Connecticut Magazine names top wing spots for 2026
Connecticut Magazine's 2026 list includes Derby's Dew Drop Inn, Plainville's J. Timothy's Taverne, and Blind Rhino locations in Fairfield County among top spots.
The magazine’s food experts selected Dew Drop Inn in Derby and J. Timothy’s Taverne in Plainville among the top spots, along with eight other restaurants across the state.
Blind Rhino earned three locations on the list with spots in Norwalk, Milford and Bridgeport. The restaurant chain has built a following in Fairfield County for its wing varieties.
Other winners include Magic 5 Pie Co. in Norwalk, Hoodoo Brown Barbeque in Ridgefield, and TK’s American Cafe in Danbury. The Bidwell Tavern in Coventry and Jeremiah’s Restaurant and Tavern in Mystic rounded out the eastern Connecticut picks.
The selections span from the Gold Coast to the eastern shore towns, covering establishments that range from traditional taverns to newer barbecue joints.
Connecticut Magazine surveyed a panel of food experts for its Top Restaurants for 2026 list, which includes dozens of categories beyond chicken wings. The magazine also released picks for 27 new restaurants worth trying across the state.
The Dew Drop Inn, which has operated on North Avenue in Derby for decades, offers varieties including mango barbecue wings. J. Timothy’s Taverne on New Britain Avenue in Plainville has built a reputation among wing enthusiasts in central Connecticut.
Hoodoo Brown Barbeque on Ethan Allen Highway in Ridgefield brings a Southern barbecue approach to wings, while Magic 5 Pie Co. on East Avenue in Norwalk combines pizza and wing offerings.
The list reflects Connecticut’s mix of longtime establishments and newer restaurants that have gained followings for their wing preparations and sauces.