The Top 10 Favorite Foods Connecticut Locals Love Most in 2025

I have a confession to make. I've lived in the great state of Connecticut for 46 years, and I am racked with guilt. I should hang my head in shame because I have never tried a steamed cheeseburger, lobster roll, New Haven Apizza, a hot dog with pepper relish, or a cannoli pie. But here’s the thing—I’m ready to make it right. Maybe I was too set in my ways. Perhaps I was distracted by diner breakfasts and late-night drive-thrus. Or maybe, like many lifelong locals, I took for granted the culinary goldmine right under my nose.

Whatever the excuse, it’s time to turn this around. So I’m putting together a personal mission: to finally eat my way through Connecticut’s greatest hits. No more passing on the clam pie. No more side-eyeing steamed burgers. This is food redemption—and I’ve got a lot of catching up to do. After searching through 15 websites, I have drawn up Connecticut's Top 10 best-loved foods and the best places to find them, thanks to ctinsider.com, newengland.com, onlyinyourstate.com, foodandwine.com, and reddit.com. 

** New Haven-Style Apizza - Let’s start with the heavyweight champ. This isn’t your average pizza—New Haven-style “apizza” is thin, crisp, slightly charred, and loaded with flavor. Coal ovens give it that signature texture, and the tomato sauce? Tangy perfection. Whether you’re team Pepe’s, Sally’s, or Modern Apizza, you’re never far from a slice of history. The white clam pie is legendary—and yes, it’s as good as people say.....Recommended Restaurant - Sally’s Apizza – New Haven

** Hot Lobster Rolls - This is where we part ways with the rest of New England. In Connecticut, lobster rolls are served hot with butter, not cold with mayo. It’s all about simplicity and quality: fresh lobster meat, toasted bun, maybe a lemon wedge. No distractions—just seafood done right.....Recommended Restaurant - Lobster Landing - Clinton

** Steamed Cheeseburgers - Steamed cheeseburgers are a true original from Connecticut, primarily found in the central parts of the state, particularly in Meriden. Unlike traditional burgers that are grilled, these burgers are steamed, resulting in an extremely moist patty topped with a generous amount of melted cheese. Ted’s Restaurant has been a leader in serving these unique burgers since the 1950s.

** Grinders - Call them what you want—subs, hoagies, heroes—but here, they’re grinders. Hearty, overstuffed, and built for serious hunger, these sandwiches are a lunchtime staple across the state. Cold cuts, meatball parm, chicken cutlet—every town has a go-to deli or pizza place with their own fan base. Recommended Grinder Deli - Nardelli’s Grinder Shoppe - There are so many incredible delis that serve up mouth-watering grinders! A Connecticut institution since 1922, Nardelli’s has been voted the state's #1 grinder multiple times. With locations across the state, their Italian Combo and Baked Stuffed Pastrami are fan favorites.

** Clam Chowder - Connecticut’s clam chowder remains faithful to the creamy style—rich, savory, and filled with tender clams and potatoes. Perfect for chilly weather and coastal breezes, it’s a dish that brings you back to your center. Two of the best restaurants for scrumptious clam chowder are Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill in New Haven and BRYAC – Black Rock (Bridgeport).

** Hot Dogs with Pepper Relish - Connecticut hot dogs aren’t complete without a spoonful of house-made pepper relish. Slightly sweet, a little tangy, and full of zip, it’s the signature topping at spots like Blackie’s and Rawley’s. Locals know: it’s not just a condiment, it’s tradition.

** Apple Cider Donuts - As soon as the leaves turn, orchard cider donuts take center stage. Served warm and coated in cinnamon sugar, these seasonal treats are a fall must-have. You'll find some of the best cider donuts at Blue Jay Orchards in Bethel and Beardsley’s Cider Mill & Orchard in Shelton.

** Snickerdoodle Cookies—Did you know the snickerdoodle is Connecticut’s official state cookie? No kidding. Light, soft, and coated in cinnamon sugar, they’ve earned their spot through generations of bake sales, family kitchens, and cookie tins. You can find melt-in-your-mouth Snickerdoodle Cookies at Forever Sweet Bakery in Norwalk and Simple Delights Bakery in Winsted.

** UConn Dairy Bar Ice Cream - OUTRAGEOUS! Located in Storrs, the UConn Dairy Bar serves up ice cream that’s made fresh on campus—and it’s excellent. Creamy, rich, and full of classic New England charm, it’s worth the detour. Unfortunately, UConn Dairy Bar ice cream is exclusively available at the UConn Dairy Bar located in Storrs, Connecticut. The creamery produces its ice cream on-site, and there are no retail outlets or distribution points in the Greater Danbury area.

** Cannoli Pie - A Bridgeport original, cannoli pie takes everything great about a cannoli—the creamy ricotta, the chocolate chips—and puts it in a pie shell. It’s one of those desserts you don’t see coming… until you’re on your third slice. Grab your Cannoli Pie at The Cannoli Pie Company – Bridgeport, CT, and at Caraluzzi’s Markets – Danbury, Bethel, and Wilton, CT