This place deserves way more attention than it gets. Tucked in downtown Bridgeport with easy street and garage parking nearby, 29 Markle Court walks in with serious style -- the decor is chic, the atmosphere is warm and cool at the same time, and it genuinely feels like somewhere you'd expect to find in a much bigger city. Drinks first: my slightly dirty martini was made exactly right. My friend went with cosmo and it was equally on point. Whoever is behind that bar has their act together. Then the food happened. We started with grilled bread with an EVOO, agave, and chile dip -- sounds simple, ate like a statement. The char on the bread, the heat and sweetness of that dip. Good sign of things to come. Main event: shrimp and grits. Guinea flint grits, spicy red sauce, sage, stock. I don't say this lightly -- this is one of the best things I've eaten in a long time. The grits were creamy and rich, the sauce had real depth and heat, and the shrimp were perfectly cooked. The whole bowl just worked on every level. Dessert: goat cheesecake with pistachio dust and berry compote. Tangy, creamy, not too sweet, and that pistachio dust on top was a perfect finish. We cleared the plate. read more

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Finally got around to trying 29 Markle, twice. Everything sampled was great. Service was good, though a little more knowledge on the menu would've been nice. The chef owner came out personally to check on everyone. We will be back. read more

29 Markle Ct - New American Near Me - Bridgeport, Connecticut

We went to a show at the Bijou Theater tonight so booked an 8:00 reservation here after the 6:00 show. I'm a big foodie and this place was nominated for 2025 Restaurant of the Year in its county. Show was done early so came here and sat at the bar. Cool drink menu and nice bar. The bartender could have used some help as he was very busy and all by himself with a full bar and restaurant. He actually forgot to make my drink so had to remind him. I got the sweeter of the two "margaritas." It was pretty good. The Crimson. Got to our table around 8:15 or so. One guy was running around as the hostess (no real hostess stand) so we awkwardly went up to him to ask if we could be seated as he was cleaning tables and seating people. Cons - the smoke and smell of fried food coming out of the kitchen was crazy and my clothes still smell of it hours later. They need to figure out a better ventilation system. I also almost got locked in the bathroom as the door wouldn't open! Scary! It's also really loud in here as the tables are very close together. Service isn't great so don't expect that here. We knew that based on other reviews. They had two waitresses for one side of the restaurant. I had to ask for water twice. Pros - the food was what gave this place 4 stars for me. Caesar salad was incredible. Maybe the best I've ever had. Shrimp and grits very tasty. Three large shrimp and grits done well. The man got the Striped bass and he loved it. Nice kick to it. We also split the carrots which had an Indian flavor/spices. Incredible. Clove flavor to the sauce. I convinced the bf to get this and split with me and he was raving about them. The nicest part about this place is the chef comes to your table and asks you how everything is. That rarely happens - really nice. I would say If the service was a bit more on point and they got the ventilation system under control I would give this place 5 stars as their food is so unique. read more

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LOVELY! We arrived close to closing time on a Sunday evening. The staff was super accommodating, the food was delicious and the drinks (smoky new fashions) were delightful. We ordered lamb chops, crab cake balls, fennel + citrus salad, snapper and rib eye. The star(s)of the show were the lamb chops and snapper. We will return. Excellent experience . read more

I went here for dinner randomly, saw that it was black owned, and was very excited to try it. We tried the smoked new fashion, which has a lovely presentation, crab balls, ribeye, and the halibut. There was a small issue with the order, which caused a bit of a wait but it was rectified. Everything was pretty tasty although the ribeye came with a 'black pepper sauce' that tasted like regular barbecue sauce and did not compliment the steak at all. other than that it was good. It's a cute little restaurant with a nicely decorated vibe and I look forward to giving it another try. read more

