50 Best American Restaurants near Darien

“Great food and friendly people. Plus, live music on Wednesday nights“

“We had a private event with 15 people in the back room and their event coordinator (Lindsay) and our waitress (Carmen) went above and beyond to make the day perfect for my 90 year old mom! Highly recommend this experience. The room could probably hold 20-25 comfortably.“

“Great food, welcome atmosphere, great service, fair prices….what’s not to love?!?“

“a great place, food is always fresh and delicious, the staff is the best!“

“Really good! Affordable and a really cute place!“

“By far the best in town I been here like 6 times food is amazing drinks are amazing servers are all attentive very helpful with the menu on explaining what they have and what’s the best to get. I never had a bad experience when I come. Servers also aren’t annoying like other restaurants they don’t come by while you’re eating which is great they always wait when you’re done to come and ask how is everything I hate when a server always comes by to disturb so this is something that stood with me. If you’re planning on coming here don’t second guess it just go.“

“Second time we have driven from Avon for lunch at Baldanza. Well worth the two hour round trip drive. Everything was PERFECT! Large selection to chose from. Food was delicious. Presentation beautiful. Service OUTSTANDING with no pressure or hurry. At our first visit in the Fall we were seated outside next to the brook which was nice and tranquil. The view yesterday of the ice and snow covered brook from our table inside this quaint former school house was picturesque. Highly recommend Baldanza. We will definitely be back.“

“Hudson Malone is our go to spot especially with our young kids. Jesus, Joe, Steve, the whole gang makes us feel so welcome and at home every time. No other restaurant around here is like this! They enjoy seeing us and our kids and we love seeing them! When we get a chance for a date night or a girls night, we love coming here too. The bar vibe is the best! We can always count on HM for a great meal, drinks, and great service.“

“Everything! The staff is so helpful and knowledgeable!“

“love it .kind,friendly staff,GREAT specials,creative ,yummmy.(easy to park)“

“We both had the caesar salad and the flank steak sandwich, which was delicious. Thank you for supporting Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce Restaurant Week. We will be back soon!“

“Shocked that this place isn’t packed with people. The service is incredible, we were greeted graciously and the waitress was so attentive. The food tastes fresh and very comforting. The starter of chips and frijoles was also spectacular. Couldn’t recommend more!!!“

“Best breakfast sandwich I’ve had!!! Fabulous soups, wonderful menu and lovely people!!!“

“Awesome old school bar-style burgers done right! You can tell they care and use quality ingredients. Cheeseburger with caramelized onions, pickles, and their house sauce (it’s kinda like a chipotle mayo) is the perfect combo. The staff and owners are as nice as can be too.“

“The food was amazing! I had the mafaldine Nero which is a seasonal selection and my fiancé had the beef Wellington and both were delicious. The Wellington was cooked perfectly and my pasta with braised octopus was to die for. We also had the creme brûlée which was delicious. The margarita was one of the tastiest margaritas and I’m not a big margarita fan. The old fashioned with hibiscus infused bourbon was unique in it’s taste but I loved it. It gave the bourbon a refreshing taste. Service was excellent!“

