Diners' Choice: Most Booked restaurants in Hartford

OpenTable

Updated 05 October 2026

Looking for the most booked restaurants in Hartford? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 500,000 new global diner reviews from the past month. We sort the results by location to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

J. Gilbert’s – Wood Fired Steaks & Seafood – Glastonbury

4.8

4.8 (11004)

$31 to $50

Steak

Glastonbury

About the restaurant

Located just west of Glastonbury’s Main Street on tree-lined Glastonbury Boulevard, J. Gilbert’s has been lauded as one of Glastonbury’s finest hidden gems. Consistently an OpenTable Diners Choice Winner and J. Gilbert's Glastonbury has been named in the top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in the US for two years running (#1 for Connecticut).

Some consider us the best steakhouse in Glastonbury. Others simply consider us the best restaurant in Glastonbury. Enjoy our Prime wood-fired steaks and seafood – led by award-winning Executive Chef Erik Blommstran and inspired by Kansas City-steakhouse fare – in a luxe, yet warm atmosphere, all served with impeccable care. Guests enjoy the finest cuts of steak, fresh seafood (including award-winning crab cakes) & other house made favorites like our hand-cut Blue Cheese Potato Chips, 24 Layer Cake and more. The extensive cocktail, martini & wine list offers the perfect compliment to an excellent meal. Reservations are highly recommended.

Top review

Richard

Dined 2 days ago

Service was fantastic. The food was incredible. Steak and scallops were extremely good. Great crème brûlée for dessert. 10/10.

Max A Mia | Avon

4.6

4.6 (762)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Italian

Avon

About the restaurant

NOW LOCATED AT 380 W. MAIN STREET IN AVON!

Opened in 1991, Max a Mia was named “Best New Restaurant” by Connecticut Magazine in its first year, and “top-grossing restaurant in its size” by Restaurant Hospitality. The restaurant is now in the good hands of Executive Chef Bob Peterson, who has brought an exciting new energy to the restaurant.

Max A Mia is the quintessential Italian experience in the Greater Hartford area. It also continues to garner awards and accolades. Traditional pasta dishes, stone pies, as well as inventive Italian offerings, set the mood for wine, cocktails and dessert.

Top review

Greg

Dined 5 days ago

Excellent food and service. Nice ambiance. Will definitely return.

The Capital Grille - Hartford

4.8

4.8 (2906)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Hartford

About the restaurant

Make it a day to remember. From birthdays and anniversaries to professional milestones, we aim to make every gathering special at The Capital Grille. Open seven days a week, The Capital Grille is best known for our expertly prepared steaks, which are dry aged in house for 18 to 24 days and then hand-cut by our restaurant's on-premise butcher. The Capital Grille's wine list features more than 350 selections, and its floor-to-ceiling wine kiosk regularly houses 3,500 - 5,000 bottles. Reservations are recommended but not required. For more information, please visit our website. We look forward to delighting you.

Top review

JeffGold

Dined 3 days ago

What can you say. Capital Grill sets the bar so high for even themselves on food quality and service. This never disappoints whether it is a small party of two or a room rental for 16. Every time I am in town, Hartford, we stop in because LiBeth is the best server in the entire country. Ask for her by name and I promise you won't be disappointed.

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Popular dish

Filet Mignon 10oz

Experience

Wagyu & Wine Lounge Event

Experience

Introducing Capital Hours

Millwright's Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (4228)

$31 to $50

American

Simsbury

About the restaurant

With its unique setting perched atop a waterfall in Simsbury, Connecticut, Millwright’s invites guests to dine in the 17th century mill with acclaimed, James Beard nominated Chef Tyler Anderson and his team. Featuring daily-chosen farm ingredients, the freshest and most select product, proprietary cocktails, and exciting wine menu, Millwright’s offers a new experience to the Farmington Valley farm-to-table dining scene. The culinary team understands the impact of the highest-quality fresh ingredients. Millwright’s kitchen thrives on local ingredients – grown, raised, produced, foraged and prepared – whenever possible. They also take the farm-to-table concept one step further. Millwright’s has partnered with a farm that will grow most of its organic produce. The “Inspired New England” cuisine at Millwright’s pays homage to the land, to the flavor-rich quality of local, fresh ingredients and to the time-honored cooking techniques that enhance the natural goodness of those ingredients.

Top review

Geoffrey

Dined 5 days ago

Millwrights, never dissapoints, always a great meal in beautiful environment.

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Popular dish

Steak & Eggs

Popular dish

Chicken and Dumplings

Popular dish

Duck Breast

The Charles - Wethersfield

4.6

4.6 (2038)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Wethersfield

About the restaurant

Vintage Feel, Modern Taste – Welcome to The Charles

Located in the historic Old Wethersfield, CT, The Charles blends timeless charm with contemporary cuisine. Whether you're dropping in for a craft cocktail and small bite at the bar, enjoying a fireside dinner, hosting a business meeting in our state-of-the-art Board Room, or celebrating a special occasion in our private dining room, The Charles offers an experience for every guest.

As we proudly celebrate 5 years in June 2025, The Charles has earned over 70 awards for excellence in culinary innovation, beverage programs, service, ambiance, and community involvement.

Come see why The Charles continues to be a local favorite and a destination dining experience.

