New Haven, CT, is known for its great foodโbut it also comes with long waits, limitedย menus, and places where your kidโs only option is fries (not that I hate that).
This guide to where to eat in New Haven CT, skips the gamble and goes straight to the wins.
Finding family-friendly restaurants here can be challenging, but they do exist.
Whether youโre grabbing pizza after a free museum stop, looking for a restaurant with a view, or chasing something sweet before heading home, these are the spots worth knowing.
And yes, weโre starting with pizza…
Because in New Haven, you kind of have to.
The Great
New Haven Pizza Showdown
Donโt choose a side... eat your way through all of them.
New Haven takes its pizza very seriously.
There are lifelong rivalries over sauce, crust, and coal. If youโre wondering where to eat in New Haven CT, start with the piesโjust donโt ask a local to pick a favorite.
Sallyโs Apizza
A New Haven classic since 1938, Sallyโs Apizza is known for its charred, chewy crust and ultra-simple tomato pies.
The line can be long, but thereโs a small playground nearbyโฆso one adult can wait while the kids run around.
Location: 237 Wooster Street, New Haven, CT
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 11:30 am โ 9 pm;
Friday to Saturday, 11 am โ 10 pm;
Sunday, 11 am โ 9 pm
Website: sallysapizza.com
Good to Know: Donโt expect fast service โ itโs a vibe. Classic four-person booths inside and some outdoor seating out back.
The Wooster Memorial Playground is only 200ft away, so grab your pizza and head to the park!
Already planning to eat your way through New Haven?
Make a day of it with some surprisingly fun kid-friendly stops nearbyโthereโs way more than pizza and Yale.
Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana
The origin story of New Haven Apizza “allegedly” starts here.
Open since 1925, Pepeโs is legendary for its white clam pizza and coal-fired pies with just the right amount of char.
Location: 157 Wooster Street, New Haven, CT
Hours: Daily, 11 am โ 10 pm
Website: pepespizzeria.com
Good to Know: The white clam pizza is a must for adventurous eaters.
Long line? Let the kids play at the nearby Wooster Memorial Park while you tag team the line.
Modern Apizza
Slightly off the Wooster Street path, Modern Apizza is a local favorite thatโs often a little easier to get intoโฆbut just as good.ย
Location: 874 State Street, New Haven, CT
Hours: Tuesday to Thursday, 10:30 am โ 9 pm;
Friday to Saturday, 10:30 am โ 10 pm;
Sunday, 3 โ 9 pm;
Closed Monday
Website: modernapizza.com
Good to Know: Smaller and more low-key than Sallyโs or Pepeโs, Modern is usually fasterโฆ which can be a lifesaver with younger kids.
Bonus: Theyโve got a full lineup of Foxon Park sodas, and kids of all ages go wild for the local favorite, White Birch. Donโt skip it.
Da Legna at Nolo
The most modern of the bunch, both in vibe and name.
Nolo feels like a legit restaurant that happens to specialize in seriously good pizza.
Their sourdough crust is made from scratch, topped with inventive combos and has a dedicated vegan section thatโs actually thoughtful, not just an afterthought.
Location: 687 State Street, New Haven, CT
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 5 pm โ 12 am;
Friday to Saturday: 12 pm โ 2 am;
Sunday: 12 pm โ 10 pmย
Closed Tuesday
Website: Da Legna at Nolo
Good to Know: The dinner rush tends to hit later, so if you’re eating on the early side (as most families do), you’ll probably beat the crowd.
Still, it’s worth making a reservationโฆespecially on weekends.
If youโre reading this while plotting how to fill a long weekend or school break, weโve got you.
These fun Connecticut activitiesย are easy wins for cabin fever relief.
Where to Eat in New Haven CT, For The Most Iconic Burger
No ketchup. No fries. Still a New Haven rite of passage.
The story goes… they invented the hamburger, never upgraded the grill, and still have a line out the door. No fries, no frills… just respect.
Louisโ Lunch
Claiming to be the original home of the hamburger, Louisโ Lunch has been grilling beef patties on white toast since 1895.
Inside, itโs tiny, charmingly old-school, and filled with history.
Burgers come topped with onion, tomato, and cheese (if you want), with no frills and no additional toppings.
Location: 261 Crown Street, New Haven, CT
Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday, 12 โ 8 pm;
Thursday, 12 pm โ 12 am;
Friday and Saturday, 12 pm โ 1 am
Website: louislunch.com
Good to Know: No fries, no ketchup, and no substitutions. However, there is potato salad, chips, and some very limited, historic indoor seating.
Itโs not ideal for picky eaters, but itโs a cool and unusual food stop packed with New Haven history.
Where to Eat in New Haven CT When You Want a View or a Vibe
Pull over for snacks, and stay for the fish tacos and views.
From waterfront views to retro brunch and tacos out of a truck, these places to eat nail the vibe and the flavor.
If youโre wondering where to eat in New Haven CT, beyond the usual kidsโ menu-and-crayons sceneโฆ this is your list.
The Place 2 Be
Brunch, but make it Instagram-worthy.
