50 Best American Restaurants near South Norwalk

“On Sunday 3/17 my girlfriend and I attended Washington Prime to celebrate our anniversary. We were met by Webster who had our table prepared and ready for us to be seated. We ordered several appetizers and meals that were out of those world. The drinks and service was by far top 10 in Connecticut. Gillian and Webster went above and beyond to make our day a special day. We will return in a few weeks to enjoy another 5 star meal and service. Thank you sooooooooo much for making our special day an amazing one.“

“Fantastic sourdough and pastries (especially the croissants)Things are pricey but worth it. Quality is top notch. They focus on small details like using homemade preserves and nicely toasted almonds. The flaky pastries here rival France . Sourdough flavors alternate which make sono bakery a fun place to try new sourdough concepts. Some breads are better than others but all are good quality. Highly recommend the almond croissants“

“If you’re a foodie like me, you’ll love this place! The menu has an array of both traditional and eclectic southern style dishes.My guest was hesitant to sit on the side by the window, so I took that seat (well insulated)and was very comfortable. We were promptly greeted by our server Chris G. He took He took my drink order, however, my guest was undecided, so she proceeded to quiz him incessantly about everything on the menu from the cocktails to the dinners and appetizers . I was a bit embarrassed. Thank goodness he was extremely patient, he literally accommodated her every request with grace!!We tried the shrimp and grits and it did not disappoint. The shrimp was plump, tender and fresh, we chose the cheddar grits! They were creamy and complemented the dish perfectly. I went with a short ribs. They were so delicious I took the last piece of bread in the basket to “sop” up the sauce. For dessert she had poached peer . pair and I went with an espresso martini.I just spoke with her yesterday , which prompted me to finish my review. She has eaten there now three times friends and she looks all the way up in Milford.hats off to proprietor AND chef-Kudos to the entire team!“

“What a cute little place. With snow on the ground the setting could not have been more picturesque. We shared the Warm Brussels Sprout Salad, a Pasta with Eggplant and the Salmon. All were very yummy. If I was to pick nits, the Salmon could have used a little more zing.“

“Have lived in town for over 30 years, live within walking distance, and went here last night with my wife for the first time. What a mistake, as we should've been going here since it opened! Both of our meals were terrific, service was friendly, and atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable. We're adding this to our list our regular dining spots and will be recommending to friends.“

“Awesome that they are open for brunch/lunch as we have always been wowed by their food but used to only go for special occasion dinners. Everything we have tried on the menu has been delicious. The food is innovative and always amazing. And the atmosphere is fun, love their space. We always pop in to the British product shop next door after lunch to grab treats which is an added bonus.“

“This place is so cute and the food is great! There are ducks all over the place , which my daughter loved and the food was so so good! I had a great salad and my daughter had the bacon Mac and cheese, which was on point! Top notch Arnold Palmers and friendly service, too!“

“One of the best experiences I had in a while, coming back to Connecticut after 6 years. Very friendly staff people were incredible. Staff stayed late even after they were closed. We were treated very well. We’re welcome to very well. Food was amazing.“

“My wife and I just moved to downtown Stamford and were looking for a quick breakfast within walking distance from our new apartment. Came across Season's which is a quite small but quaint diner/restaurant. Liz our server was so nice and welcoming. Food was great and will be definitely going back again.“

“From the moment we arrived, to celebrate our 40th Anniversary, the staff couldn't have been more gracious and friendly. Our celebration began with a congratulatory glass of prosecco, compliments from the manager. Our dishes, appetizer to dessert, were delicious and cooked to perfection. Kudos to the staff at Flinders Lane for making our visit so memorable. We look forward to our next visit!“

