&THEWINNERIS! THE
Read through to find out who you chose as the “Best of” New Haven County.
OurloyalreadersinNewHavenCounty havecasttheirvotesonceagaininthe “BestofNewHavenCounty”contest,andthe resultsarein.Varyingfromlocalfavoritesto nationallyknownfare,thissectionshowcases the“who’swho”inlocalbusiness.
At the heart of it are seven categories that encompass all the industries that help New Haven County thrive: Activities, Arts & Culture, Food & Drink, Health & Beauty, Home & Garden, Overnights and Shopping.
Thebusinesses,venues,spaces,andplaces recognizedinthisyear’sreader’schoicepoll reflectthecounty’seclecticstayingpower,as wellasitsstatusasasummerstaycation destination.Eachwinnerisreadyandraring towelcometheinfluxoftouriststhatwill inundateNewHavenCountythisseason,but it’sjustasfuntoenjoyifyoucallithome year-round.
BY SUSAN SHULTZ
Plan an excursion to a local museum or live performance venue to add some culture to your summer bucket list; feast on all the fresh seafood the region has to offer; and then work it off with some of the county’s top fitness trainers.
Summer is the perfect time to treat your home oasis to some TLC with the help of professional gardeners and landscapers; shop til you drop at local businesses offering the latest styles and trends; or spend your vacation as many people like to do relaxing by the pool or on a beach with a good book.
Howeveryouplantospendyoursummer, werecommendvisitingoneofthehundreds ofwinnersinthe2025“BestofNewHaven County”reader’schoicepoll.Readontosee howtomakethemostofthenextfewmonths rightinyourownbackyard.
ACTIVITIES
IT’S AN EXPERIENCE THAT SUSTAINS OUR STUDENTS, NOURISHES THEM FOR A LIFETIME.
BEST AMUSEMENT OR ADVENTURE PARK
Quassy Amusement & Waterpark
BEST COUNTRY FAIR
Orange Volunteer Firemen’s Carnival
BEST FARMERS MARKET
Wallingford Garden Market
County Runner-Up
Bishop’sOrchardsFarmMarket&Winery
County Finalists
CitySeed,NewHaven
HiddenGemOrchard
BEST INDOOR FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT
Kinship Glassworks
County Runner-Up
TheLegacyTheatre
County Finalist
AscentNewHaven
BEST MUSIC FESTIVAL
CT Localpalooza Music & Art Festival
County Runner-Up
SoundsideMusicFestival
BEST PICK YOUR OWN FARM
Bishop’s Orchards Pick Your Own
County Runner-Up
HiddenGemOrchard
BEST PUBLIC GOLF COURSE
Grassy Hill Country Club
County Runner-Up
AllingMemorialGolfClub
County Finalist
TheVUECT
BEST STATE PARK
Hammonasset Beach State Park
County Runner-Up
KettletownStatePark
County Finalists
SilverSandsStatePark
SleepingGiantStatePark
BEST WEDDING VENUE
Tyde at Walnut Beach
County Runner-Up
Anthony’sOceanView
County Finalists
CascadeFineCatering
GrassyHillCountryClub
TheVUECT
BEST INDEPENDENT MOVIE THEATER
Madison Cinemas
BEST MUSEUM
Peabody Museum of Natural History
County Runner-Up MattatuckMuseum
County Finalist
YaleCenterforBritishArt
BEST MUSIC VENUE, LARGE Toyota Oakdale Theatre
County Runner-Up WestvilleMusicBowl
County Finalist PalaceTheater
BEST MUSIC VENUE, SMALL Toad’s Place
County Runner-Up CafeNine
County Finalists
CabaretonMainTheater
TheLegacyTheatre
TheSpaceChester
BEST PRIVATE OR CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Chapel Haven Schleifer Center
County Runner-Up CheshireAcademy
County Finalists
AcademyofOurLadyofMercy,LauraltonHall TheFooteSchool
BEST THEATRICAL VENUE, LARGE Shubert Theatre
County Runner-Up PalaceTheater
BEST THEATRICAL VENUE, SMALL The Legacy Theatre
County Runner-Up
CabaretonMainTheater
County Finalists
SevenAngelsTheatre
SquareFootTheatre&Tavern
YaleRepertoryTheatre
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BEST BARBER SHOP
Cornerstone Barbershop
County Runner-Up
Ferni’sBarbershop
County Finalists
JamesWaltersGrooming
Len’sBarberShop,Southbury PopularDemandBarberShop
BEST DAY SPA
Nolla Wellness
County Runner-Up
RadiantSkinCare&Energy HealingStudio
County Finalists
BranfordRiverResort&Spa SageDaySpa
TranquilityMind&BodyWellnessSpa
BEST HAIR SALON
Hair by Sissy
County Runner-Up
MESalon&Spa
County Finalists
SnipSnaps
ThatHairThough WilliamJohnSalon
Voted BEST HVAC andPlumbing!
