Location: Middletown
Top Restaurants in Middletown
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Most Popular Italian food in Middletown, Connecticut, United States
Discover Restaurants offering the best Italian food in Middletown, Connecticut, United States. Middletown is a city located in Middlesex County, Connecticut, along the Connecticut River, in the central part of the state, 16 miles (26 km) south of Hartford. In 1650, it was incorporated as a town under its original Indian name, Mattabeseck. It received its present name in 1653. Middletown was included within Hartford County upon its creation on May 10, 1666. In 1784, the central settlement was incorporated as a city distinct from the town. Both were included within newly formed Middlesex County in May 1785. In 1923, the City of Middletown was consolidated with the Town, making the city limits of the city quite extensive.
Things to do in Middletown
10. Vero Cucino Rustico
Overall Ratings
4 based on 40 reviews
To ensure that each guest receives prompt, professional, friendly and courteous service. To maintain a clean, comfortable and well maintained premises for our guests. To provide a fair price - nutritional, well-prepared meals - using only quality ingredie
Reviewed By jackim
I have visited this restaurant before, and loved the beet salad so much I was excited to go back. However todayâs experience has ensured I never will. The server (thatâs a stretch) Pam was surly and unhelpful, (she needs to consider a career in a non people facing role) kept disappearing off, we thought to check out our requests (none of which were unreasonable...but did not fit into their policies) we had an 80 plus person with us, she has particular dietary requirements, none of which they were prepared to accommodate....adult mac, cheese and lobster (minus lobster) or mac and cheese from the childrenâs menu....all our enquiries were met with a sullen manner.So for only the second time ever I left without eating...they did charge us for the salad one of our party ordered before things went south, we took it boxed to go.If this continues it will no longer be there when mi visit CT again...however that wonât bother me....I will not be back!
9. Illiano's Italian Pizzeria
Overall Ratings
4 based on 53 reviews
Reviewed By merle h
Been to both Illiano's and this is by far the better one. First the seating is more comfortable and although busy, not as loud as the Washington St. location. Nice touch to be greeted with small pieces of pizza. Menu is extensive, portions are substantial, the basket of rolls yummy and the price is right. Service was attentive. Had the spinach square which was oozing warm mozarella; served with tomato sauce for dipping. The vodka penne was tasty, plentiful and served piping hot. We'll be back.
8. Cantina Cafe Ristorante
Overall Ratings
4 based on 69 reviews
Reviewed By Dreijunge
Went with friends all visiting family in CT for thanksgiving. Highly recommended & it didn't disappoint. There were 5 of us & we shared the sausage & broccoli rabe app. Enough for everyone. The 3 women ordered the veal francese & pasta puttanesca. My husband had another veal dish & my friends husband, the stuffed pork chop. After the app, a large Salad, served family style arrived AND a large bowl of the best penne a la vodka with warm Italian bread. That would have been enough. When the veal & pasta dishes came we 3 women shared, we sampled the veal-very good & I tried the pasta dish. Not a fan. The guys finished part of their entrees & said they were delicious. Nice wine list. We purchased 2 bottles. It's a casual place, in the basement of the Sons of Italy. No frills, friendly servers. I'd go back-just wouldn't order as much! We all had to go containers after we were done!
7. Illiano's Ristorante and Pizzeria
Overall Ratings
5 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By merle h
This is the place. Past dinner time for our granddaughter but not to worry. Waitress quickly brought placemats and crayons to our table. Restaurant has a smaller seating area than expected as take-out counter/showcase takes up much space. Crowded with families and groups of kids so a little loud. Waitress was overwhelmed so service was not as attentive as it could be. Vodka penne dinner was quite good and very tasty, served hot. Plentiful portion. Salad was fresh with more than just lettuce; house dressing was also good. The stromboli was perfect if not looking for an entree or pizza. Filled with brocolli, ham, salami, onion, peppers, mushrooms - 1/2 was enough with the other 1/2 wrapped for later. Prices are very reasonable. Saw there was another Iliano's on Rte.17; more convenient for us but reviews seemed not as good.
