Connecticut is not always thought of as the place to go for ultimate dining. Yet, the Constitution State has a thriving food scene with a variety of restaurants, cafes, local flavors, farm-to-table restaurants, upscale world-class dining, James Beard award-winning chefs, and to some, is considered the ultimate foodie destination with excellent seafood.
For all of its delectable bites, there's one thing missing in this New England hotspot. The elusive Michelin Star. If you're looking for Michelin Star Restaurants in Connecticut, you'll find that there are no restaurants with an official Michelin Star rating. That's not because restaurants aren't worthy of receiving any stars.
But since the Michelin Guide first came to the U.S. in 2005, Michelin has only added a handful of U.S. guides to their list. The United States has a total of more than 1,500 Michelin-starred restaurants in seven cities but Connecticut isn't one of them because there is no guide for the state.
Even though Connecticut doesn't have a Michelin Guide yet, one could be added in the future as Michelin continues to expand its U.S. guides. Keep reading to find out which Connecticut restaurants would be worthy of the Michelin rating.
- 4-serving meals starting at $3.77 per serving (up to 25% cheaper than HelloFresh).
- Incredible variety with 10+ weekly meal options, delivered directly to you.
- Easy to prepare meals ready in 30-minutes or less.
©Michael Berlfein/Shutterstock.com
Michelin Worthy Restaurants in Connecticut
Since the mid-1900s, the Michelin Star has been the most prestigious rating a restaurant could receive. Even though the stars are awarded to restaurants, not chefs, there are many chefs who spend their entire careers trying to earn a Michelin Star.
On the other hand, some chefs ask Michelin not to award them any stars. This is often due to the pressure it puts on a restaurant and its staff. Even after receiving a star, it's a lot of work for a restaurant to keep it.
No matter how some chefs or restaurant owners feel about the Michelin rating, it's a pretty good indicator of the best quality restaurants.
There isn't a Connecticut Michelin Guide yet, but there could be one added by Michelin in the future. The cuisine in Connecticut definitely has a creative flair and this state is often known for its delicious seafood. If Michelin decided to add a Connecticut Guide, here are some of the restaurants that could make the cut:
- Winvian Farm
- Restaurant L’Ostal
- Present Company
- Arethusa Al Tavolo
- Oyster Club
- Union League Cafe
- Materia
Each upscale Connecticut restaurant has its own unique atmosphere and cuisine. Let's take a closer look at the creativity of each restaurant and what makes each one worthy of a Michelin Star.
Restaurant at Winvian Farm
©Wirestock/ via Getty Images
Located in Morris, Connecticut, the Restaurant at Winvian Farm is an experience you don’t want to miss. This cozy farm-to-table restaurant is led by Executive Chef Chris Eddy with his fresh, local ingredients and exquisite menu.
The Restaurant at Winvian Farm has been recognized with five AAA Diamond awards. With the romantically lit rustic dining rooms, dining at Winvian Farm is more of an experience than a meal. Additionally, this restaurant is part of Relais & Chateaux, which is a membership that includes some of the most excellent hotels and restaurants around the world.
At Winvian Farm, they offer a three-course Prix Fixe Dinner with a menu that changes daily. You might enjoy items such as the Handmade Ricotta Gnocchi with butternut squash, kale, and spinach, or the Atlantic Halibut with creamed corn, caulini, and piquillo pepper.
Restaurant L’Ostal
©Goskova Tatiana/Shutterstock.com
From the charming atmosphere to the exceptional French cuisine, there are many things to love about Restaurant L'Ostal. Located in Darien, Connecticut, this quaint establishment offers an escape away from the busyness of life. The exceptional cuisine nearly transports you to Southern France.
Chef Jared Sipple leads the way to excellence in this restaurant. This chef spent over two decades honing his craft and worked in Michelin Star Restaurants across the U.S. and Europe.
With a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, L'Ostal has a seasonally changing menu and runs nightly specials. After starting off with some small plates, cheese, and charcuterie, you'll move on to your first and second courses. On the menu, you'll find items such as the Wild Striped Bass or the Moroccan Spiced Chicken. They also offer a wide range of wine selections and craft cocktails.
Present Company
©Ivana Lalicki/Shutterstock.com
Get ready for a vibrant, yet cozy, atmosphere when you visit Present Company in Tariffville, Connecticut. Owner and Chef Jeff Lizotte has worked in award-winning restaurants all around the globe. He has also been nominated for the James Beard Award and won the Connecticut Restaurant Association Chef of the Year Award.
