The place is very loud. They sat us in the corner where the fly killing light is and there were at least half a dozen flies around us at all times. The food and service was super slow, 2 hours from when we sat down to the time we got the check. We had an appetizer that was out quick, the food took another 45 minutes and it took another half hour after our plates were cleared for the waitress to come and bring the check, even though we wanted dessert. We asked for 2 pieces of cake. We waited for 15 or so for her to bring out one then another 20 for the other. The entire staff seemed overwhelmed and the service looked the same for the people around us and we can hear the other wait staff also apologizing for the slow service. The dinner was ok and the dessert was anything but impressive. At $37 a person, I get better service and food at a diner for half that. Probably won't be back. It seems like the restaurant is geared more toward a bar crowd and probably shouldn't be trying the restaurant route. read more

Good food. Terrible service. Took more than an hour to get food. Will not be back for a LONG time.

Busy evening but incredible service and food. Our apps were delicious (boneless chicken Buffalo tenders). Dinner was blackened ahi tuna with sides - perfectly prepared as per our request! Staff was excellent & owner was extremely attentive as well! Can't wait to go back. read more

Ordered take out, salad was missing ingredients, food was cold, onion ring appetizer was very small. Very disappointing experience.

From seating to full service .. completely lack luster and rude.. never acknowledged while waiting for a table .. not even a "be with you in a minute".. could be such a nice local spot but service is horrible read more

Whole belly clam dinner, $30.00 = 1 .. yes ONE belly and 7-8 strips . Over battered, greasy, gluttonous mess. Was almost inedible.

We go there at least 2 times a week , spending over $120 each visit. This Friday night they had a band. We had an app, dinner , dessert and were having a drink that was just delivered. We waited almost 15 minutes for a table. Spent almost. $200. There was a band setting up and started playing.. We were told after receiving a last drink that we had to move now, they had a reservation coming in. We need to leave or move now. I am sorry. You get a table when you reserve NOT a specific table. I was told we had to move , so we downed our drinks. Never has this happened to me in 62 years on this planet. I asked to speak to the manager and she said they had a 2 hour limit. No where is this mentioned at all. We were told to move ( no where to move to) or go, so we went. The manager said she would take care of it next time, I am sorry, but this time was ruined, I am frustrated and angry, a free drink wont fix it. I will never go there on band night again and maybe not ever, right now I would say never. A ruined evening is not fixed with a free drink. The band was not THAT good......been dining , dancing, helping set up of bands in 3 states and never was treated like this or saw customers treated like this. If you will be in and out use other reviews and decide. You want to sit and relax, content close to band time! read more

There are Good things and Bad things about RipTide! First the Bad things, the Soups they make there is really Awful! The Cooks put way too much Dill in the New England Clam Chowder. Also the Lobster Bisque is really Bad! The last thing that's bad is the bar section is Not practicing "Social Distancing!" People crowding in the Bar and walking around with No Mask at All. The rest of the restaurant is Good! The raw Oysters are always Delicious, and the Crab Cakes are the Best! read more

delicious fresh seafood served right on the boardwalk. Just what the doctor ordered!

I read the reviews before going and had to write after our dinner. First, I had the stuffed clams and hot lobster roll, both were great. I am picky about lobster rolls, and this was close to the best I have had in CT. My husband had the fish tacos, good, not great. The service was fine and the atmosphere was fun, the place was pretty. They seem to have worked out the kinks the other reviewers were complaining about. Also, to the person crying about flies. Yes, there were a few but this place is on the BEACH so that can happen. There were almost none, and they were no where near food or tables. Highly recommend. read more

