Reviews of Max's Oyster Bar. (Restaurant) in Hartford (Connecticut).

Max's Oyster Bar

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371 Comments

Restaurant

Seafood restaurant

964 Farmington Ave, West Hartford, CT 06107, United States

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Information of Max's Oyster Bar, Restaurant in Hartford (Connecticut)

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Open hours of Max's Oyster Bar

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Reviews of Max's Oyster Bar

Brayden Ainzuain

Lovely place with outdoor seating. Since the weather is still nice, we grabbed a table outside and spent a couple of hours lunching. The service was outstanding. Lovely people! We had the Cajun oysters in their special menu which were the highlight of the dining experience. The crab cake and sauce was also good. The lobster roll was almost perfect but it did need a bit more seasoning. The Max’s paella was too watery and lacked flavor. I wouldn’t get that again. Tips: - Easy to get a reservation for lunch during the week but after 5pm it gets busy and I’m guessing for dinner it’s packed - Sit outdoors if the weather allows for it

Yachai Reilly

One of my favorite restaurants in West Hartford. It never disappoints. Love going in the warm months so I can sit outside. Seafood is my favorite, I love that you get a small card where you can check off what type of seafood from the raw bar they can bring you. Drinks, of course, are great. Plenty of space to accommodate larger parties.

Tatyana Makarov

This place is one of my favorites. I love coming here with my clients, with my friends and with my family, all year long. The food is absolutely delicious. I don't have a favorite dish here because EVERYTHING tastes so good! The decor is always on point, and atmosphere is very welcoming... Highly recommend it! Your realtor Tatyana.

Natalie Kasipol

Mediocre experience, a bit disappointed considering all the glowing reviews. Our waitress was absolutely wonderful. However, our server, the girl who brought us our food, had the most sour look on her face and was very curt. No idea what happened to her but gosh, I hope she feels better. The shellfish sampler platter was good, could use a less stingy portion of tuna tartar. The clam chowder was good, kind of standard. The calamari was probably our favorite part. I was really looking forward to the Seafood Paella but it was so underwhelming. The rice was flavorless and plenty overcook. The seafood amount in the dish was pretty generous but even that didn’t save the dish. I only ate a quarter of the paella. The cocktail was also not that strong. Overall, a disappointing experience for such a hyped up place.

Zoey Hodge

This is my new favorite spot. The oysters and clams were fresh. The service was amazing and thank you to our waiter Ronald!! The drinks were good and my favorite was called “Always Sunny” they make them strong. I highly recommend this restraunt for seafood and steak you can not go wrong here. They also have beer from local breweries and the seafood is also local. Highly recommend you stop by and give them a try!

Phúc Võ

Recommendation: Cocktail: Rosé Sangria. Starter: Oyster Sampler, Mexican Street Corn Salad. Entrees: Georges Bank Sea Scallops, Crispy Soft-shell Crabs. Dessert: Blueberry Cake (by Executive Pastry Chef). . Detailed review: Another beautiful afternoon at West Hartford. The public parking was full. It took me 10 minutes just to find a spot for my car. Luckily, we left early so we were on time for the reservation. The host and waitress were friendly and helpful. Shelby gave us a very detailed description about her suggestions. We ordered Watermelon Sug and Rosé Sangria cocktails, Oyster Sampler and Mexican Street Corn Salad for Starter. My wife got a Georges Bank Sea Scallops and I got a Crispy Soft-shell Crabs. About the taste: - Rosé Sangria: fruity, not too strong, refreshing. - Watermelon Sug: this cocktail is fine. It's not good enough for me to recommend you to order it, but it's still good. - Oysters Sampler: a bit salty (which is normal for North East oysters), fresh, meaty. - Mexican Street Corn Salad: really fresh and delicious. Instead of using regular bread croutons, they use corn bread croutons, which is good. I am not a big fan of vegetables but I can tell you can't go wrong with this salad. They noticed we are a couple so they automatically splited our salad into 2 dishes. Small thing but nice thing. - Georges Bank Sea Scallops: insanely delicious! Scallops are incredibly fresh, sweet, buttery, and fragrant! Very well paired with pesto, light corn risotto, and grape tomato. - Crispy Soft-shell Crabs: it's really good. I can say this is the BEST soft-shall crabs dish I have ever had so far. They have a perfect sauce to accompany the crabs. - Blueberry Cake: moist and delicious, not too sweet. It's a good size to share between 2 or 3 people. So for the food, I gave it 5/5. For service: 5/5 (the food came out really fast) Atmosphere: 4.5/5 (finding a parking spot is not easy) . If this is your first time at Max Oyster, tell the waitor. They may have a free "chef welcome". For us, we got Smoke Salmon on Tortilla Chip and Chocolate Truffles 😘👌. Never mind what I said about parking, I highly recommend you to come and try out my suggestions. Once you do and have a great meal, give my review a like. 😉

Melissa M. Seville

Went here for date night. The ambiance was very nice. The service was good. The main parking is in the back of the building and free. It's in the center of West Hartford. Where there are other places to fine. He made reservations so I'm not sure if they take walk-ins. Overall, very nice. First time going and was not disappointed.

Stacy Marie

Our server had a great energy about her. She was knowledgeable and friendly. The food was excellent. It was my first time and we'll be back for sure.

Joseph Kim

Went for lunch and ambience was nice. Clam chowder was good (not salty like most restaurants). Paella had lots of seafood and other ingredients.

Mark Frisch

Went looking for a nice dinner on a Sunday and it did not disappoint. Our server (I think his name was Chad) let us order at our own pace, very attentive and not overbearing. We had oysters and calamari for appetizers. I had baked lobster, wife had scallops for entree. Everything was prepared well. The copious amounts of children who arrived in their best sweatpants detracted a bit from the ambiance, but we still enjoyed.

Lisa Barall-Matt

I must simply say I LOVE this restaurant and visit weekly for lunch. I have pretty strict dietary needs and the chef does a fantastic job preparing my meal based on what I change up in the menu item. I usually ask for Stephanie as my server as she’s a doll and the most pleasant server I have encountered. She knows what I can and cannot have and makes sure the kitchen knows. I bring others with me who have not eaten here and make sure to introduce them to Stephanie. The fish meals are my absolute favorite and a welcome meal to my week!!!!

J Soto

Always the freshest seafood, great service and atmosphere. Can be very, very busy before and at dinner time especially at the bar after people get out of work.

Mariann Dobbins

We went out to celebrate my birthday. - my husband and myself. We had Will as our server. He was super hospitable. Although at first we thought service was slow - in retrospect - it was paced out perfectly. He served all our needs & made our dinners to perfection. He was not just a server but was also communicative in talking to us about life & travel. He was a comfort in our dining experience. He gave our birthday dessert on the house & we appreciated that. My experience before that for a friends birthday was top notch with a house provided appetizer of ahi tuna, dessert on the house with champagne for each of us. I was sort of expecting the same experience - but all in all a great dining experience. Thank you.

Juan Velazco

My wife and I went to celebrate the previous day before valentine's Day. We were having an awesome time. The food and drinks were awesome! And the services were excellent! My wife loves it and she wants to come back again! She loved her food max paella and I love the steak that I order. We definitely will recommend to others to come to this restaurant

Tiffany Meredith

Oysters were excellent our server Kylie was very friendly and attentive cocktails were mediocre but overall a great experience

Jessie Bouclier

So, everything we ate was ABSOLUTELY delicious. Our experiences of trying to eat gluten free there haven't been ideal, however, they did have a gluten free roll, and one of the servers seemed relatively knowledgeable. The food was delicious, would've gotten 5 stars if it was just that difference.

Bruce Piquette

We have dined at the bar on Fridays here for three times in the past two months. The bartender Jeff is so helpful with not only the drink menu, but so on top of the food. He is fantastic! Must go to place

Emily S

We were amazed how every dish tasted amazing. Strip steak cooked perfectly, broccoli rabe was too. Very tall, juicy burger - too tall to bite at once. Fries better than McDonald's ... oysters and shrimp were huge and flavorful. OMG best clam chowder I have ever tasted too. Like I didn't know clam chowder could taste so good. even the caramel sauce dripped on the dessert plate tasted incredible ??? they got me licking the plates

Rinna Star

Well this place was absolutely Devine! It was my first time here and although we didn’t have a reservation we were immediately offered the option to sit at the bar and tended to right away. Our waitress was friendly, professional and gave her honest suggestions on drinks and oysters to try. We were checked on through out our time there and our meals came out relatively fast. Being a seafood lover the food was delicious and overall it was great space, a lovely ambiance that was lively but not overwhelming. A must try spot if you’re visiting Blue Back Square.

katherin allen

Wonderful restaurant. All the Max restaurants we have been have never disappointed us. Menu has variety without having 100 choices. Server was very nice. Highly recommended.

Jacob Torres

Go after 4p.m it's happy hour. Super inexpensive food that has amazing flavor. There bartenders are awesome guys as well. It's atmosphere is great for date night, or even some drinks with friends in a clean comfortable environment.