“The first time we visited Boss Burger was last summer. The AC must have been stressed that day because it was uncomfortably hot inside the restaurant. That colored the experience and we were not impressed. It took us another 8 months to return, but I'm glad we did. The ambience here, with the small dining area, self serve drinks, TV sports, and tight tables is not the greatest frankly, but the service is friendly and the sirloin burgers and assorted fries are truly exceptional. And the burger presentation is great, with top quality meat and buns, and a terrific assortment of options to customize your burger. We will definitely be going back.“

“During a five-night stay in the area, I ate here three times. It was delicious. I loved the bang-bang shrimp bowl and the shrimp and clam scampi. So good! I also enjoyed the salmon wrap with sweet potato fries, though it wasn't as great as the other dishes. While the food arrived quickly, the wait staff did seem overwhelmed, especially the bar. It took quit awhile to get a cocktail. If I'm in Southport again, I'll definitely eat here again.“

“ZSTRICT (GolfZon) is truly a hidden gem! The staff has consistently been friendly and helpful, enhancing the overall experience. The golf bays feature innovative movable floors that adjust to mimic the terrain of the course you're playing on, offering an engaging and impressively realistic golfing experience. Additionally, ZSTRICT offers a variety of game types and hosts weekly and monthly tournaments, providing a wonderful opportunity to meet a vibrant community of local golfers. Whether you're picking up a golf club for the first time or you're an experienced player, I highly recommend visiting ZSTRICT. It's a unique experience that shouldn't be missed.“

“I have said it before and I will say it again. Olio is far superior than any other restaurant in the area. Everything from the Octopus and the yucca fries to the chicken parm and the pork chop are some of the best I have ever had. This restaurant always pushes the limits of innovation and always has fresh quality products (including the ingredients) on its menu. What puts this restaurant over the top is the home feel that you get from Steve the owner and chef. From the moment you walk in till the moment you walk out you feel like you are family.Highly highly recommended.“

“Honestly speaking I would eat here before I eat at chick fil a. The customer service is awesome. The harmony within the business is amazing. Everything is very clean and fresh. Good music definitely a place you want to take your family to get a burger.“

“The did was fantastic!! We enjoyed the French onion soup, the hot dog and the smash burger!!-absolutely delicious!! For dessert… wow! The pretzels with chocolate syrup were great! Not too sweet, just right!! And the hot chocolate lava cake was wonderful! A great time to spend with friends!!!“

“This diner just happened to be close to me when i was hungry. I was blown away with how clean it was and the customer service was amazing! Never once was i looking for a server! I had a breakfast burrito that was really good! I will definitely be back soon!“

“Stopped in and had the Jake burger which was great. I sampled the daily soup special which was a smoked bacon potato soup. It was one the the best soups I have had. The owner was terrific. The owner seemed to know it was my first time because the place was Full of regulars so I stood out. Great small place off the beaten path.“

“Match is one of our favorite weekend spots to have great food and great ambiance. The service is generally friendly and great.The steak tartare is fantastic as an appetizer or main course. The pizzas are good for anyone from kid to adult.Parking: A large paid lot is located behind the restaurant.“

“Best Family-owned business in Norwalk! Great people, great food, nice place to sit and eat.I HIGHLY recommend their chili dogs, chili burger, anything with chili on itParking: Parking lot is right behind the building. Plenty of spaces to park.“

“A cute cafe located off the Main Street of Westport, but an absolute MUST try for anyone visiting. The ambiance is immaculate - very photo friendly with funky decor you can lounge on as you contemplate buying.The menu is Spanish tapas. I ordered the tortilla Española with goat cheese and arugula. It came with a well dressed side salad. Everything was delicious and fresh, and the service was upbeat and prompt. I didn't get coffee this time, but I will absolutely be back!“

“This is a local Springdale, favorite, and a tasty little bistro. We love the creativity that the chefs have, and each time we go back we enjoy a different meal. The wait staff is fantastic. if you are on Hope Street and find yourself hungry, stop by have a drink enjoy.“

