Some cities like their restaurants predictable. Hartford is unquestionably a big eclectic dining city. We have a staggering amount of farm-to-table spots, modern Italian, craft cocktail bars, and more than one place with “kitchen” in the name. If you’ve ever ventured on a Hartford food quest like we have, you might’ve noticed our restaurant scene is also a tangled web of names that involve the word “tavern” and running themes.
It can be overwhelming, but we’re here to help you find the best ones in the city.
Monte Alban Restaurant
$ | (860) 523-7423 | WEBSITE
We come to this cozy Mexican spot in Hartford for their mole. It’s rich with complex spices and velvety chocolate that coats the tender chicken and seeps into the fluffy rice. For an extra dollar, we like ours with extra guacamole and a side of their fresh salsa. The food comes out promptly, so if you’re on a lunch break or heading to a show downtown, this is a great place to stop before you start navigating the street parking on Farmington Ave.
Panera Bread
$ | (860) 241-8260 | WEBSITE
What elevates this Panera Bread from the rest is: Maria—and her blueberry muffins. They’re the best of their kind in Hartford. The crumb is tender and studded with juicy berries in every bite. Maria is also really proud of her coffee, so make sure you grab a cup with some oat milk. At the condiment station, right next to the usual sugar, creamers, and stirrers, they also have honey sticks—which you should definitely add, too.
Maria is a whirlwind that moves through the café refilling napkins and hands you a fork with your muffin while chatting up hospital visitors. It’s for scooping up the crumbs that spill from these generously portioned treats.
Johnson Fish Market
$$$ | (860) 727-9205 | WEBSITE
There’s only one Johnson Fish Market in Hartford, and it’s the kind of place where you should absolutely ask for the crab cakes. We almost mistook the bustling fish market for a seafood lover’s paradise. There are fishing nets, maritime charts, and lobster traps tastefully arranged around the dining area. The restaurant’s passion for fresh ingredients is only rivaled by its dedication to keeping prices reasonable.
They take their time preparing everything, ensuring each fillet (which they cut in-house) is seasoned perfectly before it gets crowned with a light, crispy batter. Eating the fried orka is like eating at a fancy seafood joint, but it only costs the price of a casual meal. For $18, it’s a fantastic deal that pairs beautifully with their classic fish and chips.
Fire by Forge
$$ | (860) 727-8066 | WEBSITE
Hartford’s well-lit restaurants start feeling interchangeable when you’ve visited as many as we have. But true to its mission, this warehouse spot in the community is the most impressive non-profit establishment in Hartford. What separates it from the rest is how well they balance the flavors in these amazing dishes, giving each ingredient time to shine on the plate. We like the pork chops, which get a healthy drizzle of mole BBQ while they’re still on the grill.
The community-supported restaurant has been around for a few years and employs warm, impeccable staff who make serving our favorite lunch in the city look easy.
Banana Brazil Grill (Steakhouse Restaurant Buffet) Hartford CT
$ | (860) 206-9188 | WEBSITE
Head to Banana Brazil Grill in Hartford and dive into the buffet immediately after being seated. The Brazilian steakhouse offers a pay-by-weight system and to experience the full flavor, you must try the meats right away. The cuts are cooked to perfection and come with a variety of sides. But, for such a straightforward concept, there are plenty of options. They also serve excellent desserts and natural juices that should be enjoyed alongside the main meal.
It’s the place to prioritize the next time you’re craving a hearty, meat-focused dinner and some communal dining.
El Bohio Cafe 2
$ | (860) 503-6942 | WEBSITE
At El Bohio Cafe 2, when they recommend the rice and beans, you order it. The generous portion of perfectly seasoned beans lets the fluffy white rice (with tender chicken or savory beef mixed throughout) shine. The empanadas are fried to a crisp golden brown, yet still moist and flavorful inside. They give you a warm welcome that makes you feel like family—a feeling you will experience on every visit, thanks to the kindness and attentiveness of the staff.
El Bohio Cafe 2 feels like the kind of place you’d find in Santo Domingo. Until you realize their tres leches cake is made with Dominican rum, and then you remember you’re in Hartford.
Vista Alegre
$$ | (860) 216-0418 | WEBSITE
This Peruvian gem on Franklin Avenue serves portions so generous, they demand a hearty appetite and a clean plate to finish. It’s primarily a sit-down restaurant, but there are a few takeout orders for those craving the popular Chicharron de calamari with its perfectly cooked squid and yucca fries. Not much has changed since the place established its reputation, including the welcoming atmosphere.
Our favorite dish, the Tallarin Verde Con Bistic with its perfectly cooked sirloin and spinach pasta, costs around $28 and can satisfy two hungry diners. We’re guessing the Alegre part of the name refers to the fresh and flavorful ceviche. Don’t overlook that just because it’s not the main course.
La Casita Del Sabor ll
$ | (860) 920-9560 | WEBSITE
The empanadas at La Casita Del Sabor ll come in two styles: beef (the must-try) and chicken (a solid alternative). Their beef empanadas are packed with seasoned filling and if you order them fresh from the fryer, they’ll arrive piping hot with perfectly crisp shells. The dish to prioritize is the beef broth. The rich flavor and tender meat meld together beautifully to become the highlight of your evening. The inside has simple tables where you can dine, and there’s a cozy counter for quick bites.
