I was checking out this restaurant for a bite to eat and a drink after work. I couldn't have been more impressed. The bar area was lively with lots of laughs and the drinks were all top-notch. I had the wings, calamari, and a short rib sandwich, everything was hot and delicious. From the management to the busboys, everybody was awesome. I checked out the ratings on google before I went there and I am quite perplexed. Those guys sounded like they just had an ax to grind instead of a real, unsolvable issue.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
john parlatore
If you haven’t been you need to rush to this location. In a sea of mediocre food in the area this place is a gem. Get the Pork Chop Martini and thank me later Michael and Jenn are stars!!!!! Bravo team
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
L Pompa
Jen did an amazing job! We were getting together as family for a life changing event. She gave us excellent service. She went above and beyond to make our lunch a special day!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Robin Weigle
Keith was awesome. Had a great time
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jenn Andrlik
We love going for drinks on our own or family dinners all together! The owner and staff are great as is the food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kaprice Hudson
Annie is the best host very allergy friendly amazing
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alexandra “Ali” Godfrey Woods
I absolutely adore everything about EAST and its thoughtful, tasteful remodel. From the start, it’s clear that great care was taken to honor the legacy of the old Partners Cafe—an East Norwalk neighborhood staple for decades—while breathing new life into the space. The way they’ve modernized and refreshed the atmosphere without losing that cozy, corner-bar charm is truly inspiring and, in my opinion, spot-on.
The exterior sets the tone right away, with adorable outdoor seating creatively sectioned off from the sidewalk using sea-faring dock rope—a clever and charming nod to the neighborhood’s harborfront vibe, even though the water is a couple blocks away. Inside, the space is light, airy, and full of modern energy—hip, but not pretentious or overly trendy. The design strikes a perfect balance between elevated and approachable, making it feel like the kind of neighborhood spot “where everybody knows your name,” without sacrificing quality or comfort.
The cocktail menu is so much fun—full of creative twists on classics and playful new options. I love trying a different one every time we visit! Whether we’re hanging out on the bar side or dining in the restaurant area, the vibe is always welcoming, with a clear sense of community (regulars and all—just like the movies!).
What really sets EAST apart for me is its versatility. I love coming here with my husband for a date night, with girlfriends for cocktails and catching up, and—perhaps most especially - with my kids! The restaurant is incredibly family-friendly, and my kids genuinely love the food. The menu has something for everyone, from comforting American staples to unexpected and delightful twists (like mashed potato pizza!). Everything we’ve tried has been delicious, and it’s clear the menu is crafted with care and intention.
And finally, the staff—always friendly, warm, and attentive—really help make the place feel like home. By the time we leave, it feels like we’re all part of the same crew. That old-school neighborhood spirit is alive and well at EAST, and it’s becoming increasingly rare to find.
My only complaint? I wish I lived closer! EAST has earned a permanent spot in our family’s rotation, and I can’t imagine anyone striking a better balance for this beloved neighborhood space.
If you're looking for a family-friendly dining experience, BJ Ryan's East is a fantastic choice! The atmosphere is warm and inviting, making it perfect for families to enjoy a meal together. The highlight of the menu is undoubtedly the pizza, which is absolutely delicious. The staff is friendly and attentive, ensuring that your dining experience is enjoyable from start to finish. I highly recommend BJ Ryan's East for a fun and tasty outing!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jamie Unruh
Went recently with my wife for the first time, and pretty quickly realized it won’t be our last. Friendly greetings as we walked in and it carried on from there. Ordered cocktails and apps to start. My martini was cold, balanced, and refreshing with just the right amount of vermouth for my liking. My wife loved her lemonade cocktail as well. Started with the clams casino and calamari. Both seasoned and cooked perfectly. Will definitely order again. We then shared the pork chop martini, which was suggested to us. Gotta say, I’m really glad we did. It was one of the best pork chops I’ve ever had. We decided to drink our dessert, once we saw the bourbon selection on the back bar. Many allocated bottles that I rarely see around town. Service was on point, and a few different people came to check on us, but never felt like we were interrupted or bothered. Excellent experience from beginning to end. Would give more stars if I could.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ryan McMurrer
Our favorite neighborhood restaurant and East Norwalk staple. The food is consistently excellent with something for everyone and the daily specials are not to be missed. Great for a casual weekday lunch/dinner or weekend outing with family or friends. Always a warm an welcoming atmosphere. Great bar energy and family-friendly comfort. Their outdoor patio is a must for food and drinks in the summertime.
East is a great place to go to relax and catch up on current sporting events. Enjoy great food from a versatile menu and daily specials. Friendly service combined with a great atmosphere! Don’t wait give it a try👍
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
AGCruz Gonzalez
I was very disappointed with my experience at this restaurant. The wings were served completely cold, and when I asked for a fresh order, it seemed like the same wings were simply microwaved with some BBQ sauce slapped on top.
Throughout the meal, no one checked on our table. We had to flag down multiple servers just to get the attention of the one assigned to us. Meanwhile, we noticed other tables receiving regular and attentive service from their servers.
Overall, the quality of both the food and the service was unacceptable. Based on this experience, I would not recommend this restaurant. Zero stars from me.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Ian Gingell
Food is pretty good. Way better at this other locations. Good luck parking. Your just going to have the parking spaces and seats flooded with way over the hill women. Bar smells like your grand mothers perfume.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 3
Robert Tarver
Went for a bridal shower, very enjoyable
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Srianna Modesti
I absolutely LOVED this place! It was a true gem! I’m out here visiting from Vegas and I felt right at home! A great family owned restaurant with great customer service! To the owners: Thank you for being so welcoming and transparent. We had so much fun last night! See you soon!
