When I first moved to New Canaan in 2002 I was a little nervous about my dining options. After all I had been living in NYC, the foodie capital of the world, so to say I was spoiled was an understatement. In 2002 there were only a handful of restaurants and to my surprise they were pretty good!! Back then Sole, Gates, Tequila Mockingbird and Ching’s Table were the town stalwarts and they are still thriving today. New Canaan has since become known as a town full of culinary surprises. So you if you are ever in my neighborhood and are on the lookout for a great restaurant you will be not be disappointed. Here are the TKC New Canaan favorites.
Elm Restaurant New Canaan
Try a speciality cocktail..My favorite is the cucumber martini
Solé New Canaan
We have been going to Sole since my older daughter was 2 months old and it is still my local favorite!!! Dining here is like being at a boisterous Italian family dinner table.
Gates
Best brunch in town and you cannot miss the homemade croissants with strawberry butter.
Locali
Best pizza in town hands down!! You must try the 3am pizza with chili oil and the Snake Oil with honey. And with a handcrafted ceramic encased Stefano Ferrara wood-fired brick oven that cooks pizzas in 90 seconds you will not have to wait long:)
Spiga New Canaan
The new kid on the block. With a large bar area (rare in this town) A must are one of the homemade pastas and amazing salads.
Tequila Mockingbird Mexican Cantina
This has to be the best name for a restaurant. How clever!!! Authentic mexican fare and boy do they LOVE their tequila One of only 20 restaurants in the United States to receive certification for their “expertise in Tequila and its culture” from the Consejo Regulador Del Tequila (Regulatory Council of Tequila). All of the bartenders have attended “Tequila School” in the town of Tequila, in Jalisco, Mexico, and the entire staff has been through classes provided by the Mexican Government.
Baldanza
Our family favorite for a bite after school or lunch on the weekends. They only use all organic and local farms and producers. Who doesn’t love that!! Great food that supports local businesses.
Hard to pick just one thing to try but my go to is the Tuscan Power Plate. It is served cold but I prefer my food warm unless it is a salad so I ask them to make it warm for me.
Chings Table
Always a must when family comes for a visit. Consistently ranked as one of the top Chinese restaurants in the country it is a must when family comes for a visit.
A family fav are the lettuce wraps