You can choose from two different menus during your visit to Present Company. Guests are offered the a la carte menu or the five-course tasting menu.
When you dine at Present Company, you can start off your night with items such as the Shredded Tuscan Kale Salad or the Roasted Honeynut Squash. For your main course, you might enjoy the Grilled Hanger Steak or the Stuffed Branzino.
Arethusa Al Tavolo
©BARRI/Shutterstock.com
As a true dairy and seed-to-table restaurant, Chef Dan Magill and his team focus on using the freshest and highest quality ingredients at Arethusa al tavolo. Right next door to the restaurant is Arethusa Farm Dairy, which produces all the restaurant's dairy products.
Additionally, the ingredients for all of the meals at Arethusa al tavolo are sourced from local farms in Connecticut. Chef Dan Magill has won numerous awards and recognitions. He was nominated for the James Beard Award and was awarded the Chef of the Year by the Connecticut Restaurant Association.
The menu changes based on the freshest seasonal ingredients. However, you might find items like the Parsnip-Pear Soup and the Lobster and Avocado Salad. For your main course, you can enjoy delicious items like the Lamb Loin With Fig and Pistachio or the Diver Scallops.
Oyster Club
©Natalia Lisovskaya/Shutterstock.com
It’s no surprise that Connecticut is home to some of the top seafood restaurants. At Oyster Club in Mystic, Connecticut, the goal is for every guest to have a beautiful and thoughtful dining experience. They accomplish this through the atmosphere, ambiance, and delectable cuisine.
During the warmer months at the Oyster Club, you can enjoy an outdoor meal in the Treehouse, which offers beautiful views of the Mystic River. The menu at the Oyster Club includes classic seafood dishes and American classics such as pasta, burgers, and seafood.
Chef Renee Touponce was nominated for the James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Northeast. Chef Touponce ensures each menu item is carefully curated from local ingredients; the items change daily based on the local community. You can enjoy meals such as the Mussels with coconut lemongrass broth, cilantro, and lime. Or, you can try the clams and oysters from the raw bar, served with lemon and house cocktail sauce.
Union League Café
©Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock.com
Located in the heart of New Haven, Union League Café is an upscale restaurant with French-inspired cuisine. The atmosphere at Union League Café provides a luxurious yet relaxing place to enjoy a night out or have a meal with friends.
Union League Café is located across from Yale University and has some of the best cuisine and service in the area. Chef Guillaume Traversaz worked in award-winning restaurants in Europe and Australia before joining the team at Union League Café. The restaurant is also located in a historical building that occupies property once owned by New Haven’s first mayor, Roger Sherman. The ambiance of Union League Café combines the beauty of a lovely café with the history of the city.
To enjoy the full menu at Union League, you can choose the Chef's Tasting Menu, which is available Tuesday through Thursday. This six-course meal gives the full experience of all that Union League Café has to offer. You might enjoy items such as the Foie Gras Pressé with toasted nuts and dried fruit, or the Ricotta Ravioli with a butternut squash puree.
Materia
©Anastasia Kamysheva/Shutterstock.com
If you’re looking for an upscale Italian restaurant in Connecticut, Materia may be the perfect stop for you. Materia is located in Bantam and offers an extensive wine list, excellent service, and distinguished Italian cuisine.
The dining area at Materia is elegant and calm for those looking for a relaxing evening. For an even more intimate experience, the Montalcino Room is a private dining area within the Materia restaurant that seats up to 24 guests. This experience comes with a pre fixe menu and a luxurious wine pairing.
While the menu items at Materia do change with the seasons, you’ll often find items like the Tagliatelle Al Ragu with beef, pork, tomatoes, and parmigiano-reggiano or the Tortellini Alla Mantovana with roasted pumpkin ravioli.
Finding the Top Quality Restaurants in Connecticut
Connecticut is known for its beautiful seasons, breathtaking scenery, and even for its creative cuisine. Despite it often being overshadowed by the high-class restaurants in New York City, there are still many highly-rated fine dining restaurants in Connecticut.
Even though there aren't any Michelin Star Restaurants in Connecticut, Michelin could add a Connecticut Guide in the future. If Michelin decides to rate any Connecticut restaurants, some of these highly-rated restaurants may be at the top of the list.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images.