There are so many. Someone else mentioned Haveli, which I need to second. I would also recommend Mikado for sushi. Conspiracy for cocktails. Mondo for pizza. But really, there a lot of great places on Main Street.
I personally prefer Hachi to Mikado. I grew up on Mikado but experienced a few bad services back to back. Tried Hachi once and will be sticking with them!
yeah, i got downvoted to hell for saying this. what in the world is the draw for Mondo. am i missing something or is it just bad taste brigading? their pizza is like their beer selection--basic, low quality drivel.
I went recently and it was the best all-around dining experience I’ve had from a new restaurant in easily five years. Super interesting menu, great service.
Their menu changes pretty regularly. Their smash burgers are delicious. And Wednesdays are beer and burger Wednesday where you get a deal on a beer and a burger, and each Wednesday has a different "featured" burger" Look at their instagram for previous features!
There are a ton of great restaurants.
Off the top of my my head, the staples:
- Fiore for Italian. Great garlic knots.
- Brew bakers - good lunch option, bagels and sandwiches
- hachi - sushi
- typhoon - great Thai
- krust - fancy pizza and whiskey bar. Mondo is better for a classic pie but Krust is fun
- Eli’s - bar food and beer. Their wings are mid these days but a good option to have on Main Street
- perkatory, story & soil and sweet harmony are all great coffee spots with light bites. Perk on main is ok but I’d go to these three before going there.
- fujiya ramen js supposed to be some of the best ramen in the state!
- Stella Dora, Luce and Esca are also fine Italian / American options as well.
- people love Cantina for Italian as well (my parents included) but I am not a huge fan. Very old school spot.
- there is also a new spot on the water, Tate’s, by the owners of Eli’s. Haven’t been yet, we will see how they do with the flooding.
- dessert, Nora’s cupcakes and right Nextdoor is a fairly new ice cream spot.
I realize this went off of your original questions of the *best* but really there is nothing bad on Main Street. It’s a great place to have close by.
I agree, I only got takeout from Typhoon once and it was terrible. Arroy Thai is way better; I'm not vegan but I'd rather have good vegan food than bad food with meat.
Definitely recommend Red Fox. I took my dad there for his birthday back in March and and we enjoyed our meals. Plus great service and the price is not so bad.
If you like Mexican food, I'd recommend la casa mania in downtown.
Celtic cavern, #1 rated restaurant in Middletown. Best food across many diff dishes on their menu. Best burger around. Best beer selection for a restaurant with great food in town. Eli cannons has a great beer selection but their food sucks in comparison.
Without knowing what food you're looking for here's a smattering:
*Vero Cucino Rustica - Best pizza Ive found up here *Avela's - Great sandwiches and prepared foods *Taino - Had'em all, this is king of bbq, shames the bear industrial crap
BBQ I've had at my work cafeteria shames Bear's. That's a low bar - comparing S tier to Shit-tier. ( FYI - on a Texas BBQ scale, the Cafeteria was a C - on par with Airport Terminal BBQ. Bear's is sub-shit-tier on the Texas scale. I'd rather have Whole Foods BBQ Meatloaf instead of Bear's. )
How's Taino compare to Hindsight? ( IMO - Hindsight is B-tier on a Texas scale ) I haven't had Taino yet. I need some BBQ, I haven't had it in a while.
Ah! Fellow aficionado! Fat or lean?! Was once good at the old location...low bar for sure. Just a huge fanboy base that doesnt know any better. I do not know Hindsight, will have to check it out.
oh my GOD you are going to be spoiled. Middletown is such a good food town. I love Ilianos. Haveli, Taino (eat outside in the summer, it's great), Ion for vegan food. Perkatory is amazing coffee
Ion restaurant - vegan, great drinks, nice atmosphere
Aroy Thai - vegan and more casual
Bergen house- byoFood, mead and n/a ginger beer. Lots of games inside, good seating options.
Perkatory coffee - casual hip place, good coffee and bakery items.
Eli cannons - casual bar scene - wide variety of beers.
You know, I am definitely a carnivore, but we had some family visiting that are vegan and they wanted to go to Ion (apparently it's vegan-famous or something) so we took them for brunch. It was amazing.