PAUL Schmitz

We had a wonderful time last night at the Oyster Bar Restaurant in West Hartford before heading to the Bushnell. We hadn't been in a few years and we were so very pleased with our waiter Zach and all the food we ordered. We had oysters and collosal shrimp for starters and Ahi and scallops for dinner with a split chopped salad that were all perfect. We'll be back again real soon. Such a beautiful and well run restaurant.

StaceyMarieSings

My first time having dinner here with a friend (previously been for cocktails) and the service was excellent. Steven, our waiter, was extremely polite and attentive and the food/drinks were great. The grilled octopus was the best I've ever had and amazingly tender. We also had the strawberry burrata salad, lobster bisque and friend calamari. Would go again!

Rich L

Great place for a date or business meal, food was perfectly prepared and our server was attentive and very helpful!! 5 star experience!

Elizabeth Richardson

yummy upscale bar for brunch in downtown West Hartford. patio seating. mimosa and build your own bloody Mary option! great menu items, good service and clean, spacious, trendy environment. would definitely go back for dinner, drinks or snacks!

Harish Gowda

Great place for the best seafood around… definitely it’s bar and bartenders are awesome… it’s always on my go to priority list

Stephen Famolaro

Great place for oysters, clam chowder and lobater rolls!

Mike DeAngelis

What a great place. We didn't have a reservation so we sat in the bar area. The food was fantastic and the happy hour prices were very reasonable for it being a white tablecloth place. The clam chowda and lobstah rolls were to die for!

Cristina De Araujo

Simply delicious. The whole experience from start to finish was exceptional. Ambience was relaxing, food and drinks outstanding. Will definitely go again.

Brandon McTizic

Very polite and attentive staff. Food was fresh, hot, and to the order. I would highly recommend this place and will be returning.

Chad Gaudiosi

The food and service was great. There was plenty of room in the outdoor area, which allowed us to bring our baby without being on top of the next table.

Hasan Riaz

Probably one of the best happy hours you can find in the greater Hartford area. Happy hour prices are only at the bar though (3-6pm) so come early to find yourself a seat! $1.25 Oysters, $5-$6 draft beer, wine, prosecco, and select cocktails, and $5 bar snacks (including Truffle Fries and Buffalo Shrimp). If you want something more filling, the tacos will do the job!

Todd Matt

Max Oyster is a local favorite for fish with a compelling vibe that keep you engaged but private enough for one on one conversation. This visit went well, but service can be hit or miss depending on the time of day or if its a weekend. For a starter we had the Mexican street salad. This was the highlight of the night with fresh vegetables, great flavor and spot on presentation. Meals this visit included seafood Paella which was big on rice and low one fish. The seasonings are mild and definitely cater to the sensitive pallet. The other choice was the Scottish salmon which was slightly over cooked but the seasonings and sides made it a good meal. Max Oyster is good, but the kitchen needs to bring its A game. Sadly, most patrons seem to enjoy good and not great.

Dave Weinberg

Max's Oyster Bar in Westhartford is a really nice place to dine at. The food no doubt is Excellent. We had a great time there!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Christopher Hebert

Great service and server. Made our Anniversary diner special. My meal was fair though. I had citrus sablefish. There was no flavor to it. What was underneath it was delicious. My wife's salmon had no sauce.

Timothy A. Austin

I was shocked to realize that I’ve never been to Max’s Oyster Bar here in West Hartford. I’m a very loyal and enthusiastic fan of the Max Restaurant Group and, without surprise, had a great brunch at Oyster House. The Max’s Famous Crab Cake Benedict did not disappoint. The only let down was that the two of us ordered the same dish so I couldn’t try something else. Well prepared with a properly poached egg and a crab cake that made me want to keep eating. Good Bloody Mary bar that had plenty of garnishes to get the flavor just right. I’ll now add Oyster House to my list of Max Group restaurants that I enjoy.

Timothy Forry

Nice selection of wines by the glass, the bartender made a great Negroni. The fisherman's platter tasted fresh and was generously portioned. I loved the Cioppino. I thought the prices were reasonable for the quality of the food and the excellent service.

Michele Lesesne

Phenomenal, as usual. Can't go wrong with Prosecco and oysters! Fresh with great variety. Service is always top notch.!

Annisa Teich

Great place for ADULTS to hang out away from the other haunts in town that skew a little young. Food is always amazing, bar is awesome.

Deke

You won't go wrong choosing Max's. This place has great service with a family feel. You'll enjoy it!!

Marcus Hughes

This place is amazing. Raw bar had plenty of fresh options at a fair price. Had my brothers birthday dinner there last night. Customer service was AMAZING! Our waitress was attentive and super quick with everything. Manager was also very friendly and came to talk with us for a few. He really cares about his job and making sure everyone has the best experience there. I had the hotpot it was awesome. Others had steak or sea food platter. It was all so fresh. I have never had cod that good. Thank you for such a great time out. We will be back!

Jason Sepe

National lobster day and Max's Oyster Bar delivered the goods! From bisque to thermidor lobster to pappardelle with lobster, they did a wonderful job with the best service!

Khanhlinh Le Begin

Outdoor seating love to come here for brunch .

QUANIESHIA WILSON

Very good service! Will visit again Max salad topped with Salmon & crab cakes delicious, social distancing was followed

Tanya Cherenov

Very consistent most of the time. Love how the seafood is cooked to perfection. Never overcooked. Try to go at least one or twice a month to eat fresh seafood. So yummy. 😋 …

Nick Meers

Everything was on point! It's been a long time since I've been to a quality restaurant and been blown away by the atmosphere, service and food. To top it, we walked away with paying less than expected, which allowed us to give our server a generous tip. They made me a fan of oysters, although they have a large selection of other quality seafood options; you will not be disappointed, whatever you decide on getting. I love the vibe of the place; very much New England, which matches the cuisine. Far too many restaurants neglect the importance the atmosphere makes and is often left on the back burner. Not here. Even though it was nice outside, inside was buzzing as well. I liked that it was very busy; it was loud, but everyone was spaced out enough that your conversation was private and you could still hear each other at the same time. I don't write many reviews, (most are because of a bad experience), but this deserves a well done; top notch, all!

Joyce Y Ramon-Martin

Omg. These chefs and servers were amazing.. Seriously delish dinner

Amber Everin

Went two times this week alone! The food was that good! Next time ill upload more pictures but had salmon the first night and mahi mahi for lunch the second time I went. Service was great. Some seating in the dinning room is tight but food and service quickly make you forget. I will be back soon!!

Thomas Russo

Awesome food, and buck a shuck Monday's are amazing.

Avi Smith-Rapaport

I won a tasting meal for four people at an event and finally was able to get in and enjoy. Wow is all that I have to say. The wine pairings were spot on and the food was just delicious. Every course was beautifully presented and it all just worked. Well done!!!!! Another great lunch wow. Dinner this time. We requested a tasting menu for my wife's birthday and they didn't disappoint.

Nicoleta L

Interesting place. Interesting people, interesting staff, interesting food. Overpriced but so is everything in West Hartford. Loved the raw seafood selection, not crazy about their bread and pickled carrots.

Enzo D

One of the few places around with jumbo lump crab cocktail appetizer. Loving Sunday brunch here. Bloody Mary bar is great with $3 refills!

Wayne Parent

Wowzers, Oscar and Matt are the best most congenial people. And the raw bar is amazing. Also best lobster 🦞 roll I have had in a very long time. …

Kent Pendergast

Max has some of the best restaurants in CT; the oyster bar is no different. The staff is very friendly, professional, and fast. The food is always impeccable in both quality and preparation and the atmosphere fits the other elements perfectly. The oysters and drinks were both delicious.

Jeff Panella

I have been going here for years. The service and food and atmosphere is amazing. I have eaten all over the world and this is my favorite restaurant. Happy hour, clam chowder and seafood is amazing. Tim at the bar is a great guy and an amazing mixologist. Great job Max!!

Mark Vollinger

Wide selection of raw bar options. Oysters from CT., MA, WA. Excellent. Courteous staff, nice vibe

Crystal Blass

Excellent option for a private party. Rest of the restaurant was busy on a Monday too, it's a popular and delicious spot.

Javad Sadr

Food and service are perfect. Staffs are very professional and also the atmosphere is really good.

Alexander Tattersall

Three thumbs up: fantastic food (oysters are a must, as the name of the place suggests!), wonderful staff, warm and cozy atmosphere in downtown West Hartford

Mik Nosmoth

Seating staff is very rude I side stepped them and went into the bar area. Very busy establishment. Service is slow but friendly. Menu is overpriced. Raw oysters are delicious.

Timothy A

Place is top notch good food service is great had Michael as are server he was great Def recommend this place

Cheryl Wilson

The food is superb! I will definitely be back🌺 …

Ngan Le

Insanely good scallops that are sweet, buttery, and fragrant! Corn salad is so refreshing and tasty that you can’t stop eating.

