Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo
Life > Experiences

Date Night Guide: Sacred Heart University Edition

The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Sacred Heart chapter.

Top 5 Places for Dinner, Dessert, & Activities

Even though we’ve passed Valentine’s Day, there is always room for date night. If you are in or near Fairfield, Connecticut, I have the top hot places to spend your time and money. If you want the most out of your time together or to simply enjoy yourself, this is the guide for you!

Dinner:

Every good date night has to start with dinner. There’s no need to push boundaries when you and they are both hungry. Sharing a meal is the perfect way to set the tone for the night. Let’s grab a bite to eat…

Sally’ s Apizza, Fairfield

This is one of the best extensions of the iconic New Haven pizzeria. Sally’s is known for their thin crust, coal-fired pies. They have been a renowned location since 1938. This is a perfect casual option for a Friday night. Sally’s is extremely affordable. I would grab this quickly before a full night of exciting events or even just to be able to call it an early night.

Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, Fairfield

Another one of the best extensions of the legendary New Haven establishment. It has been celebrated for decades for its New Haven-style thin crust pies. They are also baked in coal-fired ovens. This is another perfect casual option for a Friday night. Who doesn’t want pizza on Fridays? Pepe’s is slightly more expensive than Sally’s but still really affordable. Be prepared to wait in line if you choose to go during prime time. However, it is always worth the wait.

      The Sinclair, Fairfield

      Located in the Brick Walk, this is a classier option with a restaurant and a bar. They serve comfort food and drinks in a very cozy setting. Serving options include happy hour, cocktails, and even vegetarian dishes. Although this restaurant is classy, they don’t make you pay classy. It is still affordable for most college students to wine and dine… If you are of age, of course.

      Sitting Duck Tavern, Trumbull

      Sitting duck serves regionally and locally grown fresh produce and products. They serve traditional American food, craft beers, and drinks in a lively, industrial-chic space. You can expect to pay an average of $20-30 per person.

      Boca Grille and Raw Bar, Fairfield

      At the base of the rolling hills of the H. Smith Richardson Golf Course is a lively restaurant, bar, and event space. Perfect any season for great food and drinks served with a smile. From their early morning breakfast menu and casual snack bar food to their large land and sea menu with hearty pub classics, signature pasta, steaks, a raw bar, and a modern beverage program, Boca Grille and Raw Bar offers great food and a beautiful view to go with it! You can expect an average price of $30-50 per person.

      Dessert

      The restaurant you’re going to is always a good option for dessert, but why not venture out and try something new for date night? Treating yourselves to something unexpected adds a little extra charm to the night. Let’s satisfy that sweet tooth…

      Plasko’s Farm Creamery & Cafe, Trumbull

      They serve freshly-made ice cream and Italian ices created daily using high-quality ingredients. See them manufacture their homemade ice cream through their viewing glass and try one of their numerous flavors! The location offers a rustic indoor seating area and a spacious outdoor setting.

      Main Street Creamery, Bridgeport

      Open year-round, they offer a lot of different ice cream treats, like soft serve, hard ice cream, vegan choices, and more than 50 different flavors of milkshakes with endless toppings. They are known for their homemade waffle cones and ice cream cakes.

      Sunny Daes of Fairfield, Fairfield

      A family-owned company, their ice cream and gelato products are homemade, also offering homemade sundaes. With the selection of sweet treats found on their menu, your sweet tooth will surely be satisfied.

      Chip City, Fairfield

      From two school friends who wanted to bring back the simple tastes of their childhood, to the place we love today, grown out of a fun competition to see who could make the best cookie. They change their menu all year long to include more than 40 different kinds of cookies. The menu changes every week to include both classic tastes and flavors that are in season.

      Piece Of Cake By Brittany LLC, Shelton

      A tad farther away, but this women-owned business will blow you away! Custom cakes, cookies, cake pops, and cupcakes are what the restaurant does best. They also serve coffee, sweets, fresh breads, and breakfast foods. You can sit down and enjoy their goods in a small area on site.

      Activities

      The night is young. Why not add some excitement to your evening instead of going straight home? You can also do these earlier in the day before dinner! With the right activity, date night can go to a whole new level, whether you want something calm or exciting. Let’s make some memories…

      Escapology Escape Rooms, Trumbull

      You have a certain amount of time to “escape” from a themed room by solving puzzles and questions. Try out the riddle and fast-paced fun for yourself! Escapology is known as the leader in high-quality escape room games thanks to its clean rooms, beautiful decor, and top-rated experiences that are easy for first-timers to enjoy. Escape rooms cost around $30 per person for groups of 2 to 8, and it’s best to make reservations ahead of time.

      Sacred Heart University Community Theatre, Fairfield

      This space is located in the center of scenic downtown Fairfield. A multidisciplinary performing arts venue, bringing you education and entertainment in concert. Upcoming events over the next few weeks include Pioneer Blast!, PRO TRACK SHU Mo(VE)ment & SHU INCEPTION DANCE CREW: Gaia’s Rhythm, Chamber Ensembles Concert, Harmonic Discovery, and more.

      AMC Marquis 16, Trumbull

      From spacious rocking seats to luxury recliners, innovative menus and premium offerings like IMAX, Dolby Cinema, and Prime at AMC; AMC Theatres offers a range of ways to get more out of movies. Movies being shown over the next few weeks include “Mufasa: The Lion King,” “Captain America: Brave New World,” “Mickey 17,” “Novocaine,” “The Last Supper,” and more.

      Sports Center of Connecticut, Shelton

      Can’t decide which activity to do? Want to do more than one? This amusement center has ice skating, ice hockey, a golf range, mini golf, laser tag, a video arcade, bowling, batting cages, target paintball, virtual reality, and more. Prices can range anywhere from $10-$50.

      Sacred Heart University’ s Discovery Museum, Bridgeport

      There are two options for this location: The Adventure Park or the Science Center & Planetarium. The Adventure Park includes climbing and ziplining. With more than 190 treetop platforms connected by ladders, bridges and 43 ziplines, you certainly won’t be short of fun or new discoveries. Entry fee is $69 per adult. The Science Center & Planetarium is a hands-on science museum. It offers exciting STEAM activities that are made to appeal to natural curiosity, desire to learn, and spirit of discovery. The entry fee is $18 per adult or $17 if you present your SHU Student ID.

      No matter what kind of date night you want, from casual to exciting, or even fancy… Fairfield and the nearby towns have lots of great options to make it unforgettable. Every couple can find something they enjoy, from traditional New Haven-style pizza to homemade ice cream and exciting activities to do. These places in the area are sure to give you a great time, whether you just want a simple dinner and dessert or want to do something really fun like an escape room or a movie night. When you want to make the most of your date or just have a good time, use this guide to plan the perfect night!

      Jordan Dorsey

      Sacred Heart '26

      I'm majoring in Strategic Communications with a double minor in Media Advertising & Public Relations, along with Sports Media. I am on the Executive Board for Her Campus and the Editorial Board for Spectrum, the school newspaper. I'm passionate about beauty, writing, content creation, staying active, and personal growth!