Reviews of Max Downtown. (Restaurant) in Hartford (Connecticut).

Max Downtown

698 Reviews

372 Comments

Restaurant

Fine dining restaurant

185 Asylum St, Hartford, CT 06103, United States

Description

Information of Max Downtown, Restaurant in Hartford (Connecticut)

Discover the opening times, the location, contact, popular times, photos and real reviews by internet users.

This place has a very good rate, they treat their customers well and you’ll feel welcome, super recommended

Map

Open hours of Max Downtown

Popular times

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Monday

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Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Reviews of Max Downtown

Allison Scully-Taylor

Excellent, excellent, EXCELLENT restaurant! Highly recommend if you are in the area. The food was phenomenal and the drinks were amazing. We came here to have dinner to celebrate our anniversary and we were so happy we did. We even got a little extra dessert for the occasion :) The staff was amazing and very attentive.

Big Nick

What a great meal and great service! The steak was phenomenal and my favorite asparagus! Everything is a la cart so be prepared to spend a few bucks! For desert I had the baked Alaska and that was spectacular as well! Our waitress Ashlyn was super helpful and kept my glass full. So darn friendly! The meal tastes so much better when there is great waitstaff!! I definitely recommend this place! Godspeed!

Okang McBride

This is a great place to gather with friends and family for a good meal and a few libations. The staff was excellent as far as service goes and the kitchen was very accommodating because we had to alter a number of plates do to food allergies. Also, if you are attending an event at the XL Center then this is spot on with its location right across the street. Give this place a try and tell them the family from New Jersey sent you. $$$

Geena Becker, REALTOR

So, we had cocktails at the bar after our dinner last night. The best thing about doing Max's besides the service and quality is by far the best is... you can park in the City Place garage and they will validate your parking ticket. It was raining last night so we parked and never went outside. We arrived at 9 p.m. and the bar had a nice small crowd. The couple in the picture had drinks at Max's before we met for dinner and they do have a great happy hour. They said the bar was packed. So, I ordered my Aperol Spritz and they all had their bourbons. A great finish for the evening and it was nice to see people out an about in Hartford last night at that hour.

Michael Santana

Awesome dining experience. Phenomenal service. Arrived in town earlier than expected so I phoned in to check on our reservation. Busy night, but the hostess was gracious enough to accommodate 9 of us in their ample lounge/bar area to start with some drinks. Enjoyed a perfect sidecar. At dinner, we indulged in the Lump Crab Tostada for starters. Highly recommend. It was so beyond good that we ordered it twice. The Roasted Sea Scallops were deliciously delectable. An electric atmosphere fills this expansive restaurant, and the presentation over all was impressive. Drinks were a little slow at first but then the pace picked up. Understandable on a busy night. It was the first of three nights celebrating my wife’s birthday. The Chocolate Molten Soufflé didn’t disappoint! A big shout out to our waiter, Milo. He moves with a sense of urgency, attentive to every word being said, and carries himself as if he were the owner. Impeccable service.

Alisande

Nothing short of Excellent. 1st off, I want to say that the images that you will see here in Google maps, does not do Max justice. The grandeur of this restaurant is immense paired with eclectic art on the walls, styling of the architecture, floor to ceiling windows and beautiful lighting fixtures.. The valet is friendly and couldn't have been more perfect in distance to from curb. We were greated by an outstanding hostess and seated quickly in booth as requested with reservation. It was very busy when we arrived. You can feel the vibe here. Our waiter Chris was jovial and receptive to our food interest. He made the right suggestions for me when I couldn't decide between two entrees. I had this wonderfully fruity but not too sweet cocktail with with jalapeno that is to die for. The soft semi sweet bread comes with pink salted butter rectangle. I won't go there because it was a meal in itself. We had the creamed spinach which was divine and closer to a souffle. Also ordered lump crab tostada and burger. The burger meat was so soft and delicious.. We actually didn't have room for dessert which is a rare occasion but we will return again and suggests to others while in Hartford Thank you all

Edna Farber

Ordered the Steak Frites and it was a mixed bag. Firstly it came served in a cast iron tureen, which, for someone as clumsy as myself, made cutting the meat awkward due to its high sides. However the vegetables involved were brilliantly highlighted by this plating method. I ate every morsel but having said that— & I can hardly believe I’m saying this— I’ve had better steak. Tenderness, appearance beautiful but somehow flavor was lacking. Found myself wishing I had ordered the salmon. The key lime dessert on the other hand was indescribably delicious. To the pastry chef who conceived of and created this dish: you are a poet. My palate is forever elevated for having experienced your sublime confection. All in all a highly nourishing meal that kept me satiated for the remainder of the day. Staff were exquisite.

Christina M.

I like Max's meals, I had shrimps there a couple months ago and it was delicious (close my eyes delicious) . So, naturally I'd go there again. On my second try the shrimps weren't as fresh as the first time but it was ok. I ordered salad, this is why my review is a 4, I eat with my eyes, so presentation is everything. The salad did not look appetizing and it did not provide that palatable taste I wanted. But I'll still give then a 3 try.

Phúc Võ

Recommendation: Cocktail: Local Lemonade, Day Tripper. Starter: Oyster Selection, Lumb Crab Tostada. Entrees: Baked Stuffed Native Lobster, Walden Hills Pork Chop. Dessert: Chocolate Molten Souffle. . Detailed review: My wife and I, we agree that we go out for dinner every Thursday. And today I decided to go to Max Downtown. First thing first, they have FREE Valet parking, which is very convenient. You drive to the front entrance, and walk in. The host and our waitress were very friendly and helpful. We asked for recommendation and their suggestions were really good. - Local Lemonade: sweet, refreshing, great aroma. - Day Tripper: Good balance between Spicy and Sour. - Oysters: a bit salty (which is normal for North East oysters), fresh, meaty. - Lumb Crab Tostada: really good. The crab meat, crushed avocado, and sauce are delicious. If I only order one starter, I will order this dish. - Baked Stuffed Native Lobster: the lobster is very good, you can feel how bouncy it is when you chew it. - Walden Hills Pork Chop: it’s juicy and crunchy. - Chocolate Molten Soufflé: the Soufflé itself is rich and luxurious, and the crème anglaise is very good too, you can see specks of real vanilla in it. If you still have room for dessert, definitely check out the soufflé. So for the food, I gave it 5/5. For service: 5/5 (the food came out really fast) Atmosphere: 4.5/5 (for me, tables are a bit close to the other) . I will come back… on another Thursday. 🙂

Garima Gautam

🍽 whipped ricotta - perfectly creamy with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar 🍽 Buffalo cauliflower - flavorful and crispy, the sauce is delicious. The happy hour is the solid time to go there And get these plates for $5-$7

Mackenzie Richardson

Absolutely phenomenal dinner. Everything was amazing, from drinks to dessert. Melinda was a superb waitress, all of her recommendations were on point, and she was incredibly attentive. Highly recommend the spring thyme in the city cocktail, prime strip steak, filet mignon, loaded baked potato, street corn, asparagus (grilled!), and extra shaken espresso martini. Definitely pricey but every penny is worth it!

Shannon Cuddy

Great lunch spot in downtown that is much larger than it seems and can be very busy on a weekday so you might want to make reservations! The food is top notch and all made from scratch. On top of the menu there are daily specials. I had the ahi tuna poke bowl (which comes with sushi grade raw ahi tuna) and it was fantastic! The lunch menu may or may not have vegetarian options on it. If it does not then please ask your server and they will have 2 more vegetarian options including cauliflower steak

Patrick Baker

My girlfriend and I had an amazing dinner last night after years of not being there I missed it and it was Sharon’s first time!! The Food and the service were nothing short of incredible !! Cassie and Abel were awesome!!! I am a swordfish fanatic due to years growing up on Block island having the best !! Congratulations your Chef hit the Home Run!!! Respectfully Patrick and Sharon!!!

David Lauzon

The service was so amazing. Not to mention the food was magnificent can’t say enough great things about this place. The bartender was amazing. Jason was his name I believe. And the price of everything was really good. I brought my fiancé here for her birthday and it was most definitely worth it

V C

The service was impeccable (Jason R. Was the man!!). The filet mignon, colossal shrimp, and baked Alaska were some of the best food I have ever had in my life. The seasonal cocktails were fire as well. I can’t recommend this place enough. Sheesh.

Rahul Anand

Great fine dine-in Hartford downtown area. Their menu is limited but you’ll find good options though there are very limited options for vegetarians and vegan. Their desserts are very good.

Sammi

I am never disappointed with a visit here! I came in for a happy hour with a friend after work and was happy to see it bustling already with people at the bar. We got a seat at a high top table and were greeted right away. The happy hour menu had good food and drink options, I especially appreciated the buck a shuck oysters! My friend got a cheese burger and the happy hour price was only $7 which was a great deal. The $5 martinis are also pretty solid. Our waiter was extremely attentive and checked on us a few times. He was quick with service and also friendly. I definitely recommend a stop in.

