We go to this place several times a month. Unbelievable service and if course the food is so well prepared and thought out. The grilled calamari, the salmon even the French fries!!! A goblet of wine and amazing bread pudding. Shall I go on? Try it fir yourself!! You will not be disappointed!! read more

Great spot with a New York feel. No reservations, so go early. Better in winter only bc the food can be a little heavy. Close clubby tables. read more

Martel Restaurant - French Near Me - Fairfield, Connecticut

A lively little restaurant with a cozy atmosphere. Could fit in as a little bistro on a Parisian street, and a nice place to linger over a bottle of wine with friends or a date. Pricing is reasonable at this restaurant. You can find your standard $20 entree, but there are also pricier, more indulgent options. Also keep in mind that the restaurant does not take reservations, but we called when we were on our way and they put aside a table of six for us. I had the duck confit which was cooked absolutely perfectly, although the duck itself or the jus it was bathed in was overseasoned. I went with a group of people and also tried some of my mom's trout almondine and it was tender and flavorful, and everyone seemed to enjoy their meal. The table ordered beignets for dessert and our waitress accommodated a special number for our party (I think they come in batches of eight, but we were able to get 12). I was quite full after dinner and planned on just trying a bite, but they were so delicious and light that I ate two! Definitely try the beignets, even if you feel full from dinner. They are warm and super airy, a great way to finish dinner. Overall, this is a nice place to go with a group or have an intimate date night. The food is above average and the prices are reasonable. read more

Always a winning experience. Every time we see the same waitstaff, so no turnover there. Entrees always delight, and Martel makes the most delicate and delectable onion rings-light as anything and delicious. A favorite of our family for years, consistently good. read more

Of all the restaurants that have shut down during COVID, why does Mattel still exist? The food is garbage, the owner is awkward and clumsy, and the atmosphere is stagnant. 45-minutes I'll never get back. Ugh. read more

Absolutely love this restaurant! Considered a 'must-visit' by the whole family, including our two kids, on every visit home to see grandparents. The grilled calamari is not to be missed and nor are the beignets! read more

This a special gem on the Post Road! Everything on the menu is well-prepared, tasty and generously proportioned. The specials come from the chef's off-the-beaten-path imagination and are just scrumptious. The staff is welcoming and attentive, and the space itself reminds me of the many bistros I've visited throughout Europe. Not too big, not too small; intimate and lively enough that you can speak and be heard by the people at your table. And the beignets? Wow! read more

Random stop off 95 turned out a fabulous Skate wine, tangy citrus, orange segments, olives, capers on a bed crunchy veggies @MartelBistro read more

Martel Restaurant - Random stop off 95 turned out a fabulous Skate wine, tangy citrus, orange segments, olives, capers on a bed crunchy veggies @MartelBistro - French Near Me - Fairfield, Connecticut

I am here for Mother's Day. I get an automatic text when my card is charged. They charged me double so I asked nicely for an explanation. I couldn't even get my question out before the manager rudely interrupted that he charged me twice and then voided it. It is ok to make mistakes but his response was as if I did something wrong and how dare I ask. Awful read more

It had been a long time since we dined here, and we were really happy with the experience last night. It was like dining at a true European café. The food was delicious and well prepared. The salmon gravlax was prepared in a way I was not used to having this dish, but tasty - and the caesar salad was perfectly fresh and flavorful. Meatloaf and Seafood Risotto = outstanding!!! Perfect! We rarely to never get dessert, but we had the Pots de Creme - little pots of creamy heaven! The outdoor patio was so pretty, beautiful plants and pots...could afford to remove a couple of tables to not be quite as tight (the table next to us noted when we left that it was nice dining with us - awkward). The service was a little stretched, like all these days, but they didn't seem to know when to clear empties and ask for refills and such. Nice people, though. The manager/owner could be more welcoming to the patrons, but could be his personality is just quieter. read more

I've dined here three or four times, twice at the bar. I recommend dining at the bar if your companion is not a great conversationalist or his voice lowers to a near whisper when the ambient volume goes up. The food is generally well-prepared with seasonal ingredients. No asparagus in November, which is a bit of a rarity around here. Marty, the owner, seems like a swell guy, and the atmosphere is certainly an improvement over Pane e Vino. Now for the social part. Lots of really skinny, anhedonic Westport women over 45 seeking male companionship from someone willing to share their W2 or most recent tax return, provided their income is over $250,000. You will know them by their size 25 Seven for All Mankind jeans and their Manolos and their Brazilian blowouts. Guys, don't say I didn't warn you! read more