Simon T Katan

For the elegance of the place the food is not good. Also for the price, can not give more than 3 star. It was not crowd and the service was average.

Jason Ayala

Can't go wrong with oysters, scallop ceviche and the chocolate truffle beignets were absolutely decadent

andres gonzalez

Fantastic food, delicious oysters. The forgot about us for like 10 min but after I let them know they didn't skip a beat(it was pretty busy) The lobster was fantastic and the beers are cold

Vera Kushner

Always amazingly fresh, innovative creative and delicious! Make sure and save room for dessert!!! Or multiple!... As they're always adding on to the already established, delicious staples!

Molly Zembko

Went for Happy hour - great food and drink options. Had the calamari and raw bar shrimp. Both delish!

Sihan Jin

Top seafood restaurant in Connecticut, high quality food, good atmosphere. Like this place!

Ben

1st visit, won't be the last! Christina was an excellent server who had fantastic suggestions for wine and sides to go with the meal. Great embiance and decor, too. Looking forward to the next visit!

amrita chakraborty

The oysters were pretty good. They no longer have happy hour though. The haddock was pretty good.

Daniel Sieck

This place is consistently excellent, both the food and drinks. The raw bar is incredible, and it’s definitely worth getting the seafood high rise if raw bar is your thing. It’s a nice space, and I’ve found that the service is always excellent. Special shout out to Phillip, who really went above and beyond! He was extremely informative and friendly, and wonderfully attentive. Highly recommended.

maria wat

Such a classy classy place!! They add an extra Touch of Class to the dining experience!! I almost never order soup when I'm out because I love soup steaming hot. The server puts a bowl on your table and the server pours you're steaming hot soup into your bowl. That's just the beginning of the classy dining experience! An even better story is 13 years ago the love of my life took me to Max' Oyster bar on our first date. I was hooked when I knew that a man thought enough of me to take me to such a classy restaurant, with flowers no less.

Jennifer Kuper

I've been coming here on and off for years, and the food has always been just ok, but over the past few months we've had outstanding food! And they are the only place in my rotation that will make most dishes gluten free for me. The drinks are expensive, and could use a bit of a heavier pour for the price, but the service is always great. This place is back on our weekly rotation.

Boris Shusterman

Great dining experience! Super fresh products prepared the right way, attentive service, and relaxed ambience. What more do you need? A place to come back to.

Chimere Cooke

Very consistent in terms of food and service. The food is very fresh, very tasty and over all the presentation is amazing. The service is pretty fast for a busy Friday Father’s Day weekend. Although parking is bananas in the area the manager was very accommodating since we were late for our reservation. We sat outside to dine and it was a beautiful night. I will be coming back.

John Trollope

Quite good but not sure of the price as my boss paid.

Meli Morash

This was our first time been in that area. We found them by Google.What a great food and service..

Elena Enchanted

Ridiculous long wait for dinner sometimes. But the food and service is incredible.

Telan Niranga

Really good food there. Love the oysters and shrimp. Preferred for HH with huge selection.

Quintero Eduardo

One the best restaurants I been love the food and service

Shanyelle Young

Excellent service tonight from our server, Annalise and staff. Food was excellent. Good vibes all around. Thank you Annalise, and the Manager, Sean, for making sure we had a great experience.

Joseph Murrell

Amazing Brunch, just sad Happy Hr is gone 🥲.

Harry Lee

I wish this restaurant would bring back their happy hour back. I miss that. Such a awesome atmosphere

Steve Bahrani

Been here twice visiting with my daughter. Very professional experience. And great food!

Edward Hobbs

Awesome selection of fresh and delicious seafood. I had 2 of each type of oyster they had plus thai calamari salad. Everything was just wonderful. The bartender also makes great drinks. Thanks for the great evening in West Hartford.

Mary Au

Wonder meal and great service oysters were fresh and sweet

Carol R.

Wonder Lunch At Max Oyster Bar this Saturday! Great Service, delicious fried Oysters, Well seasoned paella, the whole experience was excellent!

Rick Ensminger

Really cool place to have fun and eat! 😍

Crispin Del Nero

Great service but of course at a premium price.

Krishna Ragunathan

The food here is generally excellent with an awesome raw bar selection! Would highly highly recommend the seafood paella, not only is the volume of food excellent, but also the taste and the amount of seafood is absolutely amazing. Also the beignets are delicious, perfectly filled with molten dark chocolate, my favorite dessert in West Hartford.

Peter Byeff

The food and service were excellent. I had the mussels and clams to start and they were wonderful in a broth with garlic and jalapeños. My wife had a great salad. I had the soft shell crabs as an entree and my wife had the Maryland striped bass, both of which were great. Although the restaurant was very busy, the service was excellent and social distancing was fully observed.

Scott Cooper

Brunch at Max's is always good. Started with started mussels and clams, steak and eggs and avocado toast entrees are great picks. Fish tacos and the fish sandwich are good choices as well. Drinks are well made and timely. The chocolate mousse cake is delicious, but I'll have to take the word of my GF on that.

Joe DeFeo

The service is always fantastic, and the food is always fresh. Kudos to them for being consistently good all these years. A huge wine selection, and meals that will fill you up.

Nicole Rickson

My daughter and I sat at the bar and had an amazing meal. From start to finish, everything was super fresh and tasted fantastic. Our bartender was great! It was our first time there, and we will be back!

Patty Arnestad

Went for New Years Eve dinner. Probably the best dinner of my life! I ran by all our choices with our waitress,who was gracious and very helpful. She concurred that they were all her “ favorites “ and we couldn’t go wrong! She was 100% right....hands down the greatest dinner ever. Thank you to all of you at Max’s,may you all have a safe and healthy New Year! Patty & John

Hash Tag

The best Oysters I’ve had in a while 😎 …

Teresa

Food and service exceeded expectations. The resturant decor was well appointed.

JENNEKEN ROBINSON

This was our 1st time at Max's oyster bar. My daughter had the swordfish special which was cooked to perfection. I had the clam's casino which was OK and also had the whole snapper which was overcooked and dried. I'm used to them deboning the fish at tableside which was not done at this restaurant and if I had to at least they could have provided some moist lemon wipes to clean my hands. Our waitress Kylie K was very nice but she was not very attentive she spent most of her time off the floor where the waiters and waitresses wait. The restaurant was not busy at all and she was almost non existent.Went there to celebrate my birthday which was not even acknowledged. Having dined in numerous fine dining from NYC, NJ,Pa,Europe, etc.I was disappointed that not even a slice of cake with HBD was presented. It's a small thing that means alot!

J KR

A must go to restaurant great food and service. Out door patio

Peter DellaBernarda

An exquisite dining experience with fine menu selections and a very knowledgeable service staff, Kimberly, Jeff, and Matt who knew all the particulars about each dish. Celebrated our niece's birthday and received outstanding service. My paella was excellent with a generous serving size.

Matthew G

Came here for some drinks and appetizers later on a Saturday night. This place had a very lively crowd. As with anything in the West Hartford area, prices can be a bit steep. But, the drinks and food were delicious.

Wanessa Anderson

Outstading food and service. The quality, preparation and presentation of the food was on point. Our waitress was fantastic. She even told us about how much does she love to work for this restaurant based on the fact it's her favorite place since childhood. We had a great time!

Diyana K

To be fair I was kind of disappointed of our last visit in there. I don't know if they were understaffed or what, but we started with one waiter, then another waitress said she would be the one serving us. With all that confusion we had to ask 3 times for lemons for our waters. The soup we got somewhat quick, however for the meals we had to wait more than 30 minutes. I have to give the fact, that is seemed that they had some kind of a company event that night, which was clearing out as we were seated so maybe that what delayed our meals so much. No idea. We had the silverware for the bread and butter on the table, but we never got them. I had to ask for it as more than 30 minutes later we were still waiting for our food(mind it that it was around 9p.m. and there weren't many customersat in the restaurant at this time). Bread was kind of cold when served. Our meals surf and turf and seafood pasta were OK. I can't even say they were as good as some of the food I have previously had there before. I really hope that this was one day thing, and this is why I am giving the 4 stars and not 3, as it is a pretty pricey place to pay for an average quality food.

KrystalA Green

Um? This restaurant is TOP NOTCH! Came here today on my birthday by myself, with no expectations. I do dine multiple places and I am impressed!. It's not about the amazing food and drinks prepared from scratch with a range that dates back to before i was born, it's about the SERVICE!. It's about the professionalism but also the fact that they are relatable! The people that dine here regularly probably take this restaurant for granted. New-comers will know how good it is. FAST, FRIENDLY, HOSPITABLE, ENGAGING. I ate, I drank, I laughed. I will be back with a bigger party multiple times. If you don't know it, come and try Max's Oyster Bar.

Jody Reade

Delicious food. Great server!

