The ambiance of this place says, French! It feels like you've been transported there. The lighting, furniture, walls, it just welcomes you. The service has always been good, at the bar especially. I like to swing by and sit at the bar for a bite and a glass of wine (love the Sancerre). The have a fixed menu where I have the small Caesar. Very delicious. I could eat the big one, if offered. Then I move on the the scallops. Always delicious! I have clams and oysters for a buck is I'm there between 4-6 I think. I also had a great lobster bisque the other day. This place is like comfort food, with a French twist. I'll keep showing up as long as they'll have me. We also came here for a family celebration in the summer and we sat outside. Also awesome. Just updated w mussels and fries, as well as split pea soup. Perfection.. read more

Martel Restaurant - Split pea soup, perfect! - French Near Me - Fairfield, Connecticut

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My husband and I LOVE Martel, especially to sit at the bar. We always meet some interesting and friendly folks. This last time we split the Beet & Goad cheese salad and it was delicious, which I don't normally rave about a salad. The added touch of the pears is amazing. We also split the Whole Baby Roast Chicken. The sauce was amazing and the chicken was juicy and tender. We have never had a bad meal at Martel! read more

Move along... nothing to see here... go to the newest, hippest place downtown... Seriously, the food here is fantastic. The setting is relaxed and low key like a good neighborhood place should be. I learned that is essentially what a French Bistro is supposed to be... great food without the stuffy atmosphere. I regret not coming here 20 years ago. Yeah, I can be a meat head sometimes... read more

Was there for lunch yesterday as a 1st timer. I liked the price fixe menu for $19 but went for the mussels in the wine/cream sauce. Delicious! Very French. My friend had the ham/cheese melt French sandwich and she said it was delicious and was so excited it was in the menu. Very French. Waitress was very nice. My only complained was the very hard, over toasted, buttered French baguette that I couldn't break to dunk in the sauce. Waitress did bring me softer, sliced Italian bread but I did wish it had the melted butter and garlic. Definitely would go back. read more

Excellent lunch experience here. Great service. Nice french vibe. Good was delicious. My wife had a fine soup and i had a tasty fresh pasta dish. Will be back to try other things. read more

Best restaurant in Fairfield. Wonderfully European service and ambiance and delicious French cuisine. Not to be missed.

not if you're handicapped We called ahead to make sure husband could access the restaurant in his wheelchair. There is a side door with a ramp. When we arrived the door was mostly blocked by a party of 4. The table they had designated for us would have put my husband nearly on top of the party . Either they have no idea how to handle a patron in a wheel chair or they don't care. We did not want to disturb the party of 4 so we left. read more

The staff were all very friendly and attentive. We enjoyed a quick dinner tonight. My wife enjoyed the French onion soup. It was super hot and very cheesy, she enjoyed it after it cooled down. For dinner she enjoyed the Branzino which was flavorful and a large portion. I had the pork Milanese which was pounded thin and breaded and fried. The salad on top was fresh and tasty. read more

Martel Restaurant - Branzino - French Near Me - Fairfield, Connecticut

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Walked through the door on a Friday night at 9:30 and immediately received eye roll as a late customer. Hostess insisted we could be seated so decided to give it a try despite the cold welcome. Proceeded to be treated like a nuisance the whole night. All the staff wanted to be done. read more

Fantastic food. I mean seriously fantastic. We had the frisée salad, monkfish and steak au poivre. Absolutely perfect. Go here. read more

When you tire of lesser restaurants in the area you can always rely on Martels for exceptionally good food and professional service and bartending. Excellent cocktails made by people who know what they're doing. The bar is especially cozy and warm. Due to my aching back I wish the bar stools had backs to them. That would make it perfect for me. read more

Our go to place! Food is consistently good, staff is wonderful. Nice cozy restaurant. Mom- Fri Buck a shuck. read more

Unfortunately, our experience at Martel was not good. From the street it seemed very charming, and certainly the bar area / patio are beautiful (and staff are warm / friendly). Ambiance in the main dining area was lacking and the music was radio 80 classics (despite French decor). For the high price point, there are no candles on the tables, the kitchen took a very long time sending meals, and the food we did receive was, frankly, mediocre. Had to send back a Cubano sandwich that was dry and smelt of vinegar, received a Caesar salad that was sour but somehow still bland, and the grilled salmon was a ridiculously small portion for the price. Also, we arrived 2 hours before closing and staff were performing closing duties early while customers were still seated / enjoying their meals... things like mopping, running dishware, etc. Try the Old Post Tavern, the Sinclair, or other spots around Fairfield for MUCH better food and ambiance at the same expensive prices... read more

