Location: Essex
Top Restaurants in Essex
Top Things to do in Essex
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Most Popular Italian food in Essex, Connecticut, United States
Best Italian restaurants nearby. Discover the best Italian food in Essex. View Menus, Photos and Reviews for Italian restaurants near you.. Essex is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 6,683 at the 2010 census. It is made up of three villages: Essex Village, Centerbrook, and Ivoryton.
Things to do in Essex
10. Pizzeria DA Vinci
Overall Ratings
4 based on 33 reviews
Reviewed By Traveller2010NYC
Da Vinci fits a need in every sane person's life, that being the need for decent pizza. I'm not a fan of New Haven-style pizza, but certain members of the family insist that Da Vinci is the only place to go for pizza in the area. Based on my attempts to find alternatives, I believe they're right. Da Vinci is consistent in its quality and they have never gotten an order incorrect. It is not greasy, but the cheese isn't a knock-out. I find the crust to be too hard. The sauce is good, not great sauce.They do sell local soda (Foxon Park!), so that is a plus.
9. Grano Arso
Overall Ratings
4 based on 61 reviews
Reviewed By BillL64
Whether itâs a cocktail, app, or main be prepared to wait. Arrived at 5:50, server showed 5 minutes later, ordered cocktails delivered at 6:15. Ordered app and main when cocktails appeared. App appeared at 6:35, main appeared at 7. Very limited wines by the glass. We dined here a second time just to confirm the first dismal dinner we had the last time. This will be the last time. Food was decent but warm, indicating a service problem. Only 3 desserts on menu plus store bought ice cream.
8. Pizza Works
Overall Ratings
4 based on 114 reviews
Reviewed By 301andyb
I gotta give props to Connecticut for pizza.Frank Pepe rocks and I had excellent gluten free pizza at Mondo Mondo in Middletown. Grimaldiâs in North Haven is quite good also.Pizza Works and Suds did not disappoint.And I have had a lot of great pizza in my life. In NYC: Johns, Patsyâs, Lombardiâs, Pizza Fresca, etcStaff was knowledgeable, friendly and cooperative when we inquired about gluten free choices and methods.It was great for my teenage sons and their friends.The pizza was very tasty.I would definitely go back.
7. Luigi's Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 183 reviews
Reviewed By Travelings5
We went there for lunch as there were great reviews. There was a large dining room to escape the heat. The food was delicious and the portions enormous-we ate our lunch for dinner also. Loved the bread, the salad and the entrees. Had great food for my vegetarian son, would very much recommend and come back when in the area!!!
6. il Pomod'Oro Restaurant & Pizzeria
Overall Ratings
5 based on 177 reviews
Located in East Lyme amidst one of the most picturesque areas of Southern Connecticut and the Mystic region, il PomodâOro Restaurant & Pizzeria beckons Italian food aficionados with an intoxicating selection of dishes sure to tantalize everyoneâs appetite
Reviewed By Robertjcordisco
When people speak about dining out at an Italian Restaurant they rarely experience dining as if they were in Italy. The American influence has changed the Italian restauranteur to cater to the American palate instead of staying true to the Italian culture. Il Pomod'Oro does not waiver in the style that their heritage and customs have been instilled by the owner, Petrit. Their chef, Bruno, has brought his Italian culinary training to America for the first time in Il Pomod'Oro. They don't believe in sacrificing quality, their integrity is paramount to Italian country cuisine. It separates them from any other restaurant in Connecticut. Not one other dining establishment does what they do, the sacrifice is to great. The customer at Il Pomod'Oro is paramount. The staff is sworn to a dining experience like no other, this is the difference. They always make me feel that I am the most important guest in the house. There attention to detail is a benchmark in the industry. Wine Selection, food pairing, cleanliness, from outside to inside they are unrivaled. The menu creativity is what places this restaurant completely apart from a so-called competitor. If your not dining at IL Pomod'Oro once a week or twice a week you are missing the taste of True Italian Cuisine, I mean organic, farm fresh quality that is never compromised, never. Take a drive to East Lyme, settle in to the Italian way of life that one experiences in Europe. Bellissimo Il Pomod'Oro, Bellissimo!
