Location: Middletown
Top Restaurants in Middletown
Top Things to do in Middletown
Connecticut, United States Food Guide: 10 American food Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Middletown
Best American restaurants nearby. Discover the best American food in Middletown. View Menus, Photos and Reviews for American restaurants near you.. Middletown is a city located in Middlesex County, Connecticut, along the Connecticut River, in the central part of the state, 16 miles (26 km) south of Hartford. In 1650, it was incorporated as a town under its original Indian name, Mattabeseck. It received its present name in 1653. Middletown was included within Hartford County upon its creation on May 10, 1666. In 1784, the central settlement was incorporated as a city distinct from the town. Both were included within newly formed Middlesex County in May 1785. In 1923, the City of Middletown was consolidated with the Town, making the city limits of the city quite extensive.
Things to do in Middletown
10. Herd Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 69 reviews
What do you get when a doctor, a lawyer, an artist and a chef meet over craft beer and a meal? Itâs not a jokeâHerd is the product of four souls, each offering an area of interest. HERD is a restaurant featuring fresh, locally sourced creations at the han
Reviewed By suematt70
We had dinner last night at Herd as my husband wanted to visit Chris Barron, a bar tender, that he knew from Wallingford. Our dinner was early, 5:00 and our reservation really wasnât needed. The bar became busy, but the dining room had just a few parties at that time. Our waitress, Nancy, was excellent. She was personable and efficient, timing our meal perfectly and checking on us a few times to be sure all was well. Happy Hour went until 7:00, so our glasses of wine were $5.00. My husband had the onion soup which was steaming hot and tasty and I ordered the eggplant frites which were good and enough to share for a small group. We brought some home. Next we had salads that were pretty large for a house salad. Mine had a bit too much dressing so next time Iâd order the dressing on the side. Our meals were the rib eye steak and a special for the night, chicken Marsala. Both delicious and served with potatoes, mashed or sweet, and tiny green beans. The steak was large and done perfectly. We shared a dessert special of blueberry cheesecake that was light and fluffy. It was a excellent meal for two for a reasonable price. The dining room is a bit stark, aiming for a western âherdâ of cattle ambiance with unusual lighting, herding photos, and dark beams. It was a bit chilly where we sat as each time someone opened the door there was a breeze,even with heavy curtains to try to block it. So weâd request seating further back next time. Actually, the front faces Metro Square so itâs a bit tricky to find, but parking is very convenient. We chatted a few minutes with the bar tender, Chris and were glad we tried this new dining option. Give this restaurant a try!
9. Athenian Diner Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 89 reviews
Reviewed By Thomas P
Had a spanakopita and salad, really nicely done, especially the deceptively small-looking Greek salad. Just the right amount of everything in it. Very clean chromey diner style place in a strip mall parking lot, which I often find hides a town's best food spots.
8. Carmela's on the Extension
Overall Ratings
4 based on 33 reviews
Reviewed By Tony114
My family and I visited Carmela's on the Extension on a recent Saturday around 11:00 a.m. and the restaurant was almost completed packed. We grabbed the last four-top table (the restaurant is seat yourself) and waited patiently for our server to bring us menus. That took a while. We ordered 2 coffees and water for the kids (ages 5 and 7). The drinks came quickly, but it took a while to get refills. For our meals, we ordered the chicken and waffles, which was really great. We had never had that before, and the waffle was homemade, the chicken was not frozen, but fresh, and the scrambled eggs were nicely cooked. I just wish we had been given syrup--it seems like that is something you shouldn't have to ask for. The chicken did come with honey-mustard dipping sauce. We also had the biscuits and gravy, which were excellent! The fluffy biscuits were covered in a sausage gravy and served with delicious home fries and scrambled eggs. The kids split one of the specials--Oreo and Reese's waffle! That was also outstanding. The entire bill came to about $35, which we thought was really affordable. Again, my only complaint is that the service took a while and it would have been nice to have more coffee, water, and syrup for the table. We will definitely be visiting again. Carmela's is only open for breakfast and lunch. Parking is not great either, but we found street parking. There is a parking lot on the premise, but it fills up quickly.
7. Tavern at the Armory
Overall Ratings
4 based on 89 reviews
Reviewed By Chambesy
The Tavern is bar and restaurant at the same time. While we were having dinner a large group came to drink at the bar. They were quite loud.We ordered the lamb and lobster ravioli and asked the waitress to choose two local beers for us. She served us a dark and a light beer, locally brewed. Both excellent. The lamb was cooked to perfection. I also liked the mashed potatoes that came with it and the undercooked string beans (better under than over cooked. But if you want all your customers to be happy maybe you should just cook them 1 minute more ;-). No room for desert. An herbal tea to finish the excellent meal.Service really friendly. Prices on the higher end for a bar meal.Thank you for your comments about your dining experience. We have just renovated the tavern and we are looking at ways to muffle the noise a bit like you experienced. We went from carpeting to all hardwood floors and there is more echoing. It is being addressed. I agree there is a fine line between under cooked / raw and overcooked and we try to be perfect. Overall is seems like you enjoyed the evening.
