Best Cocktail Bars in Branford

We went to Gioia for the first time tonight, and it was an amazing experience! The food was super tasty and fresh and the drinks were really good too. The restaurant and rooftop were both beautiful. Our waiter Nick L was so attentive, friendly, and made us feel taken care of. Highly recommend giving this place a try!

This was my first time dining here and I truly enjoyed every aspect of our dining experience. Justin was our waiter and was very attentive to our needs. He made excellent recommendations to start. For appetizers we started with baked clams, calamari, and the meatball. The baked clams were absolutely delicious. The peach blossom drink was a fan favorite at our table. The mulfadine pasta was a hit as well as the salmon, chicken parm, cacio e pepe, and the zucchini fritto! Justin was on top of our needs for refills and cocktails! The basil ice cream paired with the olive oil cake was a delicacy that was enjoyed throughout our table! A few tiramisu’s and cappuchinos and we were good to go! What a wonderful dining experience! We will be back!

Made a same-day reservation for 7 on a weeknight. We were looking for an Italian restaurant that did not have stereotypical Italian fare, and this delivered. The restaurant was lovely and we were seated in an area that was not crowded; the ambiance was really nice. Service was attentive, the cocktail selection was great (including some really interesting mocktails); the small plates were excellent, and the main courses were good to excellent. We didn't feel rushed, and the whole experience was genuinely enjoyable. This restaurant is pricier than where we would usually go, but it was a memorable dining experience.

We had the most magical evening at Luke’s on Christmas Eve. Tables hadn’t turned when we arrived, but the chef sent us Prosecco while we waited then offered to set us up at a table in the bar. Felt almost like private dining. The bartender filled in beautifully and the food was exquisite. We had so much fun trying so many different dishes that time slipped away. The evening ended with the chef giving our daughter a Christmas present (one for each table). We will definitely go back!

We had a wonderful meal. Our appetizer, Tuna tartare perfectly prepared. Also , lollipop lamb chops, although much smaller than previously but still delicious. Entre ,lamb with cavatelli , this was a special but should always be on the menu!! Shout out to Lupe who was a very attentive and friendly hostess.Also, the band was amazing (I did not know they did this on Thursday nights) . Music added to a very romantic atmosphere for my husband and I as we celebrated our anniversary !