West Street Grill

This was our first time visiting the West Street Grill. Perfect atmosphere for a date night! This restaurant nails the balance between fine dining and a relaxed, welcoming vibe. We started with the classic peasant bread and the crostini with burrata - both amazing. For mains, the salmon bucatini was rich and flavorful, and the grilled branzino was cooked to perfection. We finished with the chocolate mousse, which was absolutely to die for. As great as the food was, the highlight was the staff. Everyone was warm and genuine, and James, the owner, made us feel right at home. A place we’ll definitely return to.

This is a nice place with a good atmosphere. The food was delicious and the staff friendly. Portion sizes are a bit small which makes it a bit pricey for what you get, but the quality was very good.

An Absolute Must-Visit – The Best Burger You’ll Ever Have! We stumbled upon West Street Grill after a day at Lime Rock Park, and it instantly became a favorite. I had one of the best burgers of my life that day—so good, in fact, that I had to return two weeks later just to make sure it wasn’t a fluke. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t. This burger is PHENOMENAL. Hands down the best pub-style burger I’ve ever had, easily outshining even the most famous steakhouse burgers (yes, I’m looking at you, Peter Luger and Nusr-et). Pair it with the peasant bread and a crisp lager, and you have a meal worth every mile of the two-hour drive from NYC—which, by the way, we’ve done just for this burger. But the food is just the beginning. The hospitality at West Street Grill is exceptional. Owner James runs his bistro with genuine pride, infectious energy, and a sense of humor that makes every visit memorable. And Ryan, our chief hospitality officer on both visits, is an absolute gem—attentive, welcoming, and always making sure every guest feels at home. West Street Grill isn’t just a restaurant; it’s the kind of place where you walk in for the first time and immediately feel like family. If you’re anywhere near Litchfield—or even if you’re not—do yourself a favor and make the trip. 11/10 all around.

I had such a great experience here. I was dining alone, and the owner, James, greeted me at the door with a warm welcome. Throughout the meal, he checked in on me a few times and seemed genuinely interested in our conversation. He even introduced me to some of his regulars, which made the whole experience feel really personal and friendly. I left feeling very full and satisfied with the experience. If I return to Litchfield, I will definitely consider West Street Grill. Thanks for the hospitably!

The owner — a kind, older gentleman — genuinely seems to love what he does, and that warmth comes through in the entire dining experience. I’ll admit I was a bit hesitant at first; sometimes highly rated restaurants don’t live up to the hype. But this one surprised me — in the best way. The food was truly delicious, thoughtfully prepared, and full of flavor. It’s the kind of place I’d wholeheartedly recommend and definitely plan to return to.

The best way I can explain The west street grill is it was an “experience” from the moment I walk into the restaurant the pleasant warm greeting, no wait we were sitting quickly the servers was prompt and pleasant the own was very nice I was our first time there and I was looking to have a good salad he was informed me of their salads. We end up having the Angus burger with hand cut fresh it was cook properly and delicious and the Burrata platter the flavors were amazing. I would highly recommend it was an amazing experience. I look forward to returning. Sincerely Vanessa😊

We really appreciate great flavor and love farm-to-table restaurants—and this one absolutely delivered. Every dish blew us away. The arugula beet salad was incredibly fresh, with textures that hit all the right notes. The tomato salad was a total flavor bomb, and the burger was out-of-this-world amazing. We drove an hour to get here, and we’ll definitely be back!

Not sure why the good reviews for this place. Over priced and staff not friendly. Our waitress was friendly until we got our food and then never came to check on us. The person who brought our appetizer just kind of dropped it on our table with a disgusted look on his face. Tried to make small talk with the owner and he acted like he couldn’t bother. We got the Peasant Bread for the appetizer. It was overcooked on one side. Our entrees were the Black Angus Hamburger and the Freshly Made Cheese Ravioli. The hamburger was decent enough but the ravioli was a HUGE disappointment. Not sure what they mean by “freshly made” but it was like the frozen ravioli you can make at home. Seven pieces of ravioli with generic tomato sauce for $29 and you don’t even get bread with it. A coke was $6! This place is not worth your time or money. ***** I also just noticed that the owner only replies to good reviews on here. Does NOT address any review where someone doesn’t rave about them. This should tell you EVERYTHING you need to know about this place *****

