L'Orcio

Italian restaurant · New Haven

L'Orcio

Italian restaurant · New Haven

2

806 State St, New Haven, CT 06511

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Highlights

Nestled in a historic Victorian house, L'Orcio serves up delightful homemade pasta and traditional dishes in a charming garden oasis that feels refreshingly exclusive.  

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806 State St, New Haven, CT 06511 Get directions

lorcio.com

$30–50 · Menu

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806 State St, New Haven, CT 06511 Get directions

+1 203 777 6670
lorcio.com
LOrcio
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@L_Orcio

$30–50 · Menu

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Jul 11, 2025

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@eater

"Housed in a historic Queen Anne Victorian-style building on State Street, L’Orcio stands out amid New Haven’s notable Italian food scene and the popular East Rock neighborhood with its Florentine flavors, fresh pasta, and an expansive, secluded garden patio. Order antipasti like pan-fried stuffed sardines, followed by luscious casarecce con funghi featuring three types of mushrooms and a creamy tomato sauce, before checking out events at nearby community collective Never Ending Books or the Bradley Street Bicycle Co-op." - Stasia Brewczynski

13 Essential New Haven Restaurants
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@eater

"Fresh handmade pasta and Old World Florentine charm help L’Orcio stand out in New Haven’s robust Italian food scene. Located in the historic 1889 Thomas Kelly House, a Queen Anne Victorian-style building nestled next to beloved community collective Never Ending Books, the restaurant offers white-tablecloth elegance inside and a secluded outdoor escape in the trellised garden patio. Go on Ten Dollar Tuesdays for terrific value on luscious pasta dishes like pappardelle al ragu." - Stasia Brewczynski

Where to Eat in New Haven’s East Rock Neighborhood - Eater Boston
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Gayatri Tree

Google
I have super mixed reviews for this place. I was really excited to come here and it's been on my list forever but last night was such a mix. We waited an hour for food. Which was crazy. We didn't order apps we ordered basically as soon as our server came to our table. We had an 815 reservation and we didn't get food till 9:22. and then after waiting and hour for food it was off and we ended up sending one dish back. For a 32$ lobster ravioli, you would think it was well seasoned but the filling was bland and off and the sauce was way over salted. When we spoke to our server she immediately brought another dish and that was great of them but at that point it was like 950. The other dish we ordered was the ricotta gnocchi with vodka sauce and genuinely it was delightful and I would normally want to go back to eat it but I don't want to risk waiting another hour. I'm not big in leaving reviews but waiting and hour for dinner was wild I know they were busy but like if I had known it would take an hour to be fed we would have ordered apps or something.

Wyatt Cannon

Google
Been wanting to come to this place for a while and finally carved out the time to go. Wednesday afternoon seemed to be a perfect time to avoid a crowd. Started off the meal with the formaggi platter - great cheese selections (although one of the cheeses was a touch too dry) and the fruit bread was delicious. For the main course, each member of my party got a different pasta dish: I got the chicken cacciatore, my mother got the ragu, and my boyfriend had the sausage gnocchi. All dishes were wonderful, traditional, and delicious. Pasta was phenomenally cooked and the flavors were great. Out of the three, the gnocchi was probably my favorite. We ended the dinner with three different desserts we all split. All three (tiramisu, lemon tart, and affogato) were delicious. My only note for dessert was the crust on the lemon tart was too much, other than that it was delicious. I will be coming back here when looking for good, traditional, Italian food.

Chiara A

Google
very cute Italian restaurant in East rock, the pasta was good, however the biggest issue with our visit was the slow service. we waited a bit for the food to arrive, and after we received it we were not approached again by any staff for 30 minutes...long after we had finished our meals and received boxes by the bussing staff. it was good but for the price point of the appetizers and pastas you'd expect a little more attentive service. not a bad place to stop however, as long as you're not in a rush!

