The Taproot restaurant was started by a couple in their hometown of Bethel as a small business. After 6 years, they expanded and moved to Norwalk, and earned the “Best restaurant in Fairfield County” award. However, the restaurant has now closed permanently. On April 19, 2025, the restaurant served its last meal and bid farewell to its diners.
Highlights
- An award-winning restaurant, Taproot, served for a total of eight years and has now closed permanently.
- The restaurant could not see its full potential in Norwalk. Therefore, the owners decided to shut down.
- The legacy of the Taproot universe is still alive as the owners now focus on Bar Bushido, a Japanese izakaya-style restaurant.
Closure of Taproot: A Culinary Landmark in Norwalk
A few days ago, the owners of Taproot took to their Instagram handle to announce the permanent closure of the restaurant. With a mix of emotions, including pride, the restaurant served its customers and closed permanently on April 19, 2025, after 8 years in the business.
The restaurant has been at 63 N Main Street, Norwalk, CT, for the last two years, and now stands empty. The Connecticut Restaurant Association awarded Taproot the CRAZIES for the “Best restaurant in Fairfield County.” The extraordinary cooking techniques of owner and chef Jeff Taibe were the main attraction at Taproot.
When Taproot moved to Norwalk from Bethel, the owners were hopeful for great success, but the restaurant failed to realize its full potential. Despite the business’s ups and downs, when profit and quality no longer aligned, the owners decided to close Taproot permanently.
The Journey of Taproot in Eight Years
Jeff Taibe and Steph Sweeney opened Taproot 8 years ago in their hometown of Bethel. Just like any other small business, Taproot also evolved from difficulties and the COVID-19 pandemic. The restaurant has fared through the worst times in the restaurant industry in the last 20 years, and therefore, Taibe and Sweeney have decided to expand their business.
In 2023, Taproot moved to a Main Street spot in Norwalk, where Bruxelles Brasserie had earlier existed. During their six years in Bethel, Taproot’s owners had the freedom to operate as they wished. But in the last two years in Norwalk, things changed.
Given that the restaurant did not reach its full potential and the owners were unwilling to compromise their ethics for profit, they decided to close and focus on new ventures.
After closing the Taproot, Taibe is now focused on creating a Taproot Hospitality Group. At 51 Wall Street in Norwalk, Bar Bushido will be managed by the Taproot Group, as per their Instagram account. It is a concept based on the Japanese izakaya model, where people can come and enjoy Japanese cuisine in a pub-type setup.
Taibe aims to make Bar Bushido a lively spot, emphasizing drinks and a selection of food. The restaurant will be operating between 4:30 pm and 10 pm from Tuesday to Thursday, and till 11 pm on Friday and Saturday. Hours of operation on Sunday are from 4:30 pm to 9 pm. Explore the exciting menu on Bar Bushido’s website.
