Best Cozy Restaurants in Darien

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchMexican

Regions

FairfieldWestchester

Neighborhoods

DarienEast NorwalkGreenwichNew CanaanNorwalkOld Greenwich

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

51 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Restaurant L'Ostal restaurant

1. Restaurant L'Ostal

4.9

Exceptional(386)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• French • Darien

Booked 10 times today

L’Ostal is a Provencal restaurant rooted in history and tradition celebrating the cuisines of Southern France & its boundaries. Stemming from the old Occitania language, the word ‘ostal’ refers to house & the warmth of hospitality that encompasses welcoming one into your home. Throughout the six dialects of this language starting in Catalonia, stretching through the Languedoc into Provence and onto the Alps of Piemonte, they all embrace this welcoming through their cooking. We celebrate the traditions of each country through their amazing cuisine as well as showcasing the wine and heritage of indigenous products. We look forward to bringing our warmth in hospitality & dining to the great community of Darien, Connecticut. Welcome to our home at L’Ostal.Outdoor seating is available, but only offered weather depending, and reservations can be made day of, only over the phone, starting at 2pm on the day of.

2. Scena Wine Bar

4.5

Awesome(80)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Darien

Booked 1 time today

Scena Wine Bar offers up Mediterranean fare in the downtown area of Darien. The family-owned restaurant opened in 2010 and has been pleasing customers in the area ever since. Scena Wine Bar has menus for bunch, lunch and dinner. Some of the popular options on the menu include the steamed clams, spicy salmon tartare, cider steamed mussels, ricotta gnocchi, fettuccini carbonara and grilled salmon corn succotash.Scena Wine Bar also has a dessert menu including a cookie plate, tiramisu, apple pie and Nutella filled crepes. The restaurant has a wine menu with a number of different vintages of wine available.

3. Sails Bar & Grill

4.7

Exceptional(115)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Café • Darien

Booked 8 times today

Sails Bar & Grill provides fresh, high quality food for its patrons. Some of the starter items that are popular include the tuna tartare, Sails tacos and the grilled tiger shrimp flatbread. Sails Bar & Grill also offers a variety of sushi specialty rolls, gnocchi Bolognese, mac and cheese, wild king salmon, pork tenderloin and burgers. Another feature that helps make Sails Bar & Grill popular with the locals and visitors is the live music and dancing available on the weekends. It helps to provide a unique atmosphere for the eatery. It is a fun and casual experience for family and friends to enjoy.

4. Hatter Piano Bar

3.1

Good(6)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Norwalk

Welcome to **Hatter Piano Bar** in Norwalk—a timeless experience with a modern twist. Housed in a beautifully restored historic hat factory, Hatter brings the charm of a classic piano bar to life with live music, crafted cocktails, and an elevated late-night menu. With performances every Thursday through Saturday, Hatter showcases skilled pianists, soulful vocalists, and DJ sets that add a contemporary vibe, creating an inviting ambiance that blends the nostalgia of Norwalk’s first piano bar with today’s energy. Sip on iconic cocktails like the Manhattan, Old Fashioned, and seasonal specialties, crafted to perfection. Choose from elegant dining and cozy lounge areas ideal for special occasions or casual nights out. Make your reservations and join us at Hatter Piano Bar for an unforgettable night of music, flavor, and history reimagined.

5. Washington Prime

4.8

Exceptional(1176)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • South Norwalk

Booked 20 times today

Winner of Best Steak in Connecticut and top steakhouses in the U.S. by the Food Network, Washington Prime has the privilege of framing SoNo’s newest structure at the corner of Washington Street and Water Street. Adding to this historic and progressive waterside community, this highly anticipated Eating & Drinking Well is driven by a culinary and beverage program that is not about gimmicks - just honesty and creativity. No stranger to high impact restaurants, Washington Prime is brought to you by some of the area’s most dynamic restaurateurs. The land and sea menu is a bit of Americana with cross-cultural influences, the space is multi-dimensional and the attitude is left at the door. Here, we eat, we drink and we join in the fun.

6. Match

4.8

Exceptional(1540)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • South Norwalk

Booked 12 times today

A twenty three year veteran of South Norwalk’s dining scene, Match has earned its reputation as one of the state’s most consistent and award-winning restaurants with its global approach to New American cuisine led by chef/owner Matt Storch. Match has focused on retaining its loyal clientele as well as welcoming new guests by emphasizing high quality local ingredients, plate presentation and great service along with an award winning wine list. All of these elements come together in a radiant room that pulses with energy. Reservations recommended.

