123 Bantam Lake Rd. | 860-567-9869
Across the side street from Bantam Cinema on Route 209, Wood’s Pit is a haven for BBQ lovers, with staples like pulled pork, sliced beef brisket, BBQ chicken, and St. Louis-style pork ribs, and specials like pork belly burnt ends and a mac’n’ cheese skillet with BBQ. Desserts tend toward classics like cheesecake, apple crisp, and blueberry/peach cobbler.
449 Bantam Lake Rd. | 860-567-8000
Inspired by the seafood havens on Cape Cod, West Shore Seafood offers a classic roadside seafood experience across Route 209 from Bantam Lake; think of lobster dinners and friend clams and you get the idea. There’s outdoor seating in the seasonal tent or at picnic tables in the garden (dogs welcome), and the full menu is also available for take-out. Adding to the appeal, there’s also a fresh seafood market for those who want to do the cooking at home. *Outdoor dining.
43 West St. | 860-567-3885
A longtime favorite of the successful and famous (yes, George Clooney did stroll in one evening with Bill Murray and filmmaker Wes Anderson) West Street Grill features inventive New American cuisine in a sophisticated setting where owner and host James O’Shea, an engaging Irishman, makes the dining experience unforgettable. *Outdoor dining.
25 West St. | 860-567-8307
The Village is that hometown tavern that’s been around and popular forever (seemingly) for the good food, good people, fine hospitality, and warm setting. It’s the kind of place where you can have a craft beer at the bar or settle into a table (inside or out) for comfort food like meatloaf and mashed potatoes, rigatoni Bolognese, or chicken Parmesan—or slightly more adventurous fare like horseradish-crusted salmon. *Outdoor dining.
3 West St. | 860-567-8882
A true craft beer haven with a long and always-changing menu, @thecorner has versatile flair. It’s front section is a coffeeshop café in the morning, a new ATC South St. taco and martini bar opened this fall next door, and the core restaurant packs in the fans with salads, burgers, risotto dishes, jerk chicken, a flatbread offering, wings, and lots of specials. *Outdoor dining.
7 North St. | 860-361-9930
Marketplace may have the coolest location in Litchfield, making its home in the renovated former jail built to house prisoners in the War of 1812. In warm weather, guests favor the outdoor patio overlooking the Green, but the interior beckons, too, with its “clink chic.” There’s a small but good craft beer menu to accompany the burgers and other classic tavern fare (fried calamari, nachos, onion soup, fish-and-chips, etc.), and specials kick it up a notch with dishes like spicy spaghetti with shrimp. *Outdoor dining.
8 Village Green Dr | 860-361-6142
Tucked next to Litchfield Hills Wine Market, KawaSaki is known for its sushi, including appetizers, a la carte menu and a sushi bar, as well as lunch and dinner boxes, a hibachi menu, a kid’s menu, and entrees like chicken, beef, shrimp, or seafood teriyaki and more—and don’t forget to order noodles!
33 Village Green Dr. | 860-567-8777
From wonton, egg drop and sweet & sour soup to egg rolls, fried rice, chow mein, lo mein, egg foo young, chicken Szechwan, and beef Hunan style, China Rainbow has you covered for classic Chinese cuisine.