I’ll be honest—I spent many years trying to leave Connecticut.
During the most transient period of my life—switching between Connecticut, Rhode Island, and France—I would occasionally dog-sit for my friend’s parents in Fairfield, Connecticut.
I had never spent time in Fairfield before. Several towns in Fairfield County have reputations of being “particular” or outright snobbish, but out of all of the towns in the area, I didn’t hear any complaints about Fairfield. For reference, I grew up in Wilton, which was considered one of the more nondescript towns at the time—the woods were so dense in areas that it felt more like Vermont.
Anyways.
I remember driving through downtown Fairfield for the first time, turning into my friend’s parents’ neighborhood, and saying to myself, “If I ever stay in Connecticut, this is where I would like to live.”
So, in 2021, when my then-boyfriend/now-husband had the opportunity to move from New Haven to Fairfield County, I was ready.
After living in Fairfield for almost five years, we find it hard to imagine living anywhere else in the state.
We have been able to explore most of the local businesses in the downtown area—and while it’s tempting to go down the line and highlight every single one, I’ve narrowed down a list to the favorites that we keep coming back to.
Whether you’re a college student living in the area or someone looking to move to Fairfield, this post is for you.
A few disclaimers—Since this post is focused on downtown Fairfield, the Greenfield Hill neighborhood is not included in this post, but it’s worth checking out alone for BE Chocolat, the top chocolate shop in Fairfield County. The Village of Southport is also a part of Fairfield, but it will be covered in a separate blog post. Finally, just because something isn’t listed in this blog post doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try it!
- About Fairfield, Connecticut
- Favorite Restaurants in Downtown Fairfield
- Specialty Food Stores in Downtown Fairfield
About Fairfield, Connecticut
Fairfield, Connecticut, is a beautiful coastal New England town that has much to offer residents of all ages.
The character of the town is influenced by its beaches, the proximity to New York City, the student life from two universities, and—above all—a passionate community that takes pride in both maintaining traditions and making changes to adapt to an ever-changing world.
For more information, visit the Town of Fairfield website, Connect Fairfield, and Fairfield CT Moms (an affiliate of The Local Moms Network).
Favorite Restaurants in Downtown Fairfield
Mecha Noodle Bar
A playful, high-energy fusion of Southeast Asian cuisine featuring pho, ramen, baos, and more. Originally founded in Fairfield, Mecha Noodle Bar is now a regional chain in Connecticut and expanding its presence in other states, including Massachusetts and D.C.
What to order: Mushroom Dumplings, Kale Salad; Spicy Miso Ramen with Tamago (egg)
Il Pellicano
Classic Italian made modern in a chic setting featuring Roman-inspired dishes. A great place for a date night or to celebrate with loved ones—or just because.
What to order: The olive oil flight, any of the small bites; in-season specials
Lantern Point Taverna
Committed to quality, a local treasure for Greek food lovers in the area
What to order: spanokopita, crispy feta phyllo, mousaka, fish-of-the-day
Rye Bird
An elevated American spot centered on chicken, but delivers much more
What to order: the chicken bucket, chicken pot pie, mac and cheese
Old Post Tavern
A downtown Fairfield classic in the heart of it all—always busy with locals and students alike
What to order: the burger
The Sinclair
The go-to choice for brunch or dinner with the girls or a Sunday Funday date night
What to order: mussels in a pot, eggs Benedict with salmon
Archie Moore’s
The neighborhood favorite for trivia night or watching the game with some wings, a few beers, and good company.
What to order: [don’t overthink it]
Gruel Brittania
A proud British establishment serving breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner, as well as imported gourmet goods.
What to order: fresh-baked scones, the full English breakfast, Shepherd’s pie
Martel
A classic bistro serving both American and French dishes, this restaurant is a staple in Fairfield every day of the week. A go-to for buck-a-shuck on oysters, clams, and shrimp from Sunday through Friday.
What to order: coquilles St. Jacques, escargots; duck confit, steak frites
Panicale
Fast-casual, handmade pasta and pizza dishes in a polished casual setting—conveniently located in the Fairfield Sportsplex.
