The Essex

Name: The Essex
Address: 247 Main St, Old Saybrook, CT, United States, 06475
Telephone: (860) 237-4189
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.8

4.8

1034 Reviews

$31 to $50

American

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2 people

16 Feb 2025

19:00

Booked 8 times today

Good for special occasions
Innovative
Charming

Set in the heart of downtown, across from the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, the “new” Essex will continue to offer the progressive, modern, approachable cuisine that has made it a top restaurant in the region. Whether it’s a pre-theater dinner, a casual gathering with friends, or a tasting menu for a special evening, guests can gather at The Essex to create memories with family and friends while enjoying excellent cuisine.

The Essex menu showcases modern American cuisine that draws inspiration from the land, sea and deep heritage of the Connecticut River Valley, using the freshest locally sourced products available from farm and sea. All will inspire an ever-changing menu of progressive interpretations of timeless dishes.

"Voted Best New Restaurant in New England" Yankee Magazine
"Best Restaurants in Connecticut" CT Magazine
"Not to be Missed" Town & Country Magazine
"Rising Chef Star" CT Mag

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
American, Contemporary French / American, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service
Hours of Operation
Fri, Sat 16:00–22:00 Dinner Tue–Thu 16:00–21:00
Phone number
(860) 237-4189
Website
http://www.theessex.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive Chef
Colt Taylor
Private party facilities
Your Special Events Destination: Elevating the Dining Experience on the Shoreline.Contact Colt@TheEssex.com

Location
247 Main St, Old Saybrook, CT 06475
Area
Old Saybrook
Cross Street
Across From Town Hall and The Katharine Hepburn Theatre
Parking details
Parking in Rear
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Gift card

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What 1,034 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.9Service
4.8Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Connecticut
Innovative
Middlesex
Best Overall
Middlesex
Best Food
Middlesex
Best Service
Middlesex
Best Ambience
Middlesex
Best Value
Middlesex
Innovative
Middlesex
Neighbourhood gem
Middlesex
Great for fine wines
Middlesex
Romantic
Middlesex
Good for special occasions

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

The Essex offers an "outstanding" dining experience with exquisitely presented dishes and a "phenomenal" chef's tasting menu praised for "flavorful and creative" courses. Diners appreciate the "excellent service" and attentive staff, especially at the bar with bartender Dylan. The cozy atmosphere and inventive dishes make it "a wonderful culinary adventure."

1,034 Reviews

S
Steven
VIP
New York City
13 reviews
5.0
13 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent on a snowy night. Food could have been a little warmer.
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C
C
New York City
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We came for the Valentines special tasting menu. Normally I am not a fan of the bloated vdaypreset menu, however at $165 per person this over delivered and was truly special! 9 courses of excitement, attentive service, wonderful wine and an unpretentious atmosphere. The food, I mean this was the best meal we have ever had! The surprise winner of the night? “The Beet”. No words can even do justice to a simple roasted beet with a magical ride of adventure! And the best part? As they said, this is not a one off for the holiday, this is just like any other night at the restaurant with their tasting menu!
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r
robin
VIP
Greater Boston
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Never disappointed!! Food and service were excellent. Dylan continues to make our experience a wonderful one
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A
Alan
San Francisco
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always any enjoyable meal with inviting creations, and great service.
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R
Rob
New York City
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
It was our first time there and we were looking for a special experience for Valentine’s Day and the Essex delivered on all counts! Very memorable meal. Highly recommend…
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j
joan
Philadelphia
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on 7 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
One of the best dining experience my husband and I have ever had.
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I
Isabella
Rhode Island
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 2 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Went as a special treat for myself and ordered the chef’s tasting menu. Everything was phenomenal, with a thoughtful variety that all felt very cohesive, and the entire staff was attentive, friendly, accommodating, and just overall lovely. I will definitely be returning in the future.
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P
Paul
VIP
Greater Boston
20 reviews
5.0
20 reviews
Dined on 1 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We did the Prix Fixe menu at the counter and it was fabulous. The food was outstanding but watching the chefs at work was just amazing. Highly recommend.
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p
pat
Greater Boston
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on 1 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food and service were both outstanding. We sat at the bar, and the bartender Dylan was very helpful in his food choice suggestions. We enjoyed our meal immensely and will definitely return
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A
Angela
New York City
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on 28 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent service! Food portions perfect size! Need more gluten free options!
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FAQs

The Essex is rated 4.8 stars by 1034 OpenTable diners.

The Essex does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

16 Feb 2025

19:00

Booked 8 times today

247 Main St, Old Saybrook, CT 06475

Additional information

Cross Street
Across From Town Hall and The Katharine Hepburn Theatre
Area
Old Saybrook
Hours of Operation
Fri, Sat 16:00–22:00 Dinner Tue–Thu 16:00–21:00
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
American, Contemporary French / American, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Parking in Rear
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Colt Taylor
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.theessex.com/
Phone number
(860) 237-4189
Private party facilities
Your Special Events Destination: Elevating the Dining Experience on the Shoreline.Contact Colt@TheEssex.com

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card

The Essex

Make a booking

Additional information

Gift card

Menu

What 1,034 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is The Essex restaurant rated?

Does The Essex offer gift cards?

Is The Essex currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Additional information

Gift card