What’s on the Table for New Haven Restaurant Week in Spring 2024?

Our city’s most anticipated foodie event of the season has returned! New Haven Restaurant Week will run from April 14-19, featuring 24 participating restaurants across 8 neighborhoods. Of these restaurants,15 will offer $25 two-course lunch specials, and all restaurants will offer pre-fixe, three-course dinner experiences for $45 or $55 per person.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s start with a drink. Our foodies’ favorite week will begin with the Gin Fling Culinary Collision, hosted by participating restaurant Olives and Oil. The competition will feature six teams, consisting of a chef and bartender, competing to create the best cocktail and small bite pairing, with community members acting as the judges and choosing the winner. Taking place on April 14 at 8:00 p.m. at Olives and Oil, the competition will judge our participating chefs and mixologists across a few categories – taste, presentation, pairing, and “rizz.” (That’s Gen Z slang for “charisma,” if you’re unfamiliar). Gin drinkers, this is your time to shine. In the event of a tie,there will be a five question round of Gin-based trivia to determine the winner. 

A grand opening event to mark the 16th year of New Haven Restaurant Week, our diners are encouraged to stop by Olives and Oil to join in the fun. As for the rest of the week, to our diners’ delight, we’ve got some serious culinary excellence taking place in downtown. 

Our advice? Reservations are non-negotiable. Park for free at The Shops at Yale. Walk off your meal with a stroll around the New Haven Green. For other helpful advice related to New Haven Restaurant Week, check out this blog post, “14 Tips to Experience New Haven Restaurant Week.”

To prime our palettes, the chefs and owners of the participating restaurants are sharing a bit about their establishments, plus the things that await diners this year. Here are the 24 restaurants participating in the Spring edition of New Haven Restaurant Week. 

80 PROOF American Kitchen & Bar – A modern twist on classic American fare with a focus on shareable plates, 80 PROOF serves elevated bar food and craft cocktails in a vibrant atmosphere with two bars, a large private patio, and multiple options for private dining and events.

9 Squared – Located inside the Cambria Hotel, 9 Squared serves up classic American fare with a creative local spin. Here, diners can sip signature cocktails and enjoy a selection of local craft beer on tap.

Atelier Florian – Atelier Florian specializes in sustainable seafood and meat dishes, plus Belgian beer and cocktails served in bright, modern surroundings.

Barcelona Wine Bar – Barcelona Wine Bar is a warm and welcoming tapas bar inspired by the culture of Spain.

BLDG – A new addition to the Restaurant Week family, BLDG serves scratch made sustainably modern cuisine with the freshest local ingredients. Located within Hotel Marcel, BLDG is New Haven’s newest restaurant and bar open to the public for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.

Caffe Bravo – Caffe Bravo offers authentic Italian cuisine using only the freshest ingredients, serving fresh-made pasta, with seating in an outdoor patio and indoor dining room. 

Camacho Garage – Camacho Garage specializes in contemporary Mexican street food in an elevated garage setting. 

Chacra Pisco-Bar – Chacra offers a unique take on contemporary Peruvian cuisine, an intriguing blend of authentic and innovative dishes that are, in a word, unforgettable. Bold flavors, exotic aromas and unique cocktails. Chacra pisco-bar has been honored the Best Latin Restaurant & the Best Late Night statewide by Connecticut Magazine as well the Best Peruvian restaurant in New Haven County for their BEST OF CONNECTICUT 2024. 

Elm City Social – Elm City Social evokes the spirit of the 1920s, bringing back to life the craftwork of cocktails that has been lost until now. Located inside the historic building that once housed Kasey’s Restaurant in the early 1900’s, Elm City Social is led by Chef John Brennan, who dreams up seasonally inspired menus that can only be described as “comfort food with a flavorful twist.”

Encore by Goodfellas – A modern interpretation of an era when dining and entertainment went hand and hand; a space where eating and drinking and performances come alive in a luxury setting with exceptional service. The newly renovated space boasts upper and lower level dining, a modern 40 seat bar and live entertainment every night. 

Geronimo Tequila Bar & Southwest Grill – Geronimo serves up Santa Fe-style cuisine and the largest selection of tequila on the east coast. 

Harvest Wine Bar – Harvest offers modern American cuisine with Asian, Latin and Mediterranean influences, plus features an extensive wine list with wines from around the world.

Heirloom – Heirloom serves seasonal, flavor-driven, farm, and coastal cuisine in a relaxed, modern setting. Heirloom is located within The Study at Yale Hotel on Chapel Street in the heart of the Yale University Arts Campus.

Il Gabbiano – An Italian Steakhouse brought to New Haven’s historical waterfront district, Il Gabbiano is led by Chef Valentino Stakaj. The star of the show is our USDA Prime Black Angus Chef Cut steaks and an expertly curated wine cellar with over 100 to choose from, 50 being from the owner’s private collection. There is also a vast selection of fresh seafood, pasta, Italian classics and lighter fares.

John Davenport’s – John Davenport’s is a premier restaurant on the 19th floor of the Omni New Haven Hotel offering spectacular views of the City and Long Island Sound.

L’Orcio – Situated in a historical house, L’Orcio features contemporary Italian Cuisine featuring homemade pasta and a variety of meat and fish entrees. 

Olea  – In the heart of downtown New Haven, 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.

Olives and Oil – Host of the Gin Fling Culinary Collision, Olives and Oil infuses old-world Italian classics with a modern twist, in New Haven’s liveliest Italian restaurant.

Pacifico – Along with traditional tapas, some of Pacifico’s signature dishes include Seafood Paella, Skirt Steak with Chino-Latino stir fried rice, Caramelized Salmon and Dulce de Leche Cheesecake. Plus, they serve up the state’s best Mojito, according to CT Magazine.

Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill – Shell & Bones is an award-winning steak, seafood, and raw bar, located directly on New Haven Harbor.

South Bay  – South Bay serves modern-American fare with a Mediterranean flare, featuring fresh seafood, homemade pasta, small plates, desserts, and more. The restaurant also has a full-service bar with happy hour drink specials and live music weekly. 

Tre Scalini – A Trattoria-style restaurant overlooking Wooster Street, Tre Scalini serves classic Italian fare in an upscale, yet intimate, setting. 

Villa Lulu – Villa Lulu is a neighborhood Italian restaurant featuring regional Italian cuisine, craft cocktails, and an extensive wine bar. 

Zinc  – Celebrating 25 years in business, Zinc offers elevated modern American cuisine in a contemporary setting with a curated wine list.