Best Custom Home Builder: Mattera Construction, Westport, CT, matteraconstruction.com
Best Architect: Wadia Associates, 134 Main Street New Canaan, CT, wadiaassociates.com, @wadiaassociates; Established in 1976. Offices in New Canaan, Connecticut, and Palm Beach, FL. Known for an obsessive level of detail. They don't just design "houses"; they create estates and compounds that establish family legacies. Their approach integrates architecture, interior design, and landscape into a single, cohesive vision. Their clients are often looking for the grandeur of a historic manor but the functionality of a 21st-century smart home.
Best Interior Designer: Morgan Harrison Home, 523 White Oak Shade Road, New Canaan, CT, morganharrisonhome.com, @MORGANHARRISONHOME
Best Landscaper: Dave's Lawn Service, Fairfield, CT
Best Home Decor & Furnishing: Found, 36 Elm Street, New Canaan, CT, foundanddesign.com, @Found.Design
Best Custom Pool Designer: Drakeley Pool Company, LLC, 74 Hickory Ln, Bethlehem, CT, drakeleypools.com, @drakeleypools, facebook.com/drakeleypoolcompany
Best Custom Furniture: ORNARE, 34 E Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, CT, ornare.com, @ornaregreenwich; Leading Brazilian luxury design company with a 40-year tradition of craftsmanship, specialized in high-end and sophisticated tailor-made kitchens, closets and wall systems. Presence in the USA since 2006, with many showrooms across the country.
Best Home Store: She la la, New Canaan, CT, shelala.com,@shopshelala
Best Realtor: Schuyler M. Morris, Brown Harris Stevens, 183 Elm Street, New Canaan, CT, BrownHarrisStevens.com, @schuylermorrisrealestate, @schuyler.morris; Schuyler Morris is extremely dedicated to personalized service, local insight, and beautifully executed results, every step of the way.
Best Real Estate Agency: The Vanderblue Team, 1499 Post Rd, Fairfield, CT, vanderblue.com, @vanderblueteam
Best Day Spa & Best Massage: New Beauty and Wellness, 128 Main St, New Canaan, CT, newbeautywellness.com, @newbeautywellness
Best Medical Spa & Best Facial: Element Medical Aesthetics, 80 Main Street New Canaan, CT, elementct.com, @element.ct
Best Cosmetic Surgeon: Anya Kishinevsky, MD, 148 East Ave, Ste 3H Norwalk, CT anyakishinevskymd.com, @dranyakishinevsky
Best Dermatologist: Dr. Elle de Moll, Elite Dermatology Physicians, 38 East Ave, New Canaan, CT, elitedermatologyphysicians.com, @elitedermatologyphysicians: Dr. de Moll is the founder of a patient-focused dermatology practice specializing in complex cases with collaborative, results-driven care.
Best Acupuncture: Indigo Wellness Group, 66 Glenbrook Road, Suite 300, Stamford, CT | 212 Post Road West, Westport, CT, indigowellnessgroup.com, @indigowellnessgroup; Acupuncture, functional medicine, nutrition, pelvic floor PT, and more — collaborative care that connects the dots.
Best Lashes: The Usual Lash, 142 Heights Rd, Darien, CT, theusuallash.com, @theusuallash; The Usual Lash provides premium eyelash extensions, lifts, brow shaping, and professional beauty products.
Best Nail Salon: Posh Spa & Nail, 1077 Boston Post Rd, Darien, CT, poshct.com, @darienposhspa
Best Blow Dry: Blow & Glow, 160 Main St, New Canaan, CT, blowandglowdrybar.com, @blowandglow.drybar
Best Full Service Salon: Eva Scrivo Salon, 56 Westchester Ave, Pound Ridge, NY, evascrivo.com, @evascrivosalons
Best Men's Salon: Hammer & Nails, 88 Heights Rd, Darien, CT, hammerandnailsgrooming.com/location/darien-ct/, @hammerandnailsgrooming
Best Orthodontist: Orthodontic Associates of New Canaan, 45 Pine St, New Canaan, CT, orthodonticassociatesofnewcanaan.com, @orthodonticassociatesnewcanaan
Best Dentist: Dental Specialists of Darien (Dr. Marie Falcone & Dr. William Zapata), 24 Old Kings Highway South, Suite 102, Darien, CT, dentalspecialistsofdarien.com, @dentalspecialistsofdarien; A big thank you to the Darien/New Canaan communities and beyond for supporting our practice for over 60 years. We are honored to be chosen by you!! We will continue to serve you with exceptional advanced esthetic/reconstructive and family dentistry!
