Cafe Fiore is an Italian restaurant in Branford, Connecticut, bringing together the welcoming atmosphere of a café with the appeal of a full-service dining destination. Located at 420 E Main St, the restaurant is a comfortable choice for lunch, dinner, solo dining, and special meals shared with friends or family.
With a 4.50 out of 5 rating based on 1,099 customer reviews, Cafe Fiore has earned strong recognition from the people it serves.
Guests can choose from outdoor seating, dine-in service, takeaway, delivery, kerbside pickup, and on-site services, making it easy to enjoy Cafe Fiore in the way that best suits the occasion. The restaurant is also equipped with wheelchair-accessible parking, an accessible entrance, wheelchair-accessible seating, and an accessible toilet.
Whether you are stopping in for counter service, settling in for table service, arranging catering, or finishing a meal with dessert, Cafe Fiore offers a range of options for a relaxed and convenient dining experience.
The menu and drink selection provide something for many tastes, including Italian comfort food, healthy options, coffee, beer, cocktails, wine, happy-hour drinks, and happy-hour food. Highlights include great coffee, desserts, cocktails, beer, and a wine list, along with local specialties.
A bar on site, restroom, fireplace, and cozy seating add to the restaurant’s inviting setting, which can feel casual, romantic, trendy, or upmarket depending on the occasion. Dinner reservations are recommended, and reservations are accepted.
Cafe Fiore welcomes payments by cheque, credit card, debit card, and NFC mobile payment. To plan your visit, call +1 203-208-4690 or find the restaurant at 420 E Main St, Branford, CT 06405, United States.
Popular Items
Frequently ordered and highly recommended items at Cafe Fiore
Our Story
Welcome to a place where great food meets warm hospitality. We believe dining is more than just a meal - it's an experience to be savored and shared.
Our kitchen is dedicated to creating dishes that bring people together, using recipes that honor tradition while embracing innovation.
Photos
A glimpse of our restaurant experience
Food & Drinks
Fresh beans and pasta in a savory broth
Homemade fried rice balls with side of our marinara sauce
Baked with garlic, Kalamata olives, gorgonzola cheese and balsamic vinaigrette.
Topped with our marinara sauce.
With balsamic glaze
Four pieces. With sauteed asparagus in a balsamic glaze.
Baked with oregano, capers and garlic.
Topped with our marinara sauce and grated Parmesan cheese.
Fresh calamari served with our marinara sauce on the side.
Half clams topped with roasted peppers and bacon, baked with lemon butter white wine sauce.
Mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and Kalamata olives with balsamic vinaigrette.
Roasted beets, almonds, dried cherries and Gorgonzola cheese with balsamic vinaigrette.
Crisp romaine and croutons tossed with Parmesan cheese and Caesar dressing.
Fresh arugula, almonds, and dried cherries with balsamic vinaigrette and Parmesan cheese.
Fresh tomato slices with soft, creamy, fresh mozzarella cheese, sprinkled with basil leaves.
Breaded chicken cutlet with mozzarella and romano cheeses in a fresh marinara sauce.
Breast of chicken sauteed with mushrooms, peppers, onions, capers and garlic in a marinara sauce.
Breast chicken topped with spinach, fresh tomatoes, sundried tomatoes, and mozzarella in a vodka pink sauce.
Breast of chicken sauteed with capers, pignoli nuts and broccoli in a lemon white wine sauce.
Breast of chicken topped with eggplant, sliced fresh potatoes and mozzarella in creamy pesto sauce.
Breast of chicken topped with shrimp, asparagus, eggplant, sharp provolone in a vodka pink sauce.
Breast of chicken topped with lobster meat, spinach, fresh tomatoes, sundried tomatoes and mozzarella in a vodka pink sauce.
Breaded veal cutlet with mozzarella adn romano cheese in a fresh marinara sauce.
Breaded veal cutlet sauteed with mushrooms, peppers, onions, capers and garlic in a marinara sauce.
Medallions of veal topped with spinach, fresh tomatoes, sundried tomatoes and mozzarella in a vodka pink sauce
Medallions of veal sauteed with capers, pignoli nuts and broccoli in a lemon white wine sauce.
Medallions of veal topped with eggplant, sliced fresh tomatoes and mozzarella in creamy pesto sauce.