What to order: the wine flight; any pasta dish
Oggi Gelato
A recent addition to downtown Fairfield, Oggi Gelato is the new gelato spot, located a few steps away from the Sherman Green and the Fairfield University bookstore. The founders of Romanacci—a well-loved Italian restaurant with multiple locations in Fairfield County—know how to deliver a great experience to the community.
Other Classics: Firehouse Deli, Saugatuck Sweets, Molto
If you want to experience the best first impression of downtown Fairfield, head to the Sherman Green off of Post Road at any time. The mornings are for commuters and school drop-offs, of course. In the afternoon, people head to lunch, followed by students grabbing a snack after school, and groups of families and friends going to dinner or deciding which sweet shop to choose for dessert.
Molto immediately borders the green on the left side, while Firehouse Deli and Saugatuck Sweets face the green from Reef Road.
Specialty Food Stores in Downtown Fairfield
In addition to an impressive roster of restaurants, Fairfield is lucky to have some of the best food purveyors in Fairfield County. It doesn’t matter if you prefer to cook or would rather skip the dirty dishes—all of the specialty food markets in Fairfield offer the best quality ingredients or prepared foods.
All of the businesses listed do accept special orders upon request, but are subject to availability based on market demand and should be given reasonable notice.
Nordic Fish
Founded by the same talent who also created—and later sold—Fjord Fish Market, Nordic Fish is a local staple for Fairfield and the surrounding area. Shoppers can expect to find fresh selections that are sourced as locally as possible, as well as a solid list of prepared foods, including shucked oysters and prepared lobster bake meals in the summer. Nordic Fish also has a fantastic partnership with the independently-run sushi team that works side by side with the fish market.
Harry’s Wine & Liquor
There are average liquor stores—and then there are wine shops. For over 80 years, Harry’s Wine & Liquor Market has helped customers find the right wine or spirit that they’re looking for. Whether it’s figuring out the proper pairing for an Italian dinner or the ingredients to make a proper Old Fashioned, the staff is knowledgeable and always happy to help. Customers can place orders over the phone or online—plus, Harry’s offers free delivery to Fairfield and Southport for orders over $50.
Harry’s also hosts tastings for customers—spirits tastings every Friday evening, wine tastings every Saturday from 1-4 PM. If you’re interested in more wine education, Harry’s also partners with Fairfield Cheese Company for wine lovers, from beginners to more experienced.
Fairfield Cheese Company
Named one of the best cheese shops in the United States by Wine Enthusiast, Fairfield Cheese Company has a variety of local and international artisanal cheeses and charcuterie. If you’re looking to impress guests or a host, order a charcuterie board for any occasion with confidence, and the cheesemongers will always guide you to make the best choices. For added convenience, Fairfield Cheese Company is next to Harry’s Wine & Liquor.
Custom Meats
Opened in 2017, Custom Meats supports local farms that share its vision of providing high-quality meat. Customers can expect a variety of cuts, sausages, smoked products, dry-aged steaks, and more.
One of the best things to buy at Custom Meats is the prepared burger patty. Paired with the Fatto a Mano buns sold on-site, slices of cheddar available across the street at Fairfield Cheese, and the perfect complementary wine (or beer) at Harry’s, enjoy the best bite of Fairfield right at home.
Isabelle et Vincent Bakery
A French bakery with a glowing reputation beyond downtown Fairfield, this is the place for beautiful desserts and, of course, baguettes and other breads. It’s very common for the line to go out the door before 8 PM on the weekends, so be sure to place an order in advance or have the patience to wait in line with the neighbors.
The Pantry
Yes, The Pantry is conveniently located in the center of downtown Fairfield. Yes, they offer a variety of fresh produce, gourmet ingredients, and groceries expected of an established specialty foods shop.
What sets The Pantry apart from the rest is its prepared foods and award-winning desserts.
For the baked goods, 99% of the products are made from scratch using real eggs and butter—and customers can taste the love in every bite. For catering needs, availability is limited to ensure quality control and attention.
Fairfield Farmers’ Market [seasonal]
Every Sunday from 10-4 in the Sherman Green, residents and visitors have plenty of local food and craft vendors to support. The Fairfield Farmers’ Market typically begins in early June and runs through Columbus Day weekend in early October.
New England Parisienne 