Very yummy old school (70s style with some updates) vegetarian restaurant (aka kosher dairy). I was…read morea little overwhelmed by all of the choices on the menu and decided to get an omelette for dinner. I could choose three veggies and a cheese. I picked spinach, arugula, mushrooms, and their house made queso blanco. It came with a few yummy French-fry-style roasted potatoes and one of their famous dinner rolls, which was multigrain and very hearty. Not cutting edge but all well-made and tasty. The bakery items looked amazing but I was full! So I got a piece of their carrot cake, which other customers were raving about, as well as a vegan gluten-free sunbutter cookie. I very much appreciate that they have outdoor seating! They happen to be very close to a smoke shop, so eating outside they just were a lot of people vaping or smoking as they passed. It's also a particularly hectic corner with people going to the theater or for music show. But I am planning to come back while I'm here and to try something else!

I've been eating at Claire's since 1977.. when my mother(not vegetarian at the time) was pregnant…read morewith me she ate here religiously on her lunch breaks. I swear that's why I've always loved tofu! And I'm mostly vegan now the past 28 years, and my mother the past 12. This place is a staple in New Haven and testament to their good food for staying open all these years. When Claire's first opened vegetarian restaurants weren't a thing, and over the years the menu has shifted.. but it's always good. For me it's home cooking style, comfort food.. they have their own style. This place was around before everyone was freaking out about carbs.. thank god! I never leave without a cookie and a muffin for later.. they're the best! I recently got hooked on the Sunbuttter cookie, and also enjoy the Lithuanian coffee cake muffin. Soups and salads come with the classic Claire mini loaf! A delicious buttery(is it vegan? don't know) mini loaf of bread, just as tasty as I remember it from my childhood. Their oat milk Matcha Lattes are creamy and they don't slack on the matcha. The service is always friendly and helpful. The menu accommodates vegetarians, vegans, and gluten free options as well. enjoy!

Fantastic food, cool decorations, great service! Everything we ordered was delicious!!read more

Nestled in an alley by the Yale bookstore off of Broadway in New Haven, look for the tiger. Staff…read morewere very pleasant and food was appropriately spicy and flavorful. The place is small but fits a lot of people. We were 4, ordered three entrees and an appetizer and it was perfect!

Great. It's a homey family-run restaurant that fills up basically every night it's open, including…read morerandom weekdays. Can't get better than that. Highlights are their dry protein stir fries, flavorful, and paired nicely with sauteed onions, bell peppers, and steamed white rice. Also good are the pulled noodle soups, although the broth is a simpler, warming soup as opposed to a supercharged broth. Nearly half the menu is vegetarian. Great friendly service.

Tibetan Kitchen in Chapel West is a cozy gem in New Haven. Great spot if you want to try something…read morea little different. I had the chicken curry and it was surprisingly spicy but balanced perfectly, rich with aromatic spices and tender chicken. My friend had the noodle soup, which was filling with hand-pulled noodles and a super flavorful broth. The space is snug but inviting, and the staff is friendly and attentive. Definitely a spot I'd return to!

I found this place while randomly looking on DoorDash. They had a happy hour special, so I decided…read moreto check them out. If you enjoy the flavors of Indian food as well as one of those quick service, hot chicken restaurants you probably would enjoy Hot Murga. The chicken sandwich comes in five spice levels from no heat to super hot. I got the standard hot, and it has some kick, but it wasn't overpowering. Then again I enjoy spicy food. I also ordered their spiced mac & cheese. Again, not spicy at all, but flavorful. Also a good portion as I have leftovers for later. I had my food delivered, but this establishment is close to the Yale campus and street parking can be a bit tricky on Howe St. and around Broadway. I've been inside of the space once when it was a different restaurant some years ago, it's not a large space, but I'm pretty sure comfortable if you decided to dine in. If you ever find yourselves at a crossroad between wanting Chick-fil-A and Indian food, this would be a great alternative.