West Street Grill in Litchfield is a true gem! From the moment we walked in, we were warmly welcomed by James, the owner, who is incredibly personable and made us feel right at home. He even surprised us with a free appetizer, which set the tone for an outstanding meal. I ordered the fish and chips, and let me tell you-- it was next-level. The fish was so crispy on the outside, tender and flaky on the inside, and it was perfectly seasoned. Easily the best fish and chips I've ever had. The atmosphere is welcoming and the service is excellent. If you're in Litchfield and want a meal that's as memorable as the company, West Street Grill should be your first stop.

We called to make a reservation for a Sunday dinner and were informed they didn't take reservations passed 6:45pm on Sunday's as they close early. They only require your first name for a reservation. The service was nothing exceptional from the reservation call to the actual dine in experience. The food was also just alright. I ordered the portobello entree which wasn't too bad. I also tried a bite of my husbands pasta dish which was just ok. The good thing is that they had a handful of vegan options which was very cool. Their guacamole was good. We were seated in a partial booth type of table which looked like it could use a little cleaning. The seat was black so it was a little more obvious to see between the edge sidings.

Enjoyed my anniversary dinner with my hubby on a sunday night with the locals and the proprietor who gave us special drinks and great conversation. Classy, friendly and tasty bistro been around forever and is what makes Litchfield special.

Stopped in for a quick bite with my sister in law and we were immediately pleased by the atmosphere and attention of the staff. We started with the guacamole-tasted freshly made we loved it. I got the salmon burger it was delicious! They were accompanied by great fries! My sister in law loved her burger. I will definitely return!

It is rare to find a lovely restaurant with delicious food, AND amazing service. The owner is such a kind, sweet man- he takes the time to talk with all of his customers. You can tell that this is a business built out of love and I'm so glad we stumbled upon it. The food is fabulous! Highly recommend the mussels and vegan Cesar salad!

We love this restaurant and the owner, James, is great! They have incredible food! Especially their corned beef (Reuben) sandwich! We came here twice to enjoy it since it is only on the menu during St. Patrick's day. Their peasant bread, burrata and desserts (Limoncello & cheesecake) are awesome as well! We look forward to returning!

Loved the food and incredibly friendly and helpful staff. I will definitely come back on my next trip to Litchfield Ct.

Not sure why the good reviews for this place. Over priced and staff not friendly. Our waitress was friendly until we got our food and then never came to check on us. The person who brought our appetizer just kind of dropped it on our table with a disgusted look on his face. Tried to make small talk with the owner and he acted like he couldn't bother. We got the Peasant Bread for the appetizer. It was overcooked on one side. Our entrees were the Black Angus Hamburger and the Freshly Made Cheese Ravioli. The hamburger was decent enough but the ravioli was a HUGE disappointment. Not sure what they mean by "freshly made" but it was like the frozen ravioli you can make at home. Seven pieces of ravioli with generic tomato sauce for $29 and you don't even get bread with it. A coke was $6! This place is not worth your time or money.

Fantastic French-/Italian- inspired modern cuisine in a gorgeous country setting. Gracious hospitality offered by a dedicated owner and staff who clearly care deeply about food, service, and community. Notably and uniquely for this style of restaurant, vegan/vegetarian options are plentiful and as well-executed as superb omnivore offerings such as the NY strip steak. We will drive 2 hours to eat here and can't recommend it highly enough.

Our waitress was great. The food was reasonable. However one in our party had a minor issue with her meal which she expressed with curtesy. The proprietor was beyond rude in his response. He took the query as a personal affront and stormed around in an embarrassing and astounding display. Also, if you do choose to eat there do not share any interest in Ireland. He will hold you hostage for at least 15-20 minutes.

