Our Frugal Guide to the New Haven Food Scene

Paul E.
Our Frugal Guide to the New Haven Food Scene

Food Trucks

There are some good food carts and trucks in New Haven. For the purpose of this guide I will just refer to them all as "foodtrucks."
Here you can choose from about 15-20 food trucks, predominately, authentic Mexican small, soft tortilla, tacos. The view is nice even sitting in your car of New Haven Harbor and it won't break the bank. Also Sweeny's The Hot Dog King is parked there, he has been there long before any of the other food trucks!
Long Wharf Park
Long Wharf Drive
Here you can choose from about 15-20 food trucks, predominately, authentic Mexican small, soft tortilla, tacos. The view is nice even sitting in your car of New Haven Harbor and it won't break the bank. Also Sweeny's The Hot Dog King is parked there, he has been there long before any of the other food trucks!
Another good food cart scene just outside the amazing architecture of the Yale ice ring
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Ingalls Rink
73 Sachem St
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Another good food cart scene just outside the amazing architecture of the Yale ice ring
Cedar Street is in the heart of the Yale Medical School and has a great food cart scene in the earl afternoon.
Yale School of Medicine
333 Cedar St
Cedar Street is in the heart of the Yale Medical School and has a great food cart scene in the earl afternoon.
In the parking lot of this liquor store is an orange food truck, the Mexican food is very good and the owner "Gregorio" is our neighbor across the street.
Grapes and Grains
192 Forbes Avenue
In the parking lot of this liquor store is an orange food truck, the Mexican food is very good and the owner "Gregorio" is our neighbor across the street.

