Gather55

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Gather55 Hartford’s restaurant where every meal supports the fight against food insecurity. Everyone is welcome, no one is turned away.

Gather55 is a Hartford restaurant powered by Hands On Hartford, where every meal helps fight food insecurity and strengthen our community. Our Daytime Café (Mon–Thu, 9 AM–2 PM) offers breakfast, lunch, coffee, and smoothies. Guests can pay the suggested menu price, pay less, or volunteer with Hands On Hartford for their meal. Our Dinner Experience (Wed–Sat, 5 PM–8:30 PM) features rotating guest chefs from across Connecticut. Enjoy a multi-course menu or à la carte options, with a portion of seats reserved for diners who can’t pay. Every visit to Gather55 supports Hands On Hartford’s mission to build a more food-secure city. Join us to dine, volunteer, or pay it forward - and be part of something bigger through food that gives back.

Hi, Friends & Neighbors! Due to technical issues, we’ll be opening at 11:00 AM on Thursday, October 15th.We sincerely ap...
10/15/2026

Hi, Friends & Neighbors!

Due to technical issues, we’ll be opening at 11:00 AM on Thursday, October 15th.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding! We look forward to seeing you soon!

Thank you for your patience and continued support!

From Kansas City, Missouri, the BBQ capital of the world, to Connecticut and beyond, Chef Jamie “Bear” McDonald has buil...
10/14/2026

From Kansas City, Missouri, the BBQ capital of the world, to Connecticut and beyond, Chef Jamie “Bear” McDonald has built a reputation on his passion for authentic barbecue, homemade sauces and rubs, and a craft perfected over years of experience. Now, the founder of Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ has brought that passion to Gather55!

Our Guest Chef Program is about so much more than what’s on the plate. It brings talented chefs and restaurant partners together to create memorable dining experiences, celebrate culinary creativity, and strengthen the connections that make our community special.

And there’s a bigger purpose behind every meal served at Gather55 Evening Restaurant. As a program of Hands On Hartford, Gather55 uses the power of delicious food to bring people together, welcoming guests regardless of their ability to pay. Proceeds from our evening restaurant help fuel Gather55’s Daytime Café, which provides nutritious, subsidized meals to Hartford’s most vulnerable neighbors.

Every guest chef partnership helps us bring people together around the table while supporting greater access to nutritious food in our community. That’s the power of food and the heart of Gather55.

Come join us in enjoying Chef Jamie “Bear” McDonald's menu items this month. And make no mistake, we're sending out a huge thank you to ALL of our guest chefs, restaurant partners, and guests for being part of something bigger than a meal.

Make your reservation now at Gather55.com/reserve.

What happens when Bear’s takes over the kitchen at Gather55?This Wednesday, October 7, Jamie McDonald and the Bear’s tea...
10/05/2026

What happens when Bear’s takes over the kitchen at Gather55?

This Wednesday, October 7, Jamie McDonald and the Bear’s team will be at Gather55 in Hartford as guest chefs, and we’d love for you to join us.

Can’t make it Wednesday? You can still enjoy Jamie’s featured dishes on the Gather55 menu throughout the month of October.

If you haven’t experienced Gather55, it’s a restaurant with a bigger mission. Created by Hands On Hartford, Gather55 brings together some of the region’s talented chefs while supporting work that addresses food insecurity and serves our Hartford community.

So come see Jamie and the Bear’s team Wednesday, or make plans to visit Gather55 anytime this month.

Great food. A great cause. And a chance to experience Bear’s in a different kitchen.

Reserve your table:
https://gather55.com/reserve/

We hope to see you there!

We’re excited to welcome Chef Jamie McDonald from Bear’s Smokehouse for a special guest chef menu featuring some serious...
10/01/2026

We’re excited to welcome Chef Jamie McDonald from Bear’s Smokehouse for a special guest chef menu featuring some seriously crave-worthy BBQ-inspired dishes!

Chef Jamie's Featured Menu

Pork Belly Steam Buns
Bao Bun • Smoked Pork Belly • Kimchi • Sweet Chili BBQ Sauce

Peach Cobbler
Sliced Peaches • Vanilla Ice Cream

Smoked & Grilled Tri-Tip
Smoked Tri-Tip • Loaded Smashed Gold Potatoes • Bacon • Scallions • Sour Cream

Come hungry, bring your crew, and come enjoy a special menu from Chef Jamie! 🔥

FREE PLENTIFUL PARKING
Skip the Parking Drama! No circling the block. We’ve got PLENTY of FREE parking waiting for you!