The Place 2 Be is bold, colorful, and totally extraโwith playful dรฉcor, over-the-top drinks, and a menu that leans full fun (yes, there are Fruity Pebble pancakes).
Itโs more treat-yourself than laid-back breakfast, but kids and teens will love the energy and over-the-top everything.
Location: 754 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT
Hours: Daily, 7 am โ 8 pm
Website: theplace2be.com
Good to Know: Expect a wait on weekends, so make sure to make reservations or join the waitlist. The atmosphere is upbeat and a little chaotic but in a fun way.
Need a post-brunch stroll that doesnโt involve just circling a parking lot?
These Connecticut botanical gardens are gorgeous, low-stress, and surprisingly kid-friendly.
Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill
Seafood, steak, and enough marina action to keep the kids entertained.
One of the few true waterfront dining in New Haven, Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill pairs Long Island Sound views with a sleek coastal interior and a seafood-focused menu that still includes kid favorites like burgers and steak.
Itโs an elevated pick that feels special but never stuffyโperfect for a memorable meal without the pressure.
Location: 100 S. Water Street, New Haven, CT
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 12 โ 10 pm;
Friday and Saturday, 11 am โ 11 pm;
Sunday, 11 am โ 10 pm
Website: shellandbones.com
Good to Know: Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends, and the views of the marina offer just enough going on to keep kids busy while you wait.
Food Truck Paradise at Long Wharf
That stretch of trucks you see from I-95? ... Worth the stop.
Itโs not just one spot… Itโs a full lineup of food trucks parked along the water near Long Wharf Park.
If youโve ever spotted them from I-95, consider this your sign to finally pull over.
From tacos and empanadas to fried fish and fresh fruit, thereโs something for everyone.ย
Location: Long Wharf Drive, New Haven, CT (near Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park)
Hours: Varies by truckโmost are open daily from late morning (11 am ish) to early evening
Good to Know: Parking is easy, picnic tables line the waterfront, and the casual setup means kids can roam a bit. Bring wipes, cash (just in case), and an appetite.
Bonus: The food trucks are just down the road from It Adventure Ropes Course, making it an ideal food stop after all that climbing and zipping.ย
Want to turn your New Haven food crawl into an overnight?
These unique Airbnbs in Connecticut are way more fun than your standard hotelโand worth the trip on their own.
Coffee, Cookies, and Kid-Approved Cafรฉs in New Haven
Looks fancy, but yesโyour kids can order waffles here
Whether you need a caffeine boost, a snack that isnโt goldfish, or just a place to sit for a minuteโฆ these family-friendly cafรฉs in New Haven have you covered.
Think cookies, coffee, and quick stops that work with kidsโฆwithout feeling like a total compromise.
Pistachio Cafรฉ
Pistachio Cafรฉ has a cool, modern feel, but the menu is surprisingly kid-friendlyโthink waffles, grilled cheese, eggs, and avocado toast alongside pistachio lattes and beautifully plated desserts.
Location: 911 Whalley Avenue, New Haven, CT
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 7 am โ 6 pm;
Friday and Saturday, 7 am โ 9 pm;
Sunday, 7 am โ 7 pm.
Website: pistachiocafe.com
Good to Know: Donโt let the chic interior fool youโฆthis spot is as kid-friendly as it is Instagram-friendly.
Seating is limited, so itโs best for small groups or a quick stop. Donโt skip the baklavaโฆ Itโs a standout, even among the desserts.
Libbyโs Italian Pastry Shop
Just down the street from Pepeโs and Sallyโs, Libby’s is an old-school bakery and a true New Haven staple.
Cannoli are filled to order, the cookies are dangerously good, and the ricotta pie might just outshine the pizza you came for.
Location: 139 Wooster Street, New Haven, CT
Hours: Sunday to Wednesday, 12 โ 8 pm;
Thursday, 12 โ 9 pm;
Friday and Saturday, 12 โ 10 pm
Website: libbyscookies.com
Good to Know: They only take cash or Venmo, and youโll definitely want to grab a box to go.ย
So, Where to Eat in New Haven CT?
Ready to wrap up your New Haven food tour? Hereโs where to goโฆ
โ๏ธ In the mood for legendary pizza? โ Sally’s, Pepeโs, or Modern Apizza (Because no trip to New Haven is complete without joining the pizza debate.)
โ๏ธ Want to try a piece of history? โ Louisโ Lunch (The birthplace of the hamburger, served on white toastโfast, iconic, and totally New Haven.)
โ๏ธ Got a sweet tooth? โ Libbyโs Italian Pastry Shop (Filled-to-order cannoli and classic Italian cookiesโdessert is the main event here.)
โ๏ธ Need a quick treat in style? โ Pistachio Cafรฉ (Waffles, grilled cheese, and pistachio lattes thatโll make everyone happy.)
โ๏ธ Looking for a casual bite with a view? โ Food Truck Paradise at Long Wharf (Tacos, fried fish, and moreโbecause sometimes you just need variety.)
No matter what you’re craving, New Havenโs got you covered.
Happy travels…
