New Haven Folks - Restaurant Recommendations?

Pizza is the obvious first choice, since New Haven has arguably the best pies in the world. Pepe's is the classic choice, but I'd recommend Modern every time: equally delicious pizza, slightly better prices, and always multiple fresh NEBCO offerings on tap. BAR can also work, but their own beers are usually nothing to write home about.

If pizza's not your thing, Prime 16, Cask Republic, and Rudy's all combine solid pub food with good-to-great tap lists. Prime has the best burgers, Rudy's the best frites.

For something a little on the nicer end, Bentara is a delicious Malaysian place that has at least a few craft options.

 

Also adding onto what Bill said: if you want to go a town outside of New Haven, Mikro (in Hamden) has great food and a good tap list...

 

Unless something has changed in the past couple of years, I'd recommend Kitchen Zinc for pizza (but you can't go wrong with Modern either). Overall though, Prime 16 is my favorite spot.

 

Haha don't take your mother-in-law to Rudy's...Pretty much agree with everyone else. Except pepe's and Bar are better than Modern for pizza. But this probably isn't the place for that discussion...I like Zinc for Food, but if you want a little less fancy, with good beer and good food, Cask and Prime are your best bets.

 

What's wrong with the new Rudy's? It's nothing like the old dive.

Oh, and if we're getting into the pizza-only discussion, my preferences appear to be the opposite of your own. Based on the bite-for-bite quality of the pie alone, I'd rank the big four Sally's>Modern>Pepe's>BAR. Considering all other factors, my rankings would probably be Modern>BAR>Sally's>Pepe's.

 

My bad you're right. New Rudy's is fine, was thinking of old Rudy's.

For the pizza debate, bite for bite I'm Pepe's>Bar>Sally's>Modern. Not a huge fan of the super burnt Modern pizza.

 

Huh; I've never found Modern to be the most char-tastic of the four, although I certainly don't mind a well-done pie. Sally's and Pepe's have both had a much higher percentage of burnt pies in my experience. I get Modern take out with some regularity, and out of scores of pies I've never had one that was as overdone as ones that I've gotten at the Wooster street spots. Maybe you should give Modern another shot, perhaps when they have pitchers of Galaxy or Coriolis available...

 

Hmmm I must be thinking of a different Modern Apizza then you.... Never had overly burnt crust there.... Id go Modern>Pepe's>Bar>Sally's (just not impressed the three times I had Sally's).

As for the New Haven beer pubs, I would suggest Cask Republic for the mother-in-law. Its a bit pricer (for no apparent reason), but to me it's the best for a sit down meal (more like an upscale pub). However, Prime is my fav, of the three New Haven proper pubs mentioned, for a night out with friends or wife.

 

Pizza: Modern>Pepe's>BAR>Sally's

 

Bill,
I have been wanting to ask you this for a while now.

Have you ever been to Zuppardi's Apizza? (West-Haven)

Place has been there in the same spot since 1949.

Killer pies,homemade sausage(family recipe)

I haven't been to modern in a while,imo,Zuppardi's is KING.

Please go and try them sometime,curious as to what ya think.

Cheers

 

I have been, but only once. I enjoyed it, but not as much as Modern, and since the latter is more convenient I just haven't been back. I don't think I tried the sausage, though, so I think you just convinced me to give it another shot.

Cheers!

 

I'm going on the record and saying BAR is shit across the board. I'm always shocked when it gets mentioned amongst the big 3. I'm a modern man BTW.

Back on topic, Da Legna is an excellent choice for pizza with more adventurous toppings and they also have a modest tap list and good bottle selection. I haven't tried any of their small plates.

Does it have to be dinner? The Sunday brunch buffet at Coromandel in Orange is the best Indian buffet I've ever had and the bottle list sports more than the usual Indian lagers. A real steal for $15 a head.

I've been meaning to try this place because I've always heard very good things. It's just really tough to get myself to slum it in Waste Haven sometimes ;-)

 

My mother used to buy large pies at Zupp's for 75 cents back in the day.
Ownership has always stayed within the family.

Yeah,you really should visit Zupp's atleast a few more times before you can officially say who is the best...lol.

Cheers

 

You could also try Park Central Tavern in Hamden. The menus online aren't totally up to date, but mostly accurate.
Last week, they had NEBCO Sea Hag and Coup Beans. In the past, I've seen some Founders, Sierra Nevada and other solid breweries on tap.

 

Barcelona is not a bad option. Small plates and usually some decent beers on draft.

 

A great option for food is Tres Scalini on Wooster St. It may not fit your bill for beer, although that was not an absolute requirement. The meals are great, I've never been let down there.

 

Pepe's>Modern>Sally's. BAR isn't even in the same discussion as these other three, in regards to pizza.

 

I feel the same way about Modern. Was only ranking it because it's part of the "Big 4." I think Abate's on Wooster, Zuppardi's, DiMatteo's in Hamden, and Born in America in Branford all make a better pie than Modern...Ok, I'm ready to get crucified.