Dubbed as the “Cultural Capital of Connecticut”, New Haven is brimming with art galleries, award-winning theaters, captivating museums and more recently, exceptional vegan and vegetarian restaurants just waiting to be discovered.
So whether you’re on a work trip, a resident, or here on a holiday, you’ll be in for a treat!
Our list below will help you discover some of the best vegan and vegetarian restaurants in New Haven. Expect affordable choices, globally-inspired dishes, as well as cuisines that beautifully showcase this city’s diverse population.
So let’s get started!
Five Exceptional Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants In New Haven: Food Worth Waiting For!
1. Claire’s Corner Copia
Well-established, cozy restaurant open since 1975 serving globally inspired dishes, prepared with organic produce.
Claire’s Corner Copia is a restaurant founded in 1975 which specializes in 100% vegetarian food. But wait! It gets even better than that! This super cozy, yet spacious cafe-like spot specializes in sustainable, organic, kosher, plant-based and gluten free food too! So there’s something for most dietary requirements and you can dine without being worried about animal byproducts.
Claire’s Corner Copia is also situated just a short walk from both Yale University Art Gallery and the Visitor Center where you can make reservations for a guided tour of Yale University.
Make a quick stop at this welcoming restaurant where you’ll find a menu full of globally inspired food, as well as some Mexican classics. Luckily you’ll find an extensive breakfast menu, main menu and dessert menu.
But if you’re a bit confused about what to pick for breakfast, we recommend their Green Goodness Sandwich which consists of a poached organic egg, queso blanco, organic greens and mozzarella on a whole wheat English muffin.
Another highly praised breakfast item is their Organic Black Bean Hash which is prepared with scrambled organic black beans, bell peppers, corn, onions and potatoes. You can also make it a burrito by simply adding your choice of organic eggs or tofu, cheddar or vegan cheese.
As for the main menu, for those who’ve got a big appetite, we recommend the CornerCopia Grande which consists of ingredients like organic pinto beans, organic brown rice, roasted organic seasonal vegetables, guacamole, mozzarella and cheddar cheese, and your choice of spicy buffalo or chipotle tofu.
Claire’s Corner Copia have shown their creative touch in some of their dishes and we recommend trying their fusion of Italian meets Mexican cuisine by picking the flavorful Mexican Pizza which is prepared with whole wheat tortilla topped with salsa, red onion, mushrooms, gmo-free soy sausage, jalapeños, and cheddar cheese.
All in all, this has to be one of our favorite vegan-friendly and vegetarian restaurants in New Haven mainly due to their large array of options, warm atmosphere and incredibly delicious food. They’re open Wednesday to Thursday and Monday from 9am to 8pm, but are closed on Tuesday.
Address: 1000 Chapel St, New Haven, CT 06510
2. Pataka Vegetarian Indian Food
Vibrant restaurant which gives you an authentic taste of Indian cuisine, as well as famous Indian street snacks.
Colorful, lively and diverse are what best describes our next restaurant. “Pataka”, which translates to “firework” portrays the bursts of vibrant colors that are incorporated in this eatery’s decor and dishes.
Pataka Vegetarian Indian Food is a purely vegetarian restaurant with a fun outdoor mural and a small, yet cozy interior with counter service. Situated on the side of broadway on Howe Street, you’ll easily find street parking, including some metered parking, and even some spots that are free depending on the time and day that you visit.
You’ll find a fun menu with plenty of dosas, kati rolls, street snacks, build your own bowls, and delicious sides and sweets. But we recommend starting with their vegan Impossible Pav which consists of Impossible Meat marinated with herbs and spices, topped with red onions, cilantro and spiced mayo. Another great pick is their crispy and crepe-like vegan Masala Dosa which is filled with and well seasoned potato filling.
For something more filling, a popular dish is the vegan Cauliflower & Chickpea Kati Rolls which are also topped with saag and a delicious tangy mango sauce.
If you’re feeling crafty, then feel free to go for their ‘Build A Bowl’ option where you’ll get to make your own dish by choosing from their selection of proteins, bases and sauces. One super tasty combo we highly recommend is their Veggie Croquettes, with the half rice, half roasted veggies base and finished off with some Coconut Masala sauce.
Pataka Vegetarian Indian Food is open Wednesday to Sunday and Monday from 11am to 10pm, but is closed on Monday.
Address: 140 Howe St, New Haven, CT 06511
3. Ninth Square Market Caribbean Style
Unpretentious vegan restaurant specializing in Caribbean cuisine, offering a variety of small dishes so you get to taste diverse choices.
