With the spring season in full bloom, Easter can’t be far away! This year, restaurants across the state are preparing special menus, including prix fixe meals and buffets, to celebrate the holiday. Whether you’re looking for a festive brunch or dinner, there are options all over the state. If you are hosting an Easter gathering at your home and you are looking for catering options, there are businesses ready to help out with the cooking! No matter how you choose to celebrate Easter this year, it’s sure to be delicious.
This guide has been organized by county to help you locate a restaurant nearest you. Scroll to your home county to see what businesses offer Easter specials this year.
Every year has its ups and downs, its highs and lows, and 2024 was no different. Maybe it was your best year yet or maybe it kind of stunk and you’re looking forward to 2025. Either way, I hope you were able to eat great food and share yummy drinks over inspiring conversations with family, loved ones, or by yourself if that’s what you really wanted (alone time is okay!). So no matter the type of year you’ve had, it’s important we all go out with a bang, collectively. This list will provide you with the many New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day dinners, parties, brunches, and celebrations that our great state of Connecticut has to offer. The list is also broken down by county, so you have no choice but to throw some glitter on, dig out your 2024 glasses that you’re planning on turning into 2025 glasses somehow (you’re creative, you got this), and get yourself to a great restaurant or a rockin’ club. Do we love clubs 364 days out of the year? Maybe not, but on December 31st, we do! Happy New Year to my fellow CT brethren and here's to 2025! And don’t forget the advil…you’ll thank me later.
The holidays are quickly approaching; before you know it, it’ll be time to set out your milk and cookies for Santa. This also means it’s time to book your Christmas Eve and Christmas Day reservations! Restaurants across the state will be open on Christmas Day, with even more open on Christmas Eve for a festive holiday lunch or dinner. If you plan to prepare a dazzling holiday feast at home but need an extra set of hands in the kitchen, why not call up your favorite local restaurant? Many offer catering with pick-up and delivery options, with menus including all of your Christmas needs, from appetizers to desserts.
We’ve broken this guide up by county to make it easier to find a restaurant near you – Fairfield, New London, Hartford, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, and Windham. Simply scroll down to the region of the state you live in (or wherever you and your family are gathering this Christmas) and check out which restaurants are open on December 24 or 25. Happy holidays!
SHOP LOCALLY at these 9 Connecticut dairy farms this holiday season. Here’s where you can find delicious eggnog, made in CT, and in some cases, delivered to your doorstep!
And here we are again, on the threshold of the holiday season! The weather might be a little warmer than usual (but then again, it snowed this morning. Anyone else keeping up with all of this?) but the holiday spirit is in full swing! With that comes the quest for the perfect gifts for all those lovelies on your list. We have scoured and explored and found some delicious and interesting gift ideas for you…fresh delivered milk anyone? We have divided this curated list into four sections: Gifts, Cookbooks, Subscriptions, and a few “Beyond Connecticut” items not to be missed.
Happy Shopping and Happy Holidays to you, our fellow foodies!
Get those stretchy pants out of the deep, dark depths of your closet…don’t worry, we all have a pair! Once a year, these pants are necessary, as holiday excitement overtakes the part of the brain that tells us we’re full. We fight that voice that tells us to stop, that third and even fourth helpings of mashed potatoes and red wine aren’t going to help us cope with that obnoxious uncle your mom sat you next to out of spite. You know what will help? Pie and pie only. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, as you can eat as much as you want without being judged, though they’ll still try. But keep your head held high, as this year you can brag about the wonderful pies you’ve spent hours upon hours picking out. You even preheated the oven and scooped out perfect balls of vanilla ice cream. So don’t let anyone tell you that you did nothing, because ice cream is not easy to scoop.
All throughout Connecticut you can find plenty of delicious pie options, whether you want your pies fruity, custardy, creamy, or gluten free. As they say, Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful, and while we celebrate our family, friends, furbabies, and crazy uncles we’ve never met, it is important to recognize the true Thanksgiving savior: pie. Lucky for you, this guide is organized by county, so scroll down to find yours! Gobble, gobble.
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and restaurants across Connecticut are preparing countless turkeys and pumpkin pies to serve you and your family. Whether you’re preparing a meal at home or you’ve decided to visit your favorite local restaurant, there are tons of businesses that are hard at work to make sure your Thanksgiving is the most memorable one yet.
From roasting a whole turkey yourself to heat-and-serve meals to a fully-plated multi-course meal served at the table, you can find your level of Thanksgiving exertion among the restaurants in this roundup. Time is running out, so don’t delay – order your Thanksgiving dinner or book your reservations today!
