When you read most “best food” lists, they usually start the same way: the well-seasoned food critic rattles off their awards, years of culinary coverage, and all the reasons you should trust their refined palate. That’s not me.
I’m not a professional food writer. My résumé isn’t packed with restaurant accolades and I don’t pretend to be a culinary expert. In fact, if you peek at my @Bald_Bites bio on Instagram, you’ll see exactly who I am: “Just a bald dude posting food.”
What I am, however, is someone who has eaten breakfast out in Fairfield County almost every single day for the past 16 years. That’s roughly 5,800 breakfasts and I can say with confidence that qualifies me to know where the best breakfast and brunch spots are in town.
The places you’ll find on this list aren’t every great breakfast joint in Fairfield. They’re the ones I return to again and again, the ones I trust to start my day right.
Country Cow Deli
I fell in love with Country Cow back in 2009, when my colleague, Jim Serafino, a proud Fairfield Prep alum, told me I had to try their bacon, egg, and cheese. I can’t tell you exactly why it’s better than every other one in Connecticut, it just is. Maybe it’s the buttery roll, the perfectly crisp bacon, the over-medium egg, or the way the American cheese melts into every layer. Whatever the magic is, I’ve been ordering it the exact same way for 17 years.
Recently, a foodie friend, @Boujee_yet_humble_bites, convinced me to add crispy home fries inside the sandwich and now I can’t imagine ordering it any other way. Pair it with one of their rotating iced coffee specials (my favorite so far is the Samoa Cookie Iced Coffee) and you have breakfast perfection.
Located on Black Rock Turnpike, Country Cow is cash-only, but there’s an ATM inside. Expect a lively crew behind the counter who clearly enjoy the breakfast rush and who will happily fuel students, locals, and busy professionals alike.
Hole in the Wall
Since opening in 2016, Hole in the Wall has become a Post Road staple with its colorful blue-and-yellow exterior and an impressive menu that straddles breakfast and lunch. While their loaded breakfast burrito and spicy chicken omelet have cult followings, my personal go-to (recommended by my friend Daniella from @yella.eats.alot.ct) is the “Hole in One”: two fried eggs, steak, beef chili, American cheese, and a hash brown patty, usually served on a roll, but I like mine in a wrap with avocado.
If you’re more in the mood for lunch, their cheesesteaks are outstanding, especially “The Kicker,” with jalapeños, onions, and sriracha mayo for just the right amount of heat.
Pop-Up Bagels
Fairfield’s claim to Connecticut’s best bagel is, in my opinion, undisputed and the crown belongs to Pop-Up Bagels. These are bagels, not sandwiches (it’s literally written on their window). They’re sold by the dozen, served warm, and feature just five flavors: poppy, salt, plain, sesame, and everything.
The magic is in the texture a thin, perfectly seasoned crust gives way to a chewy, airy interior. Pop-Up also makes inventive schmears, from scallion cream cheese to cacio e pepe butter to chocolate chip cannoli spread. My routine? Grab a dozen, head to Sherman Town Green, and devour one everything and one salt while they’re still hot.
Old Post Market
Tucked in Fairfield’s beach community, Old Post Market is known for friendly faces and a breakfast sandwich that locals (and my friends @ctcocktailhunters) swear by. However, my favorite is breakfast option is their Stag Bowl.
Picture this: crispy tater tots as the base, topped with two fried eggs, barbecue-smothered pulled pork, silky cheese sauce, and a sprinkle of scallions. The textures are a dream, the crunch of the tots, the creamy melt of the cheese, the savory tenderness of the pork, and the richness of the eggs. It’s a complete breakfast experience in a single bowl.
Esh Modern Mediterranean
Esh is one of my favorite restaurants in Fairfield, period, but their Sunday brunch is in a league of its own. The space is sleek yet warm, with moody lighting, high ceilings, and the open flame of the taboon oven flickering in the background.
When I recently visited with my friend Casey (@Cheatmealfoodz), owner Noam Langleib insisted we experience brunch as a feast. What followed was a three-course parade of dishes:
- Fresh-baked flatbread with Esh’s signature dips, including my favorite Labneh with Sour strain yogurt, spice cherry sweet tomato jam, nigella, and olive oil.
- Their Croque Madame-inspired flatbread with mornay sauce, potato, prosciutto, comet cheese, and sunny side up eggs.
- Four entrées, including their shakshuka (poached eggs in a fragrant tomato sauce), wagyu bacon benedict, crispy chicken sandwich, and coal-fired Esh burger.
- Sweet finales of Moroccan doughnuts and one of the best French toasts I’ve ever had, top three, easily.
Paired with $10 sparkling rosé (available all day Sunday), this is brunch worth dressing up for.
Fairfield’s breakfast scene is fueled by creativity, character, and community. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic deli sandwich, a bold Mediterranean spread, or a bagel so good it doesn’t need toppings, our town delivers morning meals that are anything but ordinary.
See you at the counter, and if you want more bites from my adventures, follow along at @Bald_Bites on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.