Just came here for Mother's Day brunch and so glad we came. Their selection of breakfast foods is a…read morenice change from all the other offerings in the area. I went with the Croque Cajun which was absolutely delicious. The sauce on the toast had so much flavor and it went perfectly with the shrimp. We also had to try their desserts. We got 3 macarons and wow they were incredible. Really light and crispy on the outside and soft and chewy inside. Would come back just to get some more of those!

The most fantastic place we ate visiting Old Saybrook CT. Everything we ordered at Brunch and every…read morelil dessert we took to-go was made to perfection. The atmosphere is great and simply raining French Patisserie vibes- felt like we were visiting Paris. Service was amazing and the chef came out to check and say hi. It is so refreshing to find such a gem and we look forward to visiting again!

Great service and good food! Farmers omelette and Cinnabon pancakes with fresh strawberries.read more

Great customer service. Food came out quick, hot, and delicious! Very peaceful and inviting…read moreatmosphere; lots of tables but not crowded.

Huge pancake menu. Clean, comfortable. Great menu. Full crowd on a Sunday morning. They serve a pot…read moreof coffee so your cup is always full.

There was nothing special to write home about the food or this place. Based on the reviews we had…read moremuch higher expectation. My daughter and I split the pancakes and the egg breakfast. The home fries were so plain it was like eating boiled potatoes. The pancakes were just ok. English muffin burnt and no jelly offered. At least there was real maple syrup. I guess the scrambled eggs were the best thing. The bathroom needs updating and cleaning. Our particular waiter was great. He was new. The other waitstaff was pretty rough and unwelcoming and shouting orders across the place like "DON'T seat them until you check the list first!" My first reaction was to leave due to this but it had gotten such great reviews. Maybe if our expectations weren't so high it wouldn't have disappointed so much. I wouldn't return.

We recently had dinner here with our friend Mechelle and we loved the place…read more The ambiance was great right by the marina, overlooking the boats and the water. The restaurant is part of the Old Saybrook hotel and it has plenty of parking right in front. I got a delicious pork chop that was meaty and lean. My husband got the fish and chips and our friend, got the pasta dish. All very well made and nicely prepared. A good place to eat.

The patio is delightful when the heat isn't on full blast. It was a little too hot, but I liked the…read morepatio. Service was great. Food came out quick and was wonderful. Everything was perfectly seasoned and the wine list is more than adequate if that's your thing. I would absolutely come back.

I stopped in for a cup of coffee and breakfast with a friend on a late Friday morning. We found a…read morenice table and were promptly greeted by a server ready to take our orders. We needed a minute to decide and so she returned after giving us time to peruse the extensive menu. The cafe is quite comfortable with a wall of shelves displaying books, nicknacks and antique bottles. I decided to try a cappuccino and a turkey club while my friend ordered a coffee and the breakfast burrito. Everything came out hot and rather quickly. We immediately dug in to enjoy a celebration of tastes. It was a relaxing and friendly experience. The food was good.

We stopped here for coffee on our way to the beach & coffee was mediocre. They didn't have many…read moreflavor options.

Stumbled upon this gem of a place yesterday and was genuinely impressed from start to finish. The…read morefood was absolutely delicious -- the pretzel bites arrived hot and fresh, the meatloaf was hearty and comforting, and the green beans were cooked to absolute perfection. The shepherd's pie was another standout, cozy, flavorful, and wonderfully filling. And do not skip the bread pudding -- it was absolutely amazing and the perfect sweet finish to the meal. The only negative was our booth: right in front of the door, so every time it opened (and it was often), we got blasted with cold air. Next time we'll sit further in or upstairs. If you're running around Old Saybrook and need a quick, hearty meal, this is the place to be.

We made our first visit here several days ago, dropping in for a midday lunch on a pretty crowded…read moreSunday. With some good and some not-so good, we concluded that we aren't likely to return -- in spite of the really yummy tartar sauce (more on that in a moment). Penny Lane is a bit of an English Pub-style restaurant on two levels. We ate upstairs since the lower level was filled (steps, no elevator that we saw). Service was slow to nonexistent. It took us ten minutes to get recognized by a server who asked if we wanted something to drink and took another five minutes to get it. After we ordered we waited 25 minutes to get our food. We got no drink refills. Maybe service is better in the first floor? Ah, the food. Fish and Chips is essentially pub food, so that's what we got. The crust was light and buttery, quite good. The fish was utterly without any sort of flavor, as bland as could be imagined in your worst imagining. The tartar sauce was super good, but it just couldn't disguise the fact that the fish was tasteless. We also tried the poached egg and corned beef hash, which was ok though the hash was kind ... well, and of a hash, unremarkable at best. Conclusion: There was little that was appealing in our experience. Oh yeah, another ten minutes to get our bill... a long afternoon.

