The best restaurants in Wallingford

59 restaurants we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Restaurants · 59 places · showing the latest additions first

Soga Sushi

Restaurants

Sushi rolls and other Japanese entrees served in a relaxed setting with a full bar.

170 Washington Ave (North Haven)

Sushi rolls and other Japanese entrees served in a relaxed setting with a full bar.

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Tacos, burritos, and other Mexican eats offered in an informal setting with friendly service.

360 Main St

Tacos, burritos, and other Mexican eats offered in an informal setting with friendly service.

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Ristorante Luce

Restaurants

Big portions of Italian fare & an extensive wine list in a formal dining area & cocktail lounge.

2987 Whitney Ave (Hamden)

Big portions of Italian fare & an extensive wine list in a formal dining area & cocktail lounge.

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Casual, clean eatery serving a menu of grain bowls, organic smoothies and salads alongside vegan options.

3450 Whitney Ave Unit 4 (Hamden)

Casual, clean eatery serving a menu of grain bowls, organic smoothies and salads alongside vegan options.

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Pizza Heaven

Restaurants

When no one can pick a lane this week, Pizza Heaven steps up with legendary gourmet pizzas, calzones and stromboli, crispy buffalo wings,…

286 W Main St #1 (Meriden)

When no one can pick a lane this week, Pizza Heaven steps up with legendary gourmet pizzas, calzones and stromboli, crispy buffalo wings, fried chicken and seafood dinners, plus hefty grinders, Greek pitas, melts and burgers. Quick hop to Meriden for Waterbury folks, and totally worth the crave.

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Family-run in Wallingford since 2006, Christo's Restaurant & Bar turns out well done, brick-oven pies plus a menu built to end the "what do…

552 N Colony Rd

Family-run in Wallingford since 2006, Christo's Restaurant & Bar turns out well done, brick-oven pies plus a menu built to end the "what do we eat" debate. Apps, burgers, pasta, seafood, grinders, shareables, homemade desserts, and cocktails, plus gluten free pizza, vegan cheese, and new specials popping up.

From the Wallingford newsletter, August 4, 2026

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Skip the same-old and let Puerto Rican Taste handle dinner with mofongo, pernil, and empanadas that taste like a quick flight to San Juan.…

620 E Main St (Meriden)

Skip the same-old and let Puerto Rican Taste handle dinner with mofongo, pernil, and empanadas that taste like a quick flight to San Juan. Fresh ingredients, family recipes, takeout or dine in, and easy catering for your next get-together... this week feels like a good week to treat yourself.

From the Meriden newsletter, August 3, 2026

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American Steamed Cheeseburgers is your move when only a melty, steamed cheeseburger will do... single or double on a plain or poppy seed…

92 Quinnipiac St

American Steamed Cheeseburgers is your move when only a melty, steamed cheeseburger will do... single or double on a plain or poppy seed roll, plus wildcards like a steamed cheddar cheese sandwich, steak and cheese on a grinder roll, and sides like potato salad and tuna mac salad.

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Comfort foods including breakfast and coffee served in a relaxed restaurant featuring a piano.

1376 E Main St (Meriden)

Comfort foods including breakfast and coffee served in a relaxed restaurant featuring a piano.

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Simple Italian fare, including Neapolitan & Sicilian style pizza, in a casual, booth-lined setting.

1145 N Colony Rd

Simple Italian fare, including Neapolitan & Sicilian style pizza, in a casual, booth-lined setting.

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Celebrated for Buffalo wings, this area chain also offers a full menu of bar food in basic pub digs.

39 N Main St

Celebrated for Buffalo wings, this area chain also offers a full menu of bar food in basic pub digs.

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Casual restaurant serving up BBQ favorites, such as ribs, pulled pork, and mac and cheese.

70 Pomeroy Ave (Meriden)

Casual restaurant serving up BBQ favorites, such as ribs, pulled pork, and mac and cheese.

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Cozy eatery specializing in Thai cuisine and fried dishes, with a casual atmosphere and friendly staff.

784 E Main St (Meriden)

Cozy eatery specializing in Thai cuisine and fried dishes, with a casual atmosphere and friendly staff.

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Frida Restaurant

Restaurants

Casual restaurant for traditional Mexican dishes, including burritos and cemitas, plus smoothies.

151 Lewis Ave (Meriden)

Casual restaurant for traditional Mexican dishes, including burritos and cemitas, plus smoothies.

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Knuckleheads

Restaurants

Bustling hangout serving up a variety of rotating craft beers & pub grub in an unpretentious space.

9 N Main St

Bustling hangout serving up a variety of rotating craft beers & pub grub in an unpretentious space.

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Athena Diner II

Restaurants

Classic diner fare, international dishes & Greek specialties are served at this family-owned spot.

320 Washington Ave #1306 (North Haven)

Classic diner fare, international dishes & Greek specialties are served at this family-owned spot.

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Sazon con fuego

Restaurants

Dominican dishes such as mangu and tres golpes are offered at this counter-serve restaurant.