A fun take on fried chicken, but with "Indian" flavors. I got the Murga Sandwich (hot) and…read moreBadmaash's Mac & Cheese (medium). Honestly, I didn't think the Murga Sandwich itself had too much flavor - the fry was good and the chicken was juicy & crispy, it was just a lacking seasoning and even "hot" was not super spicy. The spice itself also tasted very one dimensional - just spicy, with no seasoning. Overall, I was a bit disappointed by the sandwich itself, but would be interested in trying some of their other sauces. The Badmaash Mac & Cheese was the redeeming item of the meal though - this is basically a Mac & Cheese, covered in tikka sauce & their spicy sauce, and topped with fried chicken. It's definitely a unique flavor, and I think the tikka masala sauce went really well with the cheesy mac texture. Definitely seems like the kind of late night out comfort craving, because it is super heavy. p.s. - pro tip, the sandwich itself is $12 but the sliders are $6 and definitely larger than half of a sandwich (probably closer to 2/3rds). So I'd get 2 sliders for $12 instead of a sandwich.

I just had lunch at Lalibela, and everything was delicious! Instead of lunch menu (also good I'm…read moresure), I curated my own a la carte lunch: lentil stuffed sambusas (similar to empanadas) with pleasantly spicy dipping sauce, a mixed-vegetable salad, and a basket of injera (Ethiopian fermented bread -- the item always draws me in to Ethiopian restaurants, and theirs was excellent). The server/proprietor was accommodating and very helpful, and this was the best, most satisfying lunch I've had all year! Marion

My husband and I have been curious to try Ethiopian food for a while, so we decided to try Lalibela…read morefor our first experience since the chef was a James Beard semifinalist. It was a quiet Friday afternoon when we went for lunch, and the girl taking care of was attentive and nice. The yesiga sambusa was a tasty appetizer, and we really enjoyed the hummus it was paired with. The speciality platter was a great way to try several dishes from the menu, and everything we tried was delicious. It was cool to try something new and experience more earthy flavors. The injera went well with everything and helped balance the dishes. My husband also really enjoyed the beer imported from Ethiopia. So glad we visited this spot and we would definitely visit again!

Ordered through their website (Uber One) and picked it up. Holy $35 for wrap and a salad bowl, how…read moredid we even get here- oh I know!!!!! ::crying face:: My order was ready in 9.5 minutes. Wrap was warm and really delicious. The shata sauce (Middle Eastern chili condiment) along with tahini combo was bangin. Wrap was warm, juicy, and soft. Salad bowl was good too. I added 3 sauces and I think it was a bit much. Definitely recommend!! Inside was super modern and clean. Customer service was great too!

Ordered takeout on a Wednesday evening. Online ordering was easy and on time. Picking up was a…read morelittle difficult because there isn't a good place to pull over and go inside to pick up the food. I ordered the rice bowl with chicken shawarma, hummus, seasoned onions, fried cauliflower, and creamy garlic with tzatziki and white sauce. The meal came with a lot of protein which was nice. I wish the sides were a little bigger and that you could choose more than 4. But got lots of meals out of this and flavors were good! Prices seemed fair for the size. Overall just hard pick up but food was good.

Came here on a weekday as a party of 6 and we really enjoyed the variety of flavors and textures…read morethroughout the meal. The following are what we ordered to share for the entire table: Tuna tartar: this was a refreshing start as the yellowfin tuna with tomato, ginger, soy, sesame, and aioli, served with crispy wonton for some much needed crunch. The combination of savory, creamy, and fresh worked really well. Pulpo: the octopus was nicely grilled, with a tender texture and a subtle char, paired with potato foam, sweet piquillo pepper, tomato, capers, and paprika. The flavors were well balanced without feeling overly heavy. Grilled salmon: was cooked perfectly making it tender and moist. It was also paired with sweet potato, carrots, soybeans, poppy seeds, lemon confit vinaigrette, balsamic, and basil. The sweet and tangy elements gave the salmon plenty of flavor while still letting the fish shine. Cornish hen: comforting and hearty, served with potato confit, pickled brown beech mushrooms, tomato confit, and a garlic-lemon sauce. The pickled mushrooms were a particularly nice contrast to the richness of the chicken and potatoes. Duck confit: The flavors were balanced by parsnip purée, green apple, apple paste, fennel, lavender, and citrus gastrique, with brioche adding another layer of texture. However, the meat was a little dry and probably one of our least favorite dish of the night. Cochinillo: the highlight of our meal. It was rich and satisfying dish. The roasted boneless suckling pig was tender with beautifully developed flavor, paired with lemon, thyme, honey-port sauce, Parmesan dauphinoise potatoes, and a light mesclun salad. The acidity from the lemon and salad helped cut through the richness. The skin was also very crispy giving a satisfying crunch. Overall, Olea does a nice job balancing richness with acidity, sweetness with savory flavors, and soft textures with crunch. The dishes feel thoughtfully composed without being overly complicated, and there was something different and interesting about each course. The portions are also very generous. Our server was friendly and attentive. The restaurant was also spacious and comfortable. This was a really enjoyable dinner in New Haven we would definitely return when we are back in town.

