ATTENTION...ATTENTION This was my second visit (first was lunch) and tonight like Yogi Bera, said "It's Deja Vu all over again" But seriously I don't think I can rave about Della Francesca enough It's no surprise to me now, it's an outstanding experience every time Staff is as pleasant as can be, the holiday decor is charming, and the food is six stars (they should put a bonus star in the ratings for places like this) I won't give specific dishes in this review as it's not necessary but what is necessary is to describe the experience... 1- greeted by a charming Hostess, Valentina, the owner and head chefs daughter 2- at the table we had multiple staff members greet us and chat us up like we were regulars there, which we aren't, but definitely will be 3- had cocktails while glimpsing at the illuminated menu (very very cool) and the drinks were great 4- dug into the appetizers that were so tasty and plentiful 5- entrees come out and it's perfectly served, fresh, steamy and prepared to absolute perfection 6- after dinner drinks...again great 7- and I do have to mention their rice pudding FAN-TASTIC Overall I very highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants an incredibly good experience Every detail is seven stars (should add two bonus stars for a restaurant of this caliber) Please take another minute to review my previous post about Della Francesca I really am passionate about this fantastic restaurant read more

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Delicious food good service and Knowledgeable staff. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambiance is on par for a classy meal with good vibes and great atmosphere.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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The food. Decisions decisions, veal osso bucolic, veal chop cut and stuffed or sea bass with cherry peppers and capers. I new the veal would be great but I couldn't get over the preparation of the bass. I live on the road and eat at very nice restaurants and this is one of them for sure. I was impressed. It has been years since I have experienced a dish as delicious as this. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I sat alone at the bar. Nice quiet setting.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Server was attentive and the house cab was Josh. I'm sorry I will be leaving town today. Della Franceca, good job. read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]It seems like they need to update the ambience[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]], the pasta was one of the best I had. Melting cheese and Guacamole so delicious read more

Della Francesca - Italian Near Me - Danbury, Connecticut

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A Culinary Gem in Danbury CT!! Della Francesca Sets the Standard for Italian Excellence!!!! There are few restaurants that capture the essence of fine Italian dining quite like Della Francesca on Mill Plain Road in Danbury. [[HIGHLIGHT]]From the moment you step inside, you're surrounded by warmth, soft lighting, elegant décor, and the comforting aroma of garlic, butter, and fresh herbs drifting from the kitchen[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's a place that manages to feel both upscale and welcoming, the kind of restaurant that makes you want to stay long after dessert just to soak in the atmosphere.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Personally, it's my favorite restaurant in CT, been there DOZENS of times. Exceptional People, Unforgettable Hospitality: The heart of Della Francesca is its people. Benny, the manager, is the soul of the restaurant, kind, attentive, and effortlessly professional. He remembers names, makes thoughtful recommendations, and treats every guest like an old friend. His calm presence gives the entire dining room a sense of grace and warmth that's rare these days. Tati, one of the most delightful servers you'll ever meet, adds his own touch of charm. His timing is perfect, he's always there when you need something, yet never intrusive. He brings a natural friendliness that makes every dinner feel easy and personal. And then there's the head chef Johnny, whose passion and craftsmanship shine through in every dish. You can tell he cooks not just with skill but with genuine love for his craft. Each plate that leaves his kitchen feels cared for, beautifully plated, thoughtfully balanced, and cooked to perfection. MUST TRY DISHES at the wonderful Della Francesca: The Calamari Fritti is the perfect way to begin the meal, golden and crisp on the outside, tender within. It's offered with a choice of sauces, but the balsamic with Italian cherry peppers is a must-try. The sweetness of the balsamic paired with that slight heat creates an unforgettable flavor that keeps you reaching for more. The Insalata di Arugula is refreshing and vibrant, peppery arugula tossed with creamy goat cheese, tart craisins, and juicy mangoes, all brought together by a raspberry vinaigrette. It's light, colorful, and balanced in every bite. The Pollo Burrata is a standout entrée, breaded boneless chicken topped with soft, melting burrata cheese, served with your choice of marinara or vodka sauce (my favorite is the marinara). The burrata melts beautifully into the sauce, creating that perfect blend of creamy richness and tangy flavor that makes this dish unforgettable. Then there's the Pollo Martini, where the boneless chicken breast is dipped in Reggiano Parmigiano cheese and finished in a white wine and lemon sauce. It's delicate and full of life, tender chicken with a bright, buttery finish that feels both comforting and elegant. The Vitello Della is the definition of indulgence, veal scaloppini topped with crab meat and melted fontina cheese, finished in a marsala wine sauce. It's layered, rich, and deeply satisfying, with flavors that linger long after the last bite. And finally, the Bistecca Gorgonzola, a PERFECTLY cooked N.Y. strip topped with melted gorgonzola, mushrooms, and marsala wine sauce. It's a flawless balance of tenderness, depth, and creamy richness. The combination of savory steak, earthy mushrooms, and the bold tang of gorgonzola makes it a dish that defines why people fall in love with this place. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Everything about Della Francesca feels intentional, the soft yet VERY unique lighting, the crisp linens, the gentle background music.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] It's elegant without ever feeling stiff. [[HIGHLIGHT]]You can come here for a romantic date, a family gathering, or a quiet dinner to unwind after a long day, and it always feels right.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] What makes Della Francesca so special isn't just the food, it's the heart behind it. Between Benny's warm leadership, Tati's impeccable service, and Johnny's culinary brilliance, every visit feels like something worth remembering. It's not just dinner. It's an experience, one that makes you feel welcome, satisfied, and already planning your next visit before you've even left the table. 5 out of 5 -- Della Francesca is more than a restaurant. It's where passion, flavor, and genuine hospitality come together perfectly. read more

