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.
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