The Best Restaurants in Westport
Westport, Connecticut is known for its beautiful shoreline and bustling downtown, but what sets it apart from neighboring towns is its flourishing restaurant scene, which seems to have undergone a revitalization since the pandemic.
Not sure where to have dinner this weekend? With restaurants representing cuisines from around the world, check out our definitive guide to the best restaurants in Westport.
The Best Restaurants in Westport, CT
Hudson Malone
The second location of a classic New York City saloon is meant to invite the warmth and nostalgia evoked by the dark wood and fragrance of an old European bar. Hudson Malone is the upscale gastropub you didn’t know you needed. Proprietor and Chef Doug Quinn has worked under some of the best names in the business and was even known as the “bartender of your dreams” at the classic NYC joint, PJ Clarke’s.
A mouthwatering raw bar includes oysters served with champagne mignonette, “Big Salads” for the healthy-eater (and Seinfeld fans), delectable burgers and seafood options, and the prime steak and chophouse options for which they are known.
For brunch, lunch, or dinner you can’t go wrong with Hudson Malone’s nouveau spin on the classic New York pub. In our opinion, it’s one of the best casual-but-stylish restaurants in the Fairfield-Westport area.
323 Main St, Westport, CT 06880
Nômade
Nômade was once of the hottest new restaurants in Westport in 2022, in the former Tavern on Main space, and quickly became a fixture on the local dining scene. A trendy restaurant that celebrates cultural fusion and reimagined takes on classic dishes, Nômade’s cuisine is inspired by favorite dishes from destinations all around the world. The restaurant itself has a minimalist, European feel with warm tone woods and a cozy, welcoming ambiance, and is situation on Main Street among some of Westport’s best shopping.
Nômade’s small plates will leave you dreaming of oysters, salmon crudo, and spicy tuna on crispy rice long after you’ve devoured them. Guests rave about the masterful orchestration of entrées like Hungarian Stuffed Cabbage, Halibut Collar, Chicken Paillard, and Waygu Bistro Steak Frites that leave them stuffed and satisfied.
Those who save room for dessert will not be disappointed with options like fluffy beignets or rich chocolate mousse. Nômade is sure to satisfy those looking to expand their palate beyond local cuisine along with the most scrupulous foodies.
150 Main St, Westport, CT 06880
OKO
Looking for an opportunity to dine at the restaurant of one of the most celebrated chefs in New England? OKO is your place. Owned and operated by Brian Lewis, OKO was deemed “competitive with the best in Manhattan” by Forbes and their Rye location was added to the prestigious MICHELIN Guide’s list of New Plate Establishments in New York in 2021.
Lewis himself has twice been a semi-finalist for the James Beard Awards’ Best Chef: Northeast and has trained under the guidance of masterful chefs like Jean Louis Palladin and Marco Pierre White. OKO utilizes local ingredients combined with ingredients from Tsukiji fish market in Japan to merge Lewis’ culinary style with Japanese techniques for a magnificently orchestrated culinary experience.
The menu features Nigiri sourced from near and far in the U.S. as well as a myriad of options from Japan. There are an array of entrée options from hand rolls to bay scallop ramen noodles, duck & foie gras gyoza to yasai dumplings– there’s no shortage of tantalizing delicacies for your taste buds at OKO.
6 Wilton Rd, Westport, CT 06880
The Cottage
Fine dining without the precociousness usually likened with fine dining, The Cottage offers gourmet dishes in a cozy, warm environment. The brainchild of renowned New England chef (and OKO owner), Brian Lewis, The Cottage was dubbed “Excellent” in a New York Times review just four months after being open.
The menu offers familiar classics like deviled farm egg and fois gras juxtaposed with wagyu brisket bao buns and spicy Maine sea scallop tartare. Needless to say, The Cottage will leave both picky and adventurous eaters equally satisfied.
Lewis is known for utilizing local, in season ingredients in his dishes like his local parsnip tortelloni with 20 month prosciutto di parma, charred leeks and hazelnut. Mouthwatering mains include the unpresumptuous Cottage Burger with comté cheese, sriracha aioli, and bacon & onion jam; the refined bacon wrapped green-walk trout with beluga lentils, local spinach, caramelized apple, and nage; and the savory braised wagyu beef cheeks. Aside from being one of the best restaurants in Westport, The Cottage is a crowd pleaser.
256 Post Rd E, Westport, CT 06880
Don Memo
Don Memo is a vibrant, fun, family-friendly Mexican restaurant located in the former Westport town hall, which coincidentally matches the restaurant’s funky aesthetic. The restaurant’s plates are rooted in inspiration from Oxacana, Mexico City and Puebla, making their menu a standout against others in the area.
The warm, laid back ambiance is matched by friendly service that ensures the experience at Don Memo’s is memorable from start to finish. Guests can enjoy brunch or dinner here with offerings like lobster or foie gras tostada, squash quesadillas, jalapeno and cotija tamales, and seemingly endless taco options.
Guests rave that the made to order margaritas are delicious, refreshing, and pair perfectly with the menu. A family-friendly Mexican spot that’s fun for kids and adults, Don Memo is a must try!
90 Post Rd E, Westport, CT 06880
Tarantino’s
A family-owned favorite in the Westport community, Tarantino’s is owned by the Marchetti-Tarantino family who incorporate their southern Italian roots as inspiration for all of the dishes they serve. Locals say this restaurant has the holy trinity of “must have’s”: great food, great service, and a great wine list.
Italian classics are served alongside handmade pasta and locals insist, you can taste the difference! A blend of Italian flavors compliments each dish like the popular pollo scarpariello, ossobuco, and zuppa di aragosta. Antipasti, insalate, meats and cheeses, as well as appetizers for the table like oysters on the half shell are a perfect prelude to a quality, Italian meal.
For date night, family dinners, or an evening with friends, Tarantino’s consistent quality, spectacular service, and affordable pricing make it one of the best restaurants in Westport.
30 Railroad Pl, Westport, CT 06880
La Plage
If you’re searching for a Westport restaurant on the water, with excellent food and views of the Long Island Sound, La Plage is it. The crème de la crème of local offerings, La Plage serves up locally harvested seafood, shellfish, produce and sustainable meats in a casual, yet refined atmosphere with beautiful views of the Long Island sound to accompany your meal.
La Plage makes simple pleasures delightful with raw bar offerings that include a delectable variety of oysters, shrimp and clams from across New England alongside staples like oysters rockefeller, steamed Maine mussels, and local meats and cheeses.
Guests love the superfood chopped salad and the Maine lobster roll and foodies will enjoy the homemade squid ink cavatelli. The maple creme brulée is the stuff of local legend, coupled with the perfect made to order drinks, excellent service, and a delicious menu, La Plage is a crown jewel of Westport dining.
260 Compo Rd S, Westport, CT 06880
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