Places TO EAT in Downtown middletown
These are kid-friendly options within walking distance of Kidcity. For a more complete list of businesses (including about 60 places for food) in the downtown district, click here. Also, check out Middletown restaurants on Yelp.
Within a block of Kidcity
STORY & SOIL, cafe at Wesleyan RJ JULIA BOOKSTORE 413 Main Street
Just steps from Kidcity, this cafe is inside the Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore (take a shortcut by walking behind Kidcity's garage).
Ford News Diner 358 Main Street, 860-346-4655
Kay runs the grill at this classic and friendly lunch counter. Let your kids spin on a stool while they watch their burgers and fries made right before their eyes. Insider tip: they close early - it’s just breakfast and lunch.
Typhoon 360 Main, 860-344-9667
Take advantage of this yummy Thai food on Main Street - including gluten-free options!
It’s Only Natural Market 575 Main, 860-346-1786
Convenient natural foods, groceries, a juice bar and deli counter with soups, sandwiches and desserts. Great allergy-free options. Plus, a US Post Office counter and a creative selection of cards and gifts.
Klekolo World Coffee 181 Court St., 860-343-9444
A destination for those who take their coffee (and pastry) seriously. The clientele is a mix of local artists, politicos, teenagers, city hall employees, downtown dwellers and toddlers with dads. Open *literally* every day since 1994...now that's dedication!
Sweet Harmony Cafe 330 Main, 860-344-9646
www.facebook.com/Sweet-Harmony-Cafe-Bakery
From quiche to yummy muffins, this laid-back cafe has lots of tasty options for families.
PERK ON MAIN 386 Main, 860-788-2287
Perk on Main is inside Main Street Market (you might already know and love them from their Perk on Wheels food truck). Coffee, crepes and other eats in an environmentally-conscious shop.
One or Two Blocks from Kidcity
Amici’s 280 Main, 860-346-0075
Italian family dining with a “something for everyone” menu, including chicken fingers and fries for the kids.
Brew Bakers 169 Main, 860-852-0001
Fresh bagels and European pastries have made Brew Bakers a Middletown favorite. Coffee drinks and sandwiches too. Breakfast and lunch only.
The Whey Station(ary) 544 Main, 860-740-2403
One of the region’s favorite food trucks (The Whey Station) finally has a sit-down joint, offering an indoor version of their famous gourmet grilled cheese. It’s family-friendly, but it’s also a bar - call ahead for hours.
It’s Only Natural Restaurant 606 Main, 860-346-9210
If you like it fresh and healthy, you’ll love It’s Only Natural restaurant, an upscale spot for vegans, vegetarians and adventurous carnivores. They have a kids’ menu with little pizzas and alternative-spaghettios. Insider tip: The french fries are made with sweet potatoes. Delicious and wickedly salty, but definitely orange.
LAn chi 505 Main 860-347-8885
Lan Chi is a sit-down Vietnamese restaurant with tasty noodle soups. Their menu pays tribute to the home-cooking traditions of Southern Vietnam.
POTALA Tibetan Kitchen 574 Main
This tiny and friendly restaurant offers Tibetan home cooking, such as momos (dumplings), hand-pulled noodles and sweet tea.
Tschudin’s Chocolates Riverview Center, 860-759-2222
This maker of chocolates and other sweets will WOW you with his creative designs. Chocolate high heels, anyone?
Vecchitto’s Italian Ice 323 DeKoven Drive, 860-346-7301
www.facebook.com/VecchittosIce
If you are lucky enough to visit Middletown during the warm weather months, then Vecchitto’s should be open, serving their family-recipe lemon, almond, chocolate, watermelon and root beer Italian Ice, depending on the day and the whim. The recent addition of Gelato makes your choice even more difficult. Call ahead - usually open Memorial Day to Labor Day.
AN EASY TEN-Minute Walk on Main Street
Eli Cannon’s Tap Room 695 Main, 860-347-3547
KRUST PIZZA BAR 686 MAIN, 860-358-9816
www.elicannons.com and www.krustpizzabar.com
Why are these bars on our list of kid-friendly eats? Because these lively establishments fall into the category of “Bars where sometimes people bring kids because of the food and tolerant atmosphere”. Eli’s (which specializes in beer) has a burgers/fries/salads menu and an outdoor patio that is especially kid-friendly. Krust (which specializes in bourbon) has terrific brick-oven pizza. Both can be loud and raucous and fun - you’ve been warned! Might not be open for lunch, so call ahead.
Mondo’s 10 Main, 860-343-3300
Great pizza, panini and Italian specialties, enjoyed by families, college students, and folks watching the game at the bar.
NoRA Cupcake Company 700 Main, 860-788-3150
This is not your grandmother’s cupcake shop (unless your grandma is a skateboard punk rocker). We’re sure you’ll find something to like here among the Irish Car Bomb, Fluffernutter, Chocolate Zucchini and Raspberry Lemonade cupcakes. Gluten free and vegan options, often.
PERKATORY 725 Main, 860-788-2029
In an alley across from O’Rourke’s Diner and alongside Eli Cannon’s, you’ll find Perkatory Coffee Roasters proclaiming “Death Before Decaf” amid the laptops and occasional artist/pop-up events.
O’Rourke’s Diner 728 Main, 860-346-6101
We love O’Rourke’s so much that we created a mini-O’Rourke’s for play in our Main Street Exhibit. Unlike the diner in our exhibit, O’Rourke’s does not serve plastic food. Their wildly adventurous menu has earned them a national reputation, including features on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” & Gourmet Magazine. Insider Tip: On weekends, be prepared for a line.
Tavern at the Armory (Inn at Middletown) 70 Main, 860-954-6633
When you’ve got lots of grown-ups to please, and cooperative little ones, we suggest the Tavern at the Armory, serving New England specialties like Clam Chowder, Bread Pudding and a decent kid’s menu.
Are these the only places to eat downtown?
There are SO MANY places to eat downtown - you’ll find them all at DowntownMiddletown.com. We have sandwich shops, bars that serve burgers, juice bars, bakeries, cafes and lots of restaurant choices: Indian, Japanese, Vietnamese, Asian fusion, Thai, Mexican, Italian, Mediterranean/Tapas, Ethiopian & more.
Where can I find familiar chain restaurants and fast food?
Our Main Street is an independent kind of place and our restaurants are one-of-a-kind and local - that’s what makes it awesome! We don’t have any national chains within walking distance of Kidcity. But if you drive West up Washington Street, you can find McDonalds, Wendy’s, Subway, Starbucks, Taco Bell, Chipotle, Jersey Mikes, etc., etc., etc.