Things to Do in New Haven With Kids
Family-friendly spots and activities
New Haven punches above its weight as a kid city. Walkable downtown, real green space, museums that don’t condescend, and a surprising number of restaurants that aren’t just tolerant of kids but actively welcome them. Here are the locals’ picks.
RestaurantsMamouns Falafel
Legendary late-night falafel and shawarma. Been fueling Yale students and night owls forever. Fast, cheap, delicious.
Italian & PizzaSiena
Upscale Tuscan-inspired Italian from Chef Tyler Anderson at The Blake Hotel. Seasonal menus and elegant ambiance.
Italian & PizzaConsiglios
Family-owned since 1938. Three-generation Little Italy staple serving classic Southern Italian in an old-school atmosphere.
Italian & PizzaOlives and Oil
Modern rustic Italian with elevated pasta, wood-fired dishes, and a lively bar scene in a vintage downtown setting.
Italian &
PizzaVilla Lulu
Modern regional Italian with curated wines and cocktails on Restaurant Row at The Shops at Yale.
Italian & Pizza
Italian & PizzaBobbis
Detroit-ish style pizza with thick square crusts and crispy edges. A bold new style for New Haven pizza. Opened 2025.
Italian &
PizzaDa Legna x NOLO
Wood-fired sourdough pizzas, craft beer from Hoax Brewing, and live music in a spacious East Rock hangout.
RestaurantsBLDG
Vibrant New American inside Hotel Marcel. Creative cuisine and craft cocktails in a stunning Brutalist-inspired space.
RestaurantsHigh George
Rooftop restaurant with retractable glass ceiling, city views, and Mediterranean small plates. Best sunset spot in town.
RestaurantsAtelier Florian
Belgian bistro with eclectic fare, craft cocktails, and Belgian beers. Beloved for brunch and moules frites.
RestaurantsBellas Cafe
Legendary pancakes and creative brunch dishes on Whalley Ave with a devoted local following.
RestaurantsCrepes Choupette
Charming French creperie with sweet and savory crepes, galettes, and coffee near Yale campus.
RestaurantsBAR New Haven
Pizza, nightclub, and brewery all under one roof. The mashed potato pizza is a must. Live music and dancing upstairs on weekends.
RestaurantsZeneli Pizzeria e Cucina
Authentic Neapolitan pizza with a wood-fired oven imported from Italy. Fresh pasta and Italian wines in a warm downtown space.
RestaurantsHome
Southern comfort food with a New Haven twist. Famous for fried chicken, shrimp and grits, and the best mac and cheese in the Elm City.
RestaurantsKuro Shiro
Japanese ramen shop with rich tonkotsu broth, handmade noodles, and crispy gyoza. Small space, big flavors. Cash only.
RestaurantsJunzi Kitchen
Modern Chinese noodles and bings from Yale grads. Fast-casual, fresh, and unlike anything else in town. Great lunch spot.
RestaurantsLalibela Ethiopian
Authentic Ethiopian with spongy injera bread and rich stews. Eat with your hands the traditional way. Vegetarian-friendly.
RestaurantsMiyas Sushi
Legendary sustainable sushi from the late Bun Lai. Invasive species rolls and creative Japanese cuisine that earned national attention.
RestaurantsLuce
Rustic Italian with wood-fired everything. Great date night spot with candlelit ambiance and a killer burrata appetizer.
RestaurantsTemple Grill
Classic American steakhouse downtown. Dry-aged steaks, stiff cocktails, and old-school service. Power lunch and dinner crowd.
RestaurantsTre Scalini
Old-school Italian on Wooster Street. Red sauce classics, veal parm, and a dining room that feels like Sunday dinner at nonnas house.
DessertsFlossie's
Artisanal cupcake and ice cream shop on Whitney Avenue. Creative seasonal flavors and custom celebration cakes.
Italian & PizzaNext Door
Casual sister restaurant to Olea serving wood-fired pizzas, burgers, and cocktails in a lively setting.
Italian & PizzaBrick Oven Pizza
Neighborhood pizza joint on Grand Avenue turning out crispy, generous pies — a Fair Haven favorite.
BarsTrinity Bar & Grill
A Crown Street staple with solid pub food, stiff drinks, and a chill late-night atmosphere.
Breakfast & CoffeeGrateful Deli
Locally loved deli and cafe in East Rock with creative sandwiches, espresso, and a loyal morning crowd.
Breakfast & CoffeeBook Trader Cafe
Charming cafe inside a used bookstore on Chapel Street. Great coffee, pastries, and the joy of browsing vintage books.
RestaurantsRubamba
Latin American fusion with Peruvian and Ecuadorian flavors, craft cocktails, and live music nights on Orange Street.
RestaurantsOak Haven Table & Bar
Upscale American with seasonal menus and craft cocktails in a warm, contemporary space.
RestaurantsArchie Moore's
New Haven's famous wings destination since 1898. Over 40 wing sauces, pub fare, and a lively bar scene.
RestaurantsParthenon Diner
Classic Greek diner on Chapel Street serving breakfast all day, gyros, and Greek specialties. A New Haven institution for late-night eats.
Things to DoYale Center for British Art
The largest collection of British art outside the UK, in a stunning Louis Kahn building. Free admission.
Things to DoYale University Art Gallery
Free world-class art museum spanning ancient to contemporary.
ParksWooster Square Park
A charming neighborhood park famous for its cherry blossom trees every April and the annual Cherry Blossom Festival.
ParksWest Rock Ridge State Park
Dramatic traprock ridge with panoramic views, hiking trails, and the famous Judges Cave. A hidden gem above the city.
