Romantic restaurants in CT: 15 Most Unique

Everyone appreciates a romantic overture, regardless of the time of year.

Spending time together, undisturbed, is one of the most romantic propositions one can offer. And even more so if you planned ahead to ensure a romantic atmosphere.

While many influencers will tell you the only way to be romantic is to spend a ton of money, you can find romantic restaurants in CT at any price point.

Because in the end, your date won’t necessarily remember what you ate, and (hopefully) not how much money you spent on them.

If your date is a keeper, they’ll remember the thought, planning, and attention you lavished upon them for your romantic trip.

The details are not just the details. They make the date.

So, start planning those special date details. Start by picking from the best romantic restaurants in Connecticut for your next special date.

Start Your Plan with Great Date Ideas in Connecticut

Taking your date to your usual haunt won’t be enough for a special occasion.

Instead, find a new dining option off this list, even if it requires a drive away from nearby restaurants. There’s something exciting about going someplace new and experiencing something new—together —for the first time.

Luckily, nowhere in our little state is much of a drive from anywhere else, so new “restaurants near me” are easy to find.

Plan a romantic getaway or day trip with our list of romantic getaways and places in Connecticut. Or plan your day, afternoon, or evening around some of our favorite date ideas in CT.

Map design by Stanton House Inn with elements from Flaticon

Romantic Restaurants in CT: The Ultimate Guide

This guide to romantic restaurants in Connecticut is divided into sections, based on:

Views (waterfront or rooftop)

Type of dining (fancy, French, Italian, etc.)

No matter what type of restaurant you’re looking for to impress, you’re sure to find the perfect fit on this list.

4 of the Best Romantic Restaurants on the Water Across Connecticut

Pair your culinary experience with views of Long Island Sound, and romance will be in the bag.

L’Escale, Greenwich

The first entry on our list is situated in downtown Greenwich.

Overlooking Greenwich Harbor, this restaurant is our standard recommendation for waterfront restaurants near Greenwich.

L’Escale Restaurant offers a modern yet elegant dining experience. In the warm months, you can snag a table on their outside patio with harbor views. In the winter, grab a table by one of their large wood-burning fireplaces for that added touch of romance.

This mainstay in Greenwich’s roster of restaurants continues to release culinary masterpieces. And all in keeping with their southern French tradition.

And added benefit, it’s near one of the most romantic bed and breakfasts in Connecticut.

The Restaurant at Rowayton Seafood, Rowayton

As the name implies, this restaurant started in 1996 as an addition to a local seafood market.

With spectacular views of the water, The Restaurant at Rowayton Seafood is now a draw to Rowayton in and of itself.

Obviously, the fresh seafood from the market on-site takes precedence, both on the menu and when making your choice here.

Shell & Bones Oyster Bar, New Haven

Much of New Haven’s waterfront isn’t picture-perfect, to be fair.

But Shell & Bones Oyster Bar in the City Point neighborhood has a sweeping view from its floor-to-ceiling windows of such points on the harbor as:

Fort Nathan Hale

East Shore Park

Sandy Point Bird Sanctuary

This restaurant wins awards for its seafood, steak, steak sauce, and raw bar menu.

Fresh Salt, Old Saybrook

Continue along the Connecticut shoreline to one of the most charming towns in the state, Old Saybrook.

Where the Connecticut River meets Long Island Sound, there sits one of the most romantic places and restaurants in CT.

The almost panoramic views of the water at Fresh Salt are sure to impress, especially at sunset.

After dark, the fireplaces, including the large stone fireplace that serves as the focal point of the dining room, continue to provide warmth and romantic ambiance.

The American-style menu is full of seafood, including a raw bar and crab cakes. If seafood is not your forte, there are plenty of land-based options as well.

Rooftop Restaurants for Romantic Dinners in Connecticut

One of this writer’s favorite Sunday afternoon activities when living in Charleston, South Carolina, was enjoying a drink at a rooftop bar. From there, we would watch the sun dip behind the city’s historic buildings and church steeples.

It’s an activity that one can replicate in a more Yankee style, albeit with a shorter season or a safely enclosed space to enjoy it.

Evarito’s, Norwalk

A trendy restaurant along the strip of South Norwalk (or SoNo to locals) restaurants offers delicious Mexican cuisine.

The vibe here is lively yet still romantic. The food at Evarito’s is its own draw, with a salsa tour on the menu, featuring samples of seven salsas made in-house.

But warmer months are splendid on their rooftop terrace overlooking lively downtown Norwalk.

