15 Must-Try Restaurants in Norwalk, CT: Where the Norwalk Locals Eat

Norwalk, CT, a stunning city located along the Long Island sound, is filled with beaches, museums, quaint islands, and restaurants featuring local seafood and produce. And if you’re living in Norwalk, then you know that you don’t need to leave the city to find a restaurant that satisfies what you’re craving that day. But if you’ve just moved into an apartment in Norwalk, then you may be wondering where the locals eat. We’ve got you covered with 15 must-try restaurants in Norwalk, CT, to check out.

#1: La Paella Restaurant

Cuisine: Mediterranean restaurant and tapas restaurant
Address: 44 Main St, Norwalk, CT 06851
La Paella Restaurant’s Website

Situated just a few blocks from the waterfront, La Paella Restaurant is a fantastic spot to spend the evening dining on Spanish tapas like grilled squid, garlic shrimp (gambas al ajillo), cod fish croquettes, and patatas bravas, along with a glass of sangria.

#2: Mike’s Ristorante

Cuisine: Italian restaurant
Address: 50 Main St, Norwalk, CT 06851
Mike’s Ristorante’s Website

An Italian restaurant, Mike’s Ristorante has a lot of choices for anyone looking for a new spot to eat. From bruschetta, pesto capellini, and misto dal mare, to veal marsala with mushrooms and garlic shrimp, there’s plenty to satisfy any craving.

#3: Wave Hill Breads

Cuisine: Bakery
Address: 30 High St, Norwalk, CT 06851
Wave Hill Breads’ Website

You can find a variety of freshly baked breads and pastries at Wave Hill Breads – anything from honey whole wheat and rosemary focaccia, to vanilla citrus scones, ginger molasses cookies, and cinnamon sugar monkey bread.

#4: Aji 10 Latin Cuisine

Cuisine: Latin American restaurant
Address: 10 Wall St, Norwalk, CT 06850
Aji 10 Latin Cuisine’s Website

Another awesome restaurant in Norwalk, CT, is Aji 10 Latin Cuisine. You’ll find a stellar assortment of Latin-Japanese fusion dishes like empanadas, Latin shrimp tempura rolls, and grilled skirt steak with chimichurri sauce at their location.

#5: Pontos Taverna

Cuisine: Greek restaurant 
Address: 7 Isaacs St, Norwalk, CT 06850
Pontos Taverna’s Website

If you’re looking for an authentic Greek restaurant in the heart of Norwalk, be sure to stop by Pontos Taverna. They’ve got everything from tzatziki, dolmades, and pita bread, to gyros, souvlaki, and baklava.

#6: B.J. Ryan’s B.AN.C House

Cuisine: BBQ joint and seafood restaurant
Address: 16 River St, Norwalk, CT 06850
B.J. Ryan’s B.AN.C House’s Website

Maybe you’re on the hunt for a new BBQ spot serving bottomless mimosas on the weekends, local oysters and clams, and BBQ meats like ribs, pulled pork, and sausage? If so, B.J. Ryan’s B.AN.C House where you can find that and so much more on their menu.

#7: Valencia Luncheria

Cuisine: Latin American restaurant
Address: 164 Main St, Norwalk, CT 06851
Valencia Luncheria’s Website

You can find Valencia Luncheria serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with amazing specialties like arepas with a variety of fillings, empanadas, burrito bowls, ceviche, house sandwiches, and home-made desserts like flan and arroz con leche.

#8: Mike’s Deli

Cuisine: Deli
Address: 194 East Ave, Norwalk, CT 06855
Mike’s Deli’s Website

Mike’s Deli is a great place to grab breakfast or a casual lunch out in Norwalk. From egg sandwiches served all day to pancakes, and caprese sandwiches, they’ve got a lot to offer.

#9: Osteria Romana

Cuisine: Italian restaurant
Address: 250 Westport Ave, Norwalk, CT 06851
Osteria Romana’s Website

If you’ve recently moved to Norwalk and are searching for traditional Roman recipes, you can find that at Osteria Romana. Think polpetine, caprese di bufala, linguine alle vongole, chicken piccata, and saffron risotto.

#10: The Lime Restaurant

Cuisine: Restaurant
Address: 168 Main St Ste 2, Norwalk, CT 06851
The Lime Restaurant’s Website 

The Lime Restaurant has been serving Norwalk since 1979, specializing in natural foods like falafel satay, fresh salads with chicken, salmon cakes, quinoa and sweet potato burgers, and flourless chocolate cake.

#11: Don Carmelo Mexican Grill & Tequila Bar

Cuisine: Mexican restaurant
Address: 7 Winfield St, Norwalk, CT 06855
Don Carmelo Mexican Grill & Tequila Bar’s Website

A casual Mexican restaurant, Don Carmelo Mexican Grill & Tequila Bar is the perfect place to grab a bite in Norwalk, whether you’re looking for amazing guacamole, nachos, mole chicken, chipotle steak, or ceviche.

#12: Jordan’s Restaurant & Pizza

Cuisine: Pizzeria
Address: 369 Westport Ave, Norwalk, CT 06851
Jordan’s Restaurant & Pizza’s Website

Another one of the many restaurants in Norwalk, CT, to add to your list is Jordan’s Restaurant & Pizza. You can find this spot serving lots of great food and drinks like homemade fried mozzarella sticks, baked ziti pizza, chicken parmesan grinders, and wine by the glass.

#13: Pauli’s Deli & Bagels

Cuisine: Bagel shop and deli
Address: 205 Main St, Norwalk, CT 06851
Pauli’s Deli & Bagels’ Website

At Pauli’s Deli & Bagels, there’s a lot of options to choose from to start your morning off right – from one of their 20 bagel varieties with cream cheese, egg sandwiches, pancakes, or grilled chicken sandwiches at lunch. 

#14: Blue Cactus Grill

Cuisine: Southwestern restaurant
Address: 51 Stevens St, Norwalk, CT 06850
Blue Cactus Grill’s Website

Blue Cactus Grill is a fantastic place to grab a bite in Norwalk. A Southwestern spot serving dishes like jalapeno poppers, buffalo tenders, beef and chicken cheesesteaks, wraps, sandwiches, and house-made French fries. 

#15: Pasquale’s Osteria

Cuisine: Italian restaurant
Address: 186 Main St 186 Main St, Norwalk, CT 06851
Pasquale’s Osteria’s Website

Rounding out our list of restaurants in Norwalk, CT, is Pasquale’s Osteria, a warm and inviting Italian restaurant serving a variety of items like mussels and eggplant parmesan, minestrone and fettuccine Bolognese, and veal piccata or chicken marsala.