10 Connecticut Italian Markets Where Imported Foods Make Grocery Shopping Feel Like A Trip Abroad

Grocery shopping gets a lot more interesting when the shelves are filled with things you don’t normally see. Suddenly, you’re reading unfamiliar labels and wondering what you could make for dinner.

Italian markets are especially good at sparking that curiosity.

Across Connecticut, specialty Italian markets bring imported foods and traditional flavors into everyday shopping, making ordinary grocery trips more exciting.

I love the thought of discovering an ingredient that reminds someone of home or introduces someone else to a completely new favorite.

And you don’t need to be an expert cook to enjoy browsing these places. Sometimes finding an unusual snack is exciting enough.

These markets offer a little taste of Italy without the plane ticket. That’s a pretty enjoyable way to change up the weekly shopping routine.

1. Liuzzi Gourmet Food Market, North Haven

Cheese runs in this family like a really delicious bloodline. The Liuzzis are fifth-generation cheesemakers, and their tradition began in 1826 in Noci, a town in Puglia, Italy.

Brothers Pasquale, known as Lino, and Nick Liuzzi opened the market in 1981. More than 40 years later, it still feels rooted in Southern Italian tradition.

Here’s a fun twist on the old-country story. The family sources milk from the St. Albans Co-op in Vermont for its cheeses, so New England cows get a starring role.

Now, about that cheese case. The market carries more than 200 varieties, which means you could try a new one each week for nearly four years.

You’ll also find imported deli meats, fresh bread, frozen pasta, and homemade jarred specialties. Freshly prepared foods help on nights when cooking sounds like a chore.

Hungry right now? The deli makes hot and cold sandwiches to order, and the cold cuts get sliced fresh.

There’s a meat department too, plus catering for bigger gatherings. A cheese-heavy party platter from a cheesemaking family feels like a smart move.

One tip before you go: plan around the schedule. The market is open Monday through Saturday and closed on Sundays.

Address: 322 State St, North Haven, CT

2. D&D Market, Wethersfield

Back in 1932, Vito D’Aprile opened a family business that has now been running for over 90 years. That kind of staying power doesn’t happen by accident.

D&D Market calls itself the largest and finest Italian specialty store in the Greater Hartford area. That’s a bold claim, and the trophy shelf backs it up nicely.

In 2023, Hartford Courant readers voted it Best Local Market, Best Tapas, and Best Gourmet to Go. It also landed 1st Runner Up for Best Deli.

So what’s inside? You’ll find fresh meats, quality cheeses, authentic Italian imports, and a full-service deli ready to slice.

Produce and everyday groceries sit alongside prepared foods. That means you can grab dinner and restock the pantry in one trip.

Charcuterie boards are a highlight for anyone hosting. Let the pros arrange the salami so you can focus on pretending you did it yourself.

Holiday catering is available too. If your family gatherings come with high pasta expectations, that could save your sanity.

Timing is easy here since the market opens seven days a week. Sunday hours are shorter, ending at 2 p.m., so plan your weekend errands early.

Address: 675 Wolcott Hill Rd, Wethersfield, CT 06109

3. Sorrento Importing, Fairfield

Some comeback stories involve sports teams, and this one involves sausage. After a fire at its original Bridgeport location, Sorrento Importing moved to Fairfield in 2018.

The roots go back to 1966. Sicilian emigrants Giuseppe and Gaetano Milazzo founded the market, and it has served Italian and Italian-American treats for over half a century.

Start with the butcher side, because it’s a showstopper. Stuffed porchetta, chicken pinwheels, and sausage are made fresh daily right on the premises.

Then wander toward the pantry goods. Imported olive oils, vinegars, fresh and dried pastas, coffees, and sweets fill out the shelves.

Cheese lovers get both fresh and aged choices. Cold cuts and cured meats round out the antipasto mission nicely.

Lunch is a real reason to stop by. The Sorrento Signature Italian Combo and the Turkey Caprese are popular made-to-order sandwiches.

