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Best Neighborhood Gem Restaurants in Centerbrook

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10 restaurants available nearby

A photo of The Griswold Inn restaurant
1. The Griswold Inn
4.5
Awesome(933)
Price: Expensive
• American • Essex
Booked 11 times today
The Griswold Inn is an inn and restaurant located in the historic seaport village of Essex. The Gris, as it is affectionately known, has been in continous operation since 1776.`Currently we are offering dine in, dine out, and Gris To Go! Inside, guests may enjoy dining in historic, art-filled rooms which exude character, charm and tradition. Seating for the alfresco experience is available on a first-come, first-served basis, with the exception of larger parties of 7 or more which may be made by calling 860.767.1776. The Inn boasts a wine list consistently recognized by Wine Spectator with the prestigious Award of Excellence; Food & Wine and Travel + Leisure have recently recognized the Inn's restaurant as "Connecticut's coziest" and it is included in Patricia Schulz's "1000 Places to See Before You Die". The Griswold Inn is also the recipient of Connecticut's Highest Award for Hospitality. The best of old and new meet here.
A photo of La Marea restaurant
2. La Marea
4.8
Exceptional(1802)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Old Saybrook
Booked 10 times today
Savor the authentic tastes of Italy when you dine at La Marea. Located on the shoreline of CT in Old Saybrook, our family owned Italian restaurant prepares northern and southern Italian cuisine using a mix of the finest imports from Italy as well as fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Gluten Free and Vegetarian options are available. Enjoy your dining experience in either our dining room or be sure to reserve a seat at our conversational hi-top tables or at the bar in our lounge.Important: when making a reservation through OpenTable there is an option to make a reservation at a high top table in the bar area or standard table which is in the dining room. If the high top option does not pop up as an option for you then that means that there are NO High Top tables available at those times. If you would like to reserve bar seats please leave us a note or call us. See you soon! Take-out available
A photo of The Essex restaurant
3. The Essex
4.8
Exceptional(1034)
Price: Expensive
• American • Old Saybrook
Booked 6 times today
Set in the heart of downtown, across from the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, the “new” Essex will continue to offer the progressive, modern, approachable cuisine that has made it a top restaurant in the region. Whether it’s a pre-theater dinner, a casual gathering with friends, or a tasting menu for a special evening, guests can gather at The Essex to create memories with family and friends while enjoying excellent cuisine. The Essex menu showcases modern American cuisine that draws inspiration from the land, sea and deep heritage of the Connecticut River Valley, using the freshest locally sourced products available from farm and sea. All will inspire an ever-changing menu of progressive interpretations of timeless dishes. "Voted Best New Restaurant in New England" Yankee Magazine "Best Restaurants in Connecticut" CT Magazine "Not to be Missed" Town & Country Magazine"Rising Chef Star" CT Mag
A photo of Café Routier restaurant
4. Café Routier
4.7
Exceptional(2171)
Price: Moderate
• American • Westbrook
Booked 11 times today
Café Routier is a neighborhood gem because of its excellent service, delightful food, and a consistently evolving menu. Reviewers rave about its creative, flavorful dishes, with one noting, 'The menu is always exciting and always on point!' Another reviewer says, 'The food is outstanding. I have been going to this restaurant for the last three years. Each time is better than the last!' The restaurant is also praised for its ambiance, being described as 'cozy and romantic' and 'welcoming.'
A photo of Liv's Oyster Bar restaurant
5. Liv's Oyster Bar
4.9
Exceptional(2703)
Price: Expensive
• Seafood • Old Saybrook
Booked 5 times today
Opening in 2006, Liv’s Oyster Bar and Restaurant quickly became a dining destination in Old Saybrook. Inspired by his daughter, Olivia, and years of experience in the restaurant industry, owner John Brescio set out with a desire to welcome the community to his family’s table.Dining at Liv’s, whether in the main room, at the bar, or on the patio, is an experience to be savored with friends and family long after summer on the shoreline has past.John Brescio also serves as Liv’s Executive Chef, creating simple, focused dishes with an emphasis on local ingredients, and the stunning seafood that the area provides. The menu at Liv’s changes with the seasons, bringing guests a true taste of the pristine environment. John works closely with Liv’s partners to make sure only the best produce is used, as he would serve nothing less to his family.Together with his exceptional staff, John welcomes you to the special experience he’s created at Liv’s Oyster Bar.
A photo of Aspen Restaurant restaurant
6. Aspen Restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(1709)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary American • Old Saybrook
Booked 9 times today
Aspen Restaurant is a neighborhood gem, located in Old Saybrook, CT. Known for its contemporary American cuisine with global accents, it was voted the 'Best New Restaurant for 2009' by Connecticut Magazine. Customers rave about its warm, comfortable elegance, great service and delicious food, with many reviewers rating their experience as 'outstanding' and 'consistently excellent'. The restaurant offers a variety of options and is described as 'always top notch' and 'excellent'. It's a favorite among locals and is appreciated for its cozy ambiance, making it a perfect spot for a relaxing dinner or a special occasion.