Went on Friday night and enjoyed an amazing dinner. One of the friends with us is Vegan and it was so nice to have vegan options for her as well. Service was fantastic, never waited on anything. A special touch is the owner visits each table to ensure we are enjoying ourselves and the food. Totally recommend to anyone looking for a nice, cozy and quiet restaurant where you can actually have a conversation.

This is the best experience we've had at a restaurant in a long time. The food, ambiance, and service were superb. The vegetables were fresh, the fish well done and flavored, and pasta sauce was excellent. This is not a kids restaurant but we showed up with 3 little ones and multiple people in the restaurant went out of their way to accommodate us and make us comfortable.

Ambiance is non existent. If there was artwork, it must not have been eye catching. Black top tables that were cold and holding on to the 90's. No place settings, silverware is slapped down on the table. With regard to the food, we shared the peasant bread and it was both greasy and salty. My main course was cheese ravioli and I thought Marie Callander was going to come out of the kitchen accompanied by chef boyardee. The others ordered braised ribs and a strip steak. They were non-plussed. The meal was a treat of a friend and I don't even want to know how much was paid for the subpar fare. The service is lacking. Our waiter was obtuse. He made no eye contact, he seemed rushed when there 10 other people and had an invisible eye roll. What seemed to be the owner was hovering around tables of people who must be regular patrons. He had an affected air of Truman Capote tending to the swans. He did not provide a pleasantry to our table. I felt like we were outcasts The West Street Grille has an inflated ego. We will not return.

I was there with six other women for lunch last week. The food was good but not a great selection of lunch options. Our waiter was the worst I've had in 25 years!! He was SO rude & not the least bit accommodating. He kept snapping back answers & wasn't the least bit helpful!! After all that he made a mistake in our bill & in correcting it he double charged us!! It's taken a week to sort that out!! After several calls to them they suggested it would be easier if we corrected it on our end!! Easier for whom? All in all a very unpleasant experience!!

Food was delicious, I'd recommend the salmon starter, the short ribs and curry! Everything we had was delicious but those were my favorites in particular! Great dirty martinis by Ryan as well :) It's always good to see James, the owner, too!!

Don't get it twisted and think just because James is Irish and owns West Street Grill in swanky Litchfield, CT that you'll get boring bar food. And it isn't your raucous night spot either. The yellow wall tones, the seating and that bar area (even if it's stool-less) gives West S. a cozy and inviting feel- in a graceful dining space. West Street G. happened by chance and without a reservation, we were welcomed just fine after a busy morning buying vintage items. Have no doubt, our dishes were all very nice. From my delicate Cauliflower Tempura (needed salt to make them pop), to hubs Caesar to my Fish & Chips to hubs' bun-less burger- we enjoyed it all. Despite our server being a bit aloof about what a Bellini was, she was pleasant. Service from James though topped it, he was so warm and hospitable- and man...does he have jokes.

We tried this restaurant because of the very good reviews. My meal however was extremely disappointing. I ordered the fish and chips based on reviews but I received very small portion that was undercooked. They did take it away and bring me a new portion which I appreciate but it was just as undercooked. I didn't bother send it back again. The decor is cute and it was nicely decorated for the holidays.

We made a last minute decision to see if we could get in for dinner. We hadn't been to the West St Grill in years. We used to frequent it and we wanted to celebrate our anniversary. We called around 12 to see if we could be accommodated at 6:30. The person on the phone (the owner I believe) made it sound like he was doing a personal favor to fit us in. Things have changed. When we arrived the same gentleman "greeted" us..so to speak. We confirmed our reservation and he pointed to a table. Didn't escort us to the table. Didn't bring us our menus. Basically couldn't have been less interested in us. While we were there we noticed that throughout our meal there were no fewer than 5 empty tables and as many as 8 empty tables. So much for being so busy that they had to do us a favor and squeeze us in to accommodate us. Food was good but our waiter was minimally attentive. We absolutely felt like outsiders. The host/owner walked to many of the tables to check on the guests. But we didn't get a look. And for these prices they should have tablecloths. Not uncovered tables you'd see in a breakfast diner. I suppose you need to be a regular to get the feeling like you're the guest instead of feeling like they are doing you a favor...but I can't imagine why you'd want to be a regular. Have fun and go to one of the more casual, better priced and friendly establishments in Litchfield.

