BY SUSAN SHULTZ
TREIN THE TE AREIN
Best of Fairfield County offers our readers’ choices to help live their best on CT’s Gold Coast.
hegloriousGoldCoastofConnecticutis hometosomeofthemostbeautifulviews, venues,andvacationsforyourpalate.Thisisthe firstyearofaskingvoterstochoosetheir favorites,andthewinnershavebeencrownedin anumberofcategories:Activities,Arts&Culture, Food&Drink,Health&Beauty,Home&Garden, Overnights,Shopping.Thesewinnersofferthe bestofthebest,fromthesmallestshopto decades-longneighborhoodfavorites.
ThebeautifulbackdropofFairfieldCounty’s “GoldCoast”offersthebestdayspas,beauty services,shopping,andmore.Andlet’snot forgettheculturalgiftsofartgalleries,museums, andlivemusic,whichgiveresidentsafulfilled senseofmindandbody.
Finally,wehaveourpracticalwinners thosecommunitypartnersinbanking,auto-
motiverepair,homeimprovement,landscaping,gardening,andmore.Thewinnersinthis year’scontesthighlightthediverseand discriminatingtastesofthecitiesandtownsin FairfieldCountythattheyserve.Agaze throughourwinnersoffersvisitorstothearea, aconvenientcarortrainridefromNewYork City,plentyofoptionsforafunweekendof dining,shopping,andself-care.
Thelistalsooffersresidentsavaluedguidebookfortheservicestheyneedmost.These independentbusinessesdeservetoberecognizedfortheircontributionstothecommunities inwhichtheyhavemadeanimpact.Ifyoustop by,besuretosayawell-earnedcongratulations! Anddon’tforgettoshoplocal!
VisitWWW.CTINSIDER/BEST/BEST-OFFAIRFIELD forthefulllistofwinners.
BEST FARMERS MARKET
Bethel Farmers’ Market
County Runner-Up
MonroeFarmer’sMarket
County Finalist
NewCanaanFarmersMarket
BEST INDOOR FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
Goldfish Swim School, Norwalk
County Runner-Ups
Round1Bowling&Arcade
DanburyFairMall
County Finalists
Pinstripes
TheCave(Formerly MonsterMiniGolf)
BEST MINI GOLF COURSE
Sports Center of Connecticut
BEST MUSIC FESTIVAL
Soundside Music Festival
BEST PICK YOUR OWN FARM
Blue Jay Orchards
County Runner-Up
JonesFamilyFarms
BEST PUBLIC GOLF COURSE
Oak Hills Golf Course
County Runner-Up
FairchildWheelerGolfCourse
County Finalist
RichterParkGolfCourse
BEST STATE PARK
BEST WEDDING VENUE
Serafresca at the IC
County Runner-Up
TheSurfsideHotel
County Finalists
TarrywileMansion
TheAmberRoomColonnade
Putnam Memorial State Park
HEALTH& BEAUTY
BEST HAIR SALON
Annmarie’s Hair On Madison
County Runner-Up
LaJolieSalon&Spa
County Finalists
ANewBeginning
BlushBeautyLounge
Klicker’sHairStudio
BEST LOCALLY OWNED
FITNESS CLUB OR GYM
Performance Optimal Health
County Runner-Up
BEST MASSAGE STUDIO
Rapha Massage
County Runner-Up
TheWillowsMassage& WellnessCenter
County Finalists
Flex&FlowBodywork
PerformanceOptimalHealth
SamMassage&FootSpa
BEST MEDICAL SPA
Revive Beauty & Wellness
BEST NAIL SALON
Nails & Beyond
County Runner-Up
TipTopNails
County Finalists
EnjoyNails
HoneymoonNails&Spa
BEST TATTOO PARLOR
Sovereign Gallery & Tattoo Studio
County Runner-Up
LuvInk
BDxFitness,Shelton
BDx Shelton
County Runner-Up
County Finalists
BurnBootCamp
CrossFitStamford
County Finalists Boot &Fitness
Shak’sBoxing&Fitn
Newtown
NewtownMedispa
BEST YOGA STUDIO
Ethereal Beauty Studio
County Finalists
County Finalists
GoldenAestheticsMedspa
NovaLushAesthetics
hydr Infusion
County Runner-Up
ManipuraPowerYoga,Brookfield
County Finalists
SamaYogaCenter
TheAngelCooperative YogaSynergyatSportsplex
SHOPPING
BEST BIKE SHOP
Danny’s Cycles
BEST CONSIGNMENT SHOP
At Home Again
BEST FURNITURE STORE
Stickley Furniture & Mattress
BEST GIFT OR SPECIALTY SHOP
UK Gourmet
County Runner-Up
BrookfieldCraftCenter
BEST LOCAL GROCERY STORE
Bethel Organics & Specialty Market
County Runner-Up
Caraluzzi’sMarket
County Finalist
ShopRite
BEST MEAT MARKET/BUTCHER
Hungarian Meat Market
unty Finalists Provisions
MellowMonkey