6. Esca Restaurant & Wine Bar
Overall Ratings
4 based on 200 reviews
Reviewed By Robin F
Having eaten here three times before, I figured I had pretty realistic expectations. That was not the case. The establishment itself has not changed. Nice atmosphere and reasonable noise levels. Tables far enough apart for comfort. It is the food and service that has slipped. The bread before dinner was unimpressive and sparse. My orders of tuna tartar and pasta with an assortment of seafood were both bland. No spice at all on the tuna mixed with avocado served on cucumber slices with no crusty anything for serving. That was it--no onion, croûton, and no spice or anything interesting. No pepper mill on the table for me to try to effect a change. When the server came back to the table to ask if everything was OK, she only asked my dining partner, not me. She almost ran from the table so I did not get a chance to even ask for a pepper mill. Note, my female dining companion and I were in early, and Esca was not busy at all, so gender bias or too many tables to cover could not explain the gaffs. Same bland presentation on the seafood pasta. No spice at all, no offer of cheese with the pasta, but this time I was able to get in a request for the pepper mill. The mill was used to provide a fresh grind, but was not left at the table. Disappointing food. The service too was less than adequate. The server who took our orders, and never asked me if my meal was OK, was superficial. She took more than 15 minutes to deliver my second glass of wine order, and got it wrong. She went to pour me a red wine when I had ordered a rose. When I caught the mistake before she poured the wine, she said she must not have heard my order. Then why not ask me to repeat it? Our water glasses were refilled through the meal, but every time the server refilling our water glasses poured, he splashed or dribbled the water, usually into my bread plate, where my bread became an inedible sponge after each pour. He seemed oblivious to the pouring problems. Additional bread was never offered, even though the initial bread had to serve as the vehicle to use with my tuna tartar. Summary comment: I have recommended Esca in the past but can no longer.
5. Amici Italian Grill
Overall Ratings
4 based on 191 reviews
Reviewed By 430debbie
They really need to step this up a bit! Tiny portions for 7.00 that werenât anything special, drink specials were not exciting! With so many restaurants and so many happy hour offerings I think this was below what we have had elsewhere. Compared to Carboneâs Prime and Max Fish, I guess we are spoiled.
4. Fiore II Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 174 reviews
Reviewed By cbs651
Four of us ate here on a Saturday night. There was a short wait (they wouldnât take reservations for fewer than 6 people), but once we got a table, all was well. We split an appetizer of fried mozzarella, which was very good. We ordered eggplant parmagiana, ravioli, shrimp scampi, and veal marsala - and everyone was happy with his/her order! Accompanying salads and rolls were just fine, and we finished with lava cakes and coffee or cappuccino. Service was quick but not intrusive, and the prices were good. Really an excellent meal!
3. Red Fox Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 149 reviews
Steak & seafood restaurant with buffet room for parties. Bar is open until midnight every night except Sunday until 10pm
Reviewed By corduroykid
We joined another couple for dinner on a Friday night. The place was a somewhat crowded so service was a bit slower than we would have liked, but still OK. Of the four meals, the veal pesto was outstanding. The meat was tender and moist, just like it should be. The pork loin was very good. Chicken was nothing super special. Good, but not enough to order again. So overall, very good. Definitely worth a return visit. A bit out of the was so make sure you look for it.
2. Luce
Overall Ratings
4 based on 291 reviews
Reviewed By happytraveler552
Celebrating a small reunion of friends and the staff was wonderful. They gave us a great table to enjoy conversation and the wait staff were excellent and pleasant. The food was absolutely scrumptious. We completely enjoyed the portobello mushroom and eggplant appetizer as well as the calamari. Our entrees were delicious. We all enjoyed a different meal, and the presentation of the pork loin was beautiful as well as delicious. I was torn between ordering the spinach gnochi or the mushroom ravioli and I was delighted with the mushroom ravioli. We were celebrating a birthday and the waiter brought our dessert with the cutest candle. Such a delightful place. Easy access to the highway right on Main Street and perfect parking in the free lot next to the restaurant. We will return!
1. MONDO
Overall Ratings
4 based on 246 reviews
Reviewed By jetset1976
The pizza by the slice was thin and super flavored, the pepperoni was the real kind. Salads were mega sized and so was the pesto chicken panini. Service was great despite being super busy. We ate outside and main Street Middletown was pleasant. Will come back.
