A crab cake disappointment. I always try them when I see them on a menu but these missed the mark. The texture felt like lump crab meat from a can, thrown into a food processor with breadcrumbs. Flavor and depth were both lacking. Honestly, this version of a crab cake was such a letdown, it nearly brought a tear to my eye. Please, spare us this abomination.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
DougMichelle Cantrell
UPDATE: 12/3/25 it was so good we went back the next day! This time we had the apple cider calamari again, crab smash and lobster roll. I’ve never tasted anything better! Even their butter was good!! Try the apple cider margarita!
12/2/25 Wonderful stop! Had great service from Grace and the food was amazing. You won’t regret the Apple cider vinegar calamari, smash burger or fish and chips. The espresso martini was delicious!
M C
UPDATE: 12/3/25 it was so good we went back the next day! This time we had the apple cider calamari again, crab smash and lobster roll. I’ve never tasted anything better! Even their butter was good!! Try the apple cider margarita! 12/2/25 Wonderful stop! Had great service from Grace and the food was amazing. You won’t regret the Apple cider vinegar calamari, smash burger or fish and chips. The espresso martini was delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Piotr Pedzich
Nice bar area, we discovered this place two weeks ago. Awesome cocktails, great food!
Andrew and Payton are the best bartenders in Connecticut! Ever since I discovered the place I’ve been going once a week. Amazing for the family or the single man.
If I could give more than 5 stars I would. Stewart is the most personable , professional host/bartender/owner…with a full bar he made us feel like we were the only guests he was serving.
I was unsure what cocktail to order. I told Stewart my vibe and he made me a white Negroni. Perfect.
Ordered the calamari app then lobster roll and ahi tuna salad. Amazing.
10 out of 10. Would recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Melissa Titus
I've been waiting to come here. Sad I missed the summer menu but the fall menu didn't disappoint. Drink the Bong Water!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brian Miller
Drift just doesn’t seem to ever disappoint. Even on a cold - windy Tuesday in November…Peyton and the bar crew/kitchen deliver. Drinks at the bar with take out food and all 5 ⭐️s. Bravo 🙌
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rachel Uricchio
My dining experience here was beyond excellent! Food was great, the drinks were yummy and my server Grace was delightful! Can’t wait to come back.
My wife and I and a couple they’re close to us went out for dinner. We were happy with the atmosphere very quaint looking out over the water. We purposely went there October 31, because of the Halloween parade on Main Street. We didn’t go wrong having dinner there. I was happy with my meal and so were the other three people we are definitely gonna be going back in the future.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ayrton Capella
Tasteless lobster, rudimentary french fries, and greasy fish
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
AJ Mock
Had a great meal at Drift. The staff is really friendly and food was outstanding. Will definitely come back.
Victoria Williams
I can’t wait to go back and work my way through the menu, then stroll down Main Street in Essex. The food and drink offerings are so thoughtfully curated by Stewart and his team. The bar, tucked in the back, gives off a cozy, inviting vibe and the service was outstanding. Payton made the best damn Apple Cider Margarita!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cousin Vito
My wife and I stopped here for lunch during an overnight trip to Essex. We sat at the bar.
Overall it was an excellent pit stop. We split the squash donut ring, which were AMAZING. I got the seared scallop roll, I forgot what my wife ordered but she enjoyed it. My only nitpick would be the scallop roll, while great, was a little heavy on dry bread at the bottom. But I scoffed it all down so what do I know. Clearly it wasn’t a dealbreaker…
Our bartender was great and his cocktails were tasty. I forget his name but it was a Sunday afternoon so kudos to him for being a good bartender for Drift.
Overall it’s definitely worth a stop if you’re in the area.
A crab cake disappointment. I always try them when I see them on a menu but these missed the mark. The texture felt like lump crab meat from a can, thrown into a food processor with breadcrumbs. Flavor and