ST HARDWARE STORE
Hardware of Bethel
unty Runner-Up
Ring’sEnd
BEST INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE, NEW BOOKS
Byrd’s Books
County Runner-Up
TheBooksmithsShoppe
County Finalists
AthenaBooks
BarrettBookstore
KindredThoughtsBookstore
BEST JEWELER
Marks of Design
County Runner-Up
QualityGem
County Finalists
ErinDeLucaJewelry
PaulMortonJewelers
BEST PET SALON OR BOUTIQUE Barking Lot
BEST RECORD CD SHOP Disc & Dat
BEST TOY STORE The Toy Room
BEST USED BOOKSTORE
The Booksmiths Shoppe
County Runner-Up
RainyDayPaperback
BEST WOMEN’S CLOTHING STORE
Pink Lemon
County Runner-Up
TheTrendCo.ClothingBoutique
County Finalists
JulieAllenBridals
TravelingChicBoutique,Brookfield
HOME& GARDEN
BEST ANTIQUES OR VINTAGE SHOPPING
Stratford Antique Center
BEST ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR
Smeriglio Electric
BEST FLORIST
Rosa’s Florist
County Runner-Up
Alice’sFlowerShop&ACountryTouchGifts
County Finalists
BotanicalsbyJessica
CityLineFlorist
Hansen’sFlowerShop
BEST GARDEN CENTER OR NURSERY
Hollandia Nurseries & Farm
County Runner-Up
Benedict’sHome&Garden
County Finalists
DesignsbyLee
Shakespeare’sGarden
BEST HOME DECOR
CT Window Film & Tinting
County Runner-Up
BumbleBeeBlinds
County Finalists
DesignbytheJonathans
InspiredDesign
MellowMonkey
BEST HOME REMODELER
The Patch Boys, Danbury & Norwalk
County Runner-Up
VonderhaarPainting
County Finalists
CaliforniaClosets,Monroe
ClosetFactory
EliteInteriorRenovations
BEST HVAC COMPANY
Devine Bros
BEST INTERIOR DESIGNER
Living Interiors of Connecticut
County Runner-Up
DesignbytheJonathans
County Finalists
InspiredDesign
LitehouseDesigns
RobertaAnnInteriors
BEST LANDSCAPER
Hollandia Landscape & Design
County Runner-Up
ChathamGreenLandscapes
County Finalists
GreenSolutionsLandscaping
Stopa’sLandscaping
BEST PLUMBER
Advanced Rooter Plumbing
FOOD& DRINK
BEST BAGELS
Ridgefield Bagels & Bakes
County Runner-Up
BagelKingofBridgeport
County Finalists
BagelDelight
LizSueBagels
UncleLeo’s&RosnyGourmet
BEST BAKERY
Varano Bakery
County Runner-Up
RidgefieldBagels&Bakes
County Finalists
DelPreteItalianPastry
DiMarePastryShop
PurdyHillBakery
BEST BEER BAR
Monroe Social
County Runner-Up
LittlePub
County Finalists
Michael’sTapRoom NOTCH8
RosyTomorrow’s
BEST BREWERY
Charter Oak Brewing & Taproom
County Runner-Ups
BrokenSymmetry
GastroBrewery
County Finalists
NodHillBrewery
SpacecatBrewingCo.
Taproom&BeerGarden
TwoRoadsBrewingCompany
Monroe Social
County Runner-Up
FlipsideBurgers&Bar
County Finalists
Blackbird’sNest
BRYACBlackRock
LittlePub
Taco Road Trip (Moonlight Mobile Kitchen)
County Runner-Up
RanchoAlegre
County Finalists
¡AyGüey!Cafe&CocinaMexicana
CasaOaxaca LittlePub
BEST CHICKEN WINGS
Monroe Social
County Runner-Ups
FlipsideBurgers&Bar
LittlePub
County Finalists
ArchieMoore’sBar&Restaurant
RanchoAlegre
BEST COCKTAIL BAR
Monroe Social
County Runner-Up
SpiceIndianCuisine&Bar
County Finalists
FlipsideBurgers&Bar
LittlePub
PuertoVallarta
BEST COFFEE ROASTER
Redding Roasters
County Runner-Up
BDProvisions
County Finalists
BonJoCoffeeRoasters
CandlewoodMarket
SoundCoffee
BEST COFFEEHOUSE
Molten Java
County Runner-Up
CaféDuo
County Finalists
FrenchiesCoffeeBar
GroundsDonutHouse
HumbledCoffeehouse
BEST DELI OR SANDWICH SHOP
Dal Mare Pizzeria
County Runner-Up
ForPete’sSakeDelicatessen
County Finalists
Gaetano’sDeli
Rocco’sCafe&Delicatessen
TheCuttingWedge
BEST DINER
Sycamore Drive-In
County Runner-Up
Orem’sDiner
County Finalists
BlueColonyDiner
PlazaDinerRestaurant
StamfordDiner
BEST DISTILLERY
Litchfield Distillery
County Runner-Up
FifthStateDistillery
County Finalist
Sono1420AmericanCraftDistillers
BEST FOOD TRUCK
Taco Road Trip (Moonlight
Mobile Kitchen)
County Runner-Up
BrazilianBBQBoys
County Finalists
LittlePub