While not as romantic of an atmosphere, Los Portales in Norwalk also has fantastic Mexican food. But you’ll find all sorts of options in Norwalk, from Venezuelan to Vietnamese to Indian food.

ON20, Hartford

Exploring the restaurant scene is one of the absolute best activities in Hartford, Connecticut.

Capping off a city date to see a show or visit one of the fantastic art galleries in Hartford, ON20 offers a glamorous fine dining experience with a view to match.

It’s situated on the 20th floor of One State Street, one of the tallest buildings in Hartford. On20 features fantastic views of the Connecticut River and the surrounding city. Watch the sunset with a cocktail, then enjoy the twinkling lights over dinner.

Speaking of dinner, extravagant items such as duck, venison, and octopus with chorizo fill the menu.

An evening here is sure to dazzle the senses.

Fancy Fine Dining Restaurants in Connecticut

While not the only way to make a romantic overture, an evening at a fine dining restaurant is one of the most acceptable, culturally speaking.

It is what it is.

That said, a fancy restaurant is perfect for special occasions, especially of the romantic sort.

Some of Connecticut’s most common high-end dining restaurants feature:

French
Italian
New American
And Mediterranean

French Restaurants in Connecticut

Due to some interesting historical peculiarities of French influence on the Western world, French cuisine is a top choice for fine dining restaurants in Connecticut. It’s the case among most Westerner’s minds, actually.

Greenwich, CT, has fine French dining in abundance. A few top restaurants in downtown Greenwich include Le Penguin.

Some Other Fantastic French Restaurants Hug the Connecticut Shoreline:

Union League Cafe, New Haven

This writer has memories of going to Union League Cafe as a child.

Back then, New Haven was a cost-effective way for parents to introduce their children to what was considered high culture:

An off-Broadway show or musical

Yale University museums

French cuisine

The Union League Cafe was always a part of that experience. I distinctly remember their French onion soup.

Then, decades later, this New Haven restaurant is still a local institution. Although it’s become quite a bit more expensive, so your romantic outing will not likely feature families with young kids.

Theoretically.

Union League Cafe remains an ideal place to impress a date. The interior feels like a Parisian brasserie with:

A fireplace

Dark wood paneling

Marble pillars

High ceilings

Lighting perfect for the romantic ambience

As is typical of brasseries across the Atlantic, the food and attentive but unobtrusive service are staples. The restaurant’s signature dish is the confit de canard, or boneless duck leg confit. It is plated with potato galette and a salad of Granny smith apples, walnuts, and watercress. So as a whole, it counts as healthy food.

But updated classics are regularly added.

This romantic restaurant in New Haven earns plenty of accolades from the likes of Zagat, Connecticut Magazine, and even the New York Times. So, you’re sure to enjoy your visit.

And if you’re planning a romantic day in New Haven, CT, you’ll also find plenty of other outfits nearby to Union League Cafe. Everything from:

Great New Haven bakeries and coffeeshops, like the Atticus Bookstore

Turkish, Moroccan, Indonesian, Peruvian, and Korean food

Romantic Italian Restaurants in Connecticut

Do you, like most inhabitants of the Northeast, have Italian heritage?

Then perhaps a romantic evening is not complete without a few of the dishes you remember from Nonna’s kitchen.

If that’s the case, then Connecticut is just as renowned for its Italian cuisine as other states in the Northeast. Our state simply makes less of a commotion regarding their collective heritage.

Lugano, Greenwich

This writer has only had brunch at Lugano, but it’s without question a perfect setting for a romantic evening.

The focal point of this Italian restaurant is the marble-topped bar. Grabbing a pre-dinner drink here while you wait for your table is a must.

This is a winos paradise, with over 15 wines by the glass available on the menu from global hotspots for wine, including Italy.

Spiga, New Canaan

While Lugano is famous for its wine, Spiga focuses on locally sourced dishes to stimulate its inspired Italian cuisine.

Be sure to start the evening with their famous (and scrumptious) salumi and cheeses before tackling their handmade pasta and brick oven pizzas.

Match, Norwalk

After over 17 years of business, Match in South Norwalk must be doing something right.

Perhaps it’s the rustic urban design of the space, with:

Exposed brick
Antique wood surfaces over dark walnut wood floors

All lit by a dramatic chandelier of pipe fittings and bare bulbs

The weekly signature dishes always feature whatever pasta the restaurant made that week. And yet anything on the menu at this casual yet romantic spot is fantastic.