ParksEdgewood Park
Beautiful Olmsted-designed park with trails, ponds, and open meadows.
ParksLighthouse Point Park
Waterfront park with beach, carousel, splash pad, and nature trails.
ParksNew Haven Green
Historic 16-acre downtown park, home to festivals and community events.
ParksEast Rock Park
Iconic park with summit views of New Haven and Long Island Sound.
ShoppingFashionista Vintage
New Haven's go-to vintage shop with carefully curated racks of retro finds, designer pieces, and one-of-a-kind gems.
Shoppingidiom Boutique
Curated women's fashion boutique on Whitney Ave featuring independent designers and sustainable brands.
ShoppingYale Bookstore
Barnes & Noble operated bookstore on Broadway with Yale merchandise.
ShoppingHull's Art Supply & Framing
Full-service art supply store and custom framing shop since 1947.
DinnerCamacho Garage
Trendy Mexican-inspired spot with creative tacos and mezcal cocktails.
DessertsAshley's Ice Cream
A New Haven institution since 1979 serving creative small-batch ice cream. The York Street shop is a Yale-area staple.
DessertsLucibello's
Family-owned since 1929 on Grand Ave, serving classic Italian pastries. A Fair Haven institution.
DessertsInsomnia Cookies
Late-night cookie delivery and warm, fresh-baked cookies.
DessertsLibby's Italian Pastry Shop
Classic Italian bakery on Wooster Street famous for cannoli since 1922.
DessertsArethusa Farm Dairy
Farm-fresh ice cream and artisanal dairy treats from the award-winning Litchfield County farm, scooped right on Chapel Street.
Italian & Pizza
Italian & PizzaDa Legna x Nolo
Wood-fired sourdough pizza meets craft brewery in a reimagined mid-century space. Artisanal toppings and local beers.
Italian & PizzaConsiglio's
A Wooster Street legend since 1938 — old-school Italian dining with Amalfi Coast roots and Sunday supper vibes you can't fake.
Italian & Pizza
Italian & PizzaCasanova
New Haven's newest Italian stunner — wood-fired pizza, handmade pasta, and a cocktail library in a gorgeous Park Street space.
Italian & PizzaRoseland Apizza
A Derby favorite known for generous toppings and old-school charm.
Italian & PizzaZeneli Pizzeria
Authentic Neapolitan pizza and Italian dishes on Wooster Street.
Italian & PizzaModern Apizza
Thin-crust coal-fired pizza with a loyal local following since 1934.
BarsBar
Nightclub meets pizzeria — famous for its mashed potato pizza and live music.
Breakfast & CoffeeCrepes Choupette
Authentic Parisian crepes on Whitney Ave — sweet, savory, and made with love by a French-born owner.
Breakfast & CoffeeFussy Coffee
Newhallville neighborhood cafe with seriously good coffee, housemade pastries, and honey lavender lattes.
Breakfast & CoffeeThe Coffee Pedaler
East Rock's beloved artisanal coffee bar with bicycle-themed decor. Consistently called the best coffee in New Haven.
Breakfast & CoffeeKoffee?
Downtown coffeehouse with fair-trade brews, housemade pastries, and sandwiches in a cozy brick-walled space.
Breakfast & CoffeeLotta Studio
Bright cafe with specialty coffee, pastries, and a creative community vibe.
Breakfast & CoffeeWilloughby's Coffee & Tea
Local roaster and cafe with a wide selection of single-origin coffees.
Breakfast & CoffeeAtticus Bookstore Cafe
Beloved bookstore-cafe on the Green serving fresh-baked pastries since 1975.
Breakfast & CoffeeOlmo
New Haven's beloved bagel shop serving handcrafted bagels, breakfast sandwiches, and fresh lunch fare.
RestaurantsClaire's Corner Copia
A Chapel Street institution since 1975 serving vegetarian, vegan, and kosher comfort food. Celebrating 50 years of plant-powered goodness.
RestaurantsCast Iron Chef
Connecticut Magazine's Best Steak House — old-world skillet-cooked steaks, a raw bar, and happy hour seven days a week on State Street.
RestaurantsFair Haven Oyster Co.
Waterfront seafood bar with mid-century vibes, stunning marina views, and East Coast oysters. The Pearl outdoor dining opens summers.
RestaurantsTavern on State
Chef Emily Mingrone's cozy East Rock gem serving farm-driven American fare. The happy hour is stellar and the steaks are next-level.
RestaurantsShell & Bones Oyster Bar
Waterfront dining at its finest — oysters, seafood, and sunset views on the harbor. Connecticut Magazine's Best Oyster Bar.
RestaurantsThe Luke Brasserie
Contemporary Mediterranean brasserie in the historic Taft Building. Shared plates, stunning interiors, and a must-visit cocktail program.
RestaurantsStrega
Elevated Italian dining on Chapel Street with Gambero Rosso distinction. Imported ingredients, handmade pasta, and a wine list that transports you to Italy.
Restaurants
RestaurantsOlea
Stylish Spanish-inspired restaurant serving tapas, paella, and wine.
RestaurantsHeirloom
Farm-to-table restaurant with creative New American dishes and craft cocktails.
RestaurantsUnion League Cafe
Upscale French bistro in a stunning Beaux-Arts building on Chapel Street.
RestaurantsSally's Apizza
Iconic Wooster Street pizzeria known for its charred, thin-crust pies.
RestaurantsFrank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana
The original New Haven coal-fired pizza since 1925. Home of the famous white clam pie.