Your backyard grill has seen more action than a short-order cook’s flattop. Your teenager now critiques your plating technique. Perhaps it’s time to trade the home kitchen for a table where someone else does the dishes. Whether you’re craving wood-fired pizza after Little League or seeking a wine-paired tasting menu for an anniversary, this guide highlights Fairfield’s finest culinary destinations where every meal feels like a mini-vacation.
Joe’s Buffet
$ | (707) 425-2317 | WEBSITE
Here’s a quick list of charming things to appreciate in downtown Fairfield right now: a quiet afternoon stroll through the historic district, the comfortable booths at the local library, and the generous sandwiches at Joe’s Buffet. This spot is serving freshly cut meats like roast beef and pastrami, as well as their typical menu of stacked sandwiches, homemade sides, and au jus. The atmosphere is calm and welcoming, with attentive staff who make you feel right at home.
It’s the kind of place where you can settle in with a French dip packed full of meat and enjoy the simple pleasure of a satisfying meal. The value is great, with sandwiches starting around $8.99, and the experience feels like visiting an old friend who always knows how to make you feel welcome.
Wooden Valley Winery
$$ | (707) 864-0730 | WEBSITE
Taste something that feels distant from anything that could conceivably come out of your cellar, like a $25 five-wine flight from Wooden Valley Winery. This Suisun Valley spot is offering its exceptional tasting during 11am and 4pm visits on Thursday through Sunday.
Carnitas el Rincon Fairfield
$ | (707) 673-2633 | WEBSITE
If you’re looking for a new Mexican spot to try, Carnitas el Rincon Fairfield is a highly-recommended option in Fairfield where you’ll find things like a super burrito with carnitas, authentic carnitas tacos, or that exceptional green salsa. They’re serving up friendly staff and the right texture and flavor, with some calling it the only authentic place around. The carnitas are a highlight, and customers appreciate the option to enjoy their meal in tacos as well.
Valentina’s
$ | (707) 430-1200 | WEBSITE
Valentina’s is one of the best places to get authentic Mexican food in Fairfield, whether you’re looking for a quick pit stop or a satisfying meal on the go. Most of the dishes here are available as tacos or burritos, and if you’re feeling really ambitious, you can get yours topped with things like house-made chicharones or fresh guacamole.
Denny’s
$ | (707) 389-4698 | WEBSITE
While this is mostly a classic American diner, you can still eat things like breakfast platters, grilled chicken sandwiches, burgers, and mozzarella sticks along with your coffee in the welcoming dining room. This Denny’s is open 24 hours, so if you’re looking to spend a weekend morning outside of the chaos you once called your kitchen, this is a great spot to know about.
The Original Mels Diner
$ | (707) 425-4452 | WEBSITE
If you live in Fairfield, you probably know The Original Mels Diner as your neighborhood spot for ribeye steak and chicken fried steak. Or at least you should. You can drop by their welcoming booths any day for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, soaking in that groovy 80s nostalgia.
The Habit Burger Grill
$ | (707) 430-9780 | WEBSITE
If you want to grab a quick bite and enjoy a Chicken Club sandwich with crispy fries, The Habit Burger Grill is open for casual dining. This popular restaurant in Fairfield has a welcoming atmosphere inside, and you can order efficiently at the counter.
Evelyn’s Big Italian
$ | (707) 421-9000 | WEBSITE
If you’re looking for the kind of Fairfield night that involves giant 32-inch pizzas, creamy chicken alfredo, and family spaghetti with huge portions, you can’t do better than this New York-style Italian spot. Their cozy dining room has that warm historical ambiance, and you can reserve your table by calling ahead for large groups or special events.
Pho Lee Hoa Phat 7
$ | (707) 426-9999 | WEBSITE
This Fairfield gem on the local dining scene offers a spacious dining area with a calming ambiance that feels like it came straight out of a Vietnamese hospitality guide. They’re open daily for lunch and dinner service, with convenient take-out options available. Stop by for their standout chicken pho, delicious egg rolls, or the popular taro drink for a satisfying meal.
