These 3 Connecticut Restaurants Recently Ranked Among America’s Finest

Connecticut really just knocked it out of the park with its food scene—four of our awesome restaurants are now ranked among the best in the whole country! Not just “pretty good for New England,” but top-tier in the U.S.A! 

3 Connecticut Restaurants Make Important Global Restaurant Rankings

As someone who loves eating out like it's a sport, I couldn’t be more pumped—or hungry. Whether it’s sushi that melts in your mouth or seafood that gives your taste buds a little high-five or the exquisite taste of gourmet Italian, these spots have gone from being local favorites to true national treasures.

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You know how I roll—if it’s tasty, has some flair, and you need a reservation, count me in with a fork ready and zero regrets. From the chill spots in Kent to the shores of Mystic, these three Connecticut restaurants are turning heads in the food scene, and they totally deserve the hype. Let’s check out what makes them so awesome!

Gohan Japanese Cuisine in Southington snagged the No. 20 spot on Yelp’s 2025 Top 100 list—remarkable for a cozy sushi joint tucked in a strip mall, praised for its flawless rice and intimate atmosphere. Owner Rachael Lynn told the Darien Times:

The restaurant barely does any kind of advertisements and has built a customer base from word of mouth. However, some customers do visit after seeing good reviews, and they've become regular customers.

Read More: The Top 10 Favorite Foods Connecticut Locals Love Most in 2025

The Shipwright’s Daughter in Mystic landed on The New York Times’ 2024 list of the 50 best restaurants in the U.S.—a testament to its sustainable seafood focus and deep roots in coastal Connecticut culture. The New York Times article states,

"This legendary restaurant is famous for its sustainability and local seafood along with inventive pastas, an exemplary roast chicken and the crispy's head."

Strega—Both Strega locations received the “Due Forchette” (two forks) honor from Italy’s prestigious Gambero Rosso in 2025, according to an article in ctinsider.com. This honor marks them as among the best Italian restaurants globally.