Waterbury Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Waterbury

April 14, 2018 Leonardo Torrence

Waterbury (nicknamed "The Brass City") is a city in the U.S. state of Connecticut on the Naugatuck River, 33 miles southwest of Hartford and 77 miles northeast of New York City. Waterbury is the second-largest city in New Haven County, Connecticut. As of the 2010 census, Waterbury had a population of 110,366, making it the 10th largest city in the New York Metropolitan Area, 9th largest city in New England and the 5th largest city in Connecticut.
Things to do in Waterbury

1. Roma Ristorante

179 Davis St, Oakville, CT 06779-2143 Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Takeout, Wheelchair Accessible Italian, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options Dinner, Lunch +1 860-274-2558
Excellent
70%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 82 reviews

Roma Ristorante

Reviewed By furnaceguy - Shelton, Connecticut

Start to finish this place is remarkable....amazing wine selection the best meatballs I have ever eaten...veal Osso Bucco cut with a fork...and the carrot cake and tiramisu! Left us speechless besides this the service was perfect and Tom the owner took time out of his busy night to check on us and chat ....the only disappointment was that we just found this diamond last night!!!!!

2. Tomo 68

174 Prospect St, Naugatuck, CT 06770-3195 Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol Japanese, Sushi, Asian Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast +1 203-720-2466
Excellent
59%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 66 reviews

Tomo 68

Reviewed By Weselly - Naugatuck, Connecticut

Had my fourth visit to Tomo's and every time the food had been delicious. I have never eaten this kind of food, but my wife loves it so we tried it. I have tried several different plates and have enjoyed each one. We will be back.

3. Sultan's Turkish Restaurant

586 Plank Rd, Waterbury, CT 06705-2621 Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol Turkish, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Halal, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner SGD 13 - SGD 26 +1 203-591-8450
Excellent
68%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 175 reviews

Sultan's Turkish Restaurant

Reviewed By jer b - Bristol, Connecticut

This restaurant serves authentic Turkish cuisine and the food is very good. We went there to meet a couple of friends and we had a very enjoyable time. The cold appetizer sampler has something for everyone. The only spicy item was a pepper selection. The...MoreThank you very much!!!

4. L Restaurant

199 Park Road Ext, Middlebury, CT 06762-1833 Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Private Dining American, Gluten Free Options Dinner, Lunch +1 203-758-8991
Excellent
56%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
5%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 90 reviews

L Restaurant

Reviewed By Traveler5Newtown - Newtown

Went with my wife for lunch. Wonderful choices on the lunch menu plus a page of specials. Everything we were served was delicious- soup, entree, and dessert. Service was excellent, prompt, but not pushy. Will definitely be going back.

5. Nardelli's Grinder Shoppe

540 Plank Rd, Waterbury, CT 06705-2621 Takeout, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Parking Available Italian, American, Delicatessen, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner SGD 13 +1 203-754-5600
Excellent
56%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
5%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 158 reviews

Nardelli's Grinder Shoppe

Reviewed By CNHMTH

With so many great options for fresh tasty grinders in town this one certainly runs in the competition. Pick your grinder and don't forget a side of their tortellini salad, marinated mushrooms or antipasto. Lunch is served!

6. Leo's Restaurant

900 Straits Tpke, Ste 4, Middlebury, CT 06762-2800 Takeout, Seating, Waitstaff, Wheelchair Accessible, Highchairs Available American Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch +1 203-598-0166
Excellent
59%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 48 reviews

Leo's Restaurant

Reviewed By pcs92017 - East Hampton, Connecticut

We found this restaurant using Google's "nearby" after hiking. Based on other review, we decided to try it.

The menu is rather eclectic with a lot of things not normally found - especially so many in one place. Too many good-sounding choice! What we chose was delicious. Portion sizes were good and the price was very reasonable,

The service was a bit lacking (we opted to eat outside since it was a lovely day). The server consistently mixed up who ordered what - and there were only 2 of us. It happened with both beverages and entrees.

I was offered a refill on my soda, but my wife was never offered a refill on her coffee. And being outside, the server was a bit absent so she wasn't easy to summon.