82 W Main St (Meriden)

Dominican dishes such as mangu and tres golpes are offered at this counter-serve restaurant.

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Farm-to-table eatery for steaks, seafood, pizza, burgers and pasta dishes, plus a tavern with live music.

1565 Middletown Ave (Northford)

Farm-to-table eatery for steaks, seafood, pizza, burgers and pasta dishes, plus a tavern with live music.

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Empire Pizza

Restaurants

Delivery-oriented storefront offering slices, whole pizzas, Italian subs & more.

694 E Main St (Meriden)

Delivery-oriented storefront offering slices, whole pizzas, Italian subs & more.

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Paradise Pizza

Restaurants

Casual, family-run joint dishing out pizza and wings, plus grinders, pastas and Italian staples.

624 S Colony St

Casual, family-run joint dishing out pizza and wings, plus grinders, pastas and Italian staples.

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Sakimura Meriden

Restaurants

Japanese eatery with hibachi dining & sushi options, plus lunch specials, in a comfy environment.

496 S Broad St (Meriden)

Japanese eatery with hibachi dining & sushi options, plus lunch specials, in a comfy environment.

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Casual Italian joint dishing up pizzas, stuffed peppers, and home fries, plus breakfast.

744 Murdock Ave Ste 1 (Meriden)

Casual Italian joint dishing up pizzas, stuffed peppers, and home fries, plus breakfast.

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Wayback Burgers

Restaurants

Made-to-order burgers & milkshakes fill out the menu at this quick-serve chain with retro decor.

893 E Main St (Meriden)

Made-to-order burgers & milkshakes fill out the menu at this quick-serve chain with retro decor.

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Wingstop

Restaurants

Casual counter-serve chain serving a variety of chicken wings & sides.

930 N Colony Rd Unit 11

Casual counter-serve chain serving a variety of chicken wings & sides.

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Hot Pot

Restaurants

Relaxed eatery offering all-you-can-eat hot pot (Chinese fondue) with customizable meats and veggies, plus drinks such as bubble tea and…

970 N Colony Rd

Relaxed eatery offering all-you-can-eat hot pot (Chinese fondue) with customizable meats and veggies, plus drinks such as bubble tea and sake.

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Trendy spot for BBQ brisket, ribs, chicken and burgers, plus pizzas.

1388 E Main St (Meriden)

Trendy spot for BBQ brisket, ribs, chicken and burgers, plus pizzas.

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Pig Rig BBQ

Restaurants

Casual venue for American BBQ, including hickory-smoked meats & classic sides, with outdoor seating.

950 Yale Ave

Casual venue for American BBQ, including hickory-smoked meats & classic sides, with outdoor seating.

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Wayback Burgers

Restaurants

Made-to-order burgers & milkshakes fill out the menu at this quick-serve chain with retro decor.

206 Main St

Made-to-order burgers & milkshakes fill out the menu at this quick-serve chain with retro decor.

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Los Mariachis

Restaurants

Traditional Mexican fare plus plenty of tequilas & margaritas, in cozy, colorful digs.

105 N Colony St

Traditional Mexican fare plus plenty of tequilas & margaritas, in cozy, colorful digs.

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A spacious, clubby setting sets the scene for hearty traditional Italian mainstays.

150 Main St (Cheshire)

A spacious, clubby setting sets the scene for hearty traditional Italian mainstays.

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Portuguese fare & a global list of wines offered in the elegant interior of a restored library.

60 N Main St

Portuguese fare & a global list of wines offered in the elegant interior of a restored library.

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Thai, and Asian spot serving noodles, seafood ramen, fried rice, dumplings, curry, beef and other classics, plus wine and beer.

1263 S Broad St

Thai, and Asian spot serving noodles, seafood ramen, fried rice, dumplings, curry, beef and other classics, plus wine and beer.

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Wa Wah Kitchen

Restaurants

Casual spot whipping up Chinese staples such as fried rice and lo mein with delivery options.

51 Pratt St (Meriden)

Casual spot whipping up Chinese staples such as fried rice and lo mein with delivery options.

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Iron Chef

Restaurants

Neighborhood standby for Japanese-style hibachi grilling plus sushi & other Asian fare.

930 N Colony Rd

Neighborhood standby for Japanese-style hibachi grilling plus sushi & other Asian fare.

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Thai curries, noodles, rolls & other menu standards in a simple space with traditional accents.

628 S Colony Rd

Thai curries, noodles, rolls & other menu standards in a simple space with traditional accents.

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Modern eatery with an Italian menu serving comfort food alongside wine, beer, and cocktails.

179 Center St

Modern eatery with an Italian menu serving comfort food alongside wine, beer, and cocktails.

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Catering option for a clean, family-owned restaurant offering Greek-style pizzas and grinders and subs, plus pasta dishes.

827 E Center St

Catering option for a clean, family-owned restaurant offering Greek-style pizzas and grinders and subs, plus pasta dishes.

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Casa di Roma

Restaurants

Casual eatery featuring pies and grinders along with pastas, wings, steaks and chicken dishes.