Okay, I'll give them a break because they've only been open a week. Now, I walked in on a rainy chilly day, I was asked what I wanted to drink before I even sat down, not bad that they were attentive but I had no idea what they had to offer yet. So I asked for two glasses of water and we sat at the bar. It took about 5 minutes for anyone to come back and give me a menu. Well beer selection lacking, I asked what a particular type of beer was and the bartender Catalina told me it was an IPA. It wasn't and another customer at the bar had to explain to me it was a lager. Alright, now nice menu, I ordered an Ahi tuna wrap with wasabi mayo and my husband ordered fish tacos. I expected the ahi tuna ro be seared rare like I am familiar with so I was thrown when asked how I wanted it cooked and the wasabi? I don't know where it was but not in my sandwich. The food was good, nothing special but good. The side of the bar we sat at has patio doors behind it that go to the outside patio, obviously. This would be lovely on a nice sunny day, however, it was cold and windy. We asked the waitress Alexa to close them and she did, for about ten minutes, then opened them again because someone sat on the patio. They were full glass, she could have opened the door to deliver their food without taking away from our experience but she chose to open them again, leaving us freezing to the point that we had to move to the other side. Noone seemed to care why or question it. The diners outside wouldn't have been affected so I am left scratching my head as to why this was done. All in all a mediocre experience. Hope they get better. read more

I wish I could give this place a good review-- it's location is phenomenal. But after 1.5 hours of waiting for my dinner, I decided to leave and try my luck next door at Dive Bar (and it was worth it!). Where was the manager during all of this, you ask--I don't know s/he never came around to provide any explanation. Go anyplace else! read more

This place was rlly nice, great costumer service and pina coladas. The decor was super cute. I thought the food didn't have enough flavor, and the price was WAY to expensive for what you got. It was ok, but I don't think I will be coming back. Hope this was helpful! read more

I would never send my worst enemy here honestly. first of all, I wanted to vomit when I looked at the windows next to where I was sitting. On the 3 windows, I managed to count 15 flies. Looking to the higher window, there was at least 20. I'm not sure how a health inspector allowed this to occur. The amount of flies were sickening, and I. D.o.n.t like sitting at a restaurant INDOORS and swating flies away. Now go service. I asked our server for water 3 times. I finally asked another waitress and she promptly brought it. After 45 minutes, we finally got our appetizer, and it was wrong. We ordered nachos and we got buffalo chicken. I can make nachos in my oven at home and it takes 10 minutes. We also ordered soup, which never came and we watched 4 other tables get soup immediately. Lastly, we waited for an hour for the food and finally left. When we approached the manager, he had no answers and acted like he did not care. I will never go back, and it was unbelievable how the service was and how we were treated. Do not read more

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I wanted to give RipTide a shot given it's a new restaurant here in Milford/West Haven and I like supporting local businesses. Two hours after getting seated and ordering food, I was still waiting for my appetizers. At this point, I would have expected the manager to make her way to our table to explain the situation and try to make it right; however, my only interaction with her was on my way out (still without food). I would like to say that my experience was mine alone, but dozens of patrons in my vicinity had the same experience (and I'm not using hyperbole). Save your time--go to Dive Bar next door, Bonfire down the street, or any other place in Milford/West Haven. Obviously RipTide wasn't prepared for its grand opening. This place will not be open for long if it continues to be run like this. read more

Mediocre food - very bland, almost no taste to the fish tacos. Service was horrible. It took forever to get drinks, which were served the same time as the food. Big no, no. Super weak waitress, Madison. Will never be back. Beach view on the patio, but it is on the other side of a busy street. Don't bother, don't waste your money. read more

This place has the best food and best view. Went here for dinner one night and the food was excellent, service was great & the frozen margarita was delicious. The manager took the time to come up to us and personally ask how our food was and gave us a free appetizer. Would definitely recommend this place and will definitely be going back for more food! read more

My cousin and I had the blackened mahi mahi wrap and it had absolutely no flavor. The amount of fries was small and the coleslaw came in a small plastic cup like you would use for salad dressing. It was very disappointing; needless to say we won't be back. read more

Wow! What a gem this place is. The food is terrific and the staff is very friendly. The views are amazing...felt like we were on vacation. We had a great experience and can't wait to go back! read more

