Powered By OpenTable: Restaurant Reservations. Right this way.
Restaurant Reservations - Free • Instant • Confirmed

  • Liv's Oyster Bar

  • Online Reservations

Reserve at Liv's Oyster Bar

Date

mm/dd/yyyy

Time
Party Size
Liv's Oyster Bar
Liv's Oyster Bar

Liv's Oyster Bar Details

  • Dining Style: Casual Elegant
  • Website: http://www.livsoysterbar.com
  • Email: livsoysterbar@sbcglobal.net
  • Phone: (860) 395-5577
  • Hours of Operation: Happy Hour: Mon, Weds, Thurs & Fri 4-6pm
    Dinner: Monday: 5:00pm - Close
    Wednesday & Thursday: 5:00pm - Close
    Friday & Saturday: 5:00pm - Close
    Sunday: 5:00pm - Close
  • Payment Options: AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
  • Cuisine: Seafood, American
  • Executive Chef: John Brescio
  • Dress Code: Casual Dress
  • Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
  • Additional Details: Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Farm to Table, Full Bar, Gluten-free Menu, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Special Events & Promotions: Mon-Fri: Happy Hour Menu 4-6 PM
    Weds: $1.00 Oysters (Ending 4-30-2014)

Getting there

  • Parking: Private Lot
  • Parking Details: On Street or Parking Lot behind the building
A word from Liv's Oyster Bar
Opening in 2006, Liv’s Oyster Bar quickly became a dining destination in Old Saybrook. Inspired by his daughter, Olivia, and years of experience in the restaurant industry, owner John Brescio set out with a desire to welcome the community to his family’s table. Dining at Liv’s, whether in the main… room, at the bar, or on the patio, is an experience to be savored with friends and family long after summer on the shoreline has past.The combination of easy comfort and really good food makes Liv’s Oyster Bar in Old Saybrook such a find' - The NY Times.Continued
Foodspotting photos
See all photos >
Diner Reviews
  • "It was $1 oysters so it was quite busy on a Wednesday night. Its been awhile since I've been to Livs, so the new[to me] menu was a happy surprise. The fresh oysters were, as usual, phenomenal!! I also had the fried oyster sandwich--a bit more upscale and unique than an oyster poboy and quite good. The others in our group had the beet salad[yummy I was told] and the BLT salad with buffalo shrimp--will try that next time. My only complaint is that service was quite slow that night--first experience with that issue--so I would perhaps blame it on the crowdedness and possibly a bit short of servers? It didn't affect my intent to return for another batch of $1 oysters!"
    Dined on 4/9/2014
  • "Great food , great staff ... Fresh seafood ... What's better ? Love the easy of Open Table too ."
    Dined on 4/2/2014
  • "Liv's in probably the best restaurant in the area overall. The food is consistently good and the service Saturday night was terrific. I would say generally, from our visits there over the past year, the front of house staff could use a little personality. I think they try too hard at trying to be exclusive. That said, don't let a little attitude deprive you from a truly wonderful dining experience."
    Dined on 3/29/2014
  • "Very nice spot. It had been sometime since we went to livs as our prior experience was marred by an overbearing waiter. Wedge salad was excellent as was our choice of wines by the glass. Winter flounder was very good with the mushrooms making the dish. Seafood Fra diavolo had a generous amountBig Bro Stand-Up Paddleboard, Red of shrimp calamari, mussels and clams. Sauce had a zing but not much flavor. Service was relaxed but attentive. I noticed some casual dining options on the menu which could make this a regular Friday night spot. We'll be back."
    Dined on 3/28/2014
  • "Found Liv's on a random Yelp search and ended up finding a gem! Got the oysters (naturally) and they were really delicious. The seafood is great, but it's not strictly a seafood/oyster spot. They have plenty of options to choose from. I had the short ribs and they were amazing. I would definitely recommend this spot to not only seafood lovers, but to folks looking for a really nice dinner out."
    Dined on 3/15/2014
  • "Liv's is a nice fine dining restaurant with an emphasis on seafood and a raw bar. We go before shows at the Katherine Hepburn Center, which works out because you can walk to the theater after dinner. We've been here many times and always had good service and a very nice meal. Last night the flounder stuffed with crab was delicious. Highly recommend this spot for a nice dinner."
    Dined on 3/22/2014
  • "Have never had a bad time at Livs. Great oyster selection, and the trout is fabulous... one of the best fish dishes ever."