I was checking out this restaurant for a bite to eat and a drink after work. I couldn't have been more impressed. The bar area was lively with lots of laughs and the drinks were all top-notch. I had the wings, calamari, and a short rib sandwich, everything was hot and delicious. From the management to the busboys, everybody was awesome. I checked out the ratings on google before I went there and I am quite perplexed. Those guys sounded like they just had an ax to grind instead of a real, unsolvable issue.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If you haven’t been you need to rush to this location. In a sea of mediocre food in the area this place is a gem. Get the Pork Chop Martini and thank me later
Michael and Jenn are stars!!!!! Bravo team
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jen did an amazing job! We were getting together as family for a life changing event. She gave us excellent service. She went above and beyond to make our lunch a special day!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Keith was awesome. Had a great time
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We love going for drinks on our own or family dinners all together! The owner and staff are great as is the food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Annie is the best host very allergy friendly amazing
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I absolutely adore everything about EAST and its thoughtful, tasteful remodel. From the start, it’s clear that great care was taken to honor the legacy of the old Partners Cafe—an East Norwalk neighborhood staple for decades—while breathing new life into the space. The way they’ve modernized and refreshed the atmosphere without losing that cozy, corner-bar charm is truly inspiring and, in my opinion, spot-on.
The exterior sets the tone right away, with adorable outdoor seating creatively sectioned off from the sidewalk using sea-faring dock rope—a clever and charming nod to the neighborhood’s harborfront vibe, even though the water is a couple blocks away. Inside, the space is light, airy, and full of modern energy—hip, but not pretentious or overly trendy. The design strikes a perfect balance between elevated and approachable, making it feel like the kind of neighborhood spot “where everybody knows your name,” without sacrificing quality or comfort.
The cocktail menu is so much fun—full of creative twists on classics and playful new options. I love trying a different one every time we visit! Whether we’re hanging out on the bar side or dining in the restaurant area, the vibe is always welcoming, with a clear sense of community (regulars and all—just like the movies!).
What really sets EAST apart for me is its versatility. I love coming here with my husband for a date night, with girlfriends for cocktails and catching up, and—perhaps most especially - with my kids! The restaurant is incredibly family-friendly, and my kids genuinely love the food. The menu has something for everyone, from comforting American staples to unexpected and delightful twists (like mashed potato pizza!). Everything we’ve tried has been delicious, and it’s clear the menu is crafted with care and intention.
And finally, the staff—always friendly, warm, and attentive—really help make the place feel like home. By the time we leave, it feels like we’re all part of the same crew. That old-school neighborhood spirit is alive and well at EAST, and it’s becoming increasingly rare to find.
My only complaint? I wish I lived closer! EAST has earned a permanent spot in our family’s rotation, and I can’t imagine anyone striking a better balance for this beloved neighborhood space.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Parm Alfredo, Salad with Cheese Pizza, Chicken Parmesan, Buffalo Wing, Mashed Potatoes, Chicken Parm Pizza, Hot Oil Pizza
If you're looking for a family-friendly dining experience, BJ Ryan's East is a fantastic choice! The atmosphere is warm and inviting, making it perfect for families to enjoy a meal together. The highlight of the menu is undoubtedly the pizza, which is absolutely delicious. The staff is friendly and attentive, ensuring that your dining experience is enjoyable from start to finish. I highly recommend BJ Ryan's East for a fun and tasty outing!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Went recently with my wife for the first time, and pretty quickly realized it won’t be our last. Friendly greetings as we walked in and it carried on from there. Ordered cocktails and apps to start. My martini was cold, balanced, and refreshing with just the right amount of vermouth for my liking. My wife loved her lemonade cocktail as well. Started with the clams casino and calamari. Both seasoned and cooked perfectly. Will definitely order again. We then shared the pork chop martini, which was suggested to us. Gotta say, I’m really glad we did. It was one of the best pork chops I’ve ever had. We decided to drink our dessert, once we saw the bourbon selection on the back bar. Many allocated bottles that I rarely see around town. Service was on point, and a few different people came to check on us, but never felt like we were interrupted or bothered. Excellent experience from beginning to end. Would give more stars if I could.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Our favorite neighborhood restaurant and East Norwalk staple. The food is consistently excellent with something for everyone and the daily specials are not to be missed. Great for a casual weekday lunch/dinner or weekend outing with family or friends. Always a warm an welcoming atmosphere. Great bar energy and family-friendly comfort. Their outdoor patio is a must for food and drinks in the summertime.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
East is a great place to go to relax and catch up on current sporting events. Enjoy great food from a versatile menu and daily specials. Friendly service combined with a great atmosphere! Don’t wait give it a try👍
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I was very disappointed with my experience at this restaurant. The wings were served completely cold, and when I asked for a fresh order, it seemed like the same wings were simply microwaved with some BBQ sauce slapped on top.
Throughout the meal, no one checked on our table. We had to flag down multiple servers just to get the attention of the one assigned to us. Meanwhile, we noticed other tables receiving regular and attentive service from their servers.
Overall, the quality of both the food and the service was unacceptable. Based on this experience, I would not recommend this restaurant. Zero stars from me.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Food is pretty good. Way better at this other locations. Good luck parking. Your just going to have the parking spaces and seats flooded with way over the hill women. Bar smells like your grand mothers perfume.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 3
Went for a bridal shower, very enjoyable
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I absolutely LOVED this place! It was a true gem! I’m out here visiting from Vegas and I felt right at home! A great family owned restaurant with great customer service! To the owners: Thank you for being so welcoming and transparent. We had so much fun last night! See you soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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