New Haven's Zeneli Cracks Yelp's Top 100, Upstaging Pizza Giants

The wood-fired ovens at Zeneli Pizzeria have been turning out pies for just five years, but the New Haven restaurant has already earned something that eluded Frank Pepe and Sally’s Apizza in their decades of serving Connecticut’s pizza-obsessed masses: a spot on Yelp’s top 100 restaurants in America.

Zeneli’s inclusion on the 2026 list represents a seismic shift in how the nation views New Haven’s pizza culture. While food pilgrims have long made the trek to Wooster Street for coal-fired apizza at the legendary institutions, Zeneli has quietly built a following among both locals and visitors who discovered the restaurant through word-of-mouth and glowing online reviews.

“We never expected this kind of recognition so quickly,” said a Zeneli spokesperson. “We’ve focused on quality ingredients and traditional techniques, but we’re honored that people are responding to what we’re doing.”

Founded in 2019, Zeneli occupies a different corner of New Haven’s pizza ecosystem than the tourist-magnet apizza joints that define the city’s reputation. The restaurant’s approach blends traditional Italian techniques with contemporary sensibilities, creating pies that satisfy both purists and adventurous eaters. Their margherita showcases San Marzano tomatoes and fresh mozzarella with the kind of attention to sourcing that has become standard among serious pizzerias, while seasonal specials incorporate local ingredients.

The Yelp recognition arrives at a moment when Connecticut’s food and dining scene continues evolving beyond its traditional landmarks. While institutions like Jimmies of Savin Rock closed after 100 years of serving the shoreline, newer establishments are finding ways to honor Connecticut’s culinary heritage while attracting national attention.

Zeneli’s rapid rise reflects broader changes in how restaurants build reputations in the digital age. Unlike Pepe’s or Sally’s, which established their followings through generations of word-of-mouth, Zeneli has leveraged online platforms and social media to reach customers beyond New Haven’s borders. The restaurant’s Yelp page features hundreds of five-star reviews from visitors who discovered the spot through the app and left raving about both the food and service.

The restaurant’s success also demonstrates New Haven’s continuing evolution as a dining destination. While the city’s pizza reputation was built on a handful of legendary spots serving a specific style, Zeneli proves there’s room for different approaches to succeed. The restaurant attracts customers who might find the lines at Pepe’s daunting or prefer a more contemporary dining atmosphere.

Yelp’s methodology for the top 100 list considers both review volume and ratings, meaning Zeneli didn’t just need to impress critics—it had to consistently satisfy regular customers. The restaurant’s ability to maintain high ratings while building a substantial review base suggests a level of consistency that can be difficult to achieve, particularly for a relatively new establishment.

For Connecticut’s pizza scene, Zeneli’s recognition represents both validation and evolution. The state’s pizza culture has long centered on specific styles and historic establishments, creating a narrative that could feel exclusionary to newcomers. Zeneli’s success suggests that quality and consistency can still break through, even in a market dominated by decades-old institutions.

The restaurant’s achievement also reflects New Haven’s broader cultural renaissance. The city has attracted increasing attention for its dining scene beyond pizza, with new restaurants earning recognition from food critics and publications. Zeneli’s Yelp ranking places New Haven in conversation with other American food cities in a way that extends beyond its traditional reputation.

While some pizza purists might question whether a five-year-old restaurant belongs in the same conversation as Connecticut’s historic apizza halls, Zeneli’s recognition suggests that excellence can emerge quickly when restaurants focus on fundamentals. The restaurant’s wood-fired ovens produce pies with the kind of char and texture that serious pizza lovers expect, while the ingredient sourcing meets contemporary standards for quality.

The Yelp recognition could have significant implications for Zeneli’s business. Restaurants that appear on national “best of” lists often experience increased tourist traffic and media attention. For a New Haven establishment, this could mean competing more directly with the city’s established pizza destinations for out-of-town visitors.

As Connecticut’s restaurant scene continues adapting to changing consumer expectations and economic pressures, Zeneli’s success provides a template for how newer establishments can build national reputations. The restaurant’s combination of traditional techniques, quality ingredients, and contemporary service standards resonates with customers who share their experiences online.

Zeneli Pizzeria is located on Orange Street in New Haven. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday, with hours varying by day. Reservations are recommended, particularly on weekends when the dining room fills with both locals and visitors drawn by the restaurant’s growing reputation.