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I went here with three friends for an early Saturday night dinner (6pm) after a play at the downtown Bridgeport Cabaret. Parking is on the street or paid a lot around the corner. It is a litt tight if there are other events going on nearby. The restaurant was not very crowded when we arrived and we were greeted with a warm welcome. Fortunately we did have a reservation because the restaurant started filling up as we were enjoying our meal. Service was excellent. We had Garfield who was attentive and friendly. The owner Wesley was in the house and stopped by to chat. My friends ordered three small plates. They were the tomato and burrata salad, Jollof Fried Rice, with fried okra, baby bok choy, and herbs and the Grilled Lamb Chops, harrissa, ginger, yogurt, mint, micro chives. My friend said that there was a little more ginger on the lamb than necessary. we had the Copps Island oysters with pear & sake granita, lemongrass oil, pickled chilies, local micro greens to split and then we both ordered the halibut which was tremendous. The restaurant is nicely decorated. It was calming and a nice place for date night. I definitely will be back. read more

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This a black own business that's run fantastically I was pleasantly surprised by my dinner because my young waitress at first made a couple faux pas at first; it was quickly remedied by her enthusiasm and recommendations . The food was superb delicious flavorful my steak was perfectly cooked my other half tacos were tasty.next time we are in the area we already want to return try a few more items on their menu. Just remember it's street parking . read more

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Everyone, stop what you're doing and come support this amazing Black owned business!! I came here for Valentine's Day and had such a phenomenal experience. Every detail from the hospitality to the food was just spot on. For V-Day the place was packed but thankfully we had a reservation and were seated right away. The servers here are so warm and welcoming -- I would return just for the service! The food was also very good. A tad salty but I can over look that because everything else was so great. They are on the pricier end, but most of their ingredients are locally sourced, which they mention on the menu. I definitely recommend the 12 oz rib eye and the scallops! read more

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I go to sleep at night still thinking about this place. I intentionally chose this place to celebrate my boyfriend for a few reasons: their commitment to fresh ingredients in their creative menu, the ambiance, and that it is minority owned. Every single thing we ordered was amazing. You have to order everything at once and that was troublesome because I wanted to order the whole menu. The fish was phenomenal: perfectly crispy and seasoned so well. The broccolini was one of my favorites. I'm so glad I live an hour away because I'd be in trouble if I were closer. Street parking wasn't hard to find. People were nice. We didn't sit at the bar area but it looked really cool. The decor you can tell the owners spent time making it comfortable, welcoming and sleek. I love this restaurant. It's prob the best restaurant in the whole state of Connecticut. Please try the Brussels sprouts. Try everything! read more

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My daughter was celebrating her birthday, and I gave her a couple of restaurants to choose from. She decided to try this restaurant. I was happy that she chose this restaurant because it's new, black-owned, and one of the restaurants I had on my bucket list. My daughter and I ordered the braised short ribs with polenta, I ordered the charred broccolini, and my son had the crispy chicken sandwich with fries. The food was fantastic and flavorful, and the broccolini was the best. I call it yum yum goodness because that's all I kept saying while eating it. The short ribs were cooked to perfection, and the polenta was creamy. It's an upscale restaurant, so be prepared to spend a nice chunk of change, but it's well worth the money. The ambience is very relaxing with soft jazz music playing, and it is very intimate. I would highly recommend this place for date night. The customer service was excellent, and the executive chef and owner came over to our table and asked us how our food was, which is a plus. I want to meet the person behind the food. The other co-owner also came to the table to ensure everything was okay. Great restaurant. I would definitely be back again. read more

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Everything here has its own unique flavors. I've been here over no exaggeration 1000 times. My favorite restaurant in Connecticut.. A must try if you want some different lasting flavors. read more

I recently went up to Bridgeport University to celebrate a graduation. It was recommended to go to 29 Markle for dinner so my family and I went. We tried a good amount of the menu. Can't lie.... Everything was fantastic. My favorite appetizer was the Brussel Sprout. The entrees all had a distinct vibrant flavor to them but the snapper blew my mind. The seasoning and spices made this dish stand out. The chef came out to greet us as well. Great experience overall. read more

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Really good. Amazing pasta. Very comfy!! I would highly recommend this restaurant thoroughly enjoyed everything read more