Cornelius Chase

Service was great, food was good which isn't a bad thing. You can tell they really focus on their chilled seafood towers. We had someone in our party that ordered the pot and asked for the kimchi on the side due to the spices but it was mixed in which caused some issues. I would definitely recommend this place but make sure to make a reservation.

christina costa

Always a great experience here. Starting from appetizers to almost the desserts. The seafood is amazing, I like to order the raw bar anything from clams, oysters, crab legs to lobster is so fresh and delicious! The meals are a great size and are tasty. Service is always exceptional. The dessert menu is why I give this restaurant 4 stars. There isn't much to choose from for desserts and I love my sweets! I frequent Max's restaurants although not always one to get their dessert. It is highly recommended to make reservations!

Pete Morandi

Incredible food and service. We had various appetizers and entrees which were all delicious!

Rick Andisio

Normally our dining experience here is excellent. Recently though, our group dined there and the experience was less than satisfactory. The fried oysters that my wife and I love were undercooked and disappointing. In addition to that, it was very difficult to redeem our points for the $100 credit earned. The wait staff seemed uninterested and not engaged until the check was delivered when she was all giggles and smiles. Absolutely not what we expected on that day.Our next West Hartford dining experience will be at Treva. Sorry!

Troy Ellison - TKT Fatherhood

OMG! My wife had me cancel our reservations at Ruth Chris. Because she heard so many great things about Max Oyster Bar. Well let me tell you, we were greated with smiles and awesome service from start to finish. Their service and staff was GREAT and attentive to our needs. Max staff took really good care of my wife and I. Made us feel as if we were their special guest. Shout out to out waiter/bartender Joesph, his service was like no other. And the the food was FRESH!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Max Oyster bar and TEAM!!! My wife enjoyed her 50th and we will return 😊

Mike L

What I loved most about this restaurant, besides the great food, was the ambience. You could go sit at the bar and have the same, relaxed, and enjoyable night as if you called ahead and made reservations. They are obviously well known for their seafood, but their other options are great. Their classic burger was perfectly cooked, medium rare, and the fries were delicious. Will definitely be back!

Adam Smith

Food was good, drinks were good. Not sure who the guy was who served the drinks , very alert asked us if we needed anything, awesome. 3 stars was because of the waiter, took our order came back almost 20 minutes later to confirm what we had then back again 10 minutes later to ask what did we select for temperature cook of meat. The only thing that kills a place is bad service. Update.. went back again, only because I never had an issue with food. Low and behold I have a server named JOE, outstanding service, attentive, willing to help and just made an amazing suggestion that I loved. For the service for him they get my five stars, hopefully you will feel the same. Lunch menu is amazing just FYI

Ankur Jaiswal

Excellent seafood options. Everything was fresh though it took longer than expected to server despite an early dinner. The Max's paella was excellent and so was the clam chowder. Can't complain much about anything. Will definitely eat here again when in the area.

Dane Geddes Buehre

The seared tuna was delicious and the clam chowder was worth the visit

M Donohue

Very nice looking restaurant. It was very busy. A ton of staff was working. They were all very welcoming. The waitress was very professional. Drink we’re good. Nice that they have changed over to paper straws. Whole belly clam special great. Fried zucchini blossoms needed seasoning. My husband asked for haddock fish with a Parmesan coating on top of the trout setup. Waitress said no problem. It came out without the Parmesan coating. She did notice but he chose not to send it back. It was good. I had the lobster risotto which was also under seasoned too. The lemon ricotta berry tart didn’t taste like it had an lemon in it . The peanut butter cake was good. Probably won’t be back. We have had much better meals and Max Fish and Max burger.

Richard Russell

I've eaten here a few times over the years. I stopped going here because of my main issue. First the quality of the food is very good. I would give the food 4 stars. It is generally well-prepared and tasty. The main issue I have is the layout of the seating and how close you're sitting to the table beside you. You literally have no privacy at all in your conversation in this restaurant and it is very awkward to sit so tightly in a restaurant. Especially one at this price level, which should afford to you the luxury of a little more space. It takes away the ambiance and the overall dining experience is ruined.

Oksana Liteplo

This place was great from the staff to the food! We went for a birthday & the restaurant treated us a few freebies! I will definitely be back! Oysters were fresh, calamari and sea scallops were delicious!

Dan Weiswasser

Fresh seafood and great service in an upscale setting with indoor and outdoor seating options. One of my favorite restaurants for special occasions. I've never had a bad meal here. Great raw bar options. Not many options for those for abhor seafood. Save room for desert!

Yelena Podgayevskaya

Went there for our 30th Anniversary. Our server Veronica was very welcoming and friendly! When she found out the reason we were there she got us cake pops for dessert, it was so nice of her. Great atmosphere! Amazing food!

Jeremy Kalafus

I love being attended to when dining, and our server, Steven was exemplary.... courteous, friendly and knowledgeable. The oysters were fantastic, the tuna and prime rib excellently prepared and the manager very gracious in bringing us a complimentary scallop appetizer, glasses of champagne and cake pops because we were celebrating our 16th anniversary. The meal was served at a slow, methodical pace and my wife and I sat and enjoyed each other's company for nearly two-and-a-half hours. A great evening had at Max's Oyster Bar.

Dan Butler

While the food is exactly what I would have expected at a higher end seafood place, the service is what set it apart. Our server was prompt and visible without being in the way. When it took way too long for our order to arrive he purchased the table a round of wine. The mood was perfect for an after work cocktail and dinner. We sat on the bar side and so the noise was a little higher, but not so loud that we couldn't have conversation. I would go back here in a heart beat.

warangkana Nunta

We went there last night 08/07/2017. I love the food there. We order fresh bar 'skyscraper' on the menu said it's for 6-8 people but I love seafood so they all mine. Then my husband had burger and I had hotspot for dinner. The food was excellent! Chefs know how to cook. I have been many American restaurants. After half plate I have to give up from too much gravy and fat. I never feel good in my stomach when I get home. But this place they have all kind of taste (sweet,sour,spicy). The chefs here really know what they are cooking. And of course our server is very polite and friendly. We didn't have to wait too long for food even then We don't mind if we have to wait. This place is going to be my another favorite restaurant in west Hartford. Thank you Max bar for making me have a wonderful time with my family after I had a long hard weeks work.

Ryan McKain

Can't say again how much this restaurant leads the pack. It's our go to for any occasion. If you like seafood you won't be disappointed. Service is almost always impeccable. Ambiance is festive without being a frat party. Happy hour offers great options. Bartenders mix fantastic drinks. Form special occasions to just a great night, Max Oyster Bar gets my highest recommendation.

Daniel Chieffo

True to the Max Restaurant Group, fantastic service, atmosphere, and food.

Kellie c

Waitstaff was very friendly. Food was great. Lots of options on the lunch menu. The sangria was awesome. 👌

Alex Kendall

I have been to this restaurant many times to eat and just for beverages. It's always been a great experience. The food has always been delicious. The Max chain are very good at dealing with people that have gluten issues and Max Oyster is no exception. Just let your waiter know before ordering. They have no problem checking with the chef if they aren't sure either. Just really great service. I recommend this place to people all the time.

Lindsay M

Delicious food, great staff, and a wonderful atmosphere made my intimate wedding perfect! We enjoyed the wine room, and closing the doors gave us the privacy we wanted. We had an amazing time! Highly recommend this restaurant!

Monica Cusano

Went sunday night, received a table for 2 immediately. The food was fantastic! Had the grilled octopus,raw oysters and fried oysters for appetizers. Had the haddock and fisherman's platter. Cant complain about any of the food. Our server seemed a bit frazzled, all the tables were filled. But everything was pretty awesome.

Jaime Aniskoff

Delicious food, drinks are fabulous... and the staff is amazing!

Kenneth Harding

I really enjoyed my first experience here. Got dinner for two and ate on the patio. Food and service were both great -and an enjoyable atmosphere. It's an expensive place, but I would recommend it. I'm not an oyster fan, but it was fun to try. The salmon was fantastic.

Marrisa 1997

The food was Yummy & our waiter was really friendly. I will definitely be back to try other menu items.

Nancy Sadlow

We went to Lunch today, we both had the Haddock, it was delicious. Our Waiter Phillip was outstanding, knowledgeable and very professional. We highly recommend Max Oyster bar.

Shara Donovan

Very nice and helpful workers. They were very patient with my indecision even when it took me thirty minutes to order. The food came out quick and tasted good. Will definitely be going back.

Stanley Huang

The oyster are very fresh, very good seafood restaurant.

Monique Smith-Williams

Nice place, but too tight! The food was just ok for an up scale restaurant. I expected more from the steak for sure! The server didn't explain the menu it was like talking to a child to get info on the menu! The baked oysters were great! I would've give them a five but the steak was bland and the presentation was was none!

Craig Ober

Fantastic table server on this particular trip. Food has yet to disappoint, seafood tower with over 10 items was fresh, delicious and great presentation. I come up 2-3x a year from Florida to visit best friend, its great to get back to New Eng. each season, and awesome to drop in on Max' Seafood, Yummmmy

Mesha

Wonderful place to have fresh seafood and great drinks. The short rib is amazing. Buratta,to die for. Servers are good for the most part. I typically request “Saki” because she’s such a sweet soul. But tonight we had Tina, and she was amazing as well. Definitely recommend any Max location . But for this one in particular, make sure you make reservations; if dining on the weekend!

