Manchester, a quaint Connecticut town, is becoming more and more popular among foodies. Every taste may be satisfied, with options ranging from formal dining to relaxed family-owned restaurants. Manchester, which has a strong New England past, serves both traditional and modern cuisines that use fresh, in-season ingredients.
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A growing number of restaurants are utilizing products that are acquired directly from Connecticut thanks to the revived emphasis on farm-to-table cuisine. Dining in Manchester is about bringing people together around good food because of the warm, welcoming settings.
Twelve of Manchester’s greatest restaurants are examined in this article. There’s always something fresh to taste thanks to the diverse mix of cuisines, which includes Italian and Thai. While some restaurants showcase unique flavors from across the globe, others concentrate on using high-quality organic products.
To improve your experience, several often feature exquisite wine selections or carefully prepared cocktails made using regional alcoholic beverages. Manchester features an incredible food scene that is not to be missed, with fantastic restaurants for lunch, supper, and breakfast in addition to kid-friendly establishments.
13 Best Restaurants in Manchester, Connecticut (2024)
Best Ethiopian Cuisine – Queen of Sheba
Queen of Sheba is a genuinely unusual restaurant in Manchester since it serves authentic Ethiopian food, which is not commonly available in the area. The intricate flavors of African and Middle Eastern cuisine are typified by dishes that use unusual spices and textures, which are not typically found in more conventional English or continental cuisine. Every meal starts with their famous injera, a naturally fermented flatbread with a hint of sourness.
Then try a variety of unusual vegetarian recipes, such as yellow split peas boiled with onions and turmeric, or spicy red lentil stew or collard greens with ginger. For those who prefer meat, lamb tibbs, which are sautéed cubes, or doro wat, which are chicken drumsticks in a red pepper sauce, provide succulent flesh in subtle flavors. Ethiopian food is shared family-style, with injera pieces torn off to scoop up the sides. While you eat, the intimate dining area with its vibrant murals and African textiles takes you to East Africa. After your meal, don’t miss the Ethiopian coffee ritual.
Best Kid Friendly Restaurant – Besito Mexican Restaurant
The greatest kid-friendly restaurant in Manchester is Besito Mexican Restaurant, which serves both young and elderly with equal aplomb. Even finicky eaters love personalizing their own rice bowls, fajitas, tacos, and quesadillas. Traditional Mexican flavors like al pastor or barbacoa meats are available, as well as more straightforward options like cheese or rice and beans. The younger ones are entertained by their kids’ menu, which includes their favorites like buttered noodles, cheese pizza, and chicken fingers.
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To satisfy hungry small tummies, wait staff will gladly offer extra sides of guacamole or queso, or even more chips and salsa. Parents enjoy sipping margaritas on the patio while their children play in the grass or scribble with sidewalk chalk. Fun occasions like live music, Latino cultural festivities, $1 taco Wednesdays, and kids eat free Tuesdays are also held at Besito. It’s an easy pick for an evening or weekend that will keep the whole family entertained at affordable pricing.
Best Local Farm-to-Table Restaurant – Millwright’s Restaurant and Tavern
In a renovated old mill, Millwright’s Restaurant and Tavern serves sophisticated New American cuisine under the direction of a chef deserving of multiple awards who is committed to obtaining ingredients from Connecticut farmers. In this case, seasonality is king, with dishes that rotate throughout the year to showcase the freshest ingredients from their nearby suppliers. Each dish’s contributing farms are listed on the menu along with their names and locations. For now, that means substantial braised meats, such short ribs with wine braising or pork belly with bourbon and apples.
Top of the outstanding raw bar menu are local oysters. Vegetarians might find satisfaction in dishes like butternut squash risotto or ravioli covered in celeriac fondue. In addition to a carefully chosen wine list consisting of small family vineyards worldwide, their bar serves locally brewed beers on tap. Dining at Millwright’s ties you to the rich history and bright future of Connecticut dining, with its serene river and waterfall in back, its remodeled brick and wood interior, and its hyper-local culinary philosophy.
Best Italian Restaurant – Treva Restaurant & Tavern
Treva Restaurant & Tavern offers great housemade pastas in a relaxed trattoria environment. Treva Restaurant & Tavern serves regional Italian food that is unique to Manchester. The design is warm and friendly, with checkered tables and exposed brick walls adorned with family photos. Start with a mild tomato soup or crispy fried rice balls called arancini, then move on to hearty meals like chicken parmesan, lasagna Bolognese, or seafood linguine.
Naturally, the reginette pasta is the star of the show, whether it’s their famous meat and cheese reginette baked with peas, prosciutto, and melted mozzarella, or their buttery mushroom reginette, creamy carbonara, or both. Residents gush about how their tiramisu takes them back to Rome. Treva’s open late and a great place to have dinner. It’s also a local favorite any night of the week, with bottles of wine half cheap on Mondays.
Best Thai Restaurant – Thai Garden
Thai Garden offers vivid Thai flavors to Manchester, with authentic Thai dishes made to order using family recipes. The menu does not disappoint; it is well-known for its intricate curries that are packed with herbs and spices. Highlights include the hot green curry with succulent chicken, the sweet red curry with soft beef cubes, and the pad thai with plump shrimp and crushed peanuts.
voted Manchester’s best Five years in a row, following their first delicious meal, new guests frequently turn into instant regulars. Thai Garden strikes a mix between robust Thai palates and enough mild foods to satisfy most American preferences, even though they provide numerous hard-to-find regional specialties. They also won first place for dessert locally with their mango sticky rice! Rich timbers, elaborate carvings, and Thai artwork combine with the minimalist décor to create a calming, peaceful atmosphere. This family-run jewel is also accessible for regular meals because of its affordable costs.