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BEST LOCALLY OWNED
FITNESS CLUB OR GYM
Ascent New Haven
County Runner-Up
JointEffortGuidedExercise
County Finalists
StonyCreekAthletics
SwarmFitness&Athletics
BEST MASSAGE STUDIO
Nolla Wellness
County Runner-Up
TheWellforWomen
County Finalists
BranfordRiverResort&Spa
TranquilityMind& BodyWellnessSpa
WalnutBeachWellnessCenter
BEST MEDICAL SPA
The Radiance MD
County Runner-Up
MilfordMedSpa
County Finalists
BelLaviMedicalAesthetics
GlowMedicalAesthetics
VanityMedicalSpa
BEST NAIL SALON
Branford River Resort & Spa
County Runner-Up
TiaraNails&Spa
County Finalists
AuraDaySpa
LavenderNails
UnwindSalon&Spa
BEST TATTOO PARLOR
Lucky Soul Tattoo
County Runner-Up
TattooInternational
County Finalists
DarksideTattoo&BodyPiercing ImperialTattoo
BEST YOGA STUDIO
NOMAD Yoga + Barre
County Runner-Up
JustbeYoga&Wellness
County Finalists
BreathingRoomYoga
KaiaYoga&Meditation
YourCommunityYogaCenter
BEST GARDEN CENTER OR NURSERY
Van Wilgen’s Garden Center
County Runner-Up
MadisonEarthCare
County Finalist
ParadiseNurseries
BEST HOME DECOR
New Haven Painters
BEST HOME REMODELER
New Haven Painters
County Runner-Up
RockBuilding&Remodeling
County Finalists
LGBuilding&Remodeling
LitchfieldBuilders
BEST HVAC COMPANY
Tri-City Home Solutions
County Runner-Up
SeymourOil&Propane
County Finalists
AielloHomeServices
BonitoMechanical
NeroAirConditioning&Heating
BEST INTERIOR DESIGNER
Living Interiors of Connecticut
County Runner-Up
DesignbyTheJonathans
County Finalist
RobertaAnnInteriors
BEST LANDSCAPER
Custom Illuminations/ Holiday Light Installers
County Runner-Up
MadisonEarthCare
County Finalists
PitchPinesLandscaping
TownLineLawnCare
V.MendilloLandscaping
BEST PLUMBER
Flush Plumbing & Drain Cleaning
County Runner-Up
AielloHomeServices
County Finalists
PLCanestriPlumbing&Heating
SeymourOil&Propane
Tri-CityHomeSolutions
FOOD&DRINK
BEST BAGELS
Olmo
County Runner-Up
AMBagel
County Finalists
Cohen’sBagelCompany
Devine’sBagels&Café Shef’sBagels
BEST BAKERY
Cherie’s Sweet Treats
County Runner-Up CookieBrew
County Finalists AmyCakes
KouignBakery
SweetSeidner’sBakeShop
BEST BEER BAR
The Corner Tavern
County Runner-Up
Tap&Vine
County Finalists
HavenBeerCompany
SBCRestaurant&BeerBar
TheBreakwall
BEST BREWERY
East Rock Brewing Company & Beer Hall
County Runner-Up
CounterWeightBrewingCo.