Without a doubt, my favorite restaurant experience since moving to Connecticut three years ago. The location is unassuming, just a free hundred feet down Markle Ct off the main strip, but as soon as you walk in, the vibes feel immaculate. Beautifully decorated and spotless, the space is warm and inviting. Service was attentive and kind. We got the papas rellenas as starters and they both were excellent. My wife got the fish sandwich (only available on Sunday). The type of fish changes, but today it was halibut and was so tasty. The spicy sauce that comes on it is a perfect compliment. I got the basil pesto and it was excellent as well. So nice finding REAL, fresh crabmeat in the dish. The executive chef came out to introduce himself towards the end of the meal and to shake a hands which was lovely (and apparently something he does quite often). The cocktails looked really fun as well, though we didn't get any this time, and the bar area was very sleek looking. This meal was so far beyond what I expected (and I knew it would be good because I had read so many great reviews!). 29 Markle, you've got something special going here. Keep it up and see you again, very soon. read more

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We've heard about how good 29 Markle is and finally tried it last night before a show. The ambiance is clean and classy! We sat at the bar and had excellent service at the hands of Gabe. He is a skilled bartender and was a pleasure to observe him at his craft. The bar has a nice selection of spirits, some of which I hadn't seen previously. We shared the Lamb Lollipops appetizer and agreed that these were the best we had experienced. Spicy and prepared perfectly with unique flavor. We followed with fish tacos and the duck breast. Both excellent. Finished with the strawberry tart and thoroughly enjoyed it. We will put 29 Markle on our regular rotation for dining out. Highly recommended!! read more

My husband and I visited 29 Markle Ct for his birthday dinner. We're always on the lookout for new places to try. We ordered chicken fingers and fries for our kids, while my husband indulged in beef short ribs. I opted for the salmon special, which should definitely be on the menu. It was absolutely incredible--crispy, juicy, and buttery soft. I highly recommend trying this place for yourself. The drinks and food are simply outstanding! read more

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Never disappoints . Always a warm welcome, staff is always kind and polite . I needed a few drinks and a good dine . First I ordered the curry mussels appetizer . It came with a glass of wine for extra 4 bucks. Not a bad deal. Those mussels were so very good !! The light coconut flavor in the curry , awesome. The bread on the side great for dipping. For my main dish I ordered the spaghetti Alfredo add the shrimp . Alfredo made from scratch wonderful taste. I had a drink to end my dine . Old money with a half and half salted rim. Good time , always satisfied . read more

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I walked into Markle 20 minutes ago with my niece, mother, and sister. It was difficult getting a baby chair up the stairs, but we managed to do it. When we entered, we found a waitress who was clearly unhappy to be working there. She didn't greet us and simply said, "I'll be right with you," before heading to the back. Since the place was empty, we started to sit ourselves down. When the waitress eventually came out, she told us that we couldn't seat ourselves and mentioned that the kitchen closed at 9 p.m. I was already aware of this and yes I did cut her off because i was hungery. She gave me a disapproving look and went back to the kitchen again. I decided to leave because I refuse to pay to eat somewhere where the service isn't up to par. read more

Terrible !!! I have tried to experience the food of this place on 3 occasions and it has been impossible, on each occasion there is a pretext on the part of the staff to not be able to sit down to eat and coincidentally when I go I am hungry. The girl who works in this restaurant in the last opportunity I tried to give to this place received me with a "You can't sit there", what ??? There were 30 minutes left to close the kitchen, were there reservations at that time? Was the place full? Both answers are NO, so why are you going to move me and make me uncomfortable when you are looking that I even have a baby car and a third person !!!! UNACCEPTABLE and I will not continue to allow a place to treat me that way. So if you want to waste time trying to find a plate of food in this place go and be disappointed !!! Ps: the place smells a lot of mold. -.-.-.-.-.-.-.- Pésimo !!! He intentado experimentar en 3 ocasiones la comida de este lugar y ha sido imposible, en cada ocasión hay un pretexto por parte del personal para no poder sentarme a comer y casualmente cuando voy tengo hambre. La chica que trabaja en este restaurante en la ultima oportunidad que le intenté dar a este lugar me recibieron con un "NO te puedes sentar hay", que ??? Faltaba 30 min para cerrar la cocina, había reservas a esa hora ? El lugar estaba lleno ? Ambas respuestas es NO, entonces porque me vas a mover y desacomodarme cuando estás mirando que tengo hasta un coche de bebé y una persona de la tercera edad !!!! INACEPTABLE y no voy a seguir permitiendo que un lugar me trate de esa manera. Así que si quieres perder el tiempo intentado encontrar un plato de comida en este lugar ve y decepciónate !!! Pd: el lugar huele mucho a moho. read more