Jonny Quest

Max's Oyster Bar never disappoints. Took a party of seven. Everyone loved their meals. Service was prompt, courteous, and professional. Our server Ardit was great!!!

Tommy Doitright

What a beautiful little elegant place in such a nice little city food was outstanding The service was impeccable! We had a young girl as a server I believe her name was Analyse she was so professional and courteous took care of every needs! Would definitely go back there again and we do not live in Connecticut we live in New York what a nice little place a plus to your staff!

kevin share

Stopped in for appetizers and drinks. The clam chowder is awesome. Also they have gluten free rolls and entrees. It is always spot on for the food and the service. The Salmon BLT was great as well. And the wine selection was plentiful and diverse. This is a regular stop when I am in the West Hartford area. I recommend it to anyone wanting a great dining experience.

Randi Freyer

Was an excellent choice as out of towners. Would definitely come back here. The oysters were excellent and the home grown produce and meat used was definitely noticed. The place fills up fast so a reservation may have been helpful. From the apps to the dessert it was all unique and fabulous the sea bass was an excellent non-farm fed choice!

Jeff Raphel

UPDATE: We went back here with some friends on a Saturday night and what a difference! Service was slow at best and non existent at worst. We waited for about 15 minutes for a server to just come greet us. Our wine took another 15 minutes to make it to the table and get opened. We were never offered bread, it was only brought after we asked for it. I had the bone in filet again and again, what a difference. There was not much meat in the bone for $44. It was left under the broiler for too long on one side and it was charred to a crisp. Overall, very disappointed with our experience. So the end result is that the food and service are inconsistent. Not good when you are paying $100 a person with drinks. We probably will not go back here or recommend. Our server was awesome (sorry forgot her name) she was very attentive and friendly but, not over bearing. Our meal was awesome although my wife's $18 lobster tail was smaller than expected. I had the bone in filet and the wife had an 8oz filet with the lobster tail as an add on. When we told the waitress we were celebrating our anniversary she brought out a nice small dessert and a card. I thought the card was a nice touch. The desserts were as great as the dinner. I had the raspberry chiffon cake and my wife had the creme brulee. The atmosphere was nice as well busy but, not too loud. I highly recommend Maxs!

Tara Cordner

Fantastic food. Great staff. Peter took amazing care of us, joking with us the whole way. Expansive choice of oysters, as to be expected. But the other seafood is unique, flavorful, and exquisite.

Richard Hannan

Sitting at the bar is always a nice experience. The bar tenders are very competent in their craft and you meet great people. Tried the "Raw Sampler". I've had this on more than one occasion. The chilled mussels didn't seem very fresh and there was an abundance of sand in the clams.

Ιωαννης Πουρσαιτιδης

This day off I had to choose between three different restaurants. My choice was Max Oyster and thanks to our professional waitress Kimberly, we had an amazing experience!!! Food and service there are in a high level. I suggest it to everyone who likes sea food. Thanks Kimberly, thanks Max's Oyster restaurant for our great moment!!!

Natalie Campbell

Always great oysters on the half shell. Fish delish, this time swordfish. Only complaint, too noisy. Feel like you're in the middle of Farmington Avenue, tables too close with unmasked eaters.

Sarah WeHa

Still hasn't gotten old! Sometimes we forget about the Oyster Bar because there are so many newer options in the Center. Realized my mistake and put this back into frequent rotation like in the old days. Food is still phenomenal, as is the service. Probably the best and most consistent option in town.

Michael Crowley

Didn't know it was West Hartford Restaurant Week, but took advantage of the menu created for the event. Had some really good oysters, drinks and meal. The server, Nathaniel, was extremely attentive. Will head back there when I am in town again. Recommend it and make reservations!

Stephanie Richards

Arrived and they gave us plates of carrots — seemed odd but were deeelish! They had a slight dill pickle flavor - Wow! Service was excellent and the waitress recommended the tuna bowl. OMG again deeelish! Highly recommend the place. Oh and the oysters we great too!

Nathan Samuel

In a world of mediocre food and overpriced faire, this establishment shines with excellent wait service and a truly wonderful dining experience. From when we arrived, to our meal end, it was an open and inviting atmosphere where suggestions came with true knowledge of the product and pairings were spot on. I am not accustomed to a server giving so much attention to detail with such respectable manner and this place spoiled me. To top it off the kids meals had fresh vegetables and fruits, were prepared wonderfully in a plate with separate spots for food items, and a "homemade" cookie. Take it from a blue collar guy who likes to eat well, this place does it.

Steve Boyle

Always exceptional food and great service. Bob and his staff make everyone feel special. Can’t recommend highly enough.

Paul Shipman

Great for lunch or dinner. The bar offers great cocktails too. Food is always well prepared. Seafood, beef or poultry choices are all reliably great. The chocolate beignets for dessert are a must. Professional wait staff and a stylish room make this a great bet for dates, special occasions or "just a night out" when you want to enjoy a good meal.

Happy Appy

Very expensive for mediocre food and service. Waitress seemed like she didn’t want to be there. They ran out of bread and offered us stale crackers. And the lobster in the lobster mac and cheese wasn’t even cut up to mix in with the noodles and it was very bland and small to be charged that price.

JT itsme

Delicious flavors and courteous staff combined with fast (and personalized) service make Max's Oyster Bar a place i will be guaranteed to go back to.

Lisa

Great food, great staff. Such a great place to treat yourself to. Love coming here always an amazing experience!!

Lynne Zampano

This visit was just ok. Nothing spectacular. Service was adequate but slow. My meal was just luke warm. Desert and coffee was aweful. In their defense, they removed the price of the uneaten deserts and coffees. Definitely not up to their usual standards. Very disappointed as I wanted to treat my sister and husband from Florida with some great NE Seafood. 😕

Tony Santana

Chillin with my baby girl on her birthday and this place did not disappoint! The food is fantastic and so is the service. I highly recommend starting with the Crab Louis salad and ending with the scallops!

Michael Teiger

Everybody loves to go to Max's and the Oyster Bar is not disappointing. Just pricy and the parking is a challenge during the prime time. No complaints about the food or the atmosphere. After getting great raw bar on the local Islands for much lower prices this past summer, I've hesitated to pay the mark-up. If you know what to expect before hand, you won't be disappointed or have sticker shock.

Graham Kist

One of the many establishments within the Max chain, the Oyster Bar certainly delivers when it comes to seafood. The bar is offset from the dining room, with an ice tray of the fresh catch at the back. The oysters (buck a shuck on Monday nights) are mostly Atlantic, and are clean and bright with saline and a house made cocktail sauce, served in a dish of shaved ice. The happy hour menu features both seafood and meat options, great for a small bite, or order a few more for an entire meal. A bit upscale, you will certainly pay for the price of a fresh catch, but few in Hartford do it better.

Jennifer Kuper

We visit a Max restaurant at least once a week. The food is generally good and so is the service even now with limited seating. I usually prefer Oyster Bar over Max Fish because the drinks are watered at Fish. I called ahead (oyster bar) on a Friday night and the hostess told us they were not taking reservations for outside, it's first come first serve. We got there 10 minutes later and the sour face manager holding the ipad, said there was an hour and 1/2 wait even though I saw open tables outside. So what is it?? first come first serve outside or not! We went to Zohara , greeted by a happy face got right in. (they were crowded too ) had a great meal. The confusion and sourness will detour us in the future.

luz Roman

Loved it all!! Great atmosphere and service.

Nichole Keyes

Great service and fresh oysters what more could you want!

Ryan Visci

Max's has been our go-to anniversary dinner for 3 or 4 years now. The food is good, especially the raw bar items. I would like to see the menu refreshed as it hasn't changed significantly since we started going. For the price, there is better out there.

Austin

Excellent 60th birthday lunch yesterday!

Nancy Rinaudo

Recently had first visit for lunch. Didn't have reservations but seated promptly. Busy, but not uncomfortably crowded. Mostly seafood, but few other choices available. Waitstaff very prompt, friendly, helpful. Food elegant and delicious. Will definitely return.

Mike

Decent food and atmosphere. Kind of over hyped for what it is. Not bad but not great.

Linda JamesTaylor

Ardit was a fabulous waiter! He was attentive, personable, professional, and knowledgeable (re: food choices).

wendell stevens

Sunday Lobster Bake was very tasty

M Wright

Excellent craft cocktails and super tasty oysters along with exceptional service. 20 years between visits and awesome every time!

Chandra Rivers

Max's Oyster Bar is our go-to restaurant for celebrations or a fancy night out. Practically guaranteed excellent food and service. The oysters are fantastic (and fantastically shucked), menu is a good mix of seafood and other options, and the waitstaff is attentive and personable.

