"Downtown Hartford's Mexican-and-tequila mainstay since 2004: Ken McAvoy's tableside guacamole in a lava-rock bowl and one of the city's deepest agave bars."
About Agave
Agave Grill opened on Allyn Street in downtown Hartford in 2004 and has held the corner ever since, renewing its lease as the neighbourhood has turned over around it. Owned by restaurateur Ken McAvoy, it pairs an eclectic Mexican menu with one of the city's largest tequila selections, and it draws the after-work and pre-event crowd in the theatre district.
It is a lively bar-and-grill rather than a fine-dining room, and it has become a downtown fixture. For the wider field see the Hartford dining guide.
The Kitchen
The kitchen runs an eclectic Mexican menu, but the signature is the tableside guacamole, made to order and served in a lava-rock bowl, at about 14 dollars. Beyond it, the shrimp enchiladas, chipotle shrimp with black-bean-and-corn salsa under creme fraiche and Manchego, run about 25 dollars, alongside lobster enchiladas, fajitas and a beef pot-roast casita.
The tequila bar is the other half of the draw, one of the deepest agave lists in the city. See more Mexican tables and the Hartford guide.
The Room
The room is a bustling downtown bar-and-grill, busy on weekends and on theatre and event nights, with the tequila bar at its centre. It handles groups easily and the mood is sociable rather than quiet, which makes it a reliable choice for a birthday or an after-work gathering. The Allyn Street address puts it within walking distance of the XL Center and the Bushnell.
What to Order
Start with the tableside guacamole, the dish the place is known for, take the shrimp or lobster enchiladas as a main, and work through the tequila list, which is the reason many regulars come. Sunday service adds tacos and tapas. For other options downtown, see the Mexican picks across Hartford.
Best for a Birthday or Group Night
Agave Grill suits a birthday or a group night out: a lively downtown Mexican bar with tableside guacamole, a deep tequila list and a room built for a table of friends rather than a hushed dinner. See more birthday tables and the Hartford dining guide.
Not for
Not for a quiet, formal special occasion: Agave Grill is a busy downtown Mexican bar-and-grill, the tequila list is central, and the room runs loud and sociable, particularly on weekends and event nights.
Frequently Asked
Who owns Agave Grill in Hartford?
Agave Grill is owned by Hartford restaurateur Ken McAvoy, who opened it on Allyn Street in 2004. It is a Mexican restaurant and tequila bar rather than a chef-driven fine-dining room, and McAvoy has kept it a downtown fixture for two decades, renewing the lease as the surrounding district has changed. The tableside guacamole is its best-known dish.
Where is Agave Grill located?
Agave Grill is at 100 Allyn Street in downtown Hartford, in the theatre and entertainment district within walking distance of the XL Center and the Bushnell. The corner location draws an after-work and pre-event crowd. It has occupied the same Allyn Street address since 2004 and is one of downtown Hartford's longest-running Mexican restaurants.
What is Agave Grill known for?
Agave Grill is known for two things: its tableside guacamole, made to order and served in a lava-rock bowl at about 14 dollars, and one of the deepest tequila and agave-spirit lists in Hartford. The kitchen runs an eclectic Mexican menu with shrimp and lobster enchiladas, fajitas and casitas, but the guacamole and the bar are the signatures.
Is Agave Grill fine dining?
No. Agave Grill is a lively downtown Mexican bar-and-grill, not a fine-dining room. The food is eclectic Mexican and the tequila bar is central, and the room runs busy and sociable, especially on weekends and theatre nights. It suits a birthday, a group dinner or an after-work gathering rather than a quiet, formal special occasion.
