For our annual Readers’ Choice survey, conducted this past September, we asked our readers to pick their favorite places in 36 categories ranging from cuisines to overall excellence. This year, readers were allowed to vote for up to three restaurants in each category, with their choices ranked in order of preference and weighted accordingly in the tabulation. In addition, restaurants were limited to Readers’ Choice wins in a maximum of four categories, determined by where they got the most votes; after that, awards in any further categories went to the next qualifying restaurant. (Exercising its judgment, the editorial staff disqualified restaurants that did not meet the criteria for a given category.)
Once the results were tabulated, our experts went to work, choosing restaurants in each category to supplement the survey results. For the Overall Excellence category, they selected (independently of the survey results) 15 restaurants they believe represent the best in Connecticut dining. Read about our experts’ favorite 15 restaurants here.
Greca Mediterranean Kitchen + Bar
OVERALL EXCELLENCE — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: Greca Mediterranean Kitchen + Bar, New Milford
Statewide Runner-up: Sal e Pepe, Newtown
Fairfield County: Sal e Pepe, Newtown
Hartford County: Millwright’s, Simsbury
Litchfield County: Greca Mediterranean Kitchen + Bar, New Milford
Middlesex County: Lenny & Joe’s Fish Tale, Westbrook
New Haven County: Michael’s Trattoria, Wallingford
New London County: Oyster Club, Mystic
Tolland County: Blackledge River Tavern & Sports Pub, Hebron
Windham County: Willimantic Brewing Company & Main Street Cafe, Willimantic
OVERALL EXCELLENCE — Experts’ Picks (read about our experts’ favorite 15 restaurants in detail here):
The Restaurant at Winvian Farm, Morris
Restaurant Bricco, West Hartford
NEW RESTAURANT — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: Greca Mediterranean Kitchen + Bar, New Milford
Statewide Runner-up: Bruxelles Brasserie, South Norwalk
Fairfield County: Bruxelles Brasserie, South Norwalk
Hartford County: The Charles, Wethersfield
Litchfield County: Greca Mediterranean Kitchen + Bar, New Milford
aMiddlesex County: Land of Thai, Clinton
New Haven County: Crafted By Hand Cafe, New Haven
New London County: Hangry Goose, Old Lyme
Tolland County: The Main Moose, Columbia
Windham County: Grill 445, Brooklyn
NEW RESTAURANT — Experts’ Picks:
Don Memo in Westport
MOST ROMANTIC — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill, New Haven
Statewide Runner-up: Vue 24, Foxwoods Casino, Mashantucket
Fairfield County: Sal e Pepe, Newtown
Hartford County: Millwright’s, Simsbury
Litchfield County: The Restaurant at Winvian Farm, Morris
Middlesex County: La Foresta, Killingworth
New Haven County: Shell & Bones Oyster Bar & Grill, New Haven
New London County: Vue 24, Foxwoods Casino, Mashantucket
Windham County: Elizabeth’s Farmhouse, Putnam
MOST ROMANTIC — Experts’ Picks:
Carbone’s Ristorante, Hartford
The Wharf at Madison Beach Hotel, Madison
TRADITIONAL AMERICAN — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: The White Horse, New Preston
Statewide Runner-up: The Spinning Wheel, Redding
Fairfield County: The Spinning Wheel, Redding
Hartford County: J. Timothy’s Taverne, Plainville
Litchfield County: The White Horse, New Preston
Middlesex County: Little Pub, Fairfield, Greenwich, Wilton, Old Saybrook, Stratford
New Haven County: Archie Moore’s, New Haven, Milford, Wallingford
New London County: Engine Room, Mystic
Tolland County: Blackledge River Tavern & Sports Pub, Hebron
Windham County: Willimantic Brewing Company & Main Street Cafe, Willimantic
TRADITIONAL AMERICAN — Experts’ Picks:
Captain Daniel Packer Inne, Mystic
Marlborough Tavern, Marlborough
NEW AMERICAN — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: The Cottage, Westport
Statewide Runner-up: The Spread, South Norwalk
Fairfield County: The Cottage, Westport
