Diners' Choice: Great for fine wines restaurants in Middlesex

OpenTable

Updated 05 October 2026

Looking for restaurants with the most notable wine lists in Middlesex? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category 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!

Grano Arso

4.9

4.9 (2237)

$31 to $50

Italian

Chester

About the restaurant

Owned and operated by husband and wife, Chef Joel and Lani Gargano, coupled with warm and knowledgeable hospitality and a creative and experience kitchen team with Grano Arso is the neighborhood go-to eatery for wholesome cooking, Italian wine, local beers, and specialty cocktails. We invite you to come and experience what community means to us!

***Please note for large parties of 6 and more there is a service charge of 22%. There is a prix fixe menu requirement for parties of 7 to 12 with a service charge of 22% and 50% deposit. Guests will need to have the restaurant book large parties and will not be able to do so on Opentable.***

Top review

NickGold

Dined 2 days ago

Maureen was amazing and made sure our evening went smoothly!

Liv's Oyster Bar

4.8

4.8 (2901)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Old Saybrook

About the restaurant

Opening in 2006, Liv’s Oyster Bar and Restaurant quickly became a dining destination in Old Saybrook. Inspired by his daughter, Olivia, and years of experience in the restaurant industry, owner John Brescio set out with a desire to welcome the community to his family’s table.

Dining at Liv’s, whether in the main room, at the bar, or on the patio, is an experience to be savored with friends and family long after summer on the shoreline has past.
John Brescio also serves as Liv’s Executive Chef, creating simple, focused dishes with an emphasis on local ingredients, and the stunning seafood that the area provides. The menu at Liv’s changes with the seasons, bringing guests a true taste of the pristine environment. John works closely with Liv’s partners to make sure only the best produce is used, as he would serve nothing less to his family.
Together with his exceptional staff, John welcomes you to the special experience he’s created at Liv’s Oyster Bar.

Top review

Chris

Dined 2 days ago

Great food, excellent service. Brought friends for a celebration with their first time there and they absolutely will go back. Five star experience.

La Marea

4.8

4.8 (1993)

$31 to $50

Italian

Old Saybrook

About the restaurant

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, locally sourced ingredients. Gluten Free and Vegetarian options are available. Enjoy your dining experience in either our dining room or be sure to reserve a seat at our conversational hi-top tables or at the bar in our lounge.

Important: when making a reservation through OpenTable there is an option to make a reservation at a high top table in the bar area or standard table which is in the dining room. If the high top option does not pop up as an option for you then that means that there are NO High Top tables available at those times. If you would like to reserve bar seats please leave us a note or call us. See you soon!

Take-out available

Top review

Nicholas

Dined 3 days ago

The waiter was very informative and excited about the cuisine. The food was excellent. His wine choice was excellent.

Chamard Vineyards, Farm Winery Bistro

4.7

4.7 (2578)

$31 to $50

French American

Clinton

About the restaurant

Established in 1983, Chamard Vineyards, is one of the Connecticut Wine Trails founding fathers. Tucked between the Long Island Sound and the Connecticut River, Chamard enjoys a unique marine micro-climate ideal for growing European Vinifera vines such as Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Pinot Noir. To produce “French Inspired Wines from the Connecticut Shoreline” has been Chamards mission from the start. As a farm, Chamard honors agriculture by partnering with fellow growers and producers to pair food with wine in celebration of Connecticut’s local gastronomy.

Top review

tony

Dined 3 days ago

The consistent quality of attention of the waiting service adds a level of relaxed comfort to the evening. The food, as always, maintains its high level, and the wines are always a treat.

Discover more

4.7

4.7 (2180)

$31 to $50

American

Westbrook

About the restaurant

Please go to www.caferoutier.com for all current menus and important postings!
"Constantly evolving, Seasonally driven and Globally inspired menus"

Cafe Routier, Bistro and Lounge, serving a three paneled menu format; Regional (a different region of the world every 8 weeks), Seasonal (locally sourced seasonal ingredients) and a specialty menu of classic Bistro fare. A 40 seat lounge serving 'small plates' and tapas adjoins the bar area. Ethos is important to us.

