43 Best American Restaurants near South Salem

“I happen to stumble across this place on my way home from an event in New Canaan. Service was amazing everyone was so warm, welcoming, and attentive! I ordered the steak off the specials menu with the side of risotto it was hands down one of the top three steaks I’ve had.Definitely recommend“

“I love the Horse and Hound Inn. I grew up 1mile from it. they have great people working here. Sue Val’s the owner is a mother to me/friend. i highly recommend the Horse and Hound Inn!!!“

“This is a warm and wonderful place- every time. We opted to sit outside with old friends who are visiting the area. Outside by the river is magical at this lovely place, where the food is so well executed, the staff reliable and honest, and the mood warm and kind. Although the noise level within the restaurant can be loud given its space as a prior schoolhouse, the outdoor space is quiet and the pace appropriate. The food always so reliably excellent, and the waitstaff seems to be solid and always there- that is, they seem to keep staff who seem happy to be there. A minor modification was asked for with one special tonight which was expertly executed. The food hot, the wine list reliable. This place is magical and is worth a visit!“

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

“Wonderful atmosphere, very pleasant staff and great food!“

“We had a post HS graduation luncheon at J. Law. Service went above and beyond and food was excellent. So glad we chose to have it here. They accommodated dietary restrictions and everyone was happy.“

“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.“

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

“So glad we randomly found this place on a road trip. Adorable atmosphere. Food is fresh and delicious !!! Excellent friendly staff.“

“Such an adorable place and the food was so delicious! Great ambiance! Lovely hostess and waitstaff“

“we had a party here and thanks to Helen and staff, it was amazing and affordable! Highly recommend!“

“LOVE the restaurant. The staff, the ambiance, the food> HOWEVER, getting TOO pricey!“

“THE BEST BURGERS ANYWHERE!! The staff is always so welcoming!! Liz and Evon are so friendly!!!👍👍“

“My fiancé and I went here for dinner... WOW! We split our two entrees and ended with homemade tiramisu. (If you love coffee like me this will check every box). The Octoberfest Wienerschnitzel was incredible and flavorful. We loved how seasoned the burger was, and the cook was perfect. Overall, a truly satisfying meal and a new restaurant on our weekly rotation. Thank you, Putnam House!“

“Love the Sycamore drive-in! We started getting mostly car hop service when the pandemic hit but we’ve inside a few times before that. Staff is great, always friendly, food is great! We’ve tried many things on the menu, from hamburgers to breakfast sandwiches to salads and always good!“

“Exceptional dining experience. Our party of eleven showed up on a very busy day and The Barn Door never skipped a beat. Food:A+, Service :A+, Friendliness of Staff:A+. If you plan to dine in the Ridgefield/Redding area area, the Barn Door is where you want to go. Ron & Denise Mangano Essex“

“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.“

“great food, location and service“

“fantastic food hands down“

“Great food, great people!“

“The North Star is a great restaurant. The owner, David, is very friendly and runs a good service team. The dark interior creates a great ambience, especially on winter evenings, and Thursdays when there is a live band on are particularly good. Outdoor seating in the summer is good, provided you have applied plenty of mozzie spray. There is a good wine list too. But the food is excellent; I particularly recommend the goat cheese or endive & pear salads as appetizers, and our kids love the truffle mac & cheese. For main courses I particularly recommend the Chilean sea bass. This is one of the few restaurants I think it worthwhile to save some room for dessert, too.

My one quibble would be that the menu doesn't change much. Introducing more seasonal variation would be great, but perhaps David thinks: if it ain't broke, why fix it?“

“Delicious food and excellent service! Extremely courteous staff! A wonderful experience“

“Quick in and out to order take maximum 15 minute wait when calling in until order is complete. Walk right into bar was helped immediately, great service. I tried most menu items and all the food was great. Highly recommend for dine in, take out, or doordash!“

“I used to go here quite often many moons ago, but for some reason haven't been there in quite a while. But was meeting an old friend who lives in New Caanan, and we chose this place. I opted for the Fish-n-Chips which was pretty tasty, but somewhat oily. But I ate every bit of it. The atmosphere is very "dive" bar ish, which is a bit of a charm in itself. We were able to eat our food and enjoy a couple of beers with some good conversation without them trying to turn over the table. After all these years CSE still has tasty food, and I'm sure I'll be back.“

“Love, love, love this place. They are constantly changing up the menu. Awesome food. The carrot ginger soup this past week was amazing! Always look forward to weekend food!“

“If you’re looking for a delightful dining experience, The Benjamin in Ridgefield, Ct., is a must-visit. From the moment we arrived, the service was impeccable, thanks in large part to our headwaiter, Gerardo, who ensured we felt welcomed and attended to throughout our meal.

