Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Middlesex

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots in Middlesex? 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!

The Wine Bar & Bistro at The Griswold Inn

5.0

5 (100)

$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

TaniaVIP

Dined on Jun 11, 2025

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!!

La Marea

4.9

4.9 (1843)

$31 to $50

Italian

Old Saybrook

About the restaurant

Savor the authentic tastes of Italy when you dine at La Marea. Located on the shoreline of CT in Old Saybrook, our family owned Italian restaurant prepares northern and southern Italian cuisine using a mix of the finest imports from Italy as well as fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Gluten Free and Vegetarian options are available. Enjoy your dining experience in either our dining room or be sure to reserve a seat at our conversational hi-top tables or at the bar in our lounge.

Important: when making a reservation through OpenTable there is an option to make a reservation at a high top table in the bar area or standard table which is in the dining room. If the high top option does not pop up as an option for you then that means that there are NO High Top tables available at those times. If you would like to reserve bar seats please leave us a note or call us. See you soon!

Take-out available

Top review

JoanVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Everything was perfect. Hugo great as always. All the staff made dining relaxing while being attentive to every detail. The food amazing as always

Krust

4.9

4.9 (196)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

Middletown

About the restaurant

Wood Fired Pizza - Craft Beer/Cocktails - Whiskey Bar

Top review

lauraVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Fun vibes, great pizza, lots of veggie options, amazing drinks list. Super fun for a date or group.

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Popular dish

Shroom

Osa

4.9

4.9 (758)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Middletown

About the restaurant

Kevin Wirtes and Rich Garcia of Krust (Middletown), team up in the creation of their latest venture, Osa. Located at 500 Main Street in Middletown, Osa features local food, with a fresh take on New American. The full bar offers crafted cocktails, whiskey, a large wine pour list, and craft beer.

Top review

Ted

Dined 7 days ago

Awesome experience at OSA. The starters were exceptional and unique. Great atmosphere with superb service and food!

Luigi's Restaurant - Old Saybrook

4.9

4.9 (116)

$30 and under

Italian

Old Saybrook

About the restaurant

Coming Soon!

Top review

RussellVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Service was great they were friendly, attentive and professional. The food was excellent. Had the steak it was cooked to the right temperature , juicy and tasty. The drinks were great. What more can we ask from a restaurant.

Liv's Oyster Bar

4.8

4.8 (2731)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Old Saybrook

About the restaurant

Opening in 2006, Liv’s Oyster Bar and Restaurant quickly became a dining destination in Old Saybrook. Inspired by his daughter, Olivia, and years of experience in the restaurant industry, owner John Brescio set out with a desire to welcome the community to his family’s table.

Dining at Liv’s, whether in the main room, at the bar, or on the patio, is an experience to be savored with friends and family long after summer on the shoreline has past.
John Brescio also serves as Liv’s Executive Chef, creating simple, focused dishes with an emphasis on local ingredients, and the stunning seafood that the area provides. The menu at Liv’s changes with the seasons, bringing guests a true taste of the pristine environment. John works closely with Liv’s partners to make sure only the best produce is used, as he would serve nothing less to his family.
Together with his exceptional staff, John welcomes you to the special experience he’s created at Liv’s Oyster Bar.

Top review

Karen

Dined 5 days ago

Livs is a favorite great food and service is always top notch!

The Griswold Inn

4.8

4.8 (949)

$31 to $50

American

Essex

About the restaurant

The Griswold Inn is an inn and restaurant located in the historic seaport village of Essex. The Gris, as it is affectionately known, has been in continous operation since 1776.

`Currently we are offering dine in, dine out, and Gris To Go! Inside, guests may enjoy dining in historic, art-filled rooms which exude character, charm and tradition. Seating for the alfresco experience is available on a first-come, first-served basis, with the exception of larger parties of 7 or more which may be made by calling 860.767.1776.

The Inn boasts a wine list consistently recognized by Wine Spectator with the prestigious Award of Excellence; Food & Wine and Travel + Leisure have recently recognized the Inn's restaurant as "Connecticut's coziest" and it is included in Patricia Schulz's "1000 Places to See Before You Die". The Griswold Inn is also the recipient of Connecticut's Highest Award for Hospitality. The best of old and new meet here.

Top review

Paul

Dined on Jun 12, 2025

Great nautical setting in historical Essex. Fantastic food, ambience and service makes the Griswold Inn a great place to celebrate special occasions or simply enjoy great food with the company of your family or friends

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Popular dish

Our Signature Clam Chowder

1741 Pub & Grill

4.5

4.5 (278)

$30 and under

American

Middlefield

About the restaurant

While our signature burgers are the stars, we offer a wide array of sandwiches and entrees that will surely please. A fully stocked bar with signature cocktails and great local draft beer on tap compliment our great food.

Top review

Bill

Dined on May 9, 2025

The food was great, service was very good, they had a singer there, excellent voice and song choices. We will definitely go back.

Surfridge Brewing Company

4.3

4.3 (53)

$30 and under

Pub

Centerbrook

About the restaurant

Wood fired Artisanal pizza and brewpub. Cold and hot share plates, Neapolitan Pies, and chef driven cuisine. House brewed beers, wines, mixology. Large patio, family and dog friendly.

Top review

pete

Dined on May 30, 2025

Surfridge Brewing Company is "THE BEST". The brewpub is located in an old industrial facility that has a ton of charm. The food and brew is top notch. They have regular specials ( which change with the seasons ) which are consistently outstanding. The Management team and Waitstaff are super friendly and engaging. We love coming here !!!! I highly recommend checking them out.

Fire at the Ridge

3.7

3.7 (808)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Middlefield

About the restaurant

All year-round casual mountain side dinning in the spectacular grounds of Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort.
Inspired by native New England flavors and locally-sourced ingredients, Fire at the Ridge is an unexpected gem in Middlefield, CT offering indoor, terrace or firepit dinning, locally brewed beers, and craft cocktails.
Saturday night outdoor live music
Sunday brunch & outdoor Summer markets.

Check the event calendar at https://fireattheridge.com/ for weekly Live music and outdoor events.

Top review

Kurt

Dined on Jun 15, 2025

Great service and delicious food. Place was pretty empty and quiet. A very nice lunch.

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