Fairfield County Favs

New to the area? Sick of your regular spots? Fairfield County is Connecticut's gold coast and there's lots to explore. I moved to Darien, Connecticut, when I was around six years old, and aside from a couple of years when we lived in Hong Kong - it's where I called home for the majority of my life! After five years in Chicago, my fiancรฉ and I moved to Stamford in 2023, and honestly, really struggled to find our footing at first. We were spoiled rotten when it came to our selection of high-quality, (relatively) low-cost restaurants in Chicago. After about a year of living in CT again, there are good spots - you just have to dig a little deeper to find them. Look no further - here's my list of tried and true eateries. From upscale restaurants to delis - this guide has you covered! If I've missed anything or if you need recommendations on anything else - let me know!
73 Places โ€ข ago
Free

There's definitely going to be some overlap between the sections but I've broken our favorite spots down by meal.ย 

To-Go Breakfast/Lunch

Fairfield County is home to the best breakfast sandwiches in the entire world. Typically we go for a BEC (bacon, egg and cheese) or a SEC (sausage, egg and cheese) dished up on a "hard roll" (which isn't hard at all) its soft pillowy bread. I always add hot sauce and sometimes add avocado or potatoes. I honestly don't know how they do it but they're unreal. Each place makes them slightly different so its fun finding which places you like best!

A lot of these "breakfast" places also make great lunch sandwiches with chicken cutlets. You can make any combination you want but my go to is chicken cutlet, cheddar, lettuce and chipotle mayo. Oh and a side of cones. They're tiny little fried mashed potato bites of goodness. You never regret a side of cones.ย 

BARVIDA.
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Corbo's Southside Deli
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Mama Carmela's Deli
@maevecutts
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Details
New Canaan Chicken
@maevecutts
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Details
Playa Bowls
@maevecutts
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Details
Reddi Rooster
@maevecutts
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Details
Rowayton Market
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sweetgreen
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Uncle's Deli
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UCBC Bagels - Darien
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Diners

After living in Chicago for five years, I didn't realize how lucky I was to grow up with the 24-hour diner scene I had in CT. Here's some of our favorite spots for when you're craving pancakes and potato skins at the same time.

Darien Diner
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Elm Street Diner
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Lucky's Classic Burger & Malt Shop
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The Stamford Diner
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Details

Sit Down Lunch or Dinner

Barcelona Wine Bar
@maevecutts
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Details
Bodega Taco Bar
@maevecutts
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Details
Cafe Silvium
@maevecutts
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Details
Capriccio Cafe
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Details
Charlies
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Details
Coromandel Cuisine of India
@maevecutts
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Details
The Granola Bar Darien
@maevecutts
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Details
The Goose American Bistro & Bar
@maevecutts
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Details
Little Thai Kitchen
@maevecutts
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Details
Mecha Noodle Bar
@maevecutts
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Details
Molto Darien
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Oishi Sushi & Izakaya
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Details
O'Neill's Irish Pub & Restaurant
@maevecutts
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Details
Prime: An American Kitchen & Bar
@maevecutts
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Rowayton Seafood Restaurant and Market
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Sails American Grill
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Scena Wine Bar & Restaurant
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Seamore's Darien
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Sunset Grille
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Tengda of Westport
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Washington Prime
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1020 Post Rd
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Pizza Pizza

Colony Grill - Norwalk
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Colony Grill - Stamford
@maevecutts
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Heights Pizza Company
@maevecutts
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Rowayton Pizza
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Sally's Apizza
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Coffee & Pastries

Arden's Rowayton
@maevecutts
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Flour Water Salt Bread
@maevecutts
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Details
Gregorys Coffee
@maevecutts
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Details
The SoNo Baking Company & Cafe - Darien
@maevecutts
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NEAT Coffee
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Sweet Treats

Brendan's 101
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Dairy Queen (Treat)
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Gofer Ice Cream - Darien
@maevecutts
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Gelatissimo Artisan Gelato
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Specialty Markets

Fjord Fish Market
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Pagano's Inc
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Everything Else!

