French Restaurants in Fairfield County, Connecticut

It can be tough to find a good French restaurant in the United States, depending on where you live—this is not the case living an hour outside of New York City.

The strong cultural and economic ties between New York City and Paris have shaped a jet-set metropolitan crowd caught in between the transatlantic pond. More likely than not, these individuals take pride in working their illustrious careers, investing in the markets, and splurging on luxury goods and real estate—and then they eventually buy a property in Connecticut where they bring up their families and seek to combine their taste for finer things with the reality of living in the suburbs.

Some people may have the impression that French restaurants are stuffy and perhaps “too fancy” for the average person.

Sure, you can expect the typical French restaurant to be a bit more expensive, but it is also typical to expect the experience to be a bit more elevated and elegant than what you would expect at the fast, casual bar and grill around the corner.

It seems that in the United States, people misunderstand French food (not to mention the French people). Today’s French restaurants are not those of your parent’s generation. If there’s anything that we’ve learned from tastemakers in the restaurant and food and beverage industries—RIP Anthony Bourdain—well-prepared food doesn’t have to be served on thick, white cotton tablecloths for it to be considered good food.

French cuisine has evolved to be more inclusive and innovative to survive on a global stage. In an interview with Michelin star chef Alain Ducasse during COVID-19, Ducasse told BBC that “French cuisine has always been in a statement of movement.”

If you live in southern Connecticut—and if you can’t hop on the next flight from JFK to Paris—take a drive to find your local French restaurant in Fairfield County.

Breakfast at Bistro V in downtown Greenwich, Connecticut

French Bakeries and Restaurants in Greenwich, CT

Let’s be honest—it shouldn’t come as a surprise that many French restaurants in Fairfield County are based in Greenwich. The average household income in Greenwich is a casual $265,944 and 91% of the working population identifies as “white collar” (Source: Point2).

The array of French bakeries and restaurants in Greenwich offers something for everyone. From crêpes and coffee at Méli Melo to sparkling birthday surprises at Le Fat Poodle, the local restauranteurs have the know-how to combine fine food and wine—and fun—with an unmistakable French flair for their clients.

Aux Délices

Best for—bringing homemade dishes to enjoy in the comfort of your own home

Founded in 1995, Aux Délices offers a range of prepared foods and catering services. In addition to the original location in Riverside, Aux Délices has additional locations in Greenwich, Darien, and Westport.

3 W Elm Street, Greenwich, CT 06830

Bistro V

Best for—people watching on Greenwich Avenue throughout the day and unwinding after work

339 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830

Happy Monkey

Best for—the Upper East Side New Yorker who constantly complains about not finding a good French restaurant

376 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830

L’escale

Best for—a romantic summer night outside on the deck or celebrating a special occasion with girlfriends

500 Steamboat Road, Greenwich, CT 06830 (located inside the Delamar Greenwich Harbor)

Le Fat Poodle

Best for—a fun night out for a birthday or just because!

20 Arcadia Road, Old Greenwich, CT 06870

Le Penguin

Best for—the classic French dining experience in downtown Greenwich

61 Lewis Street, Greenwich, CT 06830

Meli-Melo

Best for—casual light bites and crêpes with the family or early morning meetings with colleagues

362 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830

Raphaël’s Bakery

Best for—the most authentic croissant that you’ll find without being in France

146 Mason Street, Greenwich, CT 06830

Raphael's Bakery is an authentic French bakery located in Greenwich, Connecticut

French Bakeries and Restaurants in Ridgefield, CT

At the time of writing, it seems that the French restaurant scene in Ridgefield is currently in flux. In 2022, Bernard’s and Sarah’s Table closed after 23 years and the owners will open a new establishment as a storefront and catering service, À Table, in May 2023. Another well-loved French restaurant, Sucré Salé, closed in 2022 with plans to open another restaurant in a larger space located within the same plaza.

It can be argued that Café Luc reigns supreme as the go-to French restaurant in northern Fairfield County. Founded in 2001, the owner settled in Ridgefield with his family after running restaurants in New York City and moving to the United States from Fontainebleau, France.

Bernard’s and Sarah’s Table (Closed, will be À Table by S+B, Coming Soon, May 2023)

Café Luc

Best for—an authentic French experience with friends

3 Big Shop Lane, Ridgefield, CT 06877

Sucré Salé ? (Closed, will be TBD)

Luc's Café is a French restaurant in Ridgefield, Connecticut

French Restaurants in South Norwalk, CT

Over the past few years, South Norwalk has evolved into a vibrant restaurant and shopping district. The Maritime Aquarium is the town’s claim to fame, but it’s clear to see that there will be more to see from this area in the coming years. From the SoNo Collection—the new mall that opened before the pandemic in November 2019—to the comings and goings happening along Washington Street, there’s a lot to explore beyond the restaurant scene.

South Norwalk used to have two French restaurants—Appétit Bistro and Bruxelles Bistro—but they have recently closed and switched to different concepts entirely.

As of February 2023, Appétit Bistro is now a Colombian and Venezuelan restaurant named Los Remolinos. If you are curious to try Appétit Bistro, you can still visit their original location in Port Chester in Westchester County, NY.

Bruxelles Bistro, which had a French and Belgian concept, will be replaced by Bethel-based Taproot, a chef-driven restaurant with local ingredients, starting April 2023.

Appétit Bistro (Closed, now Los Remolinos)

Bruxelles Bistro (Closed, now Taproot)

Dinner at Bruxelles Bistro in South Norwalk, Connecticut, which is now closed as of 2023

French Restaurants in Westport, CT

When you think of restaurants in Westport, CT, you’re probably thinking of downtown Westport by Main Street or Saugatuck Village near the town’s train station. Rive Bistro, the Westport’s only French restaurant at the time writing, has a picturesque location along the Saugatuck River between the town’s two hotspots. The French bistro has earned its reputation as a “warm and convivial” destination for French food in Fairfield County. If you have any doubts about giving Rive Bistro a try, Executive Chef Roland Olah previously worked at Daniel Boulud in New York City before moving onto the Martel in Fairfield and most recently, Bruxelles Bistro in South Norwalk as Chef Partner.

Rive Bistro

Best for—Sunday brunches or sunset dinners to admire the view of the Saugatuck River

299 Riverside Avenue, Westport, CT 06880

Dinner for two at Rive Bistro in Westport, Connecticut

French Bakeries and Restaurants in Fairfield, CT

Fairfield has a pleasant hometown feel with its walkable downtown district. As a Fairfield resident, I may be biased, but the approachable vibe can probably be attributed by the fact that the beaches are right around the corner. The town is also home to two universities—Fairfield University and Sacred Heart University—so there’s an added vibrancy to the community.

There are a countless number of Italian restaurants across town, but the two French establishments in Fairfield hold their own just fine.

Martel Bistro & Bar serves a blend of French and New England fare that’s fitting for date night and larger gatherings with friends and family. Bonus points for buck-a-shuck night—oysters, clams, and shrimp are only $1 each from Sunday through Friday between 4-6 PM.

Isabel et Vincent is a family owned French bakery located in the heart of downtown Fairfield. The bakery is always busy serving fresh pastries and breads to clients—don’t be surprised when you see the line going out the door on weekends—so place any special orders in advance, especially for special occasions. Eater visited in 2017 and the writer was fairly impressed by Isabelle et Vincent’s quality for a French bakery outside of France. As of Spring 2023, Isabelle et Vincent will be serving wine and beer as well as French-inspired sandwiches for lunch.