Food is good, but it doesn't blow my mind. Lamb chops were good and the burger was also pretty good. Again, nothing memorable. This was our second chance to Martel, and we definitely aren't going back. Certainly overpriced. Both seating areas are pretty much large open rooms, so the noise escalates and patrons overflow the bar area into the dining room making it that much louder. This place was crowded and loud even on a Tuesday night, with no real sense of privacy. Service was also mediocre- just seemed like a general lack of interest. The thing that really brings this place down is the clientele. Everyone is completely overimpressed with themselves and stuck up (to say it politely). The "lady" next to me wouldn't even move her purse so I could get up from our cramped table. They were too busy discussing whether or not they wanted to borrow their friends place in Aspen for a weekend and what country club to enroll in. I'm not even kidding. So if you don't belong to a yacht/country club, don't own a really old luxury car, and have even the slightest hint of humility- stay far far away. It's best that the group who goes to Martel and raves about Martel can stay at Martel, so that at least we know where they all are and can avoid it. read more

The crab salad was awful - the crab did not taste fresh and the greens and tomatoes tasted like they were from a crummy supermarket (basically, they had no taste). My husband's salmon was practically raw in the middle and he had to send it back. Overpriced considering the mediocre quality of the food. read more

Having trouble finding words to describe how awful this place is. Service and food are 2 notches below the Diner. Food over cooked, no flavor, tasted and felt very cheap!! Was almost inedible. Surprised this place is as busy as it is. Won't be back! read more

I tend to go here once or twice a month in the warmer months to sit outside and enjoy their "Buck a Shuck" special on oysters, clams, and shrimp. Atmosphere is nice inside or out, although dining room is a bit small. Service is outstanding, everyone is nice and accommodating. Food is almost always wonderful, no matter what I've ordered on the menu. Last time we started with some wonderful Gorgonzola garlic bread, Mediterranean ravioli, and a slightly disappointing Truffle Macaroni & Cheese (the sliced ham didn't seem to fit the rest of the wonderful dish!). As always, the raw bar and wine were incredible. Entrees fail to disappoint as well. Wonderful restaurant, wouldn't hesitate to recommend! read more

Nice dinner here on a blustery Saturday night. As others have noted, it's a tight squeeze, with small tables pushed close together - not especially comfortable. Service was on the brusque side, and charmless - wouldn't hurt to smile a little. My food, however, was quite good. I started with butternut squash soup with candied pecans - this was delicious: hot, well seasoned and flavorful. Since it was a frigid night, I opted for Chicken Riesling and it did not disappoint: moist, tender bird falling off the bone, aromatic lightly creamy sauce, and chock full of pearl onions and diced leeks, mushrooms and potatoes. Dessert was a tall slice of fluffy, moist coconut cake. So overall, a good dinner. More spacious seating and hospitable service would have made it really good, however. read more

Been living in Fairfield for over a year now and had never been to Martel until a couple months ago. Everyone I've talked to raved about it. I have to say - Food was delicious, but the waitstaff was TERRIBLE! The waiter made me and my boyfriend feel like it was a chore to be waited on, was not helpful explaining specials or items on the menu, and was just full out rude. If it weren't for the bottle of wine we had ordered - we would have LEFT! it's a shame that terrible service can ruin a great meal! Management should train their staff to be nicer to customers. We will not be heading back anytime soon...... I give 1 star for service and 3 stars for food! Hats off to the chef! read more

