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

Max Oyster Bar - West Hartford Center

4.7 (652)
$50 and over
American
964 Farmington Ave, West Hartford, CT 06107-2102

Make a booking

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 booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 41 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 11:30–21:00 Fri, Sat 11:30–22:00
  • Phone number
    (860) 236-6299
  • Website
    http://www.maxsoysterbar.com/
  • Dress Code
    Business Casual

Concierge
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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
(652)
  • 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 offers "amazing food" with "super fresh seafood" and an "energetic vibe." The service is frequently praised as "impeccable," and the "Social Hour Menu is fantastic." While some diners note occasional noise and service hiccups, many celebrate special occasions with "exceptional" hospitality.
652 Reviews

  1. Kathleen Gold

    New York City11 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The prix fixe menu for November was wonderful. You should do it more often!

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  2. Bill Gold

    Greater Boston7 reviews

    3.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    I was rather disappointed in the food last night. I had the shrimp in vodka sauce with their home made pasta. You would think a dish like that would be very flavorful (and spicy), but it was so bland. SO BLAND! I had to add a fair amount of salt just to get any taste. And then the tomatoe sauce was this pasty substance without taste that was rather unappealing. I finished the shrimp (also without seasoning, but left the rest. Doesn't somebody taste the food before it's served? I guess I should of had fish and chips. Much less expensive. This isn't the first time either. It seems as though the food is just not what it used to be. On the upside, they make wonderful martinis.

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  3. Jerry

    New York City3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a lovely lunch. The food was excellent, as was the service. We enjoyed a leisurely meal and never felt rushed.

    Is this helpful?

  4. JoAnn Gold

    New York City2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Been a customer for a long time; love going back. The food ambiance service is all great

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  5. Andrew Gold

    New York City30 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Max Oyster never disappoints. Service and food were incredible. This is one of my favorite places for a lunch meeting. Staff is always cognizant of you and the service is exceptional.

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  6. Allison Gold

    Wisconsin3 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Excellent service, great oysters and a few nice menu updates

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  7. Joanne Gold

    Connecticut13 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I had the lobster roll and it was delicious!! Yeah, the people I were with had the scallops and they loved them as well. The waitress was very attentive and knowledgeable. The manager ( Shawn ) even came over to the table to make sure everything was great, and I assured him it was.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Jonathan Gold

    New York City8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 31 October 2026

    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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  9. Joan

    New York City15 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 31 October 2026

    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?

  10. ARLENE Gold

    New York City89 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on 31 October 2026

    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.

    Is this helpful?

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    American, Seafood, Oyster Bar
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:30–21:00 Fri, Sat 11:30–22:00
  • Phone number
    (860) 236-6299
  • Website
    http://www.maxsoysterbar.com/
  • Dress Code
    Business Casual

FAQs

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).

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

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 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.

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.

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 booking

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 booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 41 times today
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