Hartford County: ON20, Hartford
Litchfield County: Arethusa al Tavolo, Bantam
Middlesex County: Chow Food & Beverage Co., Clinton
New Haven County: Tavern on State, New Haven
New London County: La Belle Aurore, Niantic
Windham County: Stone Row Kitchen + Bar, Willimantic
NEW AMERICAN — Experts’ Picks:
Grano Arso
ITALIAN — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: Sal e Pepe, Newtown
Statewide Runner-up: Michael’s Trattoria, Wallingford
Fairfield County: Sal e Pepe, Newtown
Hartford County: Treva, West Hartford
Litchfield County: Lucia Ristorante, New Milford
Middlesex County: La Marea Ristorante, Old Saybrook
New Haven County: Michael’s Trattoria, Wallingford
New London County: Ballo, Mohegan Sun, Uncasville
Tolland County: Anthony’s Pizza, Vernon
ITALIAN — Experts’ Picks:
La Tavola Ristorante, Waterbury
Restaurant Bricco, West Hartford
Tony D’s Restaurant, New London
Trattoria ’A Vucchella, Bridgeport
FRENCH — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: Àvert Brasserie, West Hartford
Statewide Runner-up: Union League Cafe, New Haven
Fairfield County: Luc’s Cafe, Ridgefield
Hartford County: Àvert Brasserie, West Hartford
Litchfield County: RSVP, Cornwall
Middlesex County: Cafe Routier, Westbrook
New Haven County: Union League Cafe, New Haven
New London County: Frank’s Gourmet Grille, Mystic
FRENCH — Experts’ Picks:
MEXICAN — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: Cuckoo’s Nest, Old Saybrook
Statewide Runner-up: Geronimo Tequila Bar & Southwest Grill, New Haven, Fairfield
Fairfield County: Hacienda Don Manuel, Brookfield
Hartford County: Sayulita, Glastonbury
Litchfield County: El Camión, Woodbury
Middlesex County: Cuckoo’s Nest, Old Saybrook
New Haven County: Geronimo Tequila Bar & Southwest Grill, New Haven, Fairfield
New London County: Rio Salado, Mystic
Tolland County: Coyote Flaco, Mansfield
Windham County: Taquitos Mexican Grill, Willimantic
RELATED: Connecticut Magazine’s Best Restaurants Hall of Fame
MEXICAN — Experts’ Picks:
Los Garcia Mexican Fusion, Waterbury
Shu (Fairfield and West Hartford)
CHINESE — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: Shu, West Hartford, Fairfield
Statewide Runner-up: Toro, Newtown
Fairfield County: Toro, Newtown
Hartford County: Shu, West Hartford, Fairfield
Litchfield County: Home Buffet, New Milford
Middlesex County: Taste of China, Clinton
New Haven County: Taste of China, New Haven
New London County: Golden Palace, Uncasville
Tolland County: Asian Bistro, Mansfield
Windham County: China Star, Putnam
CHINESE — Experts’ Picks:
Song Restaurant, West Hartford
Connecticut restaurants look ahead to life after COVID and the changes we can expect.
JAPANESE — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: Toro, Newtown
Statewide Runner-up: OKO, Westport
Fairfield County: Toro, Newtown
Hartford County: Sakura Garden, Glastonbury
Litchfield County: Yokohama, New Milford
Middlesex County: Hanami, Clinton
New Haven County: Miya’s Sushi, New Haven (scheduled to close after Dec. 31, 2020)
New London County: Osaka, East Lyme
Tolland County: Asian Bistro, Mansfield
Windham County: Oriental Cafe, Willimantic
JAPANESE — Experts’ Picks:
Ki Asian Bistro & Sushi, Danbury
Tiger Belly Noodle & Sushi Bar, Granby
THAI — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: Thai Charm, New Milford
Statewide Runner-up: Thai Bowl, Watertown
Fairfield County: Thai Pepper, Danbury
Hartford County: Somewhere in Bangkok, Southington
Litchfield County: Thai Charm, New Milford
Middlesex County: Land of Thai, Clinton
New Haven County: Ayuthai Restaurant, Guilford
New London County: Ichiban, Colchester
Windham County: Thai Basil, Danielson
THAI — Experts’ Picks:
Kob Jai Pho & Thai Restaurant, Rocky Hill
Little Thai Kitchen, Darien and Greenwich
Sweet Chilli Thai Cuisine, West Hartford
VIETNAMESE — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: Pho Vietnam, Danbury
