Local Guide

Fairfield County, CT

Welcome to my Fairfield County guide! I grew up in Darien and have now returned to raise my own family here. I feel so fortunate to call the beautiful Connecticut coastline home! We are eagerly awaiting the finish line of downtown Darien’s revitalization project (lots of new restaurants and shopping coming soon!) but I have plenty of favorite spots to share throughout Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford, Westport, etc. in the mean time! I’ve tried to make these recommendations useful whether you’ve moved to the area (and need a contractor, painter, or pediatrician!) or are just visiting for a day or weekend. Read on for my favorite family-friendly activities, restaurants, shopping, and recommendations for health, wellness, home professionals, and more.

Lunch / Dinner

BARTACO

A kid-friendly staple in our rotation, Bartaco has locations in Stamford, Westport, and Port Chester, New York, just past Greenwich but we particularly enjoy the Westport location where you can sit outside overlooking the Saugatuck River. I love the coastal decor and fish tacos for lunch or dinner, but it’s also a lively spot to meet friends for margaritas at happy hour.

cafe silvium

CAFE SILVIUM

A popular spot in Stamford with incredible homemade pastas and a homey atmosphere. Make a reservation or get there early as it fills up quickly!

casa me westport

Casa Me

An Italian café in Westport’s Sconset Square with a chic bar area, outdoor seating, and delicious homemade pastas.

fairfield county guide

DOPPIO

An unassuming Italian spot that Will and I frequented when we lived down the street in Greenwich. We ordered their pizza to the hospital after I had Teddy but also like dining in because of the extra friendly service.

EASTEND

An upscale restaurant at the bottom of Greenwich Avenue that’s great for girls’ night or a double date. I’m obsessed with the crispy cauliflower starter but their menu has something for everyone.

HARVEST

A go-to spot in Greenwich for a lunch date or meeting girlfriends for a glass of rosé — just don’t be surprised when everyone orders the shaved Brussels sprout salad (trust!).

La Plage

Waterfront dining in Westport located within the Inn at Longshore. A casual spot for fresh seafood or weekend brunch with beautiful views and a large outdoor patio.

La Tacqueria

Will and I were excited when this new Mexican restaurant opened on the Post Road in Darien. The casual menu and relaxed atmosphere are suitable for families with young kids, but there are always plenty of people enjoying margaritas at the bar too.

LE FAT POODLE

A cozy French bistro in Old Greenwich with a pretty interior and lovely service that makes a big show of birthday celebrations. Good for group dinners or weekend brunch.

LUGANO

An Italian wine bar with great tapas and pasta dishes in a chic interior in Old Greenwich. Fun for a double date or drinks at the bar with live music on Thursday nights.

Nomade

Yummy small plates in a stunning interior in downtown Westport. Their pretty patio with hanging rattan light fixturse is the best spot for an outdoor lunch!

Restaurant at Rowayton Seafood

Our all-time favorite spot where we love the fish tacos, lobster spring rolls, and hot lobster roll, but you really can’t go wrong — everything on the menu is delicious. Eat dinner while you watch the boats go by, then walk to Brendan’s 101 for an ice cream cone.

Rosina’s

This cozy Italian restaurant in Greenwich reminds me of some of our favorite restaurants in New York — a loud bar scene with tables packed closely together and some of the best pizza we’ve had outside the city.

seamore's darien

Seamore’s

A sustainable seafood concept from NYC now in the new Darien Commons development in Noroton Heights. You can’t go wrong with their lobster rolls and oysters but we also loved the firecracker cauliflower and guacamole to start.

tavern at gray barns

Tavern at Gray Barns

A gorgeous spot for a romantic date night, festive girls’ night, or dinner with parents or in-laws. The decor is stunning (and particularly cozy around the holidays), the cocktails are amazing, and I’ve never had a meal I didn’t love. Make a reservation — it’s worth the drive.

Ten Twenty Post

Ten Twenty is the exception to the generally sleepy restaurant scene in Darien and a reliable pick for family dinner or a double date close to home.

Terrain

A bustling café inside Anthropologie’s home and garden offshoot in Westport. Good for lunch with a girlfriend or weekend brunch with a reservation. Don’t skip the bread!

Breakfast / Brunch

ARDEN’S

A charming little neighborhood spot with decor made for Instagram and a small menu of salads, sandwiches, and toasts just across the street from Rowayton Market.

Meli Melo

Who doesn’t love a nutella crepe? This is an easy kid-friendly spot on Greenwich Avenue with great omelettes, smoothies, and plenty of sweet treats.

Mercantile at Gray Barns

A fun weekend morning outing is to pick up coffee and pastries from this pretty spot opposite Tavern at Gray Barns and take a spin around the Silvermine neighborhood on the New Canaan/Norwalk line (particularly picturesque as the leaves change in the fall!).

Roost

A go-to spot for us on weekend mornings on the Post Road in Darien. I love their avocado toast with a side of sweet potato fries.

