These New London County Restaurants Have Stellar Wine Programs, Magazine Says

NEW LONDON COUNTY, CT — Wine Spectator recently announced the winners of the 2025 Restaurant Awards honoring the world’s best restaurants for wine. Three spots in New London County made the list.

This year's awards program recognizes 3,811 dining destinations from all 50 states in the U.S. and more than 80 countries internationally. Connecticut had a sizable presence.

"A wine list is a restaurant’s identity in print, and this year's Wine Spectator Restaurant Award winners reflect both deep knowledge and a passion for discovery," Marvin R. Shanken, Editor and Publisher of Wine Spectator, said. "I proudly present the 3,811 restaurants worldwide that earned a Restaurant Award this year — we raise a glass to all our winners."

The three that made the cut in New London County were:

• David Burke Prime Steakhouse, Mashantucket
• Kensington's, Norwich
• The Shipwright's Daughter, Mystic

See a full list of all the 32 Connecticut winners here.

Launched in 1981, the Restaurant Awards represent the world’s only program focused exclusively on restaurant wine service.

They are assigned on three levels: the Award of Excellence, the Best of Award of Excellence and the Grand Award, with 2,001; 1,411; and 93 winners this year in each respective category.Also featured in Wine Spectator’s special Restaurant Awards issue: “What’s Old is New Again,” as restaurants place an emphasis on revisiting and uplifting tried and true classics.

The Restaurant Awards issue, which features a tribute to late Grand Award-winning American chef and restaurateur Charlie Trotter, becomes available to readers July 15.