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What are some fun things to do in Hartford?
- There are many fun things to see, do, and eat in Hartford, including plenty of romantic restaurants and cozy eateries that are perfect for intimate dinners and special celebrations.
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What types of dining options are available in Hartford?
- From casual cafés to bustling bistros and elegant eateries to fine dining establishments, Hartford has a special spot for every occasion.
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1. Enjoy South American and Caribbean cuisine at 50 Elm Cafe & Spirits
50 Elm Cafe & Spirits highlight the diverse tastes of the city with a creative menu that boasts an eclectic blend of South American and Caribbean cuisine and tropical-inspired cocktails. Based in the South Downtown (SoDo) neighborhood, the new addition to Hartford's dining scene specializes in small plates and tapas-style dishes like Colombian empanadas, Puerto Rican shrimp mofongo, Cuban black bean soup, Jamaican callaloo, and Peruvian Pollo a la Brasa. Signature dishes include Jamaican braised oxtail stew and Peruvian ceviche and jalea mixta, and the food is paired with a wide range of spirits, and vacation-reminiscent drinks and exotic cocktails ranging from Peruvian pisco sours to mojitos and caipirinhas with Brazilian cachaca.
Address: 50 Elm St, Hartford, CT 06106, Phone: 860-206-3322
2. Best Family Restaurant in Hartford: Artisan Restaurant, Tavern, and Garden
Seamlessly blending 18th-century classic Scandinavian design with New England-inspired farm-to-table seasonal cuisine, Artisan Restaurant, Tavern, and Garden is an award-winning restaurant in Southport and Newfane that offers an unforgettable dining experience. Located in the heart of Blue Back Square at the Delamar Hotel, the restaurant is beautifully decorated with light wide-plank pine flooring, muted Gustavian Swedish furniture, and bookcases with a collection of eighteenth-century Swedish books, and glassware. A vast 1,500 square foot outdoor garden with a shaded pergola offers starlight dining with romantic hanging lantern globes and soft music. Artisan Restaurant, Tavern, and Garden is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Address: 1 Memorial Rd, West Hartford, Connecticut 06107, Phone: 860-937-2525
3. Order classic Mediterranean fare at Arugula Bistro
Arugula Bistro is an intimate, contemporary eatery that serves classic Mediterranean fare with innovative twists. Opened in 1996 in West Hartford, Arugula Bistro has been serving the bustling neighborhood for more than two decades with a market-driven menu of Mediterranean-inspired dishes with Middle Eastern, Northern Italian, and rich French flavors. Using locally sourced ingredients, all dishes are prepared in house and from scratch, including charcuterie and cheese platters, flatbreads and dips, mezze of artichokes and olives, and hearty entrées of fresh seafood, prime meats, and organic vegetables. The full-service bar offers a wide range of libations, including global wines, craft beers, top-shelf spirits, and handcrafted cocktails. Arugula Bistro is open for lunch and dinner, Tuesday through Saturday.
Address: 953 Farmington Ave, West Hartford, CT 06107, Phone: 860-561-4888
4. Sample Italian dishes at Carbone's Restaurant
Carbone's Restaurant is a family-owned and operated restaurant that has been serving authentic Italian cuisine since 1938. Carbone’s provides an unforgettable dining experience with three spacious dining rooms to suit all occasions, a lively bar area with televisions for casual drinks, and an intimate Old World ambiance. The casual Italian eatery serves a market-driven menu of contemporary farm-to-table fare with dishes such as antipasto platters, homemade soups, fresh salads, housemade pasta and lasagna, wood-fired pizzas, veal, beef, and fresh seafood plates. The full-service bar offers a wide range of libations, including global wines, craft beers, top-shelf spirits, and handcrafted cocktails.
Address: 588 Franklin Avenue, Hartford, CT 06114
5. Try Peruvian cuisine at Cora Cora Restaurant
Located in Shield Street Plaza Shopping Center, Cora Cora Restaurant is one of the city’s best for authentic Peruvian cuisine. The casual eatery has a warm and welcoming ambiance with contemporary décor and soft lighting, creating an intimate and romantic atmosphere for a special dinner or celebration. The menu features traditional Peruvian eats, including Saltado de Pollo, Empanadas, Cora Tamal Criollo, Chaufa de Pollo, and Cora Yuca Rellena, along with a wide variety of libations from global wines and imported craft beers to top-shelf spirits, and handcrafted cocktails. The menu also offers several vegetarian options, and many of the dishes can be altered to cater for specific dietary requirements. Cora Cora Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week.
Address: 162 Shield St, West Hartford, CT 06110, Phone: 860-953-2672
6. Have a romantic dinner at Feng Chophouse
Located in Downtown Hartford, Feng Chophouse is one of the city’s top spots for fine dining. Previously known as Feng Asian Bistro, the newly renovated space is decorated with a modern flair with stylish décor, an expensive bar and cocktail area, a wine room filled with vintages from around the world, private dining space for special occasions, and large windows with street views. The restaurant specializes in Southeast Asian-Fusion cuisine with Japanese dishes like edamame, nigiri, and omakase sushi, as well as New American dishes of dry-aged steaks, fresh seafood and more. The full-service bar offers a wide range of libations, including global wines, craft beers, top-shelf spirits, and handcrafted cocktails. Feng Chophouse is open for lunch and dinner, Monday through Friday and dinner only on Saturdays.
Address: 93 Asylum St, Hartford, CT 06103, Phone: 860-549-3364
Plan Your Trip
Table of Contents:
- 1. Enjoy South American and Caribbean cuisine at 50 Elm Cafe & Spirits
- 2. Best Family Restaurant in Hartford: Artisan Restaurant, Tavern, and Garden
- 3. Order classic Mediterranean fare at Arugula Bistro
- 4. Sample Italian dishes at Carbone's Restaurant
- 5. Try Peruvian cuisine at Cora Cora Restaurant
- 6. Have a romantic dinner at Feng Chophouse