Villa Lulu is always fantastic , the food is so delicious and the ambience is just next level!
Foster
We frequent Villa LuLu at least twice a month. The best food, service and ambience in all of Connecticut.
Mark
This was my second time here. We stopped in for lunch and the service and food was outstanding. I plan to go back soon.
Marc
Nice varied menu, great bar for eating, very convenient if seeing a show at the Schubert Theater.
Christian
I've eaten @ Villa Lulu, and will again. Last night's experience to match our previous. All 3 sets of pasta were over-cooked and NOT el-dente. The penne ala vodka had no spice at all, whereas it did when I had it previously. - I think our server might have been new, thus give them a pass. But attention to detail was definitely lacking - no ask for additional drinks, how was our food, anything needed for the food (parmesan, pepper, etc).
Katie
We went for brunch given the amazing brunch menu online on their website site only to find out that they no longer serve brunch and haven't yet updated their website. The bar Couldn't make a Bloody Mary because they ran out of mix and the creme brûlée was curdled like cottage cheese and had to be sent back. The shubert boasts a discount at villa lulu for pre show and we weren't given that. Server was curt, short and borderline rude wearing stained clothing to match the dirty or stained tablecloth. Served meal while people were still eating their salads. Will not go back. The food we ate was fine.
Donna
Worst experience ever!! Friends and I had a 5:00 dinner reservation for 7 people with plans to see a 7:00 show across the street at the Shubert. We placed our dinner order when we arrived and by 6:45 we still had not been served our meals. We asked our server several times, who was aware we had a show to catch, when we’d be getting our food. Each time we were told it would be out soon. We asked to see a manager and the manger would not come out. Needless to say by that time we had to leave for the show without having dinner. To make matters worse we were given a bill for the drinks and 2 side salads we had while waiting an hour and a half for meals that were never served. You would think the drinks would be on them but that was not the case. Terrible terrible business practice!!!
Robert Eddy
We visited Villa Lulu last night in New Haven, hoping for a solid Italian meal, and came away with mixed feelings. While some dishes were decent, my wife's Chicken Parmesan was a major disappointment—it was incredibly tough, almost like a rock, making it inedible. My own meal was just okay, but the stark contrast with the poor quality of the chicken dish really stood out. New Haven has so many amazing Italian spots, and unfortunately, Villa Lulu didn't quite hit the mark for us, particularly with that chicken parm. The ambiance is nice and the staff seemed friendly enough (though service was a bit slow upstairs), but the food quality needs serious attention to compete in this competitive culinary scene.
One of our friends did not get his dish, but his wife did, and she had the same thing as him. We had to ask for it. Also had to ask for bread, waiter seemed great at the beginning but suddenly the service went downhill fast, yes they got busy, but that’s no excuse.
Overall: Ambiance good, but food inconsistent. The rock-hard Chicken Parm was a definite low point.
Food: 2
Peter Dean
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
Food: 5
rich
We had an early reservation as we were going to a 7 pm show next door. We were seated 30 minutes late. Our server was great and we got to the show on time.
The staff was amazing and so friendly and helpful. Three in our party had the tapas eggplant meatballs which were fantastic. The fourth had the delicious scallop tapas. We shared a beet salad and a green salad which was just the right amount to eat before our show at Shubert. I would definitely come back and try some entrees. Definitely a 10/10!
Angela Wright
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.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Darlene Hofmann
I ate there with a friend here
last night and the food was amazing! We chose the tapa menu so that we could sample different dishes. It is so convenient to walk across the street to the Shubert Theater.
Lorrie
Had a reservation and were seated on time. The place was very busy. Took awhile for our waiter to arrive. Ordered 2 different cocktails. He served us 2 of the same. Had to wait more time to get the correct drink. He took our meal order at 5:30. Ordered 2 Caesar salads, entrees were the casareccia al brasato and the Trofie Cacio e Pepe. At 6:10 one Caesar salad with grilled chicken was served. We did not order that! We ordered 2 Caesar salads no chicken! The server asked if we just wanted to share the incorrect one. We did not! They then brought I ceasare , they forgot the other one! It is now 6:20 and we have a 7:00 show to get to. So we split the salad. The salad was very disappointing. Not a very good Caesar salad. We then ordered 2 glasses of wine and bread. Got the wine but not the bread. We finally got our entrees at 6:35. My friend really likes her Brasato but my cacio e Pepe had way too much pepper! All you could taste was pepper. Our waiter never came to ask how are meals were. We had to ask for someone to find him to get our check. It seemed like the kitchen was having issues getting food out. Our server was absent most the time. Don't plan on going back.
Jerry
We went there for pre theater dinner for four people with plenty of time to make show. Took an hour and 20 minutes to get served. Two dishes were hot, one was very overcooked and the fourth was ice cold. Tables very close together and hard to get into and out of. When we left there were still people with show tickets still waiting to be served. Not going back. Too many other choices nearby that can handle busy periods. well.