I know it's hard finding your go-to spots when you move somewhere new so here are all the other places that I frequent from manicures to workouts and everything in between.ย 

Grocery Shopping

Palmer's Market
@maevecutts
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Trader Joe's - Darien
@maevecutts
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Stop & Shop
@maevecutts
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Trader Joe's - Stamford
@maevecutts
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Details
Whole Foods Market
@maevecutts
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Details

Beauty (Mani/Pedi/Medspa/Wax)

European Wax Center
@maevecutts
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Grace Nails & Spa
@maevecutts
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Posh Spa & Nail
@maevecutts
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Versailles Medical Spa
@maevecutts
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Details

Dry Cleaning/Tailors

Butler's Laundromat & Cleaners
@maevecutts
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Darien Cleaners & Tailors
@maevecutts
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Details

Workouts

Kaia Yoga and Meditation Darien
@maevecutts
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Pure Barre
@maevecutts
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[solidcore]
@maevecutts
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Darien YMCA
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Parks/Beaches

Cherry Lawn Park
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Kosciuszko Park
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Jennings Beach
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Sherwood Island State Park
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Waveny Park
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* * *
CURATED BY
โœˆ๏ธ a 20-something-year-old third culture kid always plotting her next trip ๐Ÿ›‚ 32 countries, 35 states & counting ๐Ÿคa lover of tasty foods, slow travel & a nice cuppa tea I was born in London to an Irish (๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ช) but American-born (๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฒ) mother and an English (๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง) but Singaporean-born (๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฌ) father. I lived in the UK, the US, and Hong Kong all by the time I was 13. My first flight was at 2 weeks old and I've been on the go ever since. I frequently travel around North America, Europe, and South East Asia but truly no place is off limits! I'm based in Chicago with my fiance and 2-year-old English Springer Spaniel! I've always loved documenting my travels with photos and videos, and sharing my recommendations and tips for traveling. From visiting varioius friends and family around the world, I have a local's insight to many great places. I can offer custom itineraries, city guides, food guides, travel consultations, and more! DM me on Instagram (@maevecutts) or email me (๐Ÿ’Œ maeve.cutts@gmail.com) to set up your consultation today! - Custom Itineraries: $15+ - 30-minute Travel Consultation: $30 Don't forget to subscribe to my Thatch profile and download the app to keep up to date with my travels all over the world!
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Fairfield County Favs

New to the area? Sick of your regular spots? Fairfield County is Connecticut's gold coast and there's lots to explore. I moved to Darien, Connecticut, when I was around six years old, and aside from a couple of years when we lived in Hong Kong - it's where I called home for the majority of my life! After five years in Chicago, my fiancรฉ and I moved to Stamford in 2023, and honestly, really struggled to find our footing at first. We were spoiled rotten when it came to our selection of high-quality, (relatively) low-cost restaurants in Chicago. After about a year of living in CT again, there are good spots - you just have to dig a little deeper to find them. Look no further - here's my list of tried and true eateries. From upscale restaurants to delis - this guide has you covered! If I've missed anything or if you need recommendations on anything else - let me know!
73 Places โ€ข ago
Free

There's definitely going to be some overlap between the sections but I've broken our favorite spots down by meal.ย 

To-Go Breakfast/Lunch

Fairfield County is home to the best breakfast sandwiches in the entire world. Typically we go for a BEC (bacon, egg and cheese) or a SEC (sausage, egg and cheese) dished up on a "hard roll" (which isn't hard at all) its soft pillowy bread. I always add hot sauce and sometimes add avocado or potatoes. I honestly don't know how they do it but they're unreal. Each place makes them slightly different so its fun finding which places you like best!

A lot of these "breakfast" places also make great lunch sandwiches with chicken cutlets. You can make any combination you want but my go to is chicken cutlet, cheddar, lettuce and chipotle mayo. Oh and a side of cones. They're tiny little fried mashed potato bites of goodness. You never regret a side of cones.ย 

BARVIDA.
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Corbo's Southside Deli
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Mama Carmela's Deli
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
New Canaan Chicken
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Playa Bowls
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Reddi Rooster
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Rowayton Market
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
sweetgreen
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Uncle's Deli
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
UCBC Bagels - Darien
@maevecutts
Add to
Details

Diners

After living in Chicago for five years, I didn't realize how lucky I was to grow up with the 24-hour diner scene I had in CT. Here's some of our favorite spots for when you're craving pancakes and potato skins at the same time.

