A few years ago, Fairfield’s restaurants were eating Westport’s lunch.
Our neighbor’s dining scene is still robust. But from Saugatuck and downtown to the Southport line, make no mis-steak: We’ve got our dining chops back.
The opening this weekend of The Bridge at Saugatuck — and the new sign at soon-to-open Riko’s — underscore just how many good options there are in that very walkable neighborhood.
Zucca Gastrobar, Tutti’s, Black Duck, Harvest, Tarantino, Romanacci’s, The Allium, Match Lobster, The Whelk, Kawa Ni, Rainbow Thai, Rizzuto’s, Viva Zapata, Renato’s, The Boathouse, Dunville’s, Lomito, Four Brothers … there’s plenty of Italian food (befitting the old neighborhood), and plenty that’s not (befitting the new).
Traditional, down home and very good: Pasquale and Maria Funicello, owners of Tutti’s.
Heading toward town, options include Rive Bistro, Arezzo and OKO — each distinct, all with plenty of passionate regulars.
Downtown is equally eclectic. On just a couple of streets, you can choose between Basso, Don Memo, Walrus Alley, Capulli, Il Pastaficio, Jeera Thai, Casa Me, Studio Café, Nômade, 159 Main, Joe’s Pizza and Hudson Malone. The Cottage is not far away.
On Church Lane alone, choices include a new French créperie, Choupette; the Israeli The Blondinit, Japanese Pink Sumo, and Korean Gogi. Plus, of course, the American Spotted Horse, and Emmy’s, with its “Detroit-style” pizza.
Closer to Norwalk, we’ve got The Naan (Indian) and Via Sforza (Italian). Further up the Post Road are restaurants like Gabriele’s Steakhouse, Little Kitchen, Terrain, Sakura, Little Barn, Tengda, Bar Lupa, Julian’s, Hungry Pot and Tiger Bowl.
Raman and Simi Bandra, at The Naan.
La Plage is a bit off the restaurant track. But its waterfront location, in Longshore, make it another special Westport spot.
You want Mexican? Besides Viva and Don Memo, try Mexica, Mexicue, Bartaco and/or Tacombi.
I haven’t even mentioned all the primarily or fully takeout restaurants — for example, Layla’s Falafel, Westfair Fish & Chips, Ed’s Fusion, Vedas, Border Grille and Yuki Kitchen.
Or the random places that are open for lunch, but not dinner, like Jr’s and the Original Pancake House.
And … you didn’t think I’d forget it, did you? … the Sherwood Diner.
Sherwood Diner (Photo/Lynn Untermeyer Miller)
Are all of these spots fine dining?
No. But taken together, they make Westport a destination to find food of all types, at all price points, and often, close to one another. That proximity helps create a buzz, and brings diners back from more.
Not just from Westport, but other towns too.
Including Fairfield.
(What’s your go-to restaurant? Where do you show off Westport, to visiting friends and relatives? What did I miss? Click “Comments” below.)
Jeera Thai is one of my all-time favorite Westport restaurants. Clockwise from top: Su Kho Thai, a spicy noodle soup; curry puffs (chicken with cucumber sauce); Bangkok Stir Fry, another wonderful dish.
(Restaurants are an important part of “06880” — the town, and the blog. If you enjoy our coverage of this, or any other local topic, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Add in Kneads to the Saugatuck gang … headed there now for one of their ama-a-zing egg sandwiches.
A few months ago, we were in Westport and ate at The Spotted Horse and had a fantastic meal. We were walking around town and sort of stumbled on it. Things have certainly changed downtown since I lived in Westport. As a side note, there’s a Vietnamese restaurant in Arlington, Virginia, very close to the Pentagon, that is exceptional. If you’re ever in the area, I highly recommend it.
We are very excited to be able to try the Bridge soon. I think you forgot to mention Gold’s near the little kitchen and maybe sukura and also on post road Tenga.
Golds is a Westport treasure. It’s has to be there for 60 plus years. Let me mention another restaurant that’s long gone, The Stage Door. I think it was torn down around 1964. A picture of it is part of Westport’s official photos. As a matter of fact, I knew the guy who owned it; his name was John Backiel. Hmmm.. that name sounds familiar.
I did mention Sakura and Tengda!
As for Gold’s: I consider it a “deli” more than a restaurant. Same reason I did not mention places like The Porch, Mrs. London’s, Old Mill Grocery, Kneads — they don’t seem like “restaurants” to me. An editorial decision for sure, and readers may differ with my interpretation!
Mrs. Londons’s, fabulous food, coffee and staff!
See my comments above. Not really a “restaurant.”
Esh Mediterranean in Fairfield and Paci in Southport are 2 other spots that I like to take my guests.
Let’s keep this Westport-focused!
I think you missed Coffee An’, And Shake Shack.
As noted above in my reply to Beth Berkowitz, I don’t places like Coffee An’ a “restaurant.” And I left out Shake Shack because it’s a national chain, like Sweetgreen’s, Pokeworks, etc.
Kneads and Momu Ice cream are favorites!
As noted above, I don’t consider them “restaurants”!
Don’t forget The Porch at Christie’s for it’s delicious Sweet P Bakery treats as well as outstanding breakfast and lunch fare.
See my comments above. I don’t put The Porch in a “restaurant” category – though I could be wrong.
Coffee An – Best lunch in town.
Yep – but see my comments above. Not a “restaurant” per se — at least, I don’t think of it that way.
‘Guess you can now do a piece on “restaurants vs eateries”!
Thanks for this comprehensive list of restaurants….its good to be reminded of all of them, and I’m thinking your readers may identify a few more…
Let’s not forget “Hook’d” at Compo Beach……On second thought…
Dan, You have six comments and have broken your own rule! As a punishment, when I hit the Powerball, you’re only going to get 1 million and not the 3 million I promised you!
Yamafuji- for their excellent sushi.
Until Andre and Mary decided it was time to retire, to indulge in travel and enjoy their extended family, my answer to what restaurant is our go to, take house guests to, even write about in a novel, would have been Finalmente Trattoria. We miss the owners, the food, the atmosphere. However, I know it is time to find some new favorites, so thanks for this article and the comments that come with it.