Kirsten Abell

Had the lobster roll. Only had 3 little pieces of lobster in it. For $25 bucks it should be filled. Fries soggy. Clam chowder was ok. Just not worth the money. I’ll spend anything on good food but this wasn’t great.

Peter Fox

My girl and I were celebrating an amazing 2018 and thought we'd stop in for a relaxing early dinner. I made reservations on OpenTable for 4:30pm on Friday. I'll add that we live less than 3 miles away and come here quite often. We arrived and were sat immediately. But, it took about 5-8 minutes before the waiter arrived. However, after Ron approached the table he was attentive through the evening. I ordered a crown royal neat, which was a bit short and we put in for some oysters (2 cook's tour, 2 coops island, and 2 willapa). The oysters were refreshing and prepared perfectly! We also order the scallop ceviche, also very well prepared and presented. Fish tasted very fresh. (I'm also spoiled eating a ton of fresh never frozen fish from a private supplier I get on Saturday's in Westchester.) The bowl of crawfish soup was not really a bowl but more like a cup served in a bowl. Yet, the flavor of the soup was good. The grilled octopus was dramatically changed in presentation and quantity from other times we had it here and enjoyed it. There was very little Octopus and lot of small potatoes and sliced sausage pieces--quite disappointing. My girl doesn't eat potatoes or meat so the menu should have read "Potatoes, Sausage and a Taste of Octopus." In which case we wouldn't have ordered it. We ordered the crispy red snapper, a special, on the menu for the entre. The fish was prepared okay, maybe a hair done. What was surprising for the crispy snapper (deep fried), is there was no dipping sauce. There was a nice mint sauce for the rice. Even if that sauce was for the fish, it needed something more. We ended the night with the coconut special desert. The presentation was great. There was too much banana (gelato and actual bananas) for me, but my girl enjoyed it. Overall, the food was a bit off tonight. We'll be back--hopefully during an "on" night.

Nathan

Best seafood restaurant in Hartford county. The fresh seafood delivered daily is always prepared to perfection. Impeccable service by courteous, efficient, friendly and knowledgeable staff makes dining there a pleasure. I highly recommend the Seafood Tower to start your evening off!

Lee Fawber

You don't have to like seafood to like this place. Cozy atmosphere, amazing food, great beer selection. Right in the heart of downtown West Hartford. If you do like seafood, no one beats them in town. Definitely check this place out one night, or more nights!!

Maria Malfa

The food wasn't great. The red snapper special was dry. And the beet salad with goat cheese was flavorless. The server didn't chime back to refill our water or check on our meals.

Stan McDonald

You need to bring your walled filled with cash to eat here. A lot of the town's wealthiest eat here. For the average person, you can get an equal or better meal cheaper outside of this location. The food is good.

Tom Klebart

Never disappointed with a Max establishment. This is one of my favorite from the group. Excellent raw bar. Great seafood apps and entrees. Always know that anything on there menu will be good.

Lissie Brooks

Excellent food! Everything we ordered we loved. Our waitress was terrific ( Carly). It is just too noisy but not sure you can help that.

Jen N

A consistent favorite. Delicious fresh seafood prepared in any way you can think of. Very accommodating to special requests. Extremely courteous service. Very well-run restaurant. We come here a lot

stu gordon

The food was delicious and the service excellent. Fish was fresh, light and tasty. Specialty beer was very nice. The restaurant provides a wonderful ambience, which makes eating here an experience worth returning for, again and again.

Steven

New Year's Eve at home 🏡 isn't so bad when you get take out from Max's 🦪 Oyster Bar. Creamy Clam Chowder, Cheesey Roasted Oysters and sweet Streamed 🦞 Lobster. What a great way to end a terrible year 🤗 …

R F (REF)

Easily locked in our reservation for dinner for 4 through OpenTable, and they were kind enough to call to ensure that we were coming for dinner and inquiring if there was anything else they could do. We had appetizers of calamari and crab cakes. Both cooked to perfection and absolutely delicious. For entrees we had the Lobster Hot Pot, Tuna, and Salmon (pictured) we barely spoke while we ate. The dessert was awesome we had pumpkin bread pudding, Apple crisp, creme brulee, and a peach dessert.

Mi Lesesne (DandelionBlossom.com)

My favorite restaurant in West Hartford center. Prosecco and oysters are the usual, along with the calamari followed lattes and dessert. The service is always the best.

Scott Lamberson

Best Max experience yet. We had the rainbow trout and the paella. Both very good. Also had their Max red blend-really nice. Would definitely go back.

Melissa France

My company had their Christmas party here tonight! The most amazing meal and service by far! I can not say enough good things about this place. If you want a big, incredible meal, Max's is the place!!

Chris Montoya

Cute little spot! The seafood is amazing every time I go there. Lobster is always fresh & sweet. Staff is very friendly....last time I was there Mr Peterman from Seinfeld was sitting at the bar. Very cool place!

Marion Tia

What can I say! Sunday afternoon before holiday, sat in bar area, great service, great food. All the staff was happy(not complaining as I often see)patrons seemed to be enjoying the atmosphere as I was. Fun!

Lisa Trotta

Good food, great staff. Nice outdoor patio dining

Matt Piontkowski

Exceptional food. Each dish that came out was better then the one before it. We started out with 4 different types of oysters which were very fresh and simply sublime. Next, my wife and I shared a brussel sprout and kale salad that was mind blowing. It was hard for me to grasp how kale and brussel sprouts (raw mind you) can be made to taste so good. The four of us also shared one of their seasonal specials, morel mushrooms served over gnocchi with cheese, in a piping hot cast iron pan. This dish was, well, if the words divine and comfort go together, then that's what this dish was - divine comfort, in my mouth. Lastly, we split an entree, scallops over risotto. It was really good, however, I've eaten risotto over in Italy, so I suppose I have high expectations for risotto. Definitely try it if you like scallops, you won't be disappointed. Alright enough already, go to Max's oyster bar, it's the best in Connecticut.

Jessica Torres

Always a great experience. The food and waitstaff are wonderful. The paella was delicious.

James Murch Eschert

Great raw bar with discounted prices during happy hours. All the seafood is very fresh and the interior is well laid out and comfortable. The bar area is a lively and fun area to have a drink and share in the . Always great !

Miki Contreras

Me and my husband love coming here, we're here atleast three times a year. They have amazing service and don't even get me started on their food. Everything here tastes great, it is definitely a place you need to check out.

Dea A

We went for lunch and enjoyed our meals. We started with 6 oysters 2 bluepoint 2 from Martha's vineyard and 2 raspberry oysters. The oyster elixer is fantastic. They were fresh and clean. I then ordered the seafood hot pot because I love ramen period and was surprised to see it at Max's and Gary ordered a salmon blt. We wanted dessert but was stuffed. The cocktails were good, but expensive. We will go back again.

Erica P.

Hands down, the best lobster rolls around! Good amount of lobster meat and the bread is perfectly toasted. Grew up in south eastern CT so lobster rolls were easy to find and always great, but now living in central CT I'm happy to have a spot close by to get good seafood! Great service and nice set up. The bathrooms are tiny which isn't ideal and it's hard to maneuver around. Went to Max O's recently and wanted a seafood tower which was good. Lots of different shellfish which all tasted fresh. Risotto was ok, but didn't ruin my meal.

Sahmeebuilt

Awesome experience with Khalid. Great bartender!! A+++ Service. Even the crowd and our neighbors were awesome . I will definitely be coming here soon!. There is not to many places u can find around here like this . Thanks again!

Kimani Conliffe

Great food and upscale environment! Quality and freshness of food is top notch. It is on the pricey side but is worth it.

Don Hahn

Lunch with a colleague, fresh Maine oysters on the half-shell and crusted Haddock with gnocchi and mushrooms. Food was great as was the service.

SEBASTIAN DARENA

Food here is amazing! 🐟🍸🍷🥂🍖 Fresh oysters, seafood, cocktails made from scratch. Service great for the most part-- sometimes the hostess staff & bartenders are on the snobbish side. …

Mike Christel

Great place for oysters, great place to celebrate special occasions with a memorable meal!

Champion “CHAMPION LEE” Lee

My first time going to this place. I must say it's elegant fancy!. I was seated outside although, it was cold the New York strip steak was very good.

R Davis

Food was excellent.. had a lobster roll and the wife had lobster Mac and cheese. Both kids ordered off the kids menu. My son loves the chicken tenders and hamburger. Also great service.

Tay Kali

Food is good but appetizer order wasn't taken until after 20 min....been sitting for 45 min no bread had to ask for it....

Sammi

I love this place for lunch or dinner. I highly recommend their fish tacos and all the ingredients are fresh and seasonal. I've always been seated quickly and the wait staff extremely helpful and friendly.

Jose “Joe See” Gomez

They serve lobster ramen. Really wierd, but it is good. The clam selection is good too. They had good champagnes by the glass opposed to bottle. Like Moet and Vulvet. I took off one star because I do not think the food was out of this world.

Miguel Olmo

Absolutely delicious!!!! Great service.

