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Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Connecticut

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OpenTable
Updated February 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Connecticut? 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!


A photo of Walrus Alley restaurant
4.9
4.9 (65)
$31 to $50
Southern
Westport
About the restaurant
The Walrus story began in 2013 with the desire to offer a truly unique American experience from the mastery of southern-inspired smoking techniques to our hand-selected craft beers, wines and liquors. The original Walrus + Carpenter was serving the artistic community of Black Rock for 7 years. In 2020, Walrus moved to Westport, reopening our doors as Walrus Alley as a nod to the expansive alley on which we host guests and music all summer long.

Winner of best southern food and barbecue for 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022.

True to the American experience, Walrus is an independent, family-owned and operated establishment.

Top review
Ryan
Dined 4 days ago
So happy that walrus alley has become seed oil free! I really liked it before and this change pushed them over the top to be my favorite restaurant.
A photo of Krust restaurant
4.8
4.8 (188)
$30 and under
Pizzeria
Middletown
About the restaurant
Wood Fired Pizza - Craft Beer/Cocktails - Whiskey Bar
Top review
oanhVIP
Dined on Jan 11, 2025
A great place to go for drinks or a family meal. The staff is wonderful attentive and hard working.
Discover more
A photo of South Bay - Greenwich restaurant
4.7
4.7 (233)
$30 and under
Seafood
Greenwich
About the restaurant
The Siguenza Family welcomed the newest additions to the JS Restaurant Group with the openings of South Bay New Haven and South Bay Greenwich. These are the eighth and ninth restaurants for the Siguenzas as they continue to share their creativity, energy, and passion to provide an exquisitely warm and welcoming dining experience in the communities served

Step inside South Bay and feel swept up in the serenity of a calming sea. From the warm hues of the interior to the nautical ship lap walls, South Bay provides the ultimate coastline dining experience. The menu boasts a variety of Mediterranean inspired, elegant and savory dishes, all created using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Our extensive wine list you'll find second to none and our craft cocktails are refreshing and delicious!

With two locations, one in bustling downtown New Haven and the other in the heart of Greenwich on "The Avenue", South Bay is the ideal meeting place for friends and family. Bon Appetit!

Top review
LeahVIP
Dined on Dec 5, 2024
I love this place! I went with 3 friends we got the table by the window. We ordered plates to share. Everything was amazing! The bao buns, stake tacos, fried calamari, baked artichokes, pizza appetizer to share. Everything was delicious and the waiters were so attentive and kind!
A photo of Viñas Wine & Tapas - New Haven restaurant
4.7
4.7 (34)
$30 and under
Tapas / Small Plates
New Haven
About the restaurant
Chilean inspired 🇨🇱 wine & tapas
Featuring: local wine, wine flight tastings & live music

Top review
briannaVIP
Dined on Jan 25, 2025
Went for a friends birthday and they made our experience so special! Christian was the best, couldn’t have asked for a better dining experience.
A photo of Little Pub - Greenwich restaurant
4.6
4.6 (313)
$30 and under
American
Greenwich
About the restaurant
Great food, generous drinks, and a lively pub atmosphere you'll feel right at home in. A rustic neighborhood gathering place with a relentless focus on customer service, value, and fun.
Top review
CarlosVIP
Dined on Jan 6, 2025
Always perfect from cocktails, food, ambience and service. And Monday live music with Mark Zelenze is a must.
A photo of Dockside Brewery restaurant
4.6
4.6 (575)
$31 to $50
American
Milford
About the restaurant
Waterfront Brewery & Beirgarten, established in 2020, serving our award winning beer, extensive food menu highlighted with New Haven style pizza. Multi-level indoor/outdoor water view seating featuring an outdoor bar. Winner of best new restaurant, best outdoor bar and best beer menu.
Top review
Mary
Dined 4 days ago
Dockside is a great place for a casual meal. We were pleasantly surprised at the variety of liquid choices-(Hall and Oats a favorite.). We all enjoyed our meal and will definitely returning. We are looking forward to enjoying the outdoors area once the weather turns warmer.
A photo of Stella D'oro restaurant
4.6
4.6 (64)
$31 to $50
Italian
Middletown
About the restaurant
Stella D’oro, a family owned restaurant, was established in 1993 in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. Reopened in Middletown, Connecticut serving fine, northern Italian food.
At Stella D’oro you’ll enjoy the best Italian cuisine with a full bar and various wines.
View our full, up to date menu. We offer salads, pasta, steak, seafood, and more!

Top review
Marla
Dined 6 days ago
We enjoyed our visit. The restaurant was easy to get to, and there was plenty of parking in a lot next to the restaurant even in downtown Middletown. The weight staff was attentive, and gave great recommendations for food. Our meals were prepared, very tastefully. Even though the seating area is smaller than some restaurants, it was not noisy and didn’t feel crowded We will go again 
A photo of Milestone - Mystic restaurant
4.6
4.6 (99)
$30 and under
American
Mystic
About the restaurant
Milestone redefines the notion of a neighborhood gathering spot by combining simply prepared, boldly flavored fare made from scratch and classic cocktails done right with professional, understated service in a stylish yet warm and welcoming setting. Staying true to the best of classic comfort foods, while also offering a wide array of other foodie and healthy options, Milestone is always striving for the perfect bite.
Top review
paulVIP
Dined 5 days ago
Great service, pizza was very tasty. Stayed for Saturday evening music, was a very fun and energetic evening.
A photo of Comomango Mexican Kitchen and Cantina restaurant
4.6
4.6 (67)
$31 to $50
Mexican
Madison
About the restaurant
Experience upscale Mexican cuisine with a delightful twist at Comomango Mexican Kitchen and Cantina. Our newly redesigned downtown spot offers a charming ambiance, perfect for enjoying drinks and appetizers at the bar or dining on our enclosed porch year-round. Indulge in our inventive tacos with homemade tortillas, featuring flavors like savory shrimp or succulent pulled pork tamales. Cap off your meal with our creamy Tres Leches dessert. With prompt service and engaged waitstaff, every visit is a celebration of flavor and hospitality.
Top review
Chantal
Dined 5 days ago
The staff is warm, welcoming and accommodating. The service from our waiter Brian was exceptional, always there to anticipate our needs. And the food was so fresh and flavorful! We’re so happy to have them in our neighborhood!
A photo of Patsy’s Pizzeria - Greenwich restaurant
4.6
4.6 (37)
$31 to $50
Pizzeria
Greenwich
About the restaurant
Patsy’s Pizzeria is the undisputed premier pizza dynasty in New York and arguably in all of the United States. Started by the legendary Pasquale, Lancieri, Patsy’s Pizzeria traces its origin by over a century to Manhattan Lower East Side. Opening his first model shop in Harlem in 1933, the Patsys pizzeria name has become synonymous with authentic, Sicilian coal oven pizza
Top review
RogerK
Dined 2 days ago
Top notch service and every bite was memorable for all in our party.
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