Spent the day in town and had lunch at West Street. I found the food to be tasty. Don't miss the salmon. The mussels tasted great, but, I'd prefer a bit larger portion. The service was interesting. A bit slow and cold. The restaurant lacked a bit of ambiance for such a historic town.

This is my new favorite restaurant. I went for Litchfield's 2023 restaurant week, and can't understand how I passed it before so frequently and never knew how amazing the food was inside. The interior is bright, clean, and cozy. Lots of animals photos adorn the walls, and there is definitely a horse focus. The seating is a mix of booths and tables with chairs. I was invited to try two types of complimentary bread - regular and "burnt" (don't be put off, it was just crispy!). The latter was definitely superior, with more taste and texture. Also, apparently better for you! Now the peasant bread - eat it when it gets to the table, it's best eaten hot! There's an amazing layer almost Alfredo-like between the cheese and the bread. My appetizer was grilled asparagus, which had the perfect amount of bite. The pan roasted trout had a crispy skin, even with the delicious sauce on top of it. There were surprise mashed potatoes, which were so creamy, I saved them as the last perfect bite. Dessert was a rich chocolate mousse cake, and pure chocolate excellence. Between the great food (which aren't even my favorite foods, they're just GREAT foods) and great service, I can't wait to go back!

The owners were so welcoming and friendly when we came in at the very last moment of lunch service. The food was fresh delicious and generously portioned. I'd wanted to try West St., Grill for years and I'm so glad I finally made it. Will definitely be back!

walked up with my 80 yr old wife and was abruptly met at the entrance by waiter. I said "two for lunch" and he said ... ...."NO" ..."stopped serving at 2:30" ...I said " it's 2:34" he quickly turned & walked away no apology just pure rudeness !! No food or ambiance...just a bad "taste" for this place !!

We had another wonderful lunch at West Street Grill! Food was delicious as usual and we love their Bloody Marys.

Wonderful. I'm still trying to figure out how the peasant bread appetizer is so delicious. A quaint upscale pub environment with delicious food lining the menu. We love the burgers & fries and can't wait to come back.

We were a group of 3 on a Friday afternoon for lunch. When we told the server who greeted us he told us it would be 10 minutes. I didn't need to hear how they were short staffed and this is what happens. I don't know what he thought I could do about that. Seeing as how my elderly cousin was with us and standing with a cane he could have offered to get her a chair to sit on while waiting. But he, and who I later identified as the owner, didn't feel compelled to do so. We were seated within those 10 minutes. It took a few minutes to get menus. My husband who has to eat gluten free asked if they had a gluten free roll to go with all the sandwich and burger options. It was answered with a quick and curt "no". Followed by "that was easy". No offer of what could be done to accommodate him. Can't be the first person with a gluten issue to dine here. When served out meal we asked if the ceiling fans could be turned down, or off, as we were all cold from the breeze blowing. The sever we made the request of said he would ask James. As if accommodating guests discomfort was negotiable. When we finished dining no dessert menu was offered. Instead our check was presented. I guess they don't offer dessert. That's my experience. We won't be back. Oh yeah, the food was very good. But many dining establishment serve good food without attitude.

They have the best short rib you can buy omg it's so good and the owner is a cool guys

Had an awesome dinner here with today. James the owner was very welcoming and the experience was top notch from start to finish. The appetizers, chicken and fish were all excellent. I'd highly recommend and will be returning when I'm in town.

My first visit to Litchfield and enjoying a meal here. My friend and I each enjoyed a salad - I added the peasant bread, too. Both hit the spot. The service was professional. We did spot a nearby table enjoying the smoked salmon, which is has its own special presentation. A small space so reservations are best. Note that they close between lunch and dinner.

