Hands down the new best restaurant on the shoreline. Creative menu that updates seasonally, absolutely delicious food, cosy ambiance with great music taste that's not played too loud, and very attentive friendly service. I've been several times since they opened and almost always get the salmon. What I love is that it's not always the same dish, it changes but always heavenly. The last time it had pumpernickel breadcrumbs yum! I had the faux foi gras(yay no tortured ducks) and it was not only beautiful but delicious. Then I recently tried the tofu appetizer which was equally delightful.. hope it stays on the menu a while, I love tofu done well. I've also had glazed carrots with hummus, trout, and brussel sprouts.. all top notch. Great wine selection and well made mixed drinks. Definitely my new favorite spot. You'll need a reservation for a table most days and get there early for bar seating. read more

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I had the chance to dine at Charter Oak Tavern for the first time last night and was super impressed......my husband and I had dinner at Coast at the Ocean House in Westerly RI on Christmas Eve and honestly, the experience at Charter Oak last night was better.  The waitress we had was phenomenal! One of the friends who was dining with us has allergies and she was fastidious in making sure that nothing got into his food that he couldn't tolerate......she was friendly and just the right amount of present.  The food was fantastic....I had soup + sea bass, which were both tasty....my mixed drink (a Manhattan) was solid as was the Chardonnay. Everyone at the table was similarly happy with their food. read more

Cozy confines Fun decor Outstanding food My wife and I came here on a Saturday night for a date and found it a delightful surprise. The staff was knowledgeable and friendly, and prompt without being over-present. The menu was rife with tasty options - we went with a salad special that incorporated grapefruit and a peanut Thai dressing, a Tavern burger, a mushroom bolognese, and the house special Kentucky butter cake - each was phenomenal. Our drinks were also prepared well. The surrealist artwork all around was a subtle touch in what at first appeared to simply be a neat and tidy dining spot, just with a little more imagination than it first appeared to have. A really outstanding spot - over an hour from my home, but we'll certainly be back. Highly recommended. read more

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Excellent meal. Great service. Small, yet casually sophisticated space. Four two tops, four four tops, and eight bar seats. Great for a date night or intimate meal with a few close friends. Can hear each other while enjoying a delicious meal and great cocktails. Definitely 5 out of 5. read more

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Portions were large so my husband and I split a wedge salad and the steak. Both were excellent and ample along with apps that we ordered. Our apps: prosciutto and endive and the dates and bacon. Both the steak and the wedge salad were large and perfect for sharing. Steak done perfectly and the salad was so fresh and delicious! The waitress raved about the prosciutto and endive but it wasn't nearly as good as the dates and bacon!! SOOOO GOOD! Perfect combination of flavors! We also had a 0% alcohol beer and the chai espresso martini which was very good. Definitely recommend Charter Oak Tavern. Our waitress was very professional and attentive. I will recommend and come back! read more

Delicious dinner! The tuna tartare appetizer was so good. Smaller menu, but nice offerings. The seating is tight. Service was good.

Fantastic local spot that we regularly bring our friends to for a great experience with delicious, thoughtful dishes, great service, and a dedicated chef owner Scott and staff. The prices are very reasonable for the quality and time that goes into the menu and presentation. Our favorite place on the CT shoreline. read more

I LOVED my experience here A HUGE SHOUT OUT to SKIP at the bar! He is absolutely FANTASTIC! He is gracious, kind, polite, engaging, helpful, witty, talented & efficient. The building is a modest historic brick bldg right in the center of Westbrook. Very classically appointed decor. It's not a large establishment which I prefer - the L bar is a perfect size - about 8 seats. And they likely have around 8-9 tables. (They have a small back dining room that I didn't get a look at). They have a great wine, beer & cocktail list. A nice rounded selection of starters & entrees. And a few delectable deserts to pick from (MUST.GET.THE.WARM.KY.BUTTER.CAKE. Holy crap - Absolutely AMAZEBALLS). I ordered 2 starters: the Hamachi - which was DELISH! It was a really interesting fusion of a bunch of flavors - plus the hamachi was melt in your mouth! I also got the short rib croquettes which were very good but too heavy for a summer dish for me personally. I think a nice glass of red wine & those during the cooler Autumn or winter months would be great imho. I will DEFINITELY be returning on a regular basis. DEFINITELY RECOMMENDED! read more

