Fairfield is such a family town that it’s hard not to find a spot welcoming to little ones. That said, some restaurants go above and beyond to welcome the tiniest of diners. From clever activities to stave off the absolute boredom of waiting for the food to come to—gasp!—free meals, certain eateries have earned a warm place in my kids’ hearts, and in doing so have won over our business as well.
The places you’ll find on this list offer the tables around which my husband and I might enjoy a cocktail at in peace as well as fuel our family with fun memories. They’re the tried-and-true restaurants my family loves, and the ones to which we can’t stop going back.
Little Pub | 2133 Black Rock Turnpike
This may very well be every Fairfield family’s favorite restaurant because they truly offer it all. From killer burgers to crispy fish tacos, gooey mac and cheese to my favorite Thai Sesame Salmon salad, Little Pub serves the gamut, and they do it oh so well. Don’t sleep on their specials either! My kids regularly go for the hot dog (insider tip: order the off-menu tater tots as a side) and a Shirley Temple. But perhaps their favorite part about our dining experience at Little Pub must be the Wikki Stix they offer alongside coloring sheets at the table. I can’t tell you how many funky eyeglasses and waxy rings we’ve created while waiting for our food over the years. Top off the experience with a super friendly staff, fast service, and a photo booth in the lobby, and you won’t be disappointed here. If you ever do feel like venturing further afoot, we love visiting their Stratford location right on the water for makeshift vacation vibes.
MoMotaro | 1795 Post Road
A newbie to the Fairfield scene, but my kiddos will jump at the chance to go back here for a meal. While not mandatory, MoMotaro offers an all-you-can-eat sushi experience at multiple price points. And the best part is, kids 4 and under eat for free and those 12 and under are half price. No matter which route you choose, their menu is huge and features a wide range of delectable sushi as well as cooked dishes from the kitchen. You order from tablets and the food seems to come out instantly. Each time we’ve been, the servers have been delightful and super understanding of how chaotic a meal with littles can be. They’ve even offered us little trinkets that, dare I say, led to more glee than a Happy Meal toy.
Centro | 1435 Post Road
My primary reason for including Centro, admittedly, is for its location. On a gorgeous day, nothing beats sitting on their patio enjoying a cold beverage while my kids run around the Sherman Green and gazebo. That said, their food is terrific and their kids’ meals are generous. We usually order one kids cheese pizza and maybe the chicken depending on how hungry everyone is, and I’ll often enjoy their “Little Ear” Pasta or the Warm Chicken & Pear Salad. Afterwards, there are no shortage of places to walk for a sweet treat if you don’t end up ordering a homemade dessert.
Sophie’s Pizza Bar | 1275 Post Road
My son could write a book about how much he loves the bread at Sophie’s. He discovered it after I took him there for some one-on-one time, where they offer it alongside chilled pizza sauce, red pepper spiced olive oil, and whipped herbed ricotta as part of their insanely affordable three-course lunch deal. But truly, all of their food is spectacular. We always order multiple pizzas as well as meatballs, and the zucchini fritti were a big hit last time, too (Score! Vegetables!). Their happy hour deal, which includes food specials, corresponds with the timing of when families with young children usually eat, so that adds another point in my book.
Green Chilitos | 246 Post Road
Every time we walk into Green Chilitos, the owner Carlos welcomes us with a large smile, genuinely happy that we’ve come to dine with him. He always brings over a large bowl of chips with his homemade salsas, and my kids usually order one of his specialty drinks: horchata, mango pineapple citrus, or Jamaica made with sorrel flowers. To eat, the quesadillas are usually part of our repertoire (they’re served as a half size for kiddos), and I’ve been making my way through his menu. Some of my favorite items have been the enchiladas, anything with his incredible mole sauce (mind you, it’s spicier than I realized), or the tacos. It’s one of those places I want to go back to so that my kids can learn the value of supporting local, as well as enjoy incredible authentic Oaxacan-style Mexican food.
Vespino | 525 Tunxis Hill Cut Off
Vespino has become one of our go-to spots for pizza beach nights, but they offer a great sit-down experience for family dinners as well. Whether we’re eating inside or on their patio, the servers here have always been warm and welcoming, understanding the need to fire the kids’ orders ASAP. My daughter and I enjoyed one of their latest offerings, a pasta flight featuring any three from the menu (gnocchi and ravioli excluded) all served in pizza bread bowls. It made quite the impression, and was delicious, too. This doesn’t have to be during the same visit, but I implore you to also try their Gnocchi Bolognese—it’s incredible. If everyone behaves, we usually end up driving up Black Rock Turnpike for a treat at Sunny Daes, but their tiramisu is also very good.
Archie Moore’s | 48 Sanford Street
A sports bar is not the first place you might think of to bring the family for a quality dinner, but Archie Moore’s might be the exception. This is where we go when we’re craving some comfort food, need to eat while a game is on, or are itching to dig into some pulled pork nachos. With ample space, we’re never usually waiting for a table here, and the service is quick, friendly, and efficient. They offer a kids’ menu, but we’ve also ordered their burger bites appetizer platter, which includes six sliders, alongside some waffle fries and that has gone over well with our brood.
Yael L. Maxwell lives in Fairfield with her husband, son, and daughter. She’s a staff journalist for TCTMD.com, where she covers cardiovascular news and hosts the Hearts & Minds podcast, and she loves exploring local gems and inspirational neighbors through her work with Fairfield Lifestyle. Yael serves on the Board of Trustees for the CT/RI chapter of the National MS Society and has a side gig as a wedding officiant. She enjoys cooking, traveling, gardening, strength training, and having sunset pizza nights at the beach. @yaelleah yaelmaxwell.com