Mwanani David

Spent Saturday evening here for some oysters paired with scotch and whiskey. Charlie, the manager was wonderful at selecting our choices for pairing and it was so much fun. The service (Kassi our server) was fantastic despite being incredibly busy, she gave us 100% undivided attention when she came to the table. The food was fantastic, the atmosphere even better. We will be back for the unmatched collection of Bourbon, Scotch and Whiskey as well as the service.

K Holce

The service is always excellent. Most recently Josh, Melinda and Trina provided wonderful service. The cocktails are always exquisite, and they have a large whiskey selection. The food is delicious when prepared properly, but some dishes, such as steaks, are inconsistent. Overall, we have great experiences.

Alyson Tarney

As someone with food allergies, dinners out are usually a disappointment and a cause of anxiety. Not at Max Downtown! For the first time in as long as I can remember, I had a wonderful evening out and never once even needed to mention my food allergies (because they were listed on the online reservation and the staff actually looked at it!). Our lovely server Shannon identified all the dishes that were safe, and the food was flavorful and delicious! It was so nice to have an evening where I felt “normal” and not like the chef was inconvenienced by my allergies. 10/10 recommend!

M Usman Ahmad

Located in the center of Hartford, Max Downtown doesn't disappoint. The staff is dedicated in wanting to make your food experience memorable. I attended a business luncheon in their private Everett Room. The service was very organized with the timing of each course being consistent (not slow, not fast - just right). My lunch of Shrimp Scampi was tasty and just the right portion size.

Corinne Fahey

We had a wonderful dinner before the Uconn girls game. My mom 91st birthday night out. Josh was beyond a good waiter. He was EXCELLENT. He even worked out a special. delivery of her favorite drink a Heineken to her. The food was delicious, the atmosphere in the dining room was very comfortable and Josh was so professional n made our evening extra special. Thank you again for a wonderful memory. CF.......

Elaine Dukakis-Berardi

I had not been to Max's Downtown in over five years because it's distance from my home. Max's Downtown never fails to impress - it is always consistent with their quality of food, ambiance and fabulous service. I had a great Mother's Day Brunch there and was so impressed with the experience that my husband and I booked dinner reservations for the following week. We had amazing waiter, Thomas, both times and look forward to having him again. His attention to detail for both our meals made the time spent there very enjoyable. The prices are a bit higher than the norm but you get what you pay for - a special evening out!

Margaret Forler

Our first time here. Chris was our waiter, he’s funny, very knowledgeable about all the meals down to the marbling of the steaks! Highly recommend him for your service. Not one of our meals was bad or cold. Cheddar rolls were warm and delicious! Worth the price and trip to have an up scale meal.

Jeff Ward

Wonderful food, drinks, ambiance and service. Parking is a Pain, but Valet is available. Always a great experience. The manager Michael and his staff Genuinely care about their customers; that separates them from their competition. Truly...there is No competition in the area. Go visit when in the area.

moussa magassa

A wonderful experience. Great food and ambiance. I loved everything about this place. The service was top notch. The steaks were perfectly butchered, seasoned and cooked. Sides were delicious. Appetizers were unique. Highly recommend the filet Oscar and the cowboy ribeye. Best Baked Alaska ever.

Bri M

Ordered the skirt steak and it was absolutely delicious! Well worth the price. Mac n cheese and cream of spinach was also yummy. Ordered the chocolate soufflé for dessert and it was so smooth and warm. Our waiter, THOMAS, was very kind and informative in regards of the menu. Everything was divine and excellent!

Marissa Siraco

Celebrated my engagement at Max Downtown on 9.18.20 and everything was wonderful from start to finish. On the way to the restraunt, we were running 5 minutes late due to traffic and called to make sure our reservation would still be available. The hostess was very understanding and when we arrived we were seated immediately at a table with a plexiglass barrier for protection. During the night, all of the employees (waiters, hostesses, food runners, etc..) wore masks, gloves and upheld great food safety procedures. Our waiter Chris was absolutely amazing and made us feel extremely special during our celebration with a complimentary champagne toast and delicious dessert. My fiance ordered the surf and turf with a glass of Jefferson's Ocean and I ordered the cowboy steak and a whiskey sour. The meals were cooked perfectly as ordered and tasted delicious. My whiskey sour was also very tasty yet different- I have never had a whiskey sour with orange but definitely enjoyed it! For dessert, ordered the creme brule with raspberry macaroon and an Irish coffee and both were incredible. The only negative that occurred was we forgot to use our Max Vantage card at checkout because we were enjoying the environment/experience but it was worth it! We definitely found a new restraunt for celebrations and will recommend to our friends and family.

Gregory Merchel

Great great great restaurant. We actually went back a second time in the same trip the food was so great. Prime rib was amazing, the pasta small plates were great, the tartar and buffalo cauliflower were great. Honestly everything was so good, we got the baked Alaska twice, if you like marshmallow this is for you.

Ben Rodriguez

Absolutely superb in all respects. The staff stands out for their knowledge of the food and drinks. I really appreciated the valet parking as well. The food was delicious.

Antony Bazukin

Very highly recommended. Had a very good experience. Food was presented and prepared very well. Looked very appetizing, and delicious. The best part? It tasted as amazing as it looked. We left a note when making a reservation that it was our anniversary, and they accommodated that by preparing a congratulatory card and also wrote it out with chocolate on my wife’s dessert (because of the dish I ordered, it was not possible). Were very helpful with wine selection when it came pairing with a meal. We were served by a very good server named Peter. Also, they have FREE PARKING. Just make sure to ask for directions, as it is in a multi level garage, for which this restauraunt validates.

Henry Thompson

Delicious entrees and drinks. A bit expensive but very enjoyable if you are able to afford it. Tom was our waiter and he was the best EVAR!

Justin Clark

Some parts are amazing and other parts need improvement. The decor of this place is amazing. Love the design of the bar and dining areas. The mixed drinks are great too. Probably the best old fashioned I've ever had was made here. Some of the food was great too; lobster pierogi and Mac & cheese were great. That said, the prime rib was sub par. I've had better elsewhere and have even made better at home. It was under cooked, very fatty, and was served with a horrible knife. I might as well have been given a butter knife to cut this stringy cut of meat. Overall, the whole experience was simply inconsistent.

Joe Audet

Had a phenomenal experience here. The evening started off with fantastic service. Our server had a great suggestion for the Harney & Sons peach tea which complemented the meal well. The barrel aged filet was very flavorful, and was so tender it literally melted in my mouth. The Mac and cheese was amazing, whipped potatoes perfect and the asparagus blanched to a perfect crisp. The baked Alaska dessert was a wonderful caramel piece of joy. Can not wait to go again!

Josh

Chris was an excellent server, great the entire time. The food was the best I've had, not only were the scallops delicious and packed with flavor, they had the most smooth velvety texture. I would have waited a full hour for the water.

Jocelyn DeMaio

Max is a delicious downtown treat. Premium steaks, unique wine options and top-notch service make for a very special evening out.

Julie Lang

Amazing. We were greeted by a gracious host named Alyssa, she was kind enough to give us some recommendations. The Ricotta Toast was out of this world! (Thank you Alyssa!) Absolutely must have, my mouth is watering just thinking about it. Whatever cut of meat you prefer, get it & Oscar it! Solid service, food was fantastic, drinks were wonderful. Baked Alaska to finish us off and we were so full. Go here for any special occasion, go here for a quality meal you won't be disappointed.

Tony Bacewicz / Atlantic Vision Media

Max Downtown provided an absolutely top notch dining experience. The complimentary valet parking was well appreciated on a rainy winter night. That enabled us to quickly transition to the warm, inviting dining area where a very attentive service staff kept our orders moving so we could easily get to our theater reservations on time even though we arrived at prime time on a busy weekend night. We enjoyed scallops seared to perfection, melt in your mouth pork ribs and an excellent value house red wine. My wife tells me that Max Downtown is now her favorite restaurant.

Bobbie mcgee

Above average steaks but Above average price good parking great staff seems like city restaurant atmosphere maybe good to take clients not faimly or date

Clinton Alexander

A very nice steak/seafood house. Great ambiance. The food and service were both amazing. Steaks and lobster cooked perfectly. Amazing bar choices... lots of whiskey options. Casual dress.

Jay White

Great service, good drinks, delicious food but a little tight in terms of space. Portions were a little lacking too, especially for the price.

