The Mill on the River Wins Four Best of Hartford Awards in 2026

The Mill on the River is proud to announce that we have been recognized with four Best of Hartford Awards in 2026:

  • Best Water View
  • Best Wine List
  • Most Romantic Restaurant
  • Best Martini

We are honored by this recognition and grateful to everyone who voted for us. These awards are especially meaningful because they reflect the experiences of the guests who choose The Mill on the River for celebrations, date nights, family gatherings, weddings, and special occasions throughout the year.

A Hartford-Area Dining Tradition

For generations, The Mill on the River has welcomed guests from South Windsor, Hartford, West Hartford, Glastonbury, Manchester, Enfield, and communities throughout Connecticut.

Known for its timeless setting overlooking a historic mill pond and waterfall, The Mill on the River has become a destination for memorable dining experiences, exceptional hospitality, and special occasions. We are proud that our restaurant continues to be recognized among Hartford’s best year after year.

Best Water View

Few dining experiences in Connecticut combine historic charm and natural beauty quite like The Mill on the River.

Guests enjoy views of the mill pond, waterfall, and surrounding landscape throughout the seasons. Whether dining indoors or enjoying waterfront dining when weather allows, the setting has made The Mill on the River a favorite destination for lunch, dinner, celebrations, and romantic evenings.

Best Wine List

Our wine program has long been one of the cornerstones of the dining experience at The Mill on the River.

Featuring selections from renowned wine regions around the world, our wine list offers choices for casual dinners, milestone celebrations, and special wine-pairing experiences. From familiar favorites to exceptional reserve bottles, we strive to offer a wine program that complements every menu and every occasion.

Most Romantic Restaurant

The Mill on the River has been part of countless first dates, engagements, anniversaries, and celebrations over the years.

Historic architecture, warm hospitality, elegant dining rooms, and beautiful water views create an atmosphere that has made us one of Connecticut’s favorite destinations for romantic dining. We are honored to once again be recognized as Hartford’s Most Romantic Restaurant.

Best Martini

New for 2026, we are excited to be named Best Martini.

From timeless classics to seasonal specialties, our bar team takes pride in creating cocktails that are as memorable as the dining experience itself. Whether you’re joining us before dinner, meeting friends for cocktails, or celebrating a special occasion, we’re proud that our martini program has earned this recognition from our guests.

Thank You for Your Support

Awards like these are only possible because of our guests and our dedicated team.

To everyone who voted, dined with us, celebrated milestones with us, or recommended us to friends and family, thank you. Your support has helped make The Mill on the River one of Connecticut’s most beloved dining destinations.

We look forward to welcoming you soon and continuing the traditions that have made The Mill on the River a favorite for exceptional dining, romantic evenings, waterfront views, and memorable celebrations for generations.

 

Explore Other Best of Hartford 2026 Winners

  • The Mill on the River
  • Abigail’s Grille & Wine Bar
  • Republic Gastropub
  • Market Grille

Available Tuesday through Saturday, our luncheon packages at The Mill on the River offer a refined yet flexible approach to daytime gatherings. From thoughtfully prepared buffet selections to elegant plated meals, each package is designed to accommodate a range of occasions with ease and care.

Whether you are planning a corporate luncheon, bridal or baby shower, celebration of life, or a mid-day gathering with family and friends, our team is here to guide every detail. We offer both sit-down and buffet-style dining options, with menus that can be tailored to suit your preferences and the tone of your event.

For bereavement luncheons, we provide a compassionate and seamless experience, allowing you to gather, reflect, and connect in a comfortable setting while we handle the arrangements with the utmost care.

From initial planning through the final course, our banquet managers are dedicated to creating a smooth and memorable experience at The Mill on the River.

The dinner buffet is available for parties of 8 and more

$64.95 per person | $27.95 for children 12 and under
Price is non-inclusive of 20% Service Charge & CT Sales Tax

  • The Holiday Buffet is located in our upstairs Rafters Room.
  • There is an elevator for handicap access. If there is a handicapped individual in your party, we ask that you let us know at the time of making the reservation so we can plan the table accordingly.
  • We require a $250 deposit at the time of booking to secure your spot.
    • Deposits are refundable if the party cancels before Friday, November 21st at 4pm.
    • Deposits will be taken off the bill at the end of dinner
  • Seating times are 11:30am-1:15pm, 2:00pm-3:45pm & 4:30pm-6:15pm

The Holiday Buffet Includes

  • Cold Hors d-Oeuvres – Cheese & Crackers, Vegetables & Dip, Italian Antipasto
  • House Salad Station
  • Chef-Attended Carving Station – Turkey, Ham, Prime Rib, & Pork
  • Pasta, Salmon, Potatoes & Vegetables
  • Dessert Station – Assorted Holiday Pies & Desserts
  • Coffee & Tea

All other beverages will be added a la carte to the bill

 



Join the MRG Loyalty Program and start earning rewards!