CT Magazine's 2025 Best Restaurants
Statewide Finalist
▪ Business Lunch
▪ Most Romantic
▪ Wine Selection
Statewide Runner-Up
▪ American New
▪ Fine Dining
Hartford County Winner
▪ American New
▪ Fine Dining
▪ Most Romantic

CRA (2022)
Best Restaurant – North Region

Top review

Chris

Dined 4 days ago

Excellent service from all the staff, excellent food at reasonable prices and a wonderful atmosphere. I highly recommend The Charles and we will definitely be coming back again soon.

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Max Oyster Bar - West Hartford Center

4.7

4.7 (638)

$50 and over

American

West Hartford

About the restaurant

Featuring modern renditions of classic American seafood, Max’s Oyster Bar menu has something for everyone. While seafood is the focal point, there are selections for even the most ardent landlubber. Ethnic influences are apparent throughout a menu filled with new interpretations on traditional fare. The raw bar offers an extensive variety of bi-coastal oysters and shellfish.

In it’s freshman year, 1999, Max’s Oyster Bar was awarded “Best New Restaurant” by Connecticut Magazine. Since then it has won numerous Reader’s Choice Awards, including “Best Seafood Restaurant”. Zagat’s Survey has also given Max’s Oyster Bar an “extraordinary” rating.

Top review

Tom

Dined 7 days ago

We always love Max Oyster Bar in West Hartford Center. The food is amazing any the staff and service is great. As a special note, the Social Hour Menu is fantastic. We suggest trying it if you haven’t already.

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Molten Chocolate Truffle Beignets

Abigail's Grille & Wine Bar

4.6

4.6 (1899)

$31 to $50

American

Simsbury

About the restaurant

Abigail's Grille & Wine Bar serves modern eats in a renovated tavern that dates back to the Revolutionary War. Enjoy fresh oysters and clams from the restaurant's raw bar with a glass of wine or one of the restaurant's many fine cognacs. Lunch at Abigail's Grille & Wine Bar ranges from light salads with ingredients like country bacon or roasted cauliflower to an especially hearty chicken potpie and other meatier dishes. The restaurant's Monte Cristo sandwich is a true indulgence. Juicy steaks, rich house-made pastas and seafood delicacies like grilled swordfish and blackened redfish dominate Abigail's Grille & Wine Bar's dinner menu. The restaurant's bone-in Gorgonzola pork chop is a standout dish. A Sunday brunch menu includes your choice of cocktail.

Top review

Patricia

Dined 6 days ago

The menu selection is vast,the quality is wonderful, the service is top notch, the value is terrific, and the atmosphere is conducive to spending time with friends. It is my go to special eatery!

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Experience

Thanksgiving Dinner

Fleming's Steakhouse - West Hartford

4.8

4.8 (1729)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Hartford

About the restaurant

Your West Hartford Fleming's is located in the historic Educational Building, just off West Hartford Center and next to the Noah Webster Library. Fleming's in West Hartford is an outstanding choice to enjoy an exceptional Prime steak, glass of wine or handcrafted cocktail. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion, hosting a business dinner or simply wanting to enjoy a night out - we will create a safe and memorable evening in our Dining Room. If you prefer to enjoy your fine dining experience at home, you can order and pay for lunch or dinner online and then pick up curbside or select from one of our delivery partners.

Top review

John

Dined 2 days ago

Our wait staff were all very friendly and attentive in every way. Manger came over to see how everything was. Steaks were perfectly cooked to ordered temperatures.

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Max Fish - Glastonbury

4.8

4.8 (713)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Glastonbury

About the restaurant

Max Fish has been offering high-quality seafood, drinks, and service for over 15 years. Since opening in Glastonbury in 2007, we have been committed to providing exceptional guest experiences and focusing on offering fresh and sustainable seafood dishes on our menu. We also offer a Happy Hour 7 days a week starting at 3:30. There are No Reservations for Happy Hour, its all first come, first serve.

Our culinary team continues to innovate and offer exciting new menu additions. Whether you're celebrating a special event or just looking for a relaxing night out, Max Fish is the perfect spot.

Top review

MichaelGold

Dined 2 days ago

Joe was our server and made our dinner with friends a fantastic memorable experience. We will be back soon.

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Copy of Annual NYE Pre Fixe at Max Fish

Max Downtown - Hartford

4.7

4.7 (558)

$50 and over

American

Hartford

About the restaurant

Located right in downtown Hartford since 1996, Max Downtown continues to add to all that the city has to offer with its legendary service, food and drink selection. Max Downtown has won a number of awards including Connecticut Magazine's Best for Overall Excellence, Hartford Magazine's Best Power Lunch Spot, Best for Business Entertaining and Best Wine List; has been featured in the Hartford Courant's Great Steaks: The State's Sizzling Best and was rated "Don't Miss" by the New York Times.

With a significant list of vintage and non-vintage wines stored in-house, Max Downtown is excited to additionally offer its stunning wine mezzanine as a focal point. Our selection is bound to have the perfect accompaniment for your occasion whether it’s by the glass or by the bottle.

If spirits are more your style, Max Downtown's whiskey bar features a broad selection of international bourbons, ryes, scotches and whiskeys crafted across the globe, from Kentucky to Japan.

Top review

AriaGold

Dined 4 days ago

Wonderful food, extremely accomodating to our large group, great service, and outstanding food. Will definitely visit again during next trip to Hartford.

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Experience

Whiskey Wednesday with Heaven Hill Distillery

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