Statewide Runner-up: Mecha Noodle Bar, Fairfield, Norwalk, New Haven, Stamford, West Hartford
Fairfield County: Pho Vietnam, Danbury
Hartford County: Pho Saigon, West Hartford
Litchfield County: Mama Pho, Winsted
Middlesex County: Lan Chi, Middletown
New Haven County: Vietnoms, Guilford
New London County: Ichiban, Colchester
Windham County: Thai Basil, Danielson
VIETNAMESE — Experts’ Picks:
Sprouts Vietnamese Cuisine, Bethel
Sherkaan Indian Street Food in New Haven
INDIAN — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: Tandoori Flames, New Milford
Statewide Runner-up: Kolam, Newtown
Fairfield County: Kolam, Newtown
Hartford County: Dhaba Wala Indian Kitchen, Hartford
Litchfield County: Tandoori Flames, New Milford
Middlesex County: Himalaya Café, Old Saybrook
New Haven County: Sherkaan, New Haven
New London County: Mirch Masala, Groton
Tolland County: Kathmandu Kitchen & Bar, Storrs
INDIAN — Experts’ Picks:
Coromandel, Darien, Orange and Stamford
Utsav Indian Cuisine, Wethersfield and Vernon
MEDITERRANEAN or GREEK — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: Greca Mediterranean Kitchen + Bar, New Milford
Statewide Runner-up: Zohara, West Hartford
Fairfield County: The Simple Greek, Norwalk
Hartford County: Zohara, West Hartford
Litchfield County: Greca Mediterranean Kitchen + Bar, New Milford
Middlesex County: Bistro Mediterranean and Tapas Bar, East Haven, Westbrook, Norwalk
New Haven County: The Greek Spot, Milford
New London County: Caffe NV, Waterford
MEDITERRANEAN or GREEK — Experts’ Pick:
Laskara Restaurant, Wallingford
MIDDLE EASTERN — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: Zohara, West Hartford
Statewide Runner-up: Hanna’s, Danbury
Fairfield County: Hanna’s, Danbury
Hartford County: Zohara, West Hartford
Litchfield County: Lebnani, Watertown
New Haven County: Mamoun’s Falafel, New Haven
New London County: Vivian’s Mediterranean Market, Mystic
MIDDLE EASTERN — Experts’ Picks:
Tangiers International Market, Hartford
Zaytoon’s Bistro, West Hartford
MofonGo (New Britain, Hartford and Windsor)
CARIBBEAN — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: No Leftovers, Norwalk
Statewide Runner-up: El Morivivi, Bridgeport
Fairfield County: No Leftovers, Norwalk
Hartford County: The Russell, Hartford
New Haven County: Crave, Ansonia
Windham County: Jamaican Me Crazy, Willimantic
CARIBBEAN — Experts’ Picks:
MofonGo Restaurant, New Britain, Hartford and Windsor
Mommy’s Delicious Food, Norwich
CENTRAL or SOUTH AMERICAN — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: Céntrico, Bethel
Statewide Runner-up: Ola Latin Kitchen, Bridgeport
Fairfield County: Céntrico, Bethel
Hartford County: Cora Cora, West Hartford
Litchfield County: Zaragoza, New Milford
New Haven County: Crave, Ansonia
New London County: Canggio Restaurant, Norwich
CENTRAL or SOUTH AMERICAN — Experts’ Picks:
Barracuda Bistro & Bar, New Haven
SPANISH or PORTUGUESE — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: Barcelona, Fairfield, New Haven, Norwalk, Stamford, West Hartford
Statewide Runner-up: Atlantic Restaurant, Danbury
Fairfield County: Atlantic Restaurant, Danbury
Hartford County: Primavera Pub, Hartford
Litchfield County: Zaragoza, New Milford
Middlesex County: Bistro Mediterranean and Tapas Bar, Westbrook
New Haven County: Olea, New Haven
Windham County: Garo’s Place, Willimantic
SPANISH or PORTUGUESE — Experts’ Picks:
Ibiza Tapas and Wine Bar, Hamden
VEGETARIAN or VEGAN — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: Claire’s Corner Copia, New Haven
Statewide Runner-up: ION, Middletown
Fairfield County: Bloodroot, Bridgeport
Hartford County: Flora, West Hartford
Middlesex County: ION, Middletown
New Haven County: Claire’s Corner Copia, New Haven
New London County: Right Path Organic Cafe, New London
Windham County: Not Only Juice, Willimantic
VEGETARIAN or VEGAN — Experts’ Picks:
Heirloom Food Company, Danielson
Shandals Vegetarian Cafe, Bridgeport
Vegan Ahava food truck, New Haven