Is zero stars an option? I am completely appalled by the so called "manager" Bobby Johnson. Talk about a power trip. I don't know if he knows he's not John Taffer. To watch him completely berate the bartender was sickening. The banging on the bar top, yelling shut it down, and then the "tell me what I told you, say it." Oh and let's not forget telling the bartender to pour a shot that she had already poured back into the bottle because they were closing. Idk about you, but in COVID times especially that doesn't seem to sanitary. Speaking of COVID times, must be nice to be the manager and not have to follow the "mask required" signs. Then when a customer stepped up and calmly intervened "come on man, don't discipline your employees in front of people. No matter if they were wrong or not, nobody deserves to be talked to like that, especially in front of people. That's degrading." So his response is to ask the bartender if they were his fan club. When they responded that they had no idea who this person was, and the bartender thanking them for stepping in, he then looks at the bartender, bangs his fist on the bar and says "keep going, see what happens" you know, like a good person treats people? This is one place I will have no problem not going back too. Shame on you manager and owner, this is why you'll only ever be Dive Bar's overflow. read more

Excellent service very prompt and attentive. Food was quite good. I had oysters and ahi tuna sandwich. Price was reasonable.

Best chowder on the planet! Been coming back and it's consistently excellent! Come out and support local restaurants!

Just had lunch there yesterday first visit. What a nice place bright airy friendly. Great waitress Kathy M. Yummy cocktails and great lobster roll. Nice spot on a beautiful Saturday. We really enjoyed our visit! Can't wait to come back!!! read more

Great food. Good service. Really stepped it up from Oyster River. We will be visiting a lot before the end of the summer!

We have been to the Riptide twice and twice is enough for me. Long wait after ordering for mediocre food.

Came here for dinner during the week and it was a great experience! Indoor decor is beautiful and has been nicely redone. We were seated promptly, staff very courteous and allowed us ample time to make food decisions and were helpful and checked in often. Oysters on the half shell were so fresh and delicious. Lobster roll was huge and the best one I think I have ever had in CT!! Large tender chunks of meat and claw in a buttered toasted roll- best part was the roll held up and did not turn to mush. Fries are not worth the calories- order the onion rings instead. Others in party had clam chowder and ahi tuna sandwich and said both were very good. Only thing I would say negatively impacts the restaurant is the noise level inside but it wouldn't deter me from coming back here again and again. Plan on sitting outside on their redone patio next time with excellent view! read more

Awesome food! Awesome service! We had a steak, chicken and seafood. The drinks were perfect!

Had a great lunch here today!!! Food was awesome as it has been every time I've been here. Lobster roll is best ever and raw bar fresh and delicious! Atmosphere is great too! I'll be back! read more

Great food. Great service. Fair price! Lobster roll was awesome. Will come back soon.

Amazing food, amazing service and amazing location! Renee was so sweet and attentive. There's something on the menu for everybody. Can't wait to go back! read more

Stopped yesterday for lunch with 5 co-workers everything was very good and the place is beautiful. Staff was professinal, food was excellent & drinks were cold. Looking forward to having dinner in the near future. Wishing you great success!!! read more

Can't say enough great things about this place! The food was delicious! We had an assortment of appetizers from the mussels, fried calamari, buffalo chicken dip, and my favorite was the stuffed clams. Our waitress Ally greeted us with a big beautiful smile! She was very friendly and on top of all our drinks and food. We can't wait to go back again! read more

I have eaten here twice so far, both on Fridays and the food was amazing! The atmosphere was great, with beautiful decor, tasteful music, and friendly, attentive staff! We sat on the patio the second time, and the breeze was perfect off of the shore. The frozen drinks were so delicious, especially the Ripslide, and, they came out pretty quick, especially for a frozen drink! Definitely will be back many more times! read more

Not a good experience here. The clam chowder was cold when served and the oysters were sitting in a bowl of water which makes it seem as though they had been sitting out for a while. After waiting over an hour for fried shrimp and a lobster grilled cheese was not impressed. The fries were soggy and not done, the fries shrimp were ok, not great and the waitress was nice but never refilled drinks or payed us any attention during the long wait. Also, the restaurant is very loud so it is hard to have a conversation without feeling like you are yelling. I believe the prices are way too high for the food that you are getting especially with long waits and subpar meals. read more

