The Best Restaurants In Norwalk Connecticut

Located in Connecticut’s Fairfield County, the coastal city of Norwalk has a rich colonial and maritime history, attracting tourists from across the Tri-State area. As the city develops and grows in size, as well as its diversity, Norwalk’s culinary scene continues to thrive with a dynamic selection of restaurants to try. We take a look at great restaurants in Norwalk.
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Basso Café

Basso Café specializes in Mediterranean cuisine with a South American twist. Venezuelan-born and Italian-raised Chef Renato Donzelli opened the restaurant in 2007, sharing his multicultural upbringing with the community. Featuring a contemporary and sophisticated atmosphere within an old renovated house, Basso Café exudes an inviting ambiance with warm tones, soft lighting and jazz music in the background. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, offering a mixture of tapas-style appetizers and inventive mains such as sea scallops with polenta, pancetta, watercress and ruby red grapefruit salad. Save room for a decadent dessert of traditional tiramisu or the acclaimed Tres Leches – vanilla cake with a caramel drizzle soaked in three kinds of milk. With a BYOB policy that keeps the bill down, Basso Café is one of Norwalk’s hidden gems.

Valencia Luncheria

Blue Cactus Grill

Specializing in consistently delicious American fare with Southwestern accents, Blue Cactus Grill offers breakfast and lunch with a side of great service. The hamburger is a popular choice at this eatery and several creative variations on this American classic keep the dining experience interesting for returning customers. The menu also features a selection of applauded Philly cheese steaks, soups and salads, made with traditional Southwestern flavors like chipotle and jalapeño. The restaurant is small but buzzes with customers, which are a mixture of loyal locals and pleasantly surprised first-timers. Choose between the signature Blue Cactus burger with charred jalapeño, avocado crema and melted American cheese, or a Southwestern cheesesteak topped with salsa, chipotle mayo and fresh avocado. Order a side of ‘cactus slaw’ and Fuego fries to complete your Southwestern experience.

Match

Since its doors opened in 1999, Match has been serving high quality, inventive New American cuisine in the historic neighborhood of South Norwalk. The restaurant features a combination of rustic and contemporary components, from dark wooden floors to exposed brick walls, antique accents and deep purple hues, fostering an atmosphere simultaneously stylish and intimate. Over the years, Match has worked to refine its menu of local farm fresh ingredients – a dynamic mix of global and in season flavors – keeping expertly flavored dishes a constant and experimenting with new additions. Choose from a selection of large and small plates, salads, pastas and wood oven ‘pizzettes’. In addition to wine and beer, Match offers a one of a kind cocktail menu featuring classics and inventive concoctions.

Mediterraneo at Hotel Zero Degrees

For a truly unique dining experience in Norwalk, Mediterranean is a must-try, located within the boutique Hotel Zero Degrees. Reminiscent of a luxury yacht cabin, Mediterraneo boasts polished wooden floors and bold pops of color in conjunction with a row of floor-to-ceiling windows that offer an open air quality to the room. Guests enjoy the sophisticated décor with a rustic view of treetops and the quiet rumble of a nearby waterfall, all of which can be seen from the outdoor patio in warmer months. The menu marries old world and contemporary Italian flavors, from a dynamic list of appetizers and seafood dishes to a selection of artisanal pizzas. Mediterraneo at Hotel Zero Degrees offers inspired cuisine, moderate prices and a fantastic view.

Mediterraneo at Hotel Zero Degrees, 353 Main Avenue, Norwalk CT +1 203 750 9300

Osteria Romana

Specializing in traditional homemade Italian fare, Osteria Romana is a popular choice for quality Mediterranean food and wine. Open for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, every dish is made fresh with the finest ingredients, including pasta which is made on site. Diners enjoy a selection of salads, pastas, chicken and fish amidst a wooden beam ceiling and warm, Mediterranean accents. On select evenings the restaurant hosts live music events from opera to jazz, enhancing a relaxed yet sophisticated dining experience making it a great location for a date night or gathering of friends. After dinner, indulge in typically rich Italian desserts such as tiramisu, gelato or ricotta cheesecake paired with a coffee or liqueur. For attentive service, a pleasant atmosphere and delicious old-world Italian food, try Osteria Romana.

Pontos Taverna

Greek chicken souvlaki on wooden skewers

For a consistently delicious and authentic Greek meal, Pontos Taverna in downtown Norwalk is well worth a visit. Fostering a warm, lively and family friendly atmosphere, Pontos Taverna offers soups and salads, a la carte dishes such as stuffed grape leaves and fried hot peppers, seafood and traditional grilled meats in large portions at reasonable prices. The restaurant bears a simple storefront exterior and a laid back atmosphere so the experience here is focused on good food and great company. The restaurant aims to share the owners rich culinary heritage with Norwalk and has become a popular place for lunch and dinner. Topped off with excellent service, Pontos Taverna is a great choice for a casual meal out.

The Spread

Elegance meets urban chic at Southern Norwalk’s The Spread, which merges rustic wooden tables, exposed brick and floral accoutrements beneath an industrial ceiling. The restaurant specializes in New American cuisine with inventive global accents, featuring an eclectic menu split into a series of categories; farm fresh meats and cheeses, soup, salad and a succession of small, medium and large plates followed by dessert. Pair your meal with one of their many beers, cocktails and wines on offer. The food is consistently delicious but the menu is always subject to change. The Spread boasts several accolades, from best appetizers in Connecticut to the award for Best New Restaurant, not to mention rave reviews by satisfied customers.

The Spread, 70 North Main Street, Norwalk, CT, USA, +1 203 939 1111

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