Restaurants in Stratford

Amici's Restaurant's chefs stir pots brimming with fresh pastas, plate golden rings of fried calamari, and grill new york strip steaks. The servers then transport the platters of Italian fare to the dining area, which is enclosed by exposed-brick walls and filled with round tables draped in crisp, white cloths and topped with bottles of olive oil for drizzling on fresh bread or silencing squeaky olive-oil bottles. Paintings of quaint cafes hang above the full bar, where a sleek stone counter reflects the restaurant's red and white exterior with a decorative wrought-iron café table and chairs for two.

Mumbai Rasoi's chefs adorn authentic Indian cuisine with a flurry of exotic spices and house-made ingredients. They enlist the roasting powers of a traditional tandoor to grill chicken dishes, and swathe shrimp and lamb in spicy curries. They also construct a multitude of vegetarian-friendly entrees, uniting a rainbow of ingredients ranging from red kidney beans to black lentils to holographic rutabagas.

Eddie Rivera’s trip to Puerto Rico, during which he ate everything the island had to offer, convinced the entrepreneur to bring Puerto Rican cuisine back to Bridgeport. Thus, El Flamboyan Restaurant & Lounge was born, a brick, moody eatery reminiscent of those Eddie dined in while visiting bustling San Juan. Twin lobsters with two sides highlight a menu of island delicacies, from empanadas stuffed with crab or octopus to plantain mofongo mashed with roasted pork shoulder. Nightly special events include live DJs on weekends, and Thursday-night karaoke, when guests can emulate the chirpings of Puerto Rico’s iconic coquí frog.

A mosaic floor tile and brass wall sconces lend Barnum Publick House turn-of-the-century flair, but it’s the stamped tin ceiling that truly transports patrons to the early 1900s. Locally grown vegetables add their flavor to the menu of elevated pub fare, which includes sandwiches such as adult grilled cheese filled with brie and provolone, all-ages appropriate fish 'n' chips, and short-rib stroganoff. On Sundays, diners choose from inventive brunch options including banana-stuffed French toast and eggnog-infused pancakes. Fresh fruit enhances artisanal spirits in specialty cocktails, alongside herbs personally muddled by the Jolly Green Giant.

Hanging lanterns cast a crimson glow as paintings of poppies add a dash of color to the walls of Reiki Sushi & Asian Bistro. Within these characteristic confines, deft chefs prepare fresh fish in the guise of more than 59 varieties of sushi rolls with flavorful vegetables and a selection of sashimi served fresh daily including, live scallop, blue fin toro, and sea urchin. For patrons who prefer cooked fare or are feeling emotional about a former pet eel, Reiki Sushi & Asian Bistro also serves hot meals from throughout the region, including chicken teriyaki, vegetable tempura, and pad thai, along with fusion finds such as blackened tuna tacos.

Sunlight streams through the wall-to-wall windows in Roberto’s Restaurant’s garden room, warming hanging greenery, exposed-brick walls, and platefuls of pasta and grilled steaks. Servers slip among the tables, carrying pizzas with adventurous toppings such as chopped clams and broccoli rabbe. The eatery seats 140 people, the exact number of players on field during a standard soccer game, and was voted Best Family Dining in the county by the readers of Connecticut Magazine.