Shelley & Colin's Guidebook to New Haven
Restaurants in New Haven
This is our neighborhood coffee shop, and it's excellent! It's cafe that serves great food, coffee and beer. We often go for breakfast/lunch. Great place to work, play board games, or just relax with your friends and family.
9 locals recommend
Fussy Coffee
290 Winchester AveThis is our neighborhood coffee shop, and it's excellent! It's cafe that serves great food, coffee and beer. We often go for breakfast/lunch. Great place to work, play board games, or just relax with your friends and family.
Definitely one of the most popular places in the city. It’s right on the water and serves a variety of seafood, pastas and other great eats. They also serve a very good brunch.
61 locals recommend
Shell & Bones Oyster Bar & Grill
100 S Water StDefinitely one of the most popular places in the city. It’s right on the water and serves a variety of seafood, pastas and other great eats. They also serve a very good brunch.
Very popular pizza restaurant. We love the fried eggplant pizza. This is a New Haven staple and competes with other very busy pizza places here including Pepe’s (my second favorite pizza place), Sally’s, and BAR. There’s a lot of controversy over which place is best.
84 locals recommend
Modern Apizza
874 State StVery popular pizza restaurant. We love the fried eggplant pizza. This is a New Haven staple and competes with other very busy pizza places here including Pepe’s (my second favorite pizza place), Sally’s, and BAR. There’s a lot of controversy over which place is best.
An excellent, funky noodle bar. Cross between Japanese and Vietnamese. Cool ambience and excellent food. Great location if you want to eat downtown and then grab a drink out somewhere on Crown Street or go shopping on Chapel.
54 locals recommend
Mecha Noodle Bar
116 Washington StAn excellent, funky noodle bar. Cross between Japanese and Vietnamese. Cool ambience and excellent food. Great location if you want to eat downtown and then grab a drink out somewhere on Crown Street or go shopping on Chapel.
This is an alternative Indian restaurant. Very cool place, awesome Indian food, and funky cocktails. Different from any other Indian restaurant I’ve visited.
6 locals recommend
Sherkaan Indian Street Food
65 BroadwayThis is an alternative Indian restaurant. Very cool place, awesome Indian food, and funky cocktails. Different from any other Indian restaurant I’ve visited.
Downtown and great for people-watching if you grab a table outside. I personally love this place and always get the hanger steak and mashed potatoes.
South Bay Mediterranean Kitchen
228 College StreetDowntown and great for people-watching if you grab a table outside. I personally love this place and always get the hanger steak and mashed potatoes.
A very popular brunch spot in the Westville area of New Haven. Almost always a wait, but very good!
32 locals recommend
Bella's Cafe
896 Whalley AveA very popular brunch spot in the Westville area of New Haven. Almost always a wait, but very good!
This is probably the most famous pizza restaurant in New Haven. Right in the heart of Wooster Square (our Little Italy), this place is always packed. Worth a visit but expect a wait!
170 locals recommend
Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana
157 Wooster StThis is probably the most famous pizza restaurant in New Haven. Right in the heart of Wooster Square (our Little Italy), this place is always packed. Worth a visit but expect a wait!
Ok so this is technically not in New Haven, but in a nearby town called Branford. Just about 15-20 minutes driving, Branford is very cute and Stony Creek Brewery is located right by the water. The beer is decent but it’s really the atmosphere that draws a big crowd.
56 locals recommend
Stony Creek Brewery
5 Indian Neck AveOk so this is technically not in New Haven, but in a nearby town called Branford. Just about 15-20 minutes driving, Branford is very cute and Stony Creek Brewery is located right by the water. The beer is decent but it’s really the atmosphere that draws a big crowd.
A restaurant in the East Rock neighborhood offering a great selection of upscale American cuisine. This cozy spot is a great place for dinner or for grabbing one of their excellent cocktail options.
10 locals recommend
Tavern on State
969 State StA restaurant in the East Rock neighborhood offering a great selection of upscale American cuisine. This cozy spot is a great place for dinner or for grabbing one of their excellent cocktail options.
