G-Zen
Being a vegan restaurant and bar, G-Zen serves up a variety of healthy and delicious foods and drinks. The food is beautifully presented and cooked to perfection. The atmosphere is incredibly fun and the staff are welcoming. If you are looking for a healthy drink, try one of their smoothies, and for a more boozy option, customers can browse through their extensive drinks menu.
2 East Main Street, Branford, CT, +1 203 208 0443
DuVig Beer Brewing Company
Only open three days a week, DuVig is an amazing brewery to check out. Take a seat in their tasting room, fit for only about ten people or so, and dive into their delicious beers. From the brown ale to the cream ale, there is a flavor for everyone. The employees and owners are incredibly charming and lead great beer tasting sessions.
59 School Ground Rd, Branford, CT, +1 203 208 2213
Stony Creek Brewery
For any beer lover the Stony Creek Brewery should definitely be a stop on your trip. Located just by the train station and the water, the brewery offers tours of their facilities given by their expert guides who explain how beer is made. There is a bar at the brewery and they do only serve beers. The beer is good but the atmosphere is even better.
5 Indian Neck Avenue, Branford, CT, +1 203 433 4545
USS Chowder Pot
An incredibly popular bar and restaurant, the USS Chowder Pot is the perfect place to be in the evening. They do not take reservations so do expect a wait; but once you are seated the service is very prompt. For those who love seafood, this is a must-try. The twin lobster rolls come highly recommended by many of the locals. The atmosphere is slightly dark but the food and drink make up for it.
560 East Main St, Branford, CT, +1 203 481 2356
Bar 140
If you are after some good quality bar food and creative cocktails, Bar 140 should be your go-to spot. The tacos are always delicious, made with fresh ingredients and their food and drink always come in a timely manner. They have a beautiful patio to relax in and the music is not too loud, promoting a very social atmosphere. With rotating bars on tap and a superb food menu, you can’t go wrong with Bar 140.
140 Center Street, Shelton, CT, +1 203 513 2164
Dew Drop Inn
A small bar in the heart of Shelton, the Dew Drop Inn is definitely the place to go to if you love wings. The list of wing sauces is incredible; from peanut butter and jelly to the typical Jack Daniels BBQ sauce, they have it all. In addition to this, everything is well sauced and crispy. The place is always jam-packed so be prepared to wait at the bar before you get a table in here.
25 North Ave, Derby, CT, +1 203 735 7757
Center Street Social
At Center Street Social, diners can treat themselves to bottomless mimosas for just $15. Get yourself over for a boozy brunch or a small, but delicious, dinner. The bar has great staff, amazing décor and they also boast an ever-changing beer tap so you’ll always experience something new. It’s best to have a seat on their outdoor patio right by the bar. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, head over on a Tuesday to experience one of their $2 Tuesday nights.
127 Center Street, Shelton, CT, +1 203 513 8005
Prime 16
With a great range of beers, Prime 16 in Orange is a brilliant place to grab a bite of some bar food and knock back a few drinks. With options like cajun fries and a variety of burgers, diners are bound to have a good time. You can expect attentive service in a fun atmosphere from the staff.
464 Boston Post Rd, Orange, CT, +1 203 553 9616
Copper City Bar and Grill
Copper City Bar and Grill is quite a new venue and is growing to be one of the most popular pub restaurants in the area. The menu is full of delicious food options like tuna tartar, Mexican mussels and lobster mac and cheese. There are plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options as well. The service is attentive and accommodating, while the food is a bit on the pricy side but the drinks are at the cheaper end.
82-84 Main Street, Ansonia, CT, +1 203 732 2137
Archie Moore’s Bar & Restaurant
Serving typical bar food, from burgers to nachos to wraps, Archie Moore’s Bar & Restaurant is the ideal place to go to unwind with a drink. The service is very quick and the food is decent. They have a large patio, which is best enjoyed in the summer, and there’s a big indoor area for food and drinks.
17 Elizabeth Street, Derby, CT, +1 203 732 3255
