Shortlist: Eight Restaurants In North Haven (CT) That Locals Love!
With plenty of eating options ranging from Indian cuisine to Caribbean treats, and Japanese sushi to local seafood, Connecticut’s North Haven has some truly amazing culinary delights that everyone should experience!
If you’re unsure where to start, here’s some of our favorite restaurants in North Haven, CT that you should try. Let’s dig in!
Our Eight Favorite Restaurants In North Haven, CT: Food Worth Waiting For!
1. Ludal’s Italian Restaurant
Classic Italian eatery with big flavors, in a modern and trendy ambiance with friendly staff and happy hour.
There’s nothing like a homestyle Italian meal cooked to perfection, seasoned with love, and served with a smile. That’s what you’ll get at Ludal’s Italian Restaurant where you’ll fall in love with not only their scrumptious food but Italian culture in general.
You might come for the delicacies, but you’ll stay for the warmth and love that’s often showered upon patrons by the owners, staff, and patrons. It’s definitely one of the friendliest restaurants in North Haven, CT.
A modern restaurant with many classic Italian touches, from the splash of red added by the couches to the black uniform worn by the staff, the attention to detail to make the place look chic and sophisticated goes a long way.
The place finds the perfect balance between being modern and homey, making it a unique spot that’s warm, welcoming, and elegant at the same time. Hats off to the owners for making such a great dining experience even better due to the interior.
The food is known for being sublime too, with each mouthful bursting with flavor. Their most popular dishes include their traditional handmade pizzas, their pasta, their stuffed mushrooms, and Caprese Salad.
Apart from these, you should also try their Crème Brule and Tiramisu to add just the right amount of sweetness that a post-meal dessert should have. You’ll probably be on Cloud 9 after a visit to Ludal’s and for good reason!
Ludal’s Italian Restaurant is open Monday to Saturday for its lunch service from 11:45 am to 4 pm, its dinner service starts from 4 pm to 10 pm on Monday to Thursday. On Friday and Saturday, their dinner service is from 4 pm to 10:30 pm, and on Sunday it’s open from noon to 9 pm.
Apart from this, their happy hour is from 4 pm to 6:30 pm so if you want to catch a few pre-dinner cocktails that’s the time to go.
Address: 28-30 Broadway, North Haven, CT
2. The Hook and Ladder
An all-American grill serving your favorite traditional American food with a superb ambiance and outdoor seating options.
Sometimes you want comfort food that brings back nostalgic memories of your childhood and hometown growing up, and for times like those, popping into The Hook and Ladder would be a great idea. Not only is the food based on all your favorite treats but the staff are super friendly and the environment exudes warmth and kindness, perfect for locals and tourists alike.
With a simple and trendy ambiance, the restaurant’s interior is minimalistic-ally done with lots of thematic wall art, exposed brick walls, and plenty of seating choices available – it’s a pleasure to sit and enjoy one’s food in.
Plus, the restaurant is big on holding community karaoke nights and open mic nights to showcase all the talented locals that reside in North Haven. So, if you want to plan an evening full of fun and food this place should definitely be on the list.
As far as the food goes, they are known for their bar bites, burgers and steaks so order any one of those and you’ll have a great meal, plus they also serve a whole host of different beverages and drinks from cocktails, mocktails to beer, wine, and whiskey. Whatever you’re in the mood for they’re sure to have so check out their drinks menu too.
The Hook and Ladder is open Monday to Wednesday from 4 pm to midnight. Thursdays it’s open from 11 am to midnight and Fridays it’s open from 11 am to 2 pm. On Sunday it’s open from 11 am to 11 pm, so nearly the entire day. There’s plenty of time to stop by just make sure of its schedule before planning.
Address: 201 Washington Avenue North Haven, CT.
3. Punjabi Kadhai The Indian Cuisine Restaurant
Traditional Indian dishes served in a great ambiance with exceptional service, outdoor seating is available too!
Indian cuisine is always a crowd-puller on vacation. There’s just something about the spices, flavors, and aromas that entice and tantalize. So, if you’re looking for a dose of fun and spice to add to your vacation, make sure to drop by Punjabi Kadhai. Who knows, you might just find your new favorite restaurant and next thing you know, you’ll be experimenting with Indian cuisine every day.
