Rooftop Dining at Evaritos.

The weather is still beautiful and perfect for dining outdoors. There are tons of incredible spaces in your city where you can enjoy a lovely dining experience outside while staying safe. Norwalk offers a variety of restaurants with waterfront views, rooftop seating, and elegant courtyards! 

1. Harbor Lights

Dine with a view. Harbor Lights restaurant on Seaview Avenue offers a spacious waterfront patio with incredible views of the Sound. Their menu is Mediterranean-inspired and boasts the freshest seafood that comes in daily from local providers. The service is top-notch and the fare is unique and sophisticated. If you’re looking for an elegant dining experience with the best of Norwalk’s views, you definitely need to head to Harbor Lights on one of these beautiful days.

2. Osteria Romana

You can never go wrong with Italian cuisine. Osteria Romana on Westport Avenue offers guests a charming patio for outdoor dining to go along with their outstanding Italian dishes. Their menu consists of both classic and modern Roman fare and their fresh signature handmade pasta is renowned among locals and visitors. The attention to quality and detail is apparent in both their exquisite dishes, service, and dining experience.

3. Caffe Social

In the mood for breakfast, brunch, or just lunch? Caffe Social offers innovative dishes, energizing coffee, and a cheerful atmosphere. The menu is full of classic breakfast dishes, delicious paninis, unique burgers, and a variety of hot and iced coffees and other teas and drinks. Whether you’re stopping in for a quick coffee, or you’re in the mood for a filling brunch, Caffe Social on North Main Street will welcome you with their lively and lighthearted atmosphere. 

4. Haruki

Haruki offers guests an authentic Japanese dining experience with modern twists. Their unique menu is known for both their eight hour ramen and exquisite cocktails. Haruki prides itself in providing the most authentic Japanese cuisine with a traditional, casual “izakaya” experience. Check out Haruki on West Avenue the next time that you’re craving Japanese cuisine!

5. Oak + Almond

When you can’t make it to Italy, visit Oak + Almond instead. Their large outdoor dining patios feature beautiful gardens, a wood-burning fireplace (they use oak and almond wood, hence the name), twinkling string lights, and a soothing water fountain. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy one of their incredible farm-to-table dishes, sip a craft cocktail, and pretend you’re on holiday. This fun destination at 555 Main Avenue is equally suitable for a family outing, a date, a work meet-up, or a BFF night out.

6. Mecha Noodle Bar

Pho, anyone? Mecha Noodle Bar on 116 Washington Street is a casual restaurant offering Asia’s most comforting dishes, from Vietnamese pho to Japanese ramen, as well as a variety of small dishes that can be found throughout the streets of Southeast Asia. Mecha means “mom and pop” in Vietnamese, as a tribute to the culture and tradition that their dishes originate from. The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor dining options, so grab a sweater and get cozy with a bowl of hot noodles!

7. O’Neill’s Irish Pub and Restaurant

Head to O’Neill’s and grab a beer! This Irish pub offers a large selection of beers, and traditional English and Irish fare. O’Neill’s is known as “the soul of Ireland in the heart of South Norwalk.” With a recently expanded outdoor patio, O’Neil’s on 93 North Main Street is a great space to enjoy a beer and Irish specialties in an energetic and inviting atmosphere.

8. Washington Prime

Who else is always in the mood for a good steak? Washington Prime on 141 Washington Street is the place to go for your beef craving. Their menu is best described as American with cross-cultural inspiration. They offer a large menu of both land and sea as well as an extensive selection of cocktails, beer, and wine. The atmosphere is wholesome and sprightly whether you’re joining for indoor or outdoor dining.

9. Evarito’s Mexican Kitchen & Bar

Tacos, margaritas, and rooftop dining. It doesn’t get much better than that! Evarito’s is a fun, laid back restaurant that offers the freshest flavors of Mexico from their wood-fired fajitas to their impressive mezcal list. In addition to their rooftop dining options, there is a large patio on the ground level! You can’t go wrong with tequila and tacos, so stop by Evarito’s on 16 North Main Street for your next night out!href=”https://www.evaritos.com/”>https://www.evaritos.com/

10. Colony Grill

In pizza we crust. Colony Grill on 515 West Avenue is the ultimate spot to get in your pizza fix. Colony is renowned for its one of a kind, thin-crust pies. Their signature topping is their “Hot Oil,” you definitely need to try this the next time that you visit! Your mind might jump to Italian when you think about pizza, but this Irish grill will certainly become a favorite. Grab a beer and enjoy a few slices outside on their patio.

Take a taco tour around Norwalk, Connecticut for the day, or simply try one out at a time. These are tacos you WON’T want to miss!

