Filtering by Category: Seasonal,Events

140+ CT Restaurants, Caterers & Farms for Thanksgiving (2025 Edition)

Ingredients Features Events Restaurant Seasonal Thanksgiving Dining Guide Guide Thanksgiving Guide Homepage

Carly Terzigni November 10, 2025

As the holiday season approaches, there are restaurants and catering companies ready to make this Thanksgiving memorable. While there are plenty of businesses open for seating on Thanksgiving, there are even more offering holiday catering with all of the classic fixings to take the work out of your Thanksgiving Day hosting. To help you find the restaurant nearest you to order from or dine at on Thanksgiving, we’ve organized the guide by county. At the end, you’ll find a list of local businesses including farms, markets, and butcher shops where you can purchase turkey to prepare at home. We also noted which businesses specialize in vegan options. Happy Thanksgiving!

Bake Zone CT: Handcrafted Small Batch Brioche Donuts in Stamford

Events Features Ingredients Interview Donuts Woman Owned Pop-Up Bakery Baker Stamford Interview

Andrew Dominick October 29, 2025

Covering the hospitality industry for as long as I have, it’s a given you’ll come across people who left a completely different career to pursue their passion in cooking or baking. Sandeep Gupta is one of those people. She left her job doing app design and once she moved from San Francisco to Stamford, she started her own donut business. “I told my husband (Mayank), who’s also a developer and does IT, that I love designing apps and logos and everything, but that I want to follow my passion as a baker,” Gupta says. “I actually liked my job! It was creative and I wasn’t just coding. I made buttons, themes, making apps look pretty. That was me.”

Chefs For Chef Tasting Dinner To Benefit CT Hospitality Foundation Oct 26th

Events Features Dinner Events Chef's Tasting Fundraiser

CTbites Team October 13, 2025

Gioia, an Italian restaurant, market, gelateria and rooftop space located at 150 Wooster Street, New Haven, is hosting “Chefs for Chef,” a 5-course tasting dinner on Sunday, October 26 beginning at 6pm. In partnership with the Connecticut Restaurant Association, proceeds from the dinner benefit the Connecticut Hospitality Education Foundation, supporting education and opportunity in the local hospitality community.

The event will begin with a festive welcome cocktail and passed bites, followed by a five-course dinner featuring a signature dish from each chef with wine pairings. Participating chefs include:

Tyler Anderson, Millwright’s Restaurant
Tim Cabral, Gioia, Ordinary
Prasad Chirnomula, Chef Prasad Indian Cuisine
Michelle Greenfield, Allium Eatery
Avi Szapiro, Gioia
Chelsea Tripp, Kouign

Tickets are $175/pp for café and bar seating (not including tax and gratuity), and $350/pp for VIP Chef’s Counter Seats (only 4 are available!).

To purchase tickets, visit https://www.opentable.com/r/gioia-wooster-street-new-haven.

What's Geoff Smoking? A BBQ Pop Up at The Country Table in Greenwich

Events Features Ingredients Interview Restaurant BBQ Greenwich Pop-Up Interview Comfort Food

Andrew Dominick September 16, 2025

Something that Lazlo reflected back on wasn’t his storied culinary career at places like Gramercy Tavern, The Whelk, or Mill Street Bar & Table, it was smoking meats and listening to music. “It was about what brings me back to what my groove was,” he says. “Twenty years ago, I had this little smoker. I’d invite my friends over, crank up the Grateful Dead, have a couple beers, and have a good time.”

WIN 2 Seats On The Connecticut Pizza Trail Bus Tour Oct 1-2

Events Features Pizza CT Pizza Trail

CTbites Team September 03, 2025

Governor Ned Lamont today announced a statewide social media giveaway to celebrate the October 1 launch of the Connecticut Pizza Trail. Anyone who reshares CT Visit’s official “Connecticut By The Pie” social post will be entered into a raffle to win two tickets to the Connecticut Pizza Trail event—a two-day bus tour on DATTCO’s one-of-a-kind “Pizza Capital of the U.S.” coach, featuring the state’s most iconic and up-and-coming pizzerias.

How to Enter

On Instagram, X, or Facebook, share CT Visit’s official Pizza Trail.
Include the hashtag #CTByThePie in your caption.
Tag @CTvisit (Instagram/X) or @VisitConnecticut (Facebook).
Entries are valid only if all three steps are completed. One entry per person per platform.

Mooooncake Fest Comes To Bridgeport October 11-12 (sponsored post)

Features Events Food Festival Events EVENT

CTbites Team September 02, 2025

Celebrate the magic of the Mid-Autumn Festival at Mooooncake Fest -- a vibrant weekend of food, culture, and community coming to CT Hartford Amp on October 11-12, 2025.