This was a tough review to write. My wife turned 40 This…read morepast weekend and a look through many reviews pointed to Spanish tapas restaurant Olea as one of the top options in the city. It was also only a block away from our hotel so I decided to book a table a few weeks in advance. As this was a special birthday I made sure to mention it in my reservation. Unfortunately we didn't receive the experience we were hoping for. The restaurant itself is pretty if unremarkable. Reviews listed it as being swanky and upscale but I didn't find anything about the decor to be unique though it certainly wasn't offensive. We were brought single menu and drink menu. While my wife offered the server came up without introducing himself and just said what do you want? My wife offered and then he asked me and I said I hadn't gotten a chance to look at the menu yet. He left and came back no exaggeration about 20 seconds later and asked again. In other words the service felt very rushed. We ordered three drinks, two appetizers, two sides, and two entrees. All of which kind of came at random times which I understand does happen at tapas restaurants but this was like crowding the table pace. We spent two weeks in Spain and visited many tapas restaurants and didn't feel this rushed and crowded. The food was good, but I wouldn't say that it was executed beyond its price point, which was high. The flavor in the chipirones I found to be quite good and I enjoyed the squid ink. The oxtail croquettes had a strange texture inside and definitely not worth it for what you got. My wife got the vegetarian entree and I got the duck confit and we both enjoyed them. At the end of the meal the waiter brought out literally the two smallest cookies I've seen (like chips ahoy minis) and said, "is it someone's birthday yours pointing at me? Yours pointing at my wife?" For what's supposed to be a high end restaurant that definitely carried a high end cost that type of service we found to be unacceptable. If you are in the mood for Spanish tapas Olea is probably the best you can do it New Haven, but for a special occasion with as bad as the service is I'd steer clear.

Walked in without a reservation and were seated immediately. We ordered the Curry ramen and…read moreFirecracker chicken wings, and absolutely loved the wings' spicy kick and flavor! My only suggestion would be to serve six wings instead of five, so couples can share evenly. The curry ramen always hits the spot, leaving you with that warm, satisfied feeling. The portion was just right, leaving us comfortable enough to enjoy a post-dinner walk. A great date night spot with excellent service. We'll definitely be back!

This place was amazing. The ambience was nice. Our server was great and friendly. And then the food…read morewas out of this world. The pho King, which which had a bone with bone marrow to scrape into the broth, added the perfect texture, and taste and flavor to the broth. Great place