John Stout

Expensive. Not sure it's worth it. Chopped salad was totally unremarkable. Food was tepid upon arrival to table and not particularly fabulous considering the 32 dollar price for the medium size scallops. Great atmosphere, however.

kaye Trini

Lovely evening. Good was great especially the paella and the crab cakes! Great attentive service too.

Eric Rose

Absolutely gorgeous interior and fabulous menu. The service was really enjoyable and attentive and the food was great. We hung out for 5 hours and enjoyed every minute.

Turo M

I've been here a couple times and I've tried a handful of items (food and drinks) and nothing really stood out, that is until I tried the paella. Man this paella was delicious!!! Four stars just for the paella.

Jason Sekscenski

Excellent atmosphere and the food was fresh and delicious. Personally I enjoyed the Ahi Tuna Poke bowl, it was delicious.

Greg Estabrooks

Excellent food and even better service. My fiancee and I celebrated an anniversary here and Steven went above and beyond to make our evening memorable. 10/10 recommend for a nice night out

Shayne Kuhaneck

Always fantastic. All the Max restaurants know what they are doing. Great seafood here but also other things on the menu in case others in your party are not seafood lovers (e.g. steaks and chicken).

Robert Arsenault

Max's does a great job is with everything. Max's Oyster bar is no exception. The seafood is fresh and the atmosphere is great. They also have a great mix of beers and specialty cocktails.

Elizabeth Perez

YUM! some of the best scallops I've ever had.

Vincent Finelli

A must visit in West Hartford. Excellent seafoods and creative cocktails.

Lauren Pecevich

Sat at the bar solo. Which is a fav past time for me during lunch. You really cant beat Max Oyster for fresh seafood and raw bar in this area. Jeff was behind the bar. SUPER knowledgeable about the oyster selection and wine. He deffinitly had some regulars but seemed a but put off by new comers. He didnt miss a beat with steps of service though. Tipped him well. My advice, if you dont like crowds, get there well before 4pm on a Friday. After that its poppin. CHEERS.

Max Lewin

Was waiting for another restaurant , grabbed some oysters at the bar. 4 Blue Point, 4 Wellfleet, and 4 Cherrystone clams. The oysters were tasty but the shucking effort was quite poor. Lots of shells in all three. Tendon was not cut completely on a few oysters either which was a surprise! If you're looking for just raw bar, it's average.

Megan Lock

Food was good. Liked the oysters they didn't like me though. Drink are made nice and strong. Good environment good staff!

Vetri Subramaniam

The oysters are outstanding. Nice buzz to the place; service was excellent.

Angela Jones

The oysters were great and so was the service. The food was mediocre but the last time I went it was better so I may have been a fluke.

Steve Goldenberg

Haven't been there for a while because it's too noisy, got a boot at the back and noise was ok. Had a whole fish, best dinner in recent memory. Highly recommend it.

Bryan Gromowski

Service was very slow (nearly 2 hours to finish entrees for 5 people) and the waitress completely forgot our sides. The food was good but I wasn't blown away. Probably would not return.

Kevin Butler

Beautiful, comforting ambience. Tremendous, unmatched cuisine... where else can you find Kobe steak and the selection of oysters from throughout New England. This place has CLASS.

Gabe Scott

The food was very good, and it looked very nice. However, the only downfall was the pickle. I wouldn’t even call it a pickle, just a cucumber with seasoning.

Jonathan Cohen

Ate at the high top table at the bar. Food was good as usual. Solid. Always an enjoyable meal, but nothing extra special today.

Arecee

Delicious food and INCREDIBLE service!! This is a must try restaurant. I tried the: angry lobster dish Oysters A cocktail And a warm cup of tea This is the best seafood I’ve tried in quite awhile ❤️

Cody McKay

Great food, fantastic wait staff, but just a little pricey. For brunch they have a bomb crab cake benedict 😋 …

Christine Brouillard

Went for a birthday dinner. Max restaurants do not disappoint!

Greg Hendricks

Second time here, and from start to finish everything was superb. Had the scallops and pan seared lobster, both super tender. Well worth the money

Shari Ermis

Friendly staff. Service is a little slow. Food was ok.

John Hoffmann

Terrific. Loved the salad, the main course, the dessert, even the coffee was delicious. The specialty martini was also delicious, as was the wine.

William Mis

Our waiter was excellent!

Omar Bayramoglu

This place was better than I thought. Staff was friendly and helpful. Not sure why I haven't gone earlier.

Seth S

Awesome food and incredible service!

Paul Lindsey

Very pleasantly surprised at the quality of the seafood and oysters. Fresh stuff from various locations and the staff know their stuff. Excellent wine selection too!

Allena S

It was ok, wouldn't return again. Service and food was average. Food definitely wasn't worth the money

Anatolie Criucov

Delicious seafood! Had halibut for dinner and it was awesome!

Jayson Robinson

Some of the freshest oyster ive had. Kinda pricey for each but nice variety. If you were going to head here i would suggest happy hour.

Wayne Quattlebaum

Food was very good, had fried oysters and a burger with fries. Waitress was very pleasant!

Moeed Malik

Went here today with my wife for an evening meal steaks were seared to perfection as we requested and our waitstaff went above and beyond to insure our food was cooked to our liking we will be back for sure!

Lori agnew

First time here. The food was great and my waiter was the best. I will be back!

Felix Lui

still our favorite place even though we now live an hour away. great food, great crowd, great service. the fish and raw bar are fresh and the steaks are great.

Luis Farias

Great place me and my family have been coming here for over 12yrs..there's always something new on the menu. The oyster selections are one of a kind....Love this place..

Daria Angelini

Good food and good service: they do not let you down on things that matter. Nice location with a great view on the raw bar. Worth trying!

Sara Blackstock

Good food, good drinks, excellent service.

Ellen Kornacki

The food was outstanding. Our waiter was outstanding. He made outstanding recommendations. Definitely a stop . Service great.

Craig Kleman (Klem)

Very nice restaurant, high end. Good seafood and ambiance.

Brooke Cheney

This is the only place I have ever LOVED a stuffed lobster. Also they have a great selection of raw bat items!

Kimberly Powers

Felt rushed. Sangria rouge made with subpar wine which left unpleasant lingering aftertaste. Food sat like rock in my stomach.

Alex

Love this restaurant for happy hour or even a date night! Always a great menu and friendly knowledgable staff.

Gabrielle A.

The food was so good. Flavorful and interesting. So many things sounded great and our was hard to choose. We will be going back.

Lawrence “Larry” Roberson

Food was delicious. Had an excellent selection of drinks and the food was amazing!! Can't wait to go back

Philip Clark

Love the drinks....love my hot pot with seafood.....

Zelvaninho

The ambiance is great. First time eating there and it was a success. Great place for a 1st or 2nd date. Staff is friendly and patient.

Michele Lesesne (MiLesesne)

Raw oysters, fried calamari and Prosecco al fresco! What a great way to spend a Friday with my sister from another mister 🥂🦪🦑 …

Cstar Family

Seafood tier was delicious. Busy place and good energy.

Nicole Magnoli

Great food, love this area so much!

Ann Lewis

Our server was fantastic said she was new I think her name was shanika Food and wine all delicious Definitely be back !!!

Michael Furman

Great food. Waiters know everything about food and wines they serve. Fast and friendly service.

Marc Ganych

Good food. Overpriced. Waters look like bums. Visited similar place in Saint-Petersburg, Russia. Good food, good price, waters treat you like a king.

Geoff Bocobo

Used to come here a fair amount during my time at Trinity College. One of the best restaurants in west hartford (along with Grant's) for some great american food/seafood

Aidan Garrity

Most apps and entrees are good, although quite pricey. Fries that come with fish and chips or whole belly clams are indistinguishable from McDonald's fries

Glenn Coleman

Great food and friendly staff unite in an atmosphere that is polished yet unpretentious.

Mark Nilsen

Great atmosphere with food and drinks to match. Scallop dinner was excellent. Service is top notch.

Steve E.

One of the best restaurants around and blue point oysters were $1!

Justin Calabrese

Had a wonderful time here and great lunch. Highly recommended for those who love seafood and want a nice atmosphere.

Judy Singer

It is our favorite restaurant. We love the food, we love the service. The location is great. It's the Top!

Anderlove Fequiere-Smith

One ofy favorite restaurants. From the drink to the food, everything is always so good..

Gunther Cox

The staff here are very helpful if you're not sure what kind of oysters to order, and they're also excellent at recommending a beverage to pair with seid oysters.

Charles Michalek

Service and food was excellent. Great place to eat for a special occasion. Would highly recommend the bass.

JJ Psaute

Wonderful dinner. Superb food, wine and service. We will be back!

DEBRA BATTISTA

Disappointed, max chopped salad dominated by carrots and grilled chicken while delicious was very sparse addition. 😞 …

Aaron Smith

Awesome raw seafood. Was there for a work party, servers were very attentive, food was amazing, and they were very accommodating when I had to leave a bit early.