5. TJ's Restaurant and Pizza
Overall Ratings
4 based on 97 reviews
When you are here, you can enjoy dinner in our full-service dining room or a quick bite in our front seating area. Our selection of fresh salads, homemade soups, specialty sandwiches and delicious dinners are sure to please everyone's taste. Weather permi
Reviewed By BronxSteve
If you want an old-style Italian pig-out, this is the place., Charming decor, good service, with an Italian pasta, chicken, veal, etc., and pizza menu. After recovering from the flu, my wife and I needed a pick-me-up - TJ's hit the spot. Servings are huge - each one could easily serve two. The pizza is Greek-style - very nice. The Chicken Florentine was extremely tasty, lots of chicken with spinach and pasta.. Only downer was the wine - small selection, and only middling quality. Also, get there by 6 on a Saturday night, as the dining room is small. Otherwise you may face a long wait.
4. Centerbrook Pizza Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By JoJoAgent
The owners are great! I'm sure they'd be disappointed to know that the guy who does the cooking (not the owner) is ruining their business. Time after time I order a simple philly cheese in a wrap and its always so disappointing when someone other than the owners make it. Its a shame. If I wasn't back to work I would have brought it back. Again - the chicken is dry - and there is barely any cheese and it certainly cannot be called a philly chicken! Besides - it was cold! I'm so aggravated. Have even gotten a small pizza to go and its never cooked enough like dough. This never happens when the owners cook. But the kid/guy (not the owner) who does the cooking is killing your business for to-go orders! Its a shame.
3. Pasta Vita
Overall Ratings
4 based on 94 reviews
Reviewed By Cheryl C
After spending the day at Mohegan Sun, we stopped into Pasta Vita with the intention of exploring the offerings. We were surprised by the variety. There are soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts that can be eaten immediately. There are many meals ready to be purchased and cooked for an easy dinner and there are frozen meals for later use. I inquired how long the frozen meals could be stored before being eaten and it worked out perfectly for buying lasagna, chicken piccata and other meals for my pregnant daughter. A delicious hot meal after the baby is born will make there life easier. We also purchased eggplant rollotini and cheesy cauliflower for a vegetarian family member to have during our Christmas dinner allowing me to not have to prepare two different meals. The eggplant was so good that everyone wished I had bought more. Check it out. Youâll be glad you did!
2. La Marea
Overall Ratings
4 based on 108 reviews
Savor the authentic tastes of Italy when you dine at La Marea. Located on the shoreline of CT in Old Saybrook, our family owned Italian restaurant prepares northern and southern Italian cuisine using a mix of the finest imports from Italy as well as fresh
Reviewed By jcharisman
I met a friend here for Happy Hour. This place seems to be fairly popular with the locals and there were quite a few regulars. At 5:30, 1/2 hour after they opened the place was empty but filled up rather quickly. Service was at lease good and waitress was fairly attentive. We only ordered a pizza which was quite tasty but not too different. Prices were a bit high.
1. il Pomod'Oro Restaurant & Pizzeria
Overall Ratings
5 based on 177 reviews
Located in East Lyme amidst one of the most picturesque areas of Southern Connecticut and the Mystic region, il PomodâOro Restaurant & Pizzeria beckons Italian food aficionados with an intoxicating selection of dishes sure to tantalize everyoneâs appetite
Reviewed By Robertjcordisco
When people speak about dining out at an Italian Restaurant they rarely experience dining as if they were in Italy. The American influence has changed the Italian restauranteur to cater to the American palate instead of staying true to the Italian culture. Il Pomod'Oro does not waiver in the style that their heritage and customs have been instilled by the owner, Petrit. Their chef, Bruno, has brought his Italian culinary training to America for the first time in Il Pomod'Oro. They don't believe in sacrificing quality, their integrity is paramount to Italian country cuisine. It separates them from any other restaurant in Connecticut. Not one other dining establishment does what they do, the sacrifice is to great. The customer at Il Pomod'Oro is paramount. The staff is sworn to a dining experience like no other, this is the difference. They always make me feel that I am the most important guest in the house. There attention to detail is a benchmark in the industry. Wine Selection, food pairing, cleanliness, from outside to inside they are unrivaled. The menu creativity is what places this restaurant completely apart from a so-called competitor. If your not dining at IL Pomod'Oro once a week or twice a week you are missing the taste of True Italian Cuisine, I mean organic, farm fresh quality that is never compromised, never. Take a drive to East Lyme, settle in to the Italian way of life that one experiences in Europe. Bellissimo Il Pomod'Oro, Bellissimo!