My family and I heard it opened yesterday, so we stopped in for lunch. Food was very good and the portions were generous. Service was attentive as well. read more

Let me start by saying I NEVER review a place but tonight I was a little upset. My boyfriend and I live about 5 minutes down the road from riptide and visit quite often (I'd say at least once a month). Tonight was a different experience. We walked up and noticed it wasn't too busy for a Sunday evening and were pretty excited that there wouldn't be a wait. After being seated by the hostess, she sat down three more tables AFTER us. The waitress then came into the patio and addressed all three tables except us. The hostess, who seated everyone, then came in and brought utensils to the other tables except us. I tried to give the waitress the benefit of the doubt but when the hostess who seated everyone clearly knows which order we were seated, it was a little upsetting that we still were not being greeted or addressed. It seemed as though someone at one of the tables after us was a "regular" and thus treated differently, but little did they know so were we. I can't tell you how many times people tell us to go to Dive Bar right next door instead and we always rave about Rip Tide. Unfortunately, tonight made us feel different. As we left, we noticed there was a certain age demographic and it feels like we just didn't fit the bill. On top of the poor service, my boyfriend found what looked like a string or piece of hair baked into the bread of his steak & cheese sandwich. We understand that the bread was from an outside vendor but it was just the icing on the cake of a bad experience. Not sure how we feel about going back...very sad. read more

If you're going to have the audacity to charge $7 for french fries they should be edible. Good marinara tho, but too loud and chaotic for me. Good luck going forward. read more

I know they just opened but the food and service was terrible. I order a salad with shrimp and asked for my dressing on the side needless to say my dressing wasn't on the side. My husband ordered the seafood combo and the fish was cold in the middle and maybe if our waitress would of come back to our table to check on us we would of told her. She took our drink order and brought over the wrong drinks the first time. When we finally got our bill it was incorrect and when I pointed out to the waitress she gave me an attitude saying she would fix it. Well it should of been correct when we got it. I will not bother going back the food and service was terrible. Wendy's employees are much friendly and the food is actually better at Wendy's. Sorry but when you pay 70.00 for a lunch it should be eatable and it was terrible. Hopefully they can work out their issues and be successful. read more

The food is great, but the service can be much much better. Having grown up in town, knowing how hard they've worked to make this restaurant happen, as well as wanting a local establishment to be as successful as it can be, I keep going back to give it another shot. But, the service has not improved much since its inception. There have been instances when my party will be sitting at the table waiting to be brought water for 20+ minutes. The frustrating part of this is that the hostesses/waitstaff will see other parties come in after us, but because they know who they are/are friends they'll get drinks served right away while we sit waiting. I've heard this from other restaurant patrons who have visited. There was another time when we sat at the bar and weren't served drinks for 30+ minutes, then ordered a cup of soup which we got an hour later, and it was cold. I am all for local establishments being successful and want to root for this restaurant, and I hope some of these service-related problems can be addressed. read more

We tried RipTide for the second time. Positive first: modern decor light, airy, sleek; views scenic if facing the water; drinks good; food well prepared except the french fries; choice of menu offerings terrific--something for everyone; prices fair; place clean; service excellent first time, sooo slow today; clams very fresh; lobster roll great! Negative next: OMG, the noise! Bad our first visit, worse today--clatter of dishes, loud background music, bar chatter, motorcycles revving, loud talking everywhere (necessary to be heard)--definitely not a relaxing environment when table conversation is difficult! There is nothing to tone-down sound--fabric, ceiling/wall noise absorbing panels, etc. And finally parking and handicap access is difficult. Handicap spaces were full, so we had to park in the shopping center lot. That meant pushing a family member's wheelchair quite a distance, struggling up a short ramp with no landing to safely rest the chair while opening the door (which opens where the chair rests). I had to back down, hold tight, and ask someone to open the door for us. That's it! read more