The Travelers’ Field Guide to Connecticut
Discover Connecticut’s Hidden Gems and Unique Attractions
Explore Connecticut’s unique charm with cool, hidden, and unusual experiences. Uncover secret spots, quirky attractions, and offbeat adventures waiting to be discovered.
UPDATED JUNE 2025
Places to Eat and Drink In Connecticut
Connecticut’s food and drink scene is one of those things that just feels good. From roadside lobster shacks and old-school diners to family-run orchards and the kind of ice cream stands that draw a crowd every summer night. There’s wine country here too, plus cozy cafés, farm stands, and bakeries that make you wish you had more room in the car. Whether you’re grabbing a snack on the way to a hike or planning a special night out, you’ll find plenty to love—and even more to eat. Want to go a little deeper? Check out Connecticut Grown for farm-fresh picks, follow the CT Wine Trail, or head to the state’s tourism site for more local flavor.
Family-Friendly Favorites
From pancake houses with crayons on the table to pizza joints with room to roam, these spots serve up kid-approved meals and grown-up peace of mind. Easygoing, welcoming, and reliably delicious.
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Flanders Fish Market – East Lyme, CT
This East Lyme seafood staple is part restaurant, part market, and 100% family-friendly. Enjoy fresh-from-the-dock dishes like clam strips, fish tacos, or lobster rolls, either on the patio or packed to go. A casual favorite with serious local roots.
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The Place – Guilford, CT
An open-air seafood spot with fire-roasted clams, picnic tables, and tree stumps for seats, The Place has been a Guilford icon since 1971. It’s BYOB, no-frills, and all flavor—like a New England clambake that never lost its roots. Show up hungry, bring your own extras, and settle in for one of the best meals you’ll…
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Beardsley’s Cider Mill & Orchard – Shelton, CT
Old-fashioned charm meets fall flavors at this cider mill and apple farm in Shelton. Sip cider, snack on donuts, and stock up on heirloom apples during the autumn harvest season. A simple, tasty stop that feels like a slice of Connecticut tradition.
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Lyman Orchards – Middlefield, CT
Lyman Orchards blends fun, food, and farming with its pick-your-own fruit fields, bakery, and seasonal mazes. With something new each season, it’s a place families can return to again and again. The historic setting makes the apple pie taste even sweeter.
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Grassroots Ice Cream – Granby, CT
Grassroots Ice Cream scoops up small-batch creativity with big heart—perfect after a day outdoors in Granby. Known for its imaginative flavors and scratch-made ingredients, this family-run favorite turns any day into a reason to celebrate.
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Buttonwood Farm Ice Cream – Griswold, CT
A scoop from Buttonwood is more than just ice cream—it’s a little slice of summer on the farm, with cows out back, waffle cones made fresh daily, and sunflower fields that bloom for a good cause. Simple, sweet, and worth the drive.
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Mr. D’s – Wallingford, CT
Locals love Mr. D’s for its Praline’s ice cream, candy counter, and cupcakes baked right in-house. With cozy seating, sweet drinks, and something for everyone, it’s the kind of place families return to again and again—whether for a celebration or just because.
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Rein’s Deli – Vernon, CT
A Connecticut legend since 1972, Rein’s Deli serves up authentic New York-style Jewish comfort food in a lively, welcoming atmosphere. From crisp latkes to hot pastrami, their massive menu has something for everyone. It’s the kind of place where the pickles hit the table fast—and the memories last even longer.
Roadside Classics
Pull over and grab a bite at some of Connecticut’s most iconic roadside stops—where nostalgia meets good eats. From vintage diners and drive-ins to old-school snack shacks, these casual spots are worth the detour.
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Harry’s Place – Colchester, CT
A century-old roadside landmark, Harry’s Place in Colchester serves up juicy burgers, footlong dogs, and fried seafood with a side of history—and a whole lot of heart. Still family-run and proudly unchanged, it’s the kind of spot where the summer breeze, picnic tables, and hand-spun shakes bring everyone back year after year.
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Heibeck’s Stand – Wilton, CT
Serving roadside favorites with a twist since 1931, Heibeck’s Stand in Wilton is a local legend known for its loaded dogs, creative specials, and unforgettable ice cream. From classic burgers to beet tacos and bang bang shrimp, the menu is as fun and unexpected as the place itself.
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Super Duper Weenie – Fairfield, CT
Super Duper Weenie in Fairfield serves up flame-grilled dogs, homemade toppings, and fresh-cut fries with serious roadside soul—and a side of fun. From the original food truck to the nationally recognized shop, this place has earned its reputation one weenie at a time.
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Guida’s Restaurant – Middlefield, CT
Guida’s in Middlefield has been a Route 66 staple since 1946, serving up footlong hot dogs, chili cheese fries, and Gifford’s ice cream to generations of happy roadside diners. It’s the kind of place where everything’s made to order and nothing needs to change.