Your Town’s Cafe
$ | (707) 423-1965 | WEBSITE
Your Town’s Cafe serves hearty, satisfying breakfasts at wallet-friendly prices, and their Fairfield location offers a cozy dining room with warm lighting and comfortable booths. If you want to avoid the morning rush, you can always arrive early on weekends for their popular chicken and waffles.
Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que (To Go Only)
$$ | (707) 759-9924 | WEBSITE
If we were barbecue purists who judged ribs for sport, we’d call this takeout-only setup, ‘Dave’s Ribs By The Side Of The Highway.’ OK, sorry we made you read that. What’s really important here is that the ribs are first come, first cooked, and that Famous Dave’s is serving their perfectly tender, seasoned-to-taste ribs. You can swing by anytime using their mobile app to snag deals like the Family Feast plus 6 wings for $30.
Frank & Yuen’s
$ | (707) 428-3230 | WEBSITE
This neighborhood Chinese restaurant in Fairfield has a clean, basic dining room with booths and tables spaced out for comfortable seating. Frank & Yuen’s serves generous portions of tasty dishes like beef chow fun, chicken with string beans, vegetable fried rice, Cherry Chicken, and green beans with chicken and onions – try the hot and sour soup with its unique flavor profile.
The complimentary basket of fried noodles and house soup upon seating is a pleasant surprise, along with free hot tea available upon request. While the Mongolian beef comes generously served on fried rice noodles, some pieces of beef can be a bit tough, and the egg foo young has a texture that differs from traditional expectations. Despite these minor critiques, the service is outstanding, especially with busy to-go orders, and everything is freshly cooked and served hot.
The restaurant offers take-out and has a nice atmosphere for dining in, complete with that hot tea. While it may be a bit pricey, Frank & Yuen’s remains a great choice for those craving good Chinese food, with massive quantities ensuring plenty of leftovers for later meals.
Pikul Thai Bistro
$ | (707) 803-5338 | WEBSITE
We typically turn to this Thai spot for everything from curries to mango prawn salad, but they recently started offering more vegetarian options if you prefer to eat something that isn’t as spicy as the air you’re sitting in. Stop by for a casual, socially distant catch up with a friend.
Little Knopp’s Bakery
$ | (707) 422-4831 | WEBSITE
Each shelf here has its own handwritten label, which we can only assume is to remind you that you’re among homemade goods and that Little Knopp’s is the sort of place that nails the details. This rural bakery makes fresh-baked treats, including one of our favorite cheesecakes in the entire area. Come for a morning pick-me-up, or direct someone here who wants a charming country spot for when they need to bring a thoughtful hostess gift.
BIG H DELI
$ | (707) 759-6282 | WEBSITE
The menu at this Fairfield deli has things like spicy chicken shawarma wraps, roast beef sandwiches, and pastrami on fresh bread. You can grab your generous portions any day they’re open, with the owners always ready with a friendly smile. Make sure to order the Spicy Chicken Shawarma and the roast beef sandwich served with thick aromatic au jus for dipping.
Subway
$ | (707) 437-3762 | WEBSITE
The Fairfield location of this sandwich chain has a handful of tables arranged in their straightforward space on the main strip. Here’s how it works: you order at the counter, find a seat, and then patiently wait for your food to arrive while you daydream about crisp veggies, freshly baked bread, and savory sandwich combinations. The staff can be friendly when they’re not rushed, though service sometimes drags during late-night hours.
Still, the made-to-order sandwiches hit the spot, with the turkey and veggie delite being reliable favorites that keep me coming back for more.
Jollibee
$ | (707) 402-1030 | WEBSITE
If you’re craving comfort food and live in Fairfield, you probably already know about this popular Filipino chain on the main strip. But you might not know that this is one of the best places to get fried chicken in the area. Or, that they’re currently serving their full menu outdoors on their umbrella-covered patio.