Rob’s Fairfield guidebook
Food scene
There are a wide variety of restaurants and cafes to choose from in and around Fairfield
I was unable to add a few recommendations on Airbnb, but check out these in addition to what's listed below:
Note: Rather than Yelp or Tripadvisor, many locals write their reviews on Facebook; likewise, announcements from these establishments are often on their Facebook pages. Also note that most restaurants are closed on Sundays and many are only open during lunch hours.
Linked below is a periodically updated spreadsheet that has most of Fairfield's restaurants and hours broken down:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TbXpi-E0nDDXU6RvLXmPXjPW2tcJU-UWA7Nr6zS0XVo/edit?usp=sharing
Central coffee house and hangout for locals. Several nights per week, they have live music from talented local and visiting musicians.
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cafe Paradiso
101 N Main StCentral coffee house and hangout for locals. Several nights per week, they have live music from talented local and visiting musicians.
Great cafe located on Main St. Creative vibe with art materials available. Don't miss the banana muffins, or basically anything fresh out of the oven.
Hazel Moon Cafe
115 N Main StGreat cafe located on Main St. Creative vibe with art materials available. Don't miss the banana muffins, or basically anything fresh out of the oven.
Delicious flavorful Ethiopian restaurant located inside of the Sondheim Center. Lunchtime only. One of the few places open on Mondays at lunch. It's a Must-Go (gluten-free and vegetarian options available).
Addis Ethiopian Cuisine
200 N Main StDelicious flavorful Ethiopian restaurant located inside of the Sondheim Center. Lunchtime only. One of the few places open on Mondays at lunch. It's a Must-Go (gluten-free and vegetarian options available).
Our local organic grocery store. Be sure to try the Radiance Dairy Soft Serve during the summer season!
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Everybody's Whole Foods
501 N 2nd StOur local organic grocery store. Be sure to try the Radiance Dairy Soft Serve during the summer season!
Sweet 'n Saucy
117 N Court StTasty smoked bbq joint.
One of our local Indian restaurants (also check out Gupta's Vegetarian and Sabi's). Lunchtime buffet here is delicious! One side of the buffet is spicy, while the other side is mild. Also, it's one of the few restaurants that are open on a Sunday.
India Cafe
50 W Burlington AveOne of our local Indian restaurants (also check out Gupta's Vegetarian and Sabi's). Lunchtime buffet here is delicious! One side of the buffet is spicy, while the other side is mild. Also, it's one of the few restaurants that are open on a Sunday.
Shokai Sushi
51 N 2nd StGood sushi and Japanese fare found here.
Charming cafe and bookstore. They have a wood-fired oven in the back for their pizzas. Their salads are our go-to's.
Revelations Cafe
114 N Main StCharming cafe and bookstore. They have a wood-fired oven in the back for their pizzas. Their salads are our go-to's.
A local bakery recently bought this old factory and turned it into a shared commercial kitchen. Multiple restaurants and food producers work out of here. Popular for their pizzas. Check their website and social media to see which food vendors will be serving that day.
Breadtopia
400 N 2nd StA local bakery recently bought this old factory and turned it into a shared commercial kitchen. Multiple restaurants and food producers work out of here. Popular for their pizzas. Check their website and social media to see which food vendors will be serving that day.
Popular Indian lunch spot run by the same family for over 20 years. Fantastic handmade breads to mop up their dahls and curries. Fridays are samosa days.
Gupta Vegetarian Restaurant
51 South Court StreetPopular Indian lunch spot run by the same family for over 20 years. Fantastic handmade breads to mop up their dahls and curries. Fridays are samosa days.
Excellent Southeast Asian restaurant that specializes in pho. Delicious stir fries as well.
Asian Pho Bistro
110 West Burlington AvenueExcellent Southeast Asian restaurant that specializes in pho. Delicious stir fries as well.
The Bookhouse Fairfield
54 West Burlington AvenueCozy cocktail bar and tea house on the square. Great place for drinks.
A Fairfield institution that's been in operation for over 50 years. Try their square-cut pizzas and pastas.
Torino Pizza & Steak House
115 West Broadway AvenueA Fairfield institution that's been in operation for over 50 years. Try their square-cut pizzas and pastas.
Popular new restaurant with a rotating menu. Try the smash burger or chicken sandwich
Lunchbox Fairfield
102 North 2nd StreetPopular new restaurant with a rotating menu. Try the smash burger or chicken sandwich
Charming wine shop in a historic house. They have an outdoor garden where you can uncork your purchase and sip on a glass of wine.
SOMM Wines
102 E Briggs AveCharming wine shop in a historic house. They have an outdoor garden where you can uncork your purchase and sip on a glass of wine.
