Best Casual Restaurants in Darien

42 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Restaurant L'Ostal restaurant

1. Restaurant L'Ostal

4.8

Exceptional(377)

Price: Expensive

• French • Darien

Booked 18 times today

L’Ostal is a Provencal restaurant rooted in history and tradition celebrating the cuisines of Southern France & its boundaries. Stemming from the old Occitania language, the word ‘ostal’ refers to house & the warmth of hospitality that encompasses welcoming one into your home. Throughout the six dialects of this language starting in Catalonia, stretching through the Languedoc into Provence and onto the Alps of Piemonte, they all embrace this welcoming through their cooking. We celebrate the traditions of each country through their amazing cuisine as well as showcasing the wine and heritage of indigenous products. We look forward to bringing our warmth in hospitality & dining to the great community of Darien, Connecticut. Welcome to our home at L’Ostal.Outdoor seating is available, but only offered weather depending, and reservations can be made day of, only over the phone, starting at 2pm on the day of.

2. Sails Bar & Grill

4.7

Exceptional(111)

Price: Moderate

• Café • Darien

Booked 25 times today

Sails Bar & Grill provides fresh, high quality food for its patrons. Some of the starter items that are popular include the tuna tartare, Sails tacos and the grilled tiger shrimp flatbread. Sails Bar & Grill also offers a variety of sushi specialty rolls, gnocchi Bolognese, mac and cheese, wild king salmon, pork tenderloin and burgers. Another feature that helps make Sails Bar & Grill popular with the locals and visitors is the live music and dancing available on the weekends. It helps to provide a unique atmosphere for the eatery. It is a fun and casual experience for family and friends to enjoy.

A photo of Sally's Apizza - Stamford restaurant

3. Sally's Apizza - Stamford

4.7

Exceptional(146)

Price: Moderate

• Italian • Stamford

Booked 36 times today

Sally's Apizza is a popular pizzeria located in Stamford, Connecticut. It is the second location of the famous Sally's Apizza restaurant in New Haven, Connecticut. Sally's Apizza is known for its thin-crust pizza, which is cooked in a coal-fired oven and topped with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Sally's Apizza Stamford also offers a variety of Italian classics, including fried mozzarella, chicken parmesan, salads, calamari, and Calabrian chicken wings. The restaurant has a casual, family-friendly and lively atmosphere that is a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

4. The Wheel

4.6

Exceptional(1013)

Price: Moderate

• American • Stamford

Booked 53 times today

The Wheel focuses on American cuisine brimming with locally sourced ingredients in an industrial chic, waterfront setting. Drawing on fresh ingredients from over 40 local farmers, fishermen and purveyors, the restaurant features the best of what’s in season with an ever-changing menu plus produce grown and harvested right from The Village’s rooftop garden. At the center of its open kitchen lies a hearth oven used to roast meats, fish and vegetables, as well as to bake Neapolitan-style pizzas.

5. Hatter Piano Bar

4.8

Exceptional(3)

Price: Moderate

• American • Norwalk

Welcome to **Hatter Piano Bar** in Norwalk—a timeless experience with a modern twist. Housed in a beautifully restored historic hat factory, Hatter brings the charm of a classic piano bar to life with live music, crafted cocktails, and an elevated late-night menu. With performances every Thursday through Saturday, Hatter showcases skilled pianists, soulful vocalists, and DJ sets that add a contemporary vibe, creating an inviting ambiance that blends the nostalgia of Norwalk’s first piano bar with today’s energy. Sip on iconic cocktails like the Manhattan, Old Fashioned, and seasonal specialties, crafted to perfection. Choose from elegant dining and cozy lounge areas ideal for special occasions or casual nights out. Make your reservations and join us at Hatter Piano Bar for an unforgettable night of music, flavor, and history reimagined.

A photo of Prime: An American Kitchen & Bar, Stamford CT restaurant

6. Prime: An American Kitchen & Bar, Stamford CT

4.8

Exceptional(1789)

Price: Very Expensive

• American • Stamford

Booked 31 times today

Dedicated to the expression of modern American cuisine, Prime: An American Kitchen & Bar is more than just a culinary adventure, it is a true experience. Guests can choose from an array of raw bar favorites, like blue point oysters, little neck clams, and lobster cocktail, along with Mizu Sushi, and steaks and chops like filet mignon and parmesan-crusted veal chop. For those with a sweet tooth, there are several dessert options, like New York style cheesecake, crème brûlée, and the crowd-favorite espresso martini – all served with complimentary water views, as both Prime locations are directly on the water with boat accessibility.Sunday Brunch is offered weekly, with catering options also available. Please note that reservations are recommended but walk-ins are always welcome...allowing you the time to explore our entire property with spectacular waterfront views.

