Joylark Kitchen & Bar in Fairfield's Black Rock is a true gem, and it has been wonderfully transformed since its last chapter. I had the honor of meeting the new owner in person and watching him build, with his own hands, brand-new walls and mirrors, and thoughtfully reshape parts of the restaurant to make it more welcoming for guests and more practical for the team. He is a hardworking, deeply dedicated man, committed to building this business from the ground up to secure paychecks for every employee and to create new job opportunities for those in need of work. The new menu is diverse and inclusive, with something for everyone, a menu we believe the kind and beautiful Black Rock community will embrace. The previous vegan-only menu, unfortunately, couldn't sustain the business, and that's when the new owner stepped in. The employees and the landlord are grateful that the doors remain open and that someone brave and experienced took a chance to turn things around for everyone. The food is excellent, and I'm told there will be live music a few evenings each week to add to the warm ambiance. Come by, enjoy a wonderful meal, and support a local business with heart. read more

What an absolute shame to learn of the change in ownership and DRASTIC menu change from plant-based to the "offerings" it has now. The original Joylark Kitchen and its concept will be greatly missed and we will not be supporting this business in the future. Joylark was a gem in a sea of the closed-minded, stuck-in-their-way demographic of CT with an already over-saturated market of pizza, pasta, and cutlets. ------ Reading a previous response to a guest's review: "I just bought the restaurant a few days before and the kitchen staff couldn't keep up with the rush."?!?!?! You're throwing the lifeblood of your business under the bus for not learning an entirely new menu, concept, and pace in a few days?! I'm prepared for your response to be some ranting rave about how "I couldn't be more wrong!..." but I've already learned everything I need to know about your leadership style, and won't be further engaging- but go off either way boiiii read more

I should say up front that I'm not the kind of person to complain, or send food back - it's on me I guess that I should have said something while I was there. With that said, our meal would awful. First, the drinks tasted like pure alcohol. The margarita was green juice and tequila. Only on our way out did we hear the waitress (who made the drinks) say to the owner that she couldn't find the lime juice. I'm going to guess she couldn't find the triple sec or agave either. The food, other than the fries was bland. The bread they use for the Banh Mi was some kind of soft sour dough - I felt like I was eating soggy tofu. The salad was mushy, and the sauce had the texture of gelatinous play doh. I'm shocked by the good reviews. Maybe the regular staff had the day off. read more

As a non plant-based eater, I was very impressed with Joylark! My friends and I decided to meet here for girl dinner on a Monday night, and it was the perfect ambiance for it. Super bright and inviting, and the menu had great choices. We were happy to find smoothies and mocktails as options too. We shared several dishes that were all delicious, and the housemade focaccia was a favorite. I loved that they brought an amuse bouche between the appetizer and dinner courses as well! I will be telling all of my vegan foodie friends that they need to come check this place out! read more

Unfortunately this place has changed ownership and no longer has the amazing food as they previously did just a couple of months ago when I went. Absolutely heartbreaking. read more

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This place deserves more love! Came here on a long travel day and left very happy and filled. This cute little restaurant off Post welcomes you to a pretty restaurant with several tables and booths inside. The staff also welcomes you inside as well as the service being friendly and attentive. The food was pretty good and leaves you feeling "clean". The arancini was okay, it could have used a little more sauce but still had good texture. The highlight was the smoked carbonara. The "brisket" was delicious and mixed with the "Mac and cheese" was an incredible combination. The green goddess bowl was cooked well with a lot of great flavor. Overall, if you are looking for great plant based food, this is a place I would definitely recommend! read more

Joylark Kitchen - bar - Arancini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Fairfield, Connecticut

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You're actually correct I mistaken you for a different table . I had just bought the restaurant a few days before your visit and didn't expect the kitchen staff not to be fast enough to handle the rush . I have since fixed this issue and I invite you back with your family as my guests . Sorry for the confusion and the experience Thanks Peter G! Appreciate your honest reply. Happy to see you have kept some plant-based items on your new menu. read more