Buschauer

Google
During my visit to L'Orcio, I was expecting modern Italian cuisine, but was met with typical traditional Italian dishes. The presentation of the main course seemed somewhat uninspired, lacking creativity, but where it lacked in visual appeal, it excelled in taste. The self-made pasta was exceptional, complemented by excellent choices of cheese, fresh herbs, and garden-crisp vegetables, all with a concentrated focus on flavoring. Portions were just right, neither overpowering nor too big. The beautiful backyard oasis, with its urban Mediterranean setting, complete with charming planting and a pergola, added to the ambiance. Unfortunately, my enjoyment was marred by mosquitoes enjoying their human feast, leaving distracting marks on me. Next time, I'll remember to wear long pants and apply bug spray beforehand, but the culinary experience was satisfying nonetheless.

Snehal

Google
Ambience was classy. Food, cocktails were great. However, dessert could have been better ( I hope they made better lime pie, crust was not great unfortunately). Overall good place for date night dinner.

Hyunchul Lee

Google
Had high expectations going in, but wasn't met 100%. Gnocchi was good, burrata was as expected, oysters were okay. Wine from Tuscany was my favorite here. I've had better saltimbocca elsewhere. Service was somewhat 'surly'. The atmosphere would be pretty good if we weren't seated next to the entrance with a table full of noisy people. For the price, I expected more.

RealReview Now

Google
First time dining here, it was on my list. Parking is terrible but it’s New Haven & to be expected. No points deducted. Very friendly staff. Inside is a quiet elegant feel. Outside is a little more vibrant. We chose to sit outside and the patio is very nice. They should rearrange the tables a little bit better & the chairs are not comfortable. we ordered the burrata for an app. It was very very small piece of burrata & 2 thin slices of tomato. Delicious but tiny. The dipping oils were good but the focaccia bread was a big dissatisfaction. It’s thin, hard as a rock, over cooked in too much oil with no flavor. I’m a bread girl & I was very sad at the bread. I ordered the house made ricotta gnocchi in the vodka sauce, and the New York key was exceptionally good. The vodka sauce was mediocre. Not much flavor. With the gnocchi having such a mild flavor to begin with, you need that sauce to really stand out and it did not. My suggestions would be to redo your focaccia recipe. It should have a light crust with a thick pillowy inside light and airy. It should be seasoned with at least some seesaw and garlic or maybe a little rosemary. And the vodka sauce lacked any onions garlic etc. Price point is fair for the quantity. Overall cute little place and the food was OK

Elizabeth Bigley

Google
Absolutely delicious, we went for a date night and this was a hidden gem in New Haven! We had the grilled octopus appetizer, gnocchi alla vodka, tiramisu, and creme brulee. We added the fresh ricotta to the gnocchi, it was perfect! I would highly recommend L'Orcio

Dale E.

Yelp
Always a great experience, the food is delicious and the service is excellent. Always listen to the specials, there are usually interesting options. A very nice ambiance, not stuffy but upscale. A well thought out wine list at fair prices. We have been going for years, always excellent

Olivia J.

Yelp
I'd like to start off by saying how nice their patio out back is. It's so pretty back there. I love the food too! The gnocchi is definitely some of the best I've had. It's so light, I've never had anything like it. I wouldn't get a steak there again though, it was just okay. Everything else I've had is good! Their service is great as well. We've celebrated a few birthdays here and will definitely be returning.

Hannah S.

Yelp
I had to up my rating of this restaurant because everything about the experience from beginning to end is fantastic. The service, atmosphere, food. Everything is fresh, great portions. A great date night or family restaurant. This has easily become one of my favorites in New Haven!

Julianne A.

Yelp
We totally regretted visiting L'Orcio. The food was sub-par at best, the prices were ridiculously high given the quality of the food, and the staff was inattentive and rude. Tip: The ambiance on the patio looks like it would be nice in the summer Several people I know recommended this place, but they were dead wrong - there are simply too many good restaurants in New Haven, so visit one of them instead of coming here :-(

Rose C.

Yelp
First time here. Server was Alexis. She helped us make choices off the menu. Shared a Mediterranea Salad... fresh greens & perfect dressing; one Pasta Carbonara & Cavatelli alla Norma; two glasses of Montepulchiano & chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream for dessert. Good food. Good service. Look forward to coming back.

Jennifer D.

Yelp
Been sitting here for 75 minutes without an entree. Seems they forgot to put in the food order. No apology. No explanation. Never coming back.

M M.