10. Short Rib Korean Tacos at Rio Bravo (Full-Service Mexican Restaurant)

It may sound strange getting a Korean Taco at a Mexican restaurant, which is located at 77 North Main Street, but it is one of the best tacos you will ever have. This taco was tied with the Marco Polo taco that includes juicy bacon wrapped shrimp. Make sure you start with the Top Shelf Guac and the Queso Dip to ensure a comprehensive experience and a full stomach!

9. Chorizo Tacos from Los Portales (Full-service Restaurant with Outdoor Dining)

Los Portales at 54 South Main Street is as authentic as it gets. All of their food is fresh and delicious and they have sauce flavors for every palate. A favorite taco is Chorizo but you can go crazy with the different exotic tacos they have for an outing with the family or friends! Try things like the Cabeza Taco (cow’s head), the Lengua Taco (cow tongue), and the Buche Taco (pork stomach).

8. The Wood Fired Market Veggie Tacos from Evarito’s (Full-service Restaurant with Outdoor and Rooftop Dining)

You may not be a vegan or vegetarian but do not miss the Wood Fired Market Veggies taco at Evarito’s. The vegetables are cooked to perfection and the cilantro crema is to die for. If you’re coming with a group or as a family, you can get a taco pack with different tacos to try along with an array of sauce choices. Don’t miss one of Norwalk’s only rooftop taco eateries at 16 North Main Street.

7. Chicken Tacos from Rincon Taqueria (Full-service Restaurant)

Toppings including their Chilean cilantro pesto that really sets them apart. If you are really hungry, get their enormous burrito. It is the biggest in Norwalk and probably the State of CT.

6. Special Tacos from Don Carmelo’s (Full-service Restaurant with Outdoor Dining)

It sounds risky to just order whatever taco is on the Specials menu, but it is worth the risk at Don’s. You can’t go wrong with any of the tacos, but the ones that aren’t on the permanent menu are usually exotic and delicious. Before you leave 7 Winfield Street, remember to get a margarita and finish off your meal with delectable fried ice cream.

5. Tacos De Chicharron from Tacos Mexico (Full-service Restaurant)

The pork belly in the Tacos De Chicharron is next-level good. The meal also comes with rice and beans, so come hungry to 82 Fort Point Street. Whether you are in Norwalk for fun or simply just want to grab something before hopping on the train at the East Norwalk Train Station, be sure to stop in and grab one!

4. Pastor Con Pina taco from Taco Tequila (Full-service Restaurant with Outdoor Dining)

The sweet and tangy Pastor Con Pina Taco will satisfy any palate and will be sure to impress. Taco Tequila touts its Mexican heritage by making authentic Mexican food with a modern flair. Make sure to visit them at 175 Main Street and get an order of Nachos, too!

3. Shrimp Tacos from – El Segundo (Full-service Restaurant with Outdoor Dining)

A crowd pleaser for any lunch date or late night snack is El Segundo’s Shrimp Taco located at 3 North Water Street. The crispy shrimp and spicy sauce and slaw make for the perfect taco. The mixture of fresh and fried and sweet and spicy creates fireworks, be sure not to miss it.

2. Birria Tacos from Mil Sabores (Food Truck)

One word Birria. Whenever you are in Norwalk on a Sunday, make sure to be there at 2 PM and get a Birria Taco, Quesadilla, or Pizza from Mil Sabores located at 1 Belden Avenue. If you don’t want to wait, feel free to place a pre-order – they run out fast! On Wednesday to Saturday, make sure to get an Arepa; they are handmade and delicious.

1. Spicy Pork Tacos from Tacos El Azteca (Food Truck)

Recently named to Yelp’s 2021 “100 Best Places to Eat” is a food truck not to be missed! Tacos El Azteca is located daily at 94 Main Street. Though you may have to wait to get your Spicy Pork Taco or your Shrimp Taco or Burrito, it is worth it. Make sure to get a side of their sauces. You’ll want them for dipping!

Check out CTforMe.com, a website promoting CT’s strong points for young professionals.

CT Towns that are walkable, bikeable and livable: Norwalk

Norwalk’s got 70 acres of waterfront parkland and some hot spots to hit the town once the sun goes down. Check it out: Modern apartments are in easy walking distance from craft breweries, wine bars, top-notch restaurants, the train station and more. At The Berkeley at Waypointe, grill on the rooftop patio or lounge in the game room with billiards and shuffleboard. Or unwind at The SoNo Pearl (short for South Norwalk) for a relaxing zen garden and views of Long Island Sound and the harbor. Norwalk is also home to 40 predesigned public walking and biking routes for getting out, getting active, and getting around. Norwalk is also very green — with 1,050 acres of beautiful public parks for leisure activities. Creative co-working spaces abound like Fairfield County Makers’ Guild and SoNo Spaces. You’ll find fun food and drink options, shopping and entertainment for a night on the town in downtown South Norwalk.

View our Walking Maps & Trails