Rose Sherman (Rosie)

what a lovely experience!! came for my birthday, was not disappointed. thank you for making it so special! ✨

Kathleen Jarchow

Relaxing place to have a late afternoon/happy hour bite & cocktails. Service is impeccable and our bartender was "bar none" ;) an artist making a delicious Negroni and beautiful Aperol Spritz! The atmosphere is upscale-downtown while still maintaining a casual feel. The seafood is always fresh and plated to please. Anyone passing through Hartford near the XL Center or locals who are making a stop @ the "banking corner" should duck into Max Downtown!

Margaret Honan

We ate dinner after the St Patty's parade and the staff was very accommodating. Our meals were served quickly, thankfully, and everything was perfectly seasoned. The salmon was light and tasty.

M Gallo

Went as part of Taste of Hartford. Staff and food were excellent. Make a reservation, place was packed. The garage where they validate parking was not the one across the street on Asylum.

Michelle Fratini

I had my Birthday dinner at Max Downtown last night and it was such an amazing experience. The food was absolutely amazing. I had the Chilean Sea Bass with couscous and veggies, it was the best fish I’ve ever had. My favorite part was the excellent service our waiter Josh gave. He was extremely knowledgeable about everything on the menu and made me feel so special on my birthday. I would definitely recommend Max Downtown if you are looking for a fine dining experience and hopefully you will have Josh as your server!

Liz Shulman

Wonderful experience for a family dinner. The In-house made rolls, butter with caramelized sea salt and drizzle of olive oil were to die for. Had the Filet Oscar (8oz. filet mignon topped with crab meat), it was delicious, despite the $50 price tag for meat only, no sides. Great food, drinks and atmosphere if you can afford it.

Sandy

Excellent service. Food is incredible. It's fine dining at its best!

Nicholas Koziara

We dined on 2/12, and enjoyed the Valentines Day prix fixe menu. The menu had a nice range of options. All of the food was delicious. Presentation was great for everything. The meal waa excellently paced, and we never felt rushed. Service was attentive and polite, but not hovering. As ever, Max Downtown proves itself to be a solid core restaurant for Downtown Hartford.

Amy Marconnet

Nice upscale restaurant in downtown Hartford. Great food and attentive service.

Domenica Hagan

From the moment we walked through the door, we were treated with hospitality and warmth. It was our first experience at Max Downtown, and we can't wait for our next visit to Hartford. Our server Marc was a true professional and had a great attention to detail, he and his staff are top notch. The food was prepared perfectly and the dessert was divine. Thank you Max Downtown, as you are on the top of your game, and deliver a pheromonal experience.

Luz Berrios-Taveras

Max Downtown has impeccable food and service. They're tres leches cake is amazing!! I celebrated my 50th birthday there and it was the best!!

John Ford

Amazing food and ambiance, well worth the visit… makes for a wonderful night out. Great wait staff makes the experience all the better.

Vincent E

Drinks and dessert were spectacular. Sam was a top tier bartender, and the drinks where phenomenal. We can’t believe how good the drinks were. Dessert too was to die for, the pastry chef was super nice and even gave us a little personal touch. Above and beyond.

Michael Thompson

The food is better than ever. They have rebranded and revamped the menu. The drink list is fantastic.

A M

Party of six for dinner on Saturday evening. The food was just ok. The shrimp scampi had no flavor and there was virtually no pasta on the plate. The rest of the group all ordered various steaks and felt there really wasn't anything special about them. For such a highly rated restaurant we expected a better meal. The real bummer was our waiter who was terrible. He never gave his name. He pretty much couldn't be bothered with us and ignored us the entire evening. There were plenty of servers so it wasn't a matter of staffing shortages and he only had a handful of tables. Not sure what his issue was but it definitely didn't help the experience.

Mo

This place near disappoints, as long as you have Abel as your waiter get ready to have the best experience. I’ve never been to a restaurant to have someone that knowledgeable like Abel. Will always come back as long as he’s there.

Mayfield Accilien

In Town for work. Max was recommended by coworkers and Goodwin Hotel concierge. Atmosphere was great, food? DELICIOUS, service was perfect. I had nothing bad to say about this place. If you're in Hartford, this is a place you should go to for dinner.

Ken Romeo

Fantastic experience! Our waiter was attentive and very personable. The food was well prepared and seasoned to perfection. The appetizers to the meal to the desserts were marvelous.

Judy Singer

The food is just exquisite! (Sigh) We had the special steak dinner for two which included a bottle of Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon and two sides. We split the Apple - Beet Salad and also split the delectable Coconut Bombe for dessert. We think that Max Downtown has the very best steaks around, plus great service, excellent food, and a sophisticated downtown atmosphere. Fun evening out.

Marilyn Sadak

My first time eating at this restaurant and I have to say from calling in my reservations to leaving the place the service was spectacular.. I wish I had taken the person name who made my reservation. He was excellent, when I told him it was a party of 10 he asked me what was the occasion and I told him my wedding day... He told me congratulations and thank you for choosing our to celebrate! we will make it special for you and your guess.. we arrived an hour early and they greeted all of us so professionally pleasantly nice.. Had our table ready.. we love the table setting it was truly amazing the food was excellent! The Who restaurant team wish me well.. I love this place and will recommend it to everyone I know.. Thank you ones again for making my dinner wedding special.. staff was excellent on a scale from 1-10.. they get a 20😊...

Corey Ferguson

A hidden treasure in plain sight. Your definitely going to pay a little more than average but the service and presentation is wonderful.add in nice scenery and a few delicious drinks and call it short vacation.

Arelys Scali

Always our go to restaurant for special occasions or just a date night. Impeccable service, amazing food with very generous portions.

Speedy :D

My Girlfriend and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary at Max Downtown last night and let me just say: the entire restaurant celebrated with us. The host gave us a beautiful card and our waitress Melinda started us off with a little champagne to toast. The food was delicious, our waitress was attentive yet respectful, the desserts were comped and Melinda wrote "Happy 2 year Anniversary" in chocolate on the plate. It was hands down the best dining expirience of our lives. And for what you get I'd say it's also reasonably priced. Honestly we are already planning to go back.

Jessica McCready

Our waiter Steven made our night! We were celebrating a birthday with friends. He was friendly, funny, knowledgeable and just went over and above. The food was delicious and make perfectly. We all managed to save room for dessert and it was worth it. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone and hopefully they can request Steven too!

Marina bazukin

We have gone to this place more than 5 times and each time is exceptional! The food is fantastic and the service is great as well! They have a wide variety of food so everyone would be able to find something to eat. I personally recommend the filet mignon oscar with their pepper ball sauce. The creme brûlée is fantastic as well and worth saving the room for it! They have done special things for parties and anniversaries, it’s a great place to celebrate! Parking is validated so make sure to make use of the parking garage. Skip out on chains like capital grill and try out Max downtown!

Spencer Stevens

Had the cowboy ribeye omg amazing.

Roger LaPlante

Hands down 5 stars. I'm not one to leave many reviews but every time I come to Max Downtown its incredible!!!! Jason is a wonderful waiter and always adds to the experience. Best food, drinks, and desserts in the country. EVERY TIME. Highly recommend this restaurant.

Justin Germak

Max Downtown treats you like family, and makes you leave with nothing but smiles and good memories. Their service and food are absolutely unmatched. If first impressions are everything, there's nothing they leave out. Revolving doors, a wait staff that delights you at every moment, multiple ambiences for different occasions, a whisky wall that drops jaws, the list goes on. Decide what cuisine you're in the mood for, and prepare to be dazzled. I've never been to a place that makes you feel so special. Combine all their amazing qualities and you get unforgettable experiences that you'll always reminisce on.

Food of CT

My boyfriend took me here for our anniversary and it was the perfect place! The biscuits, lump crab tostada, steak, mashed potatoes, and Mac and cheese were all absolutely incredible. For dessert we were able to experience a baked Alaska for the first time and it was amazing! They even brought out little mini cakes for our anniversary. Chris, our waiter, made our night special and had great suggestions. We will definitely be making more visits here!

Maria Kontos

We had heard that Max Downtown was a great place to go eat. We decided to go and celebrate our anniversary. This place was fantastic. The front of the house was on top of their game. We were seated in Peter's section. Our meal consisted of 2 appetizers. One scallop crudo and a lump crab tostada. Our meal was a striped sea bass which had an amazing flavor. The finale was a salted caramel baked Alaska which floored me beyond words. That was so much better than the appetizers and the meal put together. Thank you.

Eric Conrad

Awesome !! Only place I've eaten at 2 nights in a row.

John Williams

Best cob salad around! Almost never disappoints did have some dirty tasting lettuce a couple times

Laura Sweet

I like the little glass in an ice bath so you can pour slowly and the martini stays dry and cold. The bread at the beginning was good and our waitress told us it was made in house and the butter that it came with was very delicious! Service was good, it's also a pretty large restaurant. Decent place to go to celebrate an occasion.

