The Ultimate Guide to Fairfield: 2025 Edition
From yours truly XOXO, The Point Magazine Team
Whether you’re a freshman walking around the quad for one of the first times, or a senior savoring your last semesters, the excitement and fun of Fairfield University life extends far beyond campus. From hidden coffee and lunch spots to beach sunsets and nights out in town, there are so many student-friendly spots and secret favorites waiting to be discovered in this little beach town. We want to take you through everything you need to know- from our favorite places to eat, study, freshen up, unwind and explore that are just around the corner. This is TPM’s ultimate guide to share the best of Fairfield!
Starting with the most important part of any college day- food. Whether you need a breakfast sandwich on the go to start off your morning, or need the perfect mid-day pick-me-up between classes, these are our favorite breakfast and lunch choices that hit the spot every time.
Chef’s Table: Breakfast sandwiches & meals, pastries, coffee, wraps/sandwiches, salad bar, soup, pasta/veggie/chicken salads
The Granola Bar: Great coffee, toasts (avocado, peanut butter), parfaits, salads
Firehouse Deli: Best sandwiches in town PLUS house-made pickles (bread & butter or dill!)
Old Post Market: Right on Fairfield Beach Road and perfect to grab a quick coffee, breakfast sandwich, tater tot bowls, sandwiches/wraps, salads, pizza & snacks
Hole in the Wall: Breakfast and lunch sandwiches and sides
More favorites:
Candlewood Market (smoothies & juices, coffee, breakfast sandwiches & pastries, selection of organic groceries)
Catch a Healthy Habit (smoothies & juices)
Playa Bowls
PopUp Bagels (pre-orders for grab & go)
& if you’re up for a little drive…
G Café Bakery (Southport)
Harborview Market (Bridgeport)
GG & Joe (Westport)
Terrain Cafe (Westport)
If you are looking for a good spot to study, some of these spots mentioned above are perfect, especially Chef’s Table and Candlewood Market. But Fairfield students love hitting other spots to get some work done at Las Vetas Lounge, Shearwater Coffee Bar and also the Fairfield Public Library!
After the sun sets and dinner plans roll around, there are so many delicious spots in Fairfield for every mood and budget. From casual bites to sit-down favorites, these dinner spots have quickly become staples in every Stag’s go-to lists for dinner spots in town!
Sophie’s Pizza Bar: Italian-inspired food with many appetizer options, salads, pizza, pasta, and other dishes to choose from (the BEST bread service; delicious Italian-drinks and known for espresso martinis)
The Sinclair: Classy-American food and offers a range of dishes, with seafood-featured dishes too (a lot of delish apps and cocktails too)
Malibu: Californian-inspired menu (coastal-Mexican dishes) such as chips & guac, open-faced quesadillas, salad and rice bowls, classic and seafood tacos, and ahi-tuna dishes (and of course, many of your favorite go-to Mexican cocktails)
Old Post Tavern: American food, great appetizers/happy hour bites, salads, pizzas, soups, sandwiches, burgers, etc.
Geronimo’s: Upscale-Mexican with a large menu of options; tableside chips & guac, margarita pitchers; great for a large dinner group/bigger reservation
Colony Grill: Pizza spot (only pizzas but many options); known for their classic pies, salad pizza, and hot oil pizza
More favorites:
Tequila Revolution (Mexican)
Quattro Pazzi (Italian)
Centro (Italian & offers some pre-made meals & food dishes to-go up front)
Gabagool Wine Bar (Italian-American style *cozy and fun winter time atmosphere)
Mecha Noodle Bar (Asian-American)
Maione’s Pizza Kitchen (Italian & has a small market with prepared food/order to go)
& if you’re up for a little drive…
Nomad (Westport)
Casa Me (Westport)
Lazy Sister (Norwalk)
And if you’re not up for getting ready to leave your dorm or house for a sit-down dinner but craving a good meal, these are some of the best spots to order to-go (either delivered right to you on campus or for a grab & go pick-up)!
Pronto: Salads, Pizza, Sandwiches
Fin: Sushi
Italian Kitchen: Authentic Italian pizza and italian foods/meals (AMAZING and known for their vodka chicken cutlet pizza and classic cheese/margherita pizza)
Pink Sumo: Sushi (Westport)
Emmy Squared: Pizza & Burgers (Westport)
And of course, no ultimate guide would be complete without a special mention of our favorite spots to unwind and meet up with friends for a happy hour or two! These are some of our Fairfield-favorite places to kick back after a busy day of classes, or celebrating the arrival of the weekend with friends! These local spots bring all the amazing and wholesome vibes, the best deals for fun cocktails, discounted drinks and apps, and a perfect excuse to toast to the “beach-college life”!
