Best Restaurants in Connecticut 2016

Connecticut is known as “The Land of Steady Habits,” and one of those habits is going out to eat! But with all of the great restaurants in the “Constitution State,” which ones are considered the best? To find out, we turn again to Connecticutmag.com’s Best Restaurants in Connecticut 2016: Readers’ Choice Awards.

To arrive at this year’s winners, Connecticutmag.com reached out to their readers; the people out there frequenting their favorites and trying new places. Without further ado, here are 2016’s best restaurants and runner-ups in Connecticut.

Best Overall Restaurant

Winner: Goodfellas Restaurant, New Haven
Runner-Up: Sal e Pepe, Newtown

Best New Restaurant

Winner:  Roots Down, Woodstock
Runner-Up: Frank’s Gourmet Grille, Mystic

Best American Restaurant

Winner: The Spinning Wheel, Redding
Runner-Up: Match, South Norwalk

Best French Restaurant

Winner: Union League Café, New Haven
Runner-Up: Ondine, Danbury

Best Italian Restaurant

Winner: Sal e Pepe, Newtown
Runner-Up: Goodfellas Restaurant, New Haven

Best Asian Restaurant

Winner: Toro, Newtown
Runners-Up: Mecha Noodle Bar, Fairfield; Kawa Ni, Westport

Best Mexican Restaurant

Winner: Puerto Vallarta, Middletown
Runner-Up: Cuckoo’s Nest, Old Saybrook

Best Latin American Restaurant

Winner: Valencia Luncheria, Norwalk
Runner-Up: Mezon Tapas Bar, Danbury

Best Indian Restaurant

Winner: Thali, New Haven
Runner-Up: Coromandel, Darien

Best Middle Eastern Restaurant

Winner: The Pita Spot, Mystic
Runner-Up: Mamoun’s, New Haven

Best Seafood Restaurant

Winner: Westbrook Lobster, Clinton
Runner-Up: Lenny & Joe’s Fish Tale, Westbrook

Best Sushi Restaurant

Winner: Kotobuki, Stamford
Runner-Up: Toro, Newtown

Best Vegetarian Restaurant

Winner: Bloodroot, Bridgeport
Runner-Up: Claire’s Corner Copia, New Haven

Best Pub Grub Restaurant

Winner: Little Pub, Ridgefield
Runner-Up: Chip’s Pub, Clinton

Best Road Food Restaurant

Winner: Super Duper Weenie, Fairfield
Runner-Up: Denmo’s, Southbury

Best Food Truck Restaurant

Winner: The Brunch Box, Stamford
Runner-Up: The Caseus Cheese Truck, New Haven

Best Bistro Restaurant

Winner: Bistro Mediterranean & Tapas Bar, Westbrook
Runner-Up: Bar Bouchée, Madison

Best Steak Restaurant

Winner: La Foresta, Killingworth
Runner-Up: Washington Prime, Norwalk

Best Prime Rib Restaurant

Winner: The White Horse Pub, Washington
Runner-Up: La Foresta, Killingworth

Best Gourmet Burgers Restaurant

Winner: Plan B Burger Bar, Glastonbury
Runner-Up: The White Horse Pub, Washington

Best Barbecue Restaurant

Winner: Chester’s Barbecue, Groton
Runner-Up: The Bayou Smokehouse, Groton

Best Romantic Restaurant

Winner: Goodfellas Restaurant, New Haven
Runner-Up: La Foresta, Killingworth

Best Family Dining Restaurant

Winner: Roberto’s Ristorante, Monroe
Runner-Up: La Foresta, Killingworth

Best Breakfast Restaurant

Winner: Chip’s Family Restaurant, Orange
Runner-Up: Cristy’s Madison, Madison

Best Brunch Restaurant

Winner: The White Horse Pub, Washington
Runner-Up:  Roots Down, Woodstock

Best Lunch Restaurant

Winner: La Foresta, Killingworth
Runner-Up:  Sal e Pepe, Newtown

Best Deli

Winner: Rein’s Deli, Vernon
Runner-Up: Butcher’s Best Country Market, Newtown

Best Appetizers Restaurant

Winner: Tazza Osteria & Bar, Fairfield
Runner-Up: La Foresta, Killingworth

Best Desserts Restaurant

Winner: La Foresta, Killingworth
Runner-Up:  Sal e Pepe, Newtown

Best Outdoor Dining Restaurant

Winner: The White Horse Pub, Washington
Runner-Up: S & P Oyster Club, Mystic

Best Service Restaurant

Winner: Goodfellas Restaurant, New Haven
Runner-Up: Tazza Osteria & Bar, Fairfield

Best Cocktails Restaurant

Winner: La Foresta, Killingworth
Runner-Up: Tazza Osteria & Bar, Fairfield

Best Wine Selection Restaurant

Winner: La Foresta, Killingworth
Runner-Up: Tazza Osteria & Bar, Fairfield

Best Hotel Dining Restaurant

Winner: Harbour House, Mystic
Runner-Up: Artisan, Southport

Best Value Restaurant

Winner: La Foresta, Killingworth
Runner-Up: The White Horse Pub, Washington

Best Hidden Gem Restaurant

Winner:  Roots Down, Woodstock
Runner-Up: The Sitting Duck Tavern, Stratford