I haven't been to Martel in a few years, and wasn't sure if I'm still going to enjoy it. My fears were unfounded. The service was as always top notch. And the food...oh man, the food is some of the best in town. I had an amazing drink - Autumn in Manhattan. Followed by a lovely charcuterie board. My Fettuccini Bolognese was mouth watering. That pasta was so fresh, the flavors so good, and yet super light. My friend had a meatloaf, and loved it. I finished the meal with a great banana creme brule. Can't wait to go back! read more

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The menu does not change, but their food is solid good. The trout was delicious. You cannot skip Beignets!!! read more

Martel Restaurant - Fish - French Near Me - Fairfield, Connecticut

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We love this place...the food, the ambiance, the art, the wines, the staff...a little bit of Paris just down the street. Been here many times and will continue to come. It is delightfully French! Oh la la!! read more

Service was great. Food and drinks were awful. We ordered items that were on the daily menu. The seafood risotto was bland, had absolutely no flavor with tiny chopped pieces of seafood. The lobster roll was equally as bad. We ordered 2 cosmopolitans that were really straight up vodka with a splash of red. What a total disappointment, McDonalds would have been a much better option. read more

This was a very nice lunch experience. It was such a nice day that we chose to sit outside. And although it's right on the Post Road and there's a lot of traffic, it didn't take away from the meal or conversation. I had a prix fixe meal of green salad and pane cotto. The salad had a nice mix of veggies and the entree came in a little cast iron pan and was tasty. Our server was sufficiently attentive and patient. $40 plus tip. Would come again. read more

What a great resteraunt, A gem in Fairfield . We came for Happy Hour Buck A Shuck oysters . Charles island Oysters from Milford . Great tasting oysters similar to Blue Points in Flavor. Had the Burata app and Steamed Clams and Calamari apps . All very Tasty and well prepared . Finished off the night with the Flank Steak Special , very good sliced steak . Service from Paul our waiter was top notch , can't ask for better , he is on his game ! Will be returning again . read more

Was looking for some light far and drinks and found they had many items on their menu to suit me. First off, was in the mood for a Moscow Mule so we ordered up 2 of those. No copper mug, and not 100% authentic in ingredients, but was a damn interesting drink that we ordered seconds! We went for the Iced Seafood plate with the lobster, shrimp, oysters, clams and mussels and this was a great start! Next up was the Charcuterie board and I must admit, some of the best pate I have ever had! Then we ended with their Burrata. This was the only one i would change as it got lost and buried under the mound of salad it came with. read more

Martel Restaurant - Apps, apps, apps!!! - French Near Me - Fairfield, Connecticut

I've been to this restaurant several times over the years and was surprised to see I had not given a review as of yet. Normally, I tend to visit during lunchtime and my meal consists of one of their delicious sandwiches but this time we visited during their dinner menu. For starters we had the calamari. We thought it was going to be fried calamari but we were pleasantly surprised to see it was grilled calamari served over mixed greens with a splash of balsamic vinegar. What a great way to start our meal. The flavor and portion was perfect! For our entrees my girlfriend had the duck confit served with mashed potatoes and I had the meatloaf served with carrots and I substituted the mashed potatoes for a butternut squash purée. I was very pleased with my dinner choice as well as my girlfriend. The meatloaf was packed with flavor and moist with the star of the dish being the butternut squash purée. The butternut squash was so silky smooth and was delicious. To top everything off we had a banana creme brûlée. The creme brûlée was ok, I've had better. Overall the service was excellent the restaurant adhered to Covid protocols and we enjoyed our meal. Definitely two thumbs up and we highly recommend. read more

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While running errands with my cousin the day before Thanksgiving, we stopped here for a late lunch and sat at the bar. My cousin knows the owner and his wife and has been here many times. The bartender was very friendly and engaging. My cousin introduced me to the owner who was standing in the bar area. We ordered drinks and I ordered the tuna burger with fries. Although it was not the best I've ever had, it was good. My cousin ordered the Speck ham sandwich which was also good. The bottom line is that I recommend Martel's and will go back when I'm back in Westport. read more

