An oldie but a goodie! I first went to this place in 2013 and really liked it, and recently checked it out and still think it’s great. Love the ambiance, the food is fun and adventurous and the service is attentive. One of my favorite spots in downtown New Haven!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Adam Oxild
If you find yourself in New Haven for one night, this is the place you need to eat. Originally had plans to eat elsewhere, but switched last minute to come to ZINC, and we are happy we did. We both had the best meals we've had in a long time; the quality of the food, ingredients, and execution are phenomenal. Everything on the plate was well thought out. We recommend both the duck+bao and the salmon. If I'm back in New Haven again, I will gladly return for another meal
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nicole McIntyre
Our service was incredible. We had a lot of questions as first time diners, and our server’s food recommendations were perfect. Hostess was so sweet too!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Gnocchi
Kayla Giordano
Review is based on Valentine’s Day 2024 pre-fix menu! Starting with the positives, the atmosphere of the restaurant is great especially for a romantic dinner. The duck bao was delicious and we also really enjoyed the small complimentary amuse-bouche. Now for the negatives. We both found the Caesar salad dressing to be far too fishy and the steak was underwhelming in flavor. Service wise we had 2 issues. The first being the pacing of the dinner was far too fast. I understand it’s Valentine’s Day and they want to turn over the table but for the price I don’t want to feel rushed. Secondly, when we placed our order our waitress said we could either get 2 of the raspberry dessert option or one of the chocolate to share. We went with the raspberry but were frustrated to see multiple tables around us with one raspberry and one chocolate - so it seems there was inconsistency in messaging. I would return to Zinc but probably not for a special occasion with a pre-fix menu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
Foodmad
Great food, vibe feels slightly outdated ... prices relatively high for area but food and service always outstanding...also wish lunch menu had more salad offerings and light fare to go with the more substantial offerings ... appies are meat heavy otherwise great selection there
Alice M.
I came on a Friday night at 6pm to get dinner with a friend. There was a weird moment when the hostess wanted us to sit at one of the high tops when we had a reservation (and the restaurant was empty), but we were eventually sat at one of the normal tables. The service during dinner was otherwise great, very friendly staff and I enjoyed the food. I splurged for the Marinated Chilean Sea Bass. While it was tasty, I don't think the value was the best given how expensive it was ($42). We paid about $100 per person for dinner, one app, one salad, and 1 drink each. We also wanted to try the dumplings but they were out when we went. The lettuce wraps were pretty good, and I also really enjoyed the Caesar salad. The restaurant got progressively louder as the night went on, as well as dimmer. Intimate, would probably be good for a date if it's not too loud. I probably won't be back anytime soon, but may be down to give it another try in the future!
Wendy was an excellent server, great smile. Juan Carlo a lovely server stopped by to say hello. The food was superb...a little noisy perhaps because valentine weekend. Kudos to all the staff. Thanks!
theaestheticone
Great central location. Very fast service with fun tasty nibbles to start. Menu is creative and shows culinary skills. Tasty food and well prepared and presented. A bit expensive for this but then good food is expensive these days. Will return.
Bill Bibber
We have been here a few times, most recently just for a drink before the show. Bartender was friendly, didn't let a shoulder injury stop him from taking care of his people, and the dirty martini was excellent.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Amber Cowell
This has always been my favorite restaurant, and last night they made my birthday the most wonderful experience ever. The manager went out of his way to be sure of it. Thank you ZINC new haven. You will forever be my fav!
I've eaten tuna steaks up and down the coast and this is the best, but that's besides the point. This restaurant is run with passion. It's run with dedication to an amazing product coupled with amazing service and people are who are truly engaged in your experience. Their attention to the true satisfaction of every customer was easily noticed. Bottom line is, you can be talking to the owner or the bus boy and feel like everyone is proud of the job they are doing. And they should be. Amazing experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tuna
Amandaa M.
Very innovated menu. I like how it changes with the seasons. My favorite menu items aren't on the menu anymore but I'm sure everything new is just as good.
Andres Ayala
What an absolutely wonderful meal and service. The food was absolutely delicious. They served us some flatbread with a spicy red sauce which was delicious. I had the pork tenderloin and it was cooked perfectly served with carrots. The tenderloin was so full of flavor. My girlfriend had the duck breast and she totally loved it. For dessert we had the caramel apple tart. It was the perfect way to end the meal. The service was excellent, very attentive and friendly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Dinner
John .Dlugos
Just don't know what all the fuss is about this place. Crammed into a booth I literally had one foot on top of the other no room. Menu had like 5 things on it confusing, and when the food came, very small portions. Extremely loud can't even hear the people you're trying to talk to. With all of this and leaving still hungry, it's time to try something else.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 3
Stanley M
So a hopping Tuesday night in New Haven? Yes, please! I picked up my wife from work and we walked down to Zinc for dinner and drinks. We started with steamed pork dumplings and fuyu persimmon; they were phenomenal. For our entrees I had the Malaysian Curry, while my wife had the Hangar Steak. Both were absolutely delicious. Perfectly cooked and beautifully presented. The food was great, the atmosphere was fun with good tunes and a good crowd. The service was excellent; our waitress Victoria was great but all of the staff was attentive and professional. We had been to Zinc years ago and liked it, but it really has become a great place to have dinner. We'll be back!
