Zeneli Pizzeria & Cucina Napoletana: Authentic Italian Dining Experience in New Haven

Sensational pizzas!, (and pastas and ricotta & honey on toast!). We had not heard of this place, till we found it online and saw they had a 4.8 rating (the highest in all of New Haven). Certainly better rated than all of the older, well known places. We had 4 pies and each was phenomenal! 2 Margherita with fresh mozzarella and basil, 1 with assorted veggies and 1 with prosciutto, mushrooms, and artichokes. The crusts are thin but have great texture! The sauce and cheese are just right. We also had a steaming bowl of pasta pomodoro, and cappuccino and Americano coffee. This place is such a find! The owners and chefs are four brothers from outside Napoli, where the best thin crust pizza and mozzarella in Italy come from. The brothers and their wives are so friendly, kind and unassuming. They trained all of the pizza chefs at Eataly in NYC, Boston and Chicago before opening up Zeneli 6 years ago. Gotta check this place out. We will be back soon.

I rarely left any food review but def need to leave one for zeneli! My family visited Yale and heard this pizza place is authentic so we decided to give a try. We ordered the truffle pizza and the fig sauce one. Both are very delicious! The pizza is so soft and the combination is amazing. It’s better than in NYC! I’ve tried so many pizza places in the states and this one is def the top so far

This place really stands out if you’re looking for authentic Italian pizza and fresh pasta. Coming from someone who loves the classic New Haven bar pizza style, this felt different in the best way — much more traditional, with an incredibly fresh, flavorful tomato sauce and a pizza where the sauce and cheese truly shine in every bite. I also ordered the cacio e pepe, which is one of my favorite dishes anywhere, so I’m picky about it — and this version easily ranked in my top 3. Rich, balanced, and done the right way. What impressed me just as much was how fast the service and food were. Everything came out quickly, but nothing felt rushed or low quality. The staff was friendly, attentive, and welcoming the whole time. The restaurant itself was clean, authentic, and had a great vibe. If you’re looking for fresh Italian food, great pizza, homemade pasta, and fast service, this spot is absolutely worth visiting.

This place is a must try! Located on Wooster st., it is very convenient to visit if you are coming through New Haven on route 95. When you enter, you are greeted by the beautiful gold tile pizza oven with a beautiful wood fire burning inside. We had the Bufalina and the Truffle pizzas. We were in a hurry, otherwise we would have ordered more. They were outstanding and very true to the original Neopolitan style. The wait staff is extremely pleasant and attentive. The atmosphere is beautiful and comfortable. I highly recommend visiting this spot and I will surely return on my next visit to New Haven!

While there were long lines and the other 2 places on this block, we decided to give this little place a try. The reviews were excellent and after spending time in Italy I am of the opinion that authentic Neapolitan pizza is the best anyway. We ordered a few starters, the prosciutto and buffalo mozzarella as well as the arugula salad. You can taste the quality in the ingredients. Then we had to go with pizza of course. A classic margherita and a Quattro formaggi. OMG!!! So delicious!!! Don’t pass by this place. The food is top notch!!

This place seems to be less noticed compared to the competitors but I believe they need more recognition. Everything was fresh and very delicious. We tried the truffle pizza but I am very sure that all other pizzas will be great too. the ricotta was also very fresh and tasty. Highly recommend!

Seriously one of my favorite restaurants in New Haven, CT. I’ve been to Italy and feel like this restaraunt is the closest you’ll get to Italy in New Haven. The ingredients are beyond fresh and the service is incredible. Simple yet elegant. Would recommend time and time again. The pizza I get every time is the salsicciota. Will keep coming back!

Zeneli’s has amazing pizza; the crust is perfectly chewy and thin, so much flavor and quality in the ingredients. Service is attentive and pleasant. I recommend coming here for an excellent pizza. Better than Sally’s, no question about it.