11 Best Restaurants in Hartford and the Connecticut River Valley, Connecticut

With its contemporary design, extensive martini list, and sophisticated cuisine, this chop house is a favorite among the city's well-heeled—as well as a popular after-work spot. Creative entrées include filet mignon Oscar, sesame-crusted tuna, organic Scottish salmon, and a range of perfectly prepared steaks: New York (boneless) or Kansas City (bone-in) strip, cowboy cut ribeye, and tomahawk.

What looks to be a simple neighborhood spot south of downtown is actually one of the state's most hallowed Italian restaurants and pizza parlors, serving superb thin-crust pies and much, much more since 1936. The old-fashioned wooden bar is jammed most evenings with suburbia-bound daily-grinders; the main dining room, which is just as noisy, has a brick wall covered with celebrity photos.

The post-and-beam buildings of Comstock Ferre & Co., the country's oldest continuously operating seed company (founded in 1820), is now home to a "seed-to-plate" natural foods café. It's open all day for wraps, toasts, soup, salad, juices, coffee, tea, and smoothies. You can also purchase heirloom seeds, groceries, and gardening supplies.

Located on Franklin Avenue in Hartford's Little Italy neighborhood, this shop serves delectable Italian pastries in the bakery and espresso, cappuccino, and gelato in The Caffé.

This glass-and-steel classic is the place to go for top-notch diner fare, including creative specialties like the omelet stuffed with roasted portobello mushrooms, Brie, and asparagus. Arrive early for lunch, as the line often files right out the door and the place closes at 1 pm!

Crystal sparkles, silver shines, and candles glow in Copper Beech Inn's main dining room—or you can dine more casually at the bar. Notable dishes have included a starter of jumbo lump crab cakes with remoulade dressing and entrées ranging from steak frites and honey-grilled chicken to grilled swordfish and blackened salmon.

This mainstay of Hartford's restaurant scene (beginning in 1898) presents contemporary "farm-to-chef" Italian cuisine in a lively but cozy setting. Enjoy homemade potato gnocchi, ravioli al'arancia (orange), slow-roasted osso buco, or a simply grilled veal chop—but save room for the warm Valrhona chocolate cake or homemade gelato or sorbet.

This sleek, sophisticated tavern in the heart of Chester functions both as a cheery neighborhood restaurant and as a bona fide destination for fans of first-rate farm-to-table cuisine. Your main course might include sautéed mussels, Mexican-style chilaquiles (chicken and tortilla casserole), seafood stew, or a burger made with local beef.

Packed every night, Salute is the downtown spot for consistently delicious Italian fare and pleasant service. The kitchen serves up grilled steaks, seafood, and a long list of pasta dishes—try the chicken gnocchi with pesto cream, perfectly executed shrimp piccata, or classic ragu Bolognese—and traditional Italian desserts like tiramisu and gelato.

Share small plates, have a pub-style sandwich, or enjoy a full entrée at this iconic neighborhood tavern—there's something on the menu that will appeal to everyone; the Friday Night Prime Rib Special is a big draw. There's also a great selection of local craft beer and cider and a full wine list.

Upbeat, hip, and casual, Trumbull Kitchen is the place to see and be seen. A loft-style dining area with leather-clad walls overlooks the action below where an eclectic menu features selections like seared Point Judith scallops, pan-seared salmon, brick-pressed chicken, and truffled onion burger, or a "stone pie" (pizza).