“Unassuming place, personal attention from owners of this family-owned business. Huevos rancheros and everything else was delicious. Including grilled chicken and pancakes (with a mound of mango) for kids, Huge portions. Inexpensive. Love it. Will go back for dinner next time.“

“Very good quality food for a concession stand style burger sandwich shop. Definitely a huge few steps above your average park/beach stand. Has outdoor chairs with umbrellas and a large playground for kids next to it. Ball fields, tennis courts, the manager is kind and professional. Real bathrooms with running water not a beach cafe by any means! They offer kids meals with whole wheat bread, hummus for vegetarians, avocado to add to sandwiches. The fries are good. Ice cream for kids. Nice family friendly place.Kid-friendliness: Anything for kids here! Whole wheat bread options. Great place and playground and fields on site.“

“What a wonderful establishment! From the outside you are greeted by the old world Norwalk charm and continues on into the interior design. Wood trim, early twentieth century looking bar with modern touches, and a funky old floorplan that only exists in old cities.We were greeted by a server who was incredibly friendly and had the overwhelming task of working the bar and waiting tables at lunch time. She handled it with ease and charm.I ordered the BBQ rack of ribs which were absolutely amazing and gigantic! They came with a side of coleslaw, great, and shoestring fries, average fries. I would grab a rib and it would just slide out of the meat, now that's what I call tender. The ends were nice a crispy but moist inside. The BBQ sauce was unique and full of flavor.My mother had the Cobb salad which was one of the best I have seen in years.For dessert my mother had a cappuccino which she said was the best she ever had. We shared the ricotta cheesecake, if you are a true cheesecake aficionado you know ricotta makes the best cheesecake. This did not disappoint. It's probably been 15 years since I had one as good.“

“Absolutely delicious smoked salmon platter with gluten free bun, cream cheese, hard boiled egg, capers, raw sliced red onion and sliced tomatoes .. it was so delicious I can't wait to return!Service was excellent, atmosphere good .. the bathroom is a bit creepy ..Dietary restrictions: Gluten free“

“My go to place for breakfast every time. Cute convenient spot with great omelettes and piping hot dinner coffee served in a thick white mug just as god intended.Parking: Pull right to the back and park. In the summer time you can grab a cold Greek frappe coffee and walk to the back dock to the boats and crew practicing.“

“We walked in early on a Saturday evening to see if they had a table for 4 (after the restaurant we had originally booked looked grim...) and were immediately greeted with warmth and professionalism. They offered to create a 4 top for us in a quiet corner and whisked us to the table. The service and food that followed were both terrific. A great lesson in hospitality. Make people feel welcome and feed them terrific, straight forward food with attentive but not overbearing service and reasonable prices!“

“They plainly spell out what is gluten free on their online and in person menu, which makes dining out as a person with celiac disease much, much easier. The food was delicious. My only complaint is that the French fry portions could be a bit bigger.Dietary restrictions: Thank you for offering many gluten free choices, especially in apps and desserts.“

“August 18, 2022 1st time at Trips and I thought the food was AMAZING , I should have ordered the Prime Rib, after I saw almost every table having it , and seeing friends of mine , their 3 children eating Prime Rib , I definitely know next time , but if you like chicken you won't be disappointed in the chicken francaise and their cheesecake super smooth.“

“Oh my! As an insufferable foodie I was expecting the food to be good but didn’t think it would be SO…. WOW! The lamb ribs are phenomenal the scallops were insanely delicious The pork chop was perfection and the tuna seared to perfection we finished with the chocolate Budino of dreams the entire meal was phenomenal Serious 5 ⭐️ dining“

“Solid 5 star dining! Lovely little diner style building, very affordable and a great selection of food, awesome staff. Highly reccomended and I will absolutely eat there again. We came in with a large group and they managed to accommodate us at short notice.“

“Oh my! As an insufferable foodie I was expecting the food to be good but didn’t think it would be SO…. WOW! The lamb ribs are phenomenal the scallops were insanely delicious The pork chop was perfection and the tuna seared to perfection we finished with the chocolate Budino of dreams the entire meal was phenomenal Serious 5 ⭐️ dining“