I'm going to take into account that my son and I were here the day after Thanksgiving, so I'm allowing a small grace. of time for people to recover from the holiday the day before. However, I draw the line at really bad service. My 19-year-old son and I were out for the day in Litchfield County and decided to have lunch at this popular Restaurant. When we arrived, the matre'd very friendly, told some fun stories, and wished us a good lunch, and a good day. Server came over about a minute later to bring us water, and then another minute later, came back to take our order. From the time we placed our order to the time we received our order, we were ignored. Nobody came around to offer us additional water, nobody came around to see how we were doing. Other tables were being treated as though they were royalty; however, my son and I, who were very well dressed, well groomed, and not making a scene were completely ignored. Server came by with our food, not our original waiter, and he placed our plates down and left. Didn't wish us a good meal, or anything, didn't ask if we needed more water, didn't even say one word. The food was good, my son had a bacon & egg, Angus beef burger, I had a chicken and cheddar cheese sandwich. Both came with a side of fries which were delicious. That's where it ended. We finished our meal within 10 minutes and still nobody came by to check on us. Four times I tried to catch the eye of the server, who was passing out beverages to other tables, and was promptly ignored. I finally flagged one down to ask for more water and the check. He didn't acknowledge our request but we got more water because somebody came by with water, but didn't ask if we needed anything else and the check was slapped down, and yes, I mean slapped down on the table. I paid the bill, but decided there was no gratuity for this restaurant. So for the food I will give 4/5 stars. Ambience 4/5 stars as the location was very nice and clean, and was already set up for the holiday season. But as far as service, I'm giving it 0/5. I don't write notes on the check, but I put a big zero with a line through it on the tip line and wrote down "very rude service" which is why I did not leave a tip. The last time I did that was 15 years ago when I had exceptionally bad service at a chain restaurant. Again, I know it was a day after a major holiday, but a thank you from someone who is working at a restaurant would have gone very far. Checking on us to see how we were doing would go very far. I shouldn't have to flag down a server for 10 minutes to get a glass of water.

Have not been in some time, but the food, drink and service was tops. I had the shrimp and it was such a tasty dish. Will definitely be going back.

My husband and I had an amazing lunch. The fish and chips and burger were fantastic!!! The owner, James, was so friendly and recommended a few local spots for us to check out. Can't wait to go back!!!

One of the best meals I've had in a long time. The host was so friendly and brought over a few on the house items for the family to try knowing it was our 1st time dining there. We enjoyed the selection and the portions. Yummy all around.

never disappoints!!!! thank you for making space and serving up a perfect Valentine's dinner!!! Fantastic room and a delicious meal!! x

Went with my parents and grandparents after I bought a place in town. The place is small and quiet. Not the place for big family gatherings either children. The food was the best I've had in town so far! The waiter was very kind. The owner stopped by to say hello. Would definitely return.

You MUST visit this delightful restaurant in the heart of Lichfield, CT. My mom and I came here for a short leaf pepping trip from NYC and this was our favorite dinner. The food was incredible and we truly enjoyed every bite. A highlight for me was the Chickpea Salad - very fresh! My mother enjoyed the Mushroom Ravioli with the sage brown butter sauce. She couldn't stop talking about it. Not only was the food great but James O'Shea the owner and mastermind behind all these dishes came over and greeted us with warmth. He was so kind and spent time explaining the inspiration behind his dishes. He is also a vegan and animal activist which is so refreshing to see in the restaurant industry. During our conversation I could tell how passionate he was about the dishes he produced and gave us the recommendation to visit Thorncrest Farm & Milk House Chocolates (which we very much enjoyed as well)! I highly recommend taking the trip from NYC to escape the busy city life and enjoy a relaxing and wonderful meal here!

Had a perfect meal here - the owner James was a great host and had nice stories to tell about the restaurant and dishes ("peasant bread" which was incredibly delicious). Highly recommend the fish and chips, shrimp curry, burrata.

West Street Grill is my favorite restaurant for a delicious meal and a memorable occasion. My wife and I had a delicious dinner there earlier today and thoroughly enjoyed the meal and the service. The staff and owner made us feel genuinely welcome. We started light with the guacamole and chips, saving room for the entrée. We had the best Salmon and Fish and Chips since traveling abroad. Dessert was a house made sorbet that was a rich smooth chocolate and coconut as well as a rice pudding. I was happy to finish feeling fortunate to have the experience of such wonderful fresh flavor and light texture that made me feel uplifted instead of weighed down. I look forward to a return visit before our next anniversary, to savor the quality food and create more enjoyable memories.

