Sure, when you’re dining out, the focus is typically mostly on the food. But it’s also nice to go to a beautiful restaurant that provides amazing surroundings to go with your meal. Many people love looking out over the water while eating, but there’s also something to be said for dining in a historic building with stunning decorations. Here’s a few of our favorite beautiful restaurants in Connecticut:
- Prime Stamford: 78 Southfield Ave, Stamford, CT 06902
Sue Maguire/Google Maps Prime is an upscale steak and seafood spot located right on the water: does it get any better? The atmosphere here is phenomenal, and there’s a fun Sunday jazz brunch that adds a little music to your meal. Prime Stamford, 78 Southfield Ave, Stamford, CT 06902, USA
Prime Stamford/Google Maps The food is just as good as the view, and you can find vegetarian and gluten-free options. Check out the menu on Prime’s website.
- Boca Oyster Bar: 10 E Main St, Bridgeport, CT 06608
Boca Oyster Bar/Google Maps Boca Oyster Bar is in Steelpointe Harbor, a newer mixed-used development in Bridgeport that’s home to several up-and-coming businesses. Here, you’ll find incredible waterfront views and close proximity to shops and other attractions. Boca Oyster Bar, 10 E Main St, Bridgeport, CT 06608, USA
Boca Oyster Bar The menu is filled with brunch, lunch, and dinner options, and there’s even a raw bar! You can check out the full menu on Boca Oyster Bar’s website.
- River: A Waterfront Restaurant and Bar: 100 Great Meadow Rd, Wethersfield, CT 06109
River: A Waterfront Restaurant And Bar/Google Maps River: A Waterfront Restaurant and Bar is certainly aptly-named! This is one of very few restaurants in the state to be located right on the banks of the Connecticut River. The heated multi-tiered deck means you can dine outdoors at any time of year. River: A Waterfront Restaurant and Bar, 100 Great Meadow Rd, Wethersfield, CT 06109, USA
River: A Waterfront Restaurant And Bar/Google Maps You’ll find plenty of delicious fare here. There are a variety of burgers and steaks, with the meat supplied by Pat LaFrieda, one of the biggest names in the meat industry.
- Union League Cafe: 1032 Chapel St, New Haven, CT 06510
Jon R./Google Maps Union League Cafe is a French-inspired elegant dining spot that is in the heart of New Haven, across the street from Yale. It’s located in the historic Sherman Building. Union League Cafe, 1032 Chapel St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
Furqan Tejani/Google Maps This place is so romantic and it’s the perfect spot for a special date.
Union League Cafe/Google Maps Here, you’ll find an upscale menu that includes a raw bar and amazing seafood dishes, with some vegan options. Check out the full menu and get more information on the Union League Cafe website.
- Millwright’s Restaurant and Tavern: 77 West St, Simsbury, CT 06070
Mark LoGiurato/Google Maps Does it get much more incredible than a restaurant with waterfall views in Connecticut? Millwright’s Restaurant and Tavern, 77 West St, Simsbury, CT 06070, USA
Richard English/Google Maps Millwright’s is in a converted 1600s sawmill. It’s been a restaurant since 1980 and the views are amazing.
Beth Maco/Google Maps Seafood, burgers, salads, and more are available here. There are also extensive drink and dessert menus.
- The White Horse: 258 New Milford Turnpike, New Preston, CT 06777
The White Horse/Google Maps The White Horse is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful restaurants in Connecticut. The indoor dining area is fascinating, with plenty of old relics like a 1920s Indian motorcycle. The outside patio overlooks a flowery landscape and bubbling brook. The White Horse, 258 New Milford Turnpike, New Preston, CT 06777, USA
Andrew Izzo/Google Maps You’ll find plenty of hearty foods here, and the burgers even have a horse icon burned into the bun!
- Le Petit Café: 225 Montowese St, Branford, CT 06405
ZAGAT/Google Maps Le Petit Café is a French-style establishment that’s small but cozy. The dimly-lit dining area and checkered floor will have you feeling like you stepped into a Paris restaurant instead of one in Branford. Le Petit Café, 225 Montowese St, Branford, CT 06405, USA
ZAGAT/Google Maps The food is as beautifully presented as the rest of the restaurant. You’ll find elegant dishes made from scratch using the tastiest of ingredients. Check out the Le Petit Café website to learn more.
- Tavern on State: 969 State St, New Haven, CT 06511
Derek Turner/Google Maps Tavern on State is a trendy spot tucked away in New Haven’s East Rock neighborhood. You’ll find indoor dining in a beautiful wood-paneled room with plenty of natural light. You can also opt to head outdoors to the equally lovely covered patio (pictured). Tavern on State, 969 State St, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
Kristen Valera/Google Maps The upscale American menu changes seasonally, so you’ll always be treated to the freshest ingredients possible. All of the burgers come from the butcher shop right next door, and there’s plenty of great drinks on tap. Visit Tavern on State’s website for more information.