An oldie but a goodie! I first went to this place in 2013 and really liked it, and recently checked it out and still think it’s great. Love the ambiance, the food is fun and adventurous and the service is attentive. One of my favorite spots in downtown New Haven!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If you find yourself in New Haven for one night, this is the place you need to eat. Originally had plans to eat elsewhere, but switched last minute to come to ZINC, and we are happy we did. We both had the best meals we've had in a long time; the quality of the food, ingredients, and execution are phenomenal. Everything on the plate was well thought out. We recommend both the duck+bao and the salmon. If I'm back in New Haven again, I will gladly return for another meal
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Our service was incredible. We had a lot of questions as first time diners, and our server’s food recommendations were perfect. Hostess was so sweet too!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Gnocchi
Review is based on Valentine’s Day 2024 pre-fix menu! Starting with the positives, the atmosphere of the restaurant is great especially for a romantic dinner. The duck bao was delicious and we also really enjoyed the small complimentary amuse-bouche. Now for the negatives. We both found the Caesar salad dressing to be far too fishy and the steak was underwhelming in flavor. Service wise we had 2 issues. The first being the pacing of the dinner was far too fast. I understand it’s Valentine’s Day and they want to turn over the table but for the price I don’t want to feel rushed. Secondly, when we placed our order our waitress said we could either get 2 of the raspberry dessert option or one of the chocolate to share. We went with the raspberry but were frustrated to see multiple tables around us with one raspberry and one chocolate - so it seems there was inconsistency in messaging. I would return to Zinc but probably not for a special occasion with a pre-fix menu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
Great food, vibe feels slightly outdated ... prices relatively high for area but food and service always outstanding...also wish lunch menu had more salad offerings and light fare to go with the more substantial offerings ... appies are meat heavy otherwise great selection there
I came on a Friday night at 6pm to get dinner with a friend. There was a weird moment when the hostess wanted us to sit at one of the high tops when we had a reservation (and the restaurant was empty), but we were eventually sat at one of the normal tables. The service during dinner was otherwise great, very friendly staff and I enjoyed the food. I splurged for the Marinated Chilean Sea Bass. While it was tasty, I don't think the value was the best given how expensive it was ($42). We paid about $100 per person for dinner, one app, one salad, and 1 drink each. We also wanted to try the dumplings but they were out when we went. The lettuce wraps were pretty good, and I also really enjoyed the Caesar salad. The restaurant got progressively louder as the night went on, as well as dimmer. Intimate, would probably be good for a date if it's not too loud. I probably won't be back anytime soon, but may be down to give it another try in the future!
Wendy was an excellent server, great smile. Juan Carlo a lovely server stopped by to say hello. The food was superb...a little noisy perhaps because valentine weekend. Kudos to all the staff. Thanks!
Great central location. Very fast service with fun tasty nibbles to start. Menu is creative and shows culinary skills. Tasty food and well prepared and presented. A bit expensive for this but then good food is expensive these days. Will return.
We have been here a few times, most recently just for a drink before the show. Bartender was friendly, didn't let a shoulder injury stop him from taking care of his people, and the dirty martini was excellent.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
This has always been my favorite restaurant, and last night they made my birthday the most wonderful experience ever. The manager went out of his way to be sure of it. Thank you ZINC new haven. You will forever be my fav!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Smoked Duck Nachos, Tuna Steak
Restaurantji Recommends
I've eaten tuna steaks up and down the coast and this is the best, but that's besides the point. This restaurant is run with passion. It's run with dedication to an amazing product coupled with amazing service and people are who are truly engaged in your experience. Their attention to the true satisfaction of every customer was easily noticed. Bottom line is, you can be talking to the owner or the bus boy and feel like everyone is proud of the job they are doing. And they should be. Amazing experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tuna
Very innovated menu. I like how it changes with the seasons. My favorite menu items aren't on the menu anymore but I'm sure everything new is just as good.
What an absolutely wonderful meal and service. The food was absolutely delicious. They served us some flatbread with a spicy red sauce which was delicious. I had the pork tenderloin and it was cooked perfectly served with carrots. The tenderloin was so full of flavor. My girlfriend had the duck breast and she totally loved it. For dessert we had the caramel apple tart. It was the perfect way to end the meal. The service was excellent, very attentive and friendly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Dinner
Just don't know what all the fuss is about this place. Crammed into a booth I literally had one foot on top of the other no room. Menu had like 5 things on it confusing, and when the food came, very small portions. Extremely loud can't even hear the people you're trying to talk to. With all of this and leaving still hungry, it's time to try something else.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 3
So a hopping Tuesday night in New Haven? Yes, please! I picked up my wife from work and we walked down to Zinc for dinner and drinks. We started with steamed pork dumplings and fuyu persimmon; they were phenomenal. For our entrees I had the Malaysian Curry, while my wife had the Hangar Steak. Both were absolutely delicious. Perfectly cooked and beautifully presented. The food was great, the atmosphere was fun with good tunes and a good crowd. The service was excellent; our waitress Victoria was great but all of the staff was attentive and professional. We had been to Zinc years ago and liked it, but it really has become a great place to have dinner. We'll be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5