I've never disappointed with a meal I've had at Rory's in the years I've been regularly going there, which is quite a feat. Debbie's chicken is my fave, but the burgers, salads, apps, fish, soups!...literally never been disappointed. Make sure you check the daily specials as well. These are really special and never just commoditized. While the food is always great the best part of Rory's are the people who work and frequent there. It's a neighborhood restaurant, and the people that work there are like an extended family. You can tell they take pride and care about the restaurant, each other and their customers. read more

great neighborhood feel in Darien, CT. quite cozy, and food is delicious! my Bourbon pork chop was done to perfection (M-MR), and Mom's applesauce reminded me of my own mother's recipe. good drinks, plus enjoyable staff(!) ...and, friendly cast of regulars. read more

Rory's - Where Everybody Knows Your Name! I've been coming here for several years now - and I can tell you, it's a lot more than the staff and the regulars knowing your name. A unique, cosy neighborhood spot with a wide variety of both regulars and 'irregulars'. It starts with the great kitchen crew we don't see as well as the friendly serving staff and the regulars behind the bar. The atmosphere is real and authentic; a place where one can go relax, laugh, chat, read, and in times of need, find a shoulder to lean on or an ear that will listen. How many places like that still exist? Excellent food and flexibility with the menu and specials. If it's not on the menu, ask for it and most often, you will receive what you wish for ... and on Wednesday nights, music to boot. And don't forget, the terrific Robert Mapplethorpe photography. Lastly, thanks for the great Easter dinner - we all know that these are tough times for the restaurant industry but Rory's customers showed their true colors coming out en masse in support of Rory's staff and ordering a special Easter dinner to take home with them. That's the real confirmation of Rory's 5 star rating. KB read more

The owner of Rory's is a culinary Chef and the food is AWESOME. We LOVE the food AND the people who work/own the place and so do our friends. I read one of the reviews below and it shocked me. In a time where there is so much loss of business, family and income due to COVID, it is actually cruel to rate a business with such a low mark because you were asked not to talk on your cell phone - I assume it must of been a loud conversation. Hate-filled reviews can ruin someone's livelihood. If you don't like the food, experience, atmosphere or workers, there is a classy way to write a review that will hit all the marks without hitting someone below the belt. The review sounded more like a schoolgirl tantrum with a vengeance. Yikes! Anyway, I just wanted to say that the food is great and so are the super nice people - thanks for always greeting us with a smile. :) read more

Outstanding all around. After my first time here, I can officially say I have had the best sandwich of my life. I ordered the crab cake sandwich, which was absolutely delish and I am very critical because crab cakes are my favorite....but....I must say my boyfriend was right. If you go to Rory's and do not get the grilled smoked turkey sandwich you are missing out on the greatest thing you have ever tasted. Plus plus was the live music outside and smiles all around. Go to Rory's. read more

With the pandemic, I have been trying take-out from places that I had never tried before. Well, Rory's certainly did not disappoint!! The order was taken and executed perfectly. The food was amazing!! The lobster bisque and clam chowder were both incredible each with plenty of meat. The salads were full of colorful tomatoes and the best croutons I've ever tasted. I had asked for an excessive amount of their blue cheese dressing and they obliged without blinking an eye. They even came chasing after me in the parking lot to make sure that I had enough plastic utensils and napkins. It's pretty difficult to place a large order to-go and not have a restaurant mess at least one thing up. We're all human and it happens. But Rory's clearly is on the ball as everything was perfect. I cannot wait to order from them again. Friendly, accurate service with amazing food? Count me in!! I actually felt compelled to call them and tell them how great everything was because it was really that fantastic. Thank you, Rory's for the quintessential lunch! read more

