There is a restaurant quietly tucked into downtown Bridgeport, Connecticut, that is doing something the city has arguably never seen before.
From its art-covered walls and soulful playlist to a seasonal menu built on passion and local roots, 29 Markle Ct is redefining what a night out in Connecticut’s largest city can truly feel like. 🎶🍽️
This locally-owned, fine dining gem opened in November 2022, and it has been turning heads — and filling seats — ever since.
How 29 Markle Ct Won Bridgeport’s Hearts
When co-owner and executive chef Damon “Daye” Sawyer first opened 29 Markle Ct alongside partners Wesly Arbuthnott and Ishalee Green, even he was caught off guard by the city’s response.
The trio built this restaurant entirely on their own — no outside investors, no outside funding. Just an unshakeable belief in what they were creating.
Chef Sawyer is a self-trained chef whose kitchen journey spans a French kitchen, a Whole Foods seafood counter, Grammy parties in Los Angeles, and Richard Gere’s Bedford Post Inn — and every stop along the way poured something meaningful into the food he now serves in Bridgeport.
The Connecticut Restaurant Association named 29 Markle Ct a finalist in the Newcomer category for its 2023 CRAzies Awards — a remarkable feat for a restaurant barely a year old. 🏆
Connecticut Magazine declared it “a hit,” and diners from across the state took notice, filling tables night after night and spreading the word far beyond Bridgeport’s city limits.
Chef Sawyer, a former professional keys and trumpet player, curates a personal playlist of over 1,000 records that plays throughout every shift — jazz, blues, soul, and alternative sounds washing over guests as they dine.
The globally-inspired, seasonal menu reflects American, Italian, and Caribbean flavor profiles, with a heavy emphasis on smoking techniques, locally grown organic ingredients, and the kind of creativity that makes regulars feel like they are always discovering something new. 🌿
Food Highlights
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Braised Short Ribs: Expertly made and deeply flavorful, served with potato purée and bok choy. 🥩
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Seared Halibut: Served with smoked corn purée and a charred corn salad, this is the dish Chef Sawyer first made for his wife’s birthday — and it has been a signature ever since. 🐟
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Gnocchi Cacio E Pepe: A handmade pasta dish with a sauce so incredible that diners have asked for extra bread just to soak up every last drop — a true crowd-pleaser. 🍝
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Manmita’s Black Rice & Crab: Haitian black rice transformed into Italian-style arancini stuffed with crab. 🦀
- Spiced & Smoked Half Bird: A perfectly seasoned smoked half chicken that has become one of the most talked-about dishes on the menu.
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Vanilla Gelato with Poached Asian Pear: A dessert with ginger-infused poached Asian pear — a sweet, fragrant finale to an already extraordinary meal. 🍨
Atmosphere
Stepping into 29 Markle Ct is like walking into a living art gallery — vibrant canvases cover the walls while guests settle into cozy banquettes and the glittering bar glows warmly at the center of the room.
The music is intentional and alive — a 1,000-song playlist curated personally by Chef Sawyer moves through jazz, blues, soul, and beyond, setting a mood that makes every visit feel like a special occasion. 🎵
The restaurant describes itself as offering “a unique experience to those dining within its art-filled walls,” and that description barely does justice to the layered sensory richness you encounter the moment you walk in.
Bottom Line
29 Markle Ct is a must-visit Bridgeport hidden gem: a Black-owned fine dining restaurant with an inspired seasonal menu, globally-influenced dishes, a stunning craft cocktail bar, soul-stirring music, and art on every wall. Bridgeport has never seen anything quite like it — and neither have you. 🌟
Address:
29 Markle Ct, Bridgeport, CT 06604
📞 (203) 296-4761
🕔 Dinner: Tue–Thu 4:30 PM–9:30 PM | Fri–Sat 4:30 PM–10:00 PM | Sun 3:00 PM–8:00 PM