Our favorite lobster shacks and seafood places
Right next to Hammonnassett state park, this charming but casual spot is located in Madison, CT (about 30 minutes away). Great for an post-beach bite. Great lobster rolls, clams, and more!
23 locals recommend
Lenny & Joe's Fish Tale
1301 Boston Post RdRight next to Hammonnassett state park, this charming but casual spot is located in Madison, CT (about 30 minutes away). Great for an post-beach bite. Great lobster rolls, clams, and more!
A very popular lobster shack, located right outside of Cosey Beach. Cute area and great lobster rolls!
16 locals recommend
Lobster Shack
3 Cosey Beach AveA very popular lobster shack, located right outside of Cosey Beach. Cute area and great lobster rolls!
Right across from Cosey Beach in East Haven, this is another casual seafood joint with a lot of options.
17 locals recommend
Sandpiper Restaurant
161 Cosey Beach AveRight across from Cosey Beach in East Haven, this is another casual seafood joint with a lot of options.
A small but excellent lobster restaurant right by Milford beaches (about 20-30 minutes away). Cute area with an icecream shop and beach within 1 block of here.
11 locals recommend
The Lazy Lobster
6 BroadwayA small but excellent lobster restaurant right by Milford beaches (about 20-30 minutes away). Cute area with an icecream shop and beach within 1 block of here.
Shopping and Sightseeing
Cute little area of New Haven with some shopping, Barnes and Noble coffee shops, and restaurants. This is where one of our favorite Indian restaurants, Sherkaan, is located.
16 locals recommend
The Shops at Yale at 56 Broadway
56 BroadwayCute little area of New Haven with some shopping, Barnes and Noble coffee shops, and restaurants. This is where one of our favorite Indian restaurants, Sherkaan, is located.
Yale Campus is sprawled throughout New Haven. Most of the popular buildings and Old Campus can be found along Prospect Street and College Street.
156 locals recommend
Yale University
Yale Campus is sprawled throughout New Haven. Most of the popular buildings and Old Campus can be found along Prospect Street and College Street.
The Canal Trail is a biking trail that cuts through much of Connecticut. It runs right through our neighborhood. If you go to Fussy Coffee, you can find it right behind the cafe and bike or walk right into town. This part of the trail is nice, because it takes you right by a park, Yale buildings and you land right on the very beautiful street of Hillhouse Ave.
14 locals recommend
Farmington Canal Heritage Trail
480 Cornwall AveThe Canal Trail is a biking trail that cuts through much of Connecticut. It runs right through our neighborhood. If you go to Fussy Coffee, you can find it right behind the cafe and bike or walk right into town. This part of the trail is nice, because it takes you right by a park, Yale buildings and you land right on the very beautiful street of Hillhouse Ave.
About an hour away, Mystic, CT is a very popular coastal town in Connecticut. It's pretty adorable and worth checking-out. Lots of food and things to do!
98 locals recommend
Mystic
About an hour away, Mystic, CT is a very popular coastal town in Connecticut. It's pretty adorable and worth checking-out. Lots of food and things to do!
Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History
170 Whitney AveBeinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library
121 Wall StBeaches
One of our favorite beaches. Located 30 minutes away in Madison, CT. Very large and scenic state park. Grab some seafood at Lenny and Joe's Fishtail while you're out there.
173 locals recommend
Hammonasset Beach State Park
1288 Boston Post RdOne of our favorite beaches. Located 30 minutes away in Madison, CT. Very large and scenic state park. Grab some seafood at Lenny and Joe's Fishtail while you're out there.
Cute beach just 15 minutes away. Parking is expensive for non-East Haven residents, but you can't be the location.
Cosey Beach
283 Cosey Beach AvenueCute beach just 15 minutes away. Parking is expensive for non-East Haven residents, but you can't be the location.
One of our go-to beaches about 25 minutes away. Lots of restaurants and places to checkout around Milford while you're there!
