With 60,000 or so citizens, Bristol is a tiny city in Hartford County, Connecticut. Bristol is not a very large metropolis, but over the past ten years, it has become a hotspot for foodies, drawing both locals and tourists to its chef-driven restaurants, trendy cafés, and quaint neighborhood eateries.
13 Best Restaurants in Bristol, Connecticut (2024)
Eli’s Tavern – Gourmet Brick Oven Pizzeria
Eli’s Tavern has mastered the difficult to achieve balance between a crisp, chewy, and slightly scorched crust and creative, mouthwatering gourmet toppings cooked in a hickory wood-fired brick oven. Renowned pie slinger Billy Grant oversees the kitchen. Create your own pie or go for one of Billy’s famous specialty pies to try some of his most recent creative flavor combinations, such The Greek, which has prosciutto, arugula, shaved parmesan, red onion, and tzatziki dripping, or The Angeelo, which is topped with prosciutto, feta, kalamata olives, and white truffle oil.
For those who don’t eat pizza, there are plenty of appetisers to share, crisp salads, and freshly cooked oven-baked pastas that will please. For more than 40 years, Eli’s has been a beloved icon in the community. Its old-world charm and friendly environment are matched by its unwavering commitment to providing excellent service; the Grant family personally walks around the busy dining area to make sure every customer leaves satisfied, well-fed, and eager to return. Eli’s Tavern is a must-go to Bristol restaurant if you’re looking for a welcoming neighborhood atmosphere along with some of the greatest gourmet brick oven pizza around.
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Flavours of India – Authentic Indian Cuisine
Bristol customers frequently give Flavours of India high marks for serving up authentic Indian flavors with a touch of small town charm. At Shilpi Singh’s restaurant, diners savor delectable Northern Indian favorites including crispy samosas, flavorful curries, and aromatic biryani rice, as well as gluten-free and vegan options. All of these dishes are created entirely from scratch and benefit from an abundance of spices.
Local ingredients show in recipes like saag paneer, where delicate cubes of homemade cheese complement velvety spinach to perfection.
Traditional sweets like gulab jamun, or sweet rose milk balls, or cardamom- and raisins-infused rice puddings finish meals perfectly. Diners may enjoy authentic Indian home food prepared with care by amiable personnel at Flavours of India, who are pleased to assist guests through this intricate and delicious cuisine. Anticipate strong flavors, but only add as much heat as you can handle to allow the subtle nuances of these aromatic foods to come through.
Sunset Grille – New American Comfort Food
Most locals would direct you to Sunset Grille if you ask them where they go for simple yet delicious American comfort food. The modest eatery, which has been family-owned for more than 35 years, offers reasonably priced Americanized twists on Mexican and Italian fare in addition to daily seafood specials and hearty servings of traditional dishes like pot roast, chicken cordon bleu, burgers, and fries.
Guests can relax into vinyl booths cosy with crocheted blankets or warm up to the retro U-shaped counter on squeaky red stools for a vintage diner ambiance. Don’t pass up dessert, such the enormous mudpie covered in layers of chocolate fudge, Oreo crumbles, and fudge. Big city flavors without the big city prices can be found at Sunset Grille, which boasts a retro setting and homemade cuisine.
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Republic at the Linden – Gastropub Fare
Republic at the Linden pleases palates with high-quality, upscale takes on typical bar foods, all coupled with locally brewed craft beers available for purchase. Wings are marinated, deep-fried to a golden crisp, and coated with sauces such as Jamaican jerk or ginger hoisin BBQ. The lye-dipping method gives handmade pretzel sticks their crispy exterior and airy inside, and dips like smoked gouda fondue elevate these delicious morsels to new heights.
With recipes like quinoa and kale salad with avocado and sunflower seeds for added crunch, or shishito peppers blistered with lemon and sea salt, even vegetables sparkle. The creative menu, which is best eaten on the dog-friendly patio in the warmer months, is rounded off with locally produced sausages, tacos, flatbreads, and tiny desserts. Republic at the Linden energizes Bristol’s bar dining scene with its vibrant and irresistible vibe and commitment to strong ingredients.
The Federal – Upscale Steakhouse
There’s no denying among carnivores that The Federal serves the best steak in Bristol. Frequently ranked as one of Connecticut’s top steakhouses, this macho and clubby eatery offers hand-cut quality beef paired with a fine wine and creative cocktail menu. Choose from a variety of beautifully prepared USDA Prime steaks, including filet mignon, New York strip, ribeye, and porterhouse. The size and temperature of the preparation are precisely controlled by an infrared broiler system.
Although steaks are the main event, red meat lovers can also enjoy delectable, decadent sides like creamed spinach, truffle mac and cheese, and au gratin potatoes, as well as shellfish like lobster tail. This well-liked local steakhouse, perfect for special events and business dinners, has a classy yet laid-back ambiance thanks to its dim lighting, rich leather, chrome, and wood accents. Reservations are highly advised, though jackets are not required. The Federal is the happy location for carnivorous desires.
Zaragoza Mexican Kitchen + Bar – Vibrant Latin Flavors
Bristol guests are constantly impressed with Zaragoza Mexican Kitchen + Bar’s traditional dishes served with a modern touch when it comes to vivid and zesty Latin food. Alongside more daring bites like Mexican street corn risotto, carne asada fries topped with guacamole and queso fresco, or achiote shrimp tacos with avocado salsa, you can find all the classics like tacos al pastor, carne asada, and mole poblano chicken.
Zaragoza provides more than 100 tequilas to go with the strong, rich flavors. Another house specialty is the freshly produced guacamole served at your table, which comes with warm tortilla chips straight out of the fryer and hand-ground molcajetes. Large gatherings and parties love Zaragoza for its vibrant, lively setting, where guests may carry on the celebration over pitchers of margaritas topped with hibiscus and salted with roasted worms.
