Best Contemporary Italian Restaurants in Darien

I’ve been going to the Waters Edge at Giovanni‘s for years and have never had a bad meal or service! The food is absolutely delicious! The staff is very accommodating and friendly, the atmosphere is cozy and relaxed with a warm and inviting ambiance. I would definitely recommend this restaurant for both dining and catering services. Definitely a five star restaurant in my opinion !

Spectacular dinner with our brother and sister in law at Gioia in Oyster Bay tonight. It was our fourth time there and their first. We split appetizers of grilled cauliflower with ricotta and pistachios and warm mozzarella with prosciutto de Parma. Normally, I hate cauliflower but can’t imagine not ordering it there as it is just so good. Everyone enjoyed it. The prosciutto in the mozzarella with prosciutto de Parma tastes a cut above from other restaurants I’ve been to and melts in your mouth. My husband had the tortellini; his brother had the Gnocchi Bolognese; his wife (a picky eater) had the capellacci; and I I had the gramigna. Throughout the dinner my husband wouldn’t shut up about how he loves that place and how good it was. (So much so I wanted to hit him! 😂). Everything was perfect and our brother and sister in law both said they’ll be back. We had a little bit of a wait for the table (but not that long) so the apologetic manager said our first round of drinks was on the house. The pours are generous. The food portions look small, but they are really all you need. You leave satiated without leftovers and enjoyed a delicious meal. In my visits there I have had the mushroom lasagna, the ravioli, the capellacci, and gramigna and honestly can’t say which I liked best. Cappuccino was perfect too. Excellent wait service. Can’t wait to go back for a fifth time and turn on some more friends. (Not many pictures because background pretty dark.)

Zucca Gastrobar is a favorite- food and cocktails are always excellent. If you are planning a special event - go to Zucca. We have had several events at Zucca and they go out of their ways to accommodate special requests. A favorite spot in Westport!

This restaurant is exceptional! The mozzarella sticks appetizer is outstanding as well as the Eggplant tower highly recommend both. We had short ribs and rigatoni pasta with grilled chicken for dinner. Both dinners were flavorful and excellent. This place is a neighborhood gem! Kudos to SoNo Wood Fired and team!

The owner Enzo and his crew do a fabulous job. We always enjoy our time there.