Reservations made online are for our dining room only. Our lounge does not require reservations and works on a first come/first serve approach, so please do not make a reservation if your intent is to sit in the lounge!

Top review

James

Dined 6 days ago

Routier is always a good choice with folks in the dining room or alone at the bar. Quality and steady place with interesting seasonal menus. Go there!

The Brushmill by the Waterfall

4.7

4.7 (888)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Chester

About the restaurant

The Brushmill By The Waterfall is a restaurant and tavern featuring contemporary cuisine in an elegant setting overlooking a romantic waterfall on the Pattaconk Creek located in picturesque Chester, Connecticut.

Top review

Boyce

Dined 4 days ago

Great cocktails and ambiance! I’d highly recommend to anyone in the area

Discover more

Popular dish

Pan Seared Scallops

The Wine Bar & Bistro at The Griswold Inn

4.6

4.6 (137)

$30 and under

Wine Bar

Essex

About the restaurant

The Wine Bar at The Griswold Inn is an extraordinary space in which to enjoy a delicious experience in every respect. It features an innovative tapas menu, inspired "macro" plates, artisanal cheeses and handcrafted desserts. The menu changes periodically to take advantage of all that characterizes a particular season, though there are a few classics that remain on the menu throughout the year, like its very popular Grilled and Carved Bistro Steak, served with white truffle-laced pommes frites, arugula,
and red wine jus. A consistent winner of Wine Spectator's prestigious Award of Excellence, it offers numerous wines by the glass, wine flights, and a more extensive bottle list. A full-service bar is also available. A creative and accomplished chef and a knowledgeable and attentive service staff complete the experience.

Top review

Lisa

Dined on 17 Oct 2026

A Great dining experience. Sommelier had a great recommendation for our wine selection. Server was friendly, attentive and professional. The food was outstanding. The chef shared his passion for cooking as we could taste it in his amazing food. Every bite was a delicious journey of flavor. We will Definitely be back. We should probably keep this place the a secret but we cant help but compliment the people who deserve it. We are all in! Our new go to favorite experience.

Red Fox Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (464)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Middletown

About the restaurant

Red Fox is a family owned gourmet restaurant that serves top of the line Mediterranean/American cuisine for a reasonable price. With an extensive wine collection and amazing entrée options we are sure to please. We look forward to serving you! Outside dinning available!!!!

Top review

TomGold

Dined 2 days ago

Met friends for a nice lunch. Food and service was great and the restaurant was quiet enough to actually have a conversation. Prices were also quite reasonable.

Aspen Restaurant

4.5

4.5 (1878)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Old Saybrook

About the restaurant

Aspen Restaurant Voted Best New Restaurant for 2009 by Connecticut Magazine.
A premiere destination dining experience, serving contemporary american cuisine with global accents.
Aspen Restaurant is Located on 2 main street in Old Saybrook,CT.

Top review

WalterGold

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent in every way! Nicest restaurant we absolutely enjoyed and recommend…

Discover more

Popular dish

CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE MOUSSE

4.5

4.5 (25)

$31 to $50

Italian

Middletown

About the restaurant

Pastaio is a Chef Owned restaurant in Middletown, CT specializing in hand made pastas and innovative Italian-American specialties. Our passion is creating a memorable experience for our guests with the highest quality ingredients, expertly prepared with care and delivered with the highest level of hospitality.

Top review

Jovonnie

Dined 4 days ago

A Wonderful Surprise and an Exceptional Dining Experience! Since Pastaio had only opened a couple of months ago, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but my partner and I were absolutely delighted with our experience! From the moment we arrived, everything was fabulous. The drinks were excellent, our waiter was attentive and welcoming, and the ambiance was beautiful and inviting. I ordered the scallops with mushroom risotto, which was delicious, while my partner had the veal ossobuco with cheesy polenta, and it was fantastic! Every dish was full of flavor and beautifully prepared. For such a new restaurant, Pastaio is off to an incredible start! We had a wonderful evening and truly enjoyed every aspect of our dinner. We will definitely be back and highly recommend giving this restaurant a try. A fantastic addition to the dining scene!

Explore Diners' Choice best of Middlesex

Explore more Diners' Choice lists