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Elm Diner

3.8 (108 reviews)
ModerateDiners, Burgers, American
Open • 6:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)

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Elm Diner Photos

ELM DINER ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Good for groups
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - Elm Diner

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Reviews With Photos

Susan R.

2.5 stars New to West Haven and wanted to try their pancakes and support a local restaurant. The place was very clean. Several signs on door. Bathroom for customers only. No oets. Please don't touch blinds. It was a little overkill. My server was excellent and breakfast came out quickly. The plates were a bit old and faded. Eggs cooked nicely. Bacon was limp and undercooked which made it taste fatty. My coffee and oj were good. The pancakes looked beautiful but were so disappointing. They were thick and very vanilla tasting not buttermilk. And they were served with a very cheap pancake syrup. Definitely not my first choice to return.

Sasha L.

The first time I ever stepped into Elm Diner was right after my sorority initiation in April 2022. Little did I know that visit would mark the beginning of a beautiful chapter. I didn't make it back until around December 2023, then not again until early fall 2024, and I've been kicking myself ever since for waiting so long between visits. From that moment on, Elm became my go to spot..my little safe haven whenever I needed comfort, good food, or just a familiar, welcoming atmosphere. In fact, I've gone so often since then that I now proudly consider myself a regular. Now, with graduation just days away, I'm filled with gratitude...and more than a little sadness knowing my visits will be far less frequent. But if life takes me to grad school in either upstate New York or back to Connecticut, Elm will absolutely be one of my first stops. The staff here? Beyond wonderful. I don't even know their names (yet), but every interaction has made me feel like part of their family. There's a warmth and familiarity to this place that's impossible to fake making it more than just a diner. And don't even get me started on the menu..it never disappoints. From egg avocado sandwiches to late night mashed potatoes, everything hits the spot. It's the kind of place you can rely on, over and over again. To the team at Elm: An endless thank you for unknowingly being such a main part of my college experience. You've fed my stomach very well and my soul. I'll miss you more than I can put into words. I'll be back one day and I promise, I'll finally learn your names. (And yes... I'm sobbing as I write this. Totally not planned.)

French Toast
Gigi S.

For Valentine's Day, me and my partner decided to go to Elm Diner to give it a try. We are native to this area but never have been there surprisingly. This is located in a plaza just incase you are wondering. As I walked in, I was greeted by a very nice woman that I believe is named Nicole. She was very nice, kind and energetic. The type of woman whose job can only be done by her because she does it so well. She quickly got us started with water and came back in a speedy time to take our order. We ordered about 5 grilled cheeses, a 2 stack Nutella French toast and a side of fries. She told us that the fry portions are pretty big so we decided to go with the one. She was right, because by the end of my meal I was stuffed. The food was overall great quality. When you go to a diner, you expect that DINER TASTE. That DINER FEEL. Everything you want. Grilled cheese was amazing. Good amount of cheese and great butter taste. We did ask for a side of ranch and it was a little thick, but still good nonetheless. I usually am not a fan of crinkle cut fries, but the fries here were very good. In comparison to other diners, they were good but not a full 10/10. The way the diner looks is straight from early 2000's. Table was clean, bathrooms were cleaner. I love the vibes. I had a good experience and I will be back!

Salad with Dressing
Selenia M.

I have driven by this place more times than I can count. But DoorDash decided to send me a lovely promo code so I opted for this restaurant from a specific list of eateries. Always one for an amazing seafood dish I saw that they had baked stuffed shrimp. It came with a side salad, mashed potatoes and gravy and corn. I believe there was also the option to get white rice along with other vegetables. But mashed potatoes and corn go hand-in-hand. I ordered online and the food was ready upon my arrival. The interaction was very brief being that I paid online. But overall it was pleasant. The diner was spacious and very clean. There was also ample parking in a lot. The shrimp are OK. The taste was good, the stuffing was a lot of breading with small salad shrimp incorporated into it. It had a good flavor but it wasn't a seafood stuffing. The mashed potatoes were OK, the gravy was pretty good. After eating the bread stuffed shrimp and several forkfuls of the mashed potatoes I was not able to touch the salad nor the corn. All in all it was a decent experience and I wouldn't mind going again to try something else. They appear to have a nice breakfast selection.