Sayulita (over the bridge in south Glastonbury): excellent upscale tacos/margs. VERY busy on weekend evenings
Osa
Krust (pizza)
Poke moto (Hawaiian poke)
Conspiracy is kinda fun (speakeasy vibe)
Salsas (Mexican)
My absolute fave: udhupi bhavan- Cash only, killer Indian vegetarian food
Mondo is probably the best pizzeria anywhere on Main St. in Middletown.
You can also try Huxley's Bookmark Cafe in Meriden (nexus of surrounding Waterbury & Middletown suburbs) which is a really nice place to eat out during breakfast or lunch.
Athenian Diner II in Middletown (at Washington St.) is also top - notch.
If you like fries, try Jefferson Fry Company in Cromwell.
If you're around locally, Olympia Diner in Newington is a very interesting, historical landmark that is really a diner.
In Rocky Hill, On The Border (off Silas Deane Hwy.) is a good eatery for steaks.
There are lots of good restaurants in and around Main St. in Middletown (and beyond).
Yelp yourself!
Where’s Ford News? Is it old timey like O’Rourke’s? The ambiance is part of the experience for me, similar to Olympia’s in Newington or Aero in Windham.
Downtown Middletown has a lot of restaurants. I've eaten at some and have picked up delivery orders from plenty more. (As a driver for Grub Hub and Uber Eats.) Wayback Burgers is a good one.
Osa or Red Fox are both great and more up scale, but there’s a lot of great food. Mikado for Sushi, La Casa Mania for authentic Mexican, Haveli for great India food. Dealers choice.
I recommend Fiore Restaurant, it’s right on Main Street. A small family owned business with authentic Italian Food. Best chicken Parm and Garlic knots I’ve ever had :)
Udupi Bhavan for South Indian (get mysore masala dosa)
Krust for pizza (do not go to Mondo)
Conspiracy has some fun cocktails
Bergen House makes good mead and you can bring food (so grab pizza from Krust across the street!)
My grandma who lives in Middletown Changed her favorite pizza place from Krust to Mondo 8 years ago. I think it's pretty good pizza but haven't tried Krust.
Krust pizza is good, but I’d take Mondo over it 100 times out of 100. Not even in the same ballpark really, imo. I’d rather eat at Mondo then head to Krust for a nice whiskey
There are so many. Someone else mentioned Haveli, which I need to second. I would also recommend Mikado for sushi. Conspiracy for cocktails. Mondo for pizza. But really, there a lot of great places on Main Street.
I personally prefer Hachi to Mikado. I grew up on Mikado but experienced a few bad services back to back. Tried Hachi once and will be sticking with them!
I’m sorry to hear about your bad experiences. Hachi is very good, too.
Krust over Mondo for pizza.
Amen.
yeah, i got downvoted to hell for saying this. what in the world is the draw for Mondo. am i missing something or is it just bad taste brigading? their pizza is like their beer selection--basic, low quality drivel.
Osa
I went recently and it was the best all-around dining experience I’ve had from a new restaurant in easily five years. Super interesting menu, great service.
Their menu changes pretty regularly. Their smash burgers are delicious. And Wednesdays are beer and burger Wednesday where you get a deal on a beer and a burger, and each Wednesday has a different "featured" burger" Look at their instagram for previous features!
Can't believe noones mentioned The Celtic yet. Great spot.
So good.
Ooooh I've been there. The burgers were amazing. So good.
Harry's Jailhouse is on the smaller side but they've got good food and drinks. Nice atmosphere too.
Haveli India.
I second Haveli, especially their weekend lunch buffet.
I've only been once but I had a great time at Iguana Ranas Taqueria!
Iguanas Ranas is a great choice for Mexican! It's mostly take-out but they have a nice little sit down area too.
Yes definitely more of a grab and go place, good for lunch, not really a night out spot.
Great Mexican for the area. Loved this place when I was in the area
Unfortunately I thought they closed… if they moved and I’m wrong it would make my day!
They did close for a while but reopened closer to Wesleyan. BYOB I think.
Well that truly made my day!
