The best restaurants in Hamden

33 restaurants we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Pinned in Hamden today

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Restaurants · 33 places · showing the latest additions first

Soga Sushi

Restaurants

Sushi rolls and other Japanese entrees served in a relaxed setting with a full bar.

170 Washington Ave (North Haven)

Sushi rolls and other Japanese entrees served in a relaxed setting with a full bar.

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Ristorante Luce

Restaurants

Big portions of Italian fare & an extensive wine list in a formal dining area & cocktail lounge.

2987 Whitney Ave

Big portions of Italian fare & an extensive wine list in a formal dining area & cocktail lounge.

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Casual, clean eatery serving a menu of grain bowls, organic smoothies and salads alongside vegan options.

3450 Whitney Ave Unit 4

Casual, clean eatery serving a menu of grain bowls, organic smoothies and salads alongside vegan options.

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Chick-fil-A

Restaurants

Fast-food chain serving chicken sandwiches & nuggets along with salads & sides.

560 Universal Dr N (North Haven)

Fast-food chain serving chicken sandwiches & nuggets along with salads & sides.

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Chain eatery for all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue and hot pot served buffet-style.

2165 Dixwell Ave

Chain eatery for all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue and hot pot served buffet-style.

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All-you-can-eat sushi joint also offering cooked dishes, such as noodles, tempura, and ramen.

2300 Dixwell Ave #22

All-you-can-eat sushi joint also offering cooked dishes, such as noodles, tempura, and ramen.

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Roishi

Restaurants

Relaxed Japanese restaurant offering an array of dishes, including sushi and bubble tea.

2308 Whitney Ave

Relaxed Japanese restaurant offering an array of dishes, including sushi and bubble tea.

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American Steamed Cheeseburgers is your move when only a melty, steamed cheeseburger will do... single or double on a plain or poppy seed…

92 Quinnipiac St (Wallingford)

American Steamed Cheeseburgers is your move when only a melty, steamed cheeseburger will do... single or double on a plain or poppy seed roll, plus wildcards like a steamed cheddar cheese sandwich, steak and cheese on a grinder roll, and sides like potato salad and tuna mac salad.

From the Wallingford newsletter, August 8, 2026

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Mobile pizza oven for hire, specializing in thin-crust pies and New Haven-style pizza.

163 Foster St (New Haven)

Mobile pizza oven for hire, specializing in thin-crust pies and New Haven-style pizza.

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Celebrated for Buffalo wings, this area chain also offers a full menu of bar food in basic pub digs.

39 N Main St (Wallingford)

Celebrated for Buffalo wings, this area chain also offers a full menu of bar food in basic pub digs.

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Knuckleheads

Restaurants

Bustling hangout serving up a variety of rotating craft beers & pub grub in an unpretentious space.

9 N Main St (Wallingford)

Bustling hangout serving up a variety of rotating craft beers & pub grub in an unpretentious space.

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Athena Diner II

Restaurants

Classic diner fare, international dishes & Greek specialties are served at this family-owned spot.

320 Washington Ave #1306 (North Haven)

Classic diner fare, international dishes & Greek specialties are served at this family-owned spot.

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Farm-to-table eatery for steaks, seafood, pizza, burgers and pasta dishes, plus a tavern with live music.

1565 Middletown Ave (Northford)

Farm-to-table eatery for steaks, seafood, pizza, burgers and pasta dishes, plus a tavern with live music.

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Paradise Pizza

Restaurants

Casual, family-run joint dishing out pizza and wings, plus grinders, pastas and Italian staples.

624 S Colony St (Wallingford)

Casual, family-run joint dishing out pizza and wings, plus grinders, pastas and Italian staples.

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THE CROokED GOAT

Restaurants

Easygoing joint serving Southern-inspired eats, as well as traditional bar classics, a full bar and whisky.

974 State St (New Haven)

Easygoing joint serving Southern-inspired eats, as well as traditional bar classics, a full bar and whisky.

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Los Mariachis

Restaurants

Traditional Mexican fare plus plenty of tequilas & margaritas, in cozy, colorful digs.