Yelp
We came here during Restaurant Week because we'd never been and boy were we impressed! The decor was lovely and subdued, as was the old school standards (think Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, and Billie Holiday) playing during our meal. Our server greeted us right away and took our order for a bottle of Malbec, which was very nice. To start, I ordered the fried eggplant Napoleon, which was heavenly. The breading was nice and light and the tomato sauce accompanying it was fresh and tasty. My husband chose the pane cotta, which was delicious and hearty. We also really liked the bread they served with a dipping oil. For entrees, my husband ordered the salmon with gnocchi. The salmon was done well with a nice cream sauce with green peppercorns, and it was over the lightest and fluffiest gnocchi I've ever had. They almost melted in your mouth, they were so good. I chose the chicken scallopini with spinach and roasted baby potatoes, which was also delicious with a bright lemony sauce and velveted thin filets. For dessert we ordered the chocolate mousse cake and the lemon tart. Both were fantastic. The mousse was light and fluffy with a good dark chocolate taste. The crust on the lemon tart was okay, maybe a little soggy but the lemon curd was excellent and it more than made up for the minor crust issue. Overall, the presentation was lovely for all of these dishes, and the service was helpful and attentive without being intrusive. They have a patio out back that looks like it'll be great on good-weather days. We will definitely come back here again.

Mk G.

Yelp
Love love love L'Orcios especially when you can sit out back in the grotto. Food service ambience all spot on making for a great place to gather w friends and family. Get the homemade pasta.

Olivia H.

Yelp
New Haven is saturated with Italian restaurants, but L'Orcio remains our favorite time after time. Most spots we frequent can be hit-or-miss when we branch out and order new dishes. But at L'Orcio, taking that leap of faith just unveils yet another delicious item to add to my notes. They also have a very cute patio in the back that is perfect for nice summer evenings. As for noteworthy favorites, the list could go on, but I'll keep it to a few highlights: casarecce con funghi, house-made ravioli (even the broccoli rabe ravioli blew my mind), and the tiramisú. But go crazy! Order something new! Chances are they'll nail that too!

Rebecca M.

Yelp
A friend recently recommended L'Orcio to me saying it is "never less than delightful" -- pleased to say that's an accurate description! Five stars for atmosphere - the restaurant is in an elegant, quiet brownstone with a spacious and also quiet backyard garden/courtyard (unlike so many "gardens" it has actual flowers/greenery and a fountain). The back area outside is a particularly lovely setting with string lights and it's so nice to not be crammed on top of other diners. We ordered two pastas -- the papardelle ragu and papardelle osso buco special -- the branzino and the lamb chops. Pastas are definitely the way to go; handmade, big portions, and sauces are really delicious and fresh tasting. Other dishes were good too, just not quite as "wow" as the pasta (the lamb chops I ordered medium were not pink at all, and also pretty puny in size). Appetizers also very good; the grilled veggies in the "erbivoro" were especially standout. All in all, a really nice feel for a chill evening in New Haven with family and friends.

Bo R.

Yelp
Cozy, casual atmosphere. Ate inside where it was easy to have a conversation with our group of 5. We had reservations and were surprised that the table wasn't ready even though we were the only ones in the place! Food was good but not spectacular. Some dishes needed salt. Oysters were delicious. Gnocchi was very light and fluffy. Service was very good.

Anita J.

Yelp
Came here again and it was as great as last time. We sat in their back garden outdoor seating this time and it was lovely and well decorated. Would again recommend for date or celebratory meals.

Alyssa C.

Yelp
L'Orcio is an authentic Italian gem in the heart of New Haven -- they serve outstandingly delicious homemade pasta dishes, the service is great, and the ambience is fantastic. Looking forward to trying the whole menu

Lauren L.

Yelp
I've gone twice now, and sadly it's been disappointing each time. Service is nice but it takes forever for food to arrive, and sadly the bread they serve to snack on is very dry and flavorless. Prices are also astronomical for food that isn't very good. There are better options nearby, and I'd save your date night for somewhere else!

Cathy C.