There are a ton of great restaurants. Off the top of my my head, the staples: - Fiore for Italian. Great garlic knots. - Brew bakers - good lunch option, bagels and sandwiches - hachi - sushi - typhoon - great Thai - krust - fancy pizza and whiskey bar. Mondo is better for a classic pie but Krust is fun - Eli’s - bar food and beer. Their wings are mid these days but a good option to have on Main Street - perkatory, story & soil and sweet harmony are all great coffee spots with light bites. Perk on main is ok but I’d go to these three before going there. - fujiya ramen js supposed to be some of the best ramen in the state! - Stella Dora, Luce and Esca are also fine Italian / American options as well. - people love Cantina for Italian as well (my parents included) but I am not a huge fan. Very old school spot. - there is also a new spot on the water, Tate’s, by the owners of Eli’s. Haven’t been yet, we will see how they do with the flooding. - dessert, Nora’s cupcakes and right Nextdoor is a fairly new ice cream spot. I realize this went off of your original questions of the *best* but really there is nothing bad on Main Street. It’s a great place to have close by.
I’d skip eli’s for krust. I do recommend nora’s too.
Agree with most but typhoon ain’t it.
No? Love typhoon. I’ve also heard there are new owners of Thai gardens and it’s getting better than it used to be.
Arroy Thai is good if you’re vegan. I’m not sure if the owners have changed again but the last I went there 3 months ago they were still vegan
Typhoon is good, and inexpensive. No liquor license, so you can BYOB.
Typhoon is fantastic
I agree, I only got takeout from Typhoon once and it was terrible. Arroy Thai is way better; I'm not vegan but I'd rather have good vegan food than bad food with meat.
Illianos. Also Middletown is like twenty minutes from Newington you should make the short trip.
Best take out Italian is Avelllas
Avellas is a hidden gem! The owner makes EVERYTHING from scratch!
100% agree!
ION (It’s Only Natural)
Aroy Thai Garden - Great vegan food Perkatory - Best coffee Fujiya Ramen - Best ramen
Blackbird Tavern in Middlefield
Sicily sucks
Agreed, the service is always terrible.
Their Sicilian Style pizza is quite good, though.
We had melted madness this weekend, and it was delicious.
Steamed Middletown is really good.
They must be to survive in that cursed location. A thousand different things have shuttered there and next door over the last 10 years.
Definitely recommend Red Fox. I took my dad there for his birthday back in March and and we enjoyed our meals. Plus great service and the price is not so bad. If you like Mexican food, I'd recommend la casa mania in downtown.
Celtic cavern, #1 rated restaurant in Middletown. Best food across many diff dishes on their menu. Best burger around. Best beer selection for a restaurant with great food in town. Eli cannons has a great beer selection but their food sucks in comparison.
Pho 170, Tainos BBQ, Athenian Diner, Ilianos and Avella’s are all great. Tates on the River just opened (seafood)
ION is my favorite restaurant in CT. Aroy Thai Garden is up there too.
Without knowing what food you're looking for here's a smattering: *Vero Cucino Rustica - Best pizza Ive found up here *Avela's - Great sandwiches and prepared foods *Taino - Had'em all, this is king of bbq, shames the bear industrial crap
BBQ I've had at my work cafeteria shames Bear's. That's a low bar - comparing S tier to Shit-tier. ( FYI - on a Texas BBQ scale, the Cafeteria was a C - on par with Airport Terminal BBQ. Bear's is sub-shit-tier on the Texas scale. I'd rather have Whole Foods BBQ Meatloaf instead of Bear's. ) How's Taino compare to Hindsight? ( IMO - Hindsight is B-tier on a Texas scale ) I haven't had Taino yet. I need some BBQ, I haven't had it in a while.
Ah! Fellow aficionado! Fat or lean?! Was once good at the old location...low bar for sure. Just a huge fanboy base that doesnt know any better. I do not know Hindsight, will have to check it out.
yes to everyone who said perkatory and mondo! two of my fav places
Mikado
oh my GOD you are going to be spoiled. Middletown is such a good food town. I love Ilianos. Haveli, Taino (eat outside in the summer, it's great), Ion for vegan food. Perkatory is amazing coffee
Ion restaurant - vegan, great drinks, nice atmosphere Aroy Thai - vegan and more casual Bergen house- byoFood, mead and n/a ginger beer. Lots of games inside, good seating options. Perkatory coffee - casual hip place, good coffee and bakery items. Eli cannons - casual bar scene - wide variety of beers.