Food was adequate. Service was mediocre as was ambiance. Prices were ridiculous and I m a New Yorker

This restaurant is fantastic. It has the atmosphere of a classic venue ... but the food could not be more "modern." The best of both worlds. In particular I was blown away by the emphasis on vegan. The chef/maître d' is also most fascinating.

The food is always amazing, and the aura is incredible! The staff is extremely attentive. It's the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion!

Quickly becoming one of our favorites. This place has been here for years & we've recently rediscovered it after moving back into the area. A perfect example of a well run establishment. Service is clockwork. Food is good. Lunch or dinner it's a great stop. Small but cozy and yet the seating is not cramped.

Food was good. We were a group of 4 looking for a bite to eat. The menu looked good but no prices listed. We went in and were unpleasantly surprised by the high prices and the tiny portion beet salad. A man came to our table and showed us some yogurts or something. I wasn't sure if he was trying to sell them to us or what. It was a bit of an odd experience.

It was refreshing to see all the new restaurants that had sprouted up in Litchfield since we had last visited. Despite this, we couldn't resist a meal at West Street Grill. It had always been a favorite of ours and the menu looked new and exciting. We are very glad we did. We started our meal with the guacamole. The spicy green salsa surrounding the avocado enabled each diner to choose the level of preferred " heat" to add to each bite. Freshly cut tomatoes topped the avocado. Very adaptive...and pretty. As I sipped happily on my blueberry cocktail ( delish) , our entrees were served. My husband adored his mussels and my burger was terrific. A good burger, to me,is a bellwether of a restaurant. In this case, mine was a clear hit. The meat was juicy, the toppings were not over-applied and the delicious bun held up. Win win win. The only downside was that I had to share. It was far too big for me to eat myself. In all, some things never change. Thankfully, though West Street Grill has adapted nicely to the changing tastes of today's diner, the quality remains the same- predictably good. We will be back with friends.

We had lunch there yesterday afternoon. The food was excellent. John is very nice and hospitable. And the new chef if fantastic. Highly recommend.

Wonderful meal from start to finish. The presentation of the salmon appetizer is amazing!

James and Ryan created a wonderful dining experience.The food was delicious. We'll be back soon.

The Diver Scallop Maine Tempura with seaweed and shiitake salad was hands down the best I have ever tasted. The chef has a light touch which brings out the natural goodness of the food with imaginative complementary flavors and textures. Beginning at the beginning, we were welcomed in by our host James on a bustling Saturday evening. The bustle did not prevent our server from providing friendly and efficient service throughout. We immediately ordered the savory peasant bread and cocktails to provide our out-of-town guest time to peruse the many menu options which included WSG braised natural beef short ribs, coconut curry shrimp, and striped bass. This is the season to enjoy heirloom tomatoes and corn at its best and we were delighted to see produce from our neighbor farms creatively served. A lovely evening.

The food is excellent! Their cod is some of the best I've had. Don't skip the dessert.

Very disappointed to the point that I felt I needed to write a review. Bartender was great, but then the food and service kicked in in the most disappointing way. I ordered a hamburger cooked medium - came basically raw in the middle. Asked for it to get more cooked. A replacement came and was basically the same. Could not eat it and avoided asking for it to be fixed for a second time. The servers were either confused (my wife's salad came, was put on the table, then taken back for some reason and then re-delivered. Very odd). The server who took my burger back the first time seemed annoyed that I had an issue with it being undercooked... no sense of the customer being right - sort of tossed my fork on the table. Not cordial at all, and that's on top of their chef's inability to cook a piece of meat to medium temperature. After the 2nd burger came raw in the middle, we just paid and got the heck out. Shame, b/c the bartender was a great guy but the service and food prep were absolute dismal. Also, my wife noticed that they billed us for an additional entree that we never ordered. I see this happened to another customer in their review. Coincidence??? Too bad - it's a great location