond in historic Elizabeth Park the Pond House is surrounded by gardens & offers four seasons of charm with a menu to match. Changed seasonally we offer eclectic comfort food that reflects the down to earth but playful spirit of our staff. Announce Spring's arrival with a walk through the park followed by brunch on the patio. Stop and smell the world famous roses then linger over dinner as sun slowly sets over the trees. Lunch, Dinner, Brunch & Take out. The Pond House Cafe- stylish, fun & playful.

Top review

Jayne

Dined 1 day ago

Pond House Cafe is wonderful. So nice to walk through the trails at Elizabeth Park and then eat at the cafe.

Table 570 Asian Fusion Cuisine

4.8

4.8 (206)

$30 and under

Asian

Simsbury

About the restaurant

Table 570 is a modern take on Asian cuisine with an American twist. Table 570 is when cultures collide, ingredients overlap, and traditions get merged. Allow us to take you on a culinary journey, taste some of the best-crafted maki rolls and sashimi or a featured fusion entree, Smoked Peking Duck with a house blood orange chili sauce. We are focused on using the freshest ingredients backed by our best in class service. Pair your meal with over 20 Japanese sakes, craft cocktails or choose a wine from our list of top-featured vineyards. After your meal, delight your palate with our in-house made desserts.

Table 570 is a stylish and sophisticated space. The high-energy atmosphere is a great gathering place with business colleagues, friends, and family. We offer several private dining options, a semi-private communal table, and catering services.

Top review

Leslie

Dined on Mar 28, 2025

As always excellent food and great service. A regular place for us to visit. Thank you!

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