Well, I have been pleasantly surprised once again in Fairfield County. I literally live less than a mile from Rory's, located on the corner of Route 1 and Old Kings Highway in Darien. I have passed this restaurant for as long as it has existed, and never went in, thinking it was just a dive. It is far from that, unless a dive is a good thing! Being my third time back, all within about 8 months, I was once again blown away by the experience. My first time, I had Debbie's Chicken, a lemon based chicken, similar to Piccata in Italian, with rice on the side, and was incredibly happy with the flavor, portion, and cohesiveness of this plate. I believe my second time was to eat the same thing, because I remembered it, and wanted it again. y last visit, a couple of nights ago, I indulged in their Pasta Malcarney, a (usually) penne-based pasta dish with creamy alfredo, zucchini, sausage, and mushrooms. In this case, they were out of penne, so I opted for Fettucine, and it was phenomenal. I am Italian and consider my opinion of pasta elite (surprise!), and this was amongst the best alfredo pasta dish I have ever had. It wasn't too salty, and had this depth of flavor, using garlic. The alfredo stuck to the pasta well, and each bite made my regret what was coming...the last bite. Long story short, I want it again....and again... We finished by sharing the apple crisp, with sweet vanilla ice cream and whip cream, and they continued to amaze me. The warm apple crisp was the perfect sweet/sour combination, and was cooked to perfection. As you know, I choose to weight the food as 80% of my review, so the slow service is a negligible factor. The ambiance is always a bit bustling, but does not take away from a truly tremendous meal. ProTip(s): Expect to park across the street at Trader Joes, and expect not to be sat without a wait at regular dinner hours, any day of the week. The menu has a bit for everyone, kids included! Get dessert. read more

Rory's - Apple crisp dessert. Perfectly done - American Near Me - Darien, Connecticut

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I've been going to Rory's for years with my family, probably eaten here over 100 times. It's my favorite restaurant in Darien. Everything on the menu (and all the specials) is great -- the grilled smoked turkey is a favorite of mine, and I always get the swordfish special when it's offered. It may not look like much from the outside but it is truly a great spot for a comfort meal that will never disappoint. read more

Yes the place is small however the food is always good and always a friendly smile from the bar. I ordered a New England clam chowder cup and with a little bit of fresh dill is a great extra flavor I also ordered the grilled smoked turkey sandwich which has avocado, apple smoked bacon and turkey. Awesome flavor!! read more

Rory's - Delisious new england clam chouder - American Near Me - Darien, Connecticut

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I've been to Rory's numerous times in the past and never had an issue. However, the last two times have been mediocre at best. The soups are really good, (I try to go on a Tuesday or Friday for the lobster bisque) you cant go wrong with the clam chowder or French onion. Two of the four person party had the spinach salad with chicken, everything was fresh and the chicken cooked perfect, but we left thinking that something was missing from the salad and it turned out to be the goat cheese. It was just not what I remembered their salads being in the past, they would be filled to the brim on the plate and leave you satisfied. After the salad I was mad I ordered a cup of soup instead of a bowl for appetizer. My girlfriend had the burger and really enjoyed it, but they did forget the onion she asked for. It was a busy night and was packed and I understand forgetting some things. I will be back for their burgers and soup. read more

Wow wow wow left to my on devices as my better half was out for the day, I was left scrambling in search of something new for me. I stumbled across Rorys and the menu peaks my interest I order for pickup and the people there are quite nice. New England clam chowder is BOMB dot com Ruben panini yuuuuup. Ive been back since my first order and it was just as good had the burger, cooked to perfection and onion rings read more

Rory's is your perfect rainy day kinda spot. It's a nice cozy atmosphere and the New England clam chowder is a MUST. I would say this is one of, if not, the best clam chowders I've ever had. They also give you a little bottle of sherry to add in which makes it even better! Aside from the chowder, I chose to have 2 appetizers as a meal: The tuna tartare tower which was delicious. It came with wonton chips and a delicious wasabi sauce! Next, the popcorn shrimp which also came with a wasabi dipping sauce (I went a little overboard on the wasabi in this meal but it was so tasty!). These were very good, just a little greasy for my liking. Overall both dishes were very good, the service was very friendly and attentive, and I will definitely be back for that clam chowder! read more