Tender topped with shrimp, asparagus, eggplant, sharp provolone cheese in a vodka pink sauce.
Medallions of veal topped with lobster meat, spinach, fresh tomatoes, sundried tomatoes and mozzarella in a vodka pink sauce.
Rigatoni pasta with our slowly-cooked, tomato based sauce of beet, onions, celery and carrots.
Linguine sauteed with fresh broccoli, garlic, olive oil and butter.
Linguine with home-style meatballs, in our marinara sauce.
Linguine in a savory red tomato sauce, or white clam sauce with garlic and herbs.
With fresh tomatoes and sundried tomatoes, mushroom and spinach in a pink vodka sauce.
Wild mushroom ravioli in a tomato pesto sauce with gorgonzola cheese.
Garlic, capers and broccoli in a white wine sauce.
Sauteed in a spicy marina sauce over linguine.
Sauteed in a spicy marinara sauce over linguine.
Butterflied shrimp, capers and garlic in a white wine sauce, sauteed and served over linguine.
Sauteed with fresh garlic, fresh tomatoes and sundried tomatoes in marinara sauce over penne.
Tender fillets of sole lightly battered, seasoned and sauteed in lemon-butter white wine sauce.
Clams, mussels, shrimp, calamari, and scallops sauteed in our marinara sauce.
Rolled eggplant filled with ricotta, mozzarella cheese and spinach in a marinara sauce.
Layers of eggplant with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses in our marinara sauce.
Eggplant filled with sundried tomato and spinach, topped with mozzarella in a vodka pink sauce.
Breast of chicken sauteed with mushrooms in a brown Marsala wine sauce.
Medallions of veal sauteed with mushrooms in a brown marsala wine sauce.
Layered pasta with beef, ricotta and mozzarella cheeses served with our lemonade sauce.
Linguine with home-style meatballs in our marinara sauce.
Linguine sauteed with fresh broccoli, garlic, olive oil and butter.
Linguine in a savory red tomato sauce or white clam sauce with garlic and herbs.
Rigatoni pasta with our slowly-cooked, tomato based sauce of beet, onions, celery and carrots.
Wild mushroom ravioli in a tomato pesto sauce with gorgonzola cheese.
With fresh tomatoes and sundried tomatoes, mushroom and spinach in a pink vodka sauce.
Layers of eggplant with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses in our marinara sauce.
Rolled eggplant filled with ricotta, mozzarella cheese and spinach in a marinara sauce.
Eggplant filled with undried tomatoes and spinach, topped with mozzarella in a vodka pink sauce.
Breaded chicken cutlet with mozzarella and romano cheeses in a fresh marinara sauce.
Breast of chicken topped with spinach, fresh tomatoes, sundried tomatoes and mozzarella in a vodka pink sauce.
Breast of chicken topped with shrimp, asparagus, eggplant, sharp provolone in a vodka pink sauce.
Breast of chicken topped with lobster meat, spinach, fresh tomatoes, sundried tomatoes, and mozzarella in a vodka oink sauce.
Breast of chicken sauteed with capers, pignoli nuts and broccoli in a lemon white wine sauce.
Breast of chicken sauteed with mushrooms in a brown marsala wine sauce.
Breast of chicken sauteed with mushrooms, peppers, onions, capers and garlic in a marinara sauce.
Breast of chicken topped with eggplant, sliced fresh tomatoes and mozzarella in creamy pesto sauce.
Breaded veal cutlet with mozzarella and romano cheeses in a fresh marinara sauce.
Medallions of veal topped with spinach, fresh tomatoes, sundried tomatoes and mozzarella in a vodka pink sauce.
Tender topped with shrimp, asparagus, eggplant, sharp provolone cheese in a vodka pink sauce.
Medallions of veal topped with lobster meat, spinach, fresh tomatoes, sundried tomatoes and mozzarella in a vodka pink sauce.
Medallions of veal sauteed with capers, pignoli nuts and broccoli in a lemon white wine sauce.
Medallions of veal sauteed with mushrooms in a brown marsala wine sauce.
Breaded veal cutlet, sauteed with mushrooms, peppers, onions, capers and garlic in a marinara sauce.
