Villa Lulu

Nicole Bartner

2 years ago

I had an afternoon to myself after The Rents absconded to Florida and decided I wanted GOOD Italian. Mostly I do not eat Italian food out (unless I’m in NYC and some, specific spots in the New Haven area…). I am second generation Italian. Mainly I can cook anything myself better at home. But if there IS a good Italian restaurant?? I. Want. Excellent. Pasta. I spent some time checking out Italian restaurants in downtown New Haven. My first concern was the menu, the food pics I could see online, their overall ratings. But I also need the kind of vibe where a single, grown woman can go dine alone at the bar. That’s a specific kind of “niche” dining when it comes to certain types of restaurants: Italian being one. I need to see a good sized, comfortable bar in the restaurant before I’ll even consider dining there. Then I needed a place that was open for lunch. Preferably a place that doesn’t close between lunch and dinner because my real dining preference is a late lunch. Villa Lulu ticked all the boxes. So! Mom and Dad left at 11am and, once I was sure their plane had actually taken off I headed out to New Haven. What a great spot! So good, in fact, that I went back the next day for another late lunch and went for my third time yesterday. I have only been on the first floor, because that’s where the bar seating is and it’s a big, long, comfortable bar. Every person who has waited on me has been EXCEPTIONAL. Really great vibe, good service, fun conversation, warm, inviting, diverse team working here. Impressive. I dine alone the vast majority of the time, so vibe is extra important to me. If you are always dining with someone(s) else then you can perhaps tune out or overcome a less than delightful vibe. I don’t want to have to try to do that. I want to be interacting with people and connecting. That happens every time I’m at Villa Lulu. The waitstaff is attentive, knowledgeable about the menu (there are different lunch and dinner menus) and the very respectable win

Laura Morris

6 months ago

We had a delicious dinner to celebrate our son’s birthday! We were a party of 7 and placed upstairs in a corner which gave us nice space and privacy. The appetizers were all so yummy and everyone loved their entrees! We had two great bottles of wine and a few Hugo spritz’s. The service was great as was the ambiance. We will definitely return!

Angela Wright

5 months ago

Villa Lulu exceeded my expectations from start to finish. The atmosphere is chic but comfortable, with a style that feels both modern and welcoming. The staff were attentive without being intrusive, and every dish was beautifully presented. The standout for me was the freshness and balance of flavors — you can tell a lot of care goes into the menu. Whether you’re stopping in for a relaxed dinner or celebrating something special, Villa Lulu strikes the perfect balance of quality and charm. Highly recommend.

Peter Dean

5 months ago

We stopped in before the show for a drink and small plates. It was so good, we stopped in after as well!! Libby was the BEST

Tye Knox

11 months ago

Best Italian restaurant in New Haven. The calamari could have been cooked a little crispier. The chicken piccata tasted AMAZING. You have to try the chocolate cake. It’s slammin 🤞🏻

Andrea Vincent

5 months ago

After watching a show at the Schubert, we walked across the street to this little gem. We were promptly seated and everything we ordered came out a decent amount of time. Wow! This is on our top ten list! We shared the calamari appetizer and it was just the right amount of spice. My husband had the chicken with potatoes and I can't believe how tender and flavorful it was! Yes, I had to steal a bite. I had the scallops and shrimp over risotto. Oh my! It was freaking amazing! Great atmosphere, great service and delicious food!!

John P

6 months ago

My wife and I enjoyed the food, service, atmosphere and the quiet evening amongst the insanity going on outside of the restaurant. This was a good getaway before a College St Music Theater concert. Recommended.

Susan Lane Spremullo

2 months ago

We stumbled upon Villa LuLu completely by chance as we were walking out of the parking garage on our way to a show at the Shubert last weekend, and what a lucky discovery it turned out to be. Our waiter, Josh, was fantastic. He graciously walked us through the menu, explaining the dishes and making thoughtful recommendations. His guidance was so helpful that we changed our original plan of just grabbing a few tapas and decided to stay for a full dinner. The pasta is made fresh, and you can absolutely taste the difference. My husband started with the calamari appetizer and said it the best calamari he has ever had, which is high praise from someone who orders it everywhere. For dinner, we both had the Casareccia al Brasato, and it was phenomenal. Between the authentic Italian cuisine, the warm service, and the perfect location before a show, this place was a home run for us. We can confidently say we’ve found our new go-to dinner spot before every show at the Shubert.

Ernie Taddei

4 months ago

Service was friendly and professionally efficient! The atmosphere is beautiful inside. The food- all the Tapas, and the entrees were delicious. Thank you. Can't wait to return.

Dan Lady

8 months ago

Villa Lulu is a must visit restaurant conveniently located next to Yale in New Haven. There is ample parking on the street and a garage across the street so parking is not an issue. The restaurant is in a charming, historic building that has been tastefully updated on the inside for comfort for groups of all sizes. There are also outdoor seating options should you prefer. The waiting staff were professional, knowledgeable and more than willing to help choose from their amazing offerings. I sampled several appetizers and main dishes and each one was as delicious as they were beautiful. For appetizers I recommend the pork belly and octopus dishes. They were cooked to perfection with flavors and textures that showed sophistication by those preparing the food. I sampled several main courses but the braised short ribs and the lobster ravioli really stood out. Everything was cooked to perfection. I highly recommend Villa Lulu if you are anywhere in Connecticut.