6. Cafe 56
Overall Ratings
4 based on 89 reviews
Very new restaurant. Only opened for about one month
Reviewed By d0wnhiller
I have eaten here numerous times since reviewing it, and thought it was good enough to bring to your attention again. I had a simple omelet filled with an herbed soft cheese, served with a fresh chopped salad of mesclun, cherry tomatoes, carrots, radishes and scallion topped with my choice of dressing. The omelet was soft, delicate, not overcooked, with a runny delicious filling. I finished with a piece of Washington Inn apple cake - a large wedge which I had no trouble polishing off.If there's a single word which best describes the food at this restaurant it's FRESH. Everything is made from scratch daily, including the house-made potato chips. The restaurant is very vegetarian friendly, and offers a good selection of daily seasonal specials. Sabrina, the chef/owner will probably visit your table to make sure you're satisfied. Service is very good.While it provides breakfast and lunch during the week, once a month there is a (BYOB) dinner featuring the cuisine of some other culture. This is really special - and if you're vegetarian, let Sabrina know and you won't be disappointed in their offering. You will have to call ahead for reservations, as it's usually sold out.There are a couple of ways to gauge the quality of a restaurant. If I asked you to pick the top five restaurants in Middletown you'd almost certainly include this one. If I had to pick one restaurant of those five for my last meal it would be this one. To slice it another way, if I had to eat at only one restaurant in Middletown, it would still be this one.
5. O'Rourke's Diner
Overall Ratings
4 based on 286 reviews
Reviewed By jtpcarroll5212
Amazing food and amazing service. The best breakfast experience I've had in a while. Stood on a line for it and was not disappointed. Owner came out and gave my wife and the other women tea and biscuits while we waited and anyone who wanted a coffee got it as well. The wait was not more than 15 minutes.
4. Red Fox Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 149 reviews
Steak & seafood restaurant with buffet room for parties. Bar is open until midnight every night except Sunday until 10pm
Reviewed By corduroykid
We joined another couple for dinner on a Friday night. The place was a somewhat crowded so service was a bit slower than we would have liked, but still OK. Of the four meals, the veal pesto was outstanding. The meat was tender and moist, just like it should be. The pork loin was very good. Chicken was nothing super special. Good, but not enough to order again. So overall, very good. Definitely worth a return visit. A bit out of the was so make sure you look for it.
3. Luce
Overall Ratings
4 based on 291 reviews
Reviewed By happytraveler552
Celebrating a small reunion of friends and the staff was wonderful. They gave us a great table to enjoy conversation and the wait staff were excellent and pleasant. The food was absolutely scrumptious. We completely enjoyed the portobello mushroom and eggplant appetizer as well as the calamari. Our entrees were delicious. We all enjoyed a different meal, and the presentation of the pork loin was beautiful as well as delicious. I was torn between ordering the spinach gnochi or the mushroom ravioli and I was delighted with the mushroom ravioli. We were celebrating a birthday and the waiter brought our dessert with the cutest candle. Such a delightful place. Easy access to the highway right on Main Street and perfect parking in the free lot next to the restaurant. We will return!
2. Celtic Cavern
Overall Ratings
4 based on 100 reviews
Middletown's first and only gastropub ... featuring 18 beers on tap and a dynamic menu designed to tempt every palate. (Kitchen open LATE: Sun-Thr til 12:00am and Fri-Sat til 1am)
Reviewed By Sgs8960
Celtic is a very special place, and always my first choice for both dining or grabbing a drink at the bar, with family or friends, for social or business. The food is unbelievable (thanks, Bill), and the house is the friendliest ever (thanks, Brandon). And the staff is professional, attentive, and just fun and welcoming. Too many to list - but Lauren, Chris, Sara, Kasey, Lexi, Courtney, Ang, Mea,Taylor, to start. - thanks guys!
Where to eat Pizza food in Middletown: The Best Restaurants and Bars
1. Taino Smokehouse
Overall Ratings
4 based on 222 reviews
Reviewed By Int_Bus_Travel
We went to Taino on recommendation of friends and were not disappointed. They get the BBQ right in this modest spot. We enjoyed house made sausage, pulled chicken, and great sides of BBQ baked beans, mashed potatoes, and corn bread. Beers on tap were good. There are a few tables inside and picnic tables outside. Service was friendly and efficient.
Most Popular Italian food in Middletown, Connecticut, United States