Rory's - Tuna tartare tower - American Near Me - Darien, Connecticut

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I came here with friends and I was pleasantly surprised. It's a small place and the parking is odd but you could always park at the shopping center next door if the lot is full. It was pretty empty when we got there but packed when we left. I think it was because of the live music on Wednesday nights. It's a pub, so nothing fancy. But the food is fancier than you would expect at a pub. For apps we had the fried zucchini, tuna tartare and grilled calamari. All were good and it's always nice to see calamari grilled rather than fried. For my meal I had the fettuccine puttanesca with shrimp. Since this place isn't Italian I didn't have high expectations but I was surprised and it was quite good. My friends had sandwiches and fish & chips and they were reportedly good. My friends had been there before so they knew what the were getting. For dessert we had the apple crisp which was also better than expected. Service was decent. Portions are not huge but decent. Prices aren't cheap but fair considering what you get. I would definitely return! read more

We just had a great dinner at Rory's we had the popcorn Shrimp with Swordfish special dinner and we finished with a great slice of Key Lime pie. The service was great the food was outstanding. This is one of my regular places to have a nice meal with a friendly staff. read more

We came with a group of friends (8) and they were able to seat us so fast. As we were waiting for our table the bar tender, Kaitlin, was the best. She gave us our drinks so fast and was so nice. Once we were seated the service is so great and food was awesome. My friends and I cant say enough great things about this place!!! We love Laura and Kaitlin!!!! read more

Hidden Gem on the POST Road! GREAT PLAC! Went to Rory's for the first time yesterday. Very small and comfortable. Food was awesome. Staff was friendly. I had the Queso and chips (SO DELISH), and the crab cake sandwich. I took home a bowl of the lobster bisque. Probably the best lobster bisque I've ever had. I am excited to go back and try more different things. read more

The food was outstanding, I had the French Connection (French dip) which was recommended to us by a local as he was leaving, and my husband had the fish and chips. Both were excellent. We especially appreciated our server, she was kind to everyone who came in, and that actually matters, to everyone. Looking forward to going back next time we pass thru Darien. read more

I'm in Norwalk almost every week for business and finally decided to try Rory's---wanted someplace special to take a buddy for his birthday and this seemed a good option. Net, a very good experience. Very cozy configuration, but with a party of two it's no issue at all. Our server was very warm and professional. We opened with the clam chowder. As someone who worked for the world's largest soup company for many years, I've a good sense of what makes an outstanding chowder---and this delivered in a big way. Order this. Get a bowl or deal with regret. Outrageously generous amounts of tender surf clams, with ideal balance of cream and vegetables. Threaded the needle of being hearty and satisfying without being too heavy and appetite-crushing. The offer of a splash of brandy atop it was a welcome flourish as well. Cobb Salad and French Dip sandwich were very flavorful as well. While there are some pricier menu items, we were delighted to get such a beautiful meal for about $44 for two. Well done, Rory's. read more

A little slice of the Vineyard on the Post Road in Darien. The place is like a transformed house into a bar/restarurant. The bar is great, albeit small and the bartenders love to pour a heavy drink. Be careful when leaving as cops love to pull people over after leaving the parking lot at this spot. The food is a little over priced for the quality, but not too bad. The tables in the dining area are really close together so do your best to keep your hands on your own plate. Remember, guys don't like it when girls take our fries when you have ordered a salad. The nautical gear all over the bar area and a nice looking bar and friendly staff play well into the vive of this whole joint. I also suggest checking it out for lunch during the winter as they make some great soup. read more

4 stars for Bar Food? Absolutely. This tiny little gem offers HUGE food value from one of the best chefs in Connecticut. There is a full menu, great salads and soups, (OMG, LOBSTER Chowder..?), linguine with Andouille, as well as Reubens and Burgers The Angus burger is the best I've had anyplace in Fairfield County, certainly, and equal the ones at Jackson Hole in the City and Queens... alas City Diner, I knew ye well... The Chef at Rory's takes his burgers through two stages of prep, first on the grill and then baked in a skillet to harden the sear and melt the cheese. I've never seen this done anywhere else and the results are gratifying, my medium rare burger was charry and cheesy on the outside and absolutely hot pink inside. The bar crowd is there all hours of the day and is dedicated to the place, but they are harmless and separated from the teensy dining room by a wall ( it has a window so you can discreetly watch them party.) Noise level is astonishingly low, given the possibilities for pandemonium. All the great chefs are doing downscale food to survive, (think Daniel Bouloud and DBGB's and the Chef's food at Rory's is well educated and just right... perfect for a casual date or off-beat dressy (think Rolls Royce's in the parking lot) and he slaves away in the kitchen like a sous chef trainee bringing it to his customers... read more

