New HavenRestaurants

Restaurants in New Haven

  1. A

    Frank Pepe's

    New Haven's most famous eatery takes its name from the Italian immigrant who tossed America's first pizza a century ago. You'd best believe they've got the recipe down pat. For the ultimate, order Pepe's signature white pizza topped with garlicky fresh clams.

    reviewed

  2. B

    Modern Apizza

    Lots of locals believe that this place serves up pies as good as, if not better than, Frank Pepe’s and Sally’s – and without the throngs. Despite the name, it’s been tossing dough since 1934.

    reviewed

  3. C

    Union League Café

    Here’s an upscale French bistro in the historic Union League building. Expect a menu featuring continental classics like cocotte de joues de veau (organic veal cheeks with sautéed wild mushrooms, $25) along with those of nouvelle cuisine. If your budget won’t stretch to dinner, slip in for a sinful dessert like crêpe soufflé au citron (lemon crepes) washed down with a glass from the exquisite wine list. Date place par excellence.

    reviewed

  4. D

    Miya’s Sushi

    Superlative sushi – probably the best in the state – is prepared in this low-key spot by chef Bun Lai, two-time winner of the Taste of the Nation Award. Sushi appetizers sport alluring names like the Concubine’s Delight (smoked salmon and goats cheese wrapped in tempura eggplant), but the true star is the kaiseki ($30), a truly exceptional prix-fixe meal highlighted by several inventive sashimi arrangements, which must be ordered in advance.

    reviewed

  5. E

    Yankee Doodle Sandwich & Coffee Shop

    The family-run Doodle is a classic ’50s hole-in-the-wall American lunch counter – Formica countertop, chrome and plastic stools, real fountain soda – with prices to match. Despite the name, burgers and breakfast are the draws here. The defunct cigarette machine in the corner is kept around for purely nostalgic reasons – it was installed on the day JFK was shot. When Yale’s not in session, Doodle’s hours are sharply curtailed.

    reviewed

  6. F

    Scoozzi Trattoria

    At York St, next to the Yale Repertory Theatre, this basement trattoria serves trendy Italian fare with strong New American cuisine accents. The little pizzettes and other appetizers like mussels and calamari sautéed with red grapes are favorites with the before- and after-theater crowd, who combine them with wine by the glass to make a light supper. Weather permitting, there’s outdoor dining in an intimate courtyard. Reservations recommended.

    reviewed

  7. G

    ZINC

    Whenever possible, this trendy bistro’s ingredients hail from local organic sources, but the chef draws inspiration from all over, notably Asia and the Southwest. There’s a constantly changing ‘market menu, ’ but for the most rewarding experience, share several of the small plates for dinner, like the smoked duck nachos or the prosciutto Americano crostini. Reservations recommended.

    reviewed

  8. H

    Bangkok Gardens

    Just off Chapel St, this large, white-linen establishment is the center’s most popular Thai eatery. The Golden Bay appetizer, fried tofu pouches stuffed with shrimp and veggies, is exquisite. At lunch, big plates of pork, beef and chicken with vegetables are inexpensive and best topped off with an order of fried ice cream. Try to get a seat on the sun porch.

    reviewed

  9. I

    Caffé Adulis

    This jewel of a place offers Eritrean-Ethiopian cuisine in a sophisticated but unerringly friendly package. One of the many house specialties is the shrimp barka (pan-seared jumbo shrimp with coconut, tomato and dates over basmati rice, $19). The wine list is reason enough to linger late into the evening – the bar is open until 1am.

    reviewed

  10. J

    Louis' Lunch

    New Haven's classic hamburger joint invented America's iconic fast food in 1900 and it still broils burgers in the original cast-iron vertical grills. Some things have changed over the century - but you won't find them here. Don't even think of asking for ketchup.

    reviewed

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  12. K

    Claire's Corner Copia

    For the best vegetarian food in town, saunter over to this cheerful green restaurant opposite Yale. Claire Criscuolo cooks up her own time-honored recipes using fresh, organic ingredients - everything from thick peasant soups to luscious pastries.

    reviewed

  13. L

    Sally's Apizza

    A breakaway started by Sally's specializes in terrific wood-fired thin-crust pizza.

    reviewed