County Finalists
DocksideBrewery
NewEnglandBrewingCo. StonyCreekBrewery
BEST BURGERS
Tap & Vine
County Runner-Up
FlipsideBurgers&Bar
County Finalists
Bar3ThirtyThree
Louie’sLunch
TheBreakwall
BEST BURRITOS
Señor Pancho’s Mexican Restaurant
County Runner-Up
Baja’s
County Finalists
#Tacos
Bar3ThirtyThree
JalapeñoHeaven
BEST CHICKEN WINGS
Tap & Vine
County Runner-Up
Dewdropinn
County Finalists
ArchieMoore’sNewHaven
FlipsideBurgers&Bar
Nicky’sPlaceBar&Pizza
BEST COCKTAIL BAR Tap & Vine
County Runner-Up
FlipsideBurgers&Bar
County Finalists
LockworksTavern
SixOneNineSupperClub TheBevyCo.
BEST COFFEE ROASTER
Willoughby’s Coffee & Tea
County Runner-Up Koffee?
County Finalists
CommonGroundsBistro
SleepingGiantCoffeeRoasters
TheBeanCoffeeRoaster’s
BEST COFFEEHOUSE
ERO CAFÉ
County Runner-Up
AMCoffee&Co.
County Finalists
Crossroads
GreenKettleCoffee
TheLoadedGoatCoffeeCompany
DELI OR SANDWICH SHOP
Nardelli’s Grinder Shoppe
County Runner-Up
Vinny’sRoastBeef&Deli
County Finalists
MunchEatery
Nica’sMarket
P&MOrangeStreetMarket
BEST DINER
Leo’s Restaurant
County Runner-Up
TwinPinesDinerRestaurant
County Finalists
MunchEatery
ParthenonDinerRestaurant
StateStreetCafe
BEST FOOD TRUCK
Cookie Brew
County Runner-Up
Lucky’sStarBusCafe
County Finalists
CaseusCrispyMelty
ChefSil’sVeganKitchen
BEST GRINDERS
Nardelli’s Grinder Shoppe
County Runner-Up
Vinny’sDeli
County Finalists
Gaetano’sDeli
LiuzziGourmetFoodMarket
WatertownMeatCenter
BEST HEALTH FOOD STORE
Thyme & Season
County Runner-Up
Foodworks
County Finalist
EdgeoftheWoodsMarket
SpicyKewpie
MangoSalsa
Avocado
Scallions
BEST HOT DOGS
Dogtown
County Runner-Up
GlenwoodDrive-In
County Finalists
Blackie’sHotDogStand
Frankie’s Knuckleheads
BEST ICE CREAM
Rich Farm Ice Cream
County Runner-Up
Jennifer’sIceCream
County Finalists
Ashley’sIceCream
BrielliesGelato&Cafe
Elena’sonOrange
BEST IRISH PUB
Duffy’s Tavern
County Runner-Up
ThePlaywrightIrishPub
County Finalists
SevenSeasRestaurant
TheTrinityBar&Restaurant
TommySullivan’sCafe
BEST LGBTQ-FRIENDLY BAR
The Breakwall
County Runner-Up
PartnersCafe
BEST LOBSTER ROLLS
Vinny’s Roast Beef & Deli
County Runner-Up
LobsterLanding
County Finalists
Lenny’sIndianHeadInn
LobsterShack
Stowe’sSeafood
BEST LOCAL DOUGHNUTS
Neil’s Donuts
County Runner-Up
WhitneyDonut&SandwichShop
County Finalists
BranfordBeachDonut
BrooklynBakingCompany
BEST LOCALLY OWNED LIQUOR STORE
The Wine Thief
County Runner-Up
WinesandMore!
County Finalist
Sav-RiteLiquors
BEST LOCALLY OWNED WINE SHOP
The Wine Thief
County Runner-Up
WinesandMore!
