New Canaan Dining
Cava Wine Bar &
Wood Grille
Brothers Vicente and Kleber Siguenza teamed up with their sister, and Executive Chef, Nube to open the family restaurant in 2004. Cava focuses on presenting a seasonal menu of authentic Italian dishes. From a substantial wine list, by the bottle and glass, to a beautiful cellar to host events, Cava is known for their extensive selection. The restaurant focuses on regionally sourced ingredients and provisions like grass-fed beef from Slope Farms in Upstate New York and herbs and greens from urban rooftop producer Sky Vegetables Farm. ​
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2 Forest St, New Canaan, CT
Ching’s Table
From pork dim sum to mini Thai spring rolls, Sichuan dumplings to Singapore Thin Rice Noodles, owner Alan Lee "multiculturalism" approach fuses together Chinese, Indonesian, Malaysian, and Thai influences. The service is of note, truly the staff is superb and the outdoor seating in the summer is a bonus.
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64 Main St, New Canaan, CT
203-972-8550
Elm
Nestled in the heart of New Canaan is Chef Luke Venner’s American restaurant Elm; truly one of our favorite culinary experiences in Fairfield County. Chef Venner’s deep appreciation for and knowledge of what the community wants is at the heart of this light-flooded restaurant with weekly seasonal specials and the most coveted outdoor seating in town. Every local ingredient is carefully chosen from the Beau Soleil oyster with green apple mignonette and aji amarillo to the Atlantic Steelhead with delta asparagus, spring onion and dill beurre blanc. Venner’s dishes are inspired by what is seasonal for our area farmers and fishmongers. With their own Elm Cotê de Provence rosé and ongoing partnership with Glass House (his recent picnic basket lunch at their 75th summer anniversary celebration was epic!), Venner always has something chic up his sleeve. But, it’s his project with nearbyNew Canaan Playhouse (next to Elm) that has us most excited! His menu concept for the pub and members lounge inside are soon to be revealed. If it’s anything like his thoughtful menu at Elm which takes you from the grill to the plancha we know we’ll be there as often as we are at Elm.
(203) 920-4994
Farmer’s Table
One of our go-to spots is a tiny bit thoughtful restaurant called Farmer’s Table from Chef Robert Ubaldo whose farm–to–table dishes focus on fresh local ingredients from farmers and growers and simple preparations. Ubaldo grows many of its own ingredients at an organic garden in nearby Pound Ridge. The food at Farmer’s Table is based on a few simple ideas. Use fresh ingredients from reliable and responsible sources, grow or raise them whenever possible, and prepare them using time-tested techniques, all the while striving for perfection in the execution of these techniques. As stewards of nature the chef himself notes “during the season we grow vegetables organically in our garden. This is the food we eat, serve to our friends and family, and use at the restaurant. It is safe, clean and very fresh. My brother John owns and operates John Boy’s Farm. John raises all natural beef, pork, chickens, ducks, and vegetables on 180 acres in Cambridge, NY, and is one of the many sources that we use to stock our kitchen. Very few restaurants have the ability to supply themselves first hand.”
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12 Forest Street, New Canaan, CT
203-594-7890
Solé
Our favorite trattoria Solé sits right in the buzzing heart of the best shopping in downtown New Canaan. When we moved to Fairfield County this was one of the first restaurants we were told to try and we’ve loved it ever since. The vibe is super chic and the recent renovation of the dining room only made the brightly-lit space that much more beautiful. The outdoor café seating outside is coveted for people watching and al fresco eating en plein air. Chefs Albert DeAngelis, Matthew McNerny and Naftali Landaverde have created the ultimate Italian-cum-Mediterranean menu with highlights such as English Pea Agnolotti with Crispy Prosciutto, Ramp Butter and Cracked Pepper, Hidden Fjord Salmon with Baby Beets, Grilled Asparagus and Gremolata and Roasted Mushroom, Burrata and a rack Truffle Purée Wood-Fired Pizza.
105 Elm Street, New Canaan, CT
203-972-8887
Spiga Wine Bar & Salumeria
The name of this beloved New Canaan spot, Spiga, refers to the workhorse of the wheat plant: the hallmark golden spear that holds kernels of grains used to create the pastas and breads that Italy is most famous for. Handmade pastas and brick-oven pizzas are the stars of the menu’s classic Italian fare. The charcuterie boards are a must to start; the antipasto with Prosciutto di Parma, Soppressata and Porchetta with Mozzarella highlights some of their best selections. Classics like Linguini Vongole, Lasagna Al Forno Chicken Milanese and the Market Cioppono are some of our favorites.
134 Main St, New Canaan CT 06840
203-920-1351
The Commons at Grace Farms
One of the most arresting architectural spaces in Fairfield County is Grace Farms. Nestled within the 80-acre nature-rich public space is the River Building, an undulating, glass-enclosed structure designed by the Pritzker Prize-winning Japanese architecture firm SANAA. The Commons serves as a central community gathering place within the River building. During the day the 18-foot-long communal tables, made from red oak harvested on site, is the most bucolic space to enjoy tea or the produce used in the Commons kitchen which is often harvested from Grace Farms’ Community Garden or sourced locally, and pastries are made on-site daily. On Tuesdays, visitors can purchase the same meal Grace Farms donates to the community, as part of their Foundation’s food relief program in partnership with local not-for-profits. Grace Farmshas provided healthy meals to more than 130,000 people since March 16, 2020.
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365 Lukes Wood Road, New Canaan, CT
203-920-1702