We have been enjoying the food from this restaurant team since they were at Pane Vino in Westport. When Marty bought Martel, we knew the food wouldn't disappoint! While sometimes crowded, this no reservations hotspot serves up consistently yummy French bistro fare with daily specials for both appetizer and main courses, often with a fish and meat option. My husband and I consider this one of our go-to date night spots and also get "special take out" from Martel. We have never had a bad meal, but I am not a fan of the lunch crowd -- even though the menu is amazing they have some delicious salads. The atmosphere is nice, although somewhat older than downtown Fairfield or at Grey Goose, but I feel like we are always seated within reason and there is a place to stand and have a drink. There is a little patio to stand outside in warmer weather. For appetizers, try the fish soup, grilled calamari, oysters, smoked salmon, beet salad or house salad w/ blue cheese and for a main course try their steak frites, flank steak with mustard sauce, chicken riesling, pork milanese, fettuccini bolognese or short ribs. But really, you can't go wrong. The bread pudding is amazing for dessert. I noticed some people commented on the wine, but I would say there are restaurants that are destinations for wine and this is more of a bistro. I have had great wines by the glass and carafe here, but if I am interested in getting a great bottle of wine, yes there are other choices. read more

I like Martel. Mostly b/c of the bar area after the lunch folk have wandered off. It's comfortable and lovely. Nice art that is pleasant to view while enjoying high quality food. This is not your Sysco Food heat and serve place. It's home made and authentic. Time and effort, along with quality ingredients make this a favorite for a real good food experience. Drinks are nice. Full top shelf bar. Champagne by the glass. Croque Monsieur and Short Rib sandwich. HELLO! I'm a happy camper. read more

This place is really small and on top of that TIGHT! I walked in and I felt really uncomfortable because all the people working there were just standing around basically just ignoring me and my friend. It was not even busy at that time (around 5:30) Finally managed to get someone's attention and asked where we could be seated. Sat in the back corner against the wall. The place is really dark inside you almost need a flashlight to read the menu. It took a while but the waitress finally came by and took our order. The menu is interesting with some cool choices- I opted for the fish of the day they had as a special. My friend had the French onion soup and the Cuban sandwich. The fish was really good- French onion soup- delicious The Cuban sandwich- nothing to write home about. Did I mention how incredibly TIGHT the space is?! You are literally packed in there like sardines. Luckily it wasn't busy for most of the meal so no one was seated next to us, except towards the end where we were overhearing the other table's conversation. Service was terrible, had to find the waitress each and every time. Extremely unwelcoming! It seems as if you're not one of their regulars, they really have no interest in trying to make you feel like a paying customer. Almost like they're doing you a favor by serving you. read more

I really like this place. The food is well prepared and a good representation of the bistro-style fare that you find in neighborhood joints in Paris. The food is fairly uncomplicated and familiar to almost anyone who has dined in anything approaching a French food destination. The best part of this place is also it's biggest complaint: it's frequently crowded. While people might complain that the tables are too close together, that doesn't seem to have diminished the appeal of this very familiar and comfortable restaurant. If you enjoy tasty food in an unpretentious and friendly environment, you'll really enjoy Martel. read more

When you first walk in, you notice how well the place is designed. There are two rooms, an upscale bar, and a seating area, separated by a glass door. Then you notice that the restaurant has people sitting at every table, and it is only Tuesday night. There is a reason for this. The service, for one, is impeccable. I ordered a dish that didn't come out the way I expected, and the waiter caught on immediately. He asked me what else I wanted and brought it to me very quickly. The Salmon was outstanding, served with a delicious sweet pea risotto. Oh, and our appetizers were amazing too - Mac and cheese at a french restaurant? YES! Also ordered Cheese Fondue... well, you get where I'm going with this. No restaurant like it in CT. I have been here 6+ times and have never been let down. Thank you Martel Restaurant. read more

I like Martel a lot. The bartenders are very very nice. Good wine, fantastic burgers with frites (I like to ask for a side of mayo to dip). Nice for brunch too - delicious smoked salmon sandwich on a croissant. Great cold seafood plate. Decor: Beautiful tan marble bar with streaks of red and gray (my fiance and I are big fans of eating at the bar). The many abstract-figural paintings are a nice touch. Older crowd, not as "hip" as Molto. Martel feels more like a fall-winter restaurant to me - warmer colors, heavier French food. read more

Fabulous restaurant! Our food was cooked to perfection and the staff was very friendly. It was really packed by the bar and people waiting for tables. I reservation for a weekend night is a must. Worth the wait! read more

Martel is probably my favorite restaurant in the town of Fairfield. Love the atmosphere (even tho it can be an older crowd sometimes). They do not take reservations and are usually very busy on Friday and Saturday nights (not a very big place). Great French Cuisine, with a touch of American flavor. The specials are always amazing. The waitstaff are all very friendly and personable, as they usually remember you after you've been there just a few times. The owner is very nice as well, and he is usually walking around greeting customers. Not as expensive as you would think. This place is definitely a great way to treat yourself. P.S. get the Beignets for dessert... They are to die for. read more