County Finalist
Sav-RiteLiquors
BEST OUTDOOR OR ROOFTOP BAR
Stonebridge Restaurant
County Runner-Up
GioiaCafe&Bar
County Finalist
ChacraPiscoBar
BEST OYSTER BAR
Shell & Bones Oyster Bar & Grill
County Runner-Up
MobyDick’sOysterBar&Grill
County Finalists
FairHavenOysterbar
TheEssexBrasserie
BEST PIZZA
Haven Pizzeria Napoletana
County Runner-Up
ModernApizza
County Finalists
FrankPepePizzeriaNapoletana
Nicky’sPlaceBar&Pizza
Zuppardi’sApizza
BEST SPORTS BAR
Nicky’s Place Bar & Pizza
County Runner-Up
TheBreakwall
County Finalists
Bar3ThirtyThree
DoublePlayCafe
MyBar&Grille
KEELYBAISDEN KNUDSEN, Executive Artistic Director
BEST SUSHI
Takumi Sushi Ramen & Lounge
County Runner-Up
WasabiJapaneseRestaurant&SushiBar
County Finalists
DaikoJerrySan’sSushiBar
HachirokuHandrollBar&Tapas LumiAsianFusion
BEST TACO
Señor Pancho’s Mexican Restaurant
County Runner-Up
DonReneTaqueria
County Finalists
#Tacos
JalapeñoHeaven
TacosLosGordos
BEST WINE BAR
Tap & Vine
County Runner-Up
Nicky’sPlaceBar&Pizza
County Finalists
HavenPizzeriaNapoletana
PearlWineBar
TheEssexBrasserie
BEST WINERY OR VINEYARD
Paradise Hills Vineyard & Winery
County Runner-Up
StappaVineyard
County Finalists
GouveiaVineyards
RosabiancaVineyards
RoseVineyards
MikeDeLuca Publisher
AshleySanderson SpecialSectionsDesigner
SusanShultz SponsoredContentProducer
ON THE COVER: AdobeStock
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301Merritt7,Floor1,Norwalk,CT06851
©2025 Hearst Connecticut Media Group MAY2025
OVERNIGHTS
SHOPPING
BEST BIKE SHOP
Zane’s Cycles
County Runner-Up
TheDevil’sGearBikeShop
BEST CONSIGNMENT SHOP Miss Dallas’ Shop
County Runner-Up ConsignmentOriginals
County Finalists
Cindy’sUniqueShop
WitchBitchThrift
BEST FURNITURE STORE
Comfort Sleep Systems
County Runner-Up
FairhavenFurniture
County Finalist ModernOak
BEST GAMING HOBBY OR COMIC BOOKSTORE
Encore Billiards & Game Room
County Runner-Up
ElmCityGames
BEST GIFT OR SPECIALTY SHOP
The Grey Goat Farmtique
County Runner-Up
BonAppetit
County Finalists CanvasPatch MadisonEarthCare MissDallas’Shop
BEST HARDWARE STORE
Goody’s True Value Hardware
County Runner-Up
PageHardware&Appliance
County Finalists
CountryPaint&Hardware RWHineAceHardware
BEST INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE
RJ Julia Booksellers
County Runner-Up AtticusBookstoreCafe
County Finalist BreakwaterBooks
BEST JEWELER
Interlinked Permanent Jewelry Studio
County Runner-Up
TheAlwaysBusyMama
County Finalists
BranfordJewelers
LiberoJewelers
WaterStreetJewelers
BEST LOCAL GROCERY STORE
Caron’s Corner
County Runner-Up
Bishop’sOrchardsFarmMarket &Winery
County Finalist EastCenterMarket
BEST MEAT MARKET OR BUTCHER
Ferraro’s Market
County Runner-Up
ProvisionsonState
County Finalists
Forte’sGourmetMarket&Catering
ItaliaImportingCo.
BEST MEN’S CLOTHING STORE
Gentlemen’s Social Outfitter & Supply
County Runner-Up
RaggsForMen&Women
County Finalist
ConsignmentOriginals
BEST RECORD CD SHOP
Static Era Records
County Runner-Up
ElmCitySounds
County Finalist
RedscrollRecords
BEST SECONDHAND OR VINTAGE CLOTHING STORE
Witch Bitch Thrift
County Runner-Up
ConsignmentOriginals
BEST TOY STORE
Blueberry Cat Collectibles
County Runner-Up
PebblesToys&Gifts
BEST USED BOOKSTORE
Whitlock’s Book Barn
County Runner-Up
Syd’sBookShack&Boutique
County Finalist
RereadBooks&More
BEST WOMEN’S CLOTHING STORE
Splash Boutique
County Runner-Up
Lovet
County Finalists
ConsignmentOriginals
MaterialGirlsBoutique
PolishedBoutique