We have been here a few times now. The menu is straight forward, not over inventive but everything I have had here is delicious. Great cocktails and servers are so attentive. Small venue so it always best to make reservation even during the week. My favorite restaurant on the shoreline. read more

I have been reviewing our New Year's Eve dinner experience and trying very hard to find something wrong. I have tried and tried but have been unable to. Service was great. Food was great. Atmosphere was very nice and tavern like. We will return. Happy New Year read more

We picked this restaurant from Yelp reviews and the reviews were on target! We started off with the empanadas which were delicious. I ordered the pasta with carrots and spinach in a mushroom marinara sauce. It was very tasty and such a large portion I have enough for lunch today! My husband ordered the cacio e pepe with shrimp which he loved. The piece de resistance was the amazing butter cake for dessert! Love it when the reviews are so right! read more

Place is awesome Great food Great drinks The service was excellent Already have reservations for the next visit read more

Had everything I enjoy in a small restaurant- excellent service - interesting menu - calm atmosphere. Went there on the recommendation of a friend. Each of the four of us had different entrees - fish/pasta/meat. All were excellent and well prepared. Portions were generous. We shared a couple desserts which were made at the restaurant. Will return. read more

My girlfriends and I enjoyed a wonderful night dining at Charter Oak Tavern!!! Charter Oak Tavern, located in Westbrook, Connecticut, has a charming and fanciful atmosphere. The décor blends modest and chic elements, with quirky framed images on the walls. It's the perfect spot for intimate dinners. The outdoor paved patio and beautiful landscape make it an excellent choice for dinners and parties. Chef Scott Quinn creates an ever-changing seasonal menu using the freshest ingredients. Each bite celebrates the current harvest, and the menu is carefully curated to delight the senses. Check out the pictures of all the dishes we tasted and enjoyed tremendously!! The bar at Charter Oak Tavern is outstanding, offering a variety of spirits, wines, and craft beers. The bartenders are enthusiastic and ready to recommend the ideal drink for your meal. The staff at Charter Oak Tavern provides excellent service, making you feel like a valued guest from the moment you arrive. The servers are attentive and ensure a smooth dining experience. Charter Oak Tavern is more than just a restaurant; it's an experience. With Scott Quinn's culinary expertise, the combination of a fanciful ambiance, a delicious seasonal menu, and a well-stocked bar makes it a must-visit destination. Don't miss this gem in Westbrook, Connecticut--you won't be disappointed. read more

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First time at Charter Oak Tavern and it's not the last! Had lovely intimate holiday dinner with friends. The staff is very friendly and attentive. The food was very good. Had the parsnip soup, delish! The French onion dip with toasted naan was delicious. Our entrees included 2 strip steaks, & cacio y Pepe pasta. Dessert was the flourless chocolate torte and butter cake. This is a great hidden gem of a place. Will be back! read more

Have been there twice now! Both times found the service to be warm and friendly and delightful but never overbearing! Very cute decor! And the star of the show is extremely good food! Delicious appetizers entrees and desserts across the board. A great gem in Westbrook and will be going back. All appreciation to the wonderful staff! read more

Excellant food, creative, flavorful and a departure from the usual menu along the shoreline. great atmosphere and Skip tends bar like a professional! love love love this place and we are definitely regulars now. Menu changes weekly and everything we have tried is a homerun. Highly recommend, Alex welcomes you like a best friend, and you feel right at home while chef Scott does his magic! read more