Best Pediatrician: Darien Pediatric Associates, 106 Noroton Ave Unit 3, Darien, CT, darienpediatrics.com
Best Ophthalmologist/Optometrist: PRO EYE CARE, 36 Old Kings Hwy S #110, Darien, CT, getproeyecare.com, @dr.innalazar
Best Orthopedic: HSS, 1 Blachley Road Stamford, CT, hss.edu, @hspecialsurgery
Best Coffee Shop: Silvermine Coffee Roasters, 29 Harbor Ave, Norwalk, CT, silverminecoffee.com, @silverminecoffee; At Silvermine Coffee Roasters, we carefully roast specialty coffee all week long, bringing exceptional flavor and a richer coffee experience to enthusiasts across Fairfield County.
Best Bakery: Raphaël's Bakery, 370 Heights Road Darien CT, raphsbakery.com, @raphsbakery
Best Brunch: Elm, 73 Elm St, New Canaan, CT, elmrestaurant.com, @elmrestaurant
Best Smoothie: BARVIDA, 879 Post Rd, Darien, CT thebarvida.com, @barvidajuicebar
Best Fine Dining: L'Ostal, 22 Center St, Darien, CT, restaurantlostal.com, @restaurant__lostal
Best Casual Dining: The Goose American Bistro & Bar, 972 Post Rd Darien, CT, goosedarien.com, @thegoosedarien; A Darien favorite for modern American dining, bold flavors, and exceptional private events.
Best Pizza: Locali, 32 Forest St, New Canaan, CT, localipizzabar.com, @localipizzabar
Best Ice Cream Shop: Gelatissimo, 26 Forest St #2, New Canaan, CT, gelatissimoartisangelato.com, @gelatissimoartisangelato
Best Burger: Press Burger New Canaan, 19 South Avenue, New Canaan CT, ThePressBurger.com, @ThePressBurger; New Canaan's spot for clean, crave-worthy burgers, hot dogs, and fried chicken. Fine Fast Casual.
Best Lobster & Best Outdoor Seating: Rowayton Seafood, 89 Rowayton Ave, Norwalk, CT, rowaytonseafood.com, @rowaytonseafood
Best Sushi: Hashi Sushi, 11 Forest St, New Canaan, CT, hashisushict.com, @hashinewcanaan
Best Health Food, Best Grab and Go, Best Meal Delivery & Most Creative Menu: Kinney Lane Foods, 31 Vitti Street New Canaan, CT, kinneylane.com, @kinneylanefoods; Kinney Lane is redefining prepared food in Fairfield County with chef-driven meals, a curated market, and food you’re excited to come home to.
Best Mocktails: The Granola Bar, 1020 Boston Post Rd, Darien, CT, thegranolabar.com, @thegranolabar; The Granola Bar built its reputation reimagining brunch—and now brings that same hospitality-first approach to all-day dining. Founded by Julie Mountain and Dana Noorily, the brand focuses on what makes people come back: how the room feels and service that's genuine, not scripted. The Granola Bar delivers elevated, accessible food in spaces designed by operators who are, first and foremost, the customer.
Best Outdoor Bar: SE Uncorked, 15 Elm St, New Canaan, CT, uncorkedrestaurants.com, @southenduncorked
Best Bar: Blackbird, 103 Elm St, New Canaan, CT, zhospitalitygroup.com/blackbird/home, @blackbirdnewcanaan
Best Caterer: ONTHEMARC Events, 3 Duke Place, Norwalk CT, @onthemarcevents; ONTHEMARC creates memorable, well executed events using deliberate and mindful event planning, warm and caring service, and consistent menu delivery and execution.
Best Gourmet Grocery: Palmer’s Market, 264 Heights Rd, Darien, CT, palmersdarien.com, @palmersmarket; Considered a trendsetter in the industry, Palmer’s Market has been recognized in both national and international publications and has won over 31 “Best of” awards.
Best Casual Food Spot: Roost Kitchen + Coffee, 1950 Post Road, Darien CT | 236 East Putnam Ave, Cos Cob CT | 2075 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield CT, heyroost.com, @heyroost; Roost Kitchen and Coffee specializes in seasonal, fresh, scratchmade food and coffee, including housemade syrups.
Best New Restaurant (opened in 2025): Lombardi’s, 32 Elm St, New Canaan, CT, lombardisnc.com, @lombardis_newcanaan
Best Chef: Chef Prasad, 62 Main Street, New Canaan, CT, chefprasad.com, @chefprasad, facebook.com/chefprasadindiankitchen, facebook.com/prasad.chirnomula; Elevated, modern Indian cuisine rooted in tradition — thoughtfully sourced, in-house prepared, and unmistakably Chef Prasad. Chef Prasad has been a Fairfield County fixture for 35 years.