Stopped by for lunch while out in the area. We came right around opening so it was very quiet. Food was delicious! Staff were very attentive as well. A nicer restaurant for occasions or just a nice lunch! read more

Della Francesca - Vitello Calabrese - Italian Near Me - Danbury, Connecticut

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Danbury CT has for sure some absolute gems! This Italian restaurant makes sure to bring back some traditional Italian recipes with a gourmet touch! Food was amazing although it was a bit hard to accept the smaller portions while serving homestyle Italian dishes but worth it. The staff were very attentive but also respectful of your space and no rush! [[HIGHLIGHT]]The atmosphere was very encouraging of a light traditional Italian music and low deemed lights making it perfect for a lot of occasions.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I would highly recommend. read more

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Good Italian food with a great ambience. With so many possible choices for Italian food in the general area, I settled upon here and I'm glad I did. I did look up reviews before choosing this place (I not only write reviews for Yelp, but I do use Yelp for reviews at the same time), so this certainly looked good enough to try. There are several menus. One is a drink menu, another is a by the bottle menu, a main menu along with specials, and the dessert menu. Several menus have lighting, so as it gets darker you can see the menus clearer. Pretty novel actually and I've never quite seen this before. The drink menu was pretty deep as for choices. There is a well stocked bar that you could sit at with some TVs. There is a main dining room and tables near the bar. There is also a party room which was fully occupied. The main menu came with a specials menu inside. The menu isn't as deep as I would've liked, but there were still enough choices and variety to appease most. For an appetizer, I chose the zucchini flowers. I've been wanting to try zucchini flowers for many years and today was finally the day. Once had, now I know I will be eating these again for sure. Nicely made. For the main course, I chose the lobster ravioli while my companion ordered the rib. I tried the rib and could easily have had that. The ravioli was good and I could've had a bucket of that alone. The unused bread at the table went right to dipping the remaining sauce in the plate. The dessert menu was varied enough, but I felt like the NY cheesecake while my companion went for the lava cake. Both good. They have these panels on the ceiling that add a certain lighting inside as it gets darker, which looks good. The waiter was attentive, friendly, knew the menu and specials well, and was overall very good. Any staff encountered were friendly and welcoming, which always goes a long way. Made reservations ahead of time and based on how crowded it became, reservations are recommended on a busy night. Parking lot is sizable, but there were some looking for spaces as we were leaving due to how crowded it became. Just something to keep in mind. Overall a solid choice and option in the area if you're looking for good Italian food. I'd come back again. read more

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Food quality / price (value) rating 9. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The atmosphere is classical Italian with white tablecloths, Italian paintings, wood furniture, and large mirrors. The ceiling is neo-industrial[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. Service began with homemade freshly baked bread and oil, excellent. I ordered the lunch entree Pollo Martini, a chicken breast dipped in reggiano parmigiana cheese and lemon butter sauce with mashed potatoes and spinach. It also included a homemade potato chip, (but, unfortunately, that was soggy), otherwise, what do you call the Italian "kiss" with fingers to your lips cuz that's how I'd rate the entree. They make q good Bloody Mary and offer 10 draught beers. The highlight of my meal was their homemade "Sienna Sambuca", a translucent chestnut colored Sambuca like no other I've had, and I'm a big Sambuca lover! It was less harsh, and much smoother than any other Sambuca I've had. This Sambuca outshines any I've ever tasted! Fantastico!!! I will come back soon just for this unique treasure. Service was excellent. Operated by third generation restauranteurs that know how to bring a meal together for any occasion. The prices were totally competitive with similar quality restaurants in the area. Good date restaurant . I can't wait to come back. read more