Yelp
We were a party of 5 on a Sunday night. Charming covered patio was terrific because it started to rain. Starting with the good, the food was delicious once it arrived. My 3 year old grandson was with us as my family was visiting from out of state. The food took almost an hour to arrive after appetizer was served promptly. Maybe there was a problem in the kitchen. It was fairly busy and it seemed like everyone was waiting for their main course. The waitress was not communicative about the wait and why. I would not recommend bringing small children here. Summing it up, great food choices and ambience, reasonably priced,maybe a bad day in the kitchen.

Danielle G.

Yelp
Absolutely delicious italian food in the heart of East Rock! The linguine con vongole was filled with fresh clams and a hearty broth. The whole menu looks delicious and I'm eager to return to try more!

Alyssa R.

Yelp
Stopped by for a drink & dessert. We ordered one of everything on the dessert menu and all were great. The bartender was very pleasant.

Jeff C.

Yelp
Truly outstanding dinner following a Yale hockey game, with excellent appetizers, then the branzino special for me and vegetarian boscaiola and burratta for my guests. Wonderful texture and taste to all dishes, with efficient service in a homey venue. So pleased to discover this gem, within walking distance of our hotel.

Cap i.

Yelp
Another amazing meal at L'Orcio Simply amazing! You actually deserve 6 stars because you are in a league of your own. Like an elite athlete that arrives well before a practice or a game and warms up and trains - L'Orcio puts more work in and produces a superior product Homemade Pappardelle!! I repeat Homemade Pappardelle!! Each bite delicate and tender - the BEST. In addition, they have even more specials. The shrimp salad with light lemon sauce was off the charts L'Orcio - you do it right, always have and always will. I love that you have prevailed thru the pandemic and love your food, ambiance(love eating outside) and staff!

Jess F.

Yelp
Delicious dinner and great service! Gnocchi and salmon was a home run, the gnocchi were so pillowy and light, I could eat them every day!

Keith B.

Yelp
Tried L'Orcio for the first time. Looking forward to nice meal with the family. For the most part the food was excellent. The drink menu and wine list were also excellent. Prices are a bit on the high side but was expecting that. Parking was a pain but not unusual when you look for street parking in that part of New Haven. The 3 stars are because of the service. Most of the meals came out in an appropriate amount of time, but my son-in-law's meal was very late and came out almost halfway through the rest of our meals. My wife's was even worse. She ordered off the special's menu and the waitress apparently wrote down the wrong dish. Her corrected meal did not come back until the rest of us were finished! They comped a couple of glasses of wine and were apologetic, but this is really not acceptable. I get that mistakes are made, but you would think they could turnaround one of their special dishes a lot sooner. I will need to think twice before going back.

Stephen M.

Yelp
Fantastic and delicious food! Service was awesome and the outdoor covered patio is great on nice evenings. Each meal is better than the next. Highly recommended!!

Erin K.

Yelp
We took my parents out for a birthday/ Mother's Day celebration, and it was so worth it. Beautiful restaurant, service was impeccable. We took our time, never rushed us. Food was perfectly cooked, 3 branzinos for my dining companions, and they all found it delicious cooked to perfection. I had a chicken Parmigiano, and it was delicious accompanied by what I believe to be handmade pasta. The wine was also excellent, and we had a Tempinillo(sp?) That was delicious.

Brian A.

Yelp
This is a tough review to write. L'orcio is a comfortable restaurant that's been around for 19 years they squeezed us in but reservations are recommended. We sat at the bar and our bartender, Adonna, was incredible. She knew the menu very well and was so charming and fun. I'd give her own 5 stars. I started with a bean soup which was very thick, had a nice flavor but could have been better. I always write about cooks tasting food before sending it out, not sure the soup had been tasted all night. It was salty but lacked the kick a great soup has. For dinner I had chicken Al Limone, a classic Italian version of what we would find at most Italian Americsn restaurants- Chicken Piccata. The chicken was plentiful but dry and probably seared for too long. The sauce was light and tasted like just fresh lemon juice. This is in fact how Italians cook: clean and simple but I'm programmed to like a sauce that's more structured. Overall a good restaurant, I just wanted it to be a little better. Hats off Adonna! 31/2 stars.

M B.

