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    Cafe Fiore

    3.9 (289 reviews)
    ModerateItalian
    Closed 11:00 am - 11:00 pm

    Cafe Fiore Photos

    CAFE FIORE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Happy hour specials
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Cafe Fiore

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    Pasta and meatballs
    Trixie G.

    Hi I've been to the Hartford location and rate them a 5 star. This location was busy at lunch and did not have enough staff. We had the bartender waiting our table and working the bar. Not good! It took long for our food to come out and when it did it was cold. Not good. Bring out those that are ready and hot then bring those that are still being made. The manager needs more staff at lunch time because not once did any come over to ask how was our meal. I had to go to the bar to ask for our check. I could not even tell you about the ambiance because I was to distracted with cold food and service. Not sure if I would go back this location. Go at your own risk. You've been warned.

    Michael R.

    I ordered the Fiore chicken with lobster over pappardelle. This was fantastic! Generous portions of lobster and an excellent vodka sauce. Everyone else seemed to enjoy their meals as well. Nice atmosphere inside the restaurant. Service was very disappointing. It took a very long time to get menus and server did not seem to value the business of our large group of 24. Also, they should have sent us more workers to support our large group.

    Beautiful ambiance of the dining room, and a side salad.
    James H.

    Food is always delicious. Service is great. Restaurant is beautiful and in a great location.

    Proof of hold time
    Mj S.

    Don't want take out business On hold with Cafe Fiore for over 3 minutes after rude woman answered - told her I'd like to place a order for pick up. Guess they don't want my business. It's okay more local restaurants do want my business. Ciao Cafe Fiore

    Eli doing what he does best!
    Dawn L.

    Another fabulous meal In a beautiful bar with who else but Eli!!! The kindest and most attentive bartender. Cheers or Salute!!!

    Nika C.

    We come a couple times. Excellent service. Very professional. Bartender was spectacular and warm personality. Fabulous food, everything is so tasty. Menu is extensive and seasonal to a particularly high standard. Zuppa Di Pesce were cooked perfectly and accompanied by a wonderful red sauce. Recommend to everyone! We would like to come back here again.

    Garlic knots
    Jay S.

    Cafe Fiore is a wonderful Italian restaurant with both indoor, and outside seating, with a nice bar area.They have a large lunch menu with very generous portions. We started with their signature garlic knots ( the best garlic knots I ever had). I ordered the Veal Parmesan served over pappardelle pasta. My wife ordered her favorite Chicken Fiore, chicken breast topped with spinach, fresh tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella, in a pink vodka sauce. Our friends chose the Linguine with clam sauce, and the Shrimp Scampi. Everyone was very pleased with their meal, and the service.

    Eggplant Fiore before the parm
    Michael C.

    Nestled, almost hidden, amidst a cluster of condominiums in Branford, Café Fiore is an unexpected gem that effortlessly defies its unconventional location. Stepping inside, you'll find yourself welcomed into a space that's tastefully designed and imbued with warmth--though I must admit, the giant Mona Lisa staring you down from the wall feels a bit like she's silently judging your menu choices. Sure, it's a little over the top, but hey, maybe she knows a thing or two about fine dining. Service at Café Fiore strikes that perfect balance: attentive without being overbearing. Our waiter was the epitome of charm and professionalism. When Kim found herself wavering between the Chicken Fiore and Eggplant Fiore, he didn't just make a suggestion; he delivered a solution with finesse: "Go with the eggplant tonight, and you'll have a reason to come back for the chicken." Clever, right? He not only settled the debate but secured a return customer. He was there when we needed him, but not so close that we couldn't have a nice conversation or keep our three-year-old entertained. Mona Lisa's watchful eyes seemed to approve from across the room. Appetizers: We started with the fried calamari and arancini. The calamari was tender, paired with an intriguing side of cold hot peppers that somehow worked. The arancini was modest in size, coated in just enough breadcrumb to keep it balanced. The rice itself could have used a little more seasoning or a touch of meat and cheese, but the rich, and what I believe to have been northern-inspired tomato sauce elevated the dish nicely. I could be wrong about the northern Italian flair, but that's the vibe I got. Main Courses: My Filet Mignon was seasoned and cooked just right, perfectly satisfying in its simplicity. It came with mashed potatoes--good, though they needed a hint of salt. Kim's Eggplant Fiore, the dish she was expertly nudged into ordering, turned out to be the star. It was cooked to perfection and topped with a luscious vodka cream sauce that hinted at northern Italian roots. Fresh spinach, tomatoes, and mozzarella added a nice touch, and while it came over pappardelle pasta, which wasn't our first choice, it did the job admirably. I swear Mona Lisa's half-smile looked a little smug at this point. Desserts: We ended with the Italian-style cheesecake--dense, rich, and very, very heavy. It was the kind of dessert that makes you pause halfway through, take a deep breath, and power on. The Chocolate Bombe was essentially chocolate mousse with a little flair, and it was every bit as indulgent as it sounds. Café Fiore delivered a night of good flavors, attentive service, and a bit of fun with the ambiance. The nods to northern Italian inspiration and the warm atmosphere made it a meal worth savoring. And if you're up for dining with Mona Lisa watching your every bite, this is your place. For anyone in Branford looking for a spot that's cozy, unpretentious, and serves up solid Italian fare, Café Fiore is worth the visit. Highly recommended.