Villa Lulu is always fantastic , the food is so delicious and the ambience is just next level!
We frequent Villa LuLu at least twice a month. The best food, service and ambience in all of Connecticut.
This was my second time here. We stopped in for lunch and the service and food was outstanding. I plan to go back soon.
Nice varied menu, great bar for eating, very convenient if seeing a show at the Schubert Theater.
I've eaten @ Villa Lulu, and will again. Last night's experience to match our previous. All 3 sets of pasta were over-cooked and NOT el-dente. The penne ala vodka had no spice at all, whereas it did when I had it previously. - I think our server might have been new, thus give them a pass. But attention to detail was definitely lacking - no ask for additional drinks, how was our food, anything needed for the food (parmesan, pepper, etc).
We went for brunch given the amazing brunch menu online on their website site only to find out that they no longer serve brunch and haven't yet updated their website. The bar Couldn't make a Bloody Mary because they ran out of mix and the creme brûlée was curdled like cottage cheese and had to be sent back. The shubert boasts a discount at villa lulu for pre show and we weren't given that. Server was curt, short and borderline rude wearing stained clothing to match the dirty or stained tablecloth. Served meal while people were still eating their salads. Will not go back. The food we ate was fine.
Worst experience ever!! Friends and I had a 5:00 dinner reservation for 7 people with plans to see a 7:00 show across the street at the Shubert. We placed our dinner order when we arrived and by 6:45 we still had not been served our meals. We asked our server several times, who was aware we had a show to catch, when we’d be getting our food. Each time we were told it would be out soon. We asked to see a manager and the manger would not come out. Needless to say by that time we had to leave for the show without having dinner. To make matters worse we were given a bill for the drinks and 2 side salads we had while waiting an hour and a half for meals that were never served. You would think the drinks would be on them but that was not the case. Terrible terrible business practice!!!
We visited Villa Lulu last night in New Haven, hoping for a solid Italian meal, and came away with mixed feelings. While some dishes were decent, my wife's Chicken Parmesan was a major disappointment—it was incredibly tough, almost like a rock, making it inedible. My own meal was just okay, but the stark contrast with the poor quality of the chicken dish really stood out.
New Haven has so many amazing Italian spots, and unfortunately, Villa Lulu didn't quite hit the mark for us, particularly with that chicken parm. The ambiance is nice and the staff seemed friendly enough (though service was a bit slow upstairs), but the food quality needs serious attention to compete in this competitive culinary scene.
One of our friends did not get his dish, but his wife did, and she had the same thing as him. We had to ask for it. Also had to ask for bread, waiter seemed great at the beginning but suddenly the service went downhill fast, yes they got busy, but that’s no excuse.
Overall: Ambiance good, but food inconsistent. The rock-hard Chicken Parm was a definite low point.
Food: 2
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
Food: 5
We had an early reservation as we were going to a 7 pm show next door. We were seated 30 minutes late. Our server was great and we got to the show on time.
Restaurantji Recommends
The staff was amazing and so friendly and helpful. Three in our party had the tapas eggplant meatballs which were fantastic. The fourth had the delicious scallop tapas. We shared a beet salad and a green salad which was just the right amount to eat before our show at Shubert. I would definitely come back and try some entrees. Definitely a 10/10!
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.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I ate there with a friend here last night and the food was amazing! We chose the tapa menu so that we could sample different dishes. It is so convenient to walk across the street to the Shubert Theater.
Had a reservation and were seated on time. The place was very busy. Took awhile for our waiter to arrive. Ordered 2 different cocktails. He served us 2 of the same. Had to wait more time to get the correct drink. He took our meal order at 5:30. Ordered 2 Caesar salads, entrees were the casareccia al brasato and the Trofie Cacio e Pepe. At 6:10 one Caesar salad with grilled chicken was served. We did not order that! We ordered 2 Caesar salads no chicken! The server asked if we just wanted to share the incorrect one. We did not! They then brought I ceasare , they forgot the other one! It is now 6:20 and we have a 7:00 show to get to. So we split the salad. The salad was very disappointing. Not a very good Caesar salad. We then ordered 2 glasses of wine and bread. Got the wine but not the bread. We finally got our entrees at 6:35. My friend really likes her Brasato but my cacio e Pepe had way too much pepper! All you could taste was pepper. Our waiter never came to ask how are meals were. We had to ask for someone to find him to get our check. It seemed like the kitchen was having issues getting food out. Our server was absent most the time. Don't plan on going back.
We went there for pre theater dinner for four people with plenty of time to make show. Took an hour and 20 minutes to get served. Two dishes were hot, one was very overcooked and the fourth was ice cold. Tables very close together and hard to get into and out of. When we left there were still people with show tickets still waiting to be served. Not going back. Too many other choices nearby that can handle busy periods. well.
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