Tradition Meets Celebration

One of Asia's most beloved holidays, the Mid-Autumn Festival is all about reunion, gratitude, and the beauty of the full moon. At Mooooncake Fest, you'll experience glowing lanterns, authentic mooncakes, and cultural traditions brought to life.

A Feast for Every Foodie

Savor 90+ Asian food vendors offering street eats, festival favorites, and seasonal specialties, plus 40+ merch stalls with crafts, gifts, and cultural treasures.

Celebrate Shelton Presents 2-Day Fall Food Trucks on the River Fall Edition (sponsored post)

Features Events Food Festival Events EVENT

CTbites Team August 29, 2025

Celebrate Shelton is bringing their most popular event Food Trucks on the River back for a very special Fall Edition!! This year's event will featuring an amazing lineup of 25+ food trucks, live music by: Mushroom Cloud, The Inside Out, Ros. Co., Doey Joey, Benny Mikula of The Alpaca Gnomes, Seth Adam & more, local artisans & vendors, mobile bar with New Belgium beer & Love Lou wines, Pop-Up Circus performances, and more!

$5 Suggested Donation

Bartender Sam Reyes + Mariposa Taqueria Launch Cocktail Pop Up El Jardín

Events Ingredients Interview Restaurant Cocktail Pop Up Danbury cocktails Bartender Pop-Up Homepage

Andrew Dominick August 25, 2025

Audrey Hepburn once had a quote about gardens, where she stated: “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” Sam Reyes is thinking about and believing in cocktail culture for tomorrow and a lot of tomorrows that will follow. Ever since Reyes (Mariposa Taqueria’s co-owner/bartender) captured a statewide award in 2023, specifically, a Connecticut Restaurant Association CRAZIES win for Bartender of the Year, he’s taken that W and he’s run with it.

Don't Miss "Reflections of a Summer in Kent at Ore Hill" Dinner August 23rd

Events Features Events Pop-Up Dinner

CTbites Team August 07, 2025

"Escape to Ore Hill, an intimate, seasonally driven restaurant set in a beautifully restored 18th century farmhouse in idyllic Litchfield County. Executive Chef Ryan Carbone presents a summer tasting menu, featuring the bountiful produce, dairy, and heritage Randall beef from partner Rock Cobble Farm. Prior to returning to his native Connecticut to helm the kitchen at Ore Hill, Chef Ryan was Chef de Cuisine with James Beard Award Winner Debbie Gold in Chicago, then at Jupiter, the second restaurant from the team of the celebrated restaurant King in NYC. Supporting Chef Ryan at Ore Hill and the adjacent casual Tavern Swyft, is Culinary Director and multiple James Beard Award semifinalist® Tyler Anderson, who will be on hand in the kitchen for this exclusive experience.

Reflections of a Summer in Kent at Ore Hill is part of the Friends of James Beard Benefit series; events hosted by generous people, businesses, and organizations outside of JBF that provide critical funding for our programs. Each event supports our mission to champion a standard of Good Food for Good® anchored in talent, equity, and sustainability."

Hartford Taste Returns with 30+ Restaurants, Music & Conversation

Features Events Events

CTbites Team May 21, 2025

Downtown Hartford will be teeming with live music and an eclectic variety of local cuisine by restaurateurs in the region as the city welcomes back Hartford Taste, presented by The Hartford, Friday and Saturday, June 6-7, on Pratt and Trumbull streets.

The 2025 event will feature more than 35 restaurants, 30 musical acts, live visual art and a brand-new cultural stage experience called The Kitchen Table – Good Food & Good Conversation, where chefs, mixologists and creatives will share live demonstrations, storytelling and interactive dialogue about what food and culture mean in Hartford today.

The Hartford is the presenting sponsor for the third year in a row and will continue to cover all vendor fees, allowing restaurants and food businesses to participate at no cost.

Celebrate Shelton Announces Food Trucks on the River (sponsored post)

Events Features Events EVENT Food Truck Live Music Shelton

CTbites Team May 06, 2025

Celebrate Shelton, a private city-wide initiative in its 11th year is thrilled to announce Food Trucks on the River, and several exciting community collaborations.

Food Trucks on the River, an exciting two-day festival will take place on Friday, May 30th, from 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM, and Saturday, May 31st, from 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM at Veterans Memorial Park in Downtown Shelton. In case of inclement weather, a rain date is set for Sunday, June 1st.

TIX On Sale! CHEFS ON STAGE at The AMP: Chefs Brian Lewis & Damon Sawyer

Events Features Events

Stephanie Webster May 05, 2025

CTbites & The Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater are excited to announce a NEW DINNER SERIES taking place ON STAGE this Summer. The first event will be held on June 7th at 6PM, with James Beard Nominee CHEF BRIAN LEWIS of The Cottage & OKO alongside CRAZIES “Chef Of The Year” Finalist CHEF DAMON SAWYER of 29 Markle Court. These chefs will be creating a very special dinner for ONLY 150 guests!