I'm not vegan, but I could be if I could eat like this every day! Joylark is a gem and I was so excited to try it. My favorite dish was the jerk tofu with mango chutney. It had a little kick but wow, it was incredible! We also shared the carrot tartare and the layered flavors were deliciously unexpected. For my meal, I had the oyster mushrooms and my friend had the cauliflower parm. Both were filling, unique, and never once had us missing meat or fish. I highly recommend Joylark! And, I can't wait to return for more creative dishes! read more

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Let me just start saying I was blown away! We went here for a post wedding brunch and I am fully vegan so wanted plant based options. There was so much on the menu that I couldn't choose what too get as there was so many great options. Our group decided to get a bunch of items to share so I was able to sample several dishes. NONE of them missed and all were great. I got the cerviche, oysters and grits, honeymooner burger, truffle fries, and carrot tartare. The drinks were also crafted beautifully and they have a table mimosa option. Everything is decorated so pretty and the vibes are prime. The servers were amazing with recommendations, the kitchen manager came out and gave us fresh juice shots, and fruit desert. Totally went above and beyond and gifted us a prosecco bottle for our wedding so much kindness and joy here! Even if you are not vegan you will love this place! read more

Great food and ambience not only plant based now but more of a variety of flavors from around the globe read more

Our first time here of many more to come. (And we're not even vegans!) When we asked Miguel, our super nice and friendly waiter, for recommendations, he replied with a smile, "Everything is amazing" and he was not wrong!! We wanted a good sampling so we ate like pigs: Brussel Sprouts, Carrot Tartare and the French Onion and Lentil Wrap as appetizers. All were . . . amazing!! For entrees we ordered the Cauliflower Parm and the Charred Carrot and Tofu Curry. If I'm being honest, the Cauliflower was the weakest of everything we tried, but the Charred Carrot and Tofu Curry entree was lick-the-plate-clean delicious. We even ordered dessert just to complete our "eatravaganza". The Chocolate Lava Cake/Mousse and the ginger-miso vegan ice cream were the perfect ending for each of us. A fully plant-based restaurant is a bold move in Fairfield County but, even as non-vegans, we will be back to try more of their extensive menu, and we have every reason to believe Everything will be amazing!! read more

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I'm a returning customer to Joylark because of the quality of food and ambiance of restaurant. This is my second most updated review as I have been back three more times and have already planned my fourth for the coming month. This trip showed a marked improvement in the menu as it included a section of burgers as well as some add ons for entrees and appetizers. My favorite appetizers are the brussel sprouts, sambal cauliflower and focaccia with hummus, and the chips and guacamole! The highlight in my last trip was the sambal cauliflower which was delicately fried and perfectly seasoned. I could have made this my entree! I moved on though with the zoodles and peanut sauce and I did not go wrong. This is a cold dish of zucchini noodles with a light peanut sauce and tofu crumbles. It was not cloying as one would expect peanut sauce to be sometimes. The sauce here was delicate and provided the perfect balance of peanut flavor with the noodles and vegetables. My husband had the impossible burger patty melt. This was served on rye bread with caraway seeds. I typically don't like caraway seeds HOWEVER the flavor profile was simply perfect. I had a bite of the burger and had to stop myself from grabbing more. The patty was super moist and tasty! We ordered dessert to go because we were so stuffed. We ordered the olive oil cake and the chocolate tart. These were both amazing! The chocolate tart had a soft peanut butter cream that enhanced the tart. And the olive oil cake was so light. We enjoyed our evening tremendously and are planning many more visits! This is DEFINITELY a place that vegans and NONVEGANS will no doubt find a delight! read more

