For the true New Haven experience, Pantry on State Street for breakfast. You could also do Chapps on Chapel if you want to walk. Otherwise, G Cafe and Pistacio for coffee/bakery. Neither opens super early.

Highly recommend Zinc for dinner

Cafe Nine is a great local live music place where anyone can feel comfortable and this Saturday they do a live jazz jam 4 to 7pm; it might even be free (1 block from Barcade). Welcome.

Depending on how early you should definitely try Bella's. One of the best brunch spots in New Haven.

Or dessert. Their pastry chef, imo, is the best in the city.

Chapps is garbage I wouldn’t feed to my enemy’s dog.

The shrimp and grits are out of control delicious!

Seconded. One of my absolute favorites in New Haven!

Not really walkable from downtown, though.

Take a walk through the Beinecke library (free) and make a reservation for a cocktail at Ordinary. Breakfast should be had at The Pantry if you like eggs benedict, Bella’s if you want to see west rock/westville but expect to wait for 30-40 minutes at both unless you go super early and don’t mind sitting at the counter. For neighborhood bar vibes check out Delaneys or Trinity

Just want to say I am pretty impressed with the list you’ve put together on your own.

> Headed into town Saturday at lunchtime. Modern Apizza for lunch?

You’ll get a million different opinions on pizza here. Modern isn’t my first choice but it has absolutely earned its place as one of the “big three”. No change needed here but I will toss in my controversial plug for De Legna’s

> Yale Art museum, green, old campus, Barcade after lunch.

This is a great day, can I join you? I’d add on the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library to this list l, which is really unique and only adds on about 15ish minutes or so.

> Booked a night at the Blake. Mostly for walkability.

Solid spot.

> Birthday dinner reservations at Union League or Olea?

Union League has been the standardbearer in fine dining for a long time and for good reason. That said, there is no shortage of fantastic restaurants in New Haven. If you are dead set on fine dining, I will second your nomination of Union League but Zinc (also mentioned here) belongs in the conversation.

> Nightcaps at High George?

Good spot mostly for view and ambience. I’d recommend Ordinary for drinks though. Really unique cocktails and great bartenders. It is a smaller spot but its previous occupant (Richter’s) was a bit of a New Haven landmark.

> Any recommendations for a great place for an early breakfast on the way out?

I will second the recommendation of the Pantry, another New Haven classic. They pretty much make two dishes (eggs Benedict and cinnamon roll pancakes) but they knock those out of the park. Another controversial opinion Bella’s / Lena’s have always been crazy overrated. Not worth a detour.

I will toss in an oddball breakfast recommendation of Trinity Pub. New Haven used to have a ton of irish bars and this place is the last man standing. Chef/owner is a great guy and it will be a more relaxed breakfast.

Second all this. Do Ordinary for nightcap

It’s a great plan! But I’ll chime in on the pizza: it’s always controversial but, for your purposes, I’d really push for one of the pizza spots besides Modern. Modern is great but I feel like there’s a better vibe for the first time visitor on Wooster Street with Pepe’s and Sally’s. In addition, if you want a beer in a cool atmosphere along with good pizza, you could hit BAR. In fact, I’d say BAR is the best choice if your plan is to walk everywhere.

Hah! I honestly have never set foot in the place but it gets recommended to me all the time. I do like a passionate restaurant critic! Except about stupid fucking New Haven pizza.

Check out East Rock Brewing Company if you enjoy some good beer!

Pantry on State is the way to go! But it’s small so get there early or be prepared to wait

Modern is great for pizza but agree with others who mentioned that going to either Sally’s or Pepe’s in Wooster Street will be much more of an actual experience.

Facts.

For a night cap, I'd suggest Ordinary (be sure to make a reservation) or Owl Shop (it's a cigar lounge so only go if you're okay with smoke). And Bella's for brunch (better than The Pantry IMO).

Thank you, New Haveners!

Based on the input here:

I'm switching it up for Pepes/Sallys. I only chose Modern because it was a little closer and opinions are so split.

I'm adding Beinecke - which looks incredible

Trying to find a way to fit in BAR and/or Cafe Nine.

Going with Union League simply to move past the abundance of choice and for the fireplace (something my wife loves). We'll be back in warmer weather for ZINC and Olea, I have a feeling.

And finally going with Pantry at opening (8am), before we head back.

Really excited and appreciate all the great feedback!

Edit: New Haveners

have fun FWIW its new haveners" Also sallys is great but if not trust us Modern gets it done for the NHV experience.

Thanks, Emu. That would have been embarrassing!

For what it's worth, I did google it first and saw the term used in some Yale publications.

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Modern is ALWAYS my first choice and it's the easiest of the big 3 in my opinion.

Hah - there will never be peace or accord on this question but I 10000% agree with you that you can pretty much walk in to Modern without any of the hoopla, bullshit, or waiting that you deal with at Sally’s and Pepe’s

Since you're heading to Wooster Square for Pepe's or Sally's may I suggest a quick walk to the end of Wooster for some fantastic Italian pastry and coffee at Libby's. The Italian Ice there is also really good.

This

As u/IMNOT_A_LAWYER mentioned, I'd look into Ordinary Bar over High George for drinks.

I grew up in NH and have lived here the last 18 years. OP, you nailed it. Do that. Respect for reading the sub before asking your question!

I’d pick Sally’s over Peppe’s any day. Less of a wait.

Aw. I love this! You did a great job honestly. You into karaoke? Rudy’s just brought it back on sat night! You can do pantry for breakfast - I’m not sure if they are still cash only.

What's your budget? Dinner for 2 at Union League can run over $200 easily.

I would suggest taking a stroll through Yale’s British Art Museum too. They close for renovations end of month and may not reopen for quite some time. Carpe diem and all that jazz. Atticus bookstore has a pretty decent bakery in case you want something to snack on.

Pantry has plenty more to offer. The lox scramble and spinache feta omelette are fantastic. Shakshushka is one of my all time favorite breakfast dishes, though it is only occasionally on the specials. Cinnamon pancakes are good but not worth a special trip, IMHO.

Fair - I forgot about the shakshushka!

Agreed on everything but ballas. Think they're fantastic.

It wouldn’t be a New Haven recommendation if it wasn’t without controversy!

Very fair! I don't disagree hard enough to argue it, but bellas has always been my number 1.

Stay at the graduate hotel, it’s very central, great bar in the basement, and affordable.