Yelp
We went based on a recommendation from a friend who goes frequently. I echo what many others have written about that the service is very slow. Our server was delightful but it was a slow drag. We sat on the second floor and it does very much feel like you are sitting in someone's home. Wine list and drink menu are perfect and creative. I had the farro salad which had been pre made and refrigerated so the tomatos were mealy and the oil oil hardened. So disappointing. The homemade pasta like the Ragu are genuine and the real deal but smaller in potion size. The men in our group were still hungry. Desserts are made in house and the best part of the menu. Not sure who is watching the kitchen but the entrees and salads just didn't have the care and freshness that a chef at this level should be producing.

Erin G.

Yelp
Beautiful ambiance, upscale Italian food. They press their own olive oil. Everything was delicious.

Anoush N.

Yelp
Is it 2022? Arrived at L'Orcio with my family of 3 in the early evening, after a college visit at Yale. There seemed to be almost no one at the restaurant. Asked for outside seating and was told there is none available because there are reservations for every table, but we can sit inside. Then the white woman seated by the counter came up to the host and said something; the host turned to us and said, she just checked and there are no tables indoors either. Now we are immigrants, so is it your xenophobia/racism at play? Not cool, L'Orcio. Went on to your competitor Villa Lulu and had a good dinner in a great location!

Scott F.

Yelp
The entire vibe of restaurant seems catfished. Online it looks like a beautiful garden oasis but inside, it's like stepping into a nursing home. There is no color, the people are not friendly, and it's dead inside, unlike the food. My steak was so raw I had to stick my fork in it to kill it. The finger food for an appetizer was prepared just how I would imagine a 3 year old would prepare it. The pasta is amazing... NOT. It is watery, and the gnocchi was a joke. It looked like cereal floating in red milk. The frozen gnocchi I make at home is far better. You will also like the bread if you are an avid church goer and enjoy receiving the Eucharist. All in all, please avoi

Elle W.

Yelp
The food and service is exquisite! The grilled vegetable appetizer ( special) was delicious with the ricotta pesto and homemade bread. The lamb entree was cooked to perfection. The burrata appetizer was excellent. Adonna was a true gem and thankful she was our server as well. The garden is so beautiful you forget you are in new haven. I love they don't rush your courses and allow you to enjoy the food and wine. It's like being home in Europe. I have been eating here for years and it's one of the best Italian restaurants.

Bella V.

Yelp
I had been wanting to dine here for a long time based on the pictures of the back outside dining. It was nice but not great. Maybe due to covid it was not kept as good. No flowers in the planters and the table under the air conditioner blows down air so on chillier nights it's not comfortable to sit there. The best seats outside are furthest from the building from what I saw making it more of a garden feel with the pretty lights. The food was very underwhelming in terms of flavor. It sounded phenomenal on the menu. Two of us ordered the lamb chops, one order cacciatore. There was very little flavor to the cacciatore. My lamb chops were good however the other persons were a little over cooked. We ordered dessert which was probably my favorite part. The cheesecake was delicious. The food took a long time to come both meals and dessert. I wouldn't return soon but I'd still try again.

David W.

Yelp
This is a hidden gem in New Haven. Pasta is homemade. Steaks and seafood are excellent. Ambience is spectacular. Service is impeccable. I highly recommend the Amari Manhattan.

Emily L.

Yelp
We went on a Friday night around 7PM without a reservation and they were able to seat us right away, though not in the back garden area. We still were able to sit at a table with direct view of the garden so it was comfortable with a lovely view. (I would recommend garden seating if you're making a reservation, though, because it looked really lovely. There were fountains and flower baskets, twinkle lights, etc.) The wait staff was a little cold (hence 4 stars) but by no means rude. They could've been more helpful when we had questions about the menu but they didn't offer much explanation. They were fairly attentive and service was normal. The wine and food were excellent! Everything was well-seasoned and the flavor profiles were well balanced. The pasta dishes didn't feel heavy even though they were cream-based. The cook on the seafood was perfect. Overall, I would return to this intimate, lovely restaurant for more delicious traditional Italian fare!

Elizabeth S.