Rosie

A popular brunch spot in downtown New Canaan that’s great for families with young kids. Think standard breakfast fare like breakfast burritos, chocolate chip pancakes, and build-your-own omelettes.

Rowayton Market

Where else can you pick up a baguette and fruit or a sandwich and sit on a covered patio overlooking the water? It’s the best spot for a weekend coffee date watching paddle boarders and boats go by.

Sweet Pea’s Baking Company

The perfect spot to grab a bite with a girlfriend with or without little ones in Old Greenwich. I love their caprese panini but they’re known for their homemade cinnamon rolls which are out of this world.

Takeout

fairfield county guide aux delices

AUX DELICES

An easy place to pick up a salad, sandwich, or veggie sides on days you don’t feel like cooking. I love their quinoa and kale salad shaker with sweet potato and maple vinaigrette! There are two locations in Greenwich, one in Darien, and one in Westport.

Rory’s

Home of my favorite Cobb salad in the world (I get mine sans chicken and bacon, but I’ve been ordering it since before I became a vegetarian in college!). It’s a tiny, dive-y hole-in-the-wall spot on near Trader Joe’s in Darien, but we eat in or order takeout at least once a month.

Rowayton Pizza

Our go-to spot for pizza night, with pasta dishes and Brussels sprouts that are as good as the main event.

Something Natural

An offshoot of the Nantucket classic located behind Saks just off Greenwich Avenue. If you’re missing your favorite summer sandwich, you’re in luck!

Tengda

A reliably good spot in Darien for sushi but everyone in our household also loves the string beans with garlic sauce and brown rice.

Things to do + see

Cherry Lawn

This 27 acre park off Brookside Drive in Darien has a wonderful playground for toddlers on up with lots of swings, slides, and things to climb! There’s also an old stone bridge, a community garden, and walking trails leading to the Darien Nature Center.

Cos Cob Park

Overlooking the Cos Cob harbor, this park has a small playground area and a short walking loop with views of beautiful waterfront homes.

Cove Park

A waterfront park in Stamford overlooking Long Island Sound with paved paths for strolling, biking, or scootering with kids. There’s also a grassy field in the center where you can bring a kite, soccer ball, or frisbee and let your little ones (or pup!) run around.

Darien Nature Center

A good spot to keep in your back pocket when your little ones are antsy to get out of the house during the winter, the nature center is home to all kinds of birds, reptiles, and bunny rabbits.

Maritime Aquarium

An easy weekend outing in Norwalk where kids can get up close with various sea creatures, take in a seal feeding, or participate in toddler storytime.

Silverman’s Farm

A quintessential New England farm in Easton complete with apple and pumpkin picking, a country market, tractor rides, and a petting zoo where kids can feed the animals. Go early as it gets very busy on fall weekends!

Stamford Nature Center

Home of our favorite playground with a treehouse, a huge slide, and a sandy area to dig for fossils. There are also lots of farm animals and they host drive-in movies in warmer months. This is a magical place!

Stepping Stones

You and your little ones can spend the afternoon at this interactive children’s museum in Norwalk and still not have time to play with everything. Our boys love the energy lab water station, where kids don waterproof aprons and watch balls swoosh through the tubes, as well as the light-up station, the dinosaur exhibit, and the tot town with all kinds of age-appropriate toys. They also offer kid-friendly lunch fare at their cafe!

Tod’s Point

Also known as Greenwich Point Park, Tod’s Point is a favorite spot for a long walk on the water in the off season (you’ll need a Greenwich resident permit from May to October). The park is huge (127 acres!) and offers lots of opportunities for collecting shells, skipping rocks, and taking in the view.

Waveny Park

This New Canaan park is our favorite for sledding in the winter! It’s also great for walking dogs or tiring out little ones on their beautiful nature trail.

Weed Beach

This Darien town park is a weekly visit for us — there’s a waterfront playground and swingset as well as paddle and tennis courts that must be booked in advance. My mom and I also love the beach yoga classes put on by Darien Parks & Recreation. Permit required in season.

Shopping

ASHA

A second story showroom on Greenwich Avenue showcasing Ashley McCormick’s fashion and fine jewelry pieces, many of which are named for favorite places on Nantucket. I love her mother of pearl earrings and pretty pareos!

Browne & Co.

Part home decor boutique and part café, Browne & Co. is the perfect spot to meet a friend in Darien for baked goods and gift shopping.

Everything is Rosey

A friend of my mom’s started this boutique that carries colorful decor items and resort wear — an easy spot to pick up a last-minute hostess present and have it gift wrapped on the spot!

Good Goods

I could spend hours perusing fabric samples at this downtown Darien boutique. The best spot to order fabric by the yard (and they’ll let you borrow sample books so you can get a feel for different colors and patterns in your space!).

Katie Fong

Custom design for brides, mother of the bride, and evening wear in a chic boutique off Greenwich Avenue. She designed the silk bow jumpsuit I changed into at our wedding reception!

