little italy

2teens

This area of New Haven is quite small. It includes a number of restaurants and pizza places, an Italian bakery and little else. I'm really surprised to see it's listed as an "attraction". The main reason to go to this area is to go to one of the restaurants - especially Frank Pepe's pizza (or the affiliated "The Spot"). Otherwise, there isn't really enough to make it an attraction on it's own.

Chris_from_CT

Due to so many of the lines at the 'other places', we do either pick eating dinner with the kids at 'The Spot' or eating dinner at another really good pizza place 'close by' like Modern or Tollli's. All are family run, all will get to 'know' their customers and all have good food!! Our favorite though, is no matter where we are for dinner in or around New Haven, we hit Wooster Street to go to see our friends down at Libby's. They have watched our children 'grow up'... We all have our 'favorites'. While they are famous for their Italian Ices, I adore their Gelato!! I also pair that up with a cappuccino. It is so nice that for 30 years we have seen the same faces behind the counters. We prefer to support the family run places... and anything you patronize on Wooster Street is just that, FAMILY!!!

EddieBronx_NewYork

Visited Wooster Street after seeing Frank Pepe and Sally's Pizzeria on a food channel. This had to be the smallest Little Italy we've ever seen ( a couple of blocks). Plus there wasn't much of an Italian flare displayed except for a few signs, restaurants and one archway (Mostly on one block).Both pizzas were very good, but not the best in America as come claim. We wanted to see which was the better of the two. My family gave a slight edge to Frank Pepe (I narrowly chose Sally's due to flavor and texture). We also, visited the pastry shop a few doors down from Frank Pepe's, the pastries were good, not great as made out to be, the service was at a snails place even though we were the only customers. In any event, we had a good time, the kids even got to play in the small park on Wooster street. Next time we'll explore more of the area. Always open to suggestions.

Dirk6460

Frank Pepe's is the family favorite but try visiting during off peak hours if you don't like to wait.. Grab some nice Italian cookies next door to take home and forget about the calories for a little while. Worth the trip to experience all the history.

GeraldWW2

. . . and if you do not go to Pepe's, you have not been in New Haven. It is an American institution. Order the white clam pizza.

Mar122

There are so many little gems to choose from here, that it is impossible to have a bad meal. The lines at some places are well worth the wait. This is a wonderful place any time of year, but on these brisk nights headed into fall, it is wonderful to walk around, and take in all the delicious smells. Be sure to stop by Libby's after dinner for the best Italian Ice in the city!

johnsphotos12

This is the mecca for pizza as far as I'm concerned. There are different preferences and favorites,My dad and I are partial to Pepe's. My mother always preferred Sally's. I was fortunate to go to both often as a kid. Pizza and then soda or beer by the pitcher, simple and delicious tradition served today the same way since the 20's.Regardless of where you get pizza, you must go to Libby's for italian pastry or italian ices for dessert. They make amazing pinoli cookies too, great with espresso.

Citymominwoods

I'm sorry, we just didn't get it. Maybe we went on the wrong time but we had some pizza, it was fine, nothing to write home about. We walked the block. We waited forever for Italian cookies (only 1 person in front of us) the service was beyond slow. And then the overpriced cookies were just so so. My Stop and Shop Italian cookies are on par. I'm Italian but I have no desire to ever go back. There was nothing special, nothing quaint, nothing authentic about our experience.

marthapitaw

Came for Frank Pepe's Pizza, which is amazing and suggest you come early for. Next door is a wonderful bakery with anything you can think of. Had to take a boxful with us in order to try all we wanted to try. Nice little neighborhood. Not to far from Yale.

MrsJAtlanta

I stopped in here for a quick lunch on a visit to Yale. Old school ambience and wide selection of authentic Italian food. Passed two elderly Italian men chatting at a table, and felt like I was home. Then sat near a young man talking loudly to himself and felt a bit uncomfortable. Still, the food was great.

SCNicholas

Although it's not a big neighborhood, this is a nice place for a day out with family and friends. Parking may be an issue. Walk to the neighborhood, if possible.

ltwain

A few restaurants and a tired old bakery drive 1 hr and 15 mins to the real thing in NYC Little Italy New Haven more like little San Juan!

metalmaiden

The make-up of this neighborhood as changed from it's early days of Italian immigrants that began the famous restaurants and pizza places (Pepe's 1900) but it has remained a thriving community despite the economic ups and downs of the city. It even survived (better than other areas of the city) the interstates that cut through part of the neighborhood. It still has such charm. Take a stroll down Wooster Street, have a meal, enjoy a pastry or Italian ice, sit and rest under one of the large shade trees in the park. And speaking of the park, April is a perfect time to visit the park and enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms!

GaryJ8

very small, less than one block, very disappointed in little italy. a few restaurants.. nothing was open except the pizza restaurant, no foot traffic.

igost

If you are hungry, don't bother going to New Haven's Little Italy - you'll starve to death waiting in line.For some reason this neighborhood is listed in all guidebooks, so you are pretty much guaranteed to run into tourist crowds.In reality, it's nothing special. Small block with a few Italian eateries. Can't even compare to Little Italy in Manhattan.