Best Florist: Earth Garden, 13 South Avenue New Canaan, CT, earthgardenflowers.com, @eathgardenflowers; Boutique flower shop inspired by the seasonal beauty of nature.
Best Jeweler & Best Fine Jewelry: David Harvey Jewelers, 995 Post Rd, Darien, CT, davidharvey.com, @davidharveyjewelers
Best Everyday Jewelry: Pennyweights, 108 Elm St, New Canaan, CT, pennyweights.com, pennyweights.etsy.com, facebook.com/pennyweights, @pennyweightsjewelry; Pennyweights is celebrating 46 wonderful years in beautiful downtown New Canaan.
Best Gift Store: The Whitney Shop, 100 Elm St #5406, New Canaan, CT, thewhitneyshop.com, @thewhitneyshopct
Best Men's Fashion Store: Darien Sport Shop, 1127 Post Rd, Darien, CT, dariensportshop.com, @dariensportshop
Best Event Dresses: Helen Ainson, 23 Corbin Dr. Darien, CT, Helenainson.com, @helenainson; Helen Ainson is an award-winning destination for Mother of the Bride/Groom.
Best Children's Store: Wee Mondine, 35 Corbin Dr, Darien, CT, weemondine.com, @weemondine
Best Private School: St. Luke’s School, 377 North Wilton Road New Canaan, CT, stlukesct.org, @stlukesct @stlukesstorm @slsalumni; SLS is a secular (non-religious) private school for grades 5-12 serving over 40 towns in Connecticut and New York. SLS offers innovative Emerging Tech
and Leadership core curricula and individualized Compass 1:1 Mentoring to help students discover their full potential.
Best Kids Program: Songs for Seeds, YWCA Darien/Norwalk - 49 Old Kings Hwy N, Darien, CT, @songsforseeds_tristate; Award-winning interactive music classes where babies through age 5 and caregivers sing, dance, play, and grow together!
Best Kids Haircut: Jul'Salon, 123 Cherry St, New Canaan, CT, julshairsalon.com, @julsalon123
Best Animal Hospital: Park Animal Hospital, 168 Noroton Ave, Darien CT, parkanimalhospital.com, @parkanimalhospitaldarien; We are the only family owned and operated animal hospital in Darien.
Best Pet Groomer: Anderson Pet Grooming, 408 Oakridge Cmns, South Salem, NY
Best Pet Store: Pet Pantry Warehouse, 21 Grove St, New Canaan, CT, ppwpet.com, @ppwpet
Best Veterinarian: Bespoke Veterinary Services, 105 Woodrow Ave, Southport, CT, bespokevetservice.com, @bespokevetservice
Best Yoga Studio: Sama Yoga Center, 45 Grove St. New Canaan, CT, Samayogacenter.com, @samayogacenter; At Sama, our award-winning studio, academy, teachers, and children’s programs reflect a refined, elevated standard of care—thoughtfully designed to support strength, restoration, and lasting well-being.
Best Barre Studio: Pure Barre Darien, 1958 Post Rd, Darien, CT, purebarre.com/location/darien-ct, @purebarredarien
Best Local Influencer: Megan A. Schinella, campbymama.com, @meganschinella; Hi, I'm Megan, creator @meganschinella where I share motherhood humor, family adventures, fashion and style. I bring laughs and a positive outlook on parenthood. Off the gram, you can catch me at Pure Barre class, playing tennis or hockey. Life is all about family to me and I hope to inspire you.
Best Local Podcast: HAYVN Hubcast, HAYVN Coworking, 320 Boston Post Road, Suite 180 Darien CT & 1700 E. Putnam Ave. Suite 208, Greenwich CT, HAYVN.com, @HAYVNCoworking; A flexible workspace and community to thrive, feel inspired, supported, included, and continuously grow together.
Best Event Venue: The Meadowlands at the Darien Community Association, 274 Middlesex Rd, Darien, CT, dariendca.org, @dariendca; The Meadowlands at the Darien Community Association is a graceful Regency-style estate set on nearly eight acres in the heart of Darien. With more than 15 sunlit rooms, formal gardens, a grand lawn, and four acres of open green space, it serves as a cherished location for community, learning, and celebration.
Best Event Planner: Luna & Charlie Events, lunaandcharlie.com, @lunaandcharlieevents; Story-driven event planning and design, creating seamless, elevated, unforgettable celebrations.
Best Bank: Darien Bank & Trust, 777 Post Rd, Darien, CT, ccbankonline.com
Best New Business (opened in 2025): On Brookside, New Canaan, CT, onbrookside.com, @onbrookside; Elevated tabletop rentals and event design for unforgettable gatherings across Connecticut and New York.