The interior of this family-owned place is simple and clean. With a traditional open seating plan with plenty of tables and loads of space. They also have huge bay windows that let in a ton of light, making the place feel warm and welcoming. Their crisp white tablecloths are a refreshing attention to detail that not many restaurants bother with nowadays.
Anything that someone says about the food is not enough. It deserves all the praise it gets! With mouthwatering options, their most famous dishes are the Chicken Tikka Masala, Butter Chicken, Shrimp Curry, and Garlic Naan bread. Don’t miss out on their ‘Mango Lassi’ too, order it with your meal as the drink and you’ll be good to go.
Their Gulab Jaman and Kheer are the perfect desserts if you’re looking to end the meal on a high note, so make sure you save some space for those!
Punjabi Kadhai The Indian Cuisine Restaurant is open from 10 am to 9 pm Thursday and from 10 am to 10 pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Making it a great place to go to no matter what time or day it is.
Address: 303 Universal Dr. North North Haven, CT.
4. Athena II Diner
Authentic Greek Diner full of your favorite Greek treats, family-friendly atmosphere, and wonderful service.
A modern twist on a traditional diner, Athena II Diner is tastefully done up in different shades of grey with huge windows letting in bright light. The place is comfortable yet elevated, making it the perfect ambiance to enjoy a great lunch or dinner in.
The staff are also friendly and efficient always stopping by to chat or help. So, even if it’s your first time visiting, they’ll have the perfect suggestions to help make it a memorable meal.
With booth, bar, and table-style seating options, the space caters to all kinds of parties, so even if you’re going in a big group, they’ll have plenty of space available to seat you. Plus, this place is one of the most popular restaurants in North Haven, so if you’re looking to brush up your knowledge about the place, then this is a great spot to strike up a conversation with one of the many patrons.
They serve a variety of menu options but their Greek menu is known to be absolutely delicious, especially the gyro and the stuffed grape leaves. So, make sure you order some of those.
Plus, their desserts, shakes, and floats are very popular with the locals too, so order some pies or a root beer float and you’ll be sorted.
They have an extensive breakfast menu too with a separate section for kids, so if you’re in time for breakfast that’s a popular choice as well.
Athena II Diner is open seven days a week! So you have no excuse not to visit. Drop in anytime between 7 am and 11 pm to make the most of what it has to offer.
Address: 320 Washington Ave 1306, North Haven, CT
5. CT Chowder Co
Small and unassuming place with the best Seafood and Chowder, amazing service, and cozy ambiance.
There’s some pretty awesome seafood restaurants in North Haven, CT, but arguably the one with the most character and flavor has to be CT Chowder Co.
Not only is the chowder there known for being perfect, but the atmosphere, staff, owners, and everything the place stands for really adds a layer of love to the place, making it a great culinary experience no matter where you’re from and what you like.
The place is a small and cozy, family-run establishment with hardly a table or two for dining in – in fact most local patrons usually get food to go. But if you’re lucky enough to find the place empty, better to stay and enjoy the food while it comes out fresh and hot.
Sometimes, if the weather permits they have outdoor seating too, but that depends on the season. Whatever the arrangement may be, you definitely don’t want to miss out on the amazing food they serve so drop by!
If you like chowder, then you’ll love CT Chowder Co, and their most hot-selling item is their clam chowder. But their Lobster Bisque, Crab Cake, and Shrimp Buddha Bowl are also very popular. They also have daily and seasonal specials that you can ask about from your server, to make sure you get the best they have to offer that day or that season.
CT Chowder Co is closed on Sunday. It’s open from Monday to Thursday from 11 am to 8 pm and on Friday and Saturday, it’s open from 11 am to 9 pm, making it the perfect lunch or dinner venue for the entire family.
Address: 268 Quinnipiac Ave Unit 1, North Haven, CT.
6. Soga Sushi Japanese Restaurant
Local sushi house that’s a big hit with the patrons, with a thematic ambiance and professional staff.
If you’re a Sushi fan and are always on the lookout for an amazing, new Sushi place then you’re in luck, North Haven’s best Sushi place is Soga Sushi Japanese Restaurant because it has some amazing quality food.
The flavors are awesome, the combinations are unique and the overall dining experience is just remarkable, making it easily one of the best restaurants in North Haven, CT, especially when you’re craving sushi!
