From bruschetta to ravioli, there is something truly special about authentic Italian food. The cuisine is warm and comforting and packed full of flavor. There are quite a few restaurants in the Nutmeg state that offer great Italian cuisine. But if you are looking for the perfect pizza or an outstanding cannoli, you must to take a stroll through Connecticut’s very own Little Italy.
Little Italy occupies Wooster Street to the east of downtown New Haven. You can recognize it by the red and green arch and small Italian flags. The area has more than a half dozen well-known Italian restaurants.
Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana opened in 1925 and is one of the oldest and most popular pizza places in Connecticut. You can count on having to stand in line to sample one of these first class pizzas, but it is so worth the wait!
Pepe's uses a coal fire oven to give their tomato pies the signature crisp charred chewy crust. Besides their original tomato pie, Pepe's is well know for their white clam pie that has the signature crust, olive oil, oregano, grated cheese, chopped garlic, and fresh little-neck clams.
Just a few doors down from Pepe's, you will find Consiglio's Restaurant. They pride themselves on serving delicious homemade pasta and other Italian fare at affordable prices.
The eggplant parmigiana is one patron favorite that you will want to try. In addition to the world class food offered here, you can also opt take a cooking class that will teach you how to create an authentic Italian four course meal.
Abate Pizza is located on the other side of Pepe's and although a relative newcomer to Little Italy, they have earned quite a reputation for their gourmet thin crust pizzas. They have been around since 1992 and have no plans to leave.
The gourmet pizzas combine a number of ingredients to deliver a flavor packed punch to their pizzas. Abate Pizza also offers a number of tasty appetizers and some truly yummy Italian sandwiches.
Founded in 1922, Libby's Italian Pastry Shop is one of the older establishments in Little Italy. Their desserts are all baked right on the premises and boy are you in for a treat!
Libby's is famous for their perfect cannoli which is crispy on the outside and stuffed with rich filling. They also have an unbelievable cookie selection and serve Italian ice too. You will not want to pass by this decadent dessert spot!
Tres Scalini is an upscale restaurant located on the corner of Franklin and Wooster Street. They serve a variety of Italian cuisine in an elegant atmosphere.
They plate their dishes with care to make a very eye appealing presentation that tastes as fantastic as it looks. The veal dishes always get rave reviews, as do their seafood plates. Tre Scalini also has an extensive wine list that pairs well with their menu.
Sally's Apizza Restaurant was founded in 1938 and has been continuously operated by the family ever since. It is located on the corner of Wooster and Olive Street.
Sally's still uses the same coal-fired oven from the day that it opened and it turns out some pretty tasty pizza. The only thing on the menu is pizza but the lack of other items does not even matter at this restaurant. They do pizza and they do it right.
Tony and Lucille's Little Italy restaurant is located on the corner of Wooster and Brown Street. It serves simple, delicious old world Italian cuisine. They have both an indoor and outdoor dining space and their food, like the veal medallions with mushrooms in a Gorgonzola sauce, never disappoints. Many credit Tony and Lucille's for being the original creator of the calzone.
Please note, Tony and Lucille's Little Italy is no longer in business.
Have you ever strolled down Wooster Street through Little Italy? Which restaurants have you visited? Share your experiences in the comments section below.
For even more European cuisine, try taking a trip to Connecticut’s very own Little Poland in Bristol.
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