Outdoor Dining in CT: Spots for Trinity Students

Maura Keary ’22

Features Editor

The Place 2 Be

With two locations in Hartford, The Place 2 Be really is the place to be, whether it is for breakfast, brunch, or lunch. There is one location on Franklin Avenue and another in downtown Hartford on Constitution Plaza. The downtown location is the perfect spot to go to as the weather starts to get warmer.

The joint is filled with chic and quirky décor to complement its “Booze Garden” in the back. On a sunny Saturday in Hartford, the Garden is full of big groups getting together for bottomless mimosas and brunch. The Place 2 Be serves everything from omelets to pancakes, French toast, breakfast sandwiches, and more.

Effie’s Place

Another “diner-esque” option for eating outdoors is Effie’s Place, located right on the Hartford-West Hartford line on Park Road. This cozy Greek diner is open from 7am-8pm on most days of the week and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The family-owned restaurant has the perfect patio in front, set up with tables, chairs, umbrellas, and a tent when needed. Effie’s is a great spot for a relaxing Sunday morning or afternoon in the spring for some delicious homestyle cooking.

Salute

Salute Restaurant serves up fresh Italian dishes, an ideal spot for lunch or dinner. Salute sits right in the middle of downtown Hartford with an outdoor patio that wraps around the building. Eating outside at Salute will help you fit in with the fun downtown restaurant scene of Hartford.

 The tasty menu options are contemporary spins on traditional Italian dishes, some of the most popular being the Rose Pasta and the Pasta Ala Vodka. Pair a meal with a glass of wine from their extensive drink menu and it makes for the perfect weekend afternoon.

Barcelona

Barcelona is another popular West Hartford spot that also serves small plates—perfect to share with your friends on a free weekend evening. The classy, modern ambience of the interior lingers even as you make your way out to the back patio. The “outdoor” space is located in the back of the restaurant and is enclosed by four walls, but with no roof so you can enjoy the warm weather without being right in the parking lot.

For chillier evenings, the Barcelona heaters work wonders and there is also a motorized awning for cover. There are several Barcelona locations, but the closest to Trinity is located on Farmington Avenue.

Zohara

Zohara is a Mediterranean-style restaurant, serving a modern spin on many different Mediterranean plates. Located in the heart of West Hartford, Zohara is one of the many restaurants that line Farmington Avenue. With one of the largest outdoor patios in the vicinity and great food, no table is ever left empty for long. Zohara’s ingredients are all locally sourced to create their exciting dishes that are mostly served as small, shared plates. If you’re stopping by for brunch, lunch, or dinner, make sure you start off your meal with a fresh bowl of hummus served with warm pita!