Otherwise, takeout is a good option since the empanadas hold their texture quite well.
Spice Venue
$ | (860) 244-0000 | WEBSITE
Spice Venue is a Hartford institution, even if it doesn’t quite make the best Indian food in Hartford. They used to be, but these aren’t the same dishes we grew up eating. The restaurant is so popular these days, they’re more focused on volume than nuance. But the portions are still the biggest and filled with the most flavor, which is saying a lot because there are some hilariously generous plates on this guide.
Spice Venue has one location in downtown Hartford, where the sizzle of kebabs on the grill never stops. A lot of people take their food to go, but they have a cozy dining room inside if you want to eat there.
Vaughan’s Public House
$$ | (860) 882-1560 | WEBSITE
When you need a break from regular pub fare, head to Vaughan’s Public House for their melt-in-your-mouth steak tips. They’re exactly what they sound like: tender (but not so rich you’re overwhelmed) steak bites that rival high-end steakhouse meals. The crispy, not-too-saucy wings soak up that savory flavor, too. This spot is conveniently near the Society Room. So add it to your dinner rotation if you’re attending one of the many events nearby or need a hearty bite after the St.
Patrick’s Day parade.
Max Downtown
$$$ | (860) 522-2530 | WEBSITE
Max Downtown is Hartford’s sophisticated sibling who left the casual dining scene on a quest to elevate fine dining. And they’ve succeeded in that. They’ve been a staple for years. You can still sense their consistent excellence in every visit. They also still maintain that welcoming atmosphere, and haven’t lost their ability to create spontaneous connections. But they’re always ready for after-work gatherings, with their very popular bar area.
If you see the Oaxacan Love Affair cocktail on the menu, you’re in for a memorable drink. They make an incredibly fresh crab cake and like to serve it with just enough sauce (let them). It’s so perfectly prepared, they present it with cultured sophistication, like an offering to the seafood gods.
Viva Mexico Taqueria
$$ | (860) 216-3144 | WEBSITE
Viva Mexico Taqueria blurs the line between quick taqueria and sit-down dining. Their take on tacos is an authentic Mexican experience with chicken, shaved pork, and seasoned pork. But from there, Viva Mexico gets off the exit and speeds away from ordinary. They use flavorful seasonings and fresh ingredients. And instead of basic accompaniments, they serve beans and rice alongside, and offer a selection of Mexican beers to wash it all down.
It’s hard for us not to get those tacos every time we come here, but they’ve got more options, like the full menu that keeps things kid-friendly with multiple chairs and attentive waitstaff.
Pho Van
$ | (860) 298-9100 | WEBSITE
The name of this Hartford spot is spot-on. It’s actually a lot of Vietnam in here. We’re talking authentic flavors, Southeast Asian vibes, and a deep love of pho. This neighborhood Vietnamese joint is best known for its namesake: their pho—and it’s outstanding. The rich and flavorful broth is simmered for hours to develop perfect depth, with soft noodles and tender meat that holds it all together. If you want to fit in, make sure you top it with fresh herbs, lime, and jalapeños.
RAW*
$$ | (860) 461-0245 | WEBSITE
If choosing between sushi or seafood towers is your usual dining dilemma, RAW*’s lobster “raw dog” is here to solve it. This downtown Hartford spot serves a generous portion of fresh lobster with creative presentation that’ll convert even casual seafood fans. The restaurant also makes an excellent lobster mac ‘n cheese that’ll satisfy comfort food purists. Order your meal with a side of their well-seasoned French fries and don’t skip the cool cocktails for a complete experience.
There’s a fun vibe throughout the space that’s as welcoming as it is lively.
Ajamo
$ | (860) 947-0799 | WEBSITE
Of the many healthy lunch spots in Hartford, Ajamo stands out as the original must-visit. Their salads earn the adjective “fresh,” and that’s mostly due to the quality of the ingredients. This restaurant doesn’t fill their bowls with as many toppings as other salad places, but it’s all balanced well and flavorful. They even take the time to make their falafel in-house so it gets crispy along the edges.
The Thai Peanut wrap is tasty, satisfying, and seasoned in all the right places, but we like the falafel salad bowl a bit more.
Subway
$ | (860) 956-4100 | WEBSITE
By Hartford’s 24-hour dining standards, this Subway’s hours are a little unreliable. The location claims to be open around the clock, but has been known to close unexpectedly, leaving late-night sandwich seekers disappointed. They also make up for that by stuffing their sandwiches with fresh ingredients that taste like heaven, according to one regular.
Instead of focusing on gimmicks, Subway fills you up with customizable combinations and enough fresh veggies to give a health-conscious eater satisfaction. They offer plenty of sandwich options, but you’re better off sticking to the classics, like their Italian B.M.T. and oven-roasted chicken. The employees go above and beyond with excellent customer service, creating a positive experience despite the parking lot’s barely painted yellow concrete post that poses a potential hazard.
