From apizza to lobster rolls, Connecticut is home to various types of restaurants and, yet again, Connecticut Magazine's contributing food experts have shared their favorite eateries in the Nutmeg State for the Connecticut Magazine's Top Restaurants for 2025 list.
Experts have named restaurants in dozens of categories, from top cuisine (American, Mexican, Chinese, Italian, vegetarian, etc.) to outstanding appetizers and desserts, romantic ambiance, beer and wine selections and the best places to grab a burger.
Here, explore the top restaurants in the Hartford area. For those looking for something new to try, Connecticut Magazine experts also shared their picks for the 34 Top New Restaurants in Connecticut.
Scroll below to see which Hartford County spots were named as the top restaurants by Connecticut Magazine experts.
Hartford
Barbecue
25 Front St., Hartford, 860-785-8772
Italian
377 Cromwell Ave., Hartford, 860-372-4545
Mediterranean/Middle Eastern and Greek
550 Farmington Ave., Hartford, 860-233-8168
New restaurants
89 Arch St., Hartford, 959-256-5848
Steak
44 Front St., Hartford, 860-244-0075
West Hartford
Beer selection
73 Isham Road, West Hartford, 860-904-2124
Chinese
156 Shield St., West Hartford, 860-519-1740
French
975 Farmington Ave., West Hartford, 860-726-4588
Japanese, New restaurants
135 S. Main St., West Hartford, 860-816-8133
Latin/Caribbean
162 Shield St., West Hartford, 860-953-2672
Mediterranean/Middle Eastern and Greek
991 Farmington Ave., West Hartford, 860-955-0300
Pizza
1148 New Britain Ave., West Hartford, 860-236-7373
Spanish/Portuguese
971 Farmington Ave., West Hartford, 860-218-2100
Tacos
860-586-8226
Vietnamese
975 Farmington Ave., West Hartford, 860-351-7577
Farmington
Chinese
1600 S. East Road, Ste. 6, Farmington, 860-352-5353
East Hartford
Vietnamese
501 Main St., East Hartford, 860-569-3700
Avon
Chinese
255 W. Main St. #3, Avon, 860-404-2306
Simsbury
Outdoor dining
690 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury, 860-651-1908
Overall excellence, Romantic
77 West St., Simsbury, 860-651-5500
East Berlin
Diners
869 Mill St., East Berlin, 860-828-8981
Canton
Appetizers
110 Albany Tpke., Canton, 860-421-0210
Rocky Hill
Burgers, New restaurants
945B Cromwell Ave., Rocky Hill, 860-436-5322
Indian
154 New Britain Ave., Rocky Hill, 860-867-0706
Italian
377 Cromwell Ave., Rocky Hill, 860-372-4545
Windsor
Barbecue
2152 Poquonock Ave., Windsor, 860-785-8772
Southern/soul
305 Windsor Ave., Windsor, 860-241-8132
South Windsor
Beer selection
765 Sullivan Ave., South Windsor, 860-644-2707
Brunch
989 Ellington Road, South Windsor, 860-289-7929
Barbecue
454 Ellington Road, South Windsor, 860-785-8772
Manchester
Sushi
179 Deming St., Manchester, 860-783-8563
Pizza
221 Buckland Hills Drive, Manchester, 860-644-7333
Glastonbury
Sushi
63 Hebron Ave. Suite H, Glastonbury, 860-781-8268
Plainville
Chicken Wings
143 New Britain Ave., Plainville, 860-747-6813
Southington
Sushi, Japanese
405 Queen St., Southington, 860-276-8886
Breakfast
461 Queen St., Southington, 860-300-3704
Lunch
9 Center St., Southington, 860-621- 9192
Wethersfield
Diners
1797 Berlin Tpke., Wethersfield, 860-257-7006
New restaurants, Pizza
1178 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield, 860-955-7565
Traditional American
161 Main St., Wethersfield, 860-785-8499