New Haven, Connecticut, boasts a vibrant culinary scene with a growing emphasis on healthy dining options. From restaurants that prioritize locally-sourced ingredients to those offering innovative takes on classic dishes, New Haven is becoming a haven for health-conscious food lovers. This article explores some of the best healthy restaurants in New Haven, highlighting their unique offerings and commitment to quality.
Restaurants Committed to Fresh, Nutritious Ingredients
New Haven's healthy restaurants stand out for their dedication to using fresh, nutritious ingredients. These establishments often source their produce and proteins from local farms and suppliers, ensuring that their dishes are not only delicious but also sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Heirloom: Celebrating Locally-Sourced, Heritage Ingredients
Heirloom - New Haven prides itself on using locally-sourced, heritage ingredients. The restaurant's menu is praised for its varied and rich selection of healthy options. They also offer a range of sustainable, organic, and biodynamic wines.
ZINC: Seed-to-Plate Dining
Across from the historic New Haven Green, ZINC offers an innovative seed-to-plate menu that celebrates the surrounding community. Sustainable food has been the focus of ZINC since opening its doors in 1999. Their modern interpretation of “American Food” is local market-inspired and globally infused with a focus on sustainable food, offering a dining experience fit for even the most enthusiastic foodies. ZINC also boasts a Wine Spectator award-winning wine menu.
Restaurants That Offer a Variety of Healthy Options
New Haven's healthy dining scene is characterized by a diverse range of cuisines and menu options. Whether you're in the mood for seafood, Italian, Mexican, or American fare, you can find a restaurant that caters to your dietary preferences and health goals.
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Claire's Corner Copia: A New Haven Institution
Claire's Corner Copia is a well-known New Haven restaurant with a long-standing commitment to vegetarian and vegan options. Open Tuesday-Friday from 8:00 AM-8:00 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 AM-8:00 PM, Claire's offers a variety of healthy choices, including salads, sandwiches, and entrees. They also have a Prix Fixe Menu for $24 from 4-7 PM every evening, which includes any special of the day entree, salad, homemade bread, and any dessert.
John Davenports: Coastal New England Fare with a View
Located on the 19th floor, John Davenports offers contemporary, approachable, coastal New England fare with the best views of New Haven. Their Executive Chef strives to source sustainable, seasonal ingredients from local farmers, while taking pride in products made in house. The culinary team highlights the Atlantic coastline and its abundant offerings from the sea.
Restaurants That Focus on Authentic Cuisine With Fresh Ingredients
New Haven also offers restaurants that focus on authentic cuisine, using fresh and healthy ingredients to create flavorful and satisfying dishes.
Strega: An Authentic Italian Experience
Strega is inspired by the Legend of Janare of Benevento. Strega means ‘witch’ in Italian and Benevento is considered the “city of witches”. At Strega, the mission is to transport guests to the Italy we cherish. Drawing inspiration from traditions across the Italian peninsula, they are dedicated to crafting an authentic Italian experience. With a profound appreciation and understanding of Italy’s rich history and culinary heritage, they prioritize using imported Italian products and are committed to maintaining authenticity in their recipes and menu selections. At Strega, they believe that cooking with seasonal, authentic ingredients means there is not need for unnecessary embellishment - their food tastes great, is fresh, and at its peak. They take pride in serving freshly made dishes, embracing wholesome Italian cooking with fresh and healthy ingredients.
L'Orcio: Contemporary Italian Cuisine
L'Orcio is an upscale dining establishment serving Contemporary Italian Cuisine. In house made specialty pastas like Ricotta Gnocchi, Papparedelle and Ravioli are only part of the L'Orcio experience. Chef d'Amuri, an Italian native, also works his magic grilling whole fish and juicy steaks and offers a variety of meat and fish dishes daily. Desserts like Tiramisu', Charlotte agli Amaretti and Lemon Tart are also prepared in house. A relaxing and elegant ambiance with a European flair is the perfect backdrop for lunch, dinner or spirits. Located in a refurbished historical home the restaurant offers a unique space their guests. Family owned and operated with an eye for detail L'Orcio has a lot to offer.
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La Lupa: Traditional Recipes from Rome, Italy
La Lupa is an innovative way to appreciate the taste of traditional recipes handed down from our grandmothers or from our family, elaborated with unaltered passion, and the essence of Rome, Italy. The recipes that are used to create the La Lupa brand are the result of extensive research, keeping together the methods of family tradition, the discovery of secret ingredients and of each cooks own personal methods.
Restaurants That Offer a Unique Dining Experience
New Haven's culinary scene also includes restaurants that offer a unique dining experience, whether it's through their atmosphere, menu, or service.
Te Amo Tequila Bar & Tacos: A Modern Mexican Restaurant and Tequila Bar
Te Amo Tequila Bar & Tacos (translation: I Love Tequila) is a modern Mexican restaurant and tequila bar featuring delicious tequila cocktails, and a completely unique taco experience. The sophisticated atmosphere combined with two fully stocked bars & open kitchen will have you loving Te Amo. Located adjacent to the New Haven green, across from the Omni Hotel and through the plaza from the Shubert Theater.
Other Restaurant Options
While the restaurants above exemplify healthy dining in New Haven, there are other establishments that offer healthy options or cater to specific dietary needs.
Red Lobster: Seafood Favorites
Elevate your day at Red Lobster, where fun meets fancy and every meal is a celebration. Whether you’re marking a special occasion or treating yourself or your crew, Red Lobster is the perfect place to enjoy all your seafood favorites. Dive into their signature shrimp, wild caught lobster and crab, and more. Plus, a variety of fish and popular non-seafood items like our Cajun Chicken Linguini Alfredo.
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Notable Mentions
- Barracuda Bistro & Bar
- 80 PROOF American Kitchen & Bar
- Saltbrick Prime
- Monty's River Grille
Community Support and Social Justice
Beyond the food itself, some establishments in New Haven contribute to the community through social justice initiatives.
Havenly: Empowering Refugee and Immigrant Women
At CT’s Havenly Café, refugee and immigrant women find opportunity and companionship. The nonprofit cafe in New Haven trains immigrant and refugee women to work in restaurants, child care and more. Many things drew Ana Hernandez to the Havenly fellowship program: She would be one of 15 women, immigrants and refugees from around the world, who would receive culinary training, and would help run the Havenly Cafe. She would earn money while working and as she learned, taking classes in English, digital and financial literacy. In the Baghdad Bowl, Nieda Abbas channels the flavors of her first home country with curried chicken, rice, peas, carrots and almonds sliced whisper thin.
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