Fine dining in Connecticut offers exceptional restaurants, expert chefs

21 Lake Restaurant & Bar offers fine dining in an elegant yet relaxed & casual atmosphere. Be surrounded by Country French interiors with linen tablecloths, Queen Anne chairs and elegant stemware - or retreat to the sun-drenched solarium - perfect for enjoying our’ award-winning Sunday Brunch, Breakfast or Dinner while admiring the afternoon sun or sunset.
Original but classic cuisines utilizing fresh local ingredients are prepared by our culinary team. 21 Lake also boasts a large selection of fine wine from regions of the world offered by the bottle or by the glass. Savor the culinary creations every night with popular, value-priced dining specials, themed menus, and special events to include Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day and the Holidays.

All aboard the elegant Essex Clipper Dinner Train for a four-course meal served in beautifully restored 1920’s Pullman diners, pulled by a vintage diesel locomotive. Relax and reconnect while our 2½-hour, scenic journey soothes away the stress of everyday life. The rhythm of the rails and our attentive staff transport you back to the day when rail travel was king and “dinner in the diner” was a delicious special occasion. From May through October. Please check our website regularly for 2020 schedules and updates.

Simple, imaginative cuisine in splendid historic dining rooms: That is what they have been serving up for generations at the inviting Griswold Inn. The inn, which opened its doors during the Revolution, is one of the oldest continuously operating inns in the country, and its dining rooms exude character and tradition. (The famous Sunday Hunt Breakfast began when the British commandeered the inn during the War of 1812.) Marine paintings from the 19th century grace the walls, and tables are graced with delicious fare, from fresh seafood and aged beef to must-have house-made desserts. It’s no wonder Food & Wine and Travel + Leisure magazines called the historic dining room Connecticut’s “Coziest Restaurant.” (Check the website for the latest openings and health regulations.)

The elegant, eclectic menu at Kensington’s in the Spa at Norwich Inn has something for everyone. Delectable offerings showcase origins in Italian, Asian, Mediterranean and American cuisine, and diners will find something delicious if they prefer vegetables – or beef. Start breakfast with a fruit smoothie, then have your pancakes (banana soy or buttermilk). For lunch, tempt your tastebuds with Thai green curry mussels, then sample New England clam chowder or a tomato gorgonzola bisque. Dinner might include Atlantic salmon, a vegetarian stir fry or a grilled steak. Desserts are to die for, from banana chimichangas to Hauser Chocolatier truffles and affogato (where your gelato is “drowned” in espresso at your table). An extensive wine list includes several selections from Connecticut’s vineyards.