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Interior - Max Oyster Bar - West Hartford Center, West Hartford, CT

Max Oyster Bar - West Hartford Center

4.7 (645)
$50 and over
American
964 Farmington Ave, West Hartford, CT 06107-2102

Make a reservation

A photo of Max Oyster Bar - West Hartford Center restaurant

Max Oyster Bar - West Hartford Center

4.7
$50 and over
American
West Hartford

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 42 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Lively
  • Great for fine wines
Featuring modern renditions of classic American seafood, Max’s Oyster Bar menu has something for everyone. While seafood is the focal point, there are selections for even the most ardent landlubber. Ethnic influences are apparent throughout a menu filled with new interpretations on traditional fare. The raw bar offers an extensive variety of bi-coastal oysters and shellfish.

In it’s freshman year, 1999, Max’s Oyster Bar was awarded “Best New Restaurant” by Connecticut Magazine. Since then it has won numerous Reader’s Choice Awards, including “Best Seafood Restaurant”. Zagat’s Survey has also given Max’s Oyster Bar an “extraordinary” rating.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    American, Seafood, Oyster Bar
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:30 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (860) 236-6299
  • Website
    http://www.maxsoysterbar.com/
  • Dress code
    Business Casual

Concierge
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Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Menu

This menu from Max Oyster Bar - West Hartford Center.

View menu on restaurant's website (opens in a new tab)

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Max Oyster Bar - West Hartford Center.

4.7

4.7
(645)
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Hartford

    Hot spot

  • Hartford

    Great for fine wines

  • Hartford

    American

  • Hartford

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Max's Oyster Bar in West Hartford Center is renowned for its "amazing food" and "super fresh seafood," making it a favorite for both casual and special occasions. The "fantastic" Social Hour Menu and impeccable service contribute to its appeal. Despite being "noisy at times," the vibrant atmosphere and attentive staff ensure a memorable dining experience.
645 Reviews

  1. Jonathan Gold

    New York City8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was excellent and our server was wonderful… very knowledgeable and thoughtful!

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  2. Joan

    New York City15 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The service was wonderful and so was the food - as always!

    Is this helpful?

  3. ARLENE Gold

    New York City89 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Max's food, drinks & service are always a treat. Their fall prixe fixe menu was a great value.

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  4. LaQuam

    New York City3 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on October 28, 2026

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing food, super fresh seafood always, great value, almost always amazing service. The bar seating is guaranteed to always provide the best hospitality.

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  5. Michael Gold

    Connecticut13 reviews

    1.0

    Dined on October 25, 2026

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 2
    Clearly there was something wrong in the kitchen. Our server was great but the food came out in waves, sometimes hot, sometimes cold. Couldn't figure out what was supposed to come out when. Big disappointment in a place that's supposed to know what they're doing.
    Max Oyster Bar - West Hartford CenterResponded on October 27, 2026
    We appreciate you visiting, and we are very sorry to hear about how your meal was served. It sounds like we had some confusion as to the course of your side of eggs going out as the first course instead of with the course of entrees, and we understand how frustrating incorrect plating and timing can be. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate you sharing this feedback and do hope that you come in and try us again. Please contact our Partner/GM Shawn Jones so that he can replace your entree on us complimentary next time if you choose to dine with us again.

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  6. Robert

    Phoenix11 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 22, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I was a big fan of Max's Oyster House when I lived on the East cost. For the past 23 years I have been a resident of Tucson, AZ. Of course, every time I come back to Connecticut, the Oyster House is a can't miss stop in my travels. Same service, same quality and same ambiance as my first meal there over 20 year ago.
    Max Oyster Bar - West Hartford CenterResponded on October 27, 2026
    Thank you for making Max's Oyster House a must-stop on your trips back to Connecticut. We are so glad our service, quality, and ambiance still feel familiar after all these years. We appreciate your loyalty and are honored to be part of your memories. We hope to welcome you again on your next visit.

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  7. Tom

    San Francisco3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 19, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We always love Max Oyster Bar in West Hartford Center. The food is amazing any the staff and service is great. As a special note, the Social Hour Menu is fantastic. We suggest trying it if you haven’t already.
    Max Oyster Bar - West Hartford CenterResponded on October 27, 2026
    Thank you so much for the kind words. We’re delighted that you always enjoy Max Oyster Bar in West Hartford Center and that the food, staff, and service hit the mark. We appreciate the Social Hour Menu shout-out and your recommendation. We look forward to welcoming you back soon.

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  8. Andrea Gold

    New York City7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 18, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Came to celebrate my friend’s birthday. As always, Shawn was an extraordinary manager, and the staff were top notch. Always my go-to for brunch and special occasions.
    Max Oyster Bar - West Hartford CenterResponded on October 27, 2026
    Thank you for celebrating your friend’s birthday with us and for the wonderful review. We are glad our manager and team made the visit special. We appreciate you choosing us as your go-to for brunch and special occasions, and we look forward to welcoming you back soon.

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  9. Ellie

    New York City2 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on October 17, 2026

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    We always love Max seafood west Hartford CT. This visit the food was very good, but not great as it usually is Service always good although our take home desserts were given to wrong people ( in brown bag ) which none of us noticed until we arrive at our respective homes. No big deal. We had a lovely time
    Max Oyster Bar - West Hartford CenterResponded on October 27, 2026
    Thank you for being regulars and for the kind words. We are sorry about the dessert mix-up with the brown bags — we understand how that could be frustrating. We are glad the food and service still helped make it a lovely evening. We appreciate you letting us know and look forward to welcoming you back soon.

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  10. Doug Gold

    New York City71 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 13, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our meals at Max Oyster Bar were excellent, especially the Swordfish entree, the Simply Prepared Shrimp, and the molten Chocolate filled Beignets. Our server Michael was attentive, friendly, and efficient.
    Max Oyster Bar - West Hartford CenterResponded on October 27, 2026
    Thank you for the lovely review. We’re glad you enjoyed the Swordfish, the Simply Prepared Shrimp, and the molten chocolate-filled beignets. We appreciate you noticing our attentive, friendly service. We look forward to welcoming you back for another excellent meal.

    Is this helpful?

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    American, Seafood, Oyster Bar
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:30 am–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:30 am–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (860) 236-6299
  • Website
    http://www.maxsoysterbar.com/
  • Dress code
    Business Casual

FAQs

The paella is famously generous, guests describe Max’s paella as an enormous, shareable dish that’s perfect for the table.

Yes, Max's Oyster Bar is a popular choice for anniversaries and special evenings, with multiple guests noting anniversary visits, attentive service, and thoughtful touches.

Max's Oyster Bar blends a polished, contemporary oyster‑bar vibe with a lively bar scene; guests praise the warm, well‑appointed dining room, note the bar can be vibrant (and occasionally loud), and many appreciate the quieter wine room or back dining area and occasional live music at brunch.

Business casual is the guide, think neat, polished, and comfortable rather than formal; many guests treat Max's as a spot for anniversaries and special dinners.

Max’s Oyster Bar features its main dining room alongside a lively bar, outdoor seating/patio for warm evenings, and a separate/wine room (a private-style room that’s used for gatherings of about 25 people).

Yes, families dine here: guests report enjoying lunch and brunch with family, and at least one reviewer specifically mentions visiting with their son, so children are commonly part of visits.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Connecticut
  4. Hartford
  5. West Hartford

Make a reservation

A photo of Max Oyster Bar - West Hartford Center restaurant

Max Oyster Bar - West Hartford Center

4.7
$50 and over
American
West Hartford

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 42 times today
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