105 N Colony St (Wallingford)

Traditional Mexican fare plus plenty of tequilas & margaritas, in cozy, colorful digs.

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Portuguese fare & a global list of wines offered in the elegant interior of a restored library.

60 N Main St (Wallingford)

Portuguese fare & a global list of wines offered in the elegant interior of a restored library.

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Thai curries, noodles, rolls & other menu standards in a simple space with traditional accents.

628 S Colony Rd (Wallingford)

Thai curries, noodles, rolls & other menu standards in a simple space with traditional accents.

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Modern eatery with an Italian menu serving comfort food alongside wine, beer, and cocktails.

179 Center St (Wallingford)

Modern eatery with an Italian menu serving comfort food alongside wine, beer, and cocktails.

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Old-school mobster-themed Italian eatery in a cozy storefront with brick walls & white tablecloths

702 State St (New Haven)

Old-school mobster-themed Italian eatery in a cozy storefront with brick walls & white tablecloths

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Solun Tapas Bar

Restaurants

A robust array of tapas, mains & Spanish wines is showcased in a warm setting with live jazz shows.

245 Amity Rd (Woodbridge)

A robust array of tapas, mains & Spanish wines is showcased in a warm setting with live jazz shows.

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Northern Italian cuisine, including many seafood dishes plus pizza, in a casual, European setting.

344 Center St (Wallingford)

Northern Italian cuisine, including many seafood dishes plus pizza, in a casual, European setting.

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Casual eatery for smoked-meat dishes such as brisket and ribs served with corn bread.

302 Winchester Ave (New Haven)

Casual eatery for smoked-meat dishes such as brisket and ribs served with corn bread.

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Manjares

Restaurants

Casual bar and restaurant serving Latin American and Caribbean eats, plus organic options.

382 W Rock Ave (New Haven)

Casual bar and restaurant serving Latin American and Caribbean eats, plus organic options.

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Local BBQ outpost serving smoked meats & sandwiches, plus comfort sides, in a low-key setting.

470 James St (New Haven)

Local BBQ outpost serving smoked meats & sandwiches, plus comfort sides, in a low-key setting.

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Casual, comfortable dining spot for fiery Thai favorites, from curries to soup, served with a smile.

370 Center St (Wallingford)

Casual, comfortable dining spot for fiery Thai favorites, from curries to soup, served with a smile.

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Mobile wood-fired pizza pie eatery that also serves gelato and espresso.

530 East St (New Haven)

Mobile wood-fired pizza pie eatery that also serves gelato and espresso.

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Breakfast dishes, sandwiches and pancakes in a casual space with friendly staff for brunch, lunch and dinner.

117 Washington Ave Unit 5 (North Haven)

Breakfast dishes, sandwiches and pancakes in a casual space with friendly staff for brunch, lunch and dinner.

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Upscale sushi bar whipping up nigiri and maki along with takeout options.

Market, 285 Nicoll St Ste 104 (New Haven)

Upscale sushi bar whipping up nigiri and maki along with takeout options.

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Pho Zaaap

Restaurants

Casual Thai eatery known for noodle soups (including glutenfree options) and classic dishes, plus beer and wine.

913 Foxon Rd (East Haven)

Casual Thai eatery known for noodle soups (including glutenfree options) and classic dishes, plus beer and wine.

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Set in a 1920s subway car, this pizzeria offers wood-fired pies, pasta dishes & other Italian eats.

118 Dudley Ave (Wallingford)

Set in a 1920s subway car, this pizzeria offers wood-fired pies, pasta dishes & other Italian eats.

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Modern Apizza

Restaurants

Brick-oven, thin-crust pizzas & a few Italian classics served in a roomy, unadorned space.

874 State St (New Haven)

Brick-oven, thin-crust pizzas & a few Italian classics served in a roomy, unadorned space.

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Sweet cafe featuring breakfast and lunch menus, plus beer and wine in casual digs.

350 Center St (Wallingford)

Sweet cafe featuring breakfast and lunch menus, plus beer and wine in casual digs.

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