For your convenience, the guide is organized by county – simply find yours to see what local options are available! We have also made note of which locations are providing Vegan options this year. And, finally, if you want to pick up a fresh turkey to cook at home, there is a section devoted entirely to Connecticut farms at the bottom of the guide.
Connecticut is gearing up for the holidays with both the long running Miracle Christmas pop-up cocktail bar opening at three Connecticut bars, as well “Joy-ah for the Holidays! A Winter Wonderland” and “Ordinary’s Spirits of Christmas Past”, in New Haven. Make sure you hit up all of these as each has uniquely kitschy holiday décor, signature holiday themed cocktails, nibbles, and all the cheer and vibes you could possibly want or need.
Miracle Bar Pop-Up CT Locations
For those unfamiliar with Miracle Bar, this beloved Christmas themed holiday pop-up cocktail bar launched in 2014 in New York City, will continue spreading holiday cheer this year with over 100 locations around the world. Miracle is sure to get even the grouchiest grinch in the holiday spirit. Grab your ugly Christmas sweater and head to their following 3 CT locations featuring over the top holiday decor, holiday cocktails and oh so much more:
On the heels of their quarter century anniversary, Bailey’s Backyard, and its original and forever owner, Sal Bagliavio have a sequel. And no, it’s not following in the exact footsteps of Bailey’s—one of Connecticut O.G. farm-to-table restaurants. Ristorante numéro dos for Bagliavio and chef/partner Forrest Pasternack, who returned to Bailey’s recently, are entering the world of tacos with Taco Dia—because every day is taco day, not just Tuesdays.
If you’re at least a little familiar with Bailey’s, Bagliavio and Pasternack entering the realm of Mexican cuisine isn’t that shocking. Bailey’s is very New American, and if you’ve eaten there, Mexican pops up on the menu frequently, and especially on their Wednesday night Market Table tasting menu.
Welcome to New Haven, CT, where hidden gems await to host your next company get-together. Nestled amidst the vibrant cityscape are venues that promise to elevate your corporate events with charm, delectable cuisine, and unique atmospheres. Whether you're seeking the cozy ambiance of a café, the fresh flavors of a seafood restaurant, the warmth of an Italian eatery, the sophistication of a bar and steakhouse, or the soulful tunes of a jazz cabaret, New Haven offers a variety of settings to suit every occasion. Join us as we unveil six of the city's best-kept secrets for company gatherings, each offering its own distinctive appeal and the promise of a memorable event.
That’s exactly what Amanda Eng did. And now she’s making waves with her craft coffee concoctions that have included creative, original flavored lattes, cold brews with fruity sweet cream cold foams, and decadent cups of hot cocoa.
Amanda, and her coffee biz that’s named after her twins, Kash and Liv, is seemingly everywhere in the Newtown with pop ups at PTA meetings, to Newsylum Brewery, and others. Now with a home base inside of Uncle Matt’s Bakery and Café in nearby Sandy Hook, you’ll at least always know where to find her for your caffeine fix.
I recently caught up with Amanda to get Kash & Liv Coffee Creations’ origin story, to talk coffee and coffee inspiration, and what’s in her very near future.
Grab a cup (of her coffee if you have access) and check out our Q&A!
This year marks the 150th Running of the Roses at Churchill Downs. The Kentucky Derby is known as the most exciting two minutes in sports, and businesses across Connecticut will host viewing parties on Saturday, May 4th to make sure you can enjoy the action. Derby-themed food, mint juleps, and more will be available throughout the day at several restaurants around the state. Make sure you don your fanciest hat – many restaurants are holding contests! Some events are fun for the whole family, while others will have age restrictions, so make sure to double-check ahead of your Derby Day festivities.
It’s time to don your Easter bonnet and head out for what will hopefully be a bright and sunny holiday weekend! Whether you are looking for brunch or dinner, many Connecticut restaurants are serving tasty specials in celebration of Easter Sunday. If you are planning on hosting Easter at your house, several businesses have catering menus available as well.
Be sure to double-check the dates on some of these events, as several restaurants are hosting Easter get-togethers the weekend before. We have broken this guide up by county so you can easily locate an Easter brunch or dinner near you!
Connecticut’s beloved bagel brand, PopUp Bagels, kicked off four years ago when Goldberg and his cousin Jeff Lewis started making bagels for family and friends in the midst of the pandemic. Rave reviews led Goldberg to launching a backyard preorder pickup bagel biz that sold out time and time again. PopUp would then take their bagels on the road, opening…well…everywhere.
if you don’t already know what PopUp Bagels is all about—are fresh bagels, served to the customer piping hot, NOT pre sliced, and artisan schmears. The original concept required pre-orders of a dozen bagels, but when they launched their NYC location (to VERY long lines I might add), they spearheaded their new retail model. This was then replicated in Greenwich, where guests can walk up and order 3 bagels and a schmear for $12.