7. Washington Prime

4.8

Exceptional(1164)

Price: Expensive

• American • South Norwalk

Booked 41 times today

Winner of Best Steak in Connecticut and top steakhouses in the U.S. by the Food Network, Washington Prime has the privilege of framing SoNo’s newest structure at the corner of Washington Street and Water Street. Adding to this historic and progressive waterside community, this highly anticipated Eating & Drinking Well is driven by a culinary and beverage program that is not about gimmicks - just honesty and creativity. No stranger to high impact restaurants, Washington Prime is brought to you by some of the area’s most dynamic restaurateurs. The land and sea menu is a bit of Americana with cross-cultural influences, the space is multi-dimensional and the attitude is left at the door. Here, we eat, we drink and we join in the fun.

A photo of Cheese and Bread - Norwalk restaurant

8. Cheese and Bread - Norwalk

4.4

Awesome(20)

Price: Expensive

• Georgian • Norwalk

Booked 4 times today

Cheese & Bread: A Taste of Georgia in NorwalkCheese & Bread is a new casual neighborhood eatery specializing in authentic Georgian cuisine. We offer a unique dining experience with delicious food, a warm atmosphere, and live music.**Our menu features:*** **Traditional Georgian dishes:** Khachapuri (stuffed bread), khinkali (dumplings), kupati sausage, meat and fish kebabs, chakapuli veal stew, and ojakhuri fried potato with meat and onions.* **Full bar:** Beer, wine, and spirits, including an extensive Georgian wine list.* **Coffee bar:** Enjoy a coffee or tea throughout the day.* **Breakfast:** Starting in August.**We are located at 68 Washington Street in South Norwalk.****Come experience the taste of Georgia at Cheese & Bread!**

A photo of The Ridges Seafood & Steakhouse restaurant

9. The Ridges Seafood & Steakhouse

4.8

Exceptional(193)

Price: Expensive

• Steakhouse • Stamford

Booked 5 times today

Conveniently in the heart of High Ridge Rd off of exit 34/35 on the Merrit Pkwy, The Ridges is a traditional NYC styled Steakhouse offering the best quality USDA Prime Dry Aged Steaks such as our succulent Porterhouse, bold NY Sirloin, tender lean Filet Mignon as well as fresh daily line caught seafood, and homemade pasta to North Stamford.We invite you into our vibrant dining room decorated with table cloths and flowers for birthdays, corporate meetings, date nights, or just a casual night out we are to ensure you have a memorable evening.

A photo of Taproot - South Norwalk restaurant

10. Taproot - South Norwalk

4.5

Awesome(176)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • South Norwalk

Booked 11 times today

Taproot is globally inspired and locally sourcedNominated for Connecticut’s Best restaurant by the Connecticut Restaurant Association, Taproot offers a chef driven menu with local ingredients in a down to earth setting.Chef-Driven. Local.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

R
Robert
San Antonio •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
A wonderful dinner - again! We just love this restaurant - great food, knowledgeable and careful service, comfortable setting. Three of us started with the sformata and escargot. If you have not had L’Ostal’s sformata you are missing a real treat: light, flavorful and warm - perfect for a cold night. The escargot were exactly as they should be ( and my son and I fought to soak up the sauce with the bread pieces!). For entrees, we each loved our choices. My son found the paparadelli to be exactly correct - hearty, tasty. My wife had the duck and we all thought it was ideal - moist, flavorful, tender. I had the skate and it was delicious. I love properly prepared skate but find it much less often these days - and L’Ostal made it perfect, light, flavorful, tender. A glass of Pinot noir and it was a perfect dinner. We just love this place! If you haven’t been, go soon.
More info
Restaurant L'OstalPrice: Expensive• French• Darien
•
4.8
A
ann
Washington, D.C. Area •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
A bit disappointed to be seated right by the service door to kitchen when there were other tables open. Also did not get the requested booth. Otherwise all good.
More info
The WheelPrice: Moderate• American• Stamford
•
4.6
T
ted
New York City •1 review
5.0
Dined on Jan 1, 2025
The house salad was great, as was the garden apizza.
More info
Sally's Apizza - StamfordPrice: Moderate• Italian• Stamford
•
4.7
K
Ken
New York City •3 reviews
4.0
Dined on Dec 20, 2024
Very good food and service, but the noise level is obscene, so enjoy the food in silence!
More info
Sails Bar & GrillPrice: Moderate• Café• Darien
•
4.7
D
Diane
New York City •3 reviews
4.0
Dined on Dec 15, 2024
Overall we enjoyed and appreciated the music , the creativity of the artwork and seating arrangements . It is definitely a place to consider going for a date night. The servers and owners were extremely welcoming and eager to assist, even with the bottle of wine to consider. The food is average for bar food .
More info
Hatter Piano BarPrice: Moderate• American• Norwalk
•
4.8

Explore OpenTable

Darien

Best Casual Restaurants in Darien

Price

Cuisine

Regions

Neighborhoods

Top Rated

Dining Options

Seating Options

Accessibility

42 restaurants available nearby

1. Restaurant L'Ostal

2. Sails Bar & Grill

3. Sally's Apizza - Stamford

4. The Wheel

5. Hatter Piano Bar

6. Prime: An American Kitchen & Bar, Stamford CT

7. Washington Prime

8. Cheese and Bread - Norwalk

9. The Ridges Seafood & Steakhouse

10. Taproot - South Norwalk

See what locals rave about

Explore OpenTable