New wine bar in Fairfield that also has a great selection of snacks. Beautiful patio and live music on some evenings. Open seasonally.
Veraison Wine Bar
508 North 2nd StreetNew wine bar in Fairfield that also has a great selection of snacks. Beautiful patio and live music on some evenings. Open seasonally.
A Fairfield institution that's open from Spring-Fall. Try their wizards, black raspberry shakes, and soft serve.
Dairy Bar
1002 W Burlington AveA Fairfield institution that's open from Spring-Fall. Try their wizards, black raspberry shakes, and soft serve.
A former train depot that's been converted into a bar, concert venue, and restaurant. Check out their website for the event schedule and their food is excellent.
DEPOT HOUSE
500 North 4th StreetA former train depot that's been converted into a bar, concert venue, and restaurant. Check out their website for the event schedule and their food is excellent.
Beautiful tap room and event space. They brew their own cider on-site and serve award-winning burgers. Great place to enjoy the views and watch the sun set.
Fishback & Stephenson Cider House
1949 Pleasant Plain RoadBeautiful tap room and event space. They brew their own cider on-site and serve award-winning burgers. Great place to enjoy the views and watch the sun set.
Peck's Pub
107 West Maple AvenueFun out-of-the-way bar in nearby Libertyville
Very out of the way but well worth the visit (about 40 minutes from downtown Fairfield). Long-established restaurant and bar with legendary fried chicken. Note that almost everything is fried.
Mt Hamill Tap
1467 155th AvenueVery out of the way but well worth the visit (about 40 minutes from downtown Fairfield). Long-established restaurant and bar with legendary fried chicken. Note that almost everything is fried.
Newly opened artisanal ramen shop by the team behind Lunch Box. the #1 tonkatsu is authentic and their bar program is outstanding.
Broth Lab 641
102 North 2nd StreetNewly opened artisanal ramen shop by the team behind Lunch Box. the #1 tonkatsu is authentic and their bar program is outstanding.
Sightseeing
Fairfield's performing arts center. There are several music and theater shows going on every week
Fairfield Arts & Convention Center - Sondheim Center for the Performing Arts
200 N Main StFairfield's performing arts center. There are several music and theater shows going on every week
Our local university. Check out the golden domes and the peace palace on campus
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Maharishi University Of Management
1000 N 4th StOur local university. Check out the golden domes and the peace palace on campus
Our local bike shop off the square. During warmer months they organize a weekly group ride where you get to explore Jefferson County's back roads on two wheels. Rides usually end at Cider House 1949, where you can reward yourself with locally made ciders and Iowa's best burger. Contact the Ride for daily or weekly bike rentals.
The Ride
123 N Court StOur local bike shop off the square. During warmer months they organize a weekly group ride where you get to explore Jefferson County's back roads on two wheels. Rides usually end at Cider House 1949, where you can reward yourself with locally made ciders and Iowa's best burger. Contact the Ride for daily or weekly bike rentals.
Local company that imports hand-crafted goods from South America. Good place to pick up some hard-to-find souvenirs.
Terra Natural Designs - Store Downtown Fairfield
2094 E Burlington AveLocal company that imports hand-crafted goods from South America. Good place to pick up some hard-to-find souvenirs.
At Home Store Fairfield
52 N Main StCharming kitchen and home goods store.
beautiful bar in downtown Fairfield. Well-crafted cocktails with a cool ambience. Pizza and food menu coming soon!
La Notte Bar and Pizzeria
101 West Broadway Avenuebeautiful bar in downtown Fairfield. Well-crafted cocktails with a cool ambience. Pizza and food menu coming soon!
Consejos para la ciudad
Facilidad para moverse por la casa
Getting Around
There are lots of places to check out on the square, most of which can be covered by foot. We'd recommend using a car or renting a bike from the MIU Rec Center to check out the rest of Fairfield and Jefferson County, though.
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Wednesday and Saturday Farmers Market
From Spring-Fall on Saturday mornings and Wednesday afternoons local farms and craftspersons will sell their wears at Howard Park. Lots of tasty organic produce, art, and Amish goods
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Jefferson County Trail System
During warm weather don't miss hiking or biking the Jefferson County Trail System. This 40-mile network goes around Fairfield and provides access to beautiful nature. Bikes can be rented from the MIU Rec Center.
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Maharishi Vedic City and Sthapatya Vedic Architecture
You'll probably notice that a large number of the houses in Fairfield face east and have small hats, or "cupolas," on top of their roof. This unique style, Sthapatya Vedic Architecture, largely follows eastern principles similar to fung shui. Fairfield has the largest collection in North America. For a primer on it read this article:
https://www.curbed.com/2016/2/24/11100572/commune-architecture-iowa