Accrue points & redeem Rewards at all MRG Restaurants 
The Mill on the River, Abigail’s Grille, Cal’s Wood Fired Grill & Bar, Market Grille & Republic Gastropub

What are the Rewards?
Loyalty Members earn a Rewards for accumulating Points. Rewards are available at Point Tiers:
$20 at 400 Points, $40 at 750 Points, and $60 at 1000 Points

How do I join the Loyalty Program?
Sign Up Online! >>Please note: if your email address is entered incorrectly, you will not be able to remotely log into your account for actions like checking your Point Balance & Reward status.

How do I accrue Points and earn Rewards?
Loyalty Members accrue one Point for every dollar spent on food & drinks. This applies to purchases in the restaurant and purchases via our Online Ordering System. When a Loyalty Member earns a Reward, it automatically loads into the Loyalty Member’s User Account so there is no need to keep track of emails or certificates.

Are there any exclusions on accruing Points?
Points are NOT accrued on Holidays, Banquet Bookings, Gift Cards, or E-Gift Card sales.

How are my Points accrued and tracked?
Loyalty Members must tell your server or bartender BEFORE cashing out their check to have the Points accrued in their Account. Additionally, Loyalty Members will also accrue Points on orders placed through MRG’s Online Ordering System when signed into their Loyalty Account. Points are automatically tracked digitally in the Loyalty Member’s User Account.

Do Points expire?
No. Points will collect in the Loyalty Member’s User Account until a Reward is redeemed.

How do I find my Point Balance?
– In Person: Loyalty Members will find their Point Balance printed on the bottom of their check.
>>Please note: the Point Balance that is printed on the check will reflect activity previous to the current visit, and will update the Loyalty Member’s Point Balance total AFTER the current visit’s balance is closed. 

Loyalty Members can also ask their server or bartender for their current Point Balance at the time of their visit.

  – Remotely: Loyalty Members need to have an email address associated with their Loyalty User Account to check their Point Balance. Loyalty Members can find their balance using MRG’s Online Ordering System [CLICK HERE] and logging into their Loyalty Account with their email address. Loyalty Members will find the Account [Sign In] Link on the top right of the Online Ordering screen.
>>Please noteLogging in for the 1st time will require Loyalty Members to make a Password to access their Loyalty User/Online Ordering Account.

How do I create a Password to my Loyalty User Account?
While on MRG’s Online Ordering website – Click on the Account [Sign In] link on the top right of the screen. In the Sign in pop-up, click the “Need help?” below the blue [Sign in] button. From there – add your User Account Email address and click the [Send password reset link] Button. From there, Loyalty Members will receive an email with a link to set your password. Following that – Loyalty Members should be able to use that Password to Log into their Loyalty User Account.

How do I use my Reward?
Just let your server or bartender know when you are ready to redeem your Reward and our team member will apply it to your check balance. Loyalty Members can also apply a Reward they have earned to online orders using MRG’s Online Ordering System.

Do Rewards expire?
No.

Can I transfer my Points Balance to another Loyalty Account or combine my balance with another guest’s Point Total?
No. Points are assigned to your unique Loyalty User Account and cannot be transferred.

Can we split Points between two of more guests at our table? 
Unfortunately, the system allows only one Loyalty User to collect Points on a check. We are also unable to split checks on a table.

Are there any exclusions on redeeming my Rewards?
Yes. A Reward cannot be redeemed on Holidays, in payment for Banquet Bookings Balances, on purchases of Gift Cards, or E-Gift Cards. Also, a Reward cannot be redeemed with 3rd Party delivery partners.

Can I use Rewards towards gratuity/service charge?
No. A Reward does not have any cash value and will not translate to gratuity

Can I get cash back on a Reward balance?
No. A Reward does not have any cash value.

I forgot to tell my server that I was a Loyalty Member before I closed out my check, can you add the Points to my Loyalty Account?
NO. THE SYSTEM CANNOT RETROACTIVELY ADD POINTS TO YOUR LOYALTY ACCOUNT.

Can I have multiple Loyalty User Accounts?
Due to a variety of factors, some guests end up with more than one Loyalty User Account. It may take longer to earn a Reward due to the Points for their visits being distributed to different Loyalty User Accounts. Each Loyalty Member should only have one Loyalty User Account.  If you have been informed by an MRG staff member that you have multiple User Accounts in the system, just email owen@millrestaurantgroup.com so we can combine your accounts.

How do I change my email or phone number associated with my Loyalty User Account?
If a Loyalty Member need to change any of their personal information, please email owen@millrestaurantgroup.com and our team will update your profile.

What if my phone number isn’t working in the restaurant or when I try to check my balance?
We must not have your current phone number on your Loyalty User Account profile.  Please email owen@millrestaurantgroup.com with your Name and the phone number/email address you’d like associated with your User Account so we can add it to your profile, and everything will work.

Please note: Loyalty terms are subject to change.