Oh no, Rory's.. Tell me we were just there on an off day. Two years later, it just isn't the same. The Cobb Salad was not that amazing salad it once was, the sandwich was not either. The bisque (they still give you the whole bottle of sherry!) was yes, still very good. read more

This place is so tiny and cute! It had a fire awhile back and was closed for a very long time, but I am glad it came back and is still running! As I said, it is small, so it is always packed. Their burger is always a safe bet, but last time I went I had their crab cake sandwich and it was almost purely crab meat and seasonings, hardly any filler at all. It's a little pricy, and a little hard to get into sometimes, but it's worth the trouble once in a while. Try going for lunch when it is less expensive and less crowded. It's cute and charming, and is probably just what you'd expect out of a tiny Darien type joint....Only not snobby....Just saying.... read more

The first thing that stood out about this place is that it looks like someone's little house was transformed into a restaurant (which very well might be the case). The place is cute but fairly small and the tables are a little close together. We got there at about 8:30 and the tables were all filled. The wait for tables of four seemed pretty long but luckily we didnt wait long for a table for two. The food here is really good though and worth a short wait. I had the grilled smoked turkey sandwich, which comes topped with avocado, bacon, ranch and swiss (but I got cheddar instead) on pumpernickel. Not only was the sandwich delicious that night, but the second half was just as tasty the next day after being refrigerated. My friend ordered the lobster bisque and I couldnt help myself from stealing a spoonful from her cup; it was tasty and thick. However, the new england clam chowder was by far not the best in New England like the menu claims. I am very picky with clam chowder that it needs to be thick in order to be considered chowder. The soup itself was okay, but it was way too liquidy like regular soup rather than chowder. The staff is also very friendly. Prices are a little higher than I would've expected but not too bad and the leftovers I enjoyed the next day made it worth it. read more

Classic and perfect!!! Great food, drink and people....the last of its kind in Darien.

Love Rory's! What a warm, lovely place! At the same time, it has a lot of class,yet is laid back. The best thing I can say is that it's a neighborhood place that is welcoming to friends snd strangers alike. In fact, to recast a familiar homage, at Rory's, "strangers are just friends that haven't introduced themselves yet" Best, Jonathan Ochsner A reintroduced "regular" read more

Don't bother if your a vegetarian or vegan. Nothing on the menu will really work and I asked just for a large salad with vegetables on it and was told no. read more

We stopped by on our way to Canton, MA and were blown away with the Lobster Bisque which was so flavorful, chucked full of lobster. Sandwiches were excellent. The service was friendly, Rory's was clean and reasonable. Thank you to Rory's chef and Yelp. read more

Sat and waited for service for 10 minutes then walked out without ever being helped while staff sat around.

I have been here several times, and every time terrible customer service!!! Different bartenders and every time it is bad. Literally tonight I had to ask for a glass of wine, then I wanted to order food, but no one ever came over to ask, so I left. I would love for this to be a fun local hang out, but with service like that I will never be back! read more

We want to take a ride to Connecticut and look online for a restaurant to have lunch. This place has excellent reviews so decided to check it out. We are not a bit disappointed. Some reviewers said service was bad but ours was terrific ... she makes us feel like home. The clam chowder as everyone said, was almost one of the best. I don't think the price is high, I think is quite reasonable and the portion is perfect. Highly recommended. read more