Yelp
We tried L'Orcio for New Haven Restaurant Week 2020. I have been wanting to go here for a while to try it out. The story behind the restaurant convinced us that we would be treated to a delicious meal. The RW menu was nicely curated offering choices for a three course dinner. I made a reservation for two and anxiously waited for our night out. We arrived early and found a waiting line which was no issue. We were seated shortly then waited for water as we perused the wine list. We decided on the one and only Chardonnay offered and when Our server came back for our drink order he provided little to no help on the decision. When our server returned, he asked if we were ready to place our order, we had a couple of questions but the waiter did not engage in any sort of conversation with us, he seemed preoccupied and offered little assistance, he just wanted to take our order. So order we did. I settled on the fried artichoke with arugula and he settled on the meat and cheese appetizer. I selected the stuffed chicken breast and he decided on the fresh lobster ravioli. For dessert I ordered the raspberry blood orange sorbet and he the tiramisu. Upon taking our orders the waiter moved on and our meals were served. The appetizers were delicious. Again, our waiter did not engage in any way. No return visit to see how we liked our choices. The lobster ravioli was superb. The chicken breast was moist but salty. The tiramisu was not cured enough to absorb the expresso but still good. The sorbet was refreshing. Overall our meals were good and the wine was ok for our only choice in Chardonnay. Our only complaint was that our waiter was totally unfocused about being our server. He didn't put any effort into making us feel welcomed or even to discuss the food.

Karen B.

Yelp
We had been here years ago and had a great meal. Tonight the experience was not as good. The tone was set first by the server who was average. There was no friendly, just all business. That wouldn't have been too bad if the level of service had been great. We were a party of 10 and he was not attentive. Had to flag him down to get more drinks and he never checked back after dropping food to see how things were. He didn't even really say hello to us just started taking drink orders. Two of us ordered the halibut special. After disappearing the server came back to tell us they had no halibut. He brought a single menu for us to select something else. Neither of us were sitting near each other. He couldn't spare a second menu? Two people ordered the branzino, both whole but what was served was one whole and one filleted. One person ordered the veal and it was way over cooked, hard to cut with the butter knife it was served with and super chewy. The person told the server about it and he offered to get something else. The person ordered a simple pasta dish expecting it would be quickly prepared. No follow up or communication from the server. It finally came out after everyone else was finished with their meals. The salad with artichoke had very little artichoke and was way over dressed, more like a salad at Olive Garden. Several people in our party ordered the Frutti de Mare. It was mostly good except at least one plate had pasta that was very undercooked. The crepe dessert with Nutella was excellent as was the pappardelle dish. If the service had been better the other problems wouldn't have seemed so bad.

Lizzie S.

Yelp
I really enjoyed L'Orcio. The food was simple, but sometimes there is beauty in simplicity. Heard about this place because it was on a list of restaurants with nice outdoor seating. My boyfriend lives in downtown New Haven so it was an easy walk to the restaurant. It's a really cute old house right off the highway. Near the ramp to get into 91-N. We started off the meal with the Erbovorio which is grilled marinated artichoke heart, asparagus, eggplant, ricotta pesto spread and Italian flatbread. It was delicious. I love the charr they got on the veggies. A good starter! We also ordered cocktails- I got the peach Bellini and my boyfriend ordered an Aperol Mist. The drinks were good! A bit strong for me but the Bellini went down easy. The entrees were delicious. I love gnocchi and it was cooked perfectly. I had a lot leftover so I was able to take it home for dinner the next night. It was still good the following day! My boyfriend raves about his dish. He loves mushrooms so his mushroom pasta was very funky. While I don't typically like mushrooms too much, I thought his pasta was yummy. I especially liked the texture of the pasta. You can definitely tell it is homemade. For dessert we ordered the charlotte, which is a chocolate mousse cake. Honestly, it was knockout for me. The rum-soaked amaretto cookies were a nice addition to the chocolate mousse cake. It wasn't cloyingly sweet, which can sometimes be a problem for chocolate cakes. Takeaways: L'Orcio is a great restaurant. New Haven has some great Italian restaurants with big names and I think L'Orcio is on par with them. It's a great place to go for date night or special occasions. You can make reservations online. They also participated in restaurant week this year so definitely worth a try!

Courtney P.