- Rocks 21: 3 Williams Ave, Mystic, CT 06355
Juliana Simone/Google Maps Rocks 21 is another waterfront restaurant featuring incredible aquatic views. Rocks 21, 3 Williams Ave, Mystic, CT 06355, USA
Sunit Mathur/Google Maps Here, you’ll find delicious seafood and great wood-fired pizzas. You can check out a full menu on the Rocks 21 website.
Do you have any more suggestions for the most beautiful restaurant in Connecticut? Share your favorites in the comments!
Sue Maguire/Google Maps
Prime is an upscale steak and seafood spot located right on the water: does it get any better? The atmosphere here is phenomenal, and there’s a fun Sunday jazz brunch that adds a little music to your meal.
Prime Stamford, 78 Southfield Ave, Stamford, CT 06902, USA
Prime Stamford/Google Maps
The food is just as good as the view, and you can find vegetarian and gluten-free options. Check out the menu on Prime’s website.
Boca Oyster Bar/Google Maps
Boca Oyster Bar is in Steelpointe Harbor, a newer mixed-used development in Bridgeport that’s home to several up-and-coming businesses. Here, you’ll find incredible waterfront views and close proximity to shops and other attractions.
Boca Oyster Bar, 10 E Main St, Bridgeport, CT 06608, USA
Boca Oyster Bar
The menu is filled with brunch, lunch, and dinner options, and there’s even a raw bar! You can check out the full menu on Boca Oyster Bar’s website.
River: A Waterfront Restaurant And Bar/Google Maps
River: A Waterfront Restaurant and Bar is certainly aptly-named! This is one of very few restaurants in the state to be located right on the banks of the Connecticut River. The heated multi-tiered deck means you can dine outdoors at any time of year.
River: A Waterfront Restaurant and Bar, 100 Great Meadow Rd, Wethersfield, CT 06109, USA
You’ll find plenty of delicious fare here. There are a variety of burgers and steaks, with the meat supplied by Pat LaFrieda, one of the biggest names in the meat industry.
Jon R./Google Maps
Union League Cafe is a French-inspired elegant dining spot that is in the heart of New Haven, across the street from Yale. It’s located in the historic Sherman Building.
Union League Cafe, 1032 Chapel St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
Furqan Tejani/Google Maps
This place is so romantic and it’s the perfect spot for a special date.
Union League Cafe/Google Maps
Here, you’ll find an upscale menu that includes a raw bar and amazing seafood dishes, with some vegan options. Check out the full menu and get more information on the Union League Cafe website.
Mark LoGiurato/Google Maps
Does it get much more incredible than a restaurant with waterfall views in Connecticut?
Millwright’s Restaurant and Tavern, 77 West St, Simsbury, CT 06070, USA
Richard English/Google Maps
Millwright’s is in a converted 1600s sawmill. It’s been a restaurant since 1980 and the views are amazing.
Beth Maco/Google Maps
Seafood, burgers, salads, and more are available here. There are also extensive drink and dessert menus.
The White Horse/Google Maps
The White Horse is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful restaurants in Connecticut. The indoor dining area is fascinating, with plenty of old relics like a 1920s Indian motorcycle. The outside patio overlooks a flowery landscape and bubbling brook.
The White Horse, 258 New Milford Turnpike, New Preston, CT 06777, USA
Andrew Izzo/Google Maps
You’ll find plenty of hearty foods here, and the burgers even have a horse icon burned into the bun!
ZAGAT/Google Maps
Le Petit Café is a French-style establishment that’s small but cozy. The dimly-lit dining area and checkered floor will have you feeling like you stepped into a Paris restaurant instead of one in Branford.
Le Petit Café, 225 Montowese St, Branford, CT 06405, USA
The food is as beautifully presented as the rest of the restaurant. You’ll find elegant dishes made from scratch using the tastiest of ingredients. Check out the Le Petit Café website to learn more.
Derek Turner/Google Maps
Tavern on State is a trendy spot tucked away in New Haven’s East Rock neighborhood. You’ll find indoor dining in a beautiful wood-paneled room with plenty of natural light. You can also opt to head outdoors to the equally lovely covered patio (pictured).
Tavern on State, 969 State St, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
Kristen Valera/Google Maps
The upscale American menu changes seasonally, so you’ll always be treated to the freshest ingredients possible. All of the burgers come from the butcher shop right next door, and there’s plenty of great drinks on tap. Visit Tavern on State’s website for more information.
Juliana Simone/Google Maps
Rocks 21 is another waterfront restaurant featuring incredible aquatic views.
Rocks 21, 3 Williams Ave, Mystic, CT 06355, USA
Sunit Mathur/Google Maps
Here, you’ll find delicious seafood and great wood-fired pizzas. You can check out a full menu on the Rocks 21 website.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