Popup Bagel’s NEW Newtown opens this weekend, March 22nd with pre-ordering only Friday, Saturday Sundays, but starting next week, the Newtown spot will be open every Wednesday-Sunday for for both pre-sale and walk in.
UP NEXT is their Fairfield location opening June 1st in the old Lobster Craft spot.
We’ve all walked into rooms that hum with energy. That special kind of vibrancy you can feel in the air, or in the spirit that pours from the people in your midst. In my recent travels, this inspiring energy was felt within the space that is Zesto Market & Juicery in Newtown.
Zesto Market & Juicery is, with its colorful logo and window art, a small establishment that one could easily pass in their daily rounds as it sits on a fairly busy street. I, myself, whizzed by it on my first trip there. However, one should take note of this establishment because it is dishing out huge helpings of good vibes in the form of healthful food and wellness knowledge. Great vibes, actually. These folks are buzzing with enthusiasm about eating clean, nourishing food and they are excited to share it with the community.
It’s February, which means love is most certainly in the air! If you’re looking for a romantic dinner for two to celebrate that special someone in your life, there is no shortage of places in Connecticut offering Valentine’s Day specials. There are plenty of prix fixe menus to go around, taking the guesswork out of the holiday! Be sure to book your reservations well in advance if you want to dine at your favorite restaurant. If your idea of the perfect Valentine’s Day involves less of a candlelit vibe and more of a laidback one, there are a lot of fun promotions to keep your Valentine’s Day more casual (I’m personally eyeing all of the great pizza specials). And if you want to celebrate Galentine’s Day with your closest friends, there are tons of special events happening this month, too.
Long story short, this is the month to celebrate all of our loved ones, and Connecticut’s finest restaurants want to be a part of that celebration!
We all love Eggnog, but we love it even more when it is sourced from local Connecticut farms. Here are 5 spots to check out for locally produced Eggnog for your holiday table.
This Eggnog lands on our gift-giving list every because, well, it’s simply a holiday must-have for a good, ol’ fashioned hap-hap-happiest holiday and this is the best one you’re going to get!
It’s a farm-to-bottle process for this holiday favorite that is produced at a home farm that has been chugging along for nearly two and a half centuries. This is eggnog the way eggnog should be made.
Two people walk into my bar. They both want to make amazing drinks for that holiday dinner. One of them is a bartender that studies the craft on a regular basis. The other person doesn’t know much besides a few drinks they they enjoy and have never made drinks themselves. Does one deserve to have a better time than the other simply because they do this all the time? I say no. We all deserve to have a good time and enjoy our adult beverages or mocktails.
IF YOU HAVE SKILLS WITH CRAFT COCKTAILS: Read the room, and read beyond the room. Holiday gatherings aren’t the time for us to prove why it was smart for us to drop out of college by pulling out the molecular mixology kits or playing with dry ice. The holiday gathering is about a laid back good time, or at least pretending that cooking for 17 hours is a relaxing activity. In any case, the beverage should contain flavors that anyone can understand, pronounce and enjoy without much research .
Use familiar spirits -bourbon and rum are seasonally fun. Vodka is a safe bet. Gin seems adventurous and may get a side eye, but in a sour style fruity cocktail, your guests WILL enjoy it. Sell them on the yummy ingredients.
Just One Thing-One ingredient can make multiple spirits shine and turn your 3-4 bottles into a complete menu.
The long running Miracle Christmas pop-up cocktail bar holiday pop-up is now open at three Connecticut bars you know and love. For those unfamiliar with Miracle Bar, this beloved Christmas themed holiday pop-up cocktail bar launched in 2014 in New York City, will continue spreading holiday cheer this year with over 100 locations around the world.
Miracle is a Christmas-themed pop-up cocktail bar that serves holiday cocktails in a festive setting. With kitschy holiday décor, professionally-developed cocktails and the nostalgic energy of the best office party you’ve ever been to, Miracle is sure to get even the grouchiest grinch in the holiday spirit.
Where can you find Miracle in CT?
Grab your ugly Christmas sweater and head to Riley's by the Seawall in Stratford, who has hosted Miracle in past years and returns in 2023 for some more fun. You can also track down some Miracle joy at first-time hosts, Perfusion in Newtown and The Hop Knot in Portland.
Riley's will be ready for the holiday festivities on Nov. 17. Perfusion, launches their pop-up on Nov. 21, and Hop Knot's debut on Nov. 29.
All three locations are ready for all the boozy holiday cheer you can muster.