Willard Dennis

Wonderful Prime rib, great wine list, and very good service from Patrick our server for this Sunday evening. The newly updated decor and revamp of the bar and lounge area was a pleasant surprise since my last visit. The new spirits display in the bar area is a nice touch. The Prime rib served Medium rare was absolutely delicious. The side dishes of asparagus and mashed potatoes were very good. Samantha and Jess were the bartenders for the evening...very gracious ladies and great drinks!!!! Great job!!!

Peter Mason

Came here for a work dinner, great food and great service. Would highly recommend. While it says its a steak house, a pretty impressive and broad menu with something for everyone Will def go back!. Food was stupendous.....service attentive and professional....not one person said, "No problem", when replying to "thank you". It was great to be back to this flagship restaurant. Options include a tavern menu in the whiskey bar area as well as eating in their contemporary dining room. Their tasty grilled salmon was prepared just right and portion size was ample. Service is attentive and efficient. They want to make your dining experience pleasurable and it shows.

Joshua McDonald

This is easily the best restaurant Downtown Hartford has to offer. While the food was high-end and pretty good, and the service of course pretty good, the flow and overall care and attention was very slow. We were a party of 6 and arrived about 45 minutes early for our reservation and the restaurant was not very busy. They refused to seat us earlier and insisted that we not take our table until our reservation time, which we were fine with. It was just difficult reconciling the delay when they were so slow. Furthermore, while the taste of the prime rib was very good, for two of us the cut of meat was tough and had a lot of gristle and connective tissue. Additionally, requests for minor things like additional bread or water and another cocktail were extremely slow to be fulfilled. Not a bad experience but it did miss the mark for a fine dining establishment between the wait, meat quality, and inability (refusal?) to seat is sooner. UPDATE: the manager did take the time to call me personally and follow up on my review. I'd like to reiterate we did not have a bad experience, there were just some things that didn't meet my high expectations. The Manager took responsibility for the items that missed the mark and was very interested in my feedback and offering an opportunity to do better. I would return here for another visit.

Timothy Myers

It was great to be back to this flagship restaurant. Options include a tavern menu in the whiskey bar area as well as eating in their contemporary dining room. Their tasty grilled salmon was prepared just right and portion size was ample. Service is attentive and efficient. They want to make your dining experience pleasurable and it shows. Came here for a work dinner, great food and great service. Would highly recommend. While it says its a steak house, a pretty impressive and broad menu with something for everyone Will def go back!.

Haresh Joshi

Great service, courteous staff and delicious quality food.

Alex Wachter

Excellent potato and leek soup today. Had an aged NY strip for lunch that was seasoned beautiful. Great place with free parking in the same building below called city garage. Can save you $16 dollars just let them know you parked there.

Richard Hannan

Let me start by saying I'm a fan of the Max Restaurant Group and I will go back. However, with that said, I have very high expectations of a restaurant that charges $54 for their Kansas City Strip, and my expectations were not met. The service was attentive, but when I ordered the Roasted Beet Salad I was served a version of the Red Russian Kale & Apple Salad. I was disappointed. Instead of taking the salad away I was brought a plate of roasted beets with some arugula, and the manager came to the table to apologize. I also ordered the Black Pearl Salmon - medium rare. The presentation was beautiful, but the salmon was just shy of sashimi. Thank goodness I'm a fan of raw fish. After dinner my wife ordered hot tea with milk on the side. The milk was warm and she was provided a soup spoon to stir in the milk and sugar. I'd like to think that fine dining exists in Hartford, but I'm afraid it doesn't exist here.

Andy Martorelli

Had a wonderful experience this weekend. From cocktails to Courses everything was just immaculate! One thing I will say is, I was a little disappointed in the general blandness of staff. It is 2021, it would have been appealing to see some uniqueness.

Chris

Had a great experience for Valentine's Day, made my girlfriend and I feel appreciated for coming. Food was fantastic and came out in good time. Had a couple issues with a drink order but they made sure we were taken care of and it made no impact on our great night. I'll definitely be back soon!

Timothy Norris

Place is beautiful. Food is amazing. Parking on street and across street in parking garage. The Baked Alaskan is amazing. Our steaks were beyond perfect. Abel is a great waiter. Highly recommend Max's in Hartford.

Lisa Wessler

Food was mediocre at best. The prime rib was tough and tasteless. Decor is okay, but not overly impressive. Very expensive for the poor quality of the food. Max Downtown is supposed to be a "chop house" but the prime rib was so unimpressive....better steak houses exist with affordable prices. Wait staff was nice, but one of the 2 waiters we had was a bit pushy in trying to convince us to order more food. Don't recommend.

Tori Palomares

My boyfriend and I ate there last night after a long day of travel. Our server Chris was so nice and knowledgeable about the menu. The food was incredible and cocktails were so tasty! Highly recommend for a nice date night in the restaurant or just some drinks and apps at the bar!

Luke Zdatny

My wife and I ate here while staying in Hartford for the night. The food was incredible, the drinks were perfect and the service was warm and friendly. We will be returning whenever we are in Hartford.

Eric Goddard

Wonderful birthday dinner for my daughter, had a great meal and great service. I enjoyed the ribeye, and my family had two different fish choices. Limited vegetarian choices for one in our party, but she enjoyed the gnocchi. One small issue was corrected immediately, and then generously made good.

Alex H

Agree with previous reviewers... Food is very good, as well as service. However, both myself and one of my colleagues steaks were undercooked (asked medium rare, got rare) - fortunately, I don't mind rare just a preference. From a value perspective I've been to other steakhouses in larger cities that are better value with same or better quality, IMO.

Suzie Kim

Ambiance: Classy, upscale Service: Amazing, top-notch, attentive and friendly staff. Food: the food sounds great in theory but doesn't taste special or unique in practice. I frequent their other restaurant, Max's Oyster Bar, quite often and have never been disappointed with any of the food. Unfortunately, Max Downtown does not live up to par with the other Max restaurants. The price is very high for the quality and flavor presented. For example, the lamb dish we had as an appetizer had an incredibly strong, gamey lamb smell that I've never experienced anywhere else.

Cole Kins

The food was amazing, the drinks were great... dont leave without having dessert washing it down with dessert wine!

Anne-Marie Regish

Celebrating an anniversary and we decided to try Max Downtown. What an amazing dining experience! Restaurant was super-busy due to a UConn game at the XL Center but nonetheless, service was impeccable. Friendly, professional, helpful and present/attentive (but not TOO present/attentive). The timing of the meal was well paced and suggestions offered were spot on. Food was cooked perfectly and served hot. Thanks for a wonderful experience Patrick & Melinda and the others who pitched in along the way ~ we cannot wait to come back!

Luis Torres

Awesome service and quality food!!! They deserve a Michelin Star!!!

Gail Bailey

Attentive service, great food, diverse options, in a NY Chop House style. Oenophiles and people with discerning tastes alike will find a wine to their liking. Wonderful steaks, seafood, and specials of a unique nature abound on the menu, and customization is no problem. Dessert chef is amazing...dare you to resist!

Jim Roche

what a great meal! the steaks were among the best we've had. the service was very good, and the sides, deserts and wine list were impressive. the wait staff was attentive and very knowledgeable without being pretentious. we'd highly recommend max downtown and will be returning.

Akeema Richards

Love this place! One of my favorite places to go when my boss is treating or when I want to treat myself. It's always clean! Wait staff is amazing and always on top of their job! My go to meal is the Prime Steak Frites... So good!

Liliya Gerasimchuk

Amazing food, and specially amazing service. We were celebrating Father's day and our waiter Josh made it very special for our family. We are definitely coming back!

Maya Burlingham

Superb experience! Gracious service and the food is all what I have heard about. Must-go place in Hartford, and of course the Valet Park is an added bonus which I find very necessary. We've been there during the Restaurant Week and ordered from the fix prix menu; no regrets! Also has a coat closet. Don't miss.

Bailey Anderson

This place is amazing! Made a reservation for my partner’s birthday and it was very enjoyable. The staff was very nice and catered to us well. The food was also AMAZING! Definetely worth the hour trip. ♥️

Christine Anderson

I was here for a dinner meeting/presentation. The food was very good, however the course and drinks were very slow to come out. This could be due to the size of the group. What I disliked most was how the waitress that seemed to be the head waitress was rude to the other waiters and waitresses right in front of us. It was troubling to watch and disruptive to the presentation. That being said, it is a nice upscale venue and the food was cooked just right! I loved the fresh warm rolls that were served as well.

Ryan Crosby

We just had a customer dinner and from end to end the meal was perfect. We started with apps the seafood tower was excellent. We also had the buffalo colleyflower which was amazing. Everyone had steaks and each person had a great experience. The only thing I cant answer on is desert and its because everyone was too stuffed to have.