Rory's is the kind of place to go too after a really long day. During the weekdays it's perfect for grabbing a strong drink, settling in at the dark bar and chowing down on consistent bar food. The bartender is always quick and generally leaves you alone unless you talk to him first. It's a good place to watch a game without a lot of rowdy people - or go on a quiet date. I never visit without first ordering the Con Queso dip, which is a spicy cheesy dip served with a ton of tortilla chips. Definitely split it, or you won't have room for dinner. Another good appetizer is their Fried Zucchini which is lightly fried - never greasy - and is served with a creamy mustard dipping sauce. Squirt some lemon on the zucchini and ask for freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Their menu has been the same for a long time - and sometimes the waitstaff forgets to mention the nightly specials - so always ask if they aren't read to you because it's usually worth it. Last night they had Beef Stroganoff as a special, which was more than enough to split with someone and tasted like my Grandma's. If you're into salads, try the Cobb [w/ Thousand Island dressing, yum]. Their Crab Cake sandwiches are also always a good go-to. Many people stick with the Ruben Sandwich. You can also ask for the "Meggin" sandwich [Turkey, Cranberry Sauce, etc] to be turned into a plate... You can have a whole turkey dinner in March if the mood catches you right. It's probably the smallest restaurant in Fairfield County - so, not recommended on the weekends. You'll wait for a long time. read more

Classic American fare, very cozy and congenial space... Great bar to dine at. Quintessentially Connecticut

You can never go wrong with Rory's. The smoked turkey sandwich is our go-to, and the only issue we ever have is wanting that so much every time that we never order any of the other deliciousness. read more

Rory's is a Darien top spot for comfort food in a cozy relaxed setting. Our family has been going here for the past 15 years and we are always happy every time. The manager Jeff Evans makes it a point to personally welcome us. Making us feel more like regulars than ever. This is one of our top 5 must go to restaurants. read more

Rory's was amazing. My fiancée and I live in the area and had passed this gem several times. Finally we went there and it was just great. We were immediately sat. The waitress was nothing but helpful and friendly. We ordered the Lobster Bisque(which was great), the French Connection and a burger. Everything was cooked to perfection. I'd recommend Rory's to anyone. read more

Stopped in to try a new place off the beaten path and asked around where was a good place to get some chowder......Rory's was highly recomend had the New England Clam Chowder to start, was the best I have had! For main course had the Lobster Ravioli, was very good. Atmosphere was ok but food is highly recommended. read more

Rory's - American Near Me - Darien, Connecticut

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Would not return to this place if it was the last restaurant on planet earth. The food is disgusting, however that's the least of their problems. I was judged, deprecated, and ignored by the staff. UNPROFESSIONAL to say the least ! I used to work for a major restaurant group in NYC and this experience was an utter shock to me. I never once seen such rudeness from a staff to customer in all my 27 years. Not to mention the place stinks so old like a thrift shop. They also want the ambiance to be as quiet as a library. No phones allowed!!! No talking to lunch/dinner companions allowed!!! Given the times we are in, i would think restaurants would really try to attract their customers to keep them from going under! Sadly for them, I've informed my entire medical practice, friends, family, + colleagues and not a single person i know will return. Feel free to read the full story below. The rudeness starts with the old woman that works behind bar (maybe manager or owner? She was really old). And then seemed to trickle down to to the young server who followed her lead shortly after. I walked in and kindly asked the server/hostess if they had indoor seating, preferably @ the bar; where I saw several empty seats with the plexiglass. She seemed hesitant to answer my question. I was told to sit at the last seat at the bar next to the bar counter hatch where the old woman was constantly running in and out of, leaving her work materials and phone inches from my eating area. Although there was barely any customers inside, the server and bartender seemed a bit stressed and bothered to be working. After sensing the negative energy, i was practically kissing their asses with 'please's & 'thank you's & nothing but kind and generous words in expectation that they would treat me well. Both women were gazing thru the bar window, muttering and scoffing, judging every customer driving thru/parking/walking in, which gave me the idea that they most definitely judged me walking in from my out of state plates and made their decision to mistreat me before I even walked through the door. And if that is their reason....little did they know it was a rental car. I grew up very close by in GWCH and i work in Darien. FF to the main situation...At one point, i receive a FaceTime call that would last about 6 min. After the first few min, the older lady walks behind me and rudely cried out in my ear "excuSe me!" I turn around to see her shoving my salad in my face Whilst rolling her eyes. I literally had 1 bite before i watched her go back around the bar , close the hatch, then hold up a menu to cover her face as if she was hiding what she was about to say... "whispering" something to the the server. Well it was loud whisper as i heard her say that i was RUDE for being on my Phone!! As obvious as it was about me, i confronted her and asked, excuse me, did you say I am being rude for talking on my Phone ? Without denial nor apology, she proudly admits "yes." I told her i felt incredibly insulted that i had to hear it that way... behind a menu 5 inches from my face. That i am her paying customer and she didnt have the decency to politely ask me to hang up the phone ? I even apologized that had i known the rules i wouldn't have answered the phone! I asked what's the difference if i had a friend sitting next to me at the bar and i was taking to them at the same level, isn't that basically the same? The only response back was "not the same. And we have a sign about the phone policy." Mind you, i had to ask where it is.... oh! It's on the other end of the bar. Written in marker on a small piece of paper, fell upside down and unreadable from where i was sitting. However, i love how there was only 1 other person sitting at way opposite end of the bar TALKING ON HIS PHONE!! And THAT was ALLOWED?!? I told them so nicely and more than once that I was so insulted and offended....*crickets* while they walk away and turning their heads on me as i was still speaking. I completely lost my appetite I couldn't even eat the nasty lunch, so i got up and left. I felt so disrespected that i left shaking. read more

