Food Trail #5: Crepes Trail in Norwalk, Connecticut

This week’s food trail is compact- we’re staying super local in one city: Norwalk, Connecticut. Norwalk offers plenty of family friendly places: Stepping Stones Museum for Children and Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk are two museums for which we had a family member for YEARS when our children were younger. We visited either spot at least once a week. Norwalk boasts several beaches and parks, boat cruises, and tons of shopping areas, including the SoNo Collection, an upscale mall that just opened in 2019. There are also dozens of restaurants in both the main city and the area known as “SoNo” (South Norwalk) which is extremely walkable. We’ve been going to SoNo for years to meet up with friends from the City (aka NYC) and friends who live in Westchester County.

This week’ we’re sharing some of our favorite restaurants throughout Norwalk, all of which make delicious crepes.

5 Places for Crepes throughout Norwalk, CT:

La Dolce Italian Ice and Cafe on North Main Street in Norwalk is a small cafe in the heart of South Norwalk. The Pane and Criscuolo families moves from the Amalfi Coast of Italy to South Norwalk in the 1960s and have been making their Italian recipes ever since. The cafe serves a wide variety of entrees, pastries, and desserts, as well as a large catering menu.
We loved the strawberry, banana, and whipped cream crepe. 
What also looked good: Nutella crepes, Italian pastries, and over 15 varieties of Italian ice and Gelato. 
Full menu here
Noteworthy: Close on Monday, open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 10pm, and Sunday from 12pm to 1pm. There is a small second floor (steep staircase) area with tables and chairs- very reminiscent of French cafes. The Cafe is located in downtown SoNo, within walking distance of the Maritime Aquarium, Oyster Shell Park, and tons of shops and restaurants. Parking in on the street or in the nearby Maritime Garage- more information on parking here. 

Bruxelles Brasserie on North Main Street in Norwalk is a full service restaurant that will transport guests in Paris the moment you walk through the doors.  The menu is focused on French and Belgium cuisine and features week day specials.
We loved the ham and gruyere crepe that includes mushrooms, spinach, and potatoes, which comes with a side salad and potato croquettes. 
What also looked good: Traditional brunch items like omelettes and Belgium waffles, and popular dinner choices like steak frites, burgers, and salads.
Full menu here
Noteworthy: Open for dinner, starting at 4pm during the week, and open from brunch (Saturday at 12pm and Sunday at 11am) until 3pm and then dinner starting at 3pm.  There is a great kids menu that includes Belgium waffles for dinner. The Cafe is located in downtown SoNo, within walking distance of the Maritime Aquarium, Oyster Shell Park, and tons of shops and restaurants. Parking in on the street, in the back lot, or in the nearby Maritime Garage- more information on parking here. 

Barcelona Wine Bar on West Avenue in Norwalk is one of 18 Barcelona wine bars and tapas restaurants in 9 states and Washington DC. It’s one of our absolute favorite restaurants and we go to the Fairfield location every other month. The focus is seasonal Spanish tapas, and there is a large wine selection.
We loved Dulce de Leche crepes (two) with hazelnuts; it’s a staple on the Barcelona menu. 
What also looked good: Whenever we go to Barcelona we order the patatas bravas, croquetas, chorizo and figs, empanadas, and potato tortilla, which are also staples, and then a few seasonal specials. 
Full menu here 
Noteworthy: Open at noon on weekdays and 11am for weekend brunch. The entire group of Barcelona restaurants is cash free (credit/debit only). Other Connecticut locations include Stamford, Fairfield, New Haven, and West Hartford. There is a limited children’s menu that includes chicken fingers and a burger as options, but the restaurant is very child friendly for lunch and early dinner. Parking is available on the street and at the nearby garage.

Bistro Mediterranean and Tapas Bar on Westport Avenue in Norwalk is a full service restaurant with a large dining room in the back, bar in the front, and seasonal outdoor dining. The focus is on Mediterranean and Spanish tapas, but the menu also includes a large selections of entrees, including fish and vegetarian options.
We loved the crepes de fruta, filled with fresh fruit.
What also looked good: Many of the tapas (bruschetta, calamari, cheese plates), homemade pasta entrees, and several unique fish options.
Full menu here
Noteworthy: Open for lunch Monday through Saturday from 11:30am-3pm and dinner from 3pm or 4pm, and open on Sunday from 12pm-10pm. Other locations include East Haven and Westbrook. There is a private parking lot behind the restaurant.

Romanacci  on Westport Avenue in Norwalk is a full service restaurant with about a dozen booths, and a long bar that runs the length of the restaurant. Outdoor seating is available in warmer weather. While the menu features a massive “pizza bar” there are also plenty of full entrees, sides and salads, and a large catering menu.
We loved the Caesar crepe with chicken, lettuce, shaved parmesan and dressing.
What also looked good: There are half a dozen other savory crepes and paninis, dozens of homemade pizza options, salads and pastas, and sweet crepes and their famous sfogliatelle for dessert.  
Full menu here
Noteworthy:  Open from 11am until 10pm-11pm seven days a week.  There are also locations in Westport, Trumbull, and inside the SoNo Collection mall in nearby South Norwalk. There is large parking lot in the plaza where the restaurant is located. 

Bonus: If you have a little extra time and are heading in either direction, we have a few ideas for “extensions” to this trail:

• Heading south on Interstate 95, stop at Meli Melo Creperie, in Greenwich, with over two dozen crepes options, in addition to daily options for soups, salads, and sandwiches. The menu is five pages long and everything is homemade. We’re heard great things and we’re hoping to visit soon.

• Heading north on Interstate 95, stop at Cafe Transilvania in Fairfield, which offers both jelly and “chocolate heaven” crepes, in addition to a variety of burgers, salads, soups, and all day breakfast. And keep an eye out for Christopher’s Crepes, a food truck that is often parked near the Fairfield Public Library Main Branch on Post Road.

Check out our CT food trails: cupcakes, chocolate shops, cookies, hot dogs, crepes, tacos, and bakeries. Our sources for “research”: Three of our favorite sources for researching anything Connecticut are CTVisit.com (the official state tourism website), CTBites.com (THE resource on all things food related), and ConnecticutMagazine.com (a magazine I have subscribed to for years, full of info on a great variety of topics)

For more fun in Connecticut, check out our list of 30 places we love and 32 places where we love to eat in Connecticut. And follow along on our adventures on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.