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A vegans paradise with beautiful decor and seating experience. We dined on a late Saturday afternoon and it was quite full which was great to see. We ordered apps and entrees and had a delicious lunch. Loved the cauliflower soup and Yuzu Miso Kale salad. It was very creative and lots of unique flavors. We had a wonderful experience and definitely a must try even for those who are weary of an all vegan menu. Everyone was super friendly from when we arrived to when we left. read more

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Our second time here. We love it! A beautiful space with good service. The menu covers a good array of lighter and heavier fare. I've had the oyster mushrooms and loved them. The Bahn mi and salad were also very good. We will be back! read more

I gave this restaurant 4 stars because it is difficult to find a vegan restaurant with good food that has also healthy options with sufficient protein. We had the Banh Mi sandwich and the Yuzu Miso Kale salad with tofu. It's a nice, clean restaurant. It took longer than expected to get the food. read more

Back again... a third visit and this time for dinner. They have a lovely sheltered patio w tables and umbrellas if weather permits. Same great menu, 100% vegan and mighty tasty to me, the omnivore. I can highly recommend the Mac & Cheese w mushroom pulled pork, worthy of being its own entree. A watermelon based cerviche w lichee nuts was beautifully presented and as delicious as it looked. Crème brûlée was better than what it imitated w coconut nut milk making a thicker and more flavorful custard. We wish this restaurant well and hope it finds its audience in a very competitive business but w a unique twist: all Vegan all the time. read more

Its been a long time since I've eaten at a restaurant thats impressed me this much. After hitting the gym in fairfield, me and my husband decided to go look for some lunch nearby. We wanted something healthy album also with good protein options. I noticed joylark had finally opened (in the spot where craft260 used to be). We decided to take a chance and check them out. Upon walking in, the place was remodeled very tastefully. I love the color coordination, its very chic. The bathroom has towels instead of papertowel which adds a nice eco friendly touch. The menu is pretty big, which usually is a red flag since its hard to keep up with so many options. My husband ordered different meals, including an Appetizer. Every since dish, every component even was flawless. The juice made me feel like I aged backwards, and the wrap felt like I was feeding my soul and belly at the same time. Everything was made with love and you can really tell. They have a happy hour menu that even includes a mocktail and I just thought that was such a thoughtful touch since I consider myself sober curious ;). I think I just found my new happy hour spot. read more

Joylark Kitchen - bar - Special juice - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Fairfield, Connecticut

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Menu has a vast amount options, and my meal was delicious!!! Brussel Sprouts along with a hummus appetizer...and a glass of wine!!!! Looking forward to returning to have a full meal (dinner), and soon!!! read more

Joylark Kitchen - bar - Hummus Appetizer - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Fairfield, Connecticut

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Had the most amazing experience here! I got takeout with my family and we arrived early while they were still making it. I would have loved to have dined in, as the ambiance was quaint and cozy. The service was so friendly and helpful and I could tell how passionate the employees are and how they really want customers to leave feeling happy and satisfied. While we waited at the bar, we were treated to some complimentary almond butter bites. These were nutty and perfectly sweet and a perfect treat! We all thoroughly enjoyed each dish we got. The serving sizes were way bigger than we anticipated so we had lots of leftovers! To start, we got the roasted beets, Brussels sprouts, sambal cauliflower and cornflake potatoes. The standout appetizer was definitely the cornflake potatoes which was in a rich and creamy garlicky sauce. The corn flakes added a nice crunch while the potatoes were perfectly cooked and were nice and soft. The beets were also fantastic I really loved the sweetness of the beets and roasted apples with a little savoriness coming from the sherry vinaigrette and crema. I'm honestly not the biggest fan of Brussels sprouts to begin with, but somehow they managed to make them actually taste good! I really loved the sweet sauce they cooked it in to disguise the bitterness of the Brussels sprouts. The cauliflower was also wonderful and had a great crispiness and a tangy sauce. For entrees, we got the banh mi, burrito and charred carrot and tofu curry. While all of these were very tasty, the burrito was definitely my favorite! I really loved how they seasoned the beans and their homemade queso! The curry was also a must order as the peanut sauce had the most lovely flavor and was really sopped up by the carrot, lentils and tofu. They threw in some complimentary fruit, which was so fresh and perfectly ripe and a nice sweet treat. Parking was very easy in their large lot. I will definitely return the next time I am in the area! read more

