Best Restaurants in New Haven (2025)

Since 1934, this brick‑oven landmark defines New Haven’s apizza culture without the franchise hype. Beloved by locals for the Italian Bomb and clam pies, it’s been celebrated by Food & Wine and praised by The Infatuation and Connecticut Magazine.

A French brasserie in a historic Beaux‑Arts building across from Yale’s Old Campus. White‑tablecloth service, serious wine, and classic technique anchor special‑occasion meals. Recognized by Eater and highlighted by Connecticut Magazine’s 2025 lists.

Chef Manuel Romero’s Spanish‑Mediterranean spot delivers elegant plates and a midweek tasting menu in a sleek downtown room. Frequently cited for overall excellence, including Connecticut Magazine’s 2025 coverage and strong local critic praise.

Shell & Bones Oyster Bar & Grill - Review - The Hill - New Haven - The Infatuation

Shell and Bones is the type of spot where you can gaze longingly across the Long Island Sound with a martini and exude big Meredith Blake energy. The dining room and patio both have great views of the water and docked yachts, and the seafood and service here are consistently excellent. The menu is packed with great meat and vegetarian options—you can even ask for your protein to be simply prepared with your choice of sauce if you have food allergies, or happen to have an aunt whose dietary restrictions fluctuate more frequently than the tides. Highlights include the mussel pot with pomme frites and the Alaskan black garlic cod, but you can’t go wrong with a giant tower of shells for a showstopper. - Ciera Velarde

Tavern on State - Review - Mill River - New Haven - The Infatuation

The menu changes almost daily at Tavern on State, an American restaurant serving the most inventive dishes in New Haven. In fact, they don’t even print menus—most nights, the chef will add something to the lineup right before opening. What is consistent here though is a commitment to seasonal ingredients. (During a late summer visit, we had juicy-sweet heirloom tomatoes as well as a peach dessert that tasted like a grown-up version of a McDonald’s pie.) Count on friendly servers who spend at least five minutes gushing about the new dish they tried this afternoon, and a cabin-esque dining room with a healthy dose of flickering candles. - Ciera Velarde

A snug riverside oyster bar from the Tavern on State team, with gin‑ and sherry‑friendly cocktails and a seafood menu that balances nostalgia and creativity. Featured by Eater and named among Connecticut Magazine’s 2025 seafood standouts.

Housed in a converted Westville garage, Chef Arturo Franco‑Camacho’s spot riffs on Mexican street food with house‑made tortillas and a serious agave program. Featured by Eater and cited by Connecticut Magazine’s 2025 lists.

A husband‑and‑wife team from Florence brings handmade pasta, regional Italian cooking, and a lovely garden dining room to East Rock. Regularly recommended by Eater and local critics for its enduring, independent spirit.

Vibrant Thai cooking with a loyal local following, from curries to noodles and cocktails, plus a spacious patio. Recognized among the state’s top Thai restaurants in Connecticut Magazine’s 2025 coverage and praised by area writers.

A downtown mainstay since 1999, serving injera‑based platters, fragrant stews, and vegetarian feasts that anchor the city’s Ethiopian community. Highlighted by the state tourism board and local press for its cultural impact and staying power.