Yelp
I came here for the first time last week.... then came back this week and I have a strong feeling we will be back next week. I hate that it took me so long to try this place. Great wine selection, a pretty solid dessert menu and the food is absolutely amazing. The gnocchi is the best I've ever had, bold statement and 100% true. One of the top Italian restaurants in the state without a doubt. *For anyone wondering how they're doing with social distancing, it is one of the few places I feel comfortable eating at. There is a great outdoor area (that is covered in case it rains), with few tables set up and all a good amount apart. We have yet to eat inside because it just wasn't something we were comfortable with but there were about only 4 tables that were extremely spread out throughout the inside of the restaurant's main floor. They have done a great job!

Zahra W.

Yelp
My husband and I came here yesterday for a romantic dinner in the garden area. We made reservations ahead of time and being that it is New Haven Restaurant week, we were excited to try this place out the most. My husband got the fixed menu, while I decided to get the traditional menu items. My husband ordered the tomato mozzarella, salmon with ricotta gnocchi and the mascarpone nutella crepe which we ended up sharing. I ordered the erbivoro appetizer and spinach and ricotta gnocchi. All of my food was delicious and I highly recommend them, especially to those who are vegetarian. I have to say that the portions for the fixed menu was a bit smaller than the regular. The gnocchi was incredible. It was so soft and delicious and probably some of the best gnocchi I have ever tried. The salmon and sauce was quite salty but a little bread balanced it out. The nutella mascarpone crepe was pretty good, however it was quite small. I think the regular menu is much better than the restaurant week one, but overall still pretty good. The staff is very kind and accommodating. Overall, this was a great experience and glad we chose to come here!

Kate R.

Yelp
Had amazinggg pasta here while visiting CT. I never can finish my plate usually but ate every bite because it was too good not to. The outside dining area was beautiful! Vines everywhere, looked like a true italian patio.

Nicole S.

Yelp
It's hard to know where to begin when talking about L'Orcio... but here we go: Before quarantine, L'Orcio was the go-to spot for authentic, mouthwatering, dream-infiltrating Italian food - I'm looking at you, homemade pillow-soft gnocchi! Tuesday nights are arguable the best deal ($10 pasta?! With portions that aren't compromised to off-set the great price?! Sign me up). But any night of the week there is absolutely perfect for a family celebration, intimate dinner with friends, or to a long awaited date night. The atmosphere is elegant and cozy, the service is friendly and inviting, and the food is on-point, no matter what you get (SERIOUSLY GET THE GNOCCHI). Having only learned about L'Orcio over this past winter, I never got a chance to see the patio in full summer mode. Having heard so many good things about it, the privacy, the decor and good vibe energy the patio brought, I was disappointed that quarantine would prevent that experience for the unforeseeable future. Until yesterday... The second day that patio seating was available per the governors orders, I ventured out, mask over face, hand sanitizer on the ready. I heard L'Orcio was going $12 pastas 12pm-5pm and was STOKED. The weather was right and my cabin fever was at an all time high, and so I ventured out. We called ahead, to see if reservations were necessary and the pleasant woman on the phone said come on down and pick any table you'd like out back! We arrived and were met with some instructions on how to dine during this uncertain and strange time, which we happily followed. Walking down the alley on the side of the building and coming out into the patio was everything I'd hoped for - plenty of spaced out seating, some in the sun, some covered by the fantastic wooden pergola where string lights hung; I imagined what it would look like at night. Let me wrap this up, as it's becoming a novel admired maybe only by myself and perhaps one or two other mood and food enthusiasts -- the food was excellent (as always), the service was excellent, even given the strange circumstances, and the ambiance was perfectly balanced, a calm retreat, pushed back from the busy sidewalks and passing cars. It goes without saying, but I'll say it anyways - 10/10, would recommend.

Beth B.

Yelp
Food was very good but not particularly special. The patio ambiance was perfect for a warm summer evening. And the service was excellent- attentive but not overly so

Henry C.

Yelp
A gift card for my 25 year old granddaughter's birthday, October 1, 2023, couldn't be "found" despite my numerous contacts with manager ( card was not delivered to my granddaughter, finally deposited at restaurant, despite the correct address, after a long while; nobody could find it.) I was assured Card would be ready for her to use on October 1...they found only one for $15, not the $100 one I ordered, the receipt of which I sent the manager who received it. My granddaughter and her guest were embarrassed by the server ...they paid with their money...reason manager gave me "the computer somehow didn't pick up the 100$ card". Finally , after poor server attitude and humiliation for my granddaughter, and no apology, the card was resent through computer. Very poor service for decent food.