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5 stars but I do have some critiques. I went on a Tuesday night and struggled with parking so just be prepared to deal with that. Upon stepping in, it's a beautiful spot, decorated with vibrant wallpapers and ambient lighting. The table for 2 we were sat at was too tiny - it'd be perfect for a coffee but not dinner, and we had to move the flower vase off of it to make room for our starter plates. (There were other tables open) Our server was very nice and helpful. He asked if we had mushroom allergies and then gave us complimentary broth shots. Topped off with some truffle oil, I found this to be a nice gesture; it did however kind of just taste like warmed soy sauce. Regardless, it was nice to precede the meal with something warm on the tummy. For starters we had chips and queso; the queso was good, I was not a fan of the chips and I'm sure there are better vegan options. And the carrot tartare - unexpectedly very good. Both items were sufficient for 2 people. My friend had the warm cauliflower bowl and was happy with it. I had the kale salad - it was delicious, but I had to cut every large piece of kale into something bite size, an annoying thing to deal with when you're ready to just dig in. I wish that the menu had more options to choose from (I was eyeing the curry but they were out of it). The choices felt quite small for a full vegan restaurant, but I'm hoping they can continue to expand options or rotate in seasonal specials. All in all, Fairfield County has been desperately needing a plant based restaurant and I wish this business all the success, and can't wait to go back for a coffee or cocktail. read more

Delivery experiences only thus far as we just moved to nearby town but we plan to visit the location a lot based on the quality of the delivered food! read more

I had a nice time. The food was presented well and the coffee was really well made. Lots of fun coffee flavors as well. Even for people who aren't on a plant based diet this place is welcoming and the food is very tasty. Decor is charming as well. read more

Joylark Kitchen - bar - Latte with peanut butter and banana flavoring. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Fairfield, Connecticut

Food was super delicious. Hard smoothie‼ Staff and the ambience are excellent. Highly recommended for a place to enjoy! read more

Food was average. Carrot tartar was why we came- so salty that it was inedible. Cajun fries were best thing we ate. Brussel sprouts were good. Burger was ok. Bhan mi was on sourdough- need I say more. Service was the downfall here- wow the food took forever and there were only 3 other tables. Cute ambiance but not saving this place. read more

Fabulous food, fabulous options, fabulous presentation, fabulous service. A must try for Vegans and non-Vegans!

The food is amazing!! Great ambience and decor. Helpful staff with great service. Would highly recommend.

Great sit-down ambiance & service, and remarkably inventive, delicious food & cocktails -- so many options! Cauliflower & brussels sprouts appetizers were perfectly-textured & tasted. My chopped seitan melt was phenomenal; my partner's crispy cauliflower parm really tasty (note don't expect italian flavors on this one -- it's more African/MidEastern-spiced). Run don't walk! It has perfect ambiance for breakfast, lunch, dinner, a bar/bakery/diner section, a happy hour menu, quiet discussion nooks. Just excellent! We are so happy a place like this exists now, and we can't wait to go back again. read more

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Have been there twice. It's a vegetarian restaurant that has a wonderful menu. If you enjoy veg food this is the place to frequent. It's a first class not ur typical whole in the wall . It's sitting down and getting a truly wonderfully cooked and inventive menu. Service is wonderful. The first time i had a bahn mi sandwich to try it out and it was excellent. The second time i had oyster (mushroom) of course on polenta fantastic which the table next to me also had and they were truly impressed as i was. For dessert i had horchata balls fried ( not greasy) with a creamy cold inside and wonderful. A must go if you want a truly wonderful veg meal do not pass this one up. You'll be sorry. I'm not connected with this place but if you like a delicious veg meal don' pass this place this one upyou'll be missing a wonderful meal. Saul read more