Food scene

If you want to spend a lot of money on food well we can certainly help you out but that's not the way we enjoy the food scene in our city. So we have put together a list of places that we frequent because to us they represent real value. If you find something that you feel warrants a place on this list by all means tell us so we can check it out!
Legend has it that when the Grateful Dead were playing in town back in the day that the only vegetarian cuisine was Mamoun's so they would deliver to the band.
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Mamoun's Falafel Restaurant
85 Howe St
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Legend has it that when the Grateful Dead were playing in town back in the day that the only vegetarian cuisine was Mamoun's so they would deliver to the band.
Although the place has moved around the corner from the original location and has now been combined with a sushi place called “Anaya’s” on Chapel Street, Andrea & I still go. We have yet to try the sushi (perhaps you can let us know) as we stay true to our “Noodle House-roots” Its one of our favorites meals in the city especially if we are feeling sinus I’ll. We always get the same things: Snow pea salad to split and two coconut curry soups with glass noodles and shrimp. An addition, you'll be surrounded by Yale students talking intelligently - we consider it a free ivy league education. The best part is when the bill comes!
York St Noodle House
1150 Chapel St
Although the place has moved around the corner from the original location and has now been combined with a sushi place called “Anaya’s” on Chapel Street, Andrea & I still go. We have yet to try the sushi (perhaps you can let us know) as we stay true to our “Noodle House-roots” Its one of our favorites meals in the city especially if we are feeling sinus I’ll. We always get the same things: Snow pea salad to split and two coconut curry soups with glass noodles and shrimp. An addition, you'll be surrounded by Yale students talking intelligently - we consider it a free ivy league education. The best part is when the bill comes!
The deserts are as good as the food.
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Claire's Corner Copia- dine in, take out, curbside pickup
1000 Chapel St
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The deserts are as good as the food.
Inventor of the Hamburger. The hand-packed beef is cooked sideway and placed on toast with cheese sauce, tomato and a slice of raw onion. Ketchup is taboo at Lou's but I never mind just add with salt and pepper which are supplied and you won’t miss the red stuff. Get the potato salad!
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Louis' Lunch
261 Crown St
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Inventor of the Hamburger. The hand-packed beef is cooked sideway and placed on toast with cheese sauce, tomato and a slice of raw onion. Ketchup is taboo at Lou's but I never mind just add with salt and pepper which are supplied and you won’t miss the red stuff. Get the potato salad!
This place is sort-of the epicenter of the East Rock Neighborhood.
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P&M Orange Street Market
721 Orange St
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This place is sort-of the epicenter of the East Rock Neighborhood.
Happy Hour rocks very progressive vibe all 90's rap. Go for happy hour and order only off that menu and you will have a banging meal, good drinks for a great price. Otherwise, it can be a little on the pricey side but it is always trendy.
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Mecha Noodle Bar
116 Washington St
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Happy Hour rocks very progressive vibe all 90's rap. Go for happy hour and order only off that menu and you will have a banging meal, good drinks for a great price. Otherwise, it can be a little on the pricey side but it is always trendy.
Good pitas, big portions, fair price
Pitaziki Mediterranean Grill
170 Temple Street
Good pitas, big portions, fair price
Good meal deal: yummy chicken nuggets, potato puffs and drink $10
Garden Catering - New Haven
930 Chapel Street
Good meal deal: yummy chicken nuggets, potato puffs and drink $10
Asian Fried Chicken
Bonchon
170 College St
Asian Fried Chicken
Fun local Italian restaurant for breakfast and lunch, good subs
Scarpellino's Restaurant and Catering
257 Forbes Avenue
Fun local Italian restaurant for breakfast and lunch, good subs
Not the best area but the best Spanish food. Big portions inexpensive: Rice & Beans with a protein and plantains.
Buen Gusto Restaurant
379 Grand Avenue
Not the best area but the best Spanish food. Big portions inexpensive: Rice & Beans with a protein and plantains.
Just outside New Haven but on our side of the river it's actually closer than downtown... Best lunch period. Order off the lunch menu, sit down only, however, get a beautiful Columbian lunch for like $15
The Little Colombia Restaurant
672 Main St
Just outside New Haven but on our side of the river it's actually closer than downtown... Best lunch period. Order off the lunch menu, sit down only, however, get a beautiful Columbian lunch for like $15
Part of the fast casual motif, this place is new, extremely clean with an easy Indian menu and way to order.
Pataka Vegetarian Indian Food
Part of the fast casual motif, this place is new, extremely clean with an easy Indian menu and way to order.
Another fast casual Indian place. Nice and easy to get in and out fast.
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Tikkaway Grill
135 Orange St
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Another fast casual Indian place. Nice and easy to get in and out fast.
The Best and open late.
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Ashley's Ice Cream
280 York St
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The Best and open late.
Close to us, not the best neighborhood now but at one time Fair Haven was a sprawling immigrant community. This is a hold-over from a bygone era but we are glad Anna is still making delicious Italian breads and treats.
Roccos Bakery
432 Ferry St
Close to us, not the best neighborhood now but at one time Fair Haven was a sprawling immigrant community. This is a hold-over from a bygone era but we are glad Anna is still making delicious Italian breads and treats.
Sushi. There are many but for us there is only one. Daiko. But for those who know, they say "Jerry San," longtime master chef. You are not going here for the ambiance.
Daiko
1 Jefferson Road
Sushi. There are many but for us there is only one. Daiko. But for those who know, they say "Jerry San," longtime master chef. You are not going here for the ambiance.
French food at it's best. If you are going to spend money on food spend it on the best. This is a bistro, it is not fancy or overdone its all about the food. Must have reservations, only two seating's per night.