Molto, Fairfield

This Italian restaurant in downtown Fairfield is a top pick for the young and hip.

The romantic lighting and decor help Molto resemble a Roman trattoria from the 1950s. That said, the updated tapas-style dishes are sure to delight.

In warmer months, the outdoor seating area can be quite pleasant, depending on traffic on Post Road.

Lucia Ristorante, New Milford

One of the best Italian restaurants in Litchfield County is on Bank Street in downtown New Milford.

From its cozy, unpretentious storefront, Lucia Ristorante serves pasta made in-house by hand and an eggplant parmigiana that could be one of the best you’ll ever enjoy—you know, if you’re into that sort of thing.

L’Orcio, New Haven

Close to Wooster Square, the center of Italian cuisine in New Haven, L’Orcio occupies a charming and historic townhouse.

Inside, a glowing fireplace sets the ambiance for a romantic dining room. And the trellis-covered patio is perfect for warmer months, especially when the wisteria is in bloom.

While all the pasta is homemade, the ravioli, ricotta gnocchi, and pappardelle are favorites.

Tre Scalini Restaurant, New Haven

Situated right on Wooster Street in the historic Italian neighborhood of Wooster Square in New Haven, Tre Scalini is a more old-school destination on this list.

The decor is more traditional yet still oozes romance. Reserve a table next to the window wall facing Wooster Street for some solid people-watching.

But, of course, the major draw here is the classic Italian food of this trattoria-style restaurant. Be sure to get some advice on pairing your meal with one of the 6,700 wine bottles from their wine cellar.

Arugula, West Hartford

The menu of this romantic restaurant in West Hartford is not just Italian. With Middle Eastern and French influences on this menu in addition to Italian, the owners would describe it more as a Mediterranean-inspired bistro.

But regardless, the cuisine at Arugula is delicious, especially the desserts made in-house.

Romantic New American Restaurants in CT

Connecticut was celebrating farm-to-table cuisine before it was cool. It’s now enjoying a bigger resurgence than ever in following the national trend.

Add in the state’s historical element and many restaurants occupying former:

Estates
Farms
Schoolhouses

And classic diners are guaranteed a unique and scrumptious experience.

Baldanza at the Schoolhouse, Wilton

In the quaint neighborhood of Cannondale in Wilton sits a former schoolhouse converted to an intimate restaurant.

Baldanza at the Schoolhouse only seats 36 people at a time, so it’s intimate. And the staff avoids detracting from that experience. Unique policies include avoiding booking parties larger than four on busy nights.

This pricey but adventurous eatery is perfect for a special occasion. The restaurant even provides personalized menus to congratulate visitors on milestones like an anniversary.

Be sure to top off your meal with the chocolate souffle—a Schoolhouse favorite.

Arethusa al Tavolo, Bantam

Shortly before the start of the pandemic lockdowns, OpenTable released its list of the 100 most romantic restaurants in America for 2020.

And of the thousands of restaurants across our little state, only one was awarded the accolade: Arethusa al Tavolo.

This very upscale restaurant is the brainchild of the owners of the celebrated local dairy, Arethusa Dairy Farm. Its dishes featuring local beef, fish, produce, and dairy from Arethusa are simple yet sophisticated.

With only 48 seats and a snug wine bar, this is another intimate dining experience.

The best dessert option here is the ice cream from Arethusa’s Dairy Farm Creamery, right next door.

Winvian Farm, Morris

Another Litchfield County heavy hitter is just up the road from Arethusa al Tavolo in Morris.

Winvian Farm is one of the most romantic getaways in Connecticut for its unique cottages as well as its intimate dining atmosphere.

Cozy, firelit rooms containing only three to four tables, each with scenic views of the fields and forests of the old farm, are the perfect setting for the farm-to-table menu. Wines selected from 13 countries in the wine cellar are sure to make the perfect pairing.

Artisan Restaurant, West Hartford

Artisan has two locations in Connecticut: one in Southport, and the other in West Hartford.

This writer prefers the West Hartford location, so this directory of Connecticut romantic restaurants highlights that one.

While the New England farm-to-table menu is award-winning, the major appeal of this restaurant is its atmosphere.

The interior of Artisan offers an introduction to Scandinavian eighteenth-century design, with:

Gustavian Swedish furniture

Bookcases full of classic Swedish books

Light wide-plank pine flooring

Yet, the 1,500 square foot outdoor garden, including an herb garden and shaded pergola, is the coolest part. A starlit dinner in the warmer months makes this a perfect romantic choice in West Hartford.