Nachos: Picture this. You're sitting with your closest friends on a perfectly youthful Thursday…read morenight, because you just couldn't wait for the weekend to begin. You're playing some ridiculous game you made up in an instant, and your laughter echoes through the bar, along with the strangers voices and the blaring music. You walk up to the bar, where a mirror stretches across the wall behind the bartenders, and you catch yourself in it, along with a few lingering eyes. You laugh at the audacity of youth, the absurdity of it, and look at yourself a little longer. You're young. Your hair's long, your eyes are dark, your cheeks and nose are red from the cold outside that has settled into your bones. You zone out at any reflection you catch yourself in, because you can feel the time passing. The bartender finally makes their way to you, and you order a plate of nachos that makes its way to your table on its own. There are so many hands reaching in, and you don't even notice when the table started overflowing with new and old friends. You take the first bite, and suddenly you're gutted. They taste incredible, perfectly flavorful. You have no idea where the feeling comes from. It's mushrooms and salsa, perfectly salted. It's relief and familiarity all at once, like the spark of something new that feels good because it's familiar, like it was waiting for you too. You close your eyes and melt into its warmth immediately. You open your eyes and suddenly, everything around you starts to move. Winter coats pile up on the hooks by the door, then disappear into spring. The patio opens with local indie bands, then closes with the sun coming up. The stool beside you fills up with the Irish guy you had the most awkward first date with that you counted the minutes. Months later you run into him again, and you laugh about it together until your stomach hurts. At the table near the windows, a girl you barely knew raises her voice at you over something out of your control, and you realize you don't want this. You cut her off, and she disappears from her seat. You see yourself passing through time in every corner of the bar. Old friends fade into the back of the mirror, and new ones take their seats in the same booths, laughing at the same jokes. The eyes around you linger as they pass. A guy at the end of the bar looks up every time you laugh. Someone holds your gaze in the mirror a beat too long, then looks down at his drink. You notice every one of them and hold on to none, because you can't seem to stay in the moment. Everything is already passing by while you're still standing in it. "SO?! What are you going to rate them?!" says your new friend sitting beside you, who just found out you write these ridiculous reviews for fun. You realize you seek out nachos the way you seek out love. It's a deep, familiar desire. You keep chasing the first bite that made you feel like this. He's waiting for your answer with a big smile on his face. Your hair's still long. Your cheeks are still red. Nothing has changed, but somehow, everything has. "Five," you say. "Five out of five." All else: I've said enough. This bar is my safe space and happy place. The bartenders are heaven-sent. P.S. I was listening to Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol writing this, hence the drama.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Not sure when Richter's was sold and became Three Sheets, but it has a similar vibe. Really like…read morethat they put a stage in the second room and have local acts come play and get some exposure. Didn't try the food or cocktails, but decent beer list. Bartenders were nice and attentive, even when crowded. Not a fan of the weird circus vibe in the band room, back room could use some seating.

After dropping a friend off at the airport, we decided to stop here for dinner on a Thursday…read moreevening, around 6:30pm. I was asked if I made a reservation, but since this was a spur of the moment trip, I did not. They didn't have any open tables but luckily the bar was available. It was pretty spacious and not too crazy, so the seating wasn't too bad. We were just glad we could be served soon. Our waitress/bartender was super nice and quick to take our orders. I asked for a chicken tikka masala (my go-to to judge how good an Indian restaurant is) and for it to be extra hot. Often times, restaurants do not go full-on with my request, and it is medium spice level at best. My handsome fiancé got their lamb korma, in medium because he wasn't daring as I was. We also added a garlic naan and chili cheese naan. Our food came out pretty promptly. I dipped my spoon into my curry to sample the sauce. FIRE!! I knew at that moment, I was going to have a fantastic meal. The instant heat powered through every single one of my taste buds. Boy did they follow through! Finally, extra hot being actually extra hot. What made this curry so delicious is that the spice did not take away from the flavor. The subtle sweetness came through, and no signs of bitterness from the tomatoes. Huge green flag. The curry was delicious. Paired with the glistening rice and hot, fresh naan... I could not be happier. The naan was so hot and fresh, with its soft chewy texture was the perfect pair to our curries. I was having the time of my life. Really, my only complaint was the tiny cubes of chicken in it. For $29, I would have liked more substantial chunks of chicken through out the curry. Instead, I was met with perfectly squared pieces that were child friendly bite sizes. I still had so much leftover for the best day after lunch. I was stuffed with happy flavors. Our server also gave me another portion of rice for the next day. Honestly, even the small bites of chicken wasn't too bad, we had a wonderful experience. I will look forward to trips to the airport, since we won't be making the hour and a half drive otherwise! My sweetie pie of a fiancé also thoroughly enjoyed his lamb korma... especially being dipped with the chili cheese naan! Our check came out to be a little over $50.. little steep but this was a bit fancier and the cleanliness was top notch.

Great ambience and service that came only second to the food! They had excellent samosa and made…read more excellent saag and tikka paneer dishes. Lots of options. Perfect dinner stop in New Haven.