Be careful of the glass wall indoors that separates the eatery from the atrium. When we arrived, it was so clean that it was virtually invisible - so much so that my wife accidentally walked into it and bent her glasses. No real show of concern from the management, although by the time we left, there were 2 posters taped onto it...

We'll probably go back when we're in the area again. The location off I-84 is very convenient and, as I said, the food was good.

7. Frankie's Hot Dogs

700 Watertown Ave, Waterbury, CT 06708-2031 Takeout, Seating, Parking Available, Wheelchair Accessible American, Fast Food Lunch, Dinner +1 203-753-2426
Excellent
64%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 106 reviews

Frankie's Hot Dogs

Reviewed By Sunybun - Oxford, Connecticut

My client and I came to Frankie's for lunch. I wasn't really too hungry so I just purchased the soup. I was so pleased. It was very flavorful and piping hot, like you would expect on a chilly day, as well as, filling. If ou are looking quick and simple don't forget they have soups too.

8. Cheng Square

1655 Straits Tpke, Ste 4, Middlebury, CT 06762-1839 Takeout, Seating, Waitstaff, Serves Alcohol, Wheelchair Accessible Japanese, Sushi, Asian, Chinese Lunch, Dinner +1 203-577-6888
Excellent
62%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 44 reviews

Cheng Square

Reviewed By ParkerSturbridge

Nice, large menu with a very large lunch special menu also. On the plus side, the portions were large. The fried dumplings were soggy and stuck together (so they weren't really fried well). Hot and sour soup was very hot and nicely spiced, but had something floating in it that was questionable (and we'll leave it at that). So I didn't finish the soup. Stir fry beef had great taste but the beef was spongy. Veggies and broccoli were very good, and the fried rice was excellent. Waitress was somewhat scarce, but the guy who brought out our food (I think he was the owner) couldn't have been nicer. It is in a great location with ample parking, so I hope they can get it together and get on their game!!!

9. Maggie McFly's

6 Woodside Ave, Middlebury, CT 06762-2822 Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar American, Bar, Pub, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Drinks, Late Night +1 203-577-2205
Excellent
25%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
19%
Poor
8%
Terrible
6%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 190 reviews

Maggie McFly's

Our Passion is for making our guests fresh, delicious, and locally sourced dishes and drinks while letting them relax in a beautiful atmosphere. From Farm fresh eggs and grass fed beef to our locally sourced cupcakes and everywhere in between. Maggie McFly’s understands the importance of bringing our guests the best ingredients possible while supporting the local community and the environment.

Reviewed By radiowitch - Connecticut

I decided to write yet another Maggie's review since I stopped in here for dinner with a colleague for their newly posted St. Patrick's Day/Irish Menu. This menu Blarney-fied the regular Maggie's menu from cocktails to appetizers (Irish Nachos?) to entrees to dessert options, so the already enormous menu is even larger. For those of you who have a tough time making decisions with too many food choices (like me), this will prove challenging. I stuck to the basics in this case. I chose a 9 oz. Riesling (vs. the 6 oz. size) and Shepherd's Pie. My colleague chose the Chicken Piccata, which is on the regular Maggie's Menu, and had two glasses of wine. The Shepherd's Pie was easily large enough for three regular dinners/meals. I'd hoped to have room for the Irish Car Bomb Cupcake, but no luck. Loved the Shepherd's Pie that night, and as leftovers twice more. Total with tip was roughly $85. A great visit!

10. Diorio Restaurant & Bar

231 Bank St, Waterbury, CT 06702-2213 Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Private Dining, Wheelchair Accessible Italian, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner SGD 41 - SGD 66 +1 203-754-5111
Excellent
53%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 156 reviews

Diorio Restaurant & Bar

Reviewed By mrsiss - Boston, Massachusetts

Given its location in the back hallway of the courtyard Marriott hotel, this was a surprisingly good find!

The atmosphere is old school lovely, and it was well decorated for the holidays.

The service at the bar was great. There were clearly local regulars, but the bartender was attentive to all.

I had the house salad with Gorgonzola. It was very good. My main dish (which was actually the appetizer special of the day) was the sausage fra diavlo over polento. It was excellent!

Prices were high for the area, but fairly reasonable for a larger city. Entrees around $30-34.

I definitely recommend trying Diorio.

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