Amy Sylvain

The service was perfection - prompt without being in your face, very friendly and just what you would expect at a fine restaurant but maybe a notch better than you would expect in their bar area. The only complaint is that the potato was charged full price as a side and, since I didn't have any other side and only wanted a potato I would have expected not to spend the full $10 on top of $32 for 4 scallops on a plate - albeit great scallops.

Josh Seamon-Ingalls

I had a fabulous time on my first trip to Max Downtown. The service was always present but unobtrusive, the food superb, the wine list extensive. I particularly enjoyed the horseradish-encrusted salmon! They were also quite nice in letting my party stay well after they closed!

Thomas Perone

I had a great time here celebrating my 10 month dating anniverary with my girlfriend. The tuna I got was excellent. My girlfriend liked the salmon. The hostess and waitress were both nice. We will come back again.

Merolin Mojica

My fiancé and I went to Max to have dinner. All I can say is that food was delicious, fresh, good seasoning and well presented. The employees and the servers are welcoming and very attentive to each of or your needs. Atmosphere was great. Good lignting for special occasions and nice music.

Monica Cusano

Love Max, great atmosphere, great food,, found easy parking on the street. Sat at the bar and enjoyed watching the bartender do her thing! She was very busy and great at her job!

K W

There isn't anything special about the food here. It's a steakhouse. It has limited offerings, but what it does offer is done well. What makes this restaurant special is the staff, from the bar to the servers to the sommelier. You will feel like part of their family after only a few visits. Meanwhile you get to simply enjoy a decent meal with terrific wine pairings.

Todd Cooper

We were invited and attended a function on a Monday evening at Max Downtown. First, valet parking - in any city is welcome. Next is the ambiance of the establishment, high end without being pretentious...”we’re good, we know it and we’re going to provide you with a relaxed, friendly and memorable experience”. I won’t review the whole evening, but I can say the service went above expectations, the meal (every item) was done very well and I left with the thought that I had to return and have this experience again. When an establishment leaves you happy and with that impression, they’ve hit upon a successful business and service model. Conclusion...it’s like going to the home of your one wealthy long time friend.

Cheryl Twiss

I called tonight to send a bottle of wine to the table for my daughter and her girlfriend for a special birthday celebration. Duncan took care of everything and was so gracious and assured me they would have a wonderful experience. I just received a call from them raving about the delicious meal, the attentive service and how the team at Max’s made them feel so special! Thank you to Duncan and kudos for being such a superb restaurant in Hartford!

Anthony Velez

Max is Dope. Nice atmosphere, particularly at the bar, I'm a bar guy, and service top notch. Pricing is appropriate, drinks great, and service is on point.

cynthia vecchione (cindy)

The food was outstanding, the waitstaff needed some help. It seemed the waiter was doing the job of 3 people. There definitely should have been at least two others for the incedentals , such as water , bread, more drinks...on a busy Friday night . The layout and new renovation is cozy and elegant, so our group of 7 had plenty of space , but 3 hours for dinner on a Friday night is a bit much.

Paul Chapman

Well established restaurant in downtown Hartford CT. Excellent service. Nice atmosphere. Food was great! Amazing wine selection! My server gave excellent recommendations on both food and wine selections. Great place to take friends and family for a great dining experience to celebrate a special occasion. Highly recommend a Max Downtown dining experience if you are in Hartford CT.

Robert Dichter

Fantastic food. Best burger I've ever eaten. Salmon and prime rib were both excellent and outstanding whiskey menu. But, thought the seafood chowder was just ok. Very good service as well.

Michael Meotti

One of the most reliable "great dining experiences" in greater Hartford and still, I think, the flagship restaurant of the Max family of restaurants. Always superb beef and fish entrees that make me think of this as a chop house style reminiscent of the great Manhattan restaurants of the 50's and 60's but with a sophisticated contemporary design. The bar is a great choice for a convenient lunch if you don't have the time to indulge.

Rebecca Bates

Exceptional service the second we walked in. Was the first time going here for happy hour and dinner. The hostess and the maitre d were so professional and knew exactly how to please every guest. Working in the field , it made me notice everything and understand how much every server and foh worked effortlessly with the boh to make such a wonderful Friday evening dinner service. Matt was our dining server , he was so personal yet professional and has such a broad intelligence of food and wine. Our happy hour server passed our table and asked us how everything was , it was so nice to see she remembered us , made us feel welcomed at Max's. The food was amazing . From the cheese plate, salads ,rib eye steak, and the pork chop nothing was missing or dull! The desserts were outstanding.Warren the pastry chef has so much talent! We get two Friday night's off a year , defiently the best place we could have spent it!

Chuck Smith

Great service. Fish items in particular were very well prepared, but everything our party of four tried was most satisfactory. Beware severely tempting desserts. Dinner service still available after our late arrival in Hartford. Across the street from the Goodwin Hotel.

P Gatcomb

My wife and I decided to check this place out one night because we were looking for something new. We usually avoid hartford because of the traffic but we went anyway. Upon arriving after 6:00 we were provided with free valet parking which was quick and easy. Walking inside we immediately noticed the dress code was very formal and the wait staff had our reserved table ready. After being seated we went through a good sized menu and settled on a New York strip steak for me and saw scallops for her. Some rolls came out a while later which were cheesey and pretty good. Dinner came out in a reasonable time and it was cooked perfectly. The steak was tender and flavorful and the sides as well. For dessert we opted for chocholate souffle (which takes an extra 20 minutes to make) and creme brulee. Both came out and were excellent. Dinner came to about $150 for two and our car was waiting for us when we were leaving. It was a solid experience and very fine dining indeed. They do put extra attention into the needs of those with allergies if required. A little side note is that sides are charged separately (including sauces) for already expensive food. We will definitely go back.

Lina Rodrig

Went for anniversary, splurged by getting valet parking. Steak and fish cooked to perfection. Staff offered great wine pairing that went well with both our meals. Little pricey for a regular visit but maybe next anniversary dinner will be here.

Audrey Armah

Ask to be served by Jason!!! He’s awesome!!!! The food is good!!!!

Omeed Kennedy

I went here last night after my Commencement ceremony ended at the XL Center. I was so surprised they had room for my family, friend and myself of course considering the fact that a thousand graduates and their family members were all looking for a place to eat. The environment was very nice and classy, the service was excellent, top notch food and with that being said it is a bit pricey but so worth it. I was congratulated many times by many different staff in the restaurant and when i ordered desert they had written "Congratulations" on my plate next to my cheesecake (which i recommend by the way). Along with this they gave me a card which the staff had signed once again congratulating me for my graduation. Truly a wonderful experience, i would definitely recommend this place if you're going out for a special occasion or a lovely dinner dinner for two.

Cathy Hoffman

We gave Max Downtown a second chance, 'to make that impression'. I must say, service, ambience, and food were above the quality we previously received. The manager, Lee, was very diligent about assuring our recent visit was a better experience. The pork chop was among the best I've had, and the chocolate souffle was wonderful. We enjoyed our anniversary dinner celebration. The service and food this time, was what we had anticipated on our first visit. So, if you go and have an off night, give them a second chance too!

Jennifer Brenner

Excellent food and wonderful service. Very friendly staff.

T C

Max Downtown is always our place to go to entertain clients, hold private events and enjoy a top notch dining experience. They pay attention to detail and accommodate your every need. We have been accumulating our Max Vantage Points for a while and decided to cash them in for a 5 course dinner with paired wines for our 16th Wedding Anniversary. It was fantastic! I have several food allergies and they customized the menu for us. They definitely created a night to remember. Thank you Max's!

Jessie Bouclier

Was here for a business seminar in the morning and they made some seriously delicious food. I never thought of them as breakfast folks, but shoooot their eggs were perfectly seasoned and their home fries were perfectly done. Great, attentive service also.

Leo Baranov

Pretty sweet waitress, good food decent setting for a birthday celebration. However, service was slow. Drinks took over 20 minutes each to arrive. The rest of the staff was pushy to get everyone out. Mediocre at best.

James Murch Eschert

went for early New Years Eve dinner - pretty disappointing. Steak was good but definitely not worth the price they were charging. Seating crammed in and very pushy waiter trying to get us to spend as much money as possible. We love Max a Mia in Avon - go there instead.

Damien M

Eclectic atmosphere, friendly staff, amazing tasting food. I'll definitely be returning.

thanks ace

This place was very good and pretty classy. If you're looking for an outstanding 50$ steak, this is the place to go. Brought my girlfriend here for her birthday and the service was excellent. The reason for the 4 stars is because they brought my pre-ordered flowers to another table.. I was pretty irritated. All in all, definitely recommend, I wouldn't let that one hiccup ruin our relationship.

