Diners' Choice: American restaurants in Connecticut

OpenTable

Updated November 05, 2026

Looking for restaurants with the best overall American cuisine in Connecticut? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Lyla's Restaurant | Stamford

4.9

4.9 (74)

$31 to $50

American

Greenwich

About the restaurant

Welcome to Lyla’s 🖤
Inspired by family, served with love.
Lyla’s is your go-to for handmade pasta, shareable small plates, and cocktails that hit just right. Join us for a weekday prix fixe lunch that’s fast, flavorful, and anything but ordinary, or swing by Sunday brunch for cozy vibes and craveable bites. Located on Hope Street in Stamford, we’re all about bold flavors, good company, and meals that feel like home. Come hungry. Leave happy.

Top review

FRANK

Dined on Oct 22, 2026

Great food and service, one of our favorite restaurants.

Baldanza at the Schoolhouse

4.9

4.9 (1228)

$31 to $50

American

Wilton

About the restaurant

Join us at BALDANZA at the Schoolhouse, 34 Cannon Road, Wilton CT for an amazing meal where where every item on our menu is freshly hand crafted every day using only the highest quality clean ingredients! We are Located at historic Cannondale Village next to the Train Station at Cannondale (Wilton), CT. 203.309.5777

Top review

JeffreyGold

Dined 6 days ago

Always a good meal and service at Baldanza from my experience. Delicious food with fresh ingredients, service with smile and lovely ambience inside and outside along the river.

Elm Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (952)

$31 to $50

American

New Canaan

About the restaurant

Elm is an American restaurant by Chef Luke Venner located in the heart of New Canaan, CT. Our menu features simple, seasonal preparations with an emphasis on cool climate wines and classic cocktails.

Top review

Nancy

Dined on Oct 7, 2026

Always the best at Elm! Best bartenders and host!!

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Experience

Afternoon Tea

Millwright's Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (4233)

$31 to $50

American

Simsbury

About the restaurant

With its unique setting perched atop a waterfall in Simsbury, Connecticut, Millwright’s invites guests to dine in the 17th century mill with acclaimed, James Beard nominated Chef Tyler Anderson and his team. Featuring daily-chosen farm ingredients, the freshest and most select product, proprietary cocktails, and exciting wine menu, Millwright’s offers a new experience to the Farmington Valley farm-to-table dining scene. The culinary team understands the impact of the highest-quality fresh ingredients. Millwright’s kitchen thrives on local ingredients – grown, raised, produced, foraged and prepared – whenever possible. They also take the farm-to-table concept one step further. Millwright’s has partnered with a farm that will grow most of its organic produce. The “Inspired New England” cuisine at Millwright’s pays homage to the land, to the flavor-rich quality of local, fresh ingredients and to the time-honored cooking techniques that enhance the natural goodness of those ingredients.

Top review

Dan

Dined 2 days ago

Just a great place to eat. The location is spectacular.

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Popular dish

Steak & Eggs

Popular dish

Chicken and Dumplings

Popular dish

Duck Breast

Maggie’s Tavern at Winvian

4.7

4.7 (33)

$31 to $50

American

Morris

About the restaurant

Maggie’s Tavern is a charming gathering space nestled within Winvian, Relais & Chateaux, offering lunch and an intimate dinner experience on select evenings. Curated by proprietor Maggie Smith and Managing Director Heather Smith Winkelmann, the Tavern blends thoughtful design, local artwork, and playful touches like shuffleboard to create a refined yet relaxed atmosphere—perfect for enjoying a glass of wine and savoring the spirit of Winvian.

Lunch & Dinner in the Tavern is offered a la carte.

If you don't see availability, reach out to us at 860.567.9600 & press # 2 for The Restaurant or email us at restaurant@winvian.com

Top review

Christian

Dined on Oct 9, 2026

Food was amazing from the appetizers to mains, there were six of us and all thought it was amazing. Our server also made it a lot of fun!

These Guys Brewing at American Wharf

4.8

4.8 (35)

$30 and under

American

Norwich

About the restaurant

Same brew. New view.
At These Guys Brewing Company, we’re more than just a brewery — we’re a community-driven hub for craft beer lovers, food enthusiasts, and those who appreciate good times in great company. Founded in the heart of Norwich, CT, we’re excited to embark on the next chapter of our story with our move to the scenic Marina at American Wharf.
Our new waterfront location combines everything you’ve come to love about These Guys Brewing with a fresh, vibrant atmosphere. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Thames River, the marina offers a perfect setting for savoring our carefully crafted beers and locally inspired food. Whether you’re watching boats drift by, enjoying live music, or gathering with friends, we’re proud to offer a space where the beauty of Norwich meets our passion for great brews and unforgettable flavors.
Join us at the Marina at American Wharf — where good beer, good food, and good people come together. We can’t wait to welcome you to our new home!

Top review

LisaGold

Dined on Oct 10, 2026

Food was all good. Our waitress was friendly. Inside is cute. I would imagine on a sunny summer day it must be really pretty. I would recommend this restaurant, and I would absolutely go back if I was back in that area.

The Essex

4.8

4.8 (1261)

$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

BethGold

Dined 3 days ago

My husband and I were celebrating our 33rd wedding anniversary. We were greeted at the door by a member of the staff who wished us a happy anniversary. I requested specific seats at the bar and they were set up for us prior to our arrival with menus. The bartender/server (Breanna) greeted us and immediately offered us a glass of sparkling wine to toast our anniversary. She was attentive to us throughout our dinner, explaining the menu, checking in to ensure we were enjoying our dinner. As always, it was a wonderful experience! We enjoyed the bitter greens salad and pork belly starters. My husband had the halibut entree and I had the monkfish. Both were delicious, although I felt the monkfish was a bit salty. We finished with the pumpkin crème brûlée — outstanding!! Thank you for a beautifully memorable dinner.

Nataz Restaurant - Southington

4.8

4.8 (468)

$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

DoreenGold

Dined on Oct 22, 2026

Kareem was our server and was great. Again I never venture off the veal chop because it is so amazing. Another fabulous meal and service Thank you

Stonebridge Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1677)

$31 to $50

American

Milford

About the restaurant

The Stonebridge, a classic New England setting located on the Wepawaug River, offers choices to suit most any desire. We specialize in casual American Fare, with dishes featuring Fresh Seafood, choice cuts of Beef, Poultry & incredible Homemade Pasta Dishes. Only steps from the harbor, customers flock to the "the Bridge" to enjoy fresh lobster, lobster rolls, crab cakes & brick oven pizza. Our Main Dining Room offers a more formal dining atmosphere and our classic inside bar and dining area surrounded by rich Mahogany. For a more relaxed atmosphere, our patio bar and dining area is opened up to the sky in the warmer months and is enclosed by glass in the colder months so you can experience the warmth of inside and the scenic waterfall views of outside. Multi tiered decks & patios over look the river provide customers full lunch & dinner menus, also offering lighter fare menus. After sunset, "The Bridge" is the acclaimed hotspot, featuring live bands every Friday, Saturday & Sunday.

Top review

Mark

Dined 7 days ago

Extremely happy with our fantastic meal and dining experience.

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Fat Duck Tavern | Madison

4.7

4.7 (168)

$31 to $50

American

Madison

About the restaurant

A casual modern American restaurant offering a relaxed yet stylish atmosphere. The menu features creative takes on classic comfort foods, from burgers to gourmet salads and entrees. The restaurant offers approachable and tasteful dining experience.

Top review

John

Dined on Oct 28, 2026

Very enjoyable experience. Varied menu with interesting dishes.

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