Medallions of veal topped with eggplant, sliced fresh tomatoes and mozzarella in creamy pesto sauce.
Butterflied shrimp, capers and garlic, in a white wine sauce, sauteed and served over linguine.
Sauteed with fresh garlic, fresh tomatoes and sundried tomatoes in marinara sauce over linguine.
Sauteed in a spicy marinara sauce over linguine.
Sauteed in a spicy marinara sauce over linguine.
Tender fillets of sole lightly battered, seasoned and sauteed in a lemon-butter white wine sauce.
Garlic, capers and broccoli in a white wine sauce.
Clams, mussels, shrimp, calamari and scallops sauteed in our marinara sauce.
Layered pasta with beef, ricotta and mozzarella cheeses served with our lemonade sauce.
Chicken cutlets, lightly battered, seasoned and simmered in our lemon white wine sauce.
Hear from our valued guests
Wandering into Cafe Fiore wasn’t the plan—but sometimes the best meals come from a change in itinerary. A friend’s scheduling mishap became an unexpected culinary win when we found ourselves seated on the patio under the glow of string lights and the murmur of contented diners. The evening began with parmesan-garlic knots that arrived unannounced, their arrival as surprising as their excellence. Buttery, crisp-edged, and impossibly fluffy inside—these knots could easily spark a cult following. Each entrée was preceded by a garden salad—a refreshing mix of field greens, crisp cucumbers, briny olives, and ripe tomatoes, all lightly dressed in the house’s own balsamic vinaigrette. Simple, balanced, and a thoughtful start that set the tone for the meal to come. Dinner carried the momentum forward. The lasagna Bolognese was classic comfort—generously layered with seasoned meats, creamy ricotta, and mozzarella, all enveloped in a house-made sauce that struck the right balance between richness and tang. Across the table, the eggplant rollatini landed like a quiet triumph: delicate rolls of eggplant filled with cheese and spinach, resting atop a nest of wide pappardelle ribboned with bright marinara. Service flowed effortlessly, warm without being overbearing, and the patio setting felt like a small retreat. Cafe Fiore may have started as a backup plan, but it quickly earned a spot on the return list. Sometimes the detour leads straight to the good stuff. About the venue… Café Fiore in Branford, Connecticut, is a relatively recent addition to the Shoreline’s Italian dining scene: 🌟 Origins & Opening • The restaurant launched in mid‑2016 at 420 East Main Street, founded by Valon Avdimetaj and Chef Rusit (Rusty) Cecunjanin. They brought experience from New York, Hartford, and their sister location, Fiore II in Middletown . • A grand opening ribbon‑cutting took place on May 12, 2016 . 🇮🇹 Culinary Focus • From the start, Café Fiore emphasized high‑quality Italian fare,
Great place, seems upper end inside but doesn't feel like you have to dress up too nice either. Garlic knots were the best I've ever had, everything was phenomenal. Clams casino and veal parm were perfect. Nothing I can think to improve !
I love this place ! We come usually once a month with my family. Red Sangria and white sangria always good. Meatballs are my favorite . Entrees: chicken fiore , chicken Marsala and shrimp fra Diavlo the best !
Really really good food here. We started with the meatballs and fried mozzarella. The garlic knots brought to the table were epic!!! The fried mozzarella was excellent and the meatballs were okay. Next I had linguine and clams and I must say this was one of the best linguine and clams I have ever had and Ive had it everywhere. I did white and I was very very happy. Tons of flavor, fresh clams both in and out of the shell and I absolutely loved every bite. Last, after dinner I had an expresso martini and it was absolutely devine. One of the best ive had in a long time and had to compliment the bartender Eli on a fantastic drink. This place came on recomendation by my mom and me and my girlfriend will definitely be back soon. I highly recommend to all!!
100000/10!!!! Garlic knots are amazing and complimentary. Today my husband and I went for an anniversary lunch and had Tony as our waiter. He was extremely kind, patient and professional. He took the time to explain dishes and desserts. He ensured we got more garlic knots to go. He made sure we always had what we needed. We got scallops and portobello mushroom for appetizers. The mushroom was good but the scallops were my favorite! No fishy smell, well seasoned/cooked. I got the chicken and lobster. They did not skimp out on the lobster. The guava cheesecake was to die for. It was all delicious. We left so happy and it really just set the tone for the rest of the day. Thank you for such a great experience !