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Claudia’s Grinder Shop – Farmington, CT
Claudia’s in Farmington serves big, made-to-order grinders, house-made soups, and hometown charm in every bite. Don’t skip the Nancy Special.
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Blackie’s Hot Dog Stand – Cheshire, CT
Hot dogs, history, and one legendary relish—Blackie’s in Cheshire has been a roadside favorite since 1928, proudly family-run and delightfully unchanged. It’s the kind of place where the menu is simple, the birch beer is cold, and the memories are served up with every bite.
Date-Worthy & Romantic
Whether it’s a candlelit table for two or a sunset view over the water, these restaurants bring the atmosphere—and the flavor. Expect artfully plated dishes, thoughtful wine lists, and all the makings of a memorable meal.
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Oyster Club – Mystic, CT
Oyster Club is a cozy, unfussy gem in Mystic serving seasonal, locally sourced dishes with heart. Whether you’re dining inside or out on the Treehouse patio, it’s the kind of place where great food and a relaxed vibe make for an easy, memorable night.
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The White Horse Country Pub & Restaurant – New Preston, CT
With riverside views, a flickering fireplace, and upscale comfort food, The White Horse in New Preston is effortlessly romantic and deeply inviting. It’s the kind of place that turns even an ordinary evening into something memorable.
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The Charles – Wethersfield, CT
Housed in a Revolutionary War-era home in Old Wethersfield, The Charles is a polished but welcoming spot for standout New American fare, craft cocktails, and special moments. A local favorite for romance, celebrations, and the perfect martini.
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Grano Arso – Chester, CT
Warm, welcoming Italian spot in Chester with handmade pasta, seasonal cocktails, and the kind of vibe that makes every dinner feel like a date night. Run by a husband-and-wife team, it’s equal parts thoughtful and unfussy—the kind of place you’ll want to come back to.
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The Shipwright’s Daughter – Mystic, CT
Cozy, coastal, and quietly exceptional, The Shipwright’s Daughter serves up a daily-changing menu of fresh New England ingredients with care and creativity. It’s the kind of place where the food is thoughtful, the vibe is low-key romantic, and the mission runs deeper than what’s on the plate.
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Community Table – New Preston, CT
Stylish but low-key, Community Table blends locally sourced food with modern country charm. The menu changes with the seasons, but the vibe is always welcoming, relaxed, and just polished enough to feel like a night out.
Wineries & Breweries
Sip your way through scenic vineyards, rustic taprooms, and laid-back tasting rooms across the state. Perfect for a casual afternoon or a weekend outing with friends—many spots also offer food trucks, live music, and cozy patios.
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Hopkins Vineyard – New Preston, CT
Overlooking Lake Waramaug, Hopkins Vineyard pairs scenic views with easygoing charm and estate-grown wines. It’s a laid-back spot to sip, relax, and spend a slow afternoon. Bring a picnic, grab a bottle, and don’t be surprised if you end up staying longer than planned.
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Fox Farm Brewery – Salem, CT
Set on a quiet farm road in Salem, Fox Farm Brewery serves up clean, balanced beers in a beautifully restored barn. It’s relaxed, scenic, and the kind of place where great beer speaks for itself—no gimmicks needed.
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OEC Brewing – Oxford, CT
Tucked into the woods of Oxford, OEC Brewing serves up funky, old-world-inspired beers in a setting that feels more like a secret clubhouse than a taproom. It’s offbeat, welcoming, and a great pick if you’re in the mood for something totally different.
Sweet Spots
Got a sweet tooth? From ice cream stands and retro candy shops to artisan bakeries and chocolate makers, these are the places to treat yourself.
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Grassroots Ice Cream – Granby, CT
Grassroots Ice Cream scoops up small-batch creativity with big heart—perfect after a day outdoors in Granby. Known for its imaginative flavors and scratch-made ingredients, this family-run favorite turns any day into a reason to celebrate.
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Buttonwood Farm Ice Cream – Griswold, CT
A scoop from Buttonwood is more than just ice cream—it’s a little slice of summer on the farm, with cows out back, waffle cones made fresh daily, and sunflower fields that bloom for a good cause. Simple, sweet, and worth the drive.
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Mr. D’s – Wallingford, CT
Locals love Mr. D’s for its Praline’s ice cream, candy counter, and cupcakes baked right in-house. With cozy seating, sweet drinks, and something for everyone, it’s the kind of place families return to again and again—whether for a celebration or just because.
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Perk on Main – Middletown, CT
With cozy crepes, fair-trade coffee, and a mission to tread lightly on the planet, Perk on Main is Middletown’s feel-good stop for something sweet—or savory. It’s a welcoming spot where sustainability meets comfort food, and every visit supports a café that cares as much about community as it does about what’s on the plate.