Chocolate chip pancakes

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11 years ago

Really fresh delicious food. Waitress was really nice and recommended great food. This was the best diner I've ever visited.

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10 years ago

One of the best diner foods I have ever tried. I always enjoy going back and getting the hungry man's breakfast

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19 years ago

It is the classic silver diner. Just good food at reasonable prices. Always seems to be busy. Lots of "regulars". Pleasant staff.

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12 years ago

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10 years ago

Was great until they sold to these new owners now the food is different I've been going there just for the soup but now it taste different.

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16 years ago

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13 years ago

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12 years ago

Best diner around , go there every weekend. Very clean , descent food and good service the owners are great people

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Dive Bar & Restaurant - Bourbon & Blue

Dive Bar & Restaurant

3.8(210 reviews)
3.7 mi
•$$

This wonderful place is my "Cheers" I absolutely love everything about Dive Bar....the entire staff…read moreare amazing and top notch and the food is great across the entire menu. I love to say that "even the napkins are good" On this Saturday, I shared a table with my good friend and we both enjoyed a wonderful visit with good conversation. Adding to our good time, was Sally (one of our favorite servers) Next week, my niece and I will be coming to Dive Bar for her first time ever and I know she can't wait? I have the best time telling all of my friends and family about Dive Bar, love it so much Whether you're a seasoned veteran visitor like me or a newcomer.....Dive Bar hits the mark all the time ? Some of the best burgers and wings in West Haven

First time trying them was yesterday, Sunday 7/26/2026 afternoon for lunch. There were no tables…read moreavailable so sat at the bar. Super cute sports bar across from the water with great views. We ordered the steak tacos and wings with hot sauce. Nice size wings, cooked perfectly and so tasty. Tacos had lots of very tender beef and just amazing flavor. The tacos have pickled carrots onions and radishes on it with peppery lettuce. The restaurant was busy so a bit noisy but able to talk easily. Both Cara and Krista were friendly and professional. We will definitely be back to try more menu items. Parking was a bit tight.

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Dive Bar & Restaurant - Indoor outdoor seating

Indoor outdoor seating

Dive Bar & Restaurant - Wings and Things

Wings and Things

Dive Bar & Restaurant - Out front

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Out front

Prime 16 - IPA BATTERED ONION RINGS

Prime 16

4.0(863 reviews)
2.1 mi
•$$

Prime BGR in New Haven was a fantastic find! The location is super convenient to the Omni and being…read moreopen for lunch made it an easy choice for a midday stop. The restaurant was clean and quaint, and the western beef theme was done just right -- fun without feeling over the top. We started with the beef nachos and they were absolutely perfect! I ordered the pickled jalapeños and onions on the side for my dining companion and was secretly thrilled I didn't have to share them. The burger flight featuring their top three burgers was phenomenal. Every burger was flavorful, perfectly cooked, and memorable enough that I immediately regretted not ordering the onion rings too. The chef even came out to make sure everything met expectations, which was a really nice touch. Heather was a lovely server -- warm, friendly, and attentive throughout the meal. I also heard these burgers are going to be featured on a food road show soon, and after eating here, I completely understand why. They were excellent. If we're back in town, this will absolutely be a repeat stop. Highly recommend Prime BGR for both the outstanding food and the great value!

This place is a true New Haven treasure! We went on the first trip to New Haven and we both had the…read moreMarseilles Burger with fries and I can tell you that this is hands down the BEST BURGER I have ever had!! The owner was there on both of our visits and he is top notch, he made sure that our visit and our food was truly something to write about. You don't find restaurants like this anymore and if you're thinking it's just another burger place you will miss this gem!! 10/10

Photos
Prime 16 - The bar area

The bar area

Prime 16 - The Big Kahuna ($23)

The Big Kahuna ($23)

Prime 16 - The Smoker Burger ($19)

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The Smoker Burger ($19)