103 Main St (Meriden)

Casual eatery featuring pies and grinders along with pastas, wings, steaks and chicken dishes.

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Northern Italian cuisine, including many seafood dishes plus pizza, in a casual, European setting.

344 Center St

Northern Italian cuisine, including many seafood dishes plus pizza, in a casual, European setting.

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Diner's Haven

Restaurants

Local restaurant providing Chinese and Japanese staples, alongside chef's specials.

600 N Colony Rd #6

Local restaurant providing Chinese and Japanese staples, alongside chef's specials.

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Open-late pub popular for its wings & other bar bites, plus plenty of TVs tuned to sports.

950 Yale Ave

Open-late pub popular for its wings & other bar bites, plus plenty of TVs tuned to sports.

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Crisp cheesesteaks, fries and grilled fare characterize this eatery with a warm atmosphere.

122 Broad St (Meriden)

Crisp cheesesteaks, fries and grilled fare characterize this eatery with a warm atmosphere.

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Easygoing pizzeria known for its Buffalo chicken pie, also serving Italian fare, steak & seafood.

314 Main St

Easygoing pizzeria known for its Buffalo chicken pie, also serving Italian fare, steak & seafood.

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Casual, comfortable dining spot for fiery Thai favorites, from curries to soup, served with a smile.

370 Center St

Casual, comfortable dining spot for fiery Thai favorites, from curries to soup, served with a smile.

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Clean diner offering comfort foods (including breakfast) and friendly service, plus specials.

90 S Broad St (Meriden)

Clean diner offering comfort foods (including breakfast) and friendly service, plus specials.

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Funju Noodle Bar

Restaurants

Noodle dishes, including ramen and pho, feature at this casual, family-friendly eatery with a bar.

20 Ives Rd #205b

Noodle dishes, including ramen and pho, feature at this casual, family-friendly eatery with a bar.

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Modern eatery with a huge menu that includes all-day breakfast, burgers, quesadillas & Greek fare.

611 N Colony Rd

Modern eatery with a huge menu that includes all-day breakfast, burgers, quesadillas & Greek fare.

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Olympos Diner

Restaurants

Local staple serving up classic diner staples like pancakes and burgers, plus eggs Benedict and souvlaki.

1130 E Main St (Meriden)

Local staple serving up classic diner staples like pancakes and burgers, plus eggs Benedict and souvlaki.

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Hubspoke Kitchen

Restaurants

Casual, takeout-only spot with a variety of virtual kitchens for everything from tacos to Detroit-style pizza.

206 Main St

Casual, takeout-only spot with a variety of virtual kitchens for everything from tacos to Detroit-style pizza.

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Modest eatery serving standard Italian fare including pizza, pasta & grinders.

510 W Main St A (Meriden)

Modest eatery serving standard Italian fare including pizza, pasta & grinders.

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Breakfast dishes, sandwiches and pancakes in a casual space with friendly staff for brunch, lunch and dinner.

117 Washington Ave Unit 5 (North Haven)

Breakfast dishes, sandwiches and pancakes in a casual space with friendly staff for brunch, lunch and dinner.

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Casual restaurant fixing up comfort eats including steamed cheeseburgers and liege waffles.

32 N Turnpike Rd

Casual restaurant fixing up comfort eats including steamed cheeseburgers and liege waffles.

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Humble counter-serve spot known for custom-topped cheeseburgers, plus fries & onion rings.

690 E Main St (Meriden)

Humble counter-serve spot known for custom-topped cheeseburgers, plus fries & onion rings.

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Set in a 1920s subway car, this pizzeria offers wood-fired pies, pasta dishes & other Italian eats.

118 Dudley Ave

Set in a 1920s subway car, this pizzeria offers wood-fired pies, pasta dishes & other Italian eats.

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Low-key eatery serving Italian favorites like pasta & pizza in Neapolitan or Sicilian style.

75 Pomeroy Ave (Meriden)

Low-key eatery serving Italian favorites like pasta & pizza in Neapolitan or Sicilian style.

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Lively restaurant and bar dishing up a range of Mexican fare, from fajitas to burritos, plus cocktails, beer, wine and margaritas.

1088 N Colony St

Lively restaurant and bar dishing up a range of Mexican fare, from fajitas to burritos, plus cocktails, beer, wine and margaritas.

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Pokemoto

Restaurants

Casual restaurant offering poke bowls with a variety of mix-ins and sauces, plus coffee.

1094 N Colony Rd

Casual restaurant offering poke bowls with a variety of mix-ins and sauces, plus coffee.

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Sweet cafe featuring breakfast and lunch menus, plus beer and wine in casual digs.

350 Center St

Sweet cafe featuring breakfast and lunch menus, plus beer and wine in casual digs.

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Relaxed joint featuring Southern staples, cocktails and a casual vibe, plus takeout and delivery.

164 Scott St (Meriden)

Relaxed joint featuring Southern staples, cocktails and a casual vibe, plus takeout and delivery.

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