Martel Restaurant - Bar area menu. - French Near Me - Fairfield, Connecticut

The restaurant is so charming and the wait staff is excellent. Now if they can order better quality food that would definitely solve everything. The Steak frites were below standard. The bread, which is nothing special should be served warm. No need to continue....There's too much competition in the area with such lovely high end restaurants - with effort this could be one of them. read more

I'm a decent home cook, but amateur with no formal training nor restaurant employment. After dinner this evening, Nov. 13, 2024, my wife commented that my home cooking was far superior. Nothing in this restaurant is reminiscence of France, nor are the staff, nor kitchen. Recipes trend more South American. The tables are too small that they barely accommodate the courses ordered and are crowded too closely. The grilled calamari were best, but I'd rate them a 5 out of ten. Nothing special. They should have been served with bread/toast. The escargots had no semblance to any French escargot recipe. The heavy cream sauce was tomato based with a touch of hot pepper. The sauce was tasty, but not associated with traditional garlic/butter/parsley French escargot. The accompanying toast points helped enjoy the sauce. The "seafood soup" for $17 was nearly all cream broth with a few vegetables, primarily squash, no potatoes, and virtually no actual pieces of seafood. My wife found at the bottom about 4 mussels and a 1" piece of cod. The seasoning of the broth was overpowering for a chowder, not appealing, and not French, Italian, New England, nor Rhode Island flavor. Finally, the steamed mussels with frites $22. The bowl of mussels was substantial, although about half of what I would serve per person at home. The mussels themselves though were very small. What I got was a medium sized bowl of shells. The advertised broth was actually a thin, milk consistency with minimum flavor. The broth would have more appeal being reduced or thickened, or changed to an authentic French approach of butter, shallots, garlic, white wine, The only item I enjoyed were the thin cut frites (French fries), except they were drizzled with truffle aioli which was not mentioned on the menu nor by the waiter. I'd prefer plain frites which I dip in mayo. Truffle oil is rather unpleasant combined with mayo, so I reverted to ketchup. Also the portion of fries was a small soup bowl versus the photos on the website of plates overflowing with fries. I give good ratings to the staff. They were very pleasant, attentive, and fairly well trained. Other than their happy hour 4-6pm $1 oyster/clam/shrimp promotion, I see no reason to dine here again. It is clearly not a French restaurant. read more

This place is a small hidden gem! The food is so tasty! The atmosphere is pleasant with dim lights- an intimate family style dinning restaurant. We ordered the steak fritts, truffle Mac and cheese, and the romaine salad. The romaine salad is one of the best salads I've had in my life. Crafted brilliantly. This should be your next date or family dinner spot if you haven't been here yet! Enjoy!!! read more

Martel Restaurant - Dinner - French Near Me - Fairfield, Connecticut

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Hasn't been the same. My frisée salad was only dressed in straight vinegar. My whiskey sour was twice was whiskey and lemon juice but little to no simple syrup to balance had to ask to be fixed. My acid reflux which has been a thing of the past roared back to life from the acid of vinegar and lemon juice. This is the third visit with issues with the cocktails or food I've ordered so many times in the past not being what it used to be. I've tried because I used to love the place but it's been 2 years and no change I'm so sad to cross this off my list of favorite places. read more

Food price / quality (value) rating 8. The atmosphere is contemporary tavern. We both had the Lobster Roll. Served with fries or salad, we got one of each and both were good. The Lobster Roll was served cold, however, which wasn't mentioned on the menu, and I like it served hot with butter ten times better. Overall, the food and service were good, and the prices were reasonable for this area of Connecticut. read more

Oysters are awesome and the menu offerings are well prepared. Small inside with NYC style tight seating but there are tables outside if the weather is nice. read more

I've not had a bad meal here. We've been coming for dinner and brunch these past few months. Years ago I came with a friend who is a huge foodie for her birthday lunch. The food is delicious, the staff friendly, the owner is always very welcoming. The bartender serves up wonderful cocktails. I live for their lobster risotto - you have the option of half or whole. It's rich and filling. Today for brunch I had the Tuna Niçoise Salad, and he had the Eggs Florentine. Everything was prepared perfectly. Martel gives you a touch of French in Fairfield. Even the way the tables are situated- you feel the vibe of a true French bistro. read more