Jason Dubar

The best steak around!! Max beats Ruth Chris', Mortons, etc. The food is great. Sundays, they have live jazz and half price bottles of wine. Definitely worth a try if you're celebrating a special day or even an ordinary day!

Chelsey Garcia

Loved my happy hour experience here! The oysters are good, the buffalo cauliflower was amazing and the hamburger was very delicious too. OMG the cucumber margaritas are now my favorite drink! I will be going back!

Hannah Sturm

We had a private dinner in the Everett room and the staff were a breeze to work with. The food was great and there were no issues with timing or special requests. We enjoyed our evening in the beautiful space!

Alysia Cayer

Great atmosphere and great food. Price was a little higher than expected for the area. Sides are priced separately than the entree.

Helaine Fortes

Drinks are amazing. The food was good but just a couple things weren't the best for the amount of money spent for a party of five. Definitely great place for apps n drinks.

Anthony Mahoney

Everything about the dining experience was amazing.

Joseph Raczynski

Here for a presentation at a luncheon. The staff was extremely accommodating and helpful. The food was very well done given 50 people were being served at once. I would come back for a proper meal at a nonevent. Always feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @joerazz

Vishwas Badami

Enjoyed a leisurely lunch at Max Downtown. We got the cauliflower appetizer, the haddock special and a salad. Our server Thomas was excellent— very attentive and made great recommendations.

Patrick Meagher

Mark was our waiter and he was unbelievable. Top 5 waiter waitress i ever had.knew everything on the menu and was super quick. Plus I cant say enough about the food.... steak was cooked perfect

John T Burke Jr

This place is a staple :) The Valentines dinner menu was perfect last night... Filet is always point on! Our server Emilio was on the ball and very friendly... Can't wait to come back.. Cheers!!!!

Lindsay martinez

It was such an amazing experience! Our waitress was above and beyond! Love that the owner walked around saying hi and making sure everyone was ok which we loved!

Carrol Kirwan

My girlfriend and I went here to try something new. We had no expectations but were very impressed with how great the food and service was. Highly recommend this for a low-key meal where you're simply looking for great simple food.

jkosk1313

Last night we had the pleasure of dining here at Max Downtown. It was our first experience with this restaurant and lets just say it was phenomenal. The setting is very fancy and romantic which is great for a night out with family or friends or for a date night. Every choice on the menu sounded amazing so we had a hard time choosing. Our wonderful and friendly server Sarah was very knowledgeable of the menu and the specials and gave us great feedback. We went with the Lobster Bisque and Wedge salad for our starters and were very pleased ! for our main entrée we went with the "Oscar" filet mignon and the A la Max. they were cooked perfectly to our liking and the flavor and plating was just awesome. We can not say enough good things about our experience and are already eager to go back! Thank you Sarah and Max Downdown

mark mahder

Outstanding dinner. Chris our waiter was top notch

Jim

The flagship Max restaurant which I frequent pretty often due to being local. I prefer the bar for its more relaxed vibe and find the dining area is more of a 60s and up area. Service is usually spot on and while not every menu item is the best to be had, the food is always quality. Happy hour offers some pretty good deals otherwise this spot is a little pricier.

Katelyn Morgan

Wonderful food, great service. They know how to make their clientele feel special no matter if you're a first timer or a semi- regular.

Melissa Mcewen

Best known as a surf and turf-style steakhouse, Max Downtown also distinguishes itself with a top-notch special gluten-free menu. The options are extensive and delicious. The server helped us pick out the best things to order with great wine pairing.

Chimere Cooke

Max Downtown is the definition of class. The food and service are excellent Amanda was our server and she was awesome. There was a jazz band who sang happy birthday to my date. I highly recommend.

Carol Peterson

Salute is awesome. Top of the list of Hartford choices for lunch and dinner. I am a frequent flyer here for business, family and friends. The food is awesome, classic Italian with their famous cheesy garlic bread that is to die for. The staff is unbeatable and Jimmy (and Dale, Andy and crew) always make you feel social.

Sarah Fox

Scotty is hands down the best bartender. I have been here multiple times and Scotty has the best attitude, is always serving you to the best of his ability and makes sure you have a great experience. He caters to your needs, is beyond friendly and really makes Max Downtown a pleasure to visit at any time.

Kenneth Scaggs

Great place if you have to be in Hartford! Excellent wine, whiskey, bourbon and cocktail list. Food was very good. Staff was avg and the ambiance was trendy.

Shirley Webb

I have eaten here once per year for the past few years. The service always is quite attentive and the menu is extensive. However, the prices have become quite expensive, more so each year. If you are trying to lose weight, this is NOT the place for you. Offers valet parking but I always have found street parking nearby, free after 6:00 PM and on weekends.

Laura Garcia

“Delicious food served by friendly staff” Lunch time is extremely busy at this upscale restaurant in downtown Hartford, CT yet you never felt rushed. New York strip Caesar salad plentiful and delicious. Steak fork tender. Chicken Cobb salad built beautifully and quite filling. Salmon cooked to perfection. Chocolate Creme brûlée to die for. Highly recommended but add a few glasses of wine and gets a bit..

Roger Sexton

I stopped by Max's for a quick lunch and had the Adobo grilled chicken wrap. It was excellent, as was the service - as always. I plan to come her this weekend and will try the marinated lamb loin - I saw someone get it and it looked delicious.

Rick Miano

Fantastic food and excellent service especially from our waitress !!! Can't wait to come back!!!

Bobby Nason

My GF amd I enjoyed a wonderful meal out at Max Downtown this evening. The service was top shelf and the meal was fantastic. A bit of a splurge night out , but highly recommend

Short Stack

Love the renovations in this spot. Great upscale dinner. Nice for a date out with wife, or business meal. Friendly waitstaff, and fantastic food, and some high end desserts!

Sarah Mercier

Went here on Valentine's day and our experience was phenomenal. The service was supurb and the food exceeded our expectations. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants a perfect meal and a night to remember.

Kat Lucia

Amazing service & even better food ❤️ my amazing partner D surprised me with a date night here, it was a great experience! Loved this place 🥂 we had a beautiful time together …

Frank Griffin

When we need a more formal meal, Max Downtown is our go to option. You know what to expect. White linen table clothes, very professional staff, superior food in a tall, modern space that was designed to serve the business community. But that is not to say you will not find our elected officials, including the Governor or Attorney General having lunch.

James Patil

Just exactly what I was looking for. It is a comfortable elegant place. The bartender makes you feel relaxed and welcomed. The foods are very tasty and flavorful. Great steak!

Minh Chau

The four of us came here on a Tuesday night. As usual, I didn't have cash on me for the valet, and when I asked if I could pay on the way out, the valet kept responding "on the way in." Okay... Once inside, we found the place to be pretty packed - despite having a reservation, we were asked to wait 15-20 minutes for our table. Each of us had our own entrees but split a couple of sides. Each item came out pretty slowly with quite the wait in between each. I had two of the Maryland jumbo crab cakes with radish tabasco aioli. With the aioli, the crab cakes were delicious. Without the aioli, the crab cakes were great, just not as great! As a table, we also had the roasted brussel sprouts, truffled potato tots, and asparagus with hollandaise. The centers of the tots are super hot - so be careful, or else your tongue will feel the consequences. Taste-wise, I'm sad to say they were so-so despite the truffle. Recommendation is to try the truffled fries instead. The brussel sprouts and the asparagus were good, but nothing to differentiate them from those at other restaurants. I wasn't at the table when we ordered the desserts, but they were perhaps the least exciting portion of the night's meal. They were plated beautifully but the flavors were dull and unoriginal. On the way out, there was no one in sight at the front desk to retrieve our checked coats. So, we helped ourselves to the coat closet and tipped ourselves.

LitchRider

The food was great but nothing worth traveling for. The space was extremely cramped. Service was terrible. I was served the incorrect entree and had to wait twice as long. My desert was served incorrectly twice. The wait for my drinks to be served was unreasonable and I had to remind the server several times.

Nicholas Hulten

Max restaurants always deliver great food

Eric Holden

Amazing food. Wonderful service. Ambiance is stellar. Always delivers an excellent experience.

Jay Potter

The crispy hoisin-honey chicken topped with a spicy miso slaw and cucumber salad on the side was delicious. Also the cheddar and chives roll, and the salmon crudo was tremendously delicious. It's a very nice place to have a meal.

Suzanne Frey

Handled a large group with many kids very well; fish was perfectly done; those eating steaks really loved them too. Nice place to go to celebrate a special event in Hartford.

Bryan Obermeier

I frequent here for lunch and occasionally after work happy hour or dinner; mostly on the tavern side. The wait staff and bar tenders are amazing, friendly, and knowledgeable. The food is perfect from the buffalo cauliflower to the filet mignon oscar. Would recommend this to anyone passing through Hartford or calling the Hartford area home! 5 stars.