Cafe Fiore absolutely nails the balance between cozy neighborhood charm and elevated dining. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere feels warm, inviting, and effortlessly polished—perfect for anything from a casual night out to a special occasion. The standout, though, is bartender Eli. He brings an incredible energy behind the bar—knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely passionate about what he does. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic cocktail or something custom, Eli delivers every time. His drinks are perfectly balanced, beautifully presented, and crafted with care—you can tell he takes pride in every pour. Service all around is top-notch, the food is consistently excellent, and the overall experience just keeps you coming back. If you’re heading to Cafe Fiore, make sure to grab a seat at the bar and let Eli take care of you—you won’t regret it.
We paid a visit to Cafe Fiore as this is a popular spot for one of our daughter and friends and it did not take long to realize that the food was going to be delicious. I ordered the linguini bolognese with meatballs and it was perfectly cooked! The garlic knots were amazing and the service overall was excellent; the staff was very friendly and made sure everyone was taken care of front the time they arrived till the time they left. If you are in the area and want a great meal, do yourself a favor and stop for lunch or dinner!
My dad has been raving about Cafe Fiore for years after going there for work parties, so while we were in the area, we finally had a chance to visit for dinner. We really appreciated that even during peak dinner time on a Saturday night, they were able to get our group of 3 seated with only a 20 minute wait. I can’t believe how incredible the complimentary garlic knots were! Those were a standout, but truly the whole meal was delicious. We also couldn’t believe how reasonably priced the whole menu was. For 2 drinks, 2 apps, and 3 entrees, our bill was under $135 before tip. You rarely see that anymore, especially at the level of quality Cafe Fiore is serving. Kudos to them, and we will gladly drive an hour again for this meal!
We were celebrating a special occasion and decided to have our celebration lunch here. It was absolutely fantastic. From the first moment we walked in we were attended nicely. We were seated quickly and the food looked and tasted delicious. The pasta was done to perfection not under cooked and not over cooked. Definitely check them out for a great dining experience.
Hands down some of the best Italian food I’ve had recently! First of all, they give you complimentary garlic knots that are absolutely unforgettable—literally so crazy good, I can't stop thinking about them! For the main course, you definitely need to order the Penne alla Vodka, Alfredo pasta, and a fresh Caesar salad. Pair it all with their Hugo seasonal drink for the perfect meal. 10/10 recommend!
Common questions about Cafe Fiore
Cafe Fiore is located at 420 E Main St, Branford, Branford, CT, United States.
You can reach Cafe Fiore by calling +1 203-208-4690.
Cafe Fiore has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 based on 1099 customer reviews.
Cafe Fiore features the following accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible car park, Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible seating, Wheelchair-accessible toilet.
Cafe Fiore features the following service options: Outdoor seating, Kerbside pickup, On-site services, Takeaway, Dine-in, Delivery.
Cafe Fiore features the following highlights: Fast service, Fireplace, Great beer selection, Great cocktails, Great coffee, Great dessert, Great wine list, Serves local specialty.
Cafe Fiore features the following popular for: Lunch, Dinner, Solo dining.
Cafe Fiore features the following offerings: Alcohol, Beer, Cocktails, Coffee, Comfort food, Happy-hour drinks, Happy-hour food, Healthy options, Prepared foods, Private dining room, Small plates, Spirits, Vegetarian options, Wine.
Cafe Fiore features the following dining options: Lunch, Dinner, Catering, Counter service, Dessert, Seating, Table service.
Cafe Fiore features the following amenities: Bar on site, Restroom.
Cafe Fiore features the following atmosphere: Casual, Cozy, Romantic, Trendy, Upmarket.
Cafe Fiore features the following crowd: Groups, Tourists.
Cafe Fiore features the following planning: Dinner reservations recommended, Accepts reservations.
Cafe Fiore features the following payments: Cheques, Credit cards, Debit cards, NFC mobile payments.
Cafe Fiore features the following children: Good for kids, High chairs.
Cafe Fiore features the following parking: Free parking lot, Free street parking, Plenty of parking.
Business Features
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