    Dined on 3/21/2014
  • "Always consistent fresh seafood! But don't forget about a great hanger steak. No excuses needed bring your friends."
    Dined on 3/17/2014
  • "The Oysters were amazing! Some of the best I've had! The rest of thermal was delicious as well."
    Dined on 3/15/2014
  • "2 consecutive visits; food rated 9/10, and I would recommend this place to anyone looking for very good fish/seafood in an nice atmosphere. Prices are moderate and noise level is comfortable."
    Dined on 3/15/2014
  • "We had a great dinner Friday 3/14. Everything was top notch. Will come back for sure."
    Dined on 3/14/2014
  • "The quality of the food made this one of my favorite meals."
    Dined on 3/14/2014
  • "Liv's offers some very tasty oysters from the east coast area at a great price on Wednesdays in the winter. The smal, local restaurant has a nice ambiance and the staff is friendly and helpful. We find that the other offerings are just as yummy as the oysters, eating mostly fresh fish dishes. The fried cannoli is a tasty ending to a pleasany evening."
    Dined on 3/12/2014
  • "We love Livs. It is our favorite restaurant for date night and mine for girls' night. You can't go wrong here. The food is great and the servers are attentive!"
    Dined on 3/10/2014
  • "The food was very good, but the noise level was so loud that we had trouble hearing each other talk."
    Dined on 3/8/2014
  • "We were a little disappointed this time because the shrimp toast we had last time, which was fabulous, was no longer on the menu. I ordered the trout, without the sauce, and it was dry as it had been frozen."
    Dined on 3/7/2014
  • "It was our first time there. We had a great meal and lovely server. Plan on returning in th future with family/friends."
    Dined on 3/1/2014
  • "We ordered 2 of each raw oysters and they were as fresh as we have ever enjoyed. Michael, our server, hovered inconspicuously in the background and only appeared at appropriate, non-intrusive intervals. So, the oysters were great. Could anything be better for carrot and celery munchers? Try the truffle-infused French fries coated with Parmesan!! We had a light summer Loire Valley white, a Sancerre, to bring all together. The dining areas at Liv's are rather compact, but the tables, given the space, are remarkably well-arranged. We paid $120 for a dozen oysters, a wire bucket of fries, a bottle of wine, and delightful conversation in a terrific setting. Good value for us, but others might consider this pricey. This is an abbreviated review."
    Dined on 2/28/2014
  • "Our party of four - each with a different meal - enjoyed excellent food and service. Every app and entrée was well prepared and presented, and flavorful - and every dish was devoured. Service was pleasant and prompt - but not at all rushed. The only let-down was the dessert: two orders of their cappucino gelato (tasteless) with so-called "chocolate-covered pretzels:" (tiny sticks with their tips dipped in Hershey's syrup). However, the dinner was satisfying enough that this did not dim the experience (I shouldn't have dessert, anyway). We'll return."
    Dined on 2/16/2014
  • "Food was tasty but portions were tiny. Paid $30 for the halibut special and got a 2-inch cube of fish. Left hungry. Otherwise experience was good but nothing exceptional. Terrible value for the $$$."
    Dined on 2/14/2014
  • "Liv's has an exceptional menu, superb wine list, unmatched service, 5-star food preparation."
    Dined on 2/16/2014
  • "Consistently amazing food. Shrimp Toasts, Tuna Tartare, and New England Clam Chowder with Bacon, Chive a Biscuits were a flawless beginning. While the menu has wonderful old stand-by's - the fries, the amazing raw bar - there also always seems to be something new just when you were hoping for a little something different. And whatever it may be, never disappoints. I had an amazing halibut entree (special), while my husband and daughter enjoyed the hangar steak - both cooked to perfection. Desserts were a perfect ending -S'mores in a Jar, and the Meyer Lemon Meringue Tart."
    Dined on 2/14/2014
  • "The Food was excellent and Brian provided us with excellent service. Our friend drove down from West Hartford, because he considers Liv's in his top five list of restaurants in Connecticut. Quit a compliment coming from the West Hartford food scene."
    Dined on 2/6/2014
  • "Service showed great attention to detail, food was excellent, but shy on quantities, sitting on the main entrance was not a positive but unavoidable due to configuration"
    Dined on 2/1/2014
