Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in New Haven

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in New Haven? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Nataz Restaurant - North Branford

4.9

4.9 (223)

$31 to $50

American

Branford

About the restaurant

Coming Soon!

Top review

Mark

Dined 6 days ago

I can't say enough about NATAZ. My family and I went have been there for dinners and brunch before and wanted to return to enjoy brunch at the Branford location this morning. Everything was wonderful...the food, the variety of selections, the professionalism and attentiveness by the staff. I especially enjoyed the hand sliced prime rib cut fresh, the chicken dishes and the squash ravioli. The desserts were amazing as well. I can't wait to return soon!

olea - New Haven

4.8

4.8 (1442)

$50 and over

Spanish

New Haven

About the restaurant

In the heart of downtown New Haven, Connecticut, Olea offers an innovative interpretation of Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine. Chef Manuel Romero and his team explore these flavors in their food, wine, and cocktails, locally sourcing many products and importing specialty items from the Mediterranean region.

Top review

Anna

Dined on May 14, 2025

Sleek interior, beautifully trained and attentive staff, ethereal food. Unfortunately, the din precludes any sort of conversation.

The Luke Brasserie Bar & Cafe

4.8

4.8 (388)

$30 and under

Contemporary French / American

New Haven

About the restaurant

Chef Vincent is excited to bring a dynamic contemporary brasserie experience to New Haven.

Chef Vincent has worked with such culinary giants as:
Charlie Trotter, Daniel Boloud, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Marcus Samuellson, Rocco Dispirito, Georges Blanc, Paul Bocuse, Michel Geurard, and Stephen Starr.

Top review

LarryVIP

Dined on May 10, 2025

Once again, an absolutely superb dining experience. Vincent and his staff have truly created New Haven's most creative and best executed dining experience

Strega - New Haven

4.8

4.8 (78)

$31 to $50

Italian

New Haven

About the restaurant

The name of the restaurant is inspired by the Legend of Janare of Benevento. Strega means ‘witch’ in Italian and Benevento is considered the “city of witches”.
At Strega, our mission is to transport our guests to the Italy we cherish. Drawing inspiration from traditions across the Italian peninsula, we are dedicated to crafting an authentic Italian experience. With a profound appreciation and understanding of Italy’s rich history and culinary heritage, we prioritize using imported Italian products and are committed to maintaining authenticity in our recipes and menu selections.
At Strega, we believe that cooking with seasonal, authentic ingredients means there is not need for unnecessary embellishment - our food tastes great, is fresh, and at its peak. Our experience is crafted through a series of selected choices. We take pride in serving freshly made dishes, embracing wholesome Italian cooking with fresh and healthy ingredients.
We look forward to serving downtown New Haven.

Top review

Darlene

Dined 4 days ago

a wonderful dining experience. The interior decor is beautiful. We felt like we were back in Italy and loved the Italian music playing throughout the evening. The owner and his wife were very visible and accommodating made us feel like we were at home. The food was excellent Service impeccable all in all an excellent dining experience. I would definitely return to this new beautiful restaurant.

Gioia - Wooster Street New Haven

4.8

4.8 (436)

$31 to $50

Italian

New Haven

About the restaurant

PLEASE NOTE: The rooftop at GIOIA does not accept reservations. Seating is first come, first served.

Cheerful Italian food and drink in Wooster Square. Follow us @GioiaNHV

Online reservations are now available through our website!!!

Top review

LaurieVIP

Dined on May 16, 2025

Wow - excellent food! Best meal I've had in a long time...including Los Angeles, NYC and Miami. We ordered three appetizers and three entrees to share and everything was fantastic.

Viñas Wine & Tapas - New Haven

4.8

4.8 (49)

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

New Haven

About the restaurant

Chilean inspired 🇨🇱 wine & tapas
Featuring: local wine, wine flight tastings & live music

Top review

LaurieVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Amazing food and great service. The small plates are the way to go with lots of variety and tastes.

Camacho Garage

4.6

4.6 (1343)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Mexican

New Haven

About the restaurant

Camacho Garage brings acclaimed Executive Chef/co-owner Arturo Franco-Camacho's exciting and unique tastes of Mexican street food to the lively Westville neighborhood. Enjoy yourself in a sophisticated, fun environment with a vintage garage feel. Fully opening oversized garage doors yield an abundance of light, as well as provide a seamless experience from the indoor dining space to the outdoor patio dining featuring a fireplace and outdoor shipping container bar. The all-day food menu features an assortment of small plates of both traditional and Mexican inspired recipes made with fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients. Think, Mexican street food with a strong focus on tacos and ceviche, as well as tostadas, salads, raw bar, and made-to-order guacamole. The bar menu highlights an extensive and unique local beer selection, specialty cocktails, tequila, mezcal, and other Mexican inspired beverages.

Top review

geishla

Dined 6 days ago

Great time great food service was amazing coming back soon!

Uptown

4.6

4.6 (55)

$30 and under

American

Ansonia

About the restaurant

Located in the oldest opera house in Connecticut, we at Uptown Bar & Eatery are proud of our in-house menu made with the freshest and highest quality ingredients. You'll want to try our build your own steak board at our wonderful restaurant!!

Top review

FrancineVIP

Dined on May 15, 2025

Great little spot! Drinks were on point and food choices were great and tasty! Very attentive staff as well! Will def go back.

Harvest Wine Bar and Restaurant - New Haven

4.5

4.5 (310)

$31 to $50

American

New Haven

About the restaurant

Delight in the taste of customary American cuisine with a twist at Harvest Wine Bar. Harvest's menu features dishes, such as grilled calamari and lobster macaroni and cheese. Some of its main entrées range between seared sea scallops, as well as filet mignon with truffle mashed potatoes and roasted brussels sprouts with red wine demi-glace. At Harvest, guests can also enjoy different drinks for every course of the meal. It is also a great place for date night.

$25 lunch 2 course pre fixe
Live Jazz every Thursday 7-9PM
Weekend Brunch Sat & Sun 11:30-3PM
Wine Specials Sunday & Wednesday

Top review

Lindy LeeVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Unfortunately the menu was changed for graduation weekend I ordinarily love the brunch/lunch choices and was disappointed Service and hospitality are wonderful.

Discover more

Experience

Happy Hour 3:30PM - 6PM

Experience

Weekend Brunch

Experience

Live Jazz Every Thursday

Lockworks Tavern

4.1

4.1 (107)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Branford

About the restaurant

Lockworks Tavern isn't just your neighborhood tavern; it's an experience unto itself, a destination for those seeking something beyond the ordinary. Situated at the crossroads of tradition and innovation, the tavern captivates with a blend of rustic charm and modern flair. Here, conversations flow freely and your glass is always full.

Top review

Kathleen

Dined on May 10, 2025

It was really nice. I just wish it had been more conducive to conversation.

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