I’ve tried Claire’s multiple times to give them a fair shake, but I’ve truly never had anything good here. Many of their products feature store bought mock meats and cheeses. For a fully vegetarian establishment I find this a bit lazy, but what’s worse is that these fake meats/cheeses are among the worse store bought options nowadays (it’s pretty easy to find vegan cheese that melts/doesn’t have a gluey texture)! The baked goods are quite dry, and every drink I’ve had here is way oversweetened. Maybe Claire’s purely vegetarian food is better, but I cannot speak to this. As one of the few fully vegetarian restaurants in New Haven, I really want this place to be better!
Updated from previous review on 2025-10-29
Tkyla83
My husband got the tofu scramble. It was really lacking any kind of flavor and very oily. I got the vegan pancakes and the texture and flavor just wasn't good. We also had lattes and they were quite flat, too sweet- just not a fan. We won't be back.
Constance Harris
The highlights were excellent food and friendly welcoming staff. Until the next time... ☺️
Mamta Pinnell
For a restaurant that’s been open for over 50 years, you’d think they would refine their menu, too much quantity not enough quality. Food for students really. Waste of my $$$
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
Wendy
Overpriced Food & Inattentive Service
manisha barnwal
I would not recommend this restaurant based on my experience. I ordered a burrito and paid extra for cheese, but it was never added. When I pointed this out, the staff insisted that the cheese had been included but had “melted away.” This explanation was not convincing, especially since the burrito was not even served hot.
What bothered me most was not just the missing cheese, but the dismissive attitude when I raised the concern. Instead of acknowledging the mistake or offering to fix it, they brushed it off. For a place that charges extra for add-ons, the least they could do is ensure those items are actually included.
Overall, the food quality was underwhelming, and the service was disappointing. There are many better options out there, and I would advise avoiding this place.
Food: 1
Service: 1
Veganish
Delicious, very flavorful food!
Great selection of vegan food and lots of vegan/gluten free and vegan desserts.
I had the vegan huevos rancheros - made with tofu. Excellent!
Ayush Dubey
Hi team, updating this review today to 5 stars - my previous 1 star review was for a rude experience last year when I'd visited for the first time. We had waited for 30 minutes post our order, went to check on the order twice and the staff very rudely said it'll get ready. And 15 minutes post that, on checking again, it was found that the order wasn't communicated ahead at all and was just getting started.
I've been there multiple times, and have not experienced it again. So updating my review to 5 stars since it seems like a one-off experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Kasia Z.
I was in last week and saw the sign at the register for a Pumpkin Spice Latte so i ordered it. It tasted great but I was shocked at the price. It was $8.35 for the smallest size available (medium). I don't think I've ever paid that much for a coffee. The larger size must be over $9. I think the upcharge for the flavoring, and $1 upcharge for dairy milk should be better advertised. I've been coming to Claire's every few months for years and have gotten many coffees here, but $8.35 for a mug of coffee seems excessive, even in this economy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Noah Leibowitz
Claire’s is great! They got us excellent allergen-free desserts for our wedding that guests with dietary needs loved. The staff was so helpful and answered all of my questions (especially the ones about being celiac-friendly!).
Each dish was crafted and presented with attention to detail.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Neel Haq
Made this our #1 to try for an overnight in town. The place itself reminds me of coop restaurants from the NE and WC. Seems like the entire team is behind their service and what they're serving up. The whole place feels like an oasis of rooted morale in good service, community, and a warm welcome vibe that is perfect! Ordered a Fire Island sandwich. Massive! Had to wrap up half and eat it later (sooner than later cuz it was too good to wait). Wish they were at home. But definitely stopping by on our next trip to the area.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Sonali Joshi
Had dinner during visit to Yale. Loved that the restaurant has lots of vegetarian choices. Lots of pizza, pasta and salad options. Made fresh . Friendly staff. Lovely decor and ambiance.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
nicole artemisia
The selection is amazing and the servers are SO sweet!!! Super quick service, clean. I got the carrot cake wich was HUGE and delic, with big chunks of nuts. Great smoothie assortment at we got the blueberry banana.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mike Rossi
New Haven institution. Always a great place for a slice of cake and a cup of coffee.