Short on time for dinner? Oven-ready meals and pasta salads are ready to go, and catering party trays can handle a crowd.

One heads-up for Monday shoppers: the market is closed that day. Weekday hours end at 4 p.m., and Sunday closes at 1 p.m., so don’t show up for a late sandwich.

Address: 1838 Black Rock Tpke, Fairfield, CT 06825

4. Angelo’s Specialties, Norwalk

Penne alla vodka by the tray is a pretty great reason to know a deli. Angelo’s Specialties has been feeding Norwalk since 1992.

It’s a family-owned and operated Italian delicatessen. The focus is simple: high-quality Italian specialty items without the fuss.

Meat is a big part of the appeal here. You can pick up fresh cuts of beef, chicken, lamb, and veal.

That veal could become a weekend chicken-or-veal debate at your house. Either way, starting with a good cut makes the cooking part much easier.

Catering is where this deli really flexes. The menu includes cheese lasagna, stuffed shells, and that famous penne alla vodka.

Meat platters and sandwich platters are on the list too. Picture a graduation party where nobody fights over the last sandwich because there are plenty.

Honestly, letting a family deli handle the pasta trays feels like cheating in the best way. Your guests get comfort food, and you get to sit down.

Hours are friendly for busy schedules. The shop opens at 9 a.m. daily, staying open until 6 p.m. on weekdays, 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Address: 120 New Canaan Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06850

5. Nica’s Market, New Haven

A pasta sauce recipe passed down four generations is the kind of thing you want in your pantry. Nica’s Market bottles its family-made sauces right alongside imported Italian goods.

Italian immigrant Giuseppe Sabino, known as Nica, opened the shop in 2002. It sits in New Haven’s East Rock neighborhood with a European-style market feel.

Stop in early, because the doors open at 7 a.m. Breakfast errand, lunch run, or afternoon snack, the timing works.

The prepared food list is long and tempting. Handcrafted sandwiches, paninis, salads, homemade soups, and stuffed breads fill the menu.

Pizza comes by the slice, which is great news for indecisive eaters. Chicken Pesto and Capricciosa are two of the varieties.

On the grocery side, look for imported olive oils and artisan pastas. Fresh produce and gourmet chocolates help round out a shopping bag.

Save room for something cold. Italian gelato and Italian sodas make a sunny day feel like a mini vacation.

There’s an outdoor patio, so you can eat that slice before it ever reaches your car. Sunday hours end at 4 p.m., while other days run until 7 p.m.

Address: 603 Orange St, New Haven, CT 06511

6. Public Market of Newington, Newington

House-made sausage has been part of the story since 1968. Public Market of Newington is a family-owned Italian deli that still leans hard on quality and tradition.

Think of it as your neighborhood shortcut to Italy. Fresh meats and imported cold cuts sit beside the Italian staples you actually cook with.

The olive oil and vinegar selection is extensive. Add some jarred vegetable antipasti, and you’ve basically built an appetizer without turning on the stove.

Table cheeses come from around the world. That gives you room to mix Italian favorites with something unexpected.

Over at the deli, Boar’s Head cold cuts get sliced to order. Imported prosciutto, capicola, and sopressata bring the Italian side of the sandwich equation.

Fresh handmade sandwiches are ready for lunch. Need a centerpiece for Sunday dinner instead?

Custom-cut roasts are available.

Catering and gift baskets make this a handy stop for holidays. An Italian food basket beats another scented candle any day.

Summer shoppers, take note. The market closes on Sundays during July and August, so plan your sausage cravings around that.

Address: 437 New Britain Ave, Newington, CT

7. Angelo’s Market, New Britain

An opera singer started this market, which might explain why the menu hits so many high notes. Angelo’s Market has served New Britain for over 60 years.

The mission is bringing a taste of Italy to Central Connecticut. Judging by that long run, the formula works.