Casual Romantic Restaurants Across Connecticut

Being romantic doesn’t necessarily require putting on your formal attire.

The remaining restaurants on this list are ideal for a more casual dining experience. That said, they’re no less romantic than many of the other options on this list.

You just won’t necessarily need to set aside a special occasion budget to pull-off eating there.

Barcelona, Fairfield

This Spanish restaurant serving tapas-style dishes started in South Norwalk. It has since spread from Boston to Atlanta.

Greenwich misses its former outpost downtown, and the restaurant has a location on Summer Street in Stamford. And yet the best location in Connecticut is in Fairfield.

As befits a Spanish restaurant, Barcelona has a fantastic charcuterie selection. Hams from Mangalica and Serrano, as well as Castilla-La Mancha and Ibores cheeses, grace the menu, served on a board.

Sit outdoors in the warmer months in this location’s kitchen garden. It produces more than half of the seasonal produce the restaurant uses.

Mecha, Norwalk

In this writer’s opinion, nothing says romance like a steaming bowl of ramen noodles.

Mecha offers a youthful update to centuries-old recipes in a hip atmosphere.

While South Norwalk is a great place to try-out Mecha, the other locations in Fairfield and New Haven are just as good.

Frank Pepe’s Pizzeria

Down the street from Tre Scalini in Wooster Square is the original pizza shop in a city known for its pizza.

Frank Pepe’s Pizzeria has been pulling pizzas out of its signature ovens since 1925.

This is no fine dining, but its history makes it one of the unique restaurants in Connecticut.

Bar Bouchée

Union League café’s owners selected the cute town of Madison for another French restaurant in their line-up.

This new entry, Bar Bouchée, offers simple but beautifully prepared French classics. All of it is in a very cozy bistro with a more boisterous atmosphere than its counterpart in New Haven.

MofonGo, New Haven

Plantains are used in the preparation of the uniquely Puerto Rican dish mofongo. Plantains are mashed in a wooden pilón with a mortar and pestle, along with salt, garlic, broth, and olive oil. It is usually served with fried seafood or meat.

And one of the best Connecticut mofongo restaurants is in New Haven.

The unique aspect of this particular outfit out of Hartford, Connecticut, is the grab-and-go aspect of the experience. It makes this fast casual restaurant as romantic as any Chipotle. But if MofonGo works for you, then all’s well that ends well.

Oishi Sushi & Izakaya, Norwalk

Right on the main drag of Washington Street in South Norwalk, Oishi Sushi & Izakaya stands out as a great choice for sushi in Norwalk, CT.

The decor is on the casual side, with the classic vibe aficionados expect at a Japanese restaurant. It certainly does the trick, though.

The Tasty Yolk, Black Rock

On a recent review of this guide, I realized there was nothing mentioning brunch.

So, for a brunch date, a top pick for a romantic brunch restaurant in Connecticut is the Tasty Yolk.

This local institution in the Black Rock neighborhood, close to Saint Mary’s by the Sea, of Bridgeport is a go-to place for anything brunch-related:

Belgian waffles
Challah french toast
Omelettes, Eggs Benedict, and any anything else with eggs

Taqueria La Grande, West Hartford

For some, there’s nothing more romantic than a plate of tacos.

And if you happen to be in West Hartford, head to Taqueria La Grande. According to their website, their cozy restaurant has sparked 853 romances over 5,550 tacos eaten.

Not sure how they compiled that data, but they must be on to something!

What’s the Most Important Thing to Remember When Picking from Romantic Restaurants in CT

So, of this lengthy list of romantic restaurants, which is perfect for you?

Don’t obsess over it too much.

In the end, taking the time and effort to plan and enjoy a delightful meal together is the most important part of the entire experience.

As a writer for the Guardian commented:

“Perhaps restaurants are less about the food than we think, and our relationship with them is more emotional and social than gustatory. When I asked a group of French restaurateurs what was the most important ingredient to a restaurant they answered, in unison, ‘ambiance’ – the feel of the place.”

As you may have noticed, this writer focused more on the ambiance of each location than the food.

Pick the atmosphere that best fits you and your significant other; having a good meal at any of the choices above is guaranteed.

If you’re more into burgers and fries, then skip the fancy part of the list.

Find More Romantic Things to Do in Connecticut

A meal on its own may be nice, but a larger itinerary is recommended, especially if you would like to take your significant other to a new destination.

Keep exploring your many options in Connecticut: