I do enjoy an establishment that harkens back to eras pre-dating the modern and which prides itself on history and tradition. Mory's is such a place. Located on York Street next door to the infamous Toad's Place, Mory's occupies a house built in 1912. The main dining room features a plethora of old black-and-white photographs of Yale figureheads and classes, plus a ceiling lined with antique Yale rowing oars. Each wooden table has over 100 years' worth of people's initials (and other curiosities) carved in them, most likely made while imbibing several ales. If you're looking for ambiance, then this is your place. The food isn't bad but it's not gourmet either. Membership is required and you must be affiliated with Yale in some way (as a student, faculty member, or alum) in order to obtain membership. However, members may invite guests who are not directly affiliated with Yale, which is how I got to experience it. I enjoyed a lunch special of pomegranate and orange-glazed salmon served alongside arugula with shaved radishes and pomegranate seeds tossed in a citrus vinaigrette. It was a bit on the bland side at first, but once I sprinkled some seasoning it perked up. Again, food isn't the main attraction here. The tradition and prestige of Yale is. Mory's is, more or less, a clubhouse for Yalies. So let's go back to the ambiance from what I saw on the first floor. Besides the handsome main dining room, there is also a bar nestled inside what used to be a living room (with a fireplace) and is adorned with more Yale memorabilia. They also have an outdoor patio in nicer weather and there are several private rooms that may be rented for events. Whether history and tradition is your jam, or you're a forever Yalie, Mory's is an experience you'll want to have at least once if you have the connections. read more

Mory's Association - Lunch special - New American Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Loved the old ambiance. This place oozes time,,,, father time . The Yale paraphernalia is everywhere. i found the old dining tables covered with countless carvings to be very very interesting . Definitely looks like a place where authors such as Herman Melville, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Edgar Allan Poe would congregate. Simple but tasty food and somewhat a novelty since you have to be either staff from Yale or enrolled as a student to enter. read more

I love Mory's. Been a member and a regular for years. I've had everything on the menu and never a bad meal. read more

I have been a member for many years and love celebrating birthdays at Morys especially when the Whiffs serenade the birthday guest.

Service entailed one of those exchanges, where, after having pointed to the menu at what I wanted, I was given the wrong item, and then, after pushback from the waitress, an exchange was made--but no apologies--again, when I had pointed right at the menu for what I wanted. To top it off, I now have food poisoning; let's hope the cook wasn't vindictive. There was virtually no one in the place; we were in the back, and there was a little group of Yale students that this waitress seem to be motherly towards. They left halfway through, and then we were alone, so it's not like anything taxing was happening to this waitress. The person at the front of the building also acted like she couldn't be bothered--even though there was no one there--one of those people who, when she doesn't understand your question, give this sort of disgusted look rather than just saying pardon me, or excuse me, with good customer service. I will say that in the main dining room, I've only had good experiences - - and I'm talking about both the food and the service. So, I would only go back there. (I will just try to get past the person at the front with a minimum of fuss, since her bandwidth seems really narrow.) read more

Loved visiting Mory's with Bianca & Ryan! Marie and John you are the best - so welcoming! We quickly felt like regulars. I think we visited 4 times in one week and probably ate one of everything on the menu! There were good menu choices both from the standard menu and the specials list. Every meal was wonderful. AND our visit is forever engraved on our table! Can't wait to see you again. read more

Mory's Association - Our memory at Mory's - New American Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Traditional Yale meeting and eating is still a great place to eat satisfying mix of traditional and modern cruisine. The portions are generous and the prices much more affordable than similar menu items in New York City. It's also the only place I know in the U.S. that serves Welsh Rarebit the deliciously saucy old-fashioned way. Service is excellent. read more

I love Mory's - in general. Is part of our family tradition. But they really fail when prepping for "The Game". This is their Black Friday - a day to make months worth of income. Instead this year - the Temple Bar stopped serving food around 3pm. Maybe anticipate more help in kitchen? Special bar menus with pre-prepared food? And give Vlad some extra staff that day too or else the day off. There were more people monitoring memberships at the door than working in Temple Bar. So my 2 stars is an average of 1 during HY and 4 for the others read more

Another my fav in New Haven. Located walking distance from the Apple New Haven, that was good, cause when we were in CT it was always cold. Food mostly burger and stuffs were good. Serve good beer also. Could be loud, but that's part of the bar. You see old retired professors and young students all in one room drinking. Reminded me the Universities in Germany..especially Heidelberg. read more

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The food used to be good there, I dont know what happened! Disappointed. Went there with my coworkers and we all had the same opinion; food isn't that great. Nice place though. read more

I went here today for a holiday luncheon with one of my departments at work. I went with the expectation that this is considered a Yale/New Haven institution, so they can ride on the coattails of tradition and prestige. I'd never actually noticed it, despite going to Toad's and walking downtown many times. The building itself is gorgeous - a really old house converted into a restaurant with Yale memorabilia stretching back to the 1800's. It was a bit drafty, but it's an old house. Ok, fine. I'll let you have that one, Mory. The service was fine, but the food.....well...I had "sea scallops with risotto and shrimp." To me, this would have been a few scallops and a hunk of risotto with a few shrimp. Instead, there was a lump of risotto, three wood-ear mushrooms, and some wilted greens (tasted like escarole?) mixed in, ONE scallop, and TWO shrimp. It's a $15 entree, so I didn't expect the whole ocean, but 3 pieces? Come on. The risotto would have been quite good, except it was undercooked, and I was unable to eat much of it, since the inside half of each grain of rice was still hard. We ordered dessert, and I had a "hot apple streussel," which was basically a small pie crust with some apples that had been put into sugar and cinnamon, and put in the center of the crust. The crust tasted and crumbled as though it was a frozen one, and it was definitely not hot. It was barely warm - my ice cream on top wasn't even melting. I mean, it wasn't....bad, per se. But then again, I wasn't paying for it. When we got back to work and were in the elevator, my colleague (who had the same dish) had the same complaints about the food as I did. If I had been super starving, or paying, I might have been a lot more disgruntled. Again, this is a place you go for the prestige and to say, "Yes, I've been there." Not if you want your risotto fully cooked. read more

Yale is at once a tradition, a company of scholars, a society of friends. Where else is more "Yale" than Mory's. Singing groups abound throughout the academic year, more especially on Monday nights when the Whiffenpoof's come in to sing. The walls are covered with pictures of Yalies of years past, with oars from crew regattas hung from the ceilings and classbooks stretching back to time immemorial lining the walls of the library... but most importantly the tables are carved with the initials of all those who have gone this way before us. Add your own initials to the tables, but bring your own knife. As to the food, if fits into a certain genre... somewhere around English I would guess... and is pretty good these days! When I first visited Mory's, I felt unwelcome and the food did not help much in that respect... but with recent changes at the club... the food has improved (try the salad Anton with salmon, its fantastic), along with the presentation (many thanks to the staff at the club, in particular Jan, Jim and Robin for the numerous aesthetic changes), but they still maintain the staples... such as, what I believe to be the life giving blood of existance... Baker's soup, and of course everyones favorite grown up drinking game, cups. When attending the club, for Mory's is more than just a restaurant, but is a private club with the largest membership in the United States (or last I asked it was), be sure to wear a jacket and tie for men and comparable attire for ladies... all in the spirit of "Keeping Mory's... Mory's" After all, wouldn't it be nice to "sit down together... over a meal... over a cup... over a lifetime." read more

Mory's Association - Front Door - New American Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

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Mory's is one of the oldest restaurants in the country. You have to be a member. You have to be either a professor, student, or alum of Yale to be a member. Some of my most enjoyable events of my entire life took place at Mory's One Monday night the Wiffenpoofs We're singing there as they went from table to table and drank out of that huge cup. They sang at our table and it was one of the most powerful events of my life. I was with my friend, Lee Keck, One of the renowned-retired giants from the faculty of old. It was such a great night. I have it in their other times and it has always been a blast. read more

Mory's has such tradition that every Yalie should visit at least once and do a round of cups. It's really neat to just sit in some of the the old rooms upstairs and look at the old photos of former Yalies and think that many many years ago, these people were toasting with cups just like you are. In terms of the food though, it's definitely not worth it. I've been here for dinner twice and each time, found the food to be bland and not worth the price. However, I've also been just for hor d'oeuvres and liked those, particularly the mini crab cakes, three cheese tartlets, mini quiches, and spanaekopita. That said, I generally find these things to be good and don't think the ones at Mory's stood out in any way, especially given the prices. Happy hours at Mory's can be fun and there's also trivia too! Do cups at Mory's (I like the green and this champagne filled one) and come here to get drinks or hear the acapella groups sing, but don't come for the food. read more

A group of friends and I just celebrated a friend's birthday at Mory's. Tonight also happened to be the debut of the current Whiffenpoofs cohort. The service was good, and I am especially thankful to Maxine, who maintained kindness and flexibility as I called her several times throughout the day to adjust our reservations. In regards to the food, I ordered the salmon, which tasted good but was nothing special. However, I really liked the ambiance, the charming group of Whiffenpoof gentlemen (so talented!), and the company that I was enjoying. I also like Mory's because I love being part of a long-standing Yale tradition. All in all, I had a delightful meal and lovely evening here. Verdict: Memorable experience. I would return and order from the student menu. read more

It's Mory's. It's first and foremost a club, one that happens to have a dining room. You're not coming here for the food, you're coming for a toasting if you're a Yale student and for the ambiance and nostalgia if you're an alumnus member. That being said, the food is not actually bad. The risotto I at was actually done well, cooked correctly and a bit lacking in flavor, but far from the worst risotto I've ever had. read more

Oh boy. Trifecta of incompetent management, grossly sticky tables, and limited/mediocre menu. Maybe stop in and take a look around, and then head somewhere else, anywhere else, for good food and drinks, on clean tables. IMO. read more

To the tables down at Mory's To the place where Louis dwells To the dear old Temple bar we love so well Five stars. Glory days. Enough said. read more

Com'on, Yalies, you are too generous, that place does not deserve 5 stars! It is way overrated. We all happen to be there once out of traditional principles, right? Well, first, food is nothing special, not even good. Second, give me a break with the so-called alcoholic cups, that is just syrup juice! read more

As an undergrad, I'm a little befuddled by the review below... huh? Mory's, for me, is all about toasting and Friday lunch. You have to be with a member to get in, but it's easy to find one/become one. Monday nights I think a capella groups sing for all the alums. Friday and Saturday is really where it's at at Mory's, though. Groups (like the band, political parties, a capella groups) get together to go 'toasting.' Mory's brings you a big cup - more like an enormous chalice - that is a certain amount of soda and alcohol depending on how many people who are over 21 you've managed to convince to come with the group (they've gotten really strict about IDs since the crackdowns at Toad's!), and then you pass the cup around and toast according to certain very long-standing traditions. That's all I can say on teh internets. Dress for toasting is 'western business attire,' which really means whatever you want. I have actually eaten at Mory's - the thing to get is the Werebit (am I even spelling that right?) which is a piece of bread baked in cheese and beer. Yeah, haven't had it. I get the Chef's Salad, which is really a rather pretty arrangement of fruit and stuff on some mixed greens. It's good. It's also only $8. The people who sit next to me are usually jealous. If you're doing the undergrad or w/e thing at yale, go to mory's! Especially go toasting. It's an experience. read more

So, Mory's is not what it used to be. It is good, but it has been somewhat scrubbed of that stale old air that made it awful, but so awfully your own to love and cherish. Ok, so the cups now list their ingredients (something akin to KFC listing its herbs and spices in a sidebar on the menu), but they are still good and strong, maybe sweeter than they used to be. And some meddling nanny has now decreed that only one cup can be in your table's possession at once. Yeah, THAT should prevent anyone from getting drunk. Yes, the pickled watermelon rind and the tray of crudite and corn relish may be gone. But so is the bluefish with gorgonzola, thank God. And it is Mory's! What more do you want? Go there and thank the heavens (and the dedicated alumni) who brought it back from the dead. Drink, sing, and be merry. A good time will be had by all. read more

Cup Toasting at Mory's with your undergraduate organization, out of your storied club's storied goblet, would make most Yale College Top 10 lists. So many great celebrations! The common digs on Mory's -- that it's snooty and serves mediocre foods -- are both Fundamental Truths in service of the aforementioned Higher Purpose of Cup Toasting. Hopefully they will get their finances sorted, likely through alum subsidization. read more

Old school boy's club with updated vibes, respectable wine list, and high quality service! It's "pub food with a flare" so don't expect too much and it would be a 3 star if it weren't for the oddity of the environment. read more

Mory's Association - Row row row your boat - New American Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Morys is a Yale institution, and is a mix of restaurant, bar, and private club. They've run into money trouble over the past few years, and as a result redid a lot of the place. They now have a great bar area which, when not too crowded, is a fun place to hang out with friends. The other areas of the restaurant retained the old school charm, with wooden tables with old carvings and photos on the wall of past (often athletic) Yalies going back decades. One major complaint - they changed the recipe for bakers soup after the renovation! Bakers soup is a Morys staple and only available there - it's a sort of tomato/curry soup that just isn't as strong or flavorful as it used to be. Morys staff - please fix this! Different acapella groups sing on different nights. The Famous Whiffenpoofs, the best group, sing on Mondays. You should probably call ahead to make sure they're in town before going or so ever them though. Classic Yale and a must see for anyone visiting the campus. read more

I was never a "real" Yalie, so I find this place kindof ridiculous. I mean it's a men's club of sorts where they're known for passing around a chalice full of liquor and baking a piece of bread in egg, beer and cheese and calling it delicious. Let me tell you, it's not. Don't get me wrong, it's certainly an experience and I suggest it to anyone looking for strange traditional things in New Haven, but unless you're invited by a member to check it out, it's really not worth the effort. Honestly, I didn't even know the place existed before my friend insisted that I go and have a wherebit with him. Bleh. Although I find it humorous that something that Dubbya created at DKE now appears on the elite Mory's menu. read more

Food is awful and service is awful. Always. For as long as I've known. These two things seem to be Mory's real traditions. Cups is fine to do once or twice, though they just taste like cheap fruit syrup. read more

We went here for a group dinner. The food was OK, but the staff was great. Marie handled our group of 20-25 all by herself, and she and the rest of the staff were very friendly. I didn't like my mushroom risotto all that much (something just didn't taste quite right), but the staff was so great I would go back to give it another chance and try a different dish. Fun tip: If you go with a Yale alum, ask him or her to get the silver cup ;) read more

4 stars for the one thing you must do when you come here: Make sure you get the cup (or better yet, cups) of liquor, pass it around the table taking gulps, and have a jolly ol' night of fun. Oh, the food is decidedly mediocre. read more

Always fun. Especially when the singing groups are performing. This nite it was the Wffs. Limited menu but it did include many favorites. Food was fresh. Singers were great as usual read more

The food is not very good, but the food was also not very good during the 1810's, when the building was built, so you should think of it instead as 'historically accurate' and just enjoy the old wood floors and the Yale paraphernalia and the staff, who are nice, while you dine. read more

On Monday night, we had a special anniversary dinner at Mory's. Not only was the food and service excellent, but our anniversary couple were surrounded by the Whiffenpoofs. Mory's is always great, but our special dinner was nothing short of spectacular. My Mory's membership is one of the best decisions I've made, it's a bit of Yale surrounded by a warm cloak of tradition. read more

My husband and I brought family to the Temple bar for food and drinks. There is a student member menu that is offered. For $15 students join and are given a $10 voucher to apply toward food and drink. We ordered burgers and the truffle fries. The burgers were tasty enough not the best in New Haven but then again one mostly comes here for the history and memorabilia. The staff is is friendly and helpful. Next time we return will be on a Monday to check out the Whiffenpoofs. read more

My friend was a member and was kind to invite me to dinner prior to the renovation. She had an amazing membership as a student. We abided by the dress code and enjoyed a large group meal. Service was professional. Our entrees ranged from a salad to a ribeye. The prices are hard to swallow as a graduate student. read more

Probably the best service and some of the best alcoholic concoctions in New Haven.

This place is your perfect spot for a little taste of Yale history! Go on Monday nights to hear the Whiffenpoofs (Yale's oldest a capella group) sing -- sit for a while, have a slightly over-priced dinner, and it'll all even out price-wise once you realize the Whiffs are insanely entertaining. They say you need to be a member to get in, but really they will welcome any customers, so give it a try even if you're not. read more

Time to stop by for lunch. Where are the regular people in the Temple Bar? Vlad? Tony? Why is this bartendress playing this red neck hillbilly crap? This is a Yale club! Ugh. read more

"Back then" when I was an undergrad: Food: meh Service: an older crowd (remember Wayne and Bill?) Dress code: blazer and tie The real attraction: having Cups upstairs with your college organizations or pals Recent visit during Alumni Assembly: Food: very good mushroom risotto. I hear the current Chef previously worked at the much heralded Scoozi Service: much younger and more friendly servers Dress code: very relaxed Other: enjoyed the ambiance of the bar in the back. Great to hang for a bit with Whim 'n Rhythm So, will Mory's ever be a five star foodie place? No. But, would you want it to be? You couldn't afford such a place when you were in college anyways. It is a special place. You go back and it takes you back. There is only one Mory's read more

Mory's of new would make Mory's of olde proud. The tap room is an awesome addition and scratches every itch I have to pretend to be a young Yale gentleman circa 1921. read more

Was visiting friends in CT last month and I had to vist Mory's as my friend works at Yale and has a membership. The food was fantastic, the server/bartender was great - it was an all around good time. read more

Thank goodness this has been put onto its feet again in a well executed renovation. Not so exclusive as you might think. I suspect that with any contrived Yale affiliation anyone might schmooze their way in and be served, though the official way is to be a member. No tie required - business casual works fine. Home style cooking, fair prices. Very peaceful and comfortable at lunch time during the week -- a good place to gather thoughts before heading off to lecture. read more