What’s the easiest, and possibly cheapest, way to travel around the world? Put on your walking shoes and tour the four street food districts in New Haven. A full loop is 5.4 miles, but chances are you’ll be full before you finish. You’ll travel from Downtown New Haven with its historic green, admire the “Yale Whale” (Ingall’s Ice Rink designed by Eero Saarinen) at the Sachem District, then head over to the Cedar District (near the Yale School of Medicine and Yale New Haven Hospital) with its long history of food carts. Finally, or firstly if you arrived by car, you can be wowed by Food Truck Paradise at Long Wharf located off of I-95 at exit 46.
Whatever your route, you will be tempted with cuisine from around the world:
- American
- Bakery
- Chinese
- Coffee & Tea
- Ethiopian
- Ice Cream
- Italian/Pizza/Mediterranean
- Japanese/Korean
- Latino/Spanish/Puerto Rican/Columbian/Cuban
- Mexican/Southwest
- Middle Eastern
- Southern
- Thai/Southeast Asian/Vietnamese
Featured dishes include Chicken Lo Mein; steak and cheese sandwiches, beef, chicken and veggie tacos, pizza, ribs, empañadas, cashew nut chicken, falafels, General Tso’s chicken, Caesar’s salad, lamb curry, coffee, tea, cupcakes, ice cream…you get the picture.
Street food has long been a staple in New Haven, especially by the Yale School of Medicine, Yale New Haven Hospital and along the shore. These hot spots have been around since the ‘80s. Going back to 2010, the Medical District was getting rave reviews for its international cuisine, including this article from the New York Times. And the accolades haven’t stopped. Carts located near Yale, Albertus Magnus College and Gateway Community College offer satisfying meals that fit in a college student’s budget while not sacrificing taste. Read what one Yale student had to say about the Sachem Street offerings in the Yale Alumni Magazine.
Although less famous than the “picture” saying, a taste is worth a thousand words.
Tip: If taking the train, hop off at the State Street Station (served by Shore Line East, the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield line and Metro-North) and you’ll be steps away from the Downtown District.
Tip: When driving into the Elm City, visit www.parknewhaven.com for information and specials.