What a gem! Amazing vegan food, outstanding and varied dishes. Absolutely delicious. Staff was amazing and a cute, cozy spot, will be back soon read more

Had the sour mocktail and it was amazing. Tofu curry was so delicious. Staff was very kind and accommodating! read more

Joylark Kitchen - bar - Charred Carrot and Tofu Curry - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Fairfield, Connecticut

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I had an absolutely unforgettable experience at Fairfield's newest hidden gem, Joylark! Excited to try a new vegan restaurant in my hometown, I arranged my birthday dinner there. John, the bartender who doubled over as our server, was lovely. He attended to every one of our needs: describing flavor profiles of ingredients, addressing concerns about allergens, creating custom cocktails, keeping my brother's meal under the heat lamp so it wouldn't get cold during his trip to the restroom, the whole nine yards!!!!! He was kind, personable, attentive, knowledgeable, and patient with our many questions!!! The kitchen staff was appreciative of our business, stopped over to check on us, and gifted my party complimentary mango-lime juices. The menu was fairly extensive for a vegan restaurant and left me in awe of how close the vegan imitations came to the real thing! I wasn't missing cheese whatsoever after enjoying their substitution. The food was fresh, healthy, flavorful, AND creative!!! Beyond that, they were so kind about keeping my vegan cake in the refrigerator until the end of our meal. Finally, the space is beautiful! We had a private booth with a curtain and were overwhelmed with the changes that were made to the room decor. Having been in the space before Joylark came to be, it felt like an entirely different restaurant. I can go on and on and on about how much I love this place. DEFINITELY stop in and enjoy their food and cocktails!!!!! Thank you for a wonderful birthday celebration, Joylark!!!!!!!!!!! read more

Walked to JoyLark after a Sunday morning yoga class and had an exceptional vegan breakfast. It was sunny and a bit chilly outside but opted to sit outside at the lovely patio tables. There is a basket of cozy throw blankets provided to keep you warm! The service was outstanding and the food was abundant and delicious. My friend and I split a bowl/salad and avocado toast. The kitchen split the dishes for us to make sharing easy. Excellent robust coffee. The perfect way to spend a Sunday morning. You won't be disappointed. read more

Visiting the area from out of town. Great vegan restaurant. Food and service were excellent! Nice space with a cool ambience. My husband and I shared the banh mi sandwich and the green goddess bowl which were both delicious. Great menu with plenty to choose from. Will definitely be back when in the area again. read more

Good experience. Food was delicious and service very good. Nice job. Not best location but I hope this little jewel will stay .

Coffee was excellent, beyond what I'd have expected, and for vegan food the menu was creative and thoughtful. And not too salty -- flavors came through. We did have an uncomfortable interaction that affected our experience. One of the kitchen (chef?) came to our table and began a conversation with my girlfriend about her tattoos. What initially seemed friendly became overly personal and felt inappropriate. But otherwise, the food was terrific. read more

Nice selection of vegetarian and vegan meals. They also have breakfast meals. Service was very good. Restaurant atmosphere is relaxing. Parking can be limited on busy nights. There are other restaurants in this plaza. read more

I was delighted to see a new plant based/environmentally friendly restaurant in Fairfield. Joylark didn't disappoint. The space is very nice, the staff were friendly, and the tofu curry dish was delicious. It's the kind of place that feels upscale, but not pretentious. Highly recommend for vegans and non-vegans alike. read more

As folks who live in the neighborhood, we have been anxiously waiting for Joylark to open. Our first experience was this morning. A perfect breakfast, served thoughtfully in a spectacular setting. No quality detail was spared in menu or decor. Cannot wait to return with friends and family for dinner. read more

Finally a delicious plant based restaurant with a great vibe! Staff are great and the restaurant is beautiful. My new go to place for sure.