The Essex

French Restaurant $$$ 4.5 (280)


The Essex is celebrated for its exceptional dining experience featuring a creative and frequently changing menu. Customers highly praise the authenticity of the food, with many dishes showcasing fresh, local ingredients and innovative culinary techniques. The restaurant's cozy atmosphere and attentive service further enhance the overall dining experience, making it a popular choice among locals and visitors alike.

Overall:

4.5

(236 reviews)

Authenticity:

4.4

Atmosphere:

4.7

Service:

4.2


Restaurant website: Website

Phone number: (860) 237-4189

Address: 247 Main St, Old Saybrook, CT 06475, USA

Opening hours

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 4:00 – 9:00 PM
Wednesday: 4:00 – 9:00 PM
Thursday: 4:00 – 9:00 PM
Friday: 4:00 – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 4:00 – 10:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

Photo gallery

Service options

  • Dine-In Available
  • Takeout Available
  • Reservable

Offerings

  • Brunch
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Beer
  • Wine
  • Cocktails
  • Dessert
  • Coffee
  • Vegetarian Options Available

Amenities

  • Outdoor Seating
  • Live Music
  • Restroom Available

Good for

  • Good for Groups

Payment options

  • Credit Cards
  • Debit Cards
  • NFC Payments

Parking options

  • Free Parking Lot
  • Free Street Parking

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair Accessible Parking
  • Wheelchair Accessible Entrance
  • Wheelchair Accessible Restroom
  • Wheelchair Accessible Seating

Top Recent and Curated Reviews (10)

**Some reviews are curated to assist in analyzing authenticity, atmosphere, and service. These reviews enhance user feedback and help us provide better insights. Your genuine reviews make all the difference—share your experience today to enhance our ratings!**

" Enjoyed a lovely meal at The Essex. The open bar seating is a great way to engage with the chefs. The menu is creative, and while I expected to be wowed, I found some dishes to be a little too unconventional for my taste. Still, the experience overall was delightful, and I would try again! " (*Curated Review*)

" This was an excellent fine dining experience. The portion sizes for the tasting menu were surprisingly filling, which I found great for sharing. The dishes had great authenticity, especially the local seafood options. The ambiance was upscale yet comfortable which made our family dinner very special. " (*Curated Review*)

" We had an enjoyable time at The Essex. The food was generally tasty, but I would say not all dishes matched up to the hype. The dessert options were stellar, though! The open kitchen concept is fun, and the staff members were friendly. Could use a little more attention to detail in the main courses, but will give them another shot in the future. " (*Curated Review*)

" Had an exceptional evening dining at The Essex! The atmosphere is warm and inviting, perfect for a date night. We opted for the 7-course tasting menu, and each dish was a delightful surprise. The lobster bisque amuse-bouche was an incredible start, followed by the chef's specially crafted courses using local ingredients. There's a perfect balance of flavor and presentation. I highly recommend this gem! " (*Curated Review*)

" The Essex Restaurant is a true gem on the shoreline! The food was as delightful as expected, and a real highlight was the amuse-bouche that kicked off the tasting menu. The kitchen was open, so we saw the chefs in action, which added to the already welcoming and personal atmosphere. We had a wonderful time, and I can’t wait to return! " (*Curated Review*)

Archived Reviews (226)

" Great dining experience, but I felt some dishes could use more authenticity. The steak was good, but on our trip, a couple of plates seemed to lack depth of flavor. However, the ambiance and service were top-notch, making it easy to overlook the few missteps. Would recommend. " (*Curated Review*)

" It was a charming dining experience. The food had a creative flair, and although the tasting options could be a tad expensive, the quality was undeniable. The service staff was friendly and full of recommendations. I enjoyed it overall, but a couple of dishes could have been more authentic flavor-wise. " (*Curated Review*)

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