SEAFOOD — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: Lenny & Joe’s Fish Tale, Westbrook, Madison, New Haven (New Haven location closed after the survey took place)
Statewide Runner-up: Shell & Bones Oyster Bar & Grill, New Haven
Fairfield County: Lucas Local, Newtown
Hartford County: Max’s Oyster Bar, West Hartford
Litchfield County: Mix Prime, Woodbury
Middlesex County: Lenny & Joe’s Fish Tale, West
brook, Madison, New Haven
New Haven County: Shell & Bones Oyster Bar & Grill, New Haven
New London County: Flanders Fish Market, East Lyme
Windham County: The Fish Market, Willimantic
SEAFOOD — Experts’ Picks:
Red 36 in Mystic
RAW BAR — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: Lucas Local, Newtown
Statewide Runner-up: Shell & Bones Oyster Bar & Grill, New Haven
Fairfield County: Lucas Local, Newtown
Hartford County: Max’s Oyster Bar, West Hartford
Litchfield County: Mix Prime, Woodbury
Middlesex County: Liv’s Oyster Bar, Old Saybrook
New Haven County: Shell & Bones Oyster Bar & Grill, New Haven
New London County: Red 36, Mystic
Windham County: 85 Main, Putnam
RAW BAR — Experts’ Picks:
S&P Oyster Restaurant & Bar, Mystic
STEAK HOUSE — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: Washington Prime, Norwalk
Statewide Runner-up: The Capital Grille, Hartford, Stamford
Fairfield County: Washington Prime, Norwalk
Hartford County: J. Gilbert’s, Glastonbury
Litchfield County: Mix Prime, Woodbury
Middlesex County: Brushmill by the Waterfall, Chester
New Haven County: Cast Iron Chef Chop House & Oyster Bar, New Haven
New London County: David Burke Prime, Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket
Tolland County: Chuck’s Steak House and Margarita Grill, Storrs
Windham County: Grill 445, Brooklyn
STEAK HOUSE — Experts’ Picks:
Joseph’s Steakhouse, Bridgeport
RELATED: Connecticut Magazine’s Best Restaurants Hall of Fame
BARBECUE — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: HooDoo Brown BBQ, Ridgefield
Statewide Runner-up: Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ, Hartford, Windsor, South Windsor, New Haven
Fairfield County: HooDoo Brown BBQ, Ridgefield
Hartford County: Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ, Hartford, Windsor, South Windsor
Litchfield County: The Cookhouse, New Milford
Middlesex County: Chow Food & Beverage Co., Clinton
New Haven County: Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ, New Haven
New London County: Chester’s Barbecue, Groton
BARBECUE — Experts’ Picks:
Smokin’ with Chris, Southington
Taíno Smokehouse, Middletown; Taíno Prime, Meriden
SOUTHERN or SOUL FOOD — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: Black Eyed Sally’s, Hartford
Statewide Runner-up: Smokin’ with Chris, Southington
Hartford County: Black Eyed Sally’s, Hartford
Fairfield County: Walrus Alley, Westport
Middlesex County: The Blue Hound, Ivoryton
New Haven County: Sandra’s Next Generation, New Haven
SOUTHERN or SOUL FOOD — Experts’ Picks:
APPETIZERS — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: Bella’Gio, Cheshire
Statewide Runner-up: Tandoori Flames, New Milford
Fairfield County: Washington Prime, Norwalk
Hartford County: Millwright’s, Simsbury
Litchfield County: Tandoori Flames, New Milford
Middlesex County: La Marea Ristorante, Old Saybrook
New Haven County: Bella’Gio, Cheshire
New London County: Vue 24, Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket
Windham County: Stone Row Kitchen + Bar, Willimantic
APPETIZERS — Experts’ Picks:
Barcelona Wine Bar, Fairfield, New Haven, Norwalk, Stamford, West Hartford
BRYAC Restaurant & Raw Bar, Bridgeport
Arethusa al tavolo in Bantam
DESSERTS — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: Arethusa al Tavolo, Bantam
Statewide Runner-up: Millwright’s, Simsbury
Fairfield County: J. Lawrence Downtown, Bethel
Hartford County: Millwright’s, Simsbury
Litchfield County: Arethusa al Tavolo, Bantam
Middlesex County: Aspen Restaurant and Bar, Old Saybrook