  • "The food quality and service were good. We started with crispy oyster appetizer which is as good as I've had anywhere. My wife had the lobster role which was very good. I had braised ribs which were boneless and not as tender as expected. It consisted for three small pieces no more than 6 0z. total."
    Dined on 2/1/2014
  • "We look forward to trying out more of the menu. Also seems like a great place hang out at the bar for apps with friends."
    Dined on 2/1/2014
  • "I would say taken the leadership position in Old Saybrook area! Great!"
    Dined on 1/31/2014
  • "Liv's never disappoints--went there with another couple, who were very pleased also"
    Dined on 1/30/2014
  • "Great night for inexpensive and delicious oysters! We ate a lot. Didn't like the mussels in a cream-type sauce nearly as much. Loved the beet salad and the polenta & mushroom side. Make sure and make reservations! It was busy. Wish the wine list for reds was bigger!"
    Dined on 1/29/2014
  • "Both my entree and my date's entree were delivered to our table barely warm. We chose not to complain to our less than friendly waitress since it was late, we were hungry and we did not want the food reheated via microwave or heat lamp."
    Dined on 1/25/2014
  • "Superb oysters and such variety! Service was exceptional and menu focused but suited to any tastes. Scallops with risotto was my favorite and beet salad, dessert and waiter fantastic. Will return for sure!"
    Dined on 1/24/2014
  • "We has planned to go on Saturday but they were very busy so we decided not to go. Instead we went on Sunday and had a very nice dinner. The restaurant was not busy and, as a result, it was not very noisy. The biggest complaint I have about Liv's is the noise level when they are busy. It is very difficult to hold a conversation with someone. The kitchen was not busy so we did not wait a long time for our meals. The hanger steak and braised short ribs were very good. The meal presentations were very good. We asked for an expresso but the machine was broken and we asked for a grappa but they were out of it. For dessert we had cannoli fitters and they were uneventful except for the buttered rum sauce."
    Dined on 1/19/2014
  • "Shorts Ribs delicious, Oysters divine .....consistently fantastic. Service outstanding.....Michael was our server. Can't wait to return."
    Dined on 1/17/2014
  • "great oysters. the menu has changed recently, was getting a bit stale, good, but needed a boost"
    Dined on 1/17/2014
  • "Once again, we enjoyed a wonderful and magical dinner here. A Liv's Martini is the ONLY way top start your evening here. There is always a wonderful and diverse selection of very fresh cold oysters as well. Then on to the menu with which you cannot pick any losers !! Every item we have enjoyed has always been wonderful and memorable. Service is professional and helpful always."
    Dined on 1/16/2014
  • "Always love Liv's and go when we can in the off season. Never during the summer because of all the summer tourists. The oysters are amazing, as is the food overall. Can be noisy and is definitely expensive, but worth every penny."
    Dined on 1/11/2014
  • "My husband had the Surf and Turf Pho. The lobster was rubbery, the filet-overcooked. My friend's husband and I had the Zuppa di Pesce-I ordered it "as is" in terms of hotness-rated an 8-9 by the waiter, my friend's husband had it at a 3-4 hotness rating. When our dishes were served we checked to see if I had received his order because the hotness level was nowhere near an 8-9. I would say maybe a 4. My friend's husband's dish had a barely detectable hotness rating. The sauce was mediocre at best. The buccatini was overcooked. There were approximately 6 other parties in the room, no larger than 4, therefore it can't be that the chef was overwhelmed with orders. If I do get coerced to dine there again, I'll stick to the oysters."
    Dined on 1/9/2014
  • "The best scallops I've had! Nicely prepared with a great melange of flavors. Never had such tiny, tender brussels sprouts. Interesting preparation of lobster and filet mignon - an oriental presentation. We'll be back!"
    Dined on 1/10/2014
  • "Appetizers (especially the oysters and calamari salad) offer wide selection. Calamari salad with pepper and lemon is a treat. Entrees are interesting, thought out, and well prepared, though tuna flavor was hidden."
    Dined on 1/10/2014
  • "We look forward to winter in Old Saybrook because Liv's has $1.00 oyster night. Also, they are the best prepared and presented we have found anywhere. They need a more modest-priced menu feature also."
    Dined on 1/8/2014
More reviews ›
Larger map ›
Smaller map ›