Darien Diner
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Elm Street Diner
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Lucky's Classic Burger & Malt Shop
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
The Stamford Diner
@maevecutts
Add to
Details

Sit Down Lunch or Dinner

Barcelona Wine Bar
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Bodega Taco Bar
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Cafe Silvium
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Capriccio Cafe
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Charlies
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Coromandel Cuisine of India
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
The Granola Bar Darien
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
The Goose American Bistro & Bar
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Little Thai Kitchen
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Mecha Noodle Bar
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Molto Darien
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Oishi Sushi & Izakaya
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
O'Neill's Irish Pub & Restaurant
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Prime: An American Kitchen & Bar
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Rowayton Seafood Restaurant and Market
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Sails American Grill
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Scena Wine Bar & Restaurant
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Seamore's Darien
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Sunset Grille
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Tengda of Westport
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Washington Prime
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
1020 Post Rd
@maevecutts
Add to
Details

Pizza Pizza

Colony Grill - Norwalk
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Colony Grill - Stamford
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Heights Pizza Company
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Rowayton Pizza
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Sally's Apizza
@maevecutts
Add to
Details

Coffee & Pastries

Arden's Rowayton
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Flour Water Salt Bread
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Gregorys Coffee
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
The SoNo Baking Company & Cafe - Darien
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
NEAT Coffee
@maevecutts
Add to
Details

Sweet Treats

Brendan's 101
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Dairy Queen (Treat)
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Gofer Ice Cream - Darien
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Gelatissimo Artisan Gelato
@maevecutts
Add to
Details

Specialty Markets

Fjord Fish Market
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Pagano's Inc
@maevecutts
Add to
Details

Everything Else!

I know it's hard finding your go-to spots when you move somewhere new so here are all the other places that I frequent from manicures to workouts and everything in between.ย 

Grocery Shopping

Palmer's Market
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Trader Joe's - Darien
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Stop & Shop
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Trader Joe's - Stamford
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Whole Foods Market
@maevecutts
Add to
Details

Beauty (Mani/Pedi/Medspa/Wax)

European Wax Center
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Grace Nails & Spa
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Add to
Details
Posh Spa & Nail
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Versailles Medical Spa
@maevecutts
Add to
Details

Dry Cleaning/Tailors

Butler's Laundromat & Cleaners
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Darien Cleaners & Tailors
@maevecutts
Add to
Details

Workouts

Kaia Yoga and Meditation Darien
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Pure Barre
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
[solidcore]
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Darien YMCA
@maevecutts
Add to
Details

Parks/Beaches

Cherry Lawn Park
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Kosciuszko Park
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Jennings Beach
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Sherwood Island State Park
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
Waveny Park
@maevecutts
Add to
Details
* * *
CURATED BY
โœˆ๏ธ a 20-something-year-old third culture kid always plotting her next trip ๐Ÿ›‚ 32 countries, 35 states & counting ๐Ÿคa lover of tasty foods, slow travel & a nice cuppa tea I was born in London to an Irish (๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ช) but American-born (๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฒ) mother and an English (๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง) but Singaporean-born (๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฌ) father. I lived in the UK, the US, and Hong Kong all by the time I was 13. My first flight was at 2 weeks old and I've been on the go ever since. I frequently travel around North America, Europe, and South East Asia but truly no place is off limits! I'm based in Chicago with my fiance and 2-year-old English Springer Spaniel! I've always loved documenting my travels with photos and videos, and sharing my recommendations and tips for traveling. From visiting varioius friends and family around the world, I have a local's insight to many great places. I can offer custom itineraries, city guides, food guides, travel consultations, and more! DM me on Instagram (@maevecutts) or email me (๐Ÿ’Œ maeve.cutts@gmail.com) to set up your consultation today! - Custom Itineraries: $15+ - 30-minute Travel Consultation: $30 Don't forget to subscribe to my Thatch profile and download the app to keep up to date with my travels all over the world!
Send A Tip
Support Maeve Cuttsโ€™s work.
Select your tip amount
$5
$10
$20
$50
Or type in other amount
Read more about places in this guide
Powered by Thatch
The home for unique & authentic travel
Powered by Thatch: Where great trips are made.
ยฉ Maeve Cutts โ€ข Privacy โ€ข Terms