HEY MARTY THE OWNER; You no have no money for a TV on the bar area. Tell U what Im gonna do. You go get the TV at a walmart and I'm gonna chip in. ( I Promise ) Good food, nice french fries and a eggy bread pudding with the freshest bread ever! read more

Spotty service but typical French style varies pending on who is tending to your table. Standard deserts for regional fare with a little flare here and there but the wine list is decent by glass at best, nothing to really write home about. The entree menu is good but a tad above it's value for the cost and the options for port and/or aperitif (desert wine) is not encouraging at all, mediocre at best! read more

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I had heard mixed reviews about Martels so my husband & I decided to try it out for a rare peaceful night out without the little ones. Little did we know that by the end of the evening we had wished we were home ordering take-out. As soon as we sat down, our waitress took her water glasses away without asking, and asked us what we wanted to drink. I ordered a glass of wine, and my husband ordered a gin martini. They were out of the gin he specified, and so he asked for another. The waitress came back again and informed us that they were also out of the second gin as well. My husband decided to just go simple and order a draft beer, but they only served bottles. He then settled for a diet coke. The waitress rolled her eyes and sauntered off frantically to another table. I don't believe she smiled once during our stay. When we got our bill, we saw that we had been charged $3 for 3 diet cokes. We didn't know that there weren't free refills. It would have been polite just to inform us before assuming we were okay with it. The menu was quite different. Lots of options and possibilities - one of the few good things we saw at Martels. I ordered the fish special that the waitress described and she told me that I had gotten the last one left and that today was my lucky day. Might I add that we were there at 6:30, and it was not very crowded. I began to wonder how many days they had been pushing this fish "speical". My husband ordered a hamburger, done medium-rare. Twenty five minutes later, our food finally arrived. To my dismay, my fish looked like it was just thrown on top of the pile of accompaniments. You could tell it was the last one merely by it's size. My husband's burger was done medium-well instead of medium rare. The waitress didn't check on us until fifteen minutes later. Most of the time she stood and talked with the manager and you could tell that other tables had felt neglected as well. My husband was starving by this point and had already eaten more than half of his improperly cooked burger. My husband finished his meal, while I salvaged what I could from my fish entree. After our waitress noticed that our plates were gone, she gave us the bill. We paid, and then headed to the bar for a night cap before we headed home. At that point, we both agreed that we needed it. We met another couple at the bar who apparently were regular patrons. We talked about our service, and they agreed with us and said that they too, had had a similar experience, and now only sit at the bar. We each had one drink at the bar and were approached by the manager. She appeared overly friendly at first and we were caught off guard. After talking to her for a bit, we realized that it must have been the liquid courage that had caused her to engage with us. She kept pouring herself wine when the bartender would leave the bar. The other couple were laughing along with us because it became clear that this was one giant, unprofessional showing. She began telling us intimate details about her life and how she came to this country to work at Martels. At one point, she informed us that if we needed anything, she would be out back smoking, and awkwardly chuckled as she walked away. We realized it was time to pay our bill and go home. Although we did not enjoy our visit overall at Martels, we took a chance. And the end of the night gave us some clarity and closure as to why we had that such an experience. There are plenty of amazing restaurants along the main strip in Post Road if you're looking for something satisfying. read more

Fabulous food and great atmosphere. I loved the house burger, and the calamari was super delicious - its served grilled (never fried) and drizzled with some type of balsamic reduction, served over fresh mixed greens. This little place has the best by-the-glass wine lists I've seen anywhere in Fairfield County. The list is almost entirely French and all the wines are selected by the owner (Marty) who has an excellent palate for fine wines. read more

Wow! Last 2 dinners outstanding. Got to be one of best in Southport/Fairfield. Scallops and Skate ,yes dinner special Skate, was great. Cote d Rhone excellent and service excellent and not pushy on a busy Tues night! read more