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE Tickets are $175pp.

The evening will include 4 courses of extraordinary food, live music, cocktails, wine & the unique experience of dining on the same stage on which your favorite band has performed.

All proceeds will benefit FILLING IN THE BLANKS, the Norwalk based organization that fights childhood hunger.

Inaugural Taste of SoNo Event On May 22nd To Benefit CT Foodshare (sponsored post)

Events Features Events

CTbites Team April 28, 2025

Join Anna and Raven of Star 99.9 & CT Foodshare for the Inaugural Taste of SoNo on May 22nd.

Taste of SoNo will feature a curated lineup of Fairfield County’s best restaurants and drink purveyors. Proceeds from the event benefit Connecticut Foodshare and help fight food insecurity across the state.

Taste of SoNo will include a silent auction, premium cocktails, live demonstrations, and live entertainment.

The event is hosted by Anna and Raven of Star 99.9.

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, May 22nd
Time: VIP session begins at 6PM and general admission is at 7PM
Location: The SoNo Collection (Magnificent Room), 100 North Water Street, Norwalk, CT 06854

Tickets are available now!
Get your General Admission or VIP tickets today at: donate.ctfoodshare.org/sono

Guide To Kentucky Derby Events & Parties in Connecticut (2025 Edition)

Events Features Kentucky Derby Events Homepage

Carly Terzigni April 25, 2025

Are you ready for the most exciting two minutes in sports? The 151st running of the Kentucky Derby takes place on Saturday, May 3, and TVs will be tuned in at restaurants across the state. Whether you’re looking for a spot to catch the race with friends or you want an all-out extravaganza where you can sport your favorite fascinator, there’s a Derby event in Connecticut for you! Check out the restaurants and businesses below that are hosting special events for the Derby. Keep in mind that the post time is just after 6:50 PM – don’t miss it!

Two Roads Brewing Company Launches Dinner Pairing Series- A New Brewery Experience

Events Features Brewery Ingredients Interview Tasting Menu Brewery Two Roads Brewing Company Craft Beer Spirits Distillery Interview Homepage Stratford Beer

Andrew Dominick March 20, 2025

If you’ve followed the evolution of Two Roads Brewing Company, it’s quite something. Since the main brewery opened in 2012, one thing they kept doing is continuing to evolve. Not including a laundry list of beer releases, Two Roads went onto open a second facility next to their Hop Yard six years ago that you now know as Area Two Experimental Brewing. Following Area Two and all their fun, funky small batch drops, and in no particular order, Two Roads got into making canned cocktails, non-alcoholic beer, distilling (we’ll have a few teasers on that), and they even purchased the former PizzaCo across the street and turned it into Two Roads Food Hall & Bar and next door, Two Roads Tee Box, a golf simulator, making it a full-blown “campus.”

Chef Tyler Anderson Announces Friends Collaboration Dinner Series

Features Events Events Celebrity Chef Chef Collab Dinner Series

CTbites Team October 31, 2024

Chef Tyler Anderson & Millwright’s have just announced a special series of 4 collaboration dinners with Chef Tyler and his friends. Guest Chefs are Chef Prasad (Indian Kitchen), Chef Billy Grant (Bricco), Chef Renee Touponce (Oyster Club/Port of Call), and Chef David Standridge (Shipwright’s Daughter). All dinners are 5 courses with wine pairings for $150 per person (not including tax and gratuity). These dinners will begin promptly at 6pm.

Anderson says, “Chefs work a lot. Sometimes the only way we get to hang out is doing a dinner together. It's a great way for us to reconnect and to learn from each other. I'm excited to be cooking alongside some of the best in the state and we will have more to come!”

Score your seat here, and act quickly. These will sell out!

2024 Catering Guide: 20+ Connecticut Caterers for Your Special Event

Ingredients Events Catering Guide Caterers Caterer Catering

April Guilbault October 10, 2024

Ah, the “ber” months-filled with so many great holidays and events! I think we can all agree that while we are excited for the holiday season, it can also be a bit daunting. Happily, at our beck and call are a plethora of fabulous resources, such as these skilled, creative, and enthusiastic caterers. Your work just got easier, your event just got more memorable, and the food just got more delicious. Book ‘em soon so you can lean back and enjoy these “ber” months! A note: We are listing towns where the caterers are based, but many of them work throughout CT, so don’t hesitate to call them. Enjoy!

2024 Connecticut Rooftop Bar Guide: 20+ Spots for Sips, Snacks, + Scenery

Features Seasonal Homepage Rooftop Cocktails Rooftop Bars Guide Highlight

Carly Terzigni August 16, 2024

Connecticut is no stranger to fantastic bars, but what if your beverage was paired with a spectacular rooftop view? There are several great rooftop bars around the state, each offering something unique.