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My husband and I and friends dined in Della Francesca We have been frequent customers and sad to report we will never return. Not because of service levels that were off tonight but the attitude in reporting that the Dover Sole was truly not suitable for consumption and was beyond unfavorable and we have had better from Trader Joe's. When we reported our dissatisfaction which started with the waiter and the maitre'd, followed by who represented himself as the manager and when we asked for his name - he said why do you need my name and came out beyond defensive instead of apologetic to customers who were not satisfied with a meal that was beyond unacceptable. Two Dover sole meals were ordered which took an hour to come out. Once presented one of the meals was consumed by the gentlemen as he was hungry and the two ladies indicated the meal was not editable and beyond disgusting The manager retreats off and then the owner comes out and instead of apologizing for a terrible tasteless meal berates us and wants to know why one meal was consumed Terrible food and beyond the worst customer experience from a frequently dined establishment Needless to say we will never return read more

It was our first time here. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's a small place, very busy but also very short handed on staff.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Definitely make reservations if you're coming here. They were able to squeeze us in but we got lucky. On another hand, we waited a good 20 minutes before someone came and asked us if we wanted water- not even drinks, then another 20-30 minutes before anyone came by to ask about food options and drinks. We were ready to leave but when our waiter came he was so wonderfully pleasant that we stuck it out. I will say the service once they arrive is phenomenal. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Their menus are also lit up which is perfection because it is a bit dark in the restaurant.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Our waiter dealt with food allergies with no issue and created substitutions for the two of us who had the allergies. I had the GF pasta with broccoli rabe and sausage. I did not eat the sausage bc it was too spicy for me. I'm only mentioning this bc I did have a major stomach ache after I left. Sooo if you're highly sensitive to Gluten or celiac I'd be a little weary. Not sure if they use the same water for the gluten free pasta as they use for the regular; which I would hope not, but I did suffer after. Just a friendly heads up to my celiac and gluten free friends. Otherwise everything was amazing. read more

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I had dinner with my friends here and it was great! The service was friendly and efficient, [[HIGHLIGHT]]everything was clean[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]], [[HIGHLIGHT]]soft lighting for nice ambiance[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] and the food was excellent! I had a special fra diavlo with shrimp, lobster and scallops. I definitely recommend this sp read more

Della Francesca - Italian Near Me - Danbury, Connecticut

I can confidently say this was the worst dining experience of my 52 years on this planet. I have never felt the need to write a review on a restaurant but after this nightmare of an evening, I feel obligated to share my experience. Firstly, parking was awful, many cars double parked in their spaces in the undersized lot. Secondary, we received our menus about 45 minutes after we sat down! When I asked politely for menus three different times I was dismissed by each worker. In the meantime, my family got 1 miniature piece of Bruschetta toast for each person before a basket of bread accompanied with a sweet undesirable oil after a lengthy 45-minute wait (no butter). The drinks were watered down when they had finally arrived. (30 minutes of waiting- yes, just for drinks.) After a full 1hr of waiting to order & then waiting another 45 minutes for our food, the appetizers finally came in (and I wish they did not) they were extremely small in portion, and the seafood looks & tastes like it was caught in the Hudson River. I suggest you avoid their seafood at all costs. Oh, btw the Veal was inedible and rubbery. (pollo martini is a salt lick saturated in lemon) They want to say they are true Italian, but this is anything but Italian, I would never go to this place again. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I would rate this experience as 0 but I will give it a 1 because once you do get the menus (after 45 minutes of waiting at the table) they light up with LED lights.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I've never had an experience as Detestable as this. I STRONGLY encourage all of you not to waste your money at Della Francesca. read more

Great menu, the best osso bucco and sea bass! Great wine selection and [[HIGHLIGHT]]wonderful restaurant and staff![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The best!! read more

We enjoy dining at Della Francesca. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We love being at a table in the bar area.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Ambience and service great and the food is always exceptional.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Chip and Pam Neumann read more

We had a very nice date night here, the service was decent, atmosphere beautiful, and food was very solid. The dipping oil they bring out at the beginning is addictive! So good with tones of garlic and rosemary. They were generous enough to bring us a second serving. We shared the honey-bacon Brussels sprouts app, which was nice but needed a little umph. We also shared a salad, which was good. My bf had the steak, which he liked but didn't rave about. The potatoes were a little on the bland side (needed salt) but the side veggies were very tasty. My mushroom ravioli had a nice beefy sauce and a lot of mushrooms inside and on top. It was nice, I took half home and it made a good lunch the next day. We would definitely return to try other things. read more

