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  4. Fairfield
  5. East Norwalk
1920 Bar and Bistro, Norwalk, CT

1920 Bar and Bistro

3.6
3.6
82 Reviews
$30 and under
Contemporary American

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Experiences are available.
  • Charming
  • Great for live music
  • Romantic
Our name, inspired by the year the building was built, pays homage to its history as the first electric generation station in Norwalk, then a hat factory, and later a home to beloved restaurants. 1920 Bar and Bistro is a tribute to the past, presenting a fresh concept with classic cocktails, craft beer, and a diverse, seasonal menu inspired by contemporary American cuisine.

Prepared by a Mexican-born maestro, who enriched his culinary journey with a passion ignited by the finesse of Italian cuisine. Chef Lazaro has honed his skills in prestigious kitchens such as Pane E Benne in Westport, Paci in Southport, Blue Lemon in Westport, and Bridge Market in Westport. Drawing inspiration from his Mexican roots and a love for the flavors of Italian gastronomy, Chef Lazaro Alvarado brings a unique approach to 1920 Bar and Bistro’s 'New American' menu that is both inventive and rooted in global tradition.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Italian, Global, International
  • Hours of Operation
    Brunch Daily 10:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–12:00 am
  • Phone number
    (203) 212-8922
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Chef Salvadore
  • Catering
    Indulge in global-inspired flavors crafted by Chef Salvadore, who prepares personalized menus designed to delight and inspire guests using the freshest ingredients and seasonal produce. Chef Salvadore ensures a culinary experience that accommodates the unique needs of every individual guest.
  • Private party facilities
    Our distinctive events venue is nestled within the historic confines of a former Hat Factory. Whether its an intimate dinner or a grand celebration, our space is perfectly suited for both. Our dedicated team is poised to craft bespoke menus and create unique and personalized experiences.

Experiences

  • Pasta Tuesdays with Chef Salvadore

    Multiple dates available
    Join us every Tuesday for a culinary journey through Italy with our Pasta Tuesdays prepared by our Chef Salvadore, whose passion for coastal-inspired cuisine shines through in every bite. Indulge in a rotating menu featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients, from classic favorites to innovative creations that reflect the flavors of the Amalfi Coast. Reserve your table now and experience the magic of Pasta Tuesdays at 1920 Bar and Bistro, where every bite tells a story!
    Pasta Tuesdays with Chef Salvadore photo
  • Happy Hour - Hatter Piano Bar w/Zachary Anderson

    Multiple dates available
    Join us for a lively Happy Hour with special price cocktails featuring the incredible Zachary Anderson from 6.30PM until 9.00PM. Request your favorite songs from any decade or genre, sing along, or simply sit back and enjoy the show. Zachary, a recent graduate of NYU Steinhardt's Vocal Performance program, brings his expertise in Musical Theatre and Music Composition to every performance. With experience directing and performing in productions across NYC and Connecticut, his talent is sure to captivate.
  • The BEST Steak Night in Town

    Multiple dates available
    Steak Night with a three-course Prix Fixe for $40 includes an appetizer, NY Strip served with Brocolli Rabe and Roasted Potatoes with options of Red Wine Reduction of Chimichurri sauce. Enjoy Live Music with the sounds of local musicians showcasing their talents, or bring your own to the stage, with 1920 Open Mic on first and third Thursday of every month. We're thrilled to partner with Rock'n Vodka, an American-made, 100% sugarcane, non-GMO, gluten-free vodka endorsed by Rock n' Roll Hall of Famer Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick. All-night happy hour with Rock'n Vodka cocktails for just $7.
    The BEST Steak Night in Town photo

What 82 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

3.6
3.6 based on recent ratings
  • 3.7Food
  • 3.9Service
  • 4.1Ambience
  • 3.7Value

NoiseModerate

Diners' Choice Awards

  • Connecticut

    Romantic

  • Connecticut

    Most Booked 1000-Point Tables

  • Fairfield

    Hot spot

  • Fairfield

    Romantic

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
1920 Bar and Bistro offers a vibrant and inviting atmosphere with consistently "excellent meals" and a "welcoming" staff. The menu is "fresh" and "eclectic," featuring standout pasta dishes and delicious lamb chops. While service can be slow, the overall dining experience is praised as a "local gem" with a unique ambiance.

