Guidebook for New Haven
Food Scene
A cute little place with outdoor dining a view of the Indian Neck Yacht Club. Just across the river is a hidden little place with good lobster rolls. Local flavor.
6 locals recommend
Nellie Green's Restaurant
50 Maple StA cute little place with outdoor dining a view of the Indian Neck Yacht Club. Just across the river is a hidden little place with good lobster rolls. Local flavor.
Another sweet restaurant with outdoor dining in Branford. This one on the grounds of a yacht club.
14 locals recommend
Dockside Seafood and Grill
145 Block Island RdAnother sweet restaurant with outdoor dining in Branford. This one on the grounds of a yacht club.
Lenny's is a landmark in the area. Outdoor dining available along with valet parking on the weekends if needed, Lenny's has been doing seafood for years. A fun place with a back deck.
23 locals recommend
Lenny's Indian Head Inn
205 S Montowese StLenny's is a landmark in the area. Outdoor dining available along with valet parking on the weekends if needed, Lenny's has been doing seafood for years. A fun place with a back deck.
Mezcal
14 Mechanic StGoood Mexican food. Goood margaritas.
Sitar Restaurant
45 Grove StGood Indian food.
Best Dim Sum on Sundays. Get there early (they serve from 11-3 Sundays) to beat the crowds.
9 locals recommend
Great Wall Restaurant
67 Whitney AveBest Dim Sum on Sundays. Get there early (they serve from 11-3 Sundays) to beat the crowds.
Darbar India
168 Main StGood Indian food in Branford.
a.k.a. Ivy Noodle. A great little noodle restaurant. Sit on the back at the counter on a cold winter day, you'll feel the heat from their woks.
6 locals recommend
Ivy Wok
316 Elm Sta.k.a. Ivy Noodle. A great little noodle restaurant. Sit on the back at the counter on a cold winter day, you'll feel the heat from their woks.
Cafe Romeo
534 Orange StGood food. Popular with the students and faculty in the neighborhood.
Groceries and a great sandwich board (best pizza by the slice in town in my opinion) all in a sweet Italian market with outdoor seating only. Cappuccino and gelato the way they're supposed to be.
41 locals recommend
Nica's
603 Orange StGroceries and a great sandwich board (best pizza by the slice in town in my opinion) all in a sweet Italian market with outdoor seating only. Cappuccino and gelato the way they're supposed to be.
Coffee and things that go with coffee, like pastry and art. Don't bring your computer or smart phone here. You (and they) will be gently removed from the premises.
9 locals recommend
Lulu's European Coffee House
49 Cottage StCoffee and things that go with coffee, like pastry and art. Don't bring your computer or smart phone here. You (and they) will be gently removed from the premises.
Siam Orchids
899 W Main StUnassuming place on the main road with authentic Thai, as far as we can tell.
Nothing fancy but a good breakfast with a view of the Quinnipiac River and preserve that can't be beat. They have a few tables outside on the deck but you might have to wait for one.
10 locals recommend
Anastasio's Boathouse Cafe
307 Front StNothing fancy but a good breakfast with a view of the Quinnipiac River and preserve that can't be beat. They have a few tables outside on the deck but you might have to wait for one.
Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana
157 Wooster StMost famous pizza place in New Haven.
Oh my god. Five star prices for five star food you're not likely to forget.
7 locals recommend
Park Central Tavern
1640 Whitney AveOh my god. Five star prices for five star food you're not likely to forget.
What's not good for you here at least TASTES good! For those leaving to return their rental car in NYC or to catch an early flight, this, for me (Chris) is a great way to start the day ... anytime!
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
30 Research DrWhat's not good for you here at least TASTES good! For those leaving to return their rental car in NYC or to catch an early flight, this, for me (Chris) is a great way to start the day ... anytime!