A photo of Scotch Plains Tavern restaurant
7. Scotch Plains Tavern
4.4
Awesome(701)
Price: Moderate
• Pub • Essex
Scotch Plains Tavern is a neighborhood gem because of its authentic tavern cuisine and rustic ambiance. Reviewers rave about its excellent food and great atmosphere, with one even mentioning that it's a 'fantastic establishment to come & enjoy time with family'. The staff is also highly praised for being attentive. The outdoor seating with fire pits and the renovated upstairs bar are additional highlights that make this place a local favorite.
A photo of Penny Lane Pub restaurant
8. Penny Lane Pub
4.5
Awesome(340)
Price: Moderate
• American • Old Saybrook
Booked 8 times today
Penny Lane Pub & Restaurant is an English style pub located in Old Saybrook. The casual and friendly atmosphere on two stories offers plenty of options for diners. Whether you choose the entertaining and active downstairs or the quieter dining upstairs or even the patio when weather permits, the casual pub fare will win you over.Lunch choices at Penny Lane Pub & Restaurant include classic English pub favorites such as fish and chips, shepherd’s pie and a corned beef Reuben. Be sure to also visit Penny Lane Pub & Restaurant for live music on Friday nights. Heading to the Kate theater just walking distance down Main street? Make a reservation today!
A photo of Fresh Salt restaurant
9. Fresh Salt
4.6
Exceptional(1517)
Price: Expensive
• Seafood • Old Saybrook
Booked 14 times today
Fresh Salt is more than just a restaurant; it is a place to enjoy one another’s company and experience the breathtaking views of the Long Island Sound quietly intertwined with the Connecticut River. Utilizing the chef’s simple yet high quality approach, the fresh, seasonal local ingredients of Connecticut are transformed into beautifully inspired dishes. Our Local Food Commitment allows us to work with local farmers and artisans to ensure the quality of locally grown ingredients from the sea, land and soil. These fresh ingredients and vibrant tastes of Fresh Salt are available daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Located right on the water means seriously fresh seafood and our menu definitely delivers. From the beloved Lobster Roll to the cherished Clam Chowder and so many more specialties, Fresh Salt dishes are guaranteed to please every palate. We offer indoor and outdoor dining, outdoor dining is based on a first come first serve basis, outdoor dining is non-reservable.
A photo of Chamard Vineyards, Farm Winery Bistro restaurant
10. Chamard Vineyards, Farm Winery Bistro
4.8
Exceptional(2450)
Price: Expensive
• French American • Clinton
Booked 2 times today
Established in 1983, Chamard Vineyards, is one of the Connecticut Wine Trails founding fathers. Tucked between the Long Island Sound and the Connecticut River, Chamard enjoys a unique marine micro-climate ideal for growing European Vinifera vines such as Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Pinot Noir. To produce “French Inspired Wines from the Connecticut Shoreline” has been Chamards mission from the start. As a farm, Chamard honors agriculture by partnering with fellow growers and producers to pair food with wine in celebration of Connecticut’s local gastronomy.
‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • C
    New York City •4 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    We came for the Valentines special tasting menu. Normally I am not a fan of the bloated vdaypreset menu, however at $165 per person this over delivered and was truly special! 9 courses of excitement, attentive service, wonderful wine and an unpretentious atmosphere. The food, I mean this was the best meal we have ever had! The surprise winner of the night? “The Beet”. No words can even do justice to a simple roasted beet with a magical ride of adventure! And the best part? As they said, this is not a one off for the holiday, this is just like any other night at the restaurant with their tasting menu!
    More info
    The EssexPrice: Expensive• American• Old Saybrook
    •
    4.8
  • JeffVIP
    San Francisco Bay Area •9 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Great location and property. Excellent ambiance and vibe. Piano music in the pub before dinner. Decorated beautifully. Popcorn for early snack. Dinner in the timeless Steamboat room. Excellent and diverse menu. Food was very good. After dinner had a classic 60s trio band playing. Great sound. Was a great Valentine’s Day dinner. Only draw back was the service. Specifically the bar. Took forever to get a drink. Bar tender was surly with limited sense of urgency and lots of attitude. This was when the bar crowd was small. As the evening progressed it become significantly worse. I can’t imagine how much revenue was lost by the establishment due to these inefficiencies. Overall our experience was very positive.
    More info
    The Griswold InnPrice: Expensive• American• Essex
    •
    4.5
  • John
    New York City •17 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Always a great experience. Magnificent food, fresh and well prepared. Pleasant, attentive but not overweening service. Nino (the owner) always on site, on point, and warm and welcoming.
    More info
    La MareaPrice: Expensive• Italian• Old Saybrook
    •
    4.8
  • Megan
    New York City •4 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Feb 8, 2025
    Wonderful as always!! Consistent and never disappoints!
    More info
    Café RoutierPrice: Moderate• American• Westbrook
    •
    4.7
  • JohnVIP
    New York City •59 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Feb 5, 2025
    Another fine meal with excellent service. We will be back to enjoy this local treasure.
    More info
    Liv's Oyster BarPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Old Saybrook
    •
    4.9

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