Grocery shoppers can stock up on premium cheeses, olive oils, and deli meats. Fresh local ingredients join the imported goods on the shelves.

Then there’s the kitchen. Homemade pasta dishes include lasagna, fettuccine Alfredo, and penne arrabbiata for anyone who likes a little heat.

Gourmet entrees are on offer too. That’s a lifesaver on nights when your own cooking plan was a bowl of cereal.

Sandwiches, grinders, salads, and pizzas cover the casual side. You can dine in, carry out, or get delivery.

Soup fans, here’s a nice perk. Hot gourmet soups are served year-round, not just when the snow piles up.

Dessert deserves its own moment. Tiramisu and cannoli are both on the menu, and choosing one is a tough but noble task.

Address: 349 W Main St, New Britain, CT

8. Kensington Market, Berlin

A serious fire in February 2024 forced Kensington Market to close for more than ten months before reopening after extensive repairs.

Luciano Lastrina opened the store in 1997. Within three years, Sebastian Scalora joined as a partner.

The shelves focus on local and Italian brands. You’ll find meats, cheeses, fresh fruits and vegetables, plus imported Italian sausage.

The deli case is where shopping gets fun. Prosciutto, salami, and fresh mozzarella are joined by olive salad and artichoke hearts.

Tortellini salad is on the lineup too. Pair it with sliced meats, and you’ve got an easy picnic without much effort.

Bread comes through a partnership with Sanremo Bakery. Freshly baked loaves make that sandwich situation a whole lot better.

Got a sweet tooth? Cakes, cannoli, and mini pastries arrive from Mozzicato & DiPasquale Bakers, a well-known name in the state.

Lunch ordering is flexible in a charmingly old-school way. You can call, order online, or even send a fax, if your office still has one humming in a corner.

Address: 1014 Farmington Avenue, Kensington, CT 06037

9. LC Cash & Carry, New Haven

Restaurant chefs and home cooks shop for imported tomatoes in the same place here. LC Cash & Carry, also called LC Fine Food, works both sides of the kitchen.

The story starts in 1965 with Italo Ciocca, known as Leo. He dreamed of offering the finest Italian imports.

Since 1979, the family business has supplied restaurants and families with Italian favorites. Today, his children carry the business forward.

This is mainly a wholesale food distributor. A retail cash and carry operation lets regular shoppers in on the goods too.

Picture pantry shopping on a bigger scale. Imported pasta, extra virgin olive oil, imported tomatoes, sauces, and coffee fill the list.

Cheeses, meats, and specialty groceries are part of the mix. It’s a solid stop if your Sunday sauce feeds a small army.

The family sources directly to keep products authentic. That approach also helps with competitive pricing, which your wallet will appreciate.

Prefer shopping from the couch? There’s an online store, so you can restock olive oil in your pajamas.

Address: 301 Food Terminal Plaza, New Haven, CT 06511

10. More Italian Pasta Lab, West Hartford

Calling a pasta shop a lab is a clever touch, and the results earn the name. More Italian Pasta Lab specializes in fresh Italian pasta in many shapes.

The flour matters here. They use durum wheat semolina from northern Italy to make their pasta.

Paccheri and pappardelle are on the roster. Stuffed ravioli brings the cozy-dinner energy without any of the rolling and filling work.

Fresh sauces are made to go with the pasta. That takes the guesswork out of pairing, which is great for tired weeknight brains.

Ready-to-bake lasagna and cannelloni are a busy family’s best friend. Slide one in the oven and take full credit.

Want to learn the craft yourself? The lab offers cooking classes and events, a fun idea for a date night or birthday.

Co-founder Anna has been recognized as best emerging pastaio. That’s Italian for pasta maker, and it’s a pretty sweet title.

Desserts and cookies wrap things up nicely. The shop is open seven days a week, with Tuesday through Saturday starting at 10 a.m.

Address: 54 LaSalle Road, West Hartford, CT