StanziatosWoodFiredPizzaTruck
TheTastyYolk(FoodTruck)
BEST GRINDERS
Dal Mare Pizzeria
County Runner-Up
GoodfellasPizzeria
County Finalists
FamousPizzaHouse
FatTony’sDeli&Pizzeria
Gaetano’sDeli
BEST HEALTH FOOD STORE
Bethel Organics &
Specialty Market
County Runner-Up
ChamomilleNaturalFoods
BEST HOT DOGS
Super Duper Weenie
County Runner-Ups
Blackbird’sNest
CricketCarHop
County Finalists
FlipsideBurgers&Bar
LunchLadyGerri’s
WindmillTavern
BEST ICE CREAM
Ferris Acres Creamery
County Runner-Up
DrMike’sIceCreamShop
County Finalists
DeborahAnn’sSweetShoppe
GoferIceCream
ILBacioIceCream
BEST IRISH PUB
O’Brien’s Irish Pub
County Runner-Up
LittlePub
County Finalists
MollyDarcy’sIrishPub& Restaurant
O’Neill’sIrishPub&Restaurant
BEST LGBTQ-FRIENDLY BAR
Troupe429
County Runner-Up
LittlePub
BEST LOBSTER ROLLS
Monroe Social
County Runner-Up
CommunityShellfishConnecticut
County Finalists
BRYACBlackRock
JLawKitchen&CraftBar
MatchBurgerLobster
BEST LOCAL DOUGHNUTS
Uncle Leo’s & Rosny Gourmet
County Runner-Up
DonutCrazyShelton
County Finalists
BeldottiBakeries
GroundsDonutHouse
SoFreshDoughnutCo.
BEST LOCALLY OWNED LIQUOR STORE
Taunton Wine & Liquor
County Runner-Up
CentralPackageStore
BEST LOCALLY OWNED WINE SHOP
Taunton Wine & Liquor
County Runner-Ups
Ancona’sWines&Liquors
CentralPackageStore
TheTownCellar
BEST OUTDOOR OR ROOFTOP BAR
Little Pub
County Runner-Up
VestaRooftopCafe
County Finalist
Blackbird’sNest
BEST OYSTER BAR
BRYAC Black Rock
BEST PIZZA
Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana
County Runner-Up
DalMarePizzeria
County Finalists
Capri’sPizzeria
FamousPizza,Bethel
Stanziato’sWoodFiredPizza
BEST SPORTS BAR
Pippa’s Sports Cafe
County Runner-Up
LittlePub
County Finalist
CoverTwoSportsCafe
BEST SUSHI
Nordic Fish
County Runner-Up
HouseofYoshida
County Finalists
OchaThai&JapaneseCuisine
RedLotusRestaurant
ToroChinese,Japanese &Hibachi
BEST TACO
Taco Road Trip (Moonlight
Mobile Kitchen)
County Runner-Up
CasaOaxaca
County Finalists
¡AyGüey!Cafe&CocinaMexicana
LittlePub
RanchoAlegre
BEST WINE BAR
Little Pub
County Runner-Up
LaZingaraRestaurant
County Finalists
Blackbird’sNest
DavinaModernItalian
PortofinoPizza
BEST WINERY OR VINEYARD
Aquila’s Nest Vineyards
County Runner-Up
HawkRidgeWinery
ARTS& CULTURE
WhereYourDreamWeddingBecomesReality
Yourweddingdayisaonce-in-a-lifetimecelebration,andSerafrescaattheICis heretomakeitextraordinary.Fromthemomentyouandyourguestsarrive,you’ll beimmersedinanatmosphereofeleganceandromance—settingtheperfect toneforyourunforgettableday.
Thankyou forvotingforus
BestWeddingVenuein FairfieldCounty!
1620NewfieldAve,Stamford (203)322-6950 www.serafrescaic.com
BEST ART GALLERY
Georgetown Art & Cultural Center
County Runner-Up
LoftArtistsAssociation
County Finalist
GeorgetownSchooloftheArts
BEST CULTURAL ATTRACTION FOR FAMILIES
Georgetown Art & Cultural Center
BEST HISTORICAL ATTRACTION
Weir Farm National Historic Park
County Runner-Up
GeorgetownArt&CulturalCenter
BEST INDEPENDENT MOVIE THEATER
Greenwood Features
County Runner-Up
AvonTheatreFilmCenter
County Finalist
ProspectorTheater
BEST MUSEUM
The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum
County Runner-Up
Brucemuseum
BEST MUSIC VENUE, LARGE
Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater
BEST MUSIC VENUE, SMALL Ridgefield Playhouse
County Runner-Up ParkCItyMusicHall
County Finalist BRYACBlackRock
BEST PRIVATE OR CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Catholic Academy of Stamford
County Runner-Up ChristianHeritageSchool
County Finalists
ImmaculateHighSchool
SacredHeartGreenwich WoosterSchool
BEST THEATRICAL VENUE, SMALL Center Stage Theatre
County Runner-Up CurtainCall
County Finalists ACTofConnecticut RidgefieldPlayhouse
BESTof FAIRFIELDCOUNTY2025
Jeremy Frey: Woven June