Umami Asian Bistro – Contemporary Pan-Asian Flavors
Umami Asian Bistro elevates Asian cuisine to new heights by modernizing classic Thai, Chinese, and Japanese dishes. The modern area, which is decorated with vibrant origami folds, is most known for its shared plates, which include delicious duck fried rice cooked in beer, ginger, and garlic, short rib potstickers, and Peking duck buns.
However, customisation is readily accepted, so even those who are not fond of cilantro, veganism, or gluten-free eating can enjoy Umami’s robust Asian-fusion flavors. Don’t miss these creatively blended cocktails that feature Chinese baijiu liquor, Thai rum, Japanese whiskey, and cucumber, ginger, and lemongrass. With a kind, attentive staff ready to help patrons navigate the creative menu, Umami Asian Bistro broadens Bristol customers’ horizons with a seamless fusion of traditional and modern Pan-Asian cuisine.
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Bleu Squid Bistro – Fresh Seafood Spot
Locals in downtown Bristol swear about Bleu Squid Bistro for the best seafood around. Chef Eduardo Nevarez’s nautically themed restaurant offers coastal food made with the day’s catch from local fishermen and shellfish vendors.
Dietary requirements are gladly met, but for the complete experience, order the Chef Eduardo’s Tasting Menu and enjoy the best dishes from the kitchen, including lobster mac & cheese, sea scallops with cauliflower puree, miso-glazed fish, and calamari in the Rhode Island way.
Not feeling like surfing? With Chef Eduardo’s culinary skills, turf alternatives like filet mignon with truffle butter also look amazing. Bleu Squid Bistro offers a laid-back and creative fine dining experience that is exclusive to Bristol, and is designed to mimic the intimacy of dining on a friend’s boat. This seafood-focused restaurant consistently ranks at the top of rankings of the greatest restaurants due to its commitment to dish provenance and chef-driven operations.
Da Legna – Hip Italian Kitchen + Pizzeria
Visit Da Legna in Bristol’s vibrant Downtown District for a lively atmosphere combined with modern Italian food and handcrafted beverages. In this stylish dining area, which is decked out with wooden pizza peels, diners can enjoy full-service sitting as well as communal views of the pizzaiolos stretching and cooking pizzas over roaring flames in the gorgeous wood-fired oven.
At Da Legna, inventive wood-fired pies such as the Breakfast Pizza with bacon, potatoes, scrambled eggs, and cheddar or the Shishito Pepper Pizza with garlic, red chilis, lemon, and burrata coexist with traditional menu items like meat and cheese boards, Caesar salads, short rib ravioli, chicken parm, and cacio e pepe. For dessert, save room for Nutella pizza. Enjoy your meal with draft beer or Italian wine bottles. Da Legna is a terrific place to share thin-crust pizzas and modern spins on Italian comfort cuisine for a fun night out because of its bustling yet laid-back atmosphere.
Tarragon – French Bistro Cuisine
Tucked away in a quaint Victorian building on Bristol’s Restaurant Row, Tarragon offers Connecticut a taste of provincial France. Veteran chef Jean-Pierre Nespoli learned his craft in Lyon, France, where he spent years honing his craft and incorporating seasonal ingredients into his from-scratch French bistro classics. Start with creamy French onion soup topped with gruyere cheese or crisp chilled white asparagus sprinkled with hollandaise.
Favorite main dish options include crispy pommes frites and steak frites covered with bearnaise, as well as cassoulet cooked with confit duck leg, roasted chicken with a mustard-tarragon sauce, and baked truffle cheese-topped mushroom risotto. To round off your dinner on the sweetest possible note, save room for the chocolate pot de crème or Grand Marnier souffle.
Tarragon’s intimate two-story dining area, adorned with a profusion of fresh flowers, instantly transports you to a charming French cafe. Make a reservation at Tarragon for one of the best and most genuine French dining experiences in the city.
Pizzetta – Authentic Neapolitan Pizza
Pizzetta offers the greatest pie in town for real Neapolitan pizza baked from scratch in a wood-burning oven. The laid-back yet inviting pizzeria, owned by two childhood friends from Naples, sources Caputo “00” flour from Italy to make its flawlessly chewy and slightly burned pizzas, which are sold by the pie or by the slice.
The Margherita, which has San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, extra virgin olive oil, and basil, is one of the best-selling dishes. With their spicy soppressata, prosciutto, sausage, and pepperoni, Quattro Carni is a favorite among meat fans. For an extra creamy bite, try their pie topped with burrata cheese.
Additionally, Panuozzos—panini-style sandwiches pressed and stuffed with pizza toppings—are available at Pizzetta. A glass of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wine or a Moretti lager will help you wash it all down. Every food enthusiast should put this Neapolitan pizzeria on their must-try list because of its generous portions and affordable costs.
The Rockwell Tavern – Contemporary American Cuisine
The Rockwell Tavern is without a doubt the best restaurant in Bristol for sophisticated dining, according to the majority of residents. Situated in a beautifully renovated historic building downtown, the restaurant creates modern American food with an emphasis on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients.
Start your lunch with pan-roasted Cajun scallops with corn and bacon succotash, or try the goat cheese bruschetta with prosciutto and fig jam.
Popular main course selections include the parmesan-crusted chicken served with truffle mac & cheese or the filet mignon with blue cheese potatoes gratin coated in coffee and chile. Remember to leave room for handcrafted sweets like the salted chocolate caramel tart or warm vanilla bean creme brûlée. Given its imaginative menu, quaint setting, and excellent service, it’s little wonder The Rockwell Tavern consistently ranks at the top of lists of the greatest restaurants.