50 Best American Restaurants near Southport

“I enjoyed two dinners at the Artisan. The food was delicious, and the staff was attentive. It is also very expensive. (I did have a yummy lobster dish.) And though I was dining alone, my server kept pushing me to order appetizers and dessert, which would be too much food. I had to decline multiple times.“

“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.“

“Grabbed a quick dinner and drinks at the bar prior to a concert. Service is great, happy bartenders! We absolutely enjoyed our cocktails, spicy chicken sandwich, and snapper and pickled chili tacos. As out of towners, we picked 29 Markle based on location and reviews. We were not disappointed! It’s rare to luck out and find an amazing place like this!! Rebecca, our bartender, showed grace under fire with a packed room and a full bar!“

“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!“

“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.“

“Hands down one of the best taverns that I have ever been to. The food was delicious and beautifully presented. The service was excellent and staff were very friendly. The food was a bit on the higher end side, price wise, but it was definitely worth it. I would recommend getting the Chili Garlic Crispy Shrimp, the Paccheri Pasta, the Steamed Mussels, and the Steak Frites.“

“One of our local favorite stops. We had lunch on Saturday before the Super Bowl. Staff, as always, are very accommodating. We had two Big Mack burgers ? with a side salad. It's one of the best damn burgers we've had in a while! Go and enjoy.“

“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.“

“This is the best salad spot in Fairfield! Every time I get a salad here it’s made perfectly. The atmosphere is very clean, and the service is absolutely amazing. The manager, Layla, runs the store very well! I highly recommend stopping by here- you can’t go wrong! I would love it if they could open up another location in New Haven. 10/10 I love this place.“

“I went here yesterday for my birthday with my husband. First off we were greeted immediately when we came in and were able to sit anywhere we wanted. Our server Rehna came over right away and was super friendly. I wasn't sure what cocktail to choose and she brought me a specialty cocktail menu. I can't remember the name of the drink but it had a cucumber taste and I think there was also muddled mint in it. It was SO FREAKIN GOOD!!!! Our food came out quick, but not too quick allowing us a chance to settle in. Everything was delicious and cooked and plated to our asking. (I am one of those people who like things "on the side") and might be annoying to some but not her. It was exactly as I asked. She checked on us to make sure everything was okay ? and it was great. Thank you so much for making my special day even better. We live in Southbury now but my husband grew up in Stratford and has been there many many times. When we are in the area again we will be sure to stop in again.“

“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!“

“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.“

“Now upon pulling up to this little spot one doesn't get a great impression. Its a small parking spot for a small restuarant...when walking in the feel of the place is homey yet a bit cramped. For some strange reason there are two different entrances to this lil pub which presents a bit of a draft issue in the colder months with people coming in and out of either side...other than the ambiance leaving much to desire the food was pleasantly good. I ordered the black cat burger which was slightly reminiscent of a rueben sandwhich with rye toast for buns, swiss,grilled onion,russian dressin....it arrived assembled and cooked to order. Nice size patty that was juicy flavorful and fresh. The onion rings were sparse but decent and all in all I would say it was good, I think that I might try it again in the summer for a better overall review.Edit: came back around the way here and the burgers weren't as good as I rememberedThe cod was a massive piece which is a good value but made for a clunky sammich. All in all its good but nothing that will wow you over atm.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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.“

“The worst pub food I’ve ever had (and I’ve had a lot). The chicken curry did not taste like curry, and there were no vegetables in it - just sauce and chicken that tasted like it was leftover from the day before. I asked for fish and chips to replace it, and that was also terrible. It was burned and tasteless. For some reason, it came with salad dressing instead of tartar sauce. You’re much better off going to The Castle.“

“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“

“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.“

“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!“

“Parking is not one of the best around lunchtime, but the atmosphere inside was magnificent, very cheerful and friendly service and the smells of food aroma spread to the roomParking: If you are here on a busy lunch day, it might be hard to find parking close to the restaurantKid-friendliness: Great place for the weekend lunch family get together gives a warm home feeling“

“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!“

“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 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.“

“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.“

“I have never been to a better establishment in my life. Not only is there live music, live sports, great food and great drinks, but Bill’s goers are THE group you want spend any night with. Absolutely recommend for anyone looking for a stool and a full glass.“

“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!“

“waterbury location. tried to give them benefit of the doubt since they just opened but they were rude. told my son shut up when they made mistakes. they never even fixed the error and basically robbed him from $13 shrimp basket but argued with him about it. hate to say it cuz the garlic parm wings were best I've had but definitely won't be back“

“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 go to this establishment about once a week. On Wednesdays and Thursdays. They have their lobster roll specials which are fabulous and you cannot beat their $22 lobster dinner year round . I go there often just for that easy casual atmosphere with always decent service. It's a really, really good place and the chef has always accommodated my wishes. Sometimes I go there for codfish and it's just amazing.“

“Mason is one of the best bartenders I ever met. I’m a bartender myself & I take pride in giving amazing service & that’s what Mason does. Brick& Barrel is lucky to have him because when you think Brick you think Mason. He is acknowledged in this establishment.“

“I've been coming to 19th hole for years mainly for drinks but occasionally for food. They have some great wings. It doesn't look like the place that would have amazing wings but they do. It's a bit of a hole in the wall dive bar but it's a very chill place to watch a game or just relax. There aren't many servers so you do have to order with the bartender but I haven't met a bartender there that I haven't liked. They are normally very nice and willing to answer questions. They have very cheap drinks and the food isn't badly priced either. This time I got their hot honey wings. The wings were great I just wish they had a little more spice. My friends ordered garlic Parmesan wings which were delicious. They had so much seasoning on them it was hard to stop eating them. If you're looking for a chill dive bar to have cheap drinks and food this is the perfect place.“

“Great place to eat excellent food... The Chef is fantastic.Kid-friendliness: We always take our 2 grandkids with us.My grandson calls this place " the good pasta place"....their Kids Menu is very good..and it includes ice cream with their menu selection.“

“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 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!!!“

“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.“

“One of the best Lamb burger I ever had in my life. Cooked medium to perfection.Fried oysters are also fresh and delicious.I wish I lived in Norwalk just because of this restaurant. Definitely going there next time I visit Norwalk and try their other dishes.“

“We eat here at least once a month. It's a great place to go on the water and have drink and sit out side during the summer. The steamed clams are why we go.They are amazing. Service is fabulous. Cod is really good. Steak is pretty good. Fish are all pretty good. In general the food is good. The place is on the water and it's a lovely view. Everyone knows everybody and is really friendly. You feel like your eating at your mom's house.“

“Lovely stop for breakfast or lunch. Kind of loud. Service was excellent. Main courses came before we finished our soup, but almost zero wait time for both courses. I had eggs, which were good. My friend had chicken pot pie which looked good. Note, signage to find the restaurant from Route one was not good. Even as I made my way inside, wasn't sure I was in the right spot. Will be back!“

“I visited this location for the first time for brunch and was very impressed. The food and the service were phenominal. The store that is attached to the restaurant is extremely nice and sell some great products. I plan on visiting this location on regular basis.“

“Cannot say enough good things about our experience at The Porch at Christie's. The space is beautiful and inviting, with plenty of space to sit and enjoy their endless supply of delicious baked goods, sandwiches, coffee, etc.. After ordering our food we started chatting with Andrea, the owner, who was at a nearby counter prepping cookies and she could not have been kinder!! Such a great experience and we cannot wait to go back!“