Dee Rod

Jeff was excellent as wait staff, the meal was fantastic and the option was available to eat outside. Social distancing was followed

Otilio Perez-Colon

The food is amazing, the waitresses are nice, and it was an overall great experience.

Christy Matthews

Expensive. Not overpriced for what you get but just no going in with a $20 budget isn't going to work out amazingly well for you. The seafood seems fresh and the cooking is always high quality.

Steven M Zelman

Always great food, both taste and choice. Best service.

al barboza

Excellent service. Food was great. Had the lobster pasta special. It was delicious

Joe Latif

The best oysters around. Great prices and the bar staff is incredible. Definitely recommend this place for a great meal, especially those oysters!

Darlene Andisio

Excellent service and outstanding food

carlo capodi

Too much for two people. But, what we could finish was delicious.

Arielle Bee

Honestly it’s pretty pricey but completely worth every pretty penny! My favorite dish would be the clam chowder, it’s out of this world delicious!

YellowCab Tablet2

I never ate here but I did have there water with a lemon in it this was maybe the best water I had in years and I ask for the ice to go and she put it in a cute bag for me

Oscar Castillo

Wonderful ....especially seafood...fresh...served with a smile. Good vibes on a Saturday night. Hopping large bar area

Cal Buckley

High class, but good prices for the food and experience. Exceptional service. Fish is great as it should be

Jason Gotlibowski

Upscale seafood. Excellent raw bar.

Anne Hart

Food was delicious, server was excellent. Best halibut I have had in a long time.

Iris Kagan

I love Max's Oyster Bar. The food is delicious...the ambiance is so inviting...the service is great and I love the Oyster Bar

Brendan Quinn

Great happy hour

Corinne Dahman

Must have: oysters rockafeller! Jill was a wonderful waitress!

Brittany Wright

Our server was fantastic and the food was delicious! The raw bar was impressive.

Stephanie Sullivan

One of our favorite restaurants always 5 star service. Food always comes out perfect. Never a disappointment.

Doc

For a sit down, decent! Raw oysters were great but pricey. Lobster roll was decent.

sean williams

Everything is delicious. The fresh oysters are awesome. Very good drinks.

Big Johnson

Nice place and really good food. The service was great!!

bruce gottlieb

Consistently good. Great fish dishes, interestingly prepared, good daily specials, very reasonable lunch prices, and always, good service

Elizabeth Horneman

Really delicious food, great atmosphere and very helpful service.

Renae Conneran

Great food and beautiful atmosphere. I've always been happy with the attentiveness of the staff.

Gabriella McCarthy

Best food in town! Always fresh, always cooked perfectly! Great date night place!

Bob Zagami

Not like usual. Calamari was burnt. Haddock and chowder was cold. Waitress was nice.

Bob Conner

We always go there when we visit our friends in Avalon. My favorite place to eat seafood in Hartford

Heather Mezzacappa

Excellent seafood! The Seafood Sampler was delicious as was the Hawaiian Ahi Tuna Nachos and the Calamari.

Thomas RisCassi

Joe was immediately responsive to every request. Before, throughout, and beyond happy hour we we're served without any wait.

Stacey Hilton

Love it. Great wine menu and wonderful food and service.

John Custy

Fabulous meal, great service

Peter Spilka

Probably the best burger I've had in the past 365 days. Oysters on the half-shell weren't bad either

Sarah Smith

Hands down....the BEST place for oysters in CT! The wait staff was great.Can't wait to get back there!

Steve Erdos

Always stellar food, drink and service. But we go out of our way to have dessert there. Chocolate beignets.

Steven Runnells

Amazing place good was delicious service was awesome, waiter was very polite and friendly, loved it

Patrick McDarrah

great food! decor is fine if not bland. bar can be fun too while you wait.

Jonathan Mauriala

Can accommodate vegan options, recommend calling ahead to let them know. Had a vegan risotto, it was amazing.

Evelyn M

Always great food, great staff, great fun!! My favorite spot!

Hector Santiago

Food was good service as well

Luke Robinson

Outstanding atmosphere, service and food

Jennifer Johnson

Thoroughly enjoyed my meal here. Their outdoor seating is great in the summer.

Joseph Scaglione

Great food, service, great drinks... Our waiter was Chad... He was superb...

Besmir Alia

Delicious food and very friendly waiters, especially the Albanian one.

M Gallo

Good food and service. Pricey but worth checking out during a restaurant week special.

Sead Tupkusic

Best seafood in the area, oyster top notch excellent service price is not bad.

Frederick Yohn

Great seafood, decent drink menu, and a very friendly waiting staff.

Alcoa S

Food was delicious, service is ace and lucked out on fantastic parking. Clam Chowder a much have!

Angsty Anstey

got the swordfish and oysters! loveeeee the oysters

Erin P

Excellent service and food - don't miss out on trying this great restaurant!

Robert Deleo

This place has been on point for 20 years

Nick Sorvillo

Casual atmosphere, great seafood, great oyster selection, and top notch beers on tap. Great for a date.

Jodi Gionfriddo-Fogarty

Amazing food, great company

Terri Santa Maria

Too loud, over priced, not what I expected. Just because you're in West Hartford doesn't mean we are all rich. I could do better seafood at my home.

Kate A

Food is amazing. Love sitting at the bar. Bartenders are so attentive.

Joshua Strano

Raw bar always amazing

Bill T.

Always hits the mark. They do need more staff as do most restaurants....food was not as hot upon delivery....

Alexander Gracer

Had lunch with a big group, service was great. Everyone enjoyed their meals.

Sharon Brody

Excellent customer service !! We have gone there for our Past two anniversaries and had a wonderful time. Highly recommended

Carmen Afanador

Absolutely beautiful place, staff was very nice and the food was delicious!

Jessica Croteau

The atmosphere was wonderful, the service cheerful and the food was absolutely amazing!

james jordan

Decent seafood, but a bit pricey. It is nice, though, to get fish that is not fish and chips this far from the ocean.

Kinyata Lewis-Lester

Service was great food was great. Prices are on the higher end. But overall great experience

Nobel G

As always great meal and great service

Carlos Ortiz

The food is easily a 5 /5 what gets it portion are to small ro be so.costly 8$ for a soup that fits a plastic cup pretty much and not a red cup...cmon 2016

Joshua Kellett

Great place if you love raw bar! Fun dining experience, knowledgeable servers!

Elana Thornton

Outstanding service and exceptional food. Loved the oysters 😋 …

Peter Travers

Superlative food from appetizers through desert with service to match... overall an extremely positive experience.

Donald Spatz

The monkfish wrapped with prosciutto was superb as were the oysters and chocolate filled beignets.

jaimie Arnold

Best raw bar. The sampler platter is the best to get if you want a bit of everything.

Kenji Harris

Fresh seafood, terrific service!! Oysters were perfect!

Jordan Zinn

Always awesome here. Never had anything but a fantastic meal and experience at this place.

Hector Salazar Gallego

Great food, drinks and service, a must restaurant when you are in town.

Stacilyn Silvers-Setayesh

food and drinks were fabulous and so was service

shaun abbott

Best happy hour in West Hartford, get there early though because the small bar area gets packed.

K C

Fantastic atmosphere and staff! Seafood and salads are top notch!

Lindsay Silcox

This is where I go for oysters, great service and to splurge on a great night out

Dan Mincu

Very good place nice atmosphere great food! And if you go there try their sea food of course lol

Nelson Dooman

Food was good. However fries were on cold side and soggy.

Donald Tait

Best restaurant in west Hartford. Just do yourself a favor and go. Your tastebuds will thank you.

AWG

Great food and drink selection

Alan Levin

Wonderful munchies at the bar.

R M

Food is always good, and the wait staff professional and knowledgeable about the menu.

Michelle Boyles

Never disappointed when we come here. Everything from the food to the service is top notch.

John Yungk

Consistently good food and really good service. My only reason for 4 not 5 stars is that it's a bit noisy.

Derrick Au

The pan roasted lobster was pretty darn good

Anabela Grenier

Loved the cooke's oysters.Excellent food and the drinks were good too.

M O

Go-to for oysters. Consistently fresh. Superb service.

Tyler Platt

Easily one of the most attentive and respectful bartenders I have had. I will definitely be returning

Christian Petrarca

Went for lunch and can't wait to go back and have dinner. Great food, drinks, wait staff, etc..

April LaBelle

Classic cocktails, an oyster flight, and paella 🥘 made for a lovely evening!

April Stephens

Seafood Paella was lacking flavor. Overall experience was good!

andrew Daren

Nice intimate setting for groups. Excellent seafood and nice bloody Mary bar on weekends

Dan Br

Amazing food! Wonderful service great drink menu!

Frankie Link

so fantastic!! Drinks, food and service never disappoint.

Andrea Schneider

Little disappoinyed this visit. Food was wicked salty. Normally better. Maybe just an off night for the cook

ryan pacheco

Food was unbelievable. A little slower than expected but hard to complain when it was so good.

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