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We ate here recently and once again the meals were excellent and large-portioned. I had the fish stew special which was outstanding. The wine pours were overly generous which one rarely sees in a restaurant and the wine quality ( both the Cote d Rhone and the Pinot Grigio) was great. The servers are caring of the customers as is the owner Martel is a rare and consistently good find in Fairfield County. read more

Sometimes familiarity breeds contempt and following a recent visit for brunch, I felt comfortable reassessing and reasserting the full five stars. This in spite of the fact that my primary misgiving from my original post has not changed. Rather, I was reminded of the very nature of the experience here. A lengthy sit time is a feature not a bug. And where I previously characterized the service as somewhat slow and disjointed, I think it's more accurate to think of it as leisurely. As a bistro should be. read more

Great family restaurant in Fairfield, my main gripe is that it took so long to be seated (about 45 minutes on a Friday night). The ambiance and decor were great, as well as the food, obviously. The drinks were meh, but the dishes themselves make them stand out. We went with the lamb chops, the chicken pot pie, the steak frites, and the baked scallops and raw oysters to start. The scallops were surprisingly good, despite my usual preference being the seared kind. I didn't have the oysters as per my usual allergy aversion. I really didn't expect much from the pot pie, but it is a comfort food classic of mine, and this was beyond the expectations. The creamed soup was wonderful in consistency - just the right viscosity, running just the right amount. However, I do wish the pastried layer that covered it had more substance to it - it flaked right off. All in all, a fine meal enjoyed with great company, but small things that can't really be fixed: long wait; more solid pastry pot poe; more innovative cocktails; rotating menu (love the classics, but everyone likes a switch every now and then). read more

First time I've been there. Small but neat and clean. Lot of help and work smoothly done. Food choices for Valentine day was great. Customers very friendly and helpful since several had been there before. Had the oysters Rockefeller and wife had the salmon. read more

I hate writing a review like this one. I suspect the slow kitchen and sub par service are due to staffing due to covid. That does not, however change our experience. Service was slow and inattentive. The food was good not great but we really don't have a lot of places to go for French food. It was lunchtime, the restaurant was mostly empty and we left disappointed. read more

i'm supremely disappointed this place is not ranked higher. i've been coming here for years and would rate every meal at 5/5 read more

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The food, service and ambiance were amazing!! 5 stars! First time at this restaurant tonight and we loved it! We had 2 items from the specials-Lentil soup with carrots and smoked ham was the best lentil soup I've ever had. My husband had the 28 day aged Prime Ribeye steak with homemade steak sauce, crispy potato croquettes and glazed carrots. We also had the French Onion Soup and PAN SEARED BRANZINO with butternut squash purée, escarole, fingerling potatoes, Moroccan olives, beurre rouge-to die for!!! The fresh bread with whipped ricotta and scallions was also a winner!! We will be back!! read more

Been eating here for years the food is phenomenal and the owner Marty is always accommodating and goes above and beyond. Always consistent and true French origins. Not a pretentious place at all. read more

Got salads for take out while working. 2 caesars, one with salmon and other with chicken. The salads were so small and the chicken was burnt and very dry. Piece of salmon was nice ..... BUT... these TWO lunch salads with nothing else rang up at $53!!! Are you kidding me? I wanted to take them back but was already at office and hungry so choked it down. Pathetic! read more

Martel Restaurant - Tiny salad with burnt dry chicken. - French Near Me - Fairfield, Connecticut

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This is a really nice restaurant, only 5 minutes from our new home. The ambiance is warm and friendly, and the staff both nice and competent. The food is very good indeed, reminiscent of the French food I used to eat while living in France as a kid many years ago. A very nice place to go for a great dinner to cap a good day. read more

Fabulous Food - Superb Service - Extraordinary Experience! We have had both lunch and dinner at Martel. Both were wonderful! Our last visit was for a late lunch. Paul was our server. We left him a generous gratuity for his engaging welcome, menu assistance and some very funny jokes and comments. Marco, the Manager was also engaging and helped us feel at home. Our lunch was perfect, as was the dinner we enjoyed recently. The Sancerre wine was tasty and our lunch salads and smoked salmon really were super. We HIGHLY recommend Martel for lunch or dinner. i & p read more