8 Restaurants That Will Make You Want to Visit Hartford, CT Now

Food + Drink
by Dayana Aleksandrova Sep 1, 2016

1. Firebox Restaurant

Firebox Restaurant

Hartford, United States

Firebox is as gourmet as it gets. Everything on the menu is local and organic. Sometimes I even think that the waiter could tell me the entire lifestory of the salmon on my plate if I asked to. #gourmet #fine-dining #free-wifi

2. ON20

ON20

Hartford, United States

If I had to describe On20 in one word, it would without a doubt be “fancy.” This restaurant does indeed have the nicest view of Hartford (as the name suggests, it’s located on the 20th floor of the Hartford Steam Boiler building) and the food is super-duper gourmet. Any time my parents came to see me in college, the broke undergrad me had them take me to dinner there. Now that I’m out of school, the broke post-grad me has mom and dad stop for a quick bite there on the way to NYC. #view #fine-dining

3. Trinity Restaurant

Trinity Restaurant

Hartford, United States

Check it: few people know about this restaurant, because the majority of dedicated diners are Trinity College students and parents (myself being an alumna). It’s a family-run restaurant (very nice Albanian family who lives upstairs) and the menu has a heavy Mediterranean influence. Their salmon is fresh, so is the pizza and Tuscan bean soup. #food

4. Max Downtown

Max Downtown

Hartford, United States

One of Hartford’s best restaurants, Max downtown is elegant, the menu classic and delicious and the perfect place for a college grad dinner or a business lunch. #fine-dinning

5. Black-Eyed Sally’s Southern Kitchen & Bar

Black-Eyed Sally’s Southern Kitchen & Bar

Hartford, United States

If you love live music and Cajun chicken, this is your spot. Authentic Southern recipes galore. Start with the fried okra and pickle chips or the creole deviled eggs, followed by a New Orleans Po’ Boy. We’re not done yet – you’re not leaving Sally’s until you’ve tried the Pig Out, and to finish the night off, let’s go with the low country shrimp and grits. Y’all want desert? I STRONGLY recommend the Mississippi mud pie. Come join the party and catch Lazer Lloyd, Salty Dog Blues Band, Balkun Brothers or any other of the performers who play live at the bar almost every night. #kidsmenu #southernfood #cheap-eats #food #casual #free-wifi

6. Fire & Spice

Fire & Spice

Hartford, United States

I swear, this is the most underrated place in Hartford. The all-vegan Jamaican restaurant has ridiculously good food, buffet-style and the owners are super friendly. There is a space in the back that you can rent out for a bit dinner or an event. #jamaican #vegan #cheap-eats

7. City Steam Brewery Cafe

City Steam Brewery Cafe

Hartford, United States

Typical bar setting, perfect for knocking back a few beers with the gang accompanied by some of their shepherd’s pie. The best part about City Steam is that they have so many different brews on tap, that it will keep you entertained for the entire fall season. #beer #bar #cheap-eats

8. Trumbull Kitchen

Trumbull Kitchen

Hartford, United States

Trumbull kitchen is hands down my favorite lunch spot. I’m a sucker for their pad Thai, but I always end up ordering a stone pie instead. The restaurant is right by the Hartford Stage, which makes it a perfect dinner spot as well. #fine-dining #free-wifi #open-late

Discover Matador