Le Petit Café
225 Montowese St
French food at it's best. If you are going to spend money on food spend it on the best. This is a bistro, it is not fancy or overdone its all about the food. Must have reservations, only two seating's per night.
Authentic Italian ice. Today we get lemon, but when I was young I would always get watermelon or red raspberry with my grandfather.
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Libby's Italian Pastry Shop
139 Wooster St
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Authentic Italian ice. Today we get lemon, but when I was young I would always get watermelon or red raspberry with my grandfather.
A newcomer to the New Haven pizza scene, this is NOT a pizzeria napolitana apizza, it is different. However, it is a unique addition to the food scene and we love the ricotta with honey appetizer.
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Zeneli Pizzeria e cucina Napoletana
138 Wooster St
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A newcomer to the New Haven pizza scene, this is NOT a pizzeria napolitana apizza, it is different. However, it is a unique addition to the food scene and we love the ricotta with honey appetizer.
Seafood. expensive. good view. We've never ate there but we hear it is good.
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Shell & Bones Oyster Bar & Grill
100 S Water St
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Seafood. expensive. good view. We've never ate there but we hear it is good.
Local joint with great fried chicken, it used to be cheap last time I went I was disappointed by the high prices and the covid setup, however, the fish sandwich was just as I remembered-excellent. Not dangerous yet not in a great section either so be prepared for an entertaining array of characters walking around.
D'Amato's Seafood II
423 Whalley Avenue
Local joint with great fried chicken, it used to be cheap last time I went I was disappointed by the high prices and the covid setup, however, the fish sandwich was just as I remembered-excellent. Not dangerous yet not in a great section either so be prepared for an entertaining array of characters walking around.
A delightful Turkish coffee house and bakery. Tremendous interior cool and hip with excellent baklava.
Pistachio Cafe
911 Whalley Avenue
A delightful Turkish coffee house and bakery. Tremendous interior cool and hip with excellent baklava.
Where we go for seafood in the summertime. Nice to sit outside.
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Lenny's Indian Head Inn
205 S Montowese St
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Where we go for seafood in the summertime. Nice to sit outside.
High quality sushi place, right downtown, not cheap but sushi rarely is (unless you go to the all-you-can-eat spots). This was actually where I took Andrea on our first date. Tuna tartare is the best around.
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Miso
15 Orange St
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High quality sushi place, right downtown, not cheap but sushi rarely is (unless you go to the all-you-can-eat spots). This was actually where I took Andrea on our first date. Tuna tartare is the best around.
Great salad bar, sandwiches and breakfast.
Shoreline Cafe & Catering
1247 Main Street
Great salad bar, sandwiches and breakfast.
This is our favorite diner. We call it the North Haven diner but its real name is Athena 2. We love the tuna salad wraps.
Athena Diner II
320 Washington Avenue
This is our favorite diner. We call it the North Haven diner but its real name is Athena 2. We love the tuna salad wraps.
We have actually eaten here twice. It is expensive, however, both times the meal was excellent. Andrea swears it was, "the best chicken I ever had."
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Cast Iron Chef Chop House & Oyster Bar
660 State St
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We have actually eaten here twice. It is expensive, however, both times the meal was excellent. Andrea swears it was, "the best chicken I ever had."
Good value restaurant in the heart of downtown that has been turning out quality bar-style food and good salads for decades.
Temple Grill
152 Temple St
Good value restaurant in the heart of downtown that has been turning out quality bar-style food and good salads for decades.
A favorite of ours. Cool, sophisticated motif with food to match. To maximize your dollar just order some olives, cheese and jamon this with their delicious crusty bread & olive oil creates a nice foundation...after this just two or three of their authentic tapas and you will be all set.
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Barcelona Wine Bar
155 Temple St
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A favorite of ours. Cool, sophisticated motif with food to match. To maximize your dollar just order some olives, cheese and jamon this with their delicious crusty bread & olive oil creates a nice foundation...after this just two or three of their authentic tapas and you will be all set.
Takeout only. Been going here since I was a kid, truth is it’s not as good as when I was young, however, there has been, in my opinion, a general deterioration in the quality and taste differentiation of all Chinese takeout.
Foliage Chinese Food Restaurant
452 Main Street
Takeout only. Been going here since I was a kid, truth is it’s not as good as when I was young, however, there has been, in my opinion, a general deterioration in the quality and taste differentiation of all Chinese takeout.
Thai food, oddly there used to be a number of good Thai places downtown but not anymore. This place is in the tranquil, safe downtown Branford. Two old woman cook very authentic Thai cuisine.
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Som Siam Thai Restaurant
63R Whitfield St
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Thai food, oddly there used to be a number of good Thai places downtown but not anymore. This place is in the tranquil, safe downtown Branford. Two old woman cook very authentic Thai cuisine.
Deep secret spot. Nam & his brother have been secretly making the best cold cut subs in the area for 40 years. Quality sliced-to-order meats & cheeses on fresh Italian bread. Sub our way: Turkey, Swiss, lettuce, tomato, onion, s&p, mayo, oil & vinegar. Bang! Take it to the park or the beach with you.
Deli Mart
34 Gerrish Avenue
Deep secret spot. Nam & his brother have been secretly making the best cold cut subs in the area for 40 years. Quality sliced-to-order meats & cheeses on fresh Italian bread. Sub our way: Turkey, Swiss, lettuce, tomato, onion, s&p, mayo, oil & vinegar. Bang! Take it to the park or the beach with you.
Foxon Park Beverages, Inc
103 Foxon Boulevard