New Haven County: Hamilton Park, New Haven
New London County: Vue 24, Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket
Windham County: Pleasant Pizza, Willimantic
DESSERTS — Experts’ Picks:
Tony D’s Restaurant, New London
Trumbull Kitchen, Hartford (temporarily closed; scheduled to reopen May 1)
Toast, Four Corners in Storrs
BREAKFAST — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: Hidden Kitchen, North Branford
Statewide Runner-up: King’s, Newtown (temporarily closed)
Fairfield County: King’s, Newtown
Hartford County: Bob’s Coffee Shop, Rocky Hill
Litchfield County: Arethusa a mano, Bantam
Middlesex County: Cristy’s, Westbrook
New Haven County: Hidden Kitchen, North Branford
New London County: The Shack, East Lyme, Waterford, Groton
Tolland County: Rein’s Deli, Vernon
Windham County: That Breakfast Place, Willimantic
BREAKFAST — Experts’ Picks:
BRUNCH — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: The White Horse, New Preston
Statewide Runner-up: Hidden Kitchen, North Branford
Fairfield County: Washington Prime, Norwalk
Hartford County: Dakota Steak House, Rocky Hill
Litchfield County: The White Horse, New Preston
Middlesex County: Water’s Edge, Westbrook
New Haven County: Hidden Kitchen, North Branford
New London County: Engine Room, Mystic
Windham County: That Breakfast Place, Willimantic
BRUNCH — Experts’ Picks:
Cast Iron Chef Chop House & Oyster Bar, New Haven
The Corner Restaurant, Milford
Sherkaan Indian Street Food, New Haven
LUNCH — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: The White Horse, New Preston
Statewide Runner-up: Hidden Kitchen, North Branford
Fairfield County: Little Pub, Fairfield, Greenwich, Wilton, Old Saybrook, Stratford
Hartford County: Paul Gregory’s, Southington
Litchfield County: The White Horse, New Preston
Middlesex County: Olive Oyl’s, Essex
New Haven County: Hidden Kitchen, North Branford
New London County: Flanders Fish Market, East Lyme
Windham County: Jessica Tuesday’s, Putnam
LUNCH — Experts’ Picks:
Chow Food & Beverage Co., Clinton
Gaetano’s, Stratford, Westport and Shelton
The Green Grunion Food Truck, Danbury
Tangiers International Market, Hartford
Vintage in Colchester
HIDDEN GEM — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: Hidden Kitchen, North Branford
Statewide Runner-up: Greca Mediterranean Kitchen + Bar, New Milford
Fairfield County: Céntrico, Bethel
Hartford County: Craft Kitchen, Southington
Litchfield County: Greca Mediterranean Kitchen + Bar, New Milford
Middlesex County: Chow Food & Beverage Co., Clinton
New Haven County: Hidden Kitchen, North Branford
New London County: Rebeka, East Lyme
Tolland County: Rein’s Deli, Vernon
Windham County: Elizabeth’s Farmhouse, Putnam
HIDDEN GEM — Experts’ Picks:
Noochie’s Deli & Cafe, Waterbury
OUTDOOR DINING — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: The White Horse, New Preston
Statewide Runner-up: Bella’Gio, Cheshire
Fairfield County: Céntrico, Bethel
Hartford County: Lucky Lou’s, Wethersfield
Litchfield County: The White Horse, New Preston
Middlesex County: Cuckoo’s Nest, Old Saybrook
New Haven County: Bella’Gio, Cheshire
New London County: Red 36, Mystic
Tolland County: The Main Moose, Columbia
Windham County: Willimantic Brewing Company & Main Street Cafe, Willimantic
OUTDOOR DINING — Experts’ Picks:
Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill, New Haven
Tony’s at the J House, Greenwich
The Treehouse at Oyster Club, Mystic
WATERFRONT DINING — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: Shell & Bones Oyster Bar & Grill, New Haven
Statewide Runner-up: L’escale, Greenwich
Fairfield County: L’escale, Greenwich
Hartford County: River: A Waterfront Restaurant & Bar, Wethersfield
Litchfield County: Hopkins Inn, Warren
Middlesex County: Fresh Salt, Old Saybrook
New Haven County: Shell & Bones Oyster Bar & Grill, New Haven
New London County: Red 36, Mystic
Tolland County: LakeView, Coventry