We started with a variety of appetizers, which set a high bar for the rest of the meal. Each dish was beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. For the main courses, I opted for the Long Island Duck, which was expertly cooked and incredibly tender, while my husband enjoyed the Beef Short Ribs—rich, savory, and equally satisfying.

To finish off our meal, we indulged in the vanilla crème brûlée for dessert. It was simply out of this world—creamy, with a perfectly caramelized top that added just the right amount of sweetness.

Overall, our experience at The Benjamin was exceptional, and we wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant for anyone looking for delicious food and outstanding service in a warm and inviting atmosphere.“

“The best restaurant we've been to in a long time!

Our waitress was attentive, efficient, and friendly. The appetizers (jamón iberico and burrata) were incredible, and drinks were also very delicious. I ordered the half chicken with grits for an entrée and it was extremely flavorful and cooked perfectly.

The only thing that slightly disappointed me was the dessert. We ordered the chocolate ganache with pistachio gelato. The ganache had flaked salt on top and was too salty for my taste.“

“Hadn't been here in quite a while, but was beyond pleasantly surprised. The staff was super friendly and helpful, but also felt genuinely friendly. Everything was just fast. Drink and food came out before you thought they would (not in a bad way), and overall it was a great experience.“

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

“We were driving through Brewster N.Y and decided to try the Arch restaurant, the atmosphere was very delicate!The service and the food was wonderful. We had a good time ! recommend it!

Kid-friendliness: Nice place for kids!

Parking: The parking lot was very convenient!“

“Food was exceptional and our server Santiago was very friendly and knowledgeable. Great experience for us!!“

“Been coming here for a decade at this point, any time I am visiting family I stop in. This time I finally tried the Pickle Wings, and they were amazing! They fell right off the bone and were seasoned perfectly. Such a great vibe in there too!“

“Great Local place! Great food & service“

“I had a fantastic meal at The Lantern in Ridgefield, Connecticut, with my mother and stepfather. We were in a bit of a rush to get to a show, but the experience was seamless from start to finish. I opted for the Cubano with fries, which was absolutely delicious. My mother had the chicken Caesar, and my stepfather enjoyed the fish and chips along with a pint of pilsner and a glass of Dewar’s—everything was hot, fresh, and full of flavor.

What really stood out was the exceptional service. The staff was friendly, efficient, and made sure our food came out quickly, which was a big help with our tight schedule. We also appreciated the convenience of the QR code payment system, making checkout smooth and hassle-free.

All in all, it was a great dining experience with fantastic food and top-notch service. I highly recommend The Lantern for anyone looking for a great meal in Ridgefield!

Wheelchair accessibility: The Lantern is wheelchair accessible, with a street-level entrance that makes it easy to get inside. The space features wide aisles and pedestal tables, providing plenty of room for maneuverability. It’s a great option for those who need accessible seating without compromising comfort or convenience.“

“Nice place to sit and enjoy breakfast/brunch. The menu is really thoughtful and when I asked about it I was told it had evolved from customer favorites that had been specials. I had an amazing avocado toast that was super happy with. People were friendly. Little more pricey than a typical diner but totally get why and completely worth it.“

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

“The cocktails and the food were outstanding. The flavors of the appetizers (Kung Pao Brussels sprouts and Burata flatbread) were just delicious and all three of our main dishes (chicken pot pie, the sea bass and the clam and pork belly tagliatelle) just popped with deliciousness! Can't wait to go back!“

“Fun, energetic bar with great margaritas and modern Mexican cuisine. The menu has traditional flavors but with some fun spins on preparation & presentation.The staff was friendly and attentive.It’s a great upbeat place that will be perfect destination as the weather gets nicer and we can enjoy the outdoor space.“

“great food great staff great wine“

“Best cheese steak in town. Great beverage selection too.“

“We had an amazing dining experience thanks to Amanda! She was incredibly kind, courteous, and patient, making us feel so welcome. Her attentiveness and professionalism stood out, and she truly made our evening special. Amanda is an exceptional waitress, and we hope to have her serve us again in the future. Kudos to her and the team!“

“On October 27, 2024, as frequent patrons from Orange County, NY, we had the distinct pleasure of being served by a very special young lady, Amber S. Clearly possessing a very charming, sincere and genuine customer experience presentation, Amber established herself as exceptionally gifted, wonderful and very pleasant throughput the entire experience. Noticing one of the orders was overcookeed when she checked on us, she promptly had it replaced without question. Amber not only is an exemplary representative of The Cheesecake Factory, more impressively is her delightful, warm disposition, professionalism blended with personalized concern for assuring that all of her patrons enjoy a very fulfilling experience. Thank you Amber for all that you did, for sharing your very touching nature, most of all for being You.“

“The bar was an amazing experience! The bartenders are quick and responsive. They are diligent in responding to orders and cater to everyone. The atmosphere is vibrant and energetic. They have incredible music and I highly recommend going here!“