Louis' Lunch

Louis' Lunch

3.7(1.3k reviews)
2.0 mi
•$$

This place was SO packed. I was literally standing in a little corner like a sardine, eating my…read morechips and watching them make burgers on what looked like a beef-patty toaster. It's a small place, but clearly very busy and very loved by the community. I definitely commend the staff for being so patient, especially with how crowded it was. My coworker wasn't a huge fan of her burger being cooked on the rarer side, so I asked if they could make it a little more well-done. One of the staff members got a little upset and explained that they cook all of their burgers the same way. I understood where they were coming from, but it definitely made for an interesting experience. From what I heard, this is one of the places associated with the early history of the hamburger, so of course we had to come see what all the hype was about. Everything is cooked to order and made fresh, and I have to admit, the burger was delicious! It was also really cool to watch them prepare and cook the burgers in such a unique way.

Louie's Lunch - New Haven, Connecticut: History Doesn't Excuse Poor Customer Service…read more Louie's Lunch has a long history in New Haven and is widely recognized for its connection to the early hamburger, dating back to 1895. There's no denying the historical significance of this establishment, and I respect the fact that it has been around for generations. However, history and reputation can only carry a business so far. Perhaps this burger was something special back in the late 1800s, but in modern times, I found it incredibly lackluster. Being famous and being delicious are two entirely different things. Nostalgia might bring people through the door, but it doesn't automatically make the food live up to the hype. What made the experience even more disappointing was the customer service. For a business that attracts visitors because of its history and reputation, you would expect the staff to appreciate the customers who keep that legacy alive. Instead, the rude attitude and lack of basic courtesy left a sour taste in my mouth that had nothing to do with the food. A historic business should understand that customers are not simply walking wallets. People spend their hard-earned money, often travel out of their way, and stand in line because they want to experience something special. They deserve to be treated with respect, not made to feel as though their presence is an inconvenience. At some point, a business has to ask itself whether it is focused on customer satisfaction or simply relying on its name to keep the money coming in. A famous history may bring customers through the door once, but good food, respectful service, and a worthwhile experience are what make people want to return. Louie's Lunch may have history, but history alone isn't enough. In today's world, customers expect more than a famous name and a story from 1895. They expect a good experience, and unfortunately, this one fell short. Being a historic landmark should be a reason to take pride in serving people, not an excuse to neglect the very customers who keep the business going.

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Louis' Lunch - Dining room

Dining room

Louis' Lunch - Who knew white bread could be delicious? LOL! Very tasty burger indeed.

Who knew white bread could be delicious? LOL! Very tasty burger indeed.

Louis' Lunch - Storefront

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Storefront

Jordan's Hot Dogs & Mac - Tijuana Double Dog ($13.99) -- not worth it

Jordan's Hot Dogs & Mac

4.0(168 reviews)
3.1 mi
•$

Came by for a quick lunch on a Tuesday at 1 PM. When I entered there was one other person looking…read moreover the menu, but by the time I left things had really filled up with people waiting for their food! I needed something quick to go so I just got the fried chicken sandwich. It took about 20 min for my order to come out, though there seemed to be quite a lot of phone and delivery orders coming out in the meantime. Their prices overall seem great, and I was pleased with the freshness of my sandwich! The restaurant itself is a smaller diner with both booths and bar seating but I opted to take my food to go. I will definitely be back to try some of their 50 cent wings or their buy one get one free plates next time I'm in the area!

Kind of disappointing. I drove 7 miles to get there because Google gemini said they served Sabrett…read morehot dogs. They don't. Not their fault. I ordered 2 hummell dogs with kraut and mustard to go anyway. All the signs said they were $4.50 ea, but after buying a small soda my bill was $14.00! It wasn't until I got into my car to eat them that I started to realize they must have charged me an awful lot for mustard and sauerkraut. I don't feel like going back and making a fuss, but I won't go back to eat there either . Just for the record the man serving me was very nice and the hot dogs were actually pretty good when I finally ate them but I really wanted Sabrett dogs and I guess I'm just going to have to keep looking for them somewhere in Connecticut. I didn't catch it

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Jordan's Hot Dogs & Mac
Jordan's Hot Dogs & Mac - The O.G. Mac Dog

The O.G. Mac Dog

Jordan's Hot Dogs & Mac

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Elm Diner - diners - Updated October 2026

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