    Jared P.

    The garlic bread is great the salad is eh my gf clam and linguine was over cooked but my lasagna was pretty good the waiter took forever to come

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    1 month ago

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    Valon A.

    Thank you so much for your business and positive review

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    2 months ago

    You can always get a good meal!!! They have excellent pasta dishes. Service is also excellent!!

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

    Food was just okay but the service was terrible! Waiter was never seen again after taking our order...until it was time to pay.

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    5 years ago

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    Ask the Community - Cafe Fiore

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    Pasta Cosi - Pane cotto, red wine

    Pasta Cosi

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    Pasta Così is a Northern Italian-inspired eatery that opened in Branford, Connecticut in November…read more1992. It was founded by chef Billy DiLegge. After learning how to cook from his mother and grandmother, DiLegge immersed himself in all aspects of the restaurant business. From the 8th grade onward, he was cooking, washing dishes, serving, and working his way up to the front line of the kitchen. He attended the prestigious Culinary Institute of America where he graduated with high honors. In 1992, DiLegge opened Pasta Così (a play on the Italian expression "Basta Così", meaning "That's enough") at 3 Linden Avenue along the beautiful shoreline in the Indian Neck village section of Branford. He quickly gained a great reputation for his homemade pastas and fresh sauces. In 2007, DiLegge relocated the restaurant to its current location along the historic Branford Green. In addition to being a chef and restaurant owner, DiLegge is also a firefighter for the New Haven Fire Department. He has an excellent kitchen staff who run things at the restaurant when he can't be there. As one can imagine, DiLegge is happy to cook for his fellow firefighters when he's stationed at the firehouse. My wife and I recently had a lunch date at Pasta Così. We had a gift certificate that we had been meaning to use for a while. From the bar, I enjoyed a glass of "Limoncello Spritz" (Tito's, Punzone limoncello, Luminsoa prosecco & club soda served on ice w/ a wedge of lemon) while my wife had a "Cazcabel Blood Orange Marg" (Cazcabel Reposada tequila, fresh-squeezed blood orange juice & ripe margarita). They really hit the spot! For our entrees, we couldn't imagine getting anything but a pasta dish. I had the signature "Pasta Così" (penne, crumbled sausage, broccoli rabe, white beans, sun dried tomatoes & parmesan) and my wife had the "Famous Lobster Ravioli" (served with/ a roasted garlic and plum tomato sauce, fresh lobster meat). Both dishes were phenomenal! They tasted so fresh and homemade; we felt like we were served elevated dishes that were lovingly prepared by someone's Italian mother or grandmother. I would love to recreate the "Pasta Così" dish at home sometime. We had a lovely lunch at Pasta Così and would love to try more of Chef DiLegge's delicious creations again in the future!

    Love this gem of a restaurant! The food is always consistent and the staff super friendly. Can't…read morewait to go back :)

    Photos
    Pasta Cosi - The bar area

    The bar area

    Pasta Cosi - "Pasta Così" (penne, crumbled sausage, broccoli rabe, white beans, sun dried tomatoes & parmesan)

    "Pasta Così" (penne, crumbled sausage, broccoli rabe, white beans, sun dried tomatoes & parmesan)

    Pasta Cosi - Indoor dining

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    Indoor dining

    Cafe Fiore - italian - Updated May 2026

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