25 locals recommend
Walnut Beach Pavilion
85 Viscount DrOne of our go-to beaches about 25 minutes away. Lots of restaurants and places to checkout around Milford while you're there!
Lovely beach, a bit further than Hammonassett. Nice sand, very cute. A local favorite!
58 locals recommend
Rocky Neck State Park
244 W Main StLovely beach, a bit further than Hammonassett. Nice sand, very cute. A local favorite!
Not in Connecticut, but one of our neighboring beaches in Rhode Island. A bit far (a little over an hour away) but worth it if you're up for the drive. Rhode Island has a number of very nice beaches to check-out!
127 locals recommend
Misquamicut State Beach
Not in Connecticut, but one of our neighboring beaches in Rhode Island. A bit far (a little over an hour away) but worth it if you're up for the drive. Rhode Island has a number of very nice beaches to check-out!
Water sports and Hiking
You can rent kayaks on the Mill River, which runs through New Haven. Very pretty! It’s an easy river that’s great for all ages.
Hike or drive to the top of East Rock Park. There is a beautiful monument and gorgeous view of the city. Perfect for a picnic or bbq.
28 locals recommend
East Rock
Hike or drive to the top of East Rock Park. There is a beautiful monument and gorgeous view of the city. Perfect for a picnic or bbq.
The Mill River runs through New Haven. It’s very easy, scenic, and you can rent kayaks off of Orange Street. Highly recommend for people of all ages.
Kingfisher Adventures Kayak Rentals
Orange StreetThe Mill River runs through New Haven. It’s very easy, scenic, and you can rent kayaks off of Orange Street. Highly recommend for people of all ages.
Rent a paddle board or kayak on the Branford River. Beautiful area. Grab a beer at Stony Creek Brewery while you are in the area!
8 locals recommend
Branford River Paddlesports
50 Maple StRent a paddle board or kayak on the Branford River. Beautiful area. Grab a beer at Stony Creek Brewery while you are in the area!
Nearby park that has several great hiking trails. Hike to the castle at the top of the main trail! Definitely worth a visit.
90 locals recommend
Sleeping Giant State Park
200 Mount Carmel AvenueNearby park that has several great hiking trails. Hike to the castle at the top of the main trail! Definitely worth a visit.
Winter and Holiday Fun for Families
Very cute place, especially during the holidays when families can see all of the Christmas decorations and visit with Santa.
18 locals recommend
The Shore Line Trolley Museum
17 River StVery cute place, especially during the holidays when families can see all of the Christmas decorations and visit with Santa.
Each year, Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven hosts its annual Fantasy of Lights. Drive or walk through the park with your family at night and enjoy the colorful display!
61 locals recommend
Lighthouse Point Park
2 Lighthouse RdEach year, Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven hosts its annual Fantasy of Lights. Drive or walk through the park with your family at night and enjoy the colorful display!
Mouth Southington preserves 51 scenic acres for Connecticut skiing. With a vertical drop of 425 feet and a lift capacity of more than 6,300 people an hour, this resort offers an array of challenges and fun for skiers of all abilities. During the winter season, people come from all around New England to enjoy some time on the slopes.
34 locals recommend
Mount Southington Ski Area
396 Mt Vernon RdMouth Southington preserves 51 scenic acres for Connecticut skiing. With a vertical drop of 425 feet and a lift capacity of more than 6,300 people an hour, this resort offers an array of challenges and fun for skiers of all abilities. During the winter season, people come from all around New England to enjoy some time on the slopes.
Powder Ridge Mountain Park and Resort is a small but popular place for outdoor winter sports in Connecticut. Featuring skiing, snowboarding, tubing, Synthetic snow (365 days a year), zip line, disc golf and mountain biking for all ages.
38 locals recommend
Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort
99 Powder Hill RdPowder Ridge Mountain Park and Resort is a small but popular place for outdoor winter sports in Connecticut. Featuring skiing, snowboarding, tubing, Synthetic snow (365 days a year), zip line, disc golf and mountain biking for all ages.