Went with my two brothers this past Monday at 2:00 for lunch. There were two people at the bar and two people seated in the restaurant. One waitress. Guess what? It took 15 minutes for us to get a menu since she was gabbing with the guys at the bar. Lunch took an additional 30 minutes to be served. And the food was random. Never again. There are much better places to eat in Darien. Update: In all fairness, Bryan the owner reached out to me after I posted this review here as well as on Trip Advisor. He obviously cares about his customers and offered me a $50 gift certificate so that we could try Rory's again. I applaud him for his great customer service. I just hope his staff at the restaurant care as much as well. read more

Been in Darien for 3+ years and had only gone here once. Went last week and had a tremendous lunch. One of the best clam chowders in the area and a phenomenal French Dip. My wife's burger looked great. Had a bite and it was better than Goose and 1020 burgers. Love the New England feel in this cozy spot as well. Great winter spot and we will be back. read more

*2.5 Stars* My husband and I frequently drive from Washington, DC to Massachusetts to visit family. Usually, we pack enough snacks to last us until we arrive in time for dinner. On our most recent trip, due to extenuating circumstances, we drove from Charlottesville to Worcester, adding on additional 2 hours to our trip. Thus we found ourselves starving and unable to fathom waiting until 9 pm for dinner. We grabbed our phones and researched nearby restaurants with decent reviews. Rory's in Darien, CT popped up, and we were honestly so starving that we quickly scanned the reviews, and pulled off the highway. Rory's is like stepping into a different world. As soon as we got out of the car, we spotted several sexagenarians with pink pants and the starchiest popped collars I've ever seen (and I live in the land of Brooks Brothers); we knew we were in for a cultural treat. Rory's was packed with preppy 50 and 60 something's catching with each other. It's part bar, part restaurant. We snagged the last table and were confronted with a pretty standard menu of soups, salads, and sandwiches. This was fine, as a basic salad can often be delicious. I ordered the side Caesar salad and chili and my husband ordered a chicken and mozzarella sandwich. Unfortunately the salad came out drenched in dressing. The 10 dollar chili was served in a small bowl normally used for French onion soup and came with a side of Tostitos. Quite honestly, the chili tasted very much like Wendy's chili, with the same digestive results. My husband's sandwich was rather bland. The food wasn't inedible, but the prices were exorbitant for the quality of food. Rory's seems like the perfect local hang out, but if you are traveling and looking for a decent (and relatively affordable) food option, I would advise you to look elsewhere. read more