Kris P

Celebrated son's UCONN graduation with dinner at Max. Awesome food, service and ambiance. Great martinis. Highly recommend. I had the sole.... fantastic and then some. Son had ribeye and loved it. Wife's porkchop was excellent! This is a must when in Hartford!

Todd Martin

Great food. Great servers. Nice environment. Free and easy parking. Good spirits and wine list. Highly recommend for business or special occasions.

Matt

Had my one on one weeding here. We both had a great time. Champagne was uncanny! One of the greatest restaurants in America!

T. Wang

Food was fantastic and the service was exceptional and friendly. We had off hand mentioned someone in our group was about to get married and they surprised her with a cheesecake and card!

Robert

The best restaurant in Hartford. Hands down. Great staff. Thoughtful management. Excellent food. The bartenders are top notch too.

james Mobel

From the time we enter , we were greeted , to the moment we left, the staff were very polite The options are extensive and delicious. The server helped us pick out the best things to order with great wine pairing.

Brandon Butler

Always a great time. Second round there for Tomahawk Tuesdays and all I can say is what an experience! The staff is excellent as well.

Mariah Ardisson (Mini)

Baked Alaska is a favorite of mine! I think they changed the cake it comes with however, still delicious. My filet was also excellent.

Meg Carroll

I have been here a few times, most recently for a work event. I find the food good but not great and for the price, I would expect great. I did enjoy some excellent pino noir, though!

Michele Guttermuth

Lovely venue with great HH deals that are decent size portions. We got pomegranate martinits, brisket hash, buffalo cauliflower, and a soft pretzel. Overall amazing. I enjoyed the has and the drinks. the service was excellent

Crista Zatkalik

Excellent Local Lemonade vodka drink and the service was 1st class!

Scholars 3

Interesting walking friendly city. Free bus ride-Dash, if you are not into walking. Lots of beautiful scenery and places to sit, eat and chill. I had a great time.

Yona concha

The staff were all friendly and accommodating. Food is very tasty too, would definitely come back here again 😍 …

Blanca Romero Escobar

Absolutely amazing! Love the food and staff! I will always come back here for a fabulous meal and service.

Winthrop Hayes (geekabilly)

Great service and food, just need to get some fresh local beer on tap

Eunice Temple-Adams

The restaurant was very clean orderly the waitstaff was great pleasant and friendly the sous chef has a great attitude a peaceful pleasant place to go

Robert Arsenault

Max restaurants are always awesome 👌 …

Michael Teiger

Everybody likes the Max restaurants. But unfortunately I was disappointed this evening. I got the salmon and it was way over cooked. Every once in awhile and institutional star has a disappointing evening.

M D

Exceptional food & drinks to celebrate our 20th anniversary! Thank you Allison & Scott for your attention to details. We had a wonderful evening!

Molly James

A great place for a celebration. Impeccable service and delicious food. If you are up for a splurge, the tasting menu is amazing!

Kerri W

I love the whole experience. From getting my parents to agree to take ten of my friends out, then picking a very expensive restaurant, and finally throwing a temper tantrum at that restaurant. The best. Go Bantams.

Sean Meehan

Food was fine, nothing amazing about the food. I enjoy the environment but service was slow at the end of the lunch hour rush. Probably won't frequent here as I felt it was expensive for the food.

Mary Carlson

I have only gone for happy hour since the renovation, but the happy hour is one of the very best in Hartford! Also the bartenders are very talented and professional.

Elizabeth Dufresne

Everything we ordered was delicious, staff was very helpful with wine and food selections, and made our birthday guests feel special!

Penny Powers

Food, service, drinks fantastic! A must do in Hartford! Extremely memorable experience. Do yourself a favor and go there! Really yummy!

Alec Fluty

The food is great and the service equally so. Drink prices are high ( i.e. wine) but the happy hour has some great deals.

Lauren Roggenbuck

Amazing place that goes above and beyond to specialized your experience.

Selita Richardson

Food was ok and wait staff were great. I offered salmon and asparagus. Salmon was a tad bland, the asparagus was perfect.

K D

Beautiful place, friendly stagg, but the wait to get a drink is looonnnggg and it's too expensive. It's not expensive because it's super high quality, it's because it's full of businessmen they can charge high prices to.

Rich S

Food was very good, my only complaint is the menu was about 1/3 of what their online menu showed.

Paul Yoder

Staff is very attentive and knowledgeable. Atmosphere is open and inviting. Great menu selection especially lunch Fair.

Jean Louis

Great food and beautiful place to dine.

Ken Edwards

it may have been lunch, but the entrees were fit for the finest dinner - a lamb osso buco so tender you didn't need the knife provided by the extremely attentive and professional staff; if a star is rising in hartford this is it!

Braylon Krueger

Had a excellent experience in this spot with my son. The food arrived rapidly and the service is just good. Prices are fair.

Felix Lui

pricey but worth every penny. the food was superb and the service was absolutely impeccable. great for a special private celebration for two.

Thomas Voss

Wonderful pinot noir reception to benefit Max Fund.

Andy Kaylie

Great food, attentive staff and an attractive room. What more could anyone want? Not cheap, but in this case you get what you pay for.

Kelly Pinkerton

Valet parking was easy and convenient. Drink specials and food were delicious although pricey. Staff was friendly and attentive.

Rebecca Wareing

Fantastic wine list, exceptional cuisine with lots of locally sourced ingredients and the baked Alaska is to die for.

nate rake

Great food. Large dinning area and run very efficiently at lunch time. Great place for a upper scale lunch.

Glenn Blumenstein

Long day today. How wonderful to retreat to the amazing food, great drinks and the exceptional service that is the incomparable, Max Downtown

Michael

Have been going here since it opened. Never had a bad meal here. Great service to.

Fannie Ragland

The food was excellent, the service immaculate. Our waiter is the best I have ever had, ANYWHERE!!!!!

Kelsea Kang

Fantastic food - will be coming back!

Jeff Anderson

Food was fantastic & service was great. Centrally located in downtown Hartford with great happy hour as expected with the max restaurants.

jr ryder

Amazing service, food and hospitality!! Great place and can't wait to go again

Katherine Ball

Food was great, drinks were just as good, and the service was excellent. Visiting Hartford, CT for work & would highly recommend this place.

Stacey Rivera

Everything was delicious.My steak was a bit over cooked U asked for med-well ut was definitely well done but otherwise food and service was great.

Joseph Kim

Both dishes were little salty.

Maral Wozniak

They have an excellent happy hour menu, the oysters are good but don't bother with the tater tots.

Lawyer Twillie

Attention to details. Accommodating. Execution. More than a great meal, it was a great experience. Thank you to Julia and Kyle

Jean Richardson

Lovely restaurant and the food is excellent. the seating is a little tight and this distracted from the overall pleasantries. the staff are excellent.

Meg Wilson

Service was phenomenal and happy hour menu was amazing, quality food for a very reasonable price!

Alex Shiferman

Solid steakhouse with a relatively reasonable prices. Obviously steak is a big draw here, but seafood tower is a great option to share as a group.

Gene Tellier

Excellent food and service. Prices are higher than some nearby options, but very reasonable for a restaurant of this quality.

Madison Sanders

I love the redesign. Looks very chic! My meal was very good. I’m sure I’ll be back soon!

Laurie Smith

One of the best resturants I've ever been to, in thw world. Normal prices with exceptional tastes and service.

nyshira jones

Great service nice restaurant

Cynthia

Absolutely!! The best!! Dining Experience!! Food was Exceptional!! Service was Amazing! Atmosphere Spot on!!🤗💕 …

Will Avery

The attention to detail on the food was phenomenal with less capacity and the service was first rate.

david tonello

...food and service was better than my last visit (which was HORRIBLE!!!) some 4 years ago...I haven't returned until yesterday 2/14/19 because my last visit was so bad...

Orlando Taveras

The staff was excellent and knowledgeable. The food and drinks were fantastic.

Soy Amado

Max's has a great atmosphere, very attentive wait staff and management. My only suggestion would be to switch up there menu.

David Mazzaccaro

Nice higher end restaurant. $$$ but you get what you pay for. Excellent food! Great staff.

wendell stevens

Asked Sam to surprise me, it was pleasant!

Victoria Gaston

It was ok excellent service good food great friendly bartender good drinks but nothing out of the ordinaryI give it a 75% out of 100

Stephen Wong

Food and service top notch. Very good

Michael

Great bar. Awesome lunch service and location can't be beat for the area.

Yvonne Charles

Really nice restaurant with great service, friendly staff and super delicious meals. Great quality!

Patsy Mundy

The food and atmosphere at Max Downtown never disappoints. The ribeye was amazing!

Juvon V.