“We were running late and when we call they accommodated us. It’s a nice chill diverse spot. I love Norwalk!. Hubby is a chef so I am always looking for a place to impress. This place did it. It’s a decent spot for just about any event. Get the wings, get the burger, get the drinks. My hubby said the linguini and clams were decent. The bread is fresh and delicious. Everything is fresh made. I will return to try more items and try the patio. Thank you for your hospitality. ;)“

“The Cottage has quickly become one of our new favorite restaurants in Fairfield county! We had a cozy date night here enjoying our seasonal dishes! We loved the green goddess dressing and brioche croutons on our “Cottage Salad”. The wagyu brisket bao buns were also a highlight, and it was our first time trying squid ink aioli, which really exceeded our expectations! My fiancé ordered the Berkshire pork tenderloin, which was cooked perfectly and even came with a knödel (similar to matzo balls), which we thought was a great pairing! Their hand-cut tagliatelle was exceptional with lamb, labne, and a touch of mint. Desserts were equally as amazing as the rest of the meal! The broken meyer lemon tart was topped with a thick layer of meringue, and the devil’s food cake was topped with a bourbon caramel and paired with espresso mascarpone. The cocktails hit the mark as well, and I appreciated that they had a section for low/no alcohol drinks! Our experience at The Cottage was definitely memorable, and we highly recommend adding them to your list of restaurants to try in Fairfield county!“

“Easy to make a reservation on a Friday night. The Hostess sat us right away and our Server was punctual in greeting us and taking drink orders. The drinks were well-balanced, not too sweet. We specifically enjoyed the White Bronco. The deviled eggs, pickles vegetables, chicken wings (chipotle honey), hush puppies, and chopped salad with chicken were all delicious. Our server was very attentive the entire evening and we felt very welcome and not rushed even towards closing. Thank you!“

“Warm & welcoming, and a really nice meal. The turkey meatloaf is off the charts excellent, which is hard for turkey meatloaf to do but you will thank me later. The space feels in need of a modest makeover & the physical menus were a little beat up. I'll definitely be back, but hoping a few of these minor details aren't signs of complacency.“

“This place has consistently been a bedrock of good food and ambiance in Norwalk. Happy to see it's still doing well with all those things that make it great. The food is awesome ?, portion size is good, prices are fair and the table service is excellent.“

“We had a delicious date night dinner out at The Spread. We sat in the covered, heated outdoor dining space and the lighting and fireplace made it very cozy and enjoyable. The food was delicious - we ordered smaller plates to share. The service was very attentive, almost to a fault. The bus staff was very on top of filling our waters the second we took a sip and taking plates the moment the last bite was taken. There were many staff members in the outdoor space that we felt that we were being watched as we ate, and they were ready to pounce and clear the table as soon as we finished something. We did feel rushed, which was the only downfall of the meal.“

“This Yard House location is attached to the SONO Collection Mall, on the Bloomingdale's side; no access from inside but just a short walk. Parking at the mall is convenient - pay by app or a link sent by text (we paid $3 for 3 hours so $1/hr.) There is Happy hour from 3-6pm like at other locations: 1/2 off select appetizers and pizza, discount on some alcoholic beverages. Great deal - our app orders came out to about $5-$7 each. Still enjoyed the sliders, tenders which came with fries; more generous with the calamari here; fried cheese curds are like mozzarella bits; liked the crispy brussell sprouts, well more burnt than crispy but liked them anyway. I know we ordered mostly fried food but there were other options for HH. We just didn't feel like having nachos, boneless wings and pizza. Blackened ahi tuna sandwich was good although some found the sauce a bit salty. Added $2 to change fries to onion rings. Mac and cheese had fried mushrooms and oil which we had on the side. We went on a weekday, so not as busy. Service was friendly and fast. Food came out pretty quickly and got drink refills when needed.“