Coming Up FAST on October 7th! Don’t Miss It! Make your reservation at Gather55.com/reserve!

Tag someone who needs to try that Pork Belly Steam Bun.

OCTOBER GUEST CHEF ANNOUNCEMENT! We’re excited to welcome Jamie from Bear’s Smokehouse as our October Guest Chef! Jamie ...
09/25/2026

OCTOBER GUEST CHEF ANNOUNCEMENT!

We’re excited to welcome Jamie from Bear’s Smokehouse as our October Guest Chef!

Jamie is bringing a seriously delicious menu to the table:

Pork Belly Steam Buns with Kimchi & Sweet Chili Sauce

Smoked Grilled Tri-Tip - BBQ Chimichurri & Loaded Smashed Potatoes

Peach Cobbler with Vanilla Ice Cream

From smoky and savory to sweet and comforting, this is a menu you won’t want to miss.
Come join us, give Jamie a warm welcome, and enjoy a night of great food, good company, and a little BBQ magic!

Make your reservation now at Gather55.com/reserve!

September favorites won’t be here forever, so If you haven’t tried them yet, now’s the time! Our September menu features...
09/23/2026

September favorites won’t be here forever, so If you haven’t tried them yet, now’s the time! Our September menu features from Chef Joe Cusano are:

Heirloom Tomato Salad
Braised Short Rib Agnolotti
Fall Tiramisu

These seasonal dishes might be leaving the menu soon, so come enjoy them while you can! Make your reservation now at Gather55.com/reserve.

Meet Michelle! Michelle is a part-time server at our Gather55 Evening Restaurant, and a longtime volunteer who found her...
09/18/2026

Meet Michelle!
Michelle is a part-time server at our Gather55 Evening Restaurant, and a longtime volunteer who found her way from serving alongside our team to becoming part of it. Her connection to Gather55 runs deeper than a job, it’s rooted in a genuine belief in the power of community, kindness, and showing up for others.

After years of volunteering, Michelle joined the Gather55 restaurant team, bringing with her a caring spirit and a strong commitment to making every person feel seen and welcome. She understands firsthand the meaning behind Gather55’s mission, and she brings that understanding to the way she serves our guests and connects with the community each day.

When asked why she works at Gather55, Michelle shared:

“I work for Gather55 restaurant because I believe that everyone deserves to feel valued, supported, and connected to their community. My work with the Gather55 gives me the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people who may be facing difficult circumstances, while also helping strengthen the Hartford community as a whole.

What inspires me most is knowing that even small acts of kindness, compassion, and service can have a lasting impact. I am proud to be part of an organization that brings people together to address real community needs and creates opportunities for individuals to help one another.

Working for Gather55 is more than just a job to me. It is a chance to serve others, build connections, and contribute to a stronger, more compassionate community. I am grateful to be part of that mission.”

We’re grateful that Michelle’s journey has brought her from volunteer to valued member of the Gather55 team. Her kindness, generosity, and belief in the importance of community are a meaningful part of what makes Gather55 special.

09/17/2026

We do Catering, too! Check us out at Gather55.com/catering for more information!

09/11/2026

Thank you to Chef Joe from Mozz & Co for joining us as this month’s Gather55 guest chef! Come check out these amazing dishes!

Don't forget to come check out Chef Joey's new menu tonight at Gather55! Featuring a delicious Heirloom Tomato Salad, Sh...
09/09/2026

Don't forget to come check out Chef Joey's new menu tonight at Gather55!

Featuring a delicious Heirloom Tomato Salad, Short Rib Agnolotti, and Fall Tiramisu, this menu is sure to satisfy!

We can't wait to see you tonight! Make your reservations at Gather55.com/reserve!

Address

55 Bartholomew Avenue
Hartford, CT
06106

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 2pm
Tuesday 9am - 2pm
Wednesday 9am - 2pm
5pm - 8:30pm
Thursday 9am - 2pm
5pm - 8:30pm
Friday 5pm - 8:30pm
Saturday 5pm - 8:30pm

Telephone

+18609292316

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