6 Best Restaurants in Westport, Southwestern Connecticut

Mainly a chophouse, where you might choose a 40-ounce Tomahawk steak, 10-ounce filet mignon, double-cut pork chop with a choice of sauce or herbed butter; but the rather extensive menu also includes grilled fish, burgers, and several small plates. 

The theme for this neighborhood favorite is horse, of course; the atmosphere reflects the historic building (circa 1808), and the menu offers old-fashioned comfort foods with modern flourishes. The grilled pork chop has a whole-grain mustard glaze, chicken Milanese includes a side of lemon yogurt sauce, steak frites comes with Parmesan fries—and items on the Pony Menu will delight the kids.

One of several area restaurants operated by the Marchetti-Tarantino family over the past four decades, Maria Marchetti still makes all of the restaurant's homemade pasta and ravioli. You'll also find traditional Italian fish (il pesce) meat (la carne), and poultry (il pollo) dishes on the menu, along with a full roster of antipasti.

Within the Terrain garden store, you'll find a bright, cheery café that offers exquisitely prepared dishes using locally sourced organic produce so fresh you'll want to become a gardener yourself. Enjoy brunch all afternoon; dinner entrées like line-caught Atlantic halibut with barley risotto or the duck breast with braised endive come with a delicious (and, frankly, adorable) terracotta pot of baked bread.