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Came here for dinner service was amazing food was phenomenal definitely going to be coming back read more

Della Francesca - Italian Near Me - Danbury, Connecticut

Was recommended to come here. Seated immediately, nice inside, dated but not falling apart. Service was impeccable, constant refills, plates removed and replaced. Granted we ate exactly at 5 and only a few tables were occupied. Food was ok, nothing spectacular. Got the Seafood Bouquet and as it was placed in front of me I smelt fish. Continued through my dish until I hit the mussel, I was grossed out by the fishy low tide taste that I was done after that. Scallops were the only thing on the place that didn't have a fish taste. The sauce had a kick not much flavor. Overpriced food. But you pay for the service I guess read more

We used to go here for our special date night. [[HIGHLIGHT]]the dining room is fancy but does feel a little outdated with the 80's vibe they have going on.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I must say that this last time will probably be our last. the food is just not up to par. the osco bucco was smaller than past visits and the linguine with white clam sauce was nothing more than pasta with flavorless butter sauce and 6 steamed clams on top. very disappointing. read more

The service was amazing! We arrived at five and were seated immediately. The atmosphere was perfect for a nice night out. The staff consistently refilled drinks, took plates away, and made sure we had everything we needed. They have daily specials and we tried the zucchini flowers, they were delicious! I ordered the Pollo Salsicia, while I was not a fan of the chicken the veal sausage and balsamic glaze sauce were good. read more

Della Francesca - Pollo Salsicia - Italian Near Me - Danbury, Connecticut

They always seemed understaffed and service is not very good. Food is okay .smallest baked clams I've ever seen with all breadcrumbs. If not for being in Danbury this place would not survive in Westchester or New York. read more

The food was delicious. Everything I tried was fresh and tasty. They have table side prep for some dishes that were amazing

The male bar tenders are horrible! They water down the drinks and if you ask for it to be stronger they charge for an extra shot. Cory is the only bartender who knows how to make a drink. Then you have to watch management micromanage cash payments. It's so sick. The food is so salty and not all that so at least get your bar right. Seriously!! read more

Good Italian home style Italian food with an excellent and attentive staff. You can dine in the Bar area, outside dining or the main dinning room. Extremely nice bar areas, a good place for Italian food in the Danbury CT area. read more

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The service was horrendous! They kept stating they had no staff yet the table next to us had at least 3 waiters waiting on them. Our appetizer and salads came at the same time. No plates for the appetizers! I had to go to bar myself to actually get my husband a drink. We waited so long for a dessert menu that when someone came by my husband asked for the breakfast menu. Again a long wait we finally decided it was not worth even try to get dessert. Unbelievable terrible service. If this would have been our first time there it would be our last. As it is I won't be going back for a very very long time if ever read more

Omg !! What a amazing experience. This place is magnificent. The ambiance was amazing. The background music was so relaxing . The appetizers so delicious zucchini stuffed flowers melted in your mouth their Caesar salad was delicious just enough anchovy not overpowering. My entree chicken cutlet with burrata vodka sauce was so delicious also had the mushroom tortellini the best ever . Then our dessert peach Melba flambé at the table with lady fingers covered in marscopon the peach slices in Cointreau. Was such a memorable experience. Our wind was a flowers Pinot noir and finished off with an espresso. What a absolutely fabulous meal. Thanks to my niece and her prince of a boyfriend I will treasure the memory Caesar read more

Maybe we went in an off night, but got seated in bar area, had to wait forever for our menus - we were starving so that didn't help. It wasn't busy so this turned me off immediately. The food was good, and our drink server was very attentive - but we wanted to eat, not to get plastered. Overall we may give it another try but not any time soon. read more

Met friends for dinner on a Saturday night. Big mistake! Overcrowded restaurant with poor service and cramped seating arrangements. Waited 30mins to get a menu for drinks which came with no wine list and food menu. Servers were too busy with a full restaurant- although the food was tasty - I would not recommend this place on a Saturday night! read more

Basic family type Italian food posing as a premium experience. Fancy lit menus support a reasonable amount of selections. However the food itself is the representation of pedestrian dining. We had a clams starter, could have been from frozen. I had the shrimp bathed in an extremely basic tomato sauce (I'd hesitate to even call it marinara). Around the table were similar sentiments. Best thing I had was the valpolicella by the glass which was pretty good. Atmosphere is nice, warm and inviting. If the food was good to excellent, we'd return but it's just so far from great and further from special. They need an improvement in the kitchen. Service was fair to average, not particularly attentive. Had to ask for our wine bottle to pour 2 or 3 times. Price was very high for the above described experience, $80/person, table of 4, 1 bottle of white, 2 glasses of red, 1 appetizer per couple, 1 main per couple. Of course, if the food was excellent, happy to spend more. read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Excellent ambiance, services and let's not forget delicious food![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]My only complaint would be a little loud.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] But overall A+ read more