The Essex isn't just a dinner reservation -- it's a full‑blown experience, and one that absolutely…read moreearns its reputation. Between the chef‑driven creativity, the polished service, and the modern‑meets‑New‑England ambiance, this spot delivers a level of dining that can consistently be raved about! From the moment you walk in, the energy feels elevated yet welcoming -- a balance many restaurants try for but few actually achieve. The NYC‑level quality without the rigidity, and honestly, that's exactly how it feels: refined, thoughtful, but never pretentious. The Chef's Tasting Menu is where The Essex truly flexes. With amuse, canapés, five courses, pre‑dessert, dessert, and mignardises, diners describe it as a sensory experience that avoids palate fatigue and showcases the kitchen's full range of technique and creativity The Essex. The menu changes daily, and the attention to detail is obvious in every course. Add‑ons like caviar and foie gras only elevate things further. Service is another standout. Warm, knowledgeable staff who guide you through the menu without hovering -- the kind of hospitality that makes a great meal feel effortless. The atmosphere blends upscale elegance with old New England charm, creating a setting that feels special without being stuffy. Whether you're here for the raw bar, the a la carte dinner, or the full tasting experience, The Essex consistently delivers on flavor, creativity, and execution. It's no surprise they've earned accolades like Best Restaurant in Middlesex County and Finalist for Best Chef Connecticut The Essex. A must‑visit for anyone who loves modern American cuisine done with passion, precision, and a whole lot of heart. Enjoy every bite

Dining at The Essex is a must if you want a special experience. We chose to sit at the counter, and…read moreI must say, that watching Chef Colt (owner as well), team work with such precision and teamwork was impressive and enjoyable. He and our waiter, Ryan, made it feel personal, welcoming, and first-class from start to finish." We had the Scallop and Shrimp Bisque, Duck Confit Dumplings, Wafu Bolognese, Beef Wellington and Ribeye Steak. This is a dining experience where you don't need to review each course! Each one was excellent. We topped it off with an amazing piece of cheesecake. Visit The Essex because it will feel like a performance as much as a dining experience. We will be back....... Congratulations on your ratings and reviews.

This place is amazing…read more I just happened to be driving passed and it looked cute so I wanted to stop. You know those little rustic structures get me. Thank goodness I did. I got one kung po chicken meatball just because I had to try it. Absolutely delicious. Then I get the house roast beef panini. Damn man. Arugula, roast beef cooked to perfection. A little drippy. Carmslized onions. Blue cheese. If I lived out here this would be my spot. Put a fork in me I'm done.

Delish portobello sandwich, very crispy bread and veggie. Dad said his RI clam chowder was the best…read morehe had ever had. We went around 2:30 and it was pretty busy. The system and set up for ordering and paying is a bit confusing as a first timer. I would go back to check out all the yummy stuff it looked like they had.

This place was very enjoyable. It's spacious, has a large menu, relaxed vibe. Our server was quick…read more I forget the name of the omelette but it had jalepenos in it. They use eggs with a very strong egg flavor, it's hard to explain, so use a lot of ketchup and hot sauce to mask the flavor. I loved the potatoes that came with it! I would definitely return for a solid, relaxed breakfast.

We stopped here on the way to cape cod. It was a decent Greek diner with a large selection. The…read moreservice was efficient and friendly. It was a nice spot for passing through. The ambiance was a normal diner. It was clean, airy, and pleasant atmosphere.

We had a lovely dinner for our party of 8 at Cuckoos. Rodrigo was very kind and provided great…read moreservice. Food and drinks were delicious, everything came out quick, and it was such a nice atmosphere. Super family friendly.

Great service good drinks. We had tacos and street corn. Large portions we had to take some home…read morewith us. Complimentary Chios and salsa were great.