Beautiful restaurant in the most unassuming location. Spectacularly prepared and delicious food. The most perfect service imaginable. This restaurant is amongst the best I've ever been to, anywhere on earth. 5 stars is insufficient. read more

Enjoyed our meal! Charming intimate space. Staff was wonderful. We have the muscles which were out of this world and lobster gnocci plus the small plate scallops. Everything was delicious. read more

I live for a restaurant that understands quality over quantity! The menu is limited to a few amazing dishes that were executed well. We had an incredible meal. The service was attentive but allowed us to enjoy our meal. That is a delicate dance which was mastered beautifully. Our food came out hot and the fflavors were amazing!! My hat is off to the chef. It was the best meal I've had in a long time. We had an amazing meal. I will definitely return. read more

Finally ate dinner at 29 Markle Ct in Bridgeport...what took me so long?! I saw the reviews and the awards and decided to have a nice meal on Mother's Day. Nice meal!?! This was a delectably prepared dish; the pre-deboned fried whole red snapper sat atop a vegetable medley including sliced okra - which was prepared in such a way to make you forget that you didn't like okra - over a simply planed plantain, all over a strip of mole sauce. Now this sauce is a Mexican delight, but it reminded me of blackened flavors from the French Quarter, as well as Jamaican jerk! The meal must be eaten in carefully crafted bites that include all of the flavors in order to experience the mix of cultures that Chef Damon Daye intended - which he explained himself when he came to our table to inquire about the meal. Bravo!!!!! Will be back!!! Drinks and dessert were right on par with the meal! read more

29 Markle Ct - Whole red snapper, pre-deboned, fried and coated with mole sauce - New American Near Me - Bridgeport, Connecticut

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Second time there and I'm sorry but I feel this is overrated. The last time was better - shrimp and grits. This time the chicken sandwich and Caesar salad. It was supremely mediocre. We won't be back read more

This is hands down my favorite restaurant in Farifield County. From the food, the drinks the unpretentious atmosphere to the welcoming staff. I love that Chef Damian comes out of the kitchen to engage with the patrons. He is a very talented chef. The bartenders are amazing. We've been there several times and I had my mom's birthday party there. It's consistently great. You must go.. have the halibut, the scallops, the Smoked chicken is amazing, everything is phenomenal. They have some great cocktails too. Try the smoked old fashioned, it's the best Old fashioned I've had. read more

Wandered in last minute before a concert at the amphitheater down the street and had a great meal with great service. Highly recommend the chicken sandwich! read more

DELICIOUS & BEST FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CT RESTAURANT I have had two absolutely incredible meals at 29 Markle Court in Bridgeport, CT. Its not that just the food, prepared by Chef and Owner Damon is some of the lightest, most flavorful and deliciously innovative while still being classic, that I have ever, ever had, but the atmosphere in the restaurant is serene, beautifully calming, and truly fun. Co-Owner and host Wesley created the uniquely welcoming and charming space that beckons me to sit, relax, enjoy and share time with family and friends. Each of the staff has a wonderful smile and a warmth and a charm that welcomes every guest with sincerity and a commitment to making the experience truly complete. I have had extraordinary halibut; a tremendously exciting red snapper; scallops; and a bok choy that was so magically flavored it simply filled me with pleasure. Last night I also had oysters which I often find are indicative of the quality of a restaurant. Not only were these just perfect but they were delicately flavored so I can honestly say they melted in my mouth and were the best I have ever had. There is an area for private parties; its easy to find on a great little street; and lots of parking. TOTALLY SPECIAL read more

One of my favorite restaurants to go to in CT! The staff is always so lovely; it's intimate and has a cozy and warm ambiance. The seasonal specials keep me excited to keep coming back. read more

29 Markle Ct - Caesar salad - New American Near Me - Bridgeport, Connecticut

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Excellent food and atmosphere! Great portions. I had the shrimp and grits which were delicious!

