Choosing where to grab a drink and a bite in Milford shouldn’t feel like solving a puzzle. With so many spots claiming to be the best, it’s easy to end up somewhere forgettable. Let us cut through the noise. We’ve sipped and supped our way through the town’s bar-restaurant hybrids to bring you the 14 places actually worth your time and tab.
Colony Grill – Milford
$ | (203) 876-1935 | WEBSITE
Welcome to the tavern pizza tradition in Milford. Colony Grill has been a local favorite for years, when every neighborhood spot wanted to be the go-to for thin crust. Despite the simple setup and straightforward menu though, there’s nothing boring or predictable about it. Sit back, relax, and watch your hot oil-drizzled pie arrive with a sprinkle of parm and chili flakes.
Nautilus
$$ | (203) 283-1883 | WEBSITE
Yes, this is the party spot tasting menu. To figure out if you’ll like this restaurant, ask yourself this question: How much do I like celebration? If the answer is a lot, there’s some interesting dining going on here. Consider the pizza—a meatball vodka sauce pie, Caesar salad pizza, and spinach artichoke dip, served with a chicken sandwich that’s paired with crispy fries, and sliders with wings on the side.
Archie Moore’s Bar & Restaurant
$$ | (203) 876-5088 | WEBSITE
This Milford pub, with its welcoming staff and laid-back atmosphere, gives you just about everything you want from a neighborhood spot—with standout pub food to sweeten the deal. The menu features a range of satisfying bar classics like wings, nachos, and burgers. The Bison burger is a highlight, but not because of the burger alone. That’s just a vehicle for delicious homemade pickles and perfectly cooked fries. The fajita bowl with portobello mushroom is a nice little touch.
The Lazy Lobster
$$ | (475) 327-7020 | WEBSITE
It’s not every day that lunch begins with a lobster roll in the backyard of a coastal New England cottage, convincingly retrofitted into a cozy seafood shack. The Lazy Lobster also stands out for its classic dishes with homemade touches, like a crab cake crossed with fresh herbs, then served on toasted homemade bread.
This small outdoor seating area, which welcomes dogs and profits from their fantastic menu, is a great choice for a casual, relaxing special occasion: like a weekend when your plans involve not a fancy dinner, but maybe a drive from PA or NC.
Chili’s Grill & Bar
$$ | (203) 874-5140 | WEBSITE
In 2026, Chili’s Grill & Bar offers a mixed dining experience. We applaud the restaurant’s warm tortilla chips and salsa, which are delicious, and many customers enjoy the mozzarella sticks, which are very yummy. The chicken wings are just okay, but the overall atmosphere is described as awesome. While the service can be inconsistent, with long waits for drink refills and issues with customized orders, a twenty-dollar check sure does sting.
The generally not-too-crowded space and great food when prepared correctly are all nice touches, but they aren’t enough to make this place a must-visit.
Bar 3 Thirty Three
$$ | (203) 693-2637 | WEBSITE
When Bar 3 Thirty Three opened in 2017, it was one of the first spacious, family-friendly bar restaurants in Milford. If you’ve made it this far down our guide, you know it’s no longer the only one, but this warehouse-feel spot still has something special. More similar in spirit to a classic sports bar than a sleek cocktail lounge, Bar 3 Thirty Three has pretzel bites that read like comfort food, and servers in casual attire.
The menu is straightforward and accessible via QR code (we overall prefer the bolder flavors at more adventurous spots), but you can’t deny the deliciousness of those soft pretzel bites, or cheesesteak sliders that compress all the savory goodness into a handheld package. The Baha burger with pineapple hits the spot, and the lobster sliders are consistently tasty.
With friendly owners and bartenders, big TVs showing sports, and a good-sized parking lot, it’s a welcoming place where the beer is always cold and the atmosphere stays pleasant.
