Ryan F.
If you’re visiting Connecticut, you simply must see Stamford. This mid-sized city has a lot to offer, much more than you might imagine. Remember, Connecticut is within driving distance of New York City.
Whether you want to walk in pedestrian-friendly areas with plenty of exciting attractions or visit malls such as The Stamford Town Center, Stamford is the place to be.
Love the theater? So do I, and that’s one of the reasons Stamford was my destination. While I was in this Connecticut city, I attended performances at the Connecticut Ballet and Connecticut Grand Opera.
Of all the fantastic experiences I had in Stamford, I must rank the restaurants among the top. There are so many restaurants in Stamford, it’s hard to know where to start.
Best Restaurants in Stamford
- The Capital Grille
- Olio
- Brasitas
- Colony Grill
- Casa Villa
- Cafe Silvium
- Remo’s
- Pellicci’s
- Barcelona Wine Bar
- Villa Italia
- Madonia Restaurant & Bar
That’s why I’ve brought you this list of impressive restaurants in Stamford that you should visit when you go there. Check out my list of the best restaurants in Stamford below!
The Capital Grille
230 Tresser Blvd, Stamford, CT 06901
Phone: 203-967-0000
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We all crave a perfect steak every once in a while, and that’s where The Capital Grille comes in. Book a reservation at this popular and stylish local restaurant.
The steaks and other dishes here are prepared with the most sophisticated methods. In fact, the steaks at The Capital Grille are dry-aged, all in-house, for between 18 and 24 days.
I had the Filet Mignon, and it was superb. Pair your wonderful steak meal with the perfect wine. There are at least 350 wines on The Capital Grille’s wine list, so you will be spoiled for choice.
Check out the wine kiosk that stretches all the way from the floor to the ceiling and that usually boasts up to 5,000 bottles.
Olio
934 Hope St, Stamford, CT 06907
Phone: 203-817-0303
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I love fine dining but prefer more laidback settings, and that is why I loved Olio. And don’t forget the fantastic dishes with top-notch fresh ingredients.
Olio prides itself on its conscientious sourcing, and it finds as many of its ingredients locally as possible. The restaurant prefers organic sources.
The menu here is perpetually exciting, with seasonal changes and new dishes introduced on a regular basis. Everything at Olio is made from scratch, including breads, pastas, desserts, sauces, and stocks.
When I had my meal at Olio, I wasn’t surprised that this Stamford restaurant has been talked about in The New York Times.
Brasitas
954 E Main St, Stamford, CT 06902
Phone: 203-323-3176
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Found on Main Street in the eastern part of Stamford, Brasitas is a Latin Fusion restaurant that visitors should experience at least once.
This well-known culinary establishment is known as one of the state’s best Latin American restaurants. If you enjoy or want to try Spanish and Latin American cuisine while you’re in Stamford, give Brasitas a try.
When I had dinner at Brasitas, I had the Camarones Al Ajillo. This delectable creation features shrimp sauteed in garlic, with white rioja & panca sauce, and spinach on saffron jasmine rice.
There are outstanding side dishes available too, such as the sliced avocado, sweet plantains, black beans, and sauteed spinach.
Colony Grill
172 Myrtle Ave, Stamford, CT 06902
Phone: 203-359-2184
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Head over to Myrtle Avenue to find Colony Grill, a legendary Stamford restaurant devoted to pizza. I don’t know about you, but I’m a huge pizza fan. What did I think of the pizza here? It was superb.
There are lots of unique pizza creations here, such as the Salad Pizza, Hot Oil Pizza, Cheese Pizza, and Sausage Pizza.
I had a couple of slices of the Sausage Pizza, and it was some of the best I’ve ever eaten. Go give it a try!
Can’t get too much pizza? Have it for breakfast too, with Colony Grill’s Breakfast Pies. I had this on one occasion, and I loved the combination of eggs, cheese, and sausage. If you don’t like sausage, you can go with bacon instead.
Casa Villa
866 E Main St, Stamford, CT 06902
Phone: 203-348-0622
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In the heart of Stamford, Casa Villa is all about real Mexican cuisine. Whether you want fajitas, burritos, quesadillas, and tacos, you’ve got to eat here during your time in the city. There are tempting drinks on offer too, especially margaritas.
I asked locals what to order at Casa Villa, and they mentioned the Tres Tacos Con Arroz and Frijoles. So, that’s what I went with for lunch when I visited this restaurant. Should you order it? Absolutely! There are other tacos on the menu too.
Stop by Casa Villa as you explore Stamford and its many attractions. It’s friendly and the atmosphere is laid back and casual.
Cafe Silvium
371 Shippan Ave, Stamford, CT 06902
Phone: 203-324-1651
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When it comes to Italian food, Cafe Silvium is one of Stamford’s gems. The creation of brothers Vincenzo and Nick Petrafesa, Cafe Silvium focuses on traditional Italian cuisine.