WATERFRONT DINING — Experts’ Picks:
Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough, Noank
WINE SELECTION — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: Washington Prime, Norwalk
Statewide Runner-up: Vue 24, Foxwoods Casino, Ma
shantucket
Fairfield County: Washington Prime, Norwalk
Hartford County: ON20, Hartford
Litchfield County: Arethusa al tavolo, Bantam
Middlesex County: La Foresta, Killingworth
New Haven County: August, New Haven
New London County: Vue 24, Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket
WINE SELECTION — Experts’ Picks:
Barcelona, Fairfield, New Haven, Norwalk, Stamford and West Hartford
Bin 228, Hartford and Glastonbury
BEER SELECTION — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: THC The Hops Company, Derby
Statewide Runner-up: Willimantic Brewing Company & Main Street Cafe, Willimantic
Fairfield County: The Redding Roadhouse, Redding
Hartford County: Marlborough Tavern, Marlborough
Litchfield County: Mix Prime, Woodbury
Middlesex County: Eli Cannons Tap Room, Middletown
New Haven County: THC The Hops Company, Derby
New London County: Engine Room, Mystic
Tolland County: The Bidwell Tavern, Coventry
Windham County: Willimantic Brewing Company & Main Street Cafe, Willimantic
BEER SELECTION — Experts’ Picks:
The Blind Rhino, Norwalk and Bridgeport
Brewport Brewing Co., Bridgeport
Cask Republic, New Haven and Stamford
Taprock Beer Bar & Refuge, Unionville
BYOB — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: Nataz, Clinton, North Branford, Southington
Statewide Runner-up: The Place, Guilford
Fairfield County: Pho Vietnam, Danbury
Hartford County: Nataz, Southington
Litchfield County: RSVP, Cornwall
Middlesex County: Nataz, Clinton
New Haven County: The Place, Guilford
New London County: Captain Scott’s Lobster Dock, New London
BYOB — Experts’ Picks:
Spicy Green Bean in Glastonbury
OVERALL VALUE — Readers’ Choice:
Statewide Winner: Tandoori Flames, New Milford
Statewide Runner-up: Sal e Pepe, Newtown
Fairfield County: Sal e Pepe, Newtown
Hartford County: Flair, Southington
Litchfield County: Tandoori Flames, New Milford
Middlesex County: Cuckoo’s Nest, Old Saybrook
New Haven County: Michael’s Trattoria, Wallingford
New London County: Flanders Fish Market, East Lyme
Windham County: Pleasant Pizza, Willimantic
OVERALL VALUE — Experts’ Picks:
El Pollo Guapo, Hartford, Wethersfield and Glastonbury
HONORABLE MENTION
Anyone who patronizes Connecticut’s restaurant scene regularly understands just how impressive it is. With so many outstanding eateries within our borders, it’s inevitable that when naming the best, a number of terrific spots are going to be left. With that in mind, here are the non-winning restaurants in each county with the strongest overall performance (among any and all categories) in this year’s readers’ poll.
RELATED: Connecticut Magazine’s Best Restaurants Hall of Fame
Statewide
Señor Panchos, Middlebury, Prospect, Southbury
Fairfield County
The American Pie Company, Sherman
Barbarie’s Black Angus Grill, Danbury
The Hummus & Pita Co., Brookfield
Mannen Japanese Restaurant, Ridgefield
The Schoolhouse at Cannondale, Wilton
Stanziato’s Wood Fired Pizza, Danbury
Hartford County
Chuck’s Steak House, Rocky Hill
Close Harbor Seafood, Plantsville
El Pulpo & Tapas Bar, Southington
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, West Hartford
Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Newington
Shish Kebab House of Afghanistan, West Hartford
U.S.S. Chowder Pot IV, Hartford
Litchfield County
Good News Restaurant and Bar, Woodbury
The Royal Coachman Tavern at the Old Riverton Inn, Riverton
Middlesex County
Alforno Trattoria, Old Saybrook
Luigi’s Restaurant, Old Saybrook
New Haven County
Chip’s Family Restaurant, Orange
Lenny’s Indian Head Inn, Branford
New London County
Michael Jordan’s Steak House, Mohegan Sun, Uncasville
Tolland County
Georgia’s Restaurant & Pizza, Hebron
Windham County