Citrus Restaurant
$$ | (203) 877-1138 | WEBSITE
At 15 years old, Citrus Restaurant in Milford is getting a little predictable. Does it deliver on quick, friendly service? Absolutely. The staff seems to have perfected the routine. But the food is only a step or two above reliable chain fare, and the dining room would feel like a suburban strip mall spot if it weren’t for the genuinely warm atmosphere and efficient flow.
Stonebridge Restaurant
$$ | (203) 874-7947 | WEBSITE
Legal Sea Foods, Union Oyster House, Neptune Oyster—there are so many New England seafood spots nowadays. But Stonebridge Restaurant exists in a category of its own. This friendly establishment in Milford is essentially a traditional experience, led by a staff that will keep your water glass filled and your plates cleared.
Featuring classic dishes, the food is more comforting than it is fancy, with standouts like an absolutely amazing lobster roll, and fresh cod served alongside a large cold seafood salad packed with seafood.
Liberty Rock Tavern
$ | (203) 283-3485 | WEBSITE
This American tavern on Bridgeport Ave in Milford puts a premium on comfort. For the most part, the staff’s welcoming attention will only elevate your experience—but sometimes, it gets a little overwhelming. For one thing, the show-stopping OG chicken sandwich has its own devoted following. The meal here costs around $25.
Casey’s Irish Pub
$ | (203) 874-1411 | WEBSITE
Are you a fan of comfort food? Do you like it when the staff makes you feel like you’ve been coming here for years even on your first visit? If you answered yes to either of those questions, or even if you just want a friendly neighborhood spot, make your way to Casey’s Irish Pub. Their menu features straightforward favorites like homemade buffalo wings and pepper poppers, all cooked just right in a warm, welcoming atmosphere where regulars greet each other by name.
Gusto Trattoria Italian Restaurant
$$ | (203) 876-7464 | WEBSITE
Gusto Trattoria is for old-school comfort. Modern spots are for right now. Located in a Milford storefront with a cozy dining room that feels like a home away from home, this Italian restaurant serves food that’s hearty and satisfying without feeling heavy or overdone. Every dish—such as prosciutto wrapped shrimp, or filet mignon with creamy risotto—comes with attentive service, and, if you need anything, a server will bring it with a genuine smile.
This restaurant provides a level of warmth that makes other places feel cold.
Crazy Horse Axe Throwing & Lounge
$$ | (203) 870-1010 | WEBSITE
There is a decent chance you’ll be surprised by Crazy Horse. You might even cheer during your roughly two-hour session and say something like, ‘Hey, check out that person hitting a bullseye on the digital target.’ But that’s part of the fun of this axe-throwing lounge in Milford. You come here to be challenged and try new things, like pizza that’s actually delicious and axe games that are more than just throwing at a boring target.
The atmosphere is welcoming and accommodating, and the experience in the friendly space is pretty laid back for a spot with such an unusual concept.
Dave & Buster’s Milford
$$ | (203) 701-4830 | WEBSITE
Inside the Milford mall, Dave & Buster’s rises to the challenge of blending arcade excitement with casual dining without being too overwhelming about it. It’s easy to get drawn in by the details of the well-maintained game floor and the fresh, tasty food. The first bite arrives with attentive service and accommodating staff, plus a lively atmosphere that resembles the heart of a weekend hangout.
Despite a few glimmers of inconsistency, though, the enjoyment persists by the time the play card runs out. For game-loving dining enthusiasts only—and don’t forget your appetite for fun.
BIG WIG’s MILFORD
$ | (203) 283-1419 | WEBSITE
Sort of sports bar, sort of community hub, Big Wig’s Milford is an antidote for generic chain restaurant fatigue. The spacious dining area with free pool tables and Connect 4 is lively without being overwhelming, and the food feels satisfying and familiar, with standout items like the Burger Royal resting on a perfectly toasted bun.
Reservations aren’t needed at all, so if you’re looking for a last-minute option for a casual gathering or after-work drinks, pop in for some reasonably priced cocktails and Will’s excellent bartending service.