“I "cried" when my fave VEGAN or VEGETARIAN "GO-to" eat-in place closed all their locations around Boston. That was sadly & formerly GrainMaker .. (gone now) However DiG has grown on me as their deFACTO replacement for all FRESH VEGGIES and otherwise ALL FRESH MEAL VEGAN or VEGETERIAN eats and eat-in place! This is becoming my greatly reccomended "hidden vegan and veggie gem" in Boston with LOTS of locations. They have 3 locations thus far in Boston and 2 in Cambridge. I hav ONLY visited their downtown location thus far! Just as formerly with GrainMaker, DiG is as close to authentic home cooked! & genuinely HEALTHY! AND fresh meals that you can get to. Always fresh veggies, steamed & otherwise. --(they also serve a variety of proteins, as in variety of meats and fish, but i stay vegan. I have NEVER tried any of their meats or fish here.. ONLY their veggies and seasoned TOFU on occasion.. more oft than not, i do not even get their TOFU as a protein and opt to feast on JUST their steamed or boiled or baked veggies, bases. like rice and excellent mixed veggie salads sides!) Have been frequenting it for about 2 years since 2023 now, but held off on reviewing it until i was SURE of my experiences here. Decided to review it today bcs "it's time". I spoke to the very customer service oriented and responsibve supervisor here at this location, his name is DiJuan and was served by Adonis today and he was also very accommodating (after i explained i eat vegan) and on showing me my MANY fresh veggie choices, bases, proteins (including delish prepared Tofu) and PLENTY of heavenly veggie sides, all preped like you'd expect to find in a Thanksgiving grand day family meal. (AND they do this EVERY DAY!! ) This is HEALTHY eats and quite tasty and delish! See my posted pic w this review of my choice of eats today. In short, just today, i started with very little brown rice as my base and added 2 types of their fresh salad, Cannellini Beans w dill & greens along with their steamed or boiled Kale greens and added also a sweet potato that had been steamed & also steamed brocolli. I LUV eating fresh, healthy, TASTY and "homemade style" (as in NOT processed!!). I added their Garlic dressing to top it off. It came to something like 10+ bucks (B4 tax)! Unheard of !! for a BIG & FULLY portioned full veggie plate like this! BIG PORTION of a FULL PLATE! -- i declined, as usual to get any protein with my meal today, is why, STiLL i got a HUGE portioned plate! ( I normally HAVE2 order 2 - 3 separate orders and combine them, at HoneyGrow, anuther fave local "vegan" franchise in Boston, in order to get filled up if i'm only eating OMAD, as in One-meal-a-Day, in order to get full elsewhere usually!). They have a FAMILY (feeds4) option after 3pm every day that feeds 4-5 people (adults not kids) for like $43. QUITE A BARGAIN for something like this. AND it look like a Thankgiving day meal to top it off! --(formerly anuther non-vegan place "had this", now gone, called Boston Market. However they LOADED their side protions and even base meal with SO MUCH SALT, yuck! so that was ALL you could taste. THEY supposedly made home made, but found out NOT SO!!, theirs was loaded with processed sh*t, like their supposedly home-made mashed potatoes were the powder kind, loaded with pseudo milk and SALT, YUCK!!) NOT SO ! with this place.. DiG is 180 degrees fr tht.. This is truly GREAT tasting REAL and "home-prepped" veggies. They are winning me over from my other 2 "go-to's" "vegan-ish" franchises in Boston whcih have steadily been declining for various reasons, those being Bon-Me (their employees, over at Bon-Me for last 2-3 years it seems at ALL locations i have tried, simply do not undertsand nor speak english for the most part, their food WEN i can get it ordered the way i want it, is generally good, oft times its taken over 2 returned plates in order to get it prepared the way i orderd it.. v“

“Party of four. Everything from apps to Coffee was delicious. Highly recommend.“

“Stopped by this quaint little bar before a show, and the bartender immediately recognized my Streetlight Manifesto hat. she even played one of their songs on the speakers, which was an awesome gesture. Staff were super friendly, and the burger and fries were excellent. Great vibe all around.“

“always welcoming - love them all❣️“

“If you want top quality food and service this is the place to go. Cozy warm atmosphere and such friendly and inviting staff makes for such a perfect and memorable night !“

“Tremendous meal Wedge salad. Chicken parm. Penne vodka. All delicious. First time visitor. Expect to be back soon. Nice service. Thanks chef“

“The Granola Bar is great. Hard-working crew in the front and the back of the restaurant. They’re a friendly and efficient crew. It’s nice when they remember your name and seem to be happy working there. The Rachel sandwich can’t be beat!“

“Wonderful service, food and cocktails. Had a bit of everything and it all was exceptional. Highly recommend.“

“Splendid pancakes and paninis! The bacon on the side was cooked to perfection, delicious fries with the right amount of salt. It felt like everything was put together with love but not sacrificing the speed in which food came out. Me and my boyfriend will absolutely be back when we visit Connecticut again!“

“We came from Maine for the Soundside music festival and stayed in Norwalk. We ate here twice while in town for the weekend! We left our credit card on accident the first night and they held it for us! We’d forgotten coffee creamer for our air BnB so we asked the bar tender if we could buy a cup of cream. He gave it to us! Melissa was our waitress and she was great! Super friendly and great service. Over all AMAZING food and service!!! If we ever travel to Norwalk again we will definitely be back for some grub!“

“great food, location and service“

“Wings Robs way and Thai salmon salad“

“Cherry Street East is a wonderful spot for classic American food. They serve generous portions that are hearty and satisfying, and every dish feels made with care. The flavors are spot on, making it the perfect place whether you’re hungry for a casual bite or a full meal. What stood out most was the owner—so kind and genuinely welcoming—that made the whole experience feel like visiting a friend’s home. A place I’ll definitely be coming back to again and again!“

“We hadn't made a reservation but Lucia was super accommodating. We love eating here as it has a bustling vibe, like a New York bistro. Food, as always outstanding and atmosphere first class. Cannot wait to return.“

“Fabulous place fabulous food fabulous staff fantastic time“

“We approve #PGH412Natives“

“Love Dunville’s. My go to Place to gather with friends for great food, drinks 🍹 n a nice atmosphere. Don’t miss their brunch it’s amazing!“

“I went to Rizz Lounge & Grill with friends and had such an amazing night. The ambiance is upscale and modern. The food was delicious and fresh. The night I had went there was a DJ, and it really added to the dining experience. If you want a restaurant that has everything, great food, ambiance, and entertainment, you’ve found the right place! Can’t wait to come back!“

“We’d flown across the continent from Vancouver to New York, and drove up from Midtown to New Canaan to see something quieter. The moment we parked on Elm Street, it felt like the right destination. The name might belong to old horror movies, but the street was nothing but calm. My wife called it “cute” about a thousand times, and she wasn’t wrong.