Local Kitchen & Beer Bar
850 W Main StGood food and local beer selection
Breakfast Nook
565 Washington AveGreat breakfast place. Great service. Usually a wait to get in but worth it.
Vegetarian and vegan fare
33 locals recommend
Claire's Corner Copia- dine in, take out, curbside pickup
1000 Chapel StVegetarian and vegan fare
Jalapeno Heaven
40 N Main StGood Mexican fare.
Duc's Place
167 Orange StWe recommend for Vietnamese fare.
G Zen
2 E Main StAwesome vegetarian and vegan fare! And amazing beverages.
Hornets Nest Deli
269 E Main StGreat breakfast and lunch
Mecha Noodle Bar
116 Washington StPho. Try the mushroom dumplings!
Perhaps the best, most established real Italian restaurant. Reservations recommended.
9 locals recommend
Adriana's
771 Grand AvePerhaps the best, most established real Italian restaurant. Reservations recommended.
Brazi's Italian Restaurant
201 Food Terminal PlazaUp there with Adriana's in authenticity and close to Long Wharf Theater.
The Greek Olive
Quick and some of the best diner food around.
Fire & Slice - Smokehouse & Pizzeria
27 Townsend AveGreat local pizza place and they have ribs, too
No frills, good New Haven pizza place, about 10 minutes from where we are. Small parking lot.
Frisco’s Pizza
345 Forbes AvenueNo frills, good New Haven pizza place, about 10 minutes from where we are. Small parking lot.
Along the Savin Rock Trail. A great place for fried seafood in the summer. Check web for hours.
10 locals recommend
Stowe's Seafood
347 Beach StAlong the Savin Rock Trail. A great place for fried seafood in the summer. Check web for hours.
Bella's Cafe
896 Whalley AveYummy breakfasts for sure. This and Lena's.
Manjares Bistro
382 W Rock AvePatience is a virtue. And the food is good.
Lena's Cafe & Confections
308 Whalley AveMmmmm!
Drinks & Nightlife
Rudy's
1227 Chapel StPomme frites galore with a slew of homemade dressings and beer.
Local Kitchen & Beer Bar
850 W Main StSmall and large plates and a good selection of beer. $1/game pool tables.
Shopping
A restaurant centered around cheese. Good cheese. Good wine. Ask for local wine. Sit downstairs and you might think you're in a restaurant in the alps.
42 locals recommend
Caseus
A restaurant centered around cheese. Good cheese. Good wine. Ask for local wine. Sit downstairs and you might think you're in a restaurant in the alps.
Sightseeing
Head down Orange Street toward the hill with the monument. Take a left when you can't go anymore. Go up the hill and turn right at the gate. Drive all the way up for the best view of New Haven, the Sound and Long Island on a clear day.
28 locals recommend
East Rock
Head down Orange Street toward the hill with the monument. Take a left when you can't go anymore. Go up the hill and turn right at the gate. Drive all the way up for the best view of New Haven, the Sound and Long Island on a clear day.
Hammonasset Beach State Park
1288 Boston Post RdNice beach, good birding.
Take the Sawmill Road Exit and turn right and follow all the way to the end. There's a nice beachside walk.
Savin Rock Trail
Savin Rock TrailTake the Sawmill Road Exit and turn right and follow all the way to the end. There's a nice beachside walk.
Maybe the largest, oldest Italian section of New Haven with famous pizza joints and farmer's market on Saturday
30 locals recommend
Wooster Square
Maybe the largest, oldest Italian section of New Haven with famous pizza joints and farmer's market on Saturday
New Haven Green
250 Temple StSurrounded by everything Yale, shopping and dining.
The largest state park in Connecticut. Check it out online or in person.
19 locals recommend
West Rock Ridge State Park
1134 Wintergreen AveThe largest state park in Connecticut. Check it out online or in person.
If the roses are in season, it's a great place to see some roses! If you want to go a little further for one of the largest rose gardens in the country, visit Elizabeth Park in Hartford.
Pardee Rose Gardens
180 Park RdIf the roses are in season, it's a great place to see some roses! If you want to go a little further for one of the largest rose gardens in the country, visit Elizabeth Park in Hartford.