A photo of Sono Wood Fired Pizza restaurant

7. Sono Wood Fired Pizza

4.6

Exceptional(32)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary Italian • South Norwalk

Booked 6 times today

Sono Wood Fired located in the heart of Sono with a cozy contemporary, industrial style & locally sourced barn wood finish.Serving up true Neapolitan wood fired pizza using our imported 00 flour from Naples, traditional & contemporary Italian cuisine.craft cocktails and a rotating draft selection! open daily @ 11:30Awarded top 58 best pizza in CT magazine for the Neapolitan category.Awarded best new restaurants & best pizza in CT magazine for 2023 / 2024.

8. Sign of the Whale

4.4

Awesome(591)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Stamford

Booked 8 times today

We are taking INDOOR reservations - We are accepting reservations of up to 4 guests via OpenTable, please call us (203.883.8282) or email (events@signofthewhalect.com) for reservations of 5 or more. Tables have a 90 minute max.Check in downstairs with host.Sign of the Whale is one of Harbor Point’s most dynamic spaces. We proudly boast Stamford’s first rooftop- complete with lounge space and comfortable seating, an elevated dining room and a lively bar scene. We are a place where you can sit back with friends eating well-crafted food, sipping on playful cocktails, and listening to great music

A photo of The Capital Grille - Stamford restaurant

9. The Capital Grille - Stamford

4.8

Exceptional(2642)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Steakhouse • Stamford

Booked 34 times today

Make it a day to remember. From birthdays and anniversaries to professional milestones, we aim to make every gathering special at The Capital Grille. Open seven days a week, The Capital Grille is best known for our expertly prepared steaks, which are dry aged in house for 18 to 24 days and then hand-cut by our restaurant's on-premise butcher. The Capital Grille's wine list features more than 350 selections, and its floor-to-ceiling wine kiosk regularly houses 3,500 - 5,000 bottles. Reservations are recommended but not required. For more information, please visit our website. We look forward to delighting you.

A photo of Tequila Escape - Stamford restaurant

10. Tequila Escape - Stamford

3.8

Excellent(176)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Mexican • Stamford

Booked 4 times today

Join Us at Tequila Escape!Experience unique Latin, Mexican, and South American fusion cuisine made fresh from sustainable, organic, and local ingredients. Enjoy our spacious venue for large groups and an extensive drink menu perfect for after-work gatherings.Try our award winning cocktails, as well as popular wild-caught octopus and oven-baked organic half chicken. Don't miss our fun bottomless weekend brunch and late-night specials!Join us Fridays and Saturdays, 10 PM to 2 AM, for live DJ performances and dance to electrifying Latin beats. Come crave more!

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

F
francisVIP
New York City •28 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Food is delicious, service is great. Hostess/Host alway welcoming and friendly. Best Eggplant Parmesan in Fairfield County !
More info
Scena Wine BarPrice: Expensive• Italian• Darien
•
4.5
C
ColetteVIP
New York City •28 reviews
4.0
Dined 2 days ago
Band was amazing but it was over the top loud when restaurant was packed. French onion soup was not hot but rest of food….salad with crab cake and filet mignon sandwich was really good. Service started off great but then the wait staff disappeared; wanted coffee and dessert as well as get a meal to go but the kitchen closed without waiter asking if we wanted anything else…..too bad to end a nice night that way.
More info
Sails Bar & GrillPrice: Moderate• Café• Darien
•
4.7
A
alexVIP
New York City •143 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
fabulous evening! delicous food, wonderful service and delightful atmosphere! bavette steak is a wonderful new addition! sole was phenomenal! thank you eugene, christina and everyone at l’ostal for making our evening extra special!
More info
Restaurant L'OstalPrice: Expensive• French• Darien
•
4.9
M
Madeline
New York City •1 review
5.0
Dined on Jan 12, 2025
We did the cookie decorating experience. Service was great and attentive!
More info
The Cozy CupPrice: Moderate• Afternoon Tea• Mount Vernon
•
5
D
Diane
New York City •3 reviews
4.0
Dined on Dec 15, 2024
Overall we enjoyed and appreciated the music , the creativity of the artwork and seating arrangements . It is definitely a place to consider going for a date night. The servers and owners were extremely welcoming and eager to assist, even with the bottle of wine to consider. The food is average for bar food .
More info
Hatter Piano BarPrice: Moderate• American• Norwalk
•
3.1

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