Linen Shop

The most exquisite collection of bed linens, table linens, decorative items, and more in downtown New Canaan. Splurge-worthy and always inspiring!

Monogram Mary

A colorful monogramming studio in Old Greenwich where you can personalize everything from beach bags and cosmetic cases to children’s sweaters and straw hats.

Nantucket Monogram

We received the most darling children’s bathrobe for Teddy from this New Canaan shop and I adore their monogrammed gift assortment for children and the home!

sail to sable the cabana

Sail to Sable the Cabana

This is currently a pop-up shop awaiting a permanent home in the currently underway Corbin District revitalization project in downtown Darien. Here you’ll find colorful dresses and knits from Sail to Sable and many other resort brands. The perfect spot to shop before a warm weather vacation!

Serena & Lily

You’ll want to move right in to this 1889 Queen Anne Victorian, once slated for demolition before being restored to perfection and transformed into Serena & Lily’s Westport flagship. The displays of artwork, bedding, furniture, and lighting are ever-changing so there’s always something new and beautiful to see!

She La La

A New Canaan boutique that makes it easy to find birthday presents and hostess gifts (think candles, coasters, picture frames, and more!).

Stitch Stash (formerly House of Needlepoint)

My go-to needlepoint store right next to Starbucks in Darien. They have a great assortment of canvases and threads and offer finishing services with a long lead time (be prepared to drop off any Christmas projects over the summer months!).

Terrain

Endless inspiration for the garden and home! Their store transforms at Christmastime with gorgeous trees, twinkling lights, and ornament displays.

The Whitney Shop

An old-fashioned gift store that carries everything from fine china and traditional home decor to baby clothing and newborn gifts. If I’m short on time before a baby shower, this is where I go!

Beauty

Glowbar

If you’re looking for an efficient 30 minute facial that targets specific skin concerns, this Westport location is the place to go.

Lanphier

My hair salon pick in Darien — I’ve had great results with their Brazilian blowout!

Le Boudoir

The only blowout bar in Darien located just off the Post Road.

New Beauty Wellness

This pretty day spa in Westport does great lymphatic drainage facials and prenatal massages.

Spa Grace

My top pick for a mani/pedi in Darien. Do not skip the chair or foot reflexology massage!

Health + Wellness

Centrality Wellness pelvic floor therapy

I only discovered pelvic floor therapy after our third baby and I wish I’d known about it for the first two as well! I saw Sheron Desouza for several months after Tucker was born and had a really positive experience.

Club Pilates

My mom and I love this Pilates reformer studio on the Post Road in Darien. Don’t forget a pair of grippy socks!

Coastal OBGYN

This is the practice I switched to for my second and third pregnancies and I love that they have you meet with each doctor over the course of your pregnancy so you’ll always know the person who’s in the delivery room with you.

Countdown Fitness

I love once-weekly strength training sessions with Anel or one of his trainers. He swears 30 minutes a week is enough to make a difference and I always feel stronger after going consistently for a month or two! The gym is handsomely decorated and conveniently located at the bottom of Greenwich Avenue (though you should give yourself some extra time to find parking!).

Kaia Yoga

I’ve taken everything from aerial yoga to prenatal yoga at Kaia and it’s a great studio for all skill levels! The aerial yoga is a blast to do with girlfriends — I’m not kidding when I say the savasana was quite possibly the most peaceful five minutes of my life.

Pediatric Center of Stamford

This is the pediatric practice my siblings and I went to as kids and I saw no reason to mix things up when it came time to find a pediatrician for our own children. We love Dr. Couture, Dr. Kenefick, and Dr. Lasky but have had great experiences across the board!

Home Professionals

Accent Picture Framing

This gallery on the Post Road in Darien offers art restoration and custom framing — they worked on the oversized Nantucket painting in our dining room and did a phenomenal job!

Carolyn Brook

If you’re looking for a realtor in Darien, we had a great experience finding our home with Carolyn of William Pitt Sotheby’s.

Custom Upholstery

My go-to upholstery spot in Fairfield. Keith has reupholstered several pieces for our home including three armchairs, a chaise lounge, and a tricky birdcage chair. Call ahead!

Hector Garro

If you need interior or exterior painting or wallpaper installation, Hector is your guy. He and his team are lovely, professional, and do an incredible job! Hector can be reached by text at (203) 223-4350.

House of Prim

Meredith and her assistant Bruna organized the heck out of our pantry and kitchen cabinets and I’d highly recommend them for any problem areas in your home (closets, playrooms, you name it!).

Wood Builders

Mike Wood has been the general contractor for our kitchen renovation, mudroom and loft addition, and three bathroom remodels now and I can’t say enough good things about this family-run business and their team!

Where to stay

Gray Barns

If you’re looking for a splurge-worthy staycation, this impeccably manicured property in the Silvermine neighborhood on the Norwalk/New Canaan border is one of a kind.

Hotel Delamar

A waterfront property on the harbor in downtown Greenwich. They also have a location in Fairfield!