“This was the best meal I ever had at a restaurant! Ditto for my husband also. The place was a bit noisy around the 5:30-6:30 dinner time, then calmed down after that. This was also the first time I had a hot fresh cup of coffee in a restaurant. It appears this is a popular place for friends and families to go. I am telling my family and friends the food is magnificent.Vegetarian options: I am vegan. The Crispy Brussel Sprouts were perfectly done and very tasty. The portion was large so I was pleased about taking some home. The kale in the salad was the most tender I ever tasted. The cranberries were slightly sweet, and there was avocado included in the Mediterranean Salad also, I added some of the Brussel Sprouts to the salad it was a perfect dish! My husband got a shrimp dish he enjoyed. The dessert was tasty and not overly sweet, I had a warm apple tart with Carmel sauce.My. husband got the chocolate Lava cake and loved it. The level of sweetness was perfect not over done. I had no guilt breaking my diet to celebrate our wedding anniversary! The staff are friendly and timely bringing your dinner and your bill in a reasonable amount of time.So go and enjoy this wonderful restaurant!“

“We have been going to Olde Blue Bird Inn for years and love it. Our family and houseguests enjoy the charming atmosphere and delicious food. The staff is accommodating and friendly.Parking: I have always found a place to parkKid-friendliness: I see a lot of young families there on Sundays.“

“Fantastic place with a cool oak bar. Excellent food with all kinds of meat cuts. Mediterranean forward food. Very good quality service and one of the best bar teams I've ever seen, and I'm a server and bartender. Also used to work here. They also have the coolest owner I've ever worked for. Doug reminded me a lot of Christopher Walken with a take no prisoners mentality. He takes great care of their customers and their staff. Just an instant Westport classic.“

“I have have been coming here lately for the last 6 months taking my father here for lunch. Cherry Street has been a locals favorite for many years. The food has been consistently great and as advertised. The service is excellent and always makes you feel welcome and like a local. If you are looking for an excellent bar and grill this is the place.“

“Really enjoyed your restaurant, probably the best clam chowder I have every eaten and I'm a snob when it comes to food.Shout out to Stephany who helped me with getting a receipt I needed. She was not only helpful but very pleasant and a wonderful greeter for your customers.Parking: Depends on the day and time you come. It's in a plaza which is pretty busy.“

“I luv the atmosphere from the wood burning fireplace and the exposed wood beams it’s just has a really cozy feel.There food is excellent I highly recommend there french onion soup and there burgers are great oh and there fried cookie dough is amazing I highly recommend this placeKid-friendliness: Great kids menu“

“Great location in a lively, redeveloped section of Stamford. We had an event with a fixed price menu and each course was amazingly good. Come hungry, because they give you a lot of food. Apps, salad, pasta and main courses were all wonderful. Great service and a great view of the harbor. Not sure if it is open to the public, but if it is, check it out.“

“Dorian, you gotta adjust your attitude and get a reality check. Who walks into a bar 5 minutes before closing and wants to open a tab when the entire staff has been working all day and wants to go home. Think about others before feeding into your drinking problem.The bar tender Nico who was photographed in Dorian’s post is by far the only reason I come to station house. He is the best bartender hands down in Norwalk and the close by areas. Extremely polite, caring, remembers everyone’s name and on top of all of this he is also so handsome!“

“Bonda is the greatest hidden restaurant in Fairfield county. The service is unmatched, everyone here is so sweet. The food is all insanely good regardless of what you order. The ambience is extremely cozy. This is a regular date night and the absolute best- easy parking, no traffic, the hidden gem.“

“Great food, and coffee. Friendly and attentive staff. I have been coming here for years and never had any major issues. It's a cozy neighborhood cafe with a nice atmosphere to get brunch/lunch, hang with friends, study or just chill. Love it!!!“