82 Reviews
  1. Kyle

    Connecticut

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    Made reservations for Thursday steak night special. We walked in and the staff looked confused and didn't know how to seat us. The service was incredibly slow. We waited probably 20 minutes for our server to come greet us, another 20 for our salad course, only for our bland and overcooked steak to come while we're taking the first bites of the salad. The red wine was stale and ice cold. We also asked for the check early and had to chase down staff at the bar for another 30 minutes just to be able to pay. We didn't even get the dessert at that point. We just really wanted to leave. Incredibly understaffed. We were also sat in the piano bar section. The booths and tables were nearly touching each other so you are elbow to elbow with other guests. The music was incredibly too loud, having to shout at each other across a table. It's unfortunate because when we went a few weeks prior on a Saturday night, the service was great. The restaurant was empty but they had multiple servers on the floor. Now this time on a Thursday where they are marketing a premium experience there was one server for the entire floor. Will not be returning...

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  2. Robert

    New York City

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on 16 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This restaurant is absolutely gorgeous inside. We loved our meal. I just got a simple pasta dish with tomatoes and olive oil but it was done to perfection. The lamb meatballs were delicious. We will definitely be back again soon.

    1 person found this helpful

  3. Susan

    Greater Boston

    4 reviews

    2.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 15 November 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    We have been several times but it has been a while. The menu has changed. I ordered the balsamic chicken and would never order it again. It was very dry and just not good. My husband went with the broccoli rabe and sausage pasta which was ok. The wine is good but a bit pricey at $15 a glass for house cabernet.

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  4. William

    New York City

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on 15 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always a terrific welcome back to this place with warm light of tall candles and refresh on their menu. Will be back soon.

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  5. Paula

    New York City

    4 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 8 November 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    We decided to go there for our first time to try their Thursday $40 pre fix menu. The inside of the restaurant is beautiful, but we did notice there weren’t many customers. Everything started off great, our waiter was very nice, drinks and appetizer were really good, but out of the NY strip, ribeye, & filé mignon selection for the pre fixe menu, they were out of the filé mignon, so we opted for the NY strip, one medium, and one medium rare. After a while, our steaks came, but one was rare and cold inside and the other that should’ve been medium was medium rare. They were able to get the rare cold steak to medium rare, but once we started cutting into it, it was super tough and kind of hard to eat, so we had to pick out the softer parts that were edible, leaving half of the steak left on the plate. We hoped dessert would be as pleasing as the start of our dinner, but unfortunately the desserts did not taste as good as they looked. Maybe we had bad luck that night, or maybe we should’ve skipped the pre fixe menu when they told us they were out of file mignon, but we’re still willing to give this place another shot and hopefully come out with a much better experience than our first one!

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  6. Debbie

    Connecticut

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 1 November 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Food and ambience were lovely. However, owners were a bit “too chatty”, comping to our table and sitting down… Service was a bit slow. Overall a good experience. We’ll be back!

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  7. Robyn

    New York City

    3 reviews

    1.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 18 October 2024

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    Unfortunately, cannot give NO stars, which it deserves. The WORST service and rudest employees I ever encountered. Can’t comment on the food because we never got our food. Walked out after 1 hour and 15 minutes of receiving NO food. We were told 30 minutes for pizzas. After 1 hour, still NO food including cold appetizers and we were told 5 more minutes. Well, after 15 minutes we had enough and left. Do NOT waste your time and money at this establishment with clearly, NO management, NO leadership, NO common courtesy and NO business being in the service industry. Just don’t go…HORRIBLE service.

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  8. mary

    Philadelphia

    37 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    37 reviews

    Dined on 12 October 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Local Gem. The kitchen is slow but the food was fantastic.

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  9. Robert

    New York City

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on 22 September 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent. Staff very efficient and caring. Owners are there and very welcoming. Great place for a quiet Sunday evening pizza. The pizzas are excellent!

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  10. Jack

    New York City

    30 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    30 reviews

    Dined on 21 September 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    A great experience with a cooperative staff and a very good chef. Cannot recommend it highly enough.

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FAQs

1920 Bar and Bistro offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (203) 212-8922.

1920 Bar and Bistro is rated 3.6 stars by 82 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for 1920 Bar and Bistro

2 Wilton Ave, Norwalk, CT 06851-4540

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Wilton Avenue and Cross Street
  • Area
    East Norwalk
  • Hours of Operation
    Brunch Daily 10:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–12:00 am
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Italian, Global, International
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Chef Salvadore
  • Additional
    Dog Friendly, Gluten-free Options, Vegan
  • Phone number
    (203) 212-8922
  • Catering
    Indulge in global-inspired flavors crafted by Chef Salvadore, who prepares personalized menus designed to delight and inspire guests using the freshest ingredients and seasonal produce. Chef Salvadore ensures a culinary experience that accommodates the unique needs of every individual guest.
  • Private party facilities
    Our distinctive events venue is nestled within the historic confines of a former Hat Factory. Whether its an intimate dinner or a grand celebration, our space is perfectly suited for both. Our dedicated team is poised to craft bespoke menus and create unique and personalized experiences.
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