Most Romantic Restaurant – Metro Bis
Metro Bis is frequently ranked as Manchester’s most romantic restaurant because of its sophisticated yet laid-back ambiance. The big photos of picturesque European architecture complement their French-inspired New American cuisine, while the soft lighting creates an intimate atmosphere. Generous table spacing facilitates intimate discussions while savoring delectable nibbles from their delectable menu and sipping from their vast array of wines.
Starters that are popular to share are the delicate shrimp cocktail with harissa aioli or the cheese platter with fromage blanc and raisin walnut chips. Get one of their perfectly cooked, dry-aged steaks for a special occasion. A sweet finish can be achieved with molten chocolate cake or decadent chocolate crème brûlée. Metro Bis has that magical touch that makes people fall in love—it manages to combine five-star luxury and mouthwatering delicacies with a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Best Sushi – Sakura Fusion Asian Cuisine
Sakura is known for its exceptionally fresh sushi and sashimi, even though restaurant also serves pan Asian fare including pad thai, rice bowls, and stir fries. The only Asian fusion restaurant in the area, it draws a lot of residents because of its excellent rolls and nigiri with traditional and inventive ingredient combinations. Their Sakura roll, which combines sweet teriyaki chicken with cucumbers and shrimp tempura, creates a refreshing mix of textures and flavors. The spicy tuna rolls with kimchi and jalapeños give a gratifying bite.
The daily special rolls are usually creative; among of the latest offerings are a tempura roll for octopus lovers with layers of savory tako sashimi, spicy mayo, and masago, or a panko-crusted snow crab roll with caviar and lotus chips. This welcoming, family-owned restaurant provides excellent value for a variety of meals, from special occasion dinners to fast lunch takeout.
Best Seafood Restaurant – Porter House Gastro Pub
Porter House Gastro Pub is the ideal option for delicious seafood that is produced locally and is served in a gorgeous setting. Talent and technological know-how are combined to create stunning seasonal cuisine at this fine dining restaurant. The chef has previous expertise working for well-known companies such as Thomas Keller. Start with rich burrata cheese paired with lemon, or heirloom carrots from Hammersley Farm. The renowned creamy seafood bisque is created with brandy, crab, and lobster medallions.
The sesame coated fish receives great reviews for an entree, but the Maine sea scallops with pancetta and English peas are the real star. To pair with your meal, their wine list offers a variety of small production wines and boutique vineyards from across the globe. Snacking at Porter House is the perfect way to commemorate important occasions or simply treat yourself to a nice dinner. Its sophisticated interior design is adorned with wonderful touches.
Best Pizza – Marco Polo
In Manchester, Marco Polo is the place to go for excellent artisanal pizza crafted with premium ingredients. This laid-back eatery, which is owned by the sons of two Italian immigrants, offers classic pasta dishes, sub sandwiches, large salads, and New York-style pizza. The proprietor imported the best mozzarella, tomatoes, olive oil, and fresh basil from Italy and spent years honing his dough process to produce delicious pies with crispy, thin crusts that satisfy every patron.
Classic margherita, bacon cheeseburger, and barbecue chicken are just a few of the pizza varieties available. Whole wheat crust and gluten-free versions are also offered. Their famous chopped salad with provolone, olives, pepperoni, and cherry peppers, as well as their meatball sub, are highly recommended. Marco Polo is always satisfying, whether you pop in for a quick lunch or a family meal.
Best Mexican Restaurant – Besito Mexican
Besito offers vivid flavors and contemporary Mexican food in a lively, buzzing setting to Manchester. The menu features all the favorites along with some creative twists, with an emphasis on classic methods like open cooking and fresh corn tortillas. Start with the modern taquitos with fried avocado and tableside guacamole; alternatively, try the empanadas with roasted poblano chiles.
The house specialty is mole poblano over ancho marinated chicken, but the enchiladas and tequila-lime shrimp fajitas are also very popular among the locals. On the weekends, crowds swarm the bar with lively margaritas and a variety of specialty beverages to fuel long dinners. Besito is a family-friendly restaurant that comes alive at night with outstanding cuisine and drink discounts, happy hour specials, and late-night hours every night.
Outstanding Indian Cuisine – Taste of India
Taste of India has the best authentic Indian food around. This restaurant’s specialty is its fragrant curries, expertly seasoned entrees, steaming hot naan, and sweet sweets. The proprietor, who is originally from Northern India, creates mouthwatering meals like chicken tikka masala, baingan bharta, and tender lamb biryani using family recipes.
Veggie pakoras, palak paneer, and daal makhani are just a few of the many sophisticated options available to vegetarians. A mango lassi is the perfect side to cool the simmering heat. Because of the enormous lunch buffet’s excellent value, locals also gush about it. Indian décor is exhibited in the lively environment with its multicolored paintings and lamps, and the excellent service is commensurate with the caliber of the cuisine.
Best Contemporary New American Food – Metro Bis
Metro Bis is one of the greatest restaurants in Manchester, offering modern New American cuisine with French influences in a sophisticated setting. The seasonal menu include dishes like pan-seared Atlantic salmon with roasted Brussels sprouts or the traditional grilled New York sirloin with broccolini, showcasing the abundant produce, meats, and seafood of the area.
Enjoy their entire raw bar featuring fresh oysters from the area. Try specialty dishes like duck clafoutis or skate sautéed in brown butter, grapes, and capers for the daring. To go with the sophisticated fare, the wine list features an amazing selection of bottles. This elegant location is perfect for special occasions or a romantic evening, with attentive wait staff. The scene is set by the chic décor and cozy lighting.