Old Post Tavern: Daily Happy Hour 3pm-6pm at the bar: Buy one drink, get a drink (drink chips for house wines, draft & bottled beer/seltzers, house liquor); Personal favorite of Fairfield students and the BEST homey-feeling happy hour atmosphere:)
Sophie’s Pizza Bar/The Sinclair/Malibu: Monday-Friday 3pm-6pm; Sunday Night “Reverse Happy Hour” 6:30pm-close (all wine, beer, spirits half off and discounted bar snack/appetizer/small plates menu)
Flipside Burgers & Bar: Monday-Saturday 3pm-6pm (½ priced drinks and discounted small plates and bar bites)
Molto: Daily Happy Hour 3pm-6pm (select menu of discounted drinks and appetizer plates)
Bodega: Tuesday-Friday 4pm-6pm (bar only- $8 drinks and discounted small plates); Taco Tuesday (every Tuesday for dine-in; $9 house-margs and $1 off all tacos)
Barcelona Wine Bar: Monday-Friday 4pm-6pm (50% off all bottles of sparkling wine; discounted menu of cocktails, beers and snacks); Sunday Half-Off Bottles
Local Craft Kitchen & Bar: Monday-Thursday 2pm-6pm (half-price margaritas, cosmos, clock out drink and wine specials, discounted small plates); Weekend Brunch & Bottomless Mimosa’s ($15 *nearly bottomless* mimosa’s; $7 mimosa special with brunch); Tuesday Trivia Weekly 7pm-9pm ($5 margarita special & $4 taco special)
South Bay: Tuesday-Sunday 4:30pm-6:30pm ($10 select cocktails, $6 beer, $7 house wines, $10 happy hour appetizers)
Geronimo: Monday-Friday 12pm-6pm ($6 happy hour appetizers, ½ priced select drinks and wine)
Because college life can get just as stressful as it is exciting, we are also sharing our favorite self-care spots around Fairfield– perfect for those moments when you need to recharge, relax and treat yourself to a little well-deserved TLC. These spots are also perfect for anyone looking to take care of their beauty-necessities!
NAILS
Ceci Nails (Seasonal Student Discount)
Finger Nail Salon
Kiki Nails (Student Discount)
Post Nails Spa
HAIR
Hair (great for any blowouts for any formals, special occasions/school events, grad pictures)
Lux Hair Salon (good for blowouts, coloring, cuts)
bird. (Westport; good for coloring appointments)
OTHER SELF-CARE
Bronze by Coy (Westport; spray tans)
Yoga Synergy (Hot Yoga/Hot Pilates)
Medical Aesthetics
SHOPPING
Marea (Fairfield alumni-owned fashion store and brand)
The Beehive (Home goods, decor and fragrance store, little gifts and cards)
Downtown Westport (outdoor shopping center)
Apricot Lane/Ciao Bella (clothing/apparel and accessory store for quick and easy finds; formal dresses sold here)
Olive My Stuff (high-end consignment shop)
Jane & Mercer (great prices and many options for business casual clothing)
We’re always on the lookout for new ways to have fun with friends! Whether it’s discovering hidden gems around the CT area, taking walks around the nearby beaches, or finding local events to attend, we are sharing our favorite activities to help you make the best 4-year memories during your time in and around Fairfield!
Sasco Beach Drives
Southport Neighborhood/Downtown & Beach area walks and runs
Sasco/Jennings/Penfield Sunsets (sunset pizza & wine nights)
Fairfield Beach Road Walks :)
Fires on the Beach (Wine & S’mores)
Sunday Farmer’s Markets (during the fall and right in downtown Fairfield)
SoulCycle (Westport studio & student discounted rides)
The SoNo Collection (shopping mall in Norwalk: Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Zara, H&M, Apple, Sephora, etc.)
Mystic, CT (day/wholesome weekend trip)
Yankee’s or Met’s Game (student-section package of tickets for a big group; take the train to stadium stops)
New York City Day/Night (by train → Dinners, Drinks, Concerts, The MET, MOMA, West Village Happy Hour & Dinner; Rockefeller Tree/Shopping/Christmas Markets during the winter/holiday season)
Hibachi at Beach Houses (for on-campus students: Akita Hibachi nights)
Sweet Basil Karaoke Thursday’s
Nutmeg Bowl (bowling alley→Tuesdays-Thursdays Rent-A-Lane $17 per hour; Wednesday Night Kareoke at 8:30)