All the pasta here is made in-house, and there are delicious seasonal daily specials on offer. Remember to check them out when you’re in Stamford.
One of the best things about Cafe Silvium is its welcoming atmosphere, making you feel at home right away. The decor is stylish and sophisticated, and I was impressed by the service here.
There are many popular dishes here, such as the Fettuccine Mascarpone and Squid Ink Linguine with Scallops. You’ll find Cafe Silvium near Park Street.
Remo’s
35 Bedford St, Stamford, CT 06901
Phone: 203-973-0077
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One of my favorite parts of staying in Stamford was exploring the vibrant downtown area. The University of Connecticut, Stamford Campus, is nearby, and there is plenty of shopping and cultural significance.
Walking builds up an appetite, and that’s where Remo comes in. Located downtown near the university campus, this legendary pizza place features a brick oven where it makes all its pizzas.
While pizza is the main attraction here, there are many other popular dishes too, including the Grilled Chicken Sandwich and Buffalo Chicken Wings. There’s pasta too, like the Pasta Bolognese.
You get to build your own pizza at Remo’s, and that is just one of this eatery’s fantastic attractions. Head over and check it out for a delicious lunch or dinner.
Pellicci’s
96 Stillwater Ave, Stamford, CT 06902
Phone: 203-323-2542
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Located quite near Mill River Park, Pellicci’s is a classic Italian restaurant that has been a local institution since 1947.
For fine Italian cuisine, you can’t beat Pellici’s on Stillwater Avenue. I experienced one dinner at Pellicci’s, and I was thoroughly impressed.
There is a lovely lounge here, and it has a bar made from mahogany wood. Adding to the atmosphere is a peaceful waterfall, as well as a ceiling of stained glass.
There are many iconic dishes at Pellicci’s, with some of them being Chicken Parmigiana, Chicken Parm Sandwich, Baked Chicken, and Crab Cakes.
The Specialty Pizza here is excellent, as are the pasta dishes. When it comes to pasta, I highly recommend the Cheese Tortellini at Pellicci’s. It’s amazing!
Barcelona Wine Bar
222 Summer St, Stamford, CT 06901
Phone: 203-348-4800
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Barcelona Wine Bar is the ideal place if you want an evening out with wine and tapas. It’s easy to find on your adventures, in downtown Stamford near the Stamford Campus of the University of Connecticut.
This popular local wine bar combines the best of sophisticated style with rustic touches, in both the decor and cuisine.
For tapas as well as paella, Barcelona Wine Bar is a must-visit destination in Stamford, Connecticut. There is a patio here, so if the weather is fine, enjoy your wine and culinary creations outdoors.
I tried the Seafood Paella at Barcelona Wine Bar, and I have to say it was outstanding. Other often ordered dishes here are the Gambas Al Ajillo, Patatas Bravas, Spicy Beef Empanadas, and Hanger Steak.
Villa Italia Restaurant & Bar
26 Mill River St, Stamford, CT 06902
Phone: 203-348-7742
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In close proximity to Mill River Park, Villa Italia Restaurant & Bar offers a stylish atmosphere with all your favorite Italian comfort food.
This is a family-owned restaurant, which I really appreciate. It’s been a well-known Stamford culinary establishment since 1983.
Everything here is made from scratch, including the pasta and pizzas, and all the dishes are made from family recipes.
You can enjoy both lunch and dinner at Villa Italia Restaurant & Bar. I enjoyed lunch at Villa Italia Restaurant & Bar, and I had Lasagna Bolognese.
This classic lasagna features beef, mozzarella, and ricotta, as well as sauce. If you’re going to Villa Italia Restaurant & Bar, this is definitely a dish you should order.
Madonia Restaurant & Bar
1297 Long Ridge Rd, Stamford, CT 06903
Phone: 203-322-8870
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Madonia Restaurant & Bar is all about delicious Mediterranean cuisine. With French, Spanish, and Italian influences, the dishes here are always delicious.
This Stamford restaurant offers brunch, lunch, and dinner menus, and there is an excellent selection of wine.
This culinary establishment offers a seasonal menu, both for land and seafood ingredients. Among the best-loved creations here are the Gnocchi, Chicken Milanese, Burrata, Risotto, and Bar Lobster BLT.
I decided to have brunch at Madonia, and it was wonderful. I ordered the yummy Orange Ricotta Pancakes, which feature delectable pancakes with orange and creamy Vermont syrup, as well as fruit and home fries on the side.
Final Thoughts
So, which restaurant will you visit first? Make sure you experience more than a few on this list, or your Stamford trip won’t be complete.
And don’t forget the exciting shopping in Stamford. There are numerous upmarket retail therapy destinations in store. Shopping works up an appetite, so keep my list of restaurants at hand.
The nearby New Haven is just an hour away from Stamford. If you’re planning on visiting the area, you should check out our list of the best restaurants in New Haven.
Did we leave a restaurant out of this list of the best restaurants in Stamford? Make sure you leave us a comment and we’ll check it out!