I’ve tried Claire’s multiple times to give them a fair shake, but I’ve truly never had anything good here. Many of their products feature store bought mock meats and cheeses. For a fully vegetarian establishment I find this a bit lazy, but what’s worse is that these fake meats/cheeses are among the worse store bought options nowadays (it’s pretty easy to find vegan cheese that melts/doesn’t have a gluey texture)! The baked goods are quite dry, and every drink I’ve had here is way oversweetened. Maybe Claire’s purely vegetarian food is better, but I cannot speak to this. As one of the few fully vegetarian restaurants in New Haven, I really want this place to be better! Updated from previous review on 2025-10-29
My husband got the tofu scramble. It was really lacking any kind of flavor and very oily. I got the vegan pancakes and the texture and flavor just wasn't good. We also had lattes and they were quite flat, too sweet- just not a fan. We won't be back.
The highlights were excellent food and friendly welcoming staff. Until the next time... ☺️
For a restaurant that’s been open for over 50 years, you’d think they would refine their menu, too much quantity not enough quality. Food for students really. Waste of my $$$
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
Overpriced Food & Inattentive Service
I would not recommend this restaurant based on my experience. I ordered a burrito and paid extra for cheese, but it was never added. When I pointed this out, the staff insisted that the cheese had been included but had “melted away.” This explanation was not convincing, especially since the burrito was not even served hot.
What bothered me most was not just the missing cheese, but the dismissive attitude when I raised the concern. Instead of acknowledging the mistake or offering to fix it, they brushed it off. For a place that charges extra for add-ons, the least they could do is ensure those items are actually included.
Overall, the food quality was underwhelming, and the service was disappointing. There are many better options out there, and I would advise avoiding this place.
Food: 1
Service: 1
Delicious, very flavorful food! Great selection of vegan food and lots of vegan/gluten free and vegan desserts. I had the vegan huevos rancheros - made with tofu. Excellent!
Hi team, updating this review today to 5 stars - my previous 1 star review was for a rude experience last year when I'd visited for the first time. We had waited for 30 minutes post our order, went to check on the order twice and the staff very rudely said it'll get ready. And 15 minutes post that, on checking again, it was found that the order wasn't communicated ahead at all and was just getting started.
I've been there multiple times, and have not experienced it again. So updating my review to 5 stars since it seems like a one-off experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
I was in last week and saw the sign at the register for a Pumpkin Spice Latte so i ordered it. It tasted great but I was shocked at the price. It was $8.35 for the smallest size available (medium). I don't think I've ever paid that much for a coffee. The larger size must be over $9. I think the upcharge for the flavoring, and $1 upcharge for dairy milk should be better advertised. I've been coming to Claire's every few months for years and have gotten many coffees here, but $8.35 for a mug of coffee seems excessive, even in this economy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Claire’s is great! They got us excellent allergen-free desserts for our wedding that guests with dietary needs loved. The staff was so helpful and answered all of my questions (especially the ones about being celiac-friendly!).
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Each dish was crafted and presented with attention to detail.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Made this our #1 to try for an overnight in town. The place itself reminds me of coop restaurants from the NE and WC. Seems like the entire team is behind their service and what they're serving up. The whole place feels like an oasis of rooted morale in good service, community, and a warm welcome vibe that is perfect! Ordered a Fire Island sandwich. Massive! Had to wrap up half and eat it later (sooner than later cuz it was too good to wait). Wish they were at home. But definitely stopping by on our next trip to the area.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Had dinner during visit to Yale. Loved that the restaurant has lots of vegetarian choices. Lots of pizza, pasta and salad options. Made fresh . Friendly staff. Lovely decor and ambiance.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The selection is amazing and the servers are SO sweet!!! Super quick service, clean. I got the carrot cake wich was HUGE and delic, with big chunks of nuts. Great smoothie assortment at we got the blueberry banana.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
New Haven institution. Always a great place for a slice of cake and a cup of coffee.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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