Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Middlesex

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best overall restaurants 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!

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

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.

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!!

Grano Arso

4.9

4.9 (1781)

$31 to $50

Italian

Chester

About the restaurant

Owned and operated by husband and wife, Chef Joel and Lani Gargano, coupled with warm and knowledgeable hospitality and a creative and experience kitchen team with Grano Arso is the neighborhood go-to eatery for wholesome cooking, Italian wine, local beers, and specialty cocktails. We invite you to come and experience what community means to us!

***Please note for large parties of 6 and more there is a service charge of 22%. There is a prix fixe menu requirement for parties of 7 to 12 with a service charge of 22% and 50% deposit. Guests will need to have the restaurant book large parties and will not be able to do so on Opentable.***

Top review

Vincent

Dined 4 days ago

We had a wonderful server who truly went above and beyond to ensure we had a nice time celebrating our anniversary.

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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

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!

The Essex

4.9

4.9 (1069)

$31 to $50

American

Old Saybrook

About the restaurant

Set in the heart of downtown, across from the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, the “new” Essex will continue to offer the progressive, modern, approachable cuisine that has made it a top restaurant in the region. Whether it’s a pre-theater dinner, a casual gathering with friends, or a tasting menu for a special evening, guests can gather at The Essex to create memories with family and friends while enjoying excellent cuisine.

The Essex menu showcases modern American cuisine that draws inspiration from the land, sea and deep heritage of the Connecticut River Valley, using the freshest locally sourced products available from farm and sea. All will inspire an ever-changing menu of progressive interpretations of timeless dishes.

"Voted Best New Restaurant in New England" Yankee Magazine
"Best Restaurants in Connecticut" CT Magazine
"Not to be Missed" Town & Country Magazine
"Rising Chef Star" CT Mag

Top review

TamiVIP

Dined 4 days ago

I had 2 amazing birthday dinners here - the tasting menu is always a feast! Great service, good ambiance and a gorgeous interior make it a good choice for any occasion

Nataz Restaurant - Clinton

4.8

4.8 (284)

$31 to $50

American

Clinton

About the restaurant

Nataz is about food, a lot of food, fresh excellent and top grade. Prepared by hand from scratch in the cleanest and most professional presentation. All served with smile, based on our ability to render service. Giving you what you want, when you want it, no matter what!

Top review

Theresa

Dined on Jun 14, 2025

Had dinner there last Saturday night and the food was amazing and the price point is a bargin for the qaulity, 4 courses and portion size. The steak was one of the best I have had, cooked to perfection served with creamy mashed pototes. Another person in our group had the Chicken Randy which was served with homemade pasta. The salmon was also very good. The desserts where outstanding which are included in the price fixed menu. Service was very attentive. We can't wait to go back!

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!

Chamard Vineyards, Farm Winery Bistro

4.7

4.7 (2473)

$31 to $50

French American

Clinton

About the restaurant

Established in 1983, Chamard Vineyards, is one of the Connecticut Wine Trails founding fathers. Tucked between the Long Island Sound and the Connecticut River, Chamard enjoys a unique marine micro-climate ideal for growing European Vinifera vines such as Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Pinot Noir. To produce “French Inspired Wines from the Connecticut Shoreline” has been Chamards mission from the start. As a farm, Chamard honors agriculture by partnering with fellow growers and producers to pair food with wine in celebration of Connecticut’s local gastronomy.

Top review

JeanVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Our first time dining here and it was fabulous. Service was great, wines we sampled were very enjoyable, and the food was spectacular! Beautiful property, can’t wait to visit again!

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