The interior of the eatery is done in a thematic red and black, with bar and table-style seating options. The owners are also very proud of their cultural background and you can see that with how lovingly they have added Japanese ornaments and elements to the décor. They want people to feel like they are dining in Japan and you do get a sense of that. It truly is a unique eatery with a lot of character and awesome food, that should be on everyone’s go-to list.
Their Sushi and Sashimi lunch is extremely popular with locals and is one of their specialties. In fact, their entire Sushi menu is worth going through because you never know what combination might inspire you to want to try it out.
They’re known for their sushi so even if you experiment with a dish, chances are that you’ll find your new favorite and will order it again!
Soga Sushi Japanese Restaurant is closed on Mondays. It is open Tuesday to Thursday from 11 am to 10 pm. On Friday it opens from 11 am to 11 pm and on Saturday it opens from 11 am to 10:30 pm. On Sunday it opens from noon till 9:30 pm. Making it a great lunch or dinner place!
Address: 170 Washington Ave, North Haven, CT.
7. Island Cho Caribbean Cuisine
Family-owned eatery serving traditional Jamaican and Trinidadian cuisine served with love in a wonderful ambiance by experienced staff.
One of the most fascinating restaurants in North Haven has to be Island Cho Caribbean Cuisine because it’s one of the few Caribbean cuisine restaurants in and around this area of Connecticut.
That makes it a unique experience to go through for everyone, locals and tourists alike. With big, bold, and flavorful food, made from scratch by a local family, this is one restaurant that shouldn’t be missed when in the region.
The vibe of the place is great too, with wooden floors and spacious seating lounges. The ambiance is lovely too, with hanging plants and fairy lights adding a level of whimsy to the place. You can see that it’s been done up with a lot of love and passion and so it feels warm and homey. So, if you’re looking for a place that’ll make you feel like family, this is the place to go.
Their jerk chicken, curry shrimp, Dhalpuri roti, chicken roti, and sandwiches are among their top sellers. So, if you want a safe option just to try a new place, then these are great options. Apart from these, you can always ask your server what the daily special is and try that out too.
They have big helpings too, so make sure you go on an empty stomach so that you can fill it with the most delicious food you’ll probably have on vacation!
Island Cho Caribbean Cuisine is open Monday to Wednesday from 11 am to 12 midnight but on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays they are open only for lunch from 11 am to 2 pm. On Sundays, it’s open from 2 pm to midnight again. So, check the schedule before coming, or give them a call to make sure they’re open.
Address: 448 Washington Ave North Haven, CT.
8. Dino’s Seafood
Classic seafood restaurant that’s been a part of the town’s heritage since 1967! Outdoor seating and kids menu available.
We just had to include another one of the best seafood restaurants in North Haven, especially as Dino’s has been around since 1967!
It’s a town icon that is a hugely popular local hangout spot. So, if you want to live like a local for a day then Dino’s Seafood is your best bet. You’ll also get to experience a lot of the town’s history by swinging by and meeting the owners because it’s a family-owned place that’s been handed down through each generation.
Even though the restaurant isn’t in the same place that it was originally, the new and modern décor of their current spot goes well with the sea theme they have going on. Bright blue walls with under-the-sea attractions hanging on the walls make the interior quirky and fun. They also bring the restaurant into the current era with hardwood floors, big, bright bay windows, and exquisite lighting.
There’s also an outdoor seating area if you want to enjoy your meal alfresco! And whilst the restaurant may be new, the food is still the same delicious delight it was when Dino’s first opened.
Their most popular dishes are from their seafood menu but their salads and soups are also rated highly by locals so you can try those out too.
Everything is made fresh, from scratch with local catch and ingredients, so it’s little wonder Dino’s is regarded by many as one of the best restaurants in North Haven, CT. They also have a separate kids’ menu so you can get your little ones something they like and are familiar with.
Dino’s Seafood is closed on Mondays. It reopens, Tuesday to Thursday from 11 am to 7:30 pm, and on Fridays and Saturdays, it’s open from 11 am to 8 pm. On Sundays, it’s open from noon to 7 pm so make sure you go on a day and time that it’s open.
Address: 323 Washington Ave North Haven, CT.
The Best Restaurants In North Haven, CT: Final Thoughts
That’s it, guys! Some of our favorite restaurants in North Haven, CT that we think everyone should try.
Whether you’re new to the place, just visiting or quickly passing through, these restaurants should be on your radar. Try ‘em out and have a great time getting to know the place a little bit better via your stomach!