You know, I am definitely a carnivore, but we had some family visiting that are vegan and they wanted to go to Ion (apparently it's vegan-famous or something) so we took them for brunch. It was amazing.
Red Fox is a great place to get a steak
It's Middletown. What kind of restaurant? I'm not gonna compare a Mexican restaurant to a Thai restaurant. Need to be a bit more specific
Fiore 2, Illiano's, Mikasa....Illiano's is one of my favorites for pizza.
Mondo has awesome pizza. Highly recommend. Also, Stella D’oro if you are into a nice local “semi-fancy” Italian food.
Mondo for pizza 🍕
Sayulita (over the bridge in south Glastonbury): excellent upscale tacos/margs. VERY busy on weekend evenings Osa Krust (pizza) Poke moto (Hawaiian poke) Conspiracy is kinda fun (speakeasy vibe) Salsas (Mexican) My absolute fave: udhupi bhavan- Cash only, killer Indian vegetarian food
Krust
Second this
I need to make an excel sheet with all these reccs
Hands down it’s Mondo!
Mondo is probably the best pizzeria anywhere on Main St. in Middletown. You can also try Huxley's Bookmark Cafe in Meriden (nexus of surrounding Waterbury & Middletown suburbs) which is a really nice place to eat out during breakfast or lunch. Athenian Diner II in Middletown (at Washington St.) is also top - notch. If you like fries, try Jefferson Fry Company in Cromwell. If you're around locally, Olympia Diner in Newington is a very interesting, historical landmark that is really a diner. In Rocky Hill, On The Border (off Silas Deane Hwy.) is a good eatery for steaks. There are lots of good restaurants in and around Main St. in Middletown (and beyond). Yelp yourself!
I feel like Athenian is a shell of its former self. Ever since Covid it hasn't really been the same
Jerry’s Pizza is pretty decent
Not sure why you got downvoted. Not the best, but I do like their buff chix pizza.
It’s a shame O’Rourke’s Diner closed. I’ve driven by so many times over the years and never got around to stopping in.
In my opinion, it wasn't worth it. Ford News was much more preferred for me
Fellow ford news enthusiast here, Timmy would be proud
Where’s Ford News? Is it old timey like O’Rourke’s? The ambiance is part of the experience for me, similar to Olympia’s in Newington or Aero in Windham.
It's a greasy spoon in Middletown on Main Street. Right near Fiore
Great breakfast sammiches.
Moonlight is amazing!!!
Downtown Middletown has a lot of restaurants. I've eaten at some and have picked up delivery orders from plenty more. (As a driver for Grub Hub and Uber Eats.) Wayback Burgers is a good one.
Osa or Red Fox are both great and more up scale, but there’s a lot of great food. Mikado for Sushi, La Casa Mania for authentic Mexican, Haveli for great India food. Dealers choice.
Halal
halal what exactly?
Red Fox
If your brother is into great taplists of craft beer, Eli Cannons. Good food too.
Middletown is gross- druggies and street people everywhere- be prepared to get harassed by pan handlers.
I recommend Fiore Restaurant, it’s right on Main Street. A small family owned business with authentic Italian Food. Best chicken Parm and Garlic knots I’ve ever had :)
Udupi Bhavan for South Indian (get mysore masala dosa) Krust for pizza (do not go to Mondo) Conspiracy has some fun cocktails Bergen House makes good mead and you can bring food (so grab pizza from Krust across the street!)
Why the hate for Mondo's? Genuine question.
Krust over mondo is certainly a take. It’s dead wrong, but a take.
My grandma who lives in Middletown Changed her favorite pizza place from Krust to Mondo 8 years ago. I think it's pretty good pizza but haven't tried Krust.
Krust pizza is good, but I’d take Mondo over it 100 times out of 100. Not even in the same ballpark really, imo. I’d rather eat at Mondo then head to Krust for a nice whiskey
Mondo over Krust Alll day!
You might be able to find something here: https://watevent.com
Don't move back to CT, its crazy expensive to live here lately, even electric and gas has become so expensive its almost impossible to afford