We just had to include this exclusively vegan eatery to our list of vegan and vegetarian restaurants in New Haven for the down-to-earth, relaxed vibe, as well as their exquisite dishes well worth a try.
Ninth Square Market Caribbean Style serves up some of the best Caribbean cuisine that New Haven has to offer in an unpretentious atmosphere.
They serve filling combination plates and you’ll get to choose among three options for sizes, ranging from small, medium to large, depending on your appetite. Choose 3 items for the small, 5 items for medium and 7 items for the large combo.
Some of the most popular items include the jerk tofu, Seitan “beef” and broccoli, and Brown Stew Chunks as protein options. And as sides, there’s the likes their curry mixed vegetables, chickpeas curry, sweet potatoes and curry potatoes.
Feel free to combine your favorite choices and if you’re confused as to what to pick, the staff are always helpful and happy to help with any suggestion.
Ninth Square Market Caribbean Style is open on Wednesday and Thursday from 12pm to 6pm, Friday and Saturday from 12pm to 8pm, but is closed on Monday, Tuesday and Sunday.
Address: 89 George St, New Haven, CT 06510
4. Mamoun’s Falafel Restaurant
Restaurant with fast casual environment serving Middle Eastern dishes until late in the evening on most days, perfect for your late night craving fix.
Who doesn’t love some Middle Eastern food, especially after a long day of exploring the best attractions in New Haven? If that sounds like you, get ready for some of the freshest, most flavorful and authentic Middle Eastern dishes around. And best of all, this restaurant is open as late as 1am on some days!
Mamoun’s Falafel Restaurant serves quality, authentic Middle Eastern food since 1971, including many vegan and vegetarian options, – which is why we regard it as one of the must-visit vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurants in New Haven.
The fast casual environment, decor which incorporates the tradition and culture of Middle East, and welcoming staff make your experience that much better.
Some of the popular dishes here include the Falafel Sandwich, served in a pita pocket and filled with falafels, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and tahineh sauce.
From their signature sandwiches section on the menu, we recommend going for the Manhattan Sandwich which consists of falafel, hummus, baba ganouj, tabbouleh, pickles, pickled turnips, olives and other fillings. Another delicious flavor combination can be found in the East Village Sandwich which is filled with falafel, hummus, tabbouleh, and olives.
Make sure you consider their Combo Plate as well. Thatconsists of falafel, hummus, and baba ganouj, as well as a choice of salad or seasoned rice with tahineh sauce and a pita on the side – a super filling and moreish dish.
Best of all, all the dishes that we’ve mentioned for Mamoun’s Falafel Restaurant are 100% vegan and vegetarian friendly!
Mamoun’s Falafel Restaurant is open Monday from 11am to 11pm, Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday from 11am to 12am. As for Friday and Saturday, they’re open from 11am to 1am.
Address: 85 Howe St, New Haven, CT 06511
5. September in Bangkok
Easygoing restaurant with a charming outdoor patio offering authentic Thai cuisine with an inventive twist.
For those who want to discover the best Thai food in New Haven, we’ve got the perfect place for you! September in Bangkok is ideal for those craving some authentic Eastern food with great flavors, all prepared with a creative twist.
Walk into this easygoing eatery and enjoy the relaxed and inviting ambience. The contemporary decor includes many tasteful framed art pieces which contributes to giving this place a more high-end feel compared to some of the other restaurants on our list.
And if you love to soak in the rays while enjoying your food, grab a seat on their lovely outdoor patio which is open during the warmer days.
Although you won’t find an abundance of vegan or vegetarian options here, the ones on offer are well worth trying. We recommend starting with the String Beans Tempura which is served with a light sweet chili plum sauce.
Another super tasty and fresh pick is their Melon And Mango Salad consisting of toasted coconut, fried shallots, cilantro, spring scallions, lime, lettuce and fried tofu.
You’ll also find a section full of vegetarian choices on the main menu, and one of those dishes well worth a try is their Veggie Pad Thai consisting of tofu, egg and peanuts. But if you’re more of a curry fan, we think you’ll love the Eggplant Green Curry, also cooked with tofu and Thai basil.
Another favorite among locals is the Spicy Noodle Eggplant which is a dish full of flavor and aroma thanks to the combination of vermicelli noodle, Thai basil, house made chili paste and Japanese eggplant.
September in Bangkok is open Monday to Friday for lunch from 11:30am to 3pm and for dinner from 4:30pm to 10pm. As for Saturday and Sunday, they’re open all day from 11:30am to 10pm.
Address: 754 State St, New Haven, CT 06511