Been going to Dela Francesca for five years now. Love this place! Food is always great great, knowledgeable bartenders ! The service is excellent and the staff very friendly . My husband and I have never had a bad experience in anyway . Even when the place is packed, which is most of the time because this place is that good! I can't say that about many places we go to. This place is run like a well oiled machine. Every year Dela decorates for Christmas . This year they out did themselves! Just want to say "Thank you Dela Francesca for going the extra mile to please your customers " Maria Mueller read more

We are from NYC where everyone knows that nyc has all the best restaurants! We recently moved to Connecticut and wanted to check this place out for a while now. Let me tell you.... This place is like some of the three star Michelin restaurants in NYC that we frequent. To top this off the service was great as well. Definitely going back and we are happy to have a place in Connecticut that has great food and service. read more

Della Francesca - a group of people sitting at a table in a restaurant - Italian Near Me - Danbury, Connecticut

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There are many reasons we are regulars @DF but after another excellent dinner I'm compelled to post. We always start enjoying before we think to snap a picture but our main dishes looked so perfect i caught myself this time. Costoletta Mount Etna - just ask for the double cut pork chop with the balsamic glaze reduction. To put this in perspective, I have never ordered a pork chop while dining anywhere else and I don't prefer them when eating at home but THIS dish is an exception. This chop is so moist with a zing from the balsamic glaze and a surprise kick from the Italian Cherry peppers - WELL worth a try if in the mood for a hearty dish. Our other main was a little off-menu as we requested the Salmon (normally also a delicious balsamic glaze) with the Elegante champagne sauce and sun dried tomatoes (normally on the Italian bass) - turns out they used to serve the salmon that way, so another winning combination! We started with the figs wrapped in prosciutto, two items i like but never had together - delicious, and we ended with the house made blueberry coffee cake - so moist, served warm with vanilla ice cream. Sorry, no pictures, we shamefully started enjoying them immediately. If you have not been to Della Francesca, go soon, if you go regularly then try something new from the menu and be pleasantly surprised. Everything @DF has a special touch from Johnny, the master in the kitchen, and the team in front who makes you feel like a family welcomed to their home away from home. read more

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Dined at Della Francesca during our visit with friends in NY. The food was amazing. The service was great. All around excellent. And super cool lighted menus! Would definitely recommend. read more

Della Francesca - Menu - Italian Near Me - Danbury, Connecticut

No, no, no. Very disappointed. Food was below mediocre. Limes in my drink were brown. Salty, overcooked, hard meat. Giving 2 stars because our waitress was nice. We thought it strange that they are still decorated for Christmas at the end of January. Very disappointed in the food. Not what we had hoped it to be. read more

Not so good at all. been there a half dozen times . It's always been just ok regarding food taste. Relaxing atmosphere but lacks luster in most of the dishes. Needs improvement read more

A bit pricey so my family and i only go here for special occasions. The service is decent but the food is amazing! The risotto is literally my favorite thing ever read more

Waited 40 mins for drinks and close to an hour for stupid light up menus! Food was mediocre at best. Server never once checked on us or even offered to refill water. Service was just horrendous. We would never recommend this place. Ambiance was ok, think Kinda old school cheesy Italian with different color Christmas lights on the ceiling. 3 out of the 6 of us In our party work in the restaurant industry so we tend to give a little grace to places but this was so terrible. Hope this review steers you some where better. read more

Our absolute favorite place. We have been coming here for years and have never been disappointed. The food is amazing and the staff is superb. The always go above and beyond. We went for our 26th wedding anniversary last night and they went out of their way to make us our Bermuda honeymoon cocktails we enjoyed so much. Thank you Audi and Benny for helping me pull of that little surprise!!! read more

Della Francesca - Recreating honeymoon cocktails. Della's nailed it and made our 26th wedding anniversary even more special. Thank you!! - Italian Near Me - Danbury, Connecticut

I have seen and heard first hand the managers speaking and acting completely insane and aggressive toward a poor family that had an accident with a glass- leaving one injured and needing stitches. I was at a nearby table and was so disgusted and scared by the way the staff handled it. I will never go back here an advise anyone to stay away from these people. Very aggressive and purposely intimidating. Not how you handle a business. I'm so scared of them. read more