Excellent service and food. Downtown prices tho. Worth it but come ready.

Brian Smith

The best steak I have had in awhile, outstanding bartender in Scotty, love the renovation.

Ganesan Ravishanker

A bit too crowded and cramped. Excellent food. Knowledgeable and courteous waiters.

Rachel Cohen

Was in the area and had to stop in always a fantastic meal highly recommend this place or any max restaurants there all fantastic!!!

Elise Campbell

Has a great selection of foods.. Their foods obviously prepared well.. I love their food presentation..

Shontelle Ifill

I attended Max Downtown with friends for girls night out. The customer service, food and atmosphere were all amazing!!!!

kelly ann

Someone acknowledged me the moment I walked through the door and she was very professional and polite. A good experience overall.

Doug Alexander

Perfection. And drink this Amorone wine here.

Zaidy Rod

Amazing food exelent service beautiful peaceful place.

Brendon Darna

Great food! Service was top notch. Very highly recommended!!

Jay DeSimone

Best place for happy hour in Hartford and the regular menu is top notch!

Drew Sanga

Amazing atmosphere. Would absolutely recommend for a special night out

Mitzi Green

Wonderful atmosphere, fabulous cocktails, delicious food and gracious service.♥️

Nick Fedele

Best happy hour in Hartford. Scott is the best!

Heather Pighetti

Beautiful bar and excellent bartender and service.

Daniel Chieffo

Great service, food, and atmosphere. Looking forward to my next visit.

Tony Costanzo

Steve and his staff are exceptional! Great dining experiencing from start to finish...

angela johnson

Located across from the convention center, the entrance says it all! Very romantic and elegant atmosphere -- reserve for special moments for sure!

Jarek G

one of the few places worth visiting in hartford. not a knock out of the park restaurant but delivers a double every time.

Bill Jones

Excellent business lunch venue. Most definitely the best in town.

Sarah Breyfogle

Delicious! Best gluten free cheeseburger ever! (Celiac safe!!!)

Dawn Brown

Great food ，Fast and great service。

Michael Rogers

Good food and friendly staff. Exciting vibe in the bar area.

Doris Ortiz

It was my first time here last night. Excellent service and food.🙂 …

Peter Smat

Great food, wait staff is awesome, suggestions are dead on.

Theresa McKeown

Professional, courteous staff! Excellent food!

YellowCab Tablet2

Every time I go here I get water with ice. That the only thing I can afford here 5 star for the water and yes I will be back.

Geraldine Jacobson

As always, consistently excellent food, service and ambiance.

Tyler Smith

Excellent restaurant. A little pricey but you probably knew that going in.

Marla Rian

Colossal shrimp is my favorite here however sometimes it's over cooked. Hit or miss.

Marshall Montner

Excellent service, good food

David Doyka

Great Food! Excellent Service! Recommend to Everyone!

Yanitza Yepes

Everything was absolutely delicious! Try their baked Alaska it's to die for!

Marta Morales

Had a wonder dinner here tonight with my boyfriend, Michael Shall, delicious prixfix menue.

John Hennessey

Great food, great atmosphere, best service anywhere!

miguel nooks

I totally recommend as one of the must visit places in hartford.

Lydia Neals

I enjoyed my lunch thank you.

Theodore Gandy

Outstanding food, excellent service and wonderfully ambiance!!

Jimmie Smith

BARTENDERS COULD BE MORE FRIENDLY - YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO SET THE TONE & MAKE EVERYONE FEEL COMFORTABLE - NOT JUST FAMILIAR FACES -

Henry Barsky

Excellent menu. Very good meal and service.

Mark Tourangeau

Great staff and happy hour food processor are great

Thomas Higgins

No place bette after 21 years. Steve runs a superior venue for food and mood

jody tommy

Great steak, Great Stafff, and Whiskey...need I say more.

Enzo D

Best happy hour. Hands down.

Scott Laggis

Awesome as always. Waitress was top shelf

Ryder P

Great service. Food is top tier.

Sam Ensogna

Expensive but great. Excellent service. Cowboy ribeye was excellent.

C Padin

Great food worth the money

Shirley King

Apps and drinks, always good service and good food selection well prepard.

Joe St. Martin

Everything is lovely. Have them shear off the end of the champagne bottle with the saber.

Arin Canbolat

Very nice bar and very friendly staff. Highly recommend.

Gregory Lifhits

Fantastic food. Hands down the best one of the Max chain.

Kurt D

Staff was very helpful, food was great and service was top notch.

Mark Noneman

Outstanding meal and service in the heart of downtown Hartford.

Jonathan Thulin

Went here for restaurant week and was beyond satisfied. Cant wait to go back.

Ian Provencher

Amazing food and very classy setting.

Ron B

Take out meal, they forgot to pack my dessert.

Vivian Foote

It is a lovely place and the food was excellent.

Natty Bryan

The staff was very courteous, and the food was great

Tan Bronson

More emphasis on glitz than I care for. Food was tasty.

John Titor

My favorite spot, great live music amazing food

Mirosław Kuziel

My favourite place, quite expensive but the food quality and place are at very high level

Kandip Patel

went to this place last year but was really nice and classy

Julie Pertillar

Excellent food excellent staff friendly environment!!!

M Tuscano

Hella bougie and overpriced but great whiskey and service

Tien Pfrancher

Enough has been said about their service, food, atmosphere.

Buck

It used to be much better. It's not a favorite spot any more.

Blake Vernam

Amazing food. Great service.

A LEV

Delicious food and friendly wait staff.

Monica Bustell

Great service and atmosphere. Would definitely go back.

carlos ospina

Very good selections and delicious food

Beth Karassik

Great food and drinks❣️

Amy Tran

Never had a bad meal here.

KAT GONZALEZ

I had a good time food and wine on point

Christophe ECORCHARD

Nice meal and meat. Good ambiance and services

Jesse Burke (Jesse)

Hannah was 5 stars!

Raymond Barkoski

One of the best meals in my life.

Michael Morgan

Excellent meal, very good service

Noel Martinez

Good place to meet with friends and family

Matt Johnson

As Good as it gets for Restaurants in the Hartford CT area!

Mike Carter

One of the best three places to go in Downtown Hartford.

Carlos Mouta

Very good food, excellent wines

David Pettiette, Jr.

The specials were on point not to mention the amazing service.

Peter Bellefleur (PeterB)

If you go here and don't get the baked Alaska, you are cheating yourself.

John Schroeder

Great food! Great atmosphere!

Hernan Mendez

Great Seafood!

Mark Sullivan

great food. terrific service

Mark Sanchioni

Been addicted to their chopped salad for years.

NYCFOTOMEDIC

Good service good food but over priced

Jonathan Reich

food is ok, could use some customer service classes.

Dolores Fields

Amazing food, great restaurant.

Stefan Paneczko

Great food and drink.But $$$$

R G

Great staff! Even better food!!

Jaime Hourihane

Nice steaks great ambiance

Isabel Escobar

Lovely location and great food

Kash Saraiya

The food was good but overpriced.

Jeffrey Beebe

Excellent Food & Atmosphere!

gabriel alicea

Scott is the best bartender ever!!

Ifihadda Nikkel

Probably the best restaurant in Hartford.

Chris Sifnakis

Best Happy Hour in Hartford.

Phaze Ellis

Food and service were splendid

cale hollis

Good food

Rajdeep Guha

A little on the expensive side but food is good

Yumac L

Great spot nice drinks

John Shulansky

An excellent dining experience.

Mark Wolfe

The food and service was excellent

Ervin Santiago

Must go, and return. And then go back with friends. And repeat.

Scott

Great whiskey selection!

Simone Frith

Amazing! this place never fails.

Troy outlaw

Good food

Jeff Kabir

Great steak and wine.

William Borgen

Baked Alaska was amazing!

Frank Khadijah-Hajdu

Excellent food and service!

Anthony Toledano

Great drinks and location.

christopher norton

Great food , great ppl

Bradley Yates

This place almost is in line with Ruth's Chris

François Laliberté

Good service, good food

Lanie Gambrell

Great food and service.

John Samson

I was very impressed with everything.

Andrew Wilkinson

Great time with coworkers.

Mike Santilli

Excellent food and service

J Stenberg

Fluke on leeks....delicious!

cj v

Always delicious !

ftroop ct

Great business lunch

TSS

Good food and good service

Chuck Weiss

Fantastic service and food

po ting

Great service experience!

David Schenberg

Inpeccible service and food. WOW, just Wow!

Lyle Wray

Top notch food and service

Mike Hudson

Fantastic all around

J. Moore

Worth it.

sean barstino

Amazing food!

Angela Pitch

Great place to eat

LarryLove Hamilton

Very good food

ERIK ALBRYCHT

Great upscale experience

Sarah Dillon

Very pricey

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