Best thing about it? The BAR. Nice wine selection, friendly bartender(s). I luv the beet & goat's cheese salad. The mac 7 cheese- I've had better,my friends really like the sliced lamb & the trout. Depending on how you like to roll- this is a bit more "upscale" ; Parisian decor, oil paintings, sconces, high ceilings, very pretty bathrm. The atmosphere is reserved but not stuffy. read more

Have eaten at Martel twice in the past two weeks and I won't be going back any time soon...if ever. The service was excellent (had same server on both visits). However the food was very disappointing. Onone visit both women ordered the 'lobster' salad but if there was lobster in it neither of us could find it. And the lobster ' Mayo ' tasted like a rancid sherry vinegar. Went again today with another friend who has food sensitivities and asked to exchange the salad starter on the Prix Fixe menu to soup or fries. Kitchen refused to accommodate her. Ironically, the sandwich menu offered a choice of salad or fries while the PF only offered two salads. I ordered the salad and seafood soup from the PF menu and was disgusted by the salad. It was wilted, over the hill and inedible. Clearly not fresh. And while the soup was tasty it was only broth with no seafood at all. The chef needs cooking lessons or the kitchen staff needs to be replaced. Pity because the atmosphere is pleasant. DCL read more

I drive by here all the time and just have never stopped in until now. I was craving steak and frites and Martel came up in my search. This place is very cute but small so you should call ahead for seating if you don't want to wait long. We sat at the bar, bartender was nice but made a fairly weak dirty martini. I asked to have to altered a bit more to my liking and she was great about it. The steak and frites with truffle butter was AWESOME, I ate every last bit on my plate. My dining companion equally enjoyed his burger. We got the coconut cake for dessert and it was perfect, and was not overly sweet. This has become one of my go to places for sure. I didn't give it 5 stars because the bar scene wasn't as lively as I'd like read more

Dinner for four late Sunday afternoon, August 7. Risotto, trout, Bronzino and halibut. Very, very good. Kind of an American bistro feel. Good service; small relatively quiet room. No reservations. We will return. read more

Having been in the fairfield area for years, I finally decided to give Martel a try. I came in right after what seemed to be their happy hour. The bar was full but pretty quickly cleared out. I sat down and ordered a delicious cocktail from their specialty menu and started with the French onion soup. I wasn't overly impressed with the soup, and the bar was loud and busy so I stopped my dining experience there. I'd come back again, but look to sit at a table, not at the bar. Parking can be a bit of a challenge since the lot is small and spots are tight. read more

Food was delicious and great service. The dessert is always my favorite. If you have a sweet tooth then go for the dessert. I would always come here just for dessert and split one of everything with my friends. It can get a little right if the restaurant is packed and a little loud but always a good meal. read more

This is a little Gem.... It is like cheers where every body treats you like family. Great food, great service, and great value! Outstanding! Menu You can not Jo wrong with any selections. Steamed clams, short ribs, salmon, pork milanese, roasted chicken oh bistro burger to die for! Great place! read more

While three stars is too much, 2 stars seems a button little. Come on Yelp, help me out with the half stars! Martel is overall disappointing. It's in a nice location on Post Rd. in Fairfield. Building is nice. Clean. Bar is up front and a reasonable place to hang out for a drink or two. In nice weather they have outdoor seating but you're then on Post Rd trying to pretend you're not. The service outdoors is not so good. We felt ignored. The service indoors (been here a few times because it's the 'Rents default restaurant) is okay but just okay. Have tried several dishes here and every time I hope for the best but I'm never happy. My sister once got the short ribs and she liked it but she salts the hell out of everything. She never lifted the shaker once and I found it to be too salty. Seems like every dish I have tried here is either too salty, greasy or both. read more

Six years and maybe 100 visits later, I realize I am remiss In not upgrading to five stars. The menu, which seldom changes, has not a single mediocre thing on it. The service is friendly and consistent. If Martel used to seem expensive, places pricier than this have grown up around it. Despite all the new competition it remains a standout. I wonder out loud if some of the less favorable reviews owe something to the fact that Martel is small, takes reservations only on special occasions, and gets pretty crowded at peak times. Given what I said about the solidity of the menu, I wouldn't worry an iota if they ran out of half of what's on it since the other half would satisfy. read more

I went to Martel for Brunch. It was my first time eating here and everything was great. There were four of us and we all ordered something different. We all enjoyed our meal. The staff was nice. We were walking out the door trying to decide when to come back. read more