While Milford’s most legendary wing joint might be that iconic spot downtown, there’s far more to local wing culture than just classic buffalo. Smoky barbecue pits glazing wings with house-made sauces, Korean-inspired double-fried crunch, and Caribbean jerk wings with heat that deserves a Scoville rating. Milford’s best chicken wing restaurants are vibrant, varied, and you can find them across the city.
Clemente’s Pizza & Grill
$ | (203) 562-7888 | WEBSITE
You can count on Clemente’s Pizza & Grill in Milford for exceptional meat lovers pizza, being a welcoming spot to bring friends when one of them has a sudden craving for quesadillas, and for family dinners where plates of steaming eggplant Parmesan are shared and Clemente’s special salads are debated. As for what stands out on the straightforward menu of American and Italian classics, the answer is in the consistent praise from regulars.
The pizza offerings are the star, from the perfectly cooked gyro-topped pie to the hearty burger-loaded version.
Dew Drop Inn
$$ | (203) 735-7757 | WEBSITE
Dew Drop Inn in Milford is a bit of a scene, with Parmesan garlic butter wings arriving glistening and the Avocado Gorgonzola Bacon Burger towering with crispy bacon and creamy gorgonzola—with yet more flavor. But indulgence aside, the food is really great. Our go-to order is the classic wings with adventurous sauce options and that standout burger bursting with creativity.
While the space is warm enough to accommodate events like Monday night football, the hospitable ambiance and bike-friendly atmosphere scream chill crowd. There’s a culinary adventure energy to this place, where you’re just as likely to catch a game as you are to savor exceptional wings.
Mint Kitchen & Cocktails
$$ | (475) 335-3108 | WEBSITE
There’s little room for hesitation at a spot like Mint Kitchen & Cocktails. The Milford restaurant is a constantly buzzing, welcoming, and vibrant space. Regulars and newcomers snag one of their cozy booths early, while groups head to the bar area to enjoy well-crafted cocktails while perched on comfortable stools.
Honey sriracha wings being tossed in glossy sauce soundtrack the room, generous plates of perfectly cooked pasta float past like edible comfort, and expertly mixed drinks are constantly shaken and served. All are essential orders.
Southern Wings Express
$ | (203) 934-7811 | WEBSITE
Southern Wings Express feels much more vibrant than its straightforward storefront suggests. The compact, no-frills dining area is where groups gather, in a lively hum of conversation, as baskets of steaming wings are delivered to tables. Booths tucked along the walls are somewhere you could settle into, as friendly staff move efficiently about. If crispy, generously sized wings in a bold, tangy, garlic-spiked glaze sounds good to you, the garlic teriyaki flavor is a must-order.
The jerk and hot Buffalo options are also standout choices, packing serious heat and flavor. For those leaning boneless, the sweet chili version is a crowd-pleaser. Sides like the corn nuggets—about twenty golden, crunchy bites—and the creamy Mac mash shouldn’t be missed. There’s nothing to distract from the hearty, satisfying food in a focused spot like this, and Southern Wings Express doesn’t need the frills.
Southern chicken and waffle
$ | (203) 751-9111 | WEBSITE
Southern Chicken and Waffle is a straightforward, fluorescent-lit, hole-in-the-wall type of place that lives in the literal shadow of fancier dining spots. Unlike those polished establishments, Southern Chicken and Waffle is made for swift but always-satisfying meals—from freshly fried chicken tenders, waffles straight from the iron, and steaming piles of baked mac and cheese.
Given its simple decor and reasonable prices, Southern Chicken and Waffle isn’t somewhere you tend to spend a lot of time, but it pretty much guarantees a good one when you’re in need of filling flavours.
B.Side by Blackjacks
$$ | (203) 549-8105 | WEBSITE
Bridgeport might not be your first choice for a night out—we understand, the downtown hustle can feel overwhelming. But this cozy wing spot on the city’s edge is worth navigating the weekend crowds. The lively, welcoming atmosphere could either come from the great music playing overhead, or the sizzling Buffalo wings that arrive perfectly crispy.
The decent prices, friendly bartenders, and daily specials make this the ultimate pre-game spot when you’re craving honey garlic wings or our must-try order, candy man wings—tender chicken with that sticky-sweet glaze.
Uncle Jimmy’s 173 Surf & Turf
$ | (203) 553-4488 | WEBSITE
We can’t think of many laid-back dinner situations that Uncle Jimmy’s 173 Surf & Turf, a Jamaican-American soul spot in Milford, doesn’t suit. Stepping off the busy street and into this restaurant, we were comforted by familiar, homely sights—sports playing on the TV, framed family photos on the walls, and warm lighting that made everything glow. As dishes kept coming out of the kitchen, we relaxed further into our seats, laughed louder, and bickered over the last honey cajun wing.
Dishes at this restaurant are soothing, especially the fried shrimp with homemade cocktail sauce—a tangy, rich dip, perfect for scooping up with big pieces of fried okra. Uncle Jimmy’s phone rings off the hook with people wanting to snag last-minute tables, so book ahead.
Domino’s Pizza
$ | (203) 877-4040 | WEBSITE
The quick and reliable service at Domino’s Pizza is the first indicator that the Milford location is somewhere to come for a satisfying meal. The clean dining area, with bright overhead lighting and simple booths, is primed for locals grabbing any and every quick bite. Although Domino’s Pizza serves dishes found all over pizza chains, its consistent quality has a big influence on the experience.
The personalized pizza is a must-order—the crust, topped with fresh ingredients and melted cheese, is reliably hot and flavorful.
Papa Dough’s
$ | (203) 380-2680 | WEBSITE
The creative American comfort food coming out of the kitchen at Papa Dough’s mixes both classic and inventive flavours, and the spacious West Haven spot is famous for a tonne of good reasons. A large chunk of locals have got a story to tell about a time here, and pretty much all of them involve the cheers of excitement when the crispy boneless wings with unique sauce options arrive. These days, the pizza isn’t the only reason people come.
The Philly cheesesteak egg rolls are passable and those original thick crust Papa Jr pies get a pass for nostalgic reasons. But as far as a multi-room, always buzzing, truly enjoyable restaurant goes, Papa Dough’s is a true part of Milford’s furniture.
Mainport Fish & Chips
$ | (475) 224-5811 | WEBSITE
There are a few late-night spots in Milford that serve chicken wings, but this Halal drive-thru institution is the one to beat. Crispy fried chicken wings tossed in a tangy house sauce are a favourite off the fryer along with perfectly seasoned pieces of fish combo. The compact space was built for quick take-out orders and hungry solo diners.
The straightforward menu covers all the essentials—from chicken and rice plates to snack boxes—and if you’re looking for somewhere to satisfy those fried cravings after hours, Mainport Fish & Chips has been doing just that reliably.
Wing It On!
$ | (203) 690-1989 | WEBSITE
A lively and bustling wing joint in Milford, Wing It On! is a standout spot known for its extensive sauce selection and generous portions, and has an extra crispy wing with extra sauce that we all need in our lives. Spend an evening dunking the spicy Wings of Prey into that garlic parm sauce, marveling at the creamy Buffalo Mac, and claiming you’re done before going for another tender with hickory BBQ.
Casual game-day gatherings and last-minute cravings before heading home are our favorite ways to use this spot. Just make sure you come hungry because the chicken portions are big.