Neighborhoods

EAST ROCK Neighborhood - This has become the urban hipster neighborhood in New Haven. Stay on Orange Street and it runs from downtown to East Rock in between there are a number of cool lunch and breakfast spots and almost all have sidewalk seating. Relatively. safe neighborhood for wandering around.
Orange Street
Orange Street
EAST ROCK Neighborhood - This has become the urban hipster neighborhood in New Haven. Stay on Orange Street and it runs from downtown to East Rock in between there are a number of cool lunch and breakfast spots and almost all have sidewalk seating. Relatively. safe neighborhood for wandering around.
DOWNTOWN -When I was young there actually used to be a lively nightclub and bar scene, today, not so much mostly restaurants and lounges. Still stay in the this rectangle of Crown Street parallel to Chapel Street bordered by College Street on one end and York Street on the other. This like 4-5 block area of downtown is where most of the action is at night while staying in a relatively safe area with other travelers, visitors and bordered almost entirely by Yale University. There is no need to go sightseeing through the city greens at night.
Crown Street
Crown Street
DOWNTOWN -When I was young there actually used to be a lively nightclub and bar scene, today, not so much mostly restaurants and lounges. Still stay in the this rectangle of Crown Street parallel to Chapel Street bordered by College Street on one end and York Street on the other. This like 4-5 block area of downtown is where most of the action is at night while staying in a relatively safe area with other travelers, visitors and bordered almost entirely by Yale University. There is no need to go sightseeing through the city greens at night.
BRANFORD, CT - Being as though we are actually on the east side of the Quinnipiac River, we are close to Branford, CT. Branford is basically the first town of the historic Connecticut shoreline all the way up to Rhode Island. If you are looking for that quintessential New England experience during your stay then Branford is a great place to start. Andrea and I spend a lot of time here. You need a car but with one you are only 12 minutes away. Very Safe to walk around all day. Start at Common Ground for coffee, walk down to Branford Point, come back get delicious handmade ice cream at Ashley's, Go for a ride to Stony Creek, get a nice salad bar lunch at Shoreline Cafe then go for a ride along Route 146 to the center of historic Guilford, CT then loop back around just in time for legendary seafood at Lenny's of Indian Neck, Branford. Any questions just ask us we hang out here quiet a bit.
Main Street
Main Street
BRANFORD, CT - Being as though we are actually on the east side of the Quinnipiac River, we are close to Branford, CT. Branford is basically the first town of the historic Connecticut shoreline all the way up to Rhode Island. If you are looking for that quintessential New England experience during your stay then Branford is a great place to start. Andrea and I spend a lot of time here. You need a car but with one you are only 12 minutes away. Very Safe to walk around all day. Start at Common Ground for coffee, walk down to Branford Point, come back get delicious handmade ice cream at Ashley's, Go for a ride to Stony Creek, get a nice salad bar lunch at Shoreline Cafe then go for a ride along Route 146 to the center of historic Guilford, CT then loop back around just in time for legendary seafood at Lenny's of Indian Neck, Branford. Any questions just ask us we hang out here quiet a bit.
New Haven’s Little Italy home of Pepe’s & Sally’s Pizzeria.
Wooster Street
Wooster Street
New Haven’s Little Italy home of Pepe’s & Sally’s Pizzeria.

Italian Food

Many people are surprised by how many Italian people settled in New Haven at the dawn of the century but the reality is that many Italian immigrants established their lives in America here in the Elm City. The few places I have listed here are just remnants of what, at one time, was a huge Italian-American community. Thankfully, we can still celebrate their accomplishments with some wonderful cuisine.
High End Italian we eat here usually to celebrate our wedding anniversary as it was one of our first date spots.
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Tre Scalini Restaurant
100 Wooster St
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High End Italian we eat here usually to celebrate our wedding anniversary as it was one of our first date spots.
Fun place, unique, high end & pricey
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Goodfellas Restaurant
702 State St
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Fun place, unique, high end & pricey
Get the veal. Pricey & busy
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Adriana's
771 Grand Ave
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Get the veal. Pricey & busy
cute area to sit outside, cool building
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L'Orcio
806 State St
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cute area to sit outside, cool building
One of the originals.
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Consiglio's Restaurant
165 Wooster St
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One of the originals.
A 20 min car ride from us but worth it.
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Bin 100 Restaurant
100 Lansdale Ave
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A 20 min car ride from us but worth it.
Always busy, again center of Branford is always pleasant, older more mature scene. Call ahead.
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Pasta Cosi
1018 Main St
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Always busy, again center of Branford is always pleasant, older more mature scene. Call ahead.
True local spot outside of New Haven by maybe 15min good place to hang out and meet people without the pretense of being in the city.
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Cafe Amici
1640 Whitney Ave
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True local spot outside of New Haven by maybe 15min good place to hang out and meet people without the pretense of being in the city.
Great place for lunch in the East Rock neighborhood.
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Nica's
603 Orange St
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Great place for lunch in the East Rock neighborhood.
An authentic Italian Deli only open during the day.
P&M Fine Foods
401 Main Street
An authentic Italian Deli only open during the day.
small Italian bistro, call ahead it may have gone under due to covid
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Skappo Italian Wine Bar
59 Crown Street
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small Italian bistro, call ahead it may have gone under due to covid