New Haven is famous for its pizza — locals call it "apizza" (pronounced ah-BEETS) and the rivalry between the old-school coal-fired parlours is fierce. Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana on Wooster Street has been serving coal-fired pies since 1925; the white clam pizza is the dish that made the city's reputation. Just down the street, Sally's Apizza draws equally devoted crowds.
Beyond pizza, the restaurant scene is fuelled by the university crowd and a genuine food culture. Union League Cafe on Chapel Street serves refined French bistro cooking in a handsome dining room. Zinc on Chapel Street does creative American cuisine. Claire's Corner Copia, a vegetarian institution near the Green since 1975, remains a reliable lunch stop. For Southeast Asian flavours, Bentara on Orange Street serves Malaysian dishes in a warm setting.