We walked the shops, stepped in and out of small storefronts, and followed a narrow back alley when hunger finally caught up with us. That’s how we found Back End — tucked away, sunny, and exactly where it needed to be. The November air was cold, but the day had a clear sky that made everything feel sharp and clean.

Service was friendly and quick. The room had an easy rhythm — warm decor, high stools, tight tables. A space used well. Fun without being loud, relaxed without slowing down. Sometimes you stumble onto a place that matches your mood perfectly. This was one of those.

We shared tacos, Nonna's meatballs, and chicken dumplings. Every plate landed. Simple dishes done right, seasoned with confidence. Nothing heavy, nothing forced — the kind of food that keeps a conversation moving and a day on track.

Back End fit the afternoon. A hidden spot in a quiet town, found by accident on a long trip. The kind of place you remember because it met you exactly where you were.“

“Had dinner following my daughter’s graduation and everything was nothing short of excellent. We were seated promptly by a very friendly hostess. Our server was great and on top of everything. We have allergies and he went above and beyond to review the menu ensuring our meal was perfect. Food was excellent!! We will definitely be going back and would recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants a great meal with superb service.“

“Everything I had here was really good. Everything from the guacamole to the cheesesteak. My only wish is that they served the waffle fries with everything! Great uplifting atmosphere as well.“

“Around CT & NY Elm reliably holds its place with Pound Ridge, L’escale, Skittleman, Union League, plus honesty the coolest professional staff, blessed to have Elm 🌳..“

“Excellent food and service! Perfect before seeing a show at the Palace!“

“Great… just like it’s been for going on 50 years!!“

“This place is a gem, a real throwback to when dining out was a pleasure. Been here several times for lunch and dinner. Warmly welcomed each time. The service and the setting and the food are all top-notch. Great fish always, and many traditional Italian dishes to choose from. Good sides, too. Each dinner entree comes with a lovely salad , nicely presented with a tasty house dressing. I feel fortunate to live nearby but would drive longer if I had to. many of their regulars come from other towns.“

“We were at the hotel for the crossword tournament and decided to stay in for dinner. The place was busy and everyone seemed to be having a good time. Anthony took great care of us, making sure we felt welcome and had everything we needed. The food was terrific! We had the Brussels sprouts, Greek salad, cheeseburger, and grilled cheese sandwich. And a super-rich flourless chocolate cake for dessert. We look forward to returning when we're back for next year's tournament.“

“This Little Pub has been a staple for work lunches. They are conveniently a walking distance (if you prefer) away from my office. Their service has been great for over 10 years that I've been coming here. The food is as delicious as ever and they have a nice selection of beer that's not standard bar choices. If you don't already frequent this place, definitely stop in for a work lunch or hang out after work! It's going to become your go to work lunch spot.“

“Good food and spiked shakes“

“Love the LA Fit wrap, of course on a habanero tortilla. Great soups, too. All around a great option for a quick lunch.“

“fantastic food hands down“

“We had a great lunch here. We brought my mother and brother to have lunch and they loved it. The spinach artichoke dip is awesome. Very flavorful and served with amazing seasoned hot pita bread. I love the tomato soup and the crab bisque was excellent. The French dip sandwich is more than enough to share. We don’t like the fish and chips but mainly because it had an unusual batter and the halibut was cut into stick forms. The Belgian waffle was very flavorful. The service was challenging at times but overall we had a very good dining experience.“

“Stumbled upon this amazing spot! Great service, ambience & food. Suzie was so friendly & the customers that were local, made our day!
The only thing I have to mention is that the menu on the clipboard is very odd. A rubberband?! That needs to be changed & the awful clipboard 📋 for payment.
We will definitely be back!“

“Met a friend here for lunch on a cold winter day. The natural light coming through the windows overlooking the nearby canal was really lovely! Food was fresh and delicious and service was friendly and prompt. Loved the chopped salad and green pea falafel! The restaurant is beautifully decorated. I imagine it might get a little noisy at dinner time, but it was very nice at lunchtime. Also, they have their own parking, which is a big plus in Stamford. I plan to return!“

“Quaint, comfortable nautical themed dining room (larger than expected) with fireplace. Boasts a sophisticated "American" menu (lots of seafood, (sushi too!) pasta, salads, sandwiches) with something for everyone. Large selection of wines at every price level. Staff works well together. Nice bar area with several high tops if you want to be a little more casual, and keep an eye on a sports game Our food was great. Will come again.“

“Awesome time always. Staff always super welcoming and helpful. Service... excellent! LETS GOOOOOO!!!“