We’ll be visiting Yale this weekend for my daughter’s official visit! Very excited to see all the hard work paying off. It’s going to be a fun weekend and the weather forecast is perfect! We’ll also go to the football game on Saturday, which should be a lot of fun.
We’re on our own for lunch/dinner each day. Would love to get some recommendations for lunch/dinner places! Nothing high end, this will be the whole family!
Our first dinner will be at Pepe’s Pizzeria, which we had on her unofficial visit. That is the best pizza I’ve ever had!
New Haven is full of places with the best pizza you ever ate :))
I’m a fan of Temple Grill, but some of that is nostalgia because it’s where I realized that Yale would be a good fit for DS. I often eavesdrop, andi could easily see DS sitting with a large group that was there the first time we went. Reasonably priced and I find it tasty.
Following suggestions more for atmosphere, but the food is decent:
Louis’ Lunch, the originator of the hamburger;
Yorkside, student hangout for late night pizza and grinders
Thai Taste, was the former space for the Old Heidelberg (the poor man’s Mory’s). Still looks and feels like a German brewhouse, but decorated with Thai artifacts. The food is not bad, but the eclectic atmosphere is worth the price of admission.
I like York Street Noodle House south of Chapel. They have a large bowl of spicy Thai Chicken soup which is great. Claire’s at the corner of College and Elm is a great lunch place and is known for its baked goods (especially Lithuanian coffee cake). I give a second vote to Yorkside for great cheesy garlic bread and greek salad. Down the block is Ashley’s for great ice cream (especially like the butter crunch and coffee oreo). I never miss a visit to the noodle house and Ashley’s when in town.
I like Thali too (near the bookstore) for good vegetarian Indian food. The “mother” restaurant (Thali) is also good (not vegetarian-- a bit fancier). I also enjoyed Cafe Romeo the one time we ate there. Caseus is good but a bit pricy.
Our favorite is Basil that is on the corner of Broadway plaza area. I always get the noodle soup and Thai boba tea. We also like Sushi on Chapel. There are so many places to eat. There are many pizza places that claim to be the best ever… pizza is a big deal there. The new lunch spot Junzi is also good but I can’t eat it more than once.
If you’re looking for someplace a little nicer, we like Roia. We like Caseus, too. If you’ve already been to Pepe’s, why not try Sally’s, so you can decide where your lifetime allegiance will lie?
For newer takes on some of the sentimental favorites above:
Ashley’s has very good ice cream, but Arethusa Farm on Chapel Street off College Street was rated one of the best new ice cream shops in the country when it opened in 2016.
Sally’s, Pepe’s, etc., are the gold standard for New Haven-style pizza, but a block away from Arethusa, on Crown Street off College Street, is Bar (yes, that’s the name), where you can get a mashed potato and bacon pizza and wash it down with a microbrew.
And the hamburger was invented at Louis’ Lunch, but Shake Shack is a block away, by the Green.
Our son took us to Arethusa and it is wonderful!
Bar is my second fav pizza, first is Pepe but if you’re not in for a long wait Bar will do!
If you know someone with a membership Mory’s is great. I was surprised how good the food is and how reasonable $$$$. Plus the historian in me loves the oodles of history crammed in every corner
@Hunt I had a relative suggest Caseus. Was told reservations are a must. Is it really worth it?
^I’m not Hunt but I also suggested Caseus. True, about reservations, at least in my experience. Worth it? I’m not sure it’s extra super special-- just great juicy bar type food. Expensive. But it will be satisfying.
I second the recommendation by @donnaleighg for Thali Too -I stumbled upon it this last trip, it’s in the alley next to the bookstore. It is fantastic! Ask the server for some of the more popular dishes. We had a potato curry that was wrapped in a rice crepe - I get hungry just thinking about it.
Bar is great. Someone in the party must be 21+ to go there.
For special dinners or weekend brunches, we really like Harvest Wine Bar and Restaurant, which is a “farm to fork” restaurant. It has a lovely outdoor patio plus ample indoor seating. Right on Chapel, but it is below street level (you walk down a very wide, broad set of stairs and can see it from the street). Reservations accepted, but no OpenTable - must call.
We also liked Geronimo Southwest Grill, which is across the street from Bar (on Crown Street).