This was the perfect date night dinner spot at the perfect time in our lives. I like to call this a hidden gem restaurant. The food was fresh and simply incredible dishes and the atmosphere absolutely perfect! The service was on point, very attentive and friendly. I can't wait to come back soon. read more

This is the gem of Bridgeport! The ambience, staff, chef, and manager are incredible. The attention to each detail of your dining experience makes this restaurant a must. The food is next level and one of the best meals I have had in a long time. Can't wait to go again! read more

Almost perfect meal with friends. We had: Brussels sprouts, carrots, charred ciabatta, lamb chops, beets, and chicken rellanos, scallop risotto, short rib, and shrimp and grits. Everyone (all well-travelled foodies) LOVED their meals I haven't had such impeccably seasoned shrimp and grits since I was last in NOLA. The prices are quite reasonable, as well. The only issue: We waited quite a while for water, to have our order taken, and to get our drinks. After 20 minutes we finally asked about the drinks. Almost completely forgivable, given it was the best meal out I've had in months. read more

Great service and fun atmosphere, def make reservations or come before 7 it gets busy. The food was great and the drinks were amazing!! read more

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Amazing food, staff, and ambiance!!! My personal faves are the mahi-mahi fish tacos, braised short rib, and chocolate cake; for the cocktails, cardamom and old money. This place is always an experience and I love that for me!! read more

29 Markle Ct - Braised Short Rib - New American Near Me - Bridgeport, Connecticut

The ambience, food and service were impeccable. Not only did the owner Mare D come over to our table to talk to us so who did the chef -his brother and co-owner! Outstanding meal read more

I was so lucky to find this place after missing my Amtrak train and having to wait three hours before the next one came. They were such kind hosts. The atmosphere was warm and hip. And the food was delicious! Then when I forgot my credit card (it was a long day!), they mailed it back overnight and wouldn't let me pay them back. Kind souls, yummy food. I hope I can visit again soon! read more

I have heard so much about this place and I am so glad I finally made reservations and dined here. First of all, if you visit this place you feel like you are going to be in for an experience. If you picked up this restaurant and move it to another destination consider a "foodie" destination, it would fit in perfectly. This restaurant is a hidden gem! As soon as you walk in the ambiance is tremendous. A perfectly, dimly lit dining area lending itself to a romantic mood. The art work on the wall contained some classic Bridgeport photos. Love the Bridgeport vibe (Classic FPV photo). As soon as you walk in you are greeted warmly by a staff which provides top notch service. Our waitress was Ka'mora (sp?) and she was excellent. She explained the menu and was very pleasant. Everyone who came to our table was cordial, smiling and helpful. What an excellent representation of the chef, owner and management of this place. Now on to the food which was outstanding. I ordered the short rib and my girlfriend ordered the half bird. Both meals were expertly made and was absolutely delightful. The entrees were so flavorful. My short rib was served with a potato purée and bok choy. The half bird was perfectly seasoned and served with potato. We both enjoyed our meal. For dessert we had the chocolate cake with Raspberry gelato. What a perfect pairing. This restaurant dining experience has been the BEST dining experience I have had in a Bridgeport Restaurant. The food, service and quality is top notch. The chef stopped by our table, a classy touch! Stop in and give them a chance, you won't be disappointed. read more

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Went to 29 Markle Ct for a dinner with friends. The atmosphere is standard and casual than I expected; but they have a nice variety of dishes to select from. I enjoyed my dish. read more

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Food was ok although the "famous" chicken was very dry. But the service was awful. They took entree orders as apps arrived and brought entrees out 5 minutes later when we weren't close to done with the apps. Drinks arrived well after the entrees. Management did not bother to respond when we reached out to raise our concerns. It's a shame as it could be a good restaurant if better managed. read more

Well, if you have time to kill, this place is great. Sure it's a Friday and doesn't helped we came to see a show after so despite getting here at 630p it is now 747 p and we just now got our food and we only ordered from small plates. We never got our second order of drinks, Food and drinks amazing, even our neighbors loved all their meals and drinks. ODB and perfect uncle delicious!! Chef also came out to ask how people were doing and the nice but reality is in 90 minutes we were there we only got to order one drink (though we orders a second round, they never brought it). Yes I would come back only if I have nothing else to do. read more