Great restaurant, Scott is a terrific guy and makes truly amazing meals. The presentation and quality of meals is unlike any other restaurant along the shoreline. Be sure to try the bacon wrapped dates! Highly recommend coming here, unique tasty cocktails as well! You won't be disappointed!! read more

Charter Oak Tavern - Exterior - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Westbrook, Connecticut

Our third time at Charter Oak Tavern. It's become our favorite restaurant in the Westbrook / Old Saybrook area. Not a large place, which makes it a very personable experience. The staff are attentive and friendly. The dishes...everything we have had here have been outstanding. The Chef is nailing it. Beautiful presentations which have fantastic tastes. It's busy, so make a reservation. read more

Charter Oak Tavern - The great staff at Charter Oak Tavern - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Westbrook, Connecticut

Chef (and owner) Scott has created a very unique spot. Between the thoughtful menu choices and ambiance, there is nothing like this nearby. Beautiful experience and it's just getting started... It's a must visit! read more

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Went here for a birthday dinner and so happy we did! My husband ordered the duck and was extremely happy with the flavor and the sauce. I had a chicken breast with roasted grapes in the sauce and it was fabulous. A charming lovely small restaurant that is truly a gem. read more

Food was delicious and the service was great! We will definitely be back again soon! The butter cake was incredible read more

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Wow, just wow! My girlfriends and I tried the Tavern for a GNI. We tried so many dishes and all were delicious! Chef Scott Quinn and his crew were fantastic! We had a pork belly app, a melon and prosciutto app, a dates wrapped in bacon app and some truffle fries. For entrees, 2 of us had the scallops and one had the burger. We also had a butter cake and toffee pudding dessert. All were amazing! Although not close to me, I can't wait to go back! read more

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My husband and I have been twice and each time was terrific! The chef is very creative. I had the scallops and they were delicious! Skip is so personable and very attentive we enjoy sitting at the bar. read more

This was our first visit to this small but lovely restaurant. Our server was fantastic and made us feel right at home. He was very well-informed about the food and was able to make some great recommendations. Started with cocktails (really well-made), fabulous starters, and we were all impressed by our entrees. Everyone had dessert, and those didn't disappoint, either. I highly recommend this place and we all hope to be back soon. If the forest mushroom Bolognese is still on the menu, give it a try. You'll be surprised at how good it is. read more

Highly recommend this restaurant!! Service was outstanding, every dish was amazing and the Chef/owner couldn't be a nicer person. Get there soon,..before everyone else finds out!! read more

I guess they needed to work out a lot of things. The burger was good and a lot better than other places around. Summer will tell when they open patio. Service very friendly and ambiance is interesting but clean. read more

We happened upon this spot on the way to Water's Edge and decided to swing by and see if they had space on a Friday night. Though it was full, we were able to get a seat at the bar and were treated to one of the best meals we've had in a long time. Everything was fresh, inventive, and prepared/served by people who know and appreciate delivering fantastic food in both a chic/comfy setting. Would make the trip back just to eat there! read more

Delicious food- we had the feta hummus, wedge salad, squid ink tonnarelli with shrimp and dayboat scallops. The pot de creme was scrumptious with strawberries and delectable savory shortbread cookies. Wonderful service in a beautiful environment. A delightful dinner all around! read more

Bacon wrapped dates and octopus starters were excellent as were scallops main course. Mushroom Bolognese and Chicken were just average. Drinks on the pricy side. read more

Highly recommend this new addition to Westbrook restaurants. The dining space is small, but nicely decorated. The food and service were excellent. Staff is very welcoming. Limited menu but something very everyone. Will definitely be back soon. read more

We have been waiting for a restaurant to go into the Westbrook Town Green area and this did not disappoint. The food is great and the owner (Scott) and his team is very friendly and welcoming......We are really looking forward to having this be a regular spot for us in town. read more

lovely little restaurant. comfortable deco, great friendly service from Skip. food was amazing . served piping hot. delicious mocktails. dessert list looked great but we were too full to try. next time. we really liked this new stop. kudos to the chef read more