Djuana B.

Yelp
We made reservations for and were seated outside on the beautiful patio! The ambiance was awesome. The food was fantastic! Two of us ordered the Pollo al Limone and one ordered the Branzino al Forno Special. We all thoroughly enjoyed our meals!! For dessert we had the Gelato, the Charlotte (Chocolate mousse cake encrusted with rum soaked amaretto cookies & whipped cream) and the Torta al Cioccolato (Gluten Free Belgian chocolate cake served with whipped cream). Again, all were thoroughly enjoyed. Will definitely be back and highly recommend!!

Omar A.

Yelp
Amazing , incredible and delicious. L,Orcios handmade pasta is so refreshing and tasteful, this isn't just food for the soul but food for the mind body and soul. The con funghi pasta and gnocchi are to die for. I have come here multiple nights and i cant seem to get enough. If you want to impress a date, business partner or your pestering in-laws this is the place, but be sure to get the handmade pasta.

Allie Z.

Yelp
This has been my go-to for the best Italian food for YEARS! It's ALWAYS consistently good and the food is simple, fresh and delicious. The staff is friendly and attentive and the ambiance is nice with low lighting. I will never not recommend this spot to anyone and everyone who enjoys Italian dining!

Kate C.

Yelp
We had a delicious meal delivered to our house through the Dine and Donate event with Ronald McDonald House in New Haven and L'Orcio. There were two menu options and we choose the Cavatelli in vodka sauce which came with lemon chicken piccata and capers and crepes with Nutella and custard cream. Everything was delicious! The chicken was tender and so tasty, the Cavatelli were cooked perfectly, and the crepes were to die for yum. I can't wait to visit the restaurant in person, it was on our list to go to with my girlfriends for their pasta night special before covid 19 hit but we never made it. If takeout was this good I can't wait to visit even more so!

Lauren N.

Yelp
My friend informed me this is one of her favorite restaurants. I drove by it soon after and said "what a cute place," and wanted to try it. I went last week and absolutely loved it. The outside patio is so cute, I felt very comfortable dining out there during the pandemic. Yet it also was so pretty (not like the makeshift outdoor dining many places have to resort to). I got the eggplant parmigiana special and the fungi pasta. The latter was sooooo delicious I would go back just for that. There are so many other meals I want to try and based on the delicious ones I had last week I will definitely be returning to try them. The dessert crepe was alright, the pasta dish was the star for sure. Our waitress was wonderful, attentive perfection.

Caitlyn H.

Yelp
I cannot say enough good things about this place. First, the food is phenomena. My absolute favorite is the ricotta gnocchi because it tastes so fresh and light. All of their pastas are phenomenal and taste so homemade and fresh. We went for dinner and got the Formaggi, Gnocchi Sorrentina, Cavatelli Ortolana, Pappardelle al Ragú, and cheesecake for dessert. Do not skimp out on desserts! The cheesecake was phenomenal and tasted much fresher, lighter, and less sugary than any other cheesecake I've had. The staff was so nice and helpful in choosing what to get. The complimentary bread was also delicious!

Casey G.

Yelp
Had a nice dinner at L'Orcio the other evening. I had heard great things about the food from a friend so I decided to try. I had reservations for 7:15 and ended up leaving the restaurant close to 10 p.m. (this being the reason I am giving 4 stars). My reservation was seated in their upstairs area and it almost seemed as though we were forgotten about. Other than this, the food was very good and the drinks were good, as well. I ordered the gnocchi sorrentina and it was good.

Robert K.

Yelp
I recently returned to L'Orcio after not having been there in years, and it was better than I remembered. We tried the back patio for the first time and loved it. A really nice outdoor space with lots of cozy atmosphere. Everyone at the table loved their food. The pastas were fantastic, all fresh with a lot of nuanced flavor. This is the closest I've gotten to the food on a recent trip to Italy in the local area. Really good. Service was great too. Highly recommend. May just be our favorite Italian restaurant in the area.