Top-Rated Restaurants

Union League Café (French)

Specializing in innovative French and contemporary American cuisine, Union League has an elegant dining room with high-ceilings, a large fireplace, and arched windows that stretch to the ceiling. The wine list is superb, and the waitstaff is well trained, offering helpful commentary about the dishes and their preparations. Bistro-style cuisine, amazing desserts, and the refined atmosphere make this a great spot for a business dinner, a romantic date, or a special occasion.

Zinc (American)

Zinc is elegant, modern, and sleek inside, with warm lighting, white tablecloths, and a unique zinc-topped bar and communal table overlooking Chapel Street. A lovely banquet room in the back features soundproof doors, and the full-service bar is popular for drinks. This is an excellent choice for a business dinner. The menu is cutting-edge, with dishes like five-spice tuna tartare, charred Vietnamese black pepper chicken, and venison gumbo with Texmati rice. Unique and sophisticated from start to finish.

Roomba (Latin American)

Roomba is located on brick-paved Sherman's Alley below street level. With its colorful, modern, ethnic-themed decor, this is one of the hottest places in town. Enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail, such as a Cuban mojito made with rum and ginger ale, along with fresh bread and pebre, which is a mixture of olive oil and spices. The menu features raw bar items, a long list of appetizers, and lots of Latin-tinged main dishes featuring seafood, lamb, and chicken.

Pad Thai (Thai)

Wine & beer license. 10% discount with student ID. Street parking. Hours: Sun.-Thurs. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri. & Sat. 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.

Bentara (Malaysian)

This sophisticated restaurant is earning an excellent reputation for serving the best Malaysian cuisine in the area. Though innovative, spicy options abound, you can also order American classics like filet mignon. The mouthwatering dishes focus on fresh seafood, beef, chicken, or vegetarian dishes, and the wine selection provides the perfect complement, with a list of more than 1,000 to choose from.

Ibiza (Continental, Spanish)

Hot Tomato's (Italian)

This is a great place with a happening bar and a sophisticated, contemporary two-tiered dining room with intricately detailed ceilings. The stylish decor builds on the tomato theme. The spicy, modern Italian cuisine includes dishes such as Three Devil Shrimp with Italian sausage, Pasta Verdure with charred plum tomato sauce, and Salmon Osso Buco, pan-seared and served with rich lobster broth, vegetables, and garlic mashed potatoes. The dessert menu features a stellar array of possibilities.

Miya's Sushi (Japanese)

New Haven's oldest Japanese restaurant. Selection of sake.

Tandoor (Indian)

The Indian cuisine is expertly prepared and makes a filling meal, even though most of the dishes are vegetarian. Try chickpeas with onion, herbs, and tomatoes or potatoes cooked with spinach and cream. There are also several chicken, lamb, and seafood dishes and the best nan bread in town. The surprising decor is reminiscent of an art deco all-American diner, but the cuisine is true tandoori.

Caffé Adulis (Ethiopian)

The only restaurant of its kind between New York and Boston, Caffé Adulis focuses on Eritrean food, which is a type of African cuisine. The upscale, cosmopolitan atmosphere has a long list of international beers and martinis and occasionally features jazz music. The eclectic, flavorful menu features Tibsie, Eritrean's answer to the fajita, as well as salads and basil hummus with fresh pita. Lots of stews, including vegetarian versions, are available as well.

Thai Taste (Thai)

This is an unpretentious Thai restaurant located below street level in the historic Duncan Hotel. The full-service bar and the restaurant are popular thanks to a good location, excellent service, and great food served in ample portions. Recommended dishes include chicken or beef red curry that is rich with coconut, beef Panang in spicy sauce, drunken noodles, or vegetable pad Thai topped with bean sprouts, eggs, and ground peanuts.

Zaroka (Indian)

This restaurant, formally known as Nirvana, has, despite the hustle and bustle of modern life, a basic premise that underlies all Indian hospitality. This is derived from the "Deva Bhava," an ancient Sanskrit that has been handed down through the ages. Translated it means that "a guest is equal to god and should be treated as such." They have created a menu which is rich in culture and combines dishes from some of the major states and provinces within India. Punjab, South India, Gujarati, Rajestri and Bengal are some the regions represented on their menu. Each region has its own distinct style of cuisine, which they have endeavored to recreate for you. All of their dishes are made with exotic spices specially imported from India and custom blended by their chef. Notable selections include the Chicken Vindaloo (originally concocted by the Portuguese who settled in India-potatoes, sweet cinnamon, staranise, vinegar and freshly ground spices harmonize to create one of the spiciest curries,) Lamb Curry (cubes of lean lamb simmered in a tasty brown onion gravy,) Dal Nirvana (black lentils cooked with a delicious blend of the chef's own spices) and the Shrimp Biriyani (jumbo marinated shrimp in a fusion of aromatic rice and seasonings).

Ivy Noodle (Chinese)

Scoozzi Trattoria & Wine Bar (Italian)

This favorite for sophisticated dining and cheerful service serves elegant Italian and continental dishes. The excellent antipasto, a diverse array of pastas, and enticing meat and fish dishes are impressive, as is the baked napoleon. The restaurant is particularly popular in the summer, when the outdoor patio is put to good use.

Mory's (American)

Royal Palace (Chinese)

Samurai (Japanese)

Cosí (American, Dessert, Pizza)

This two-tiered coffee and pizza bar has a warehouse setting and is packed each day with students boning up for exams and each evening with a diverse crowd sharing coffee, drinks, slices of pizza, and good conversation. The eclectic decor features colorful modern art, and the menu offers a variety of pastries, scones, cookies and bagels, making it a perfect stop for a light bite any time of day.

Main Garden (Chinese, Fast Food)

Inexpensive, mostly take-out. $10 minimum delivery. Popular with Yalies. Sun.-Thurs. 11-1 a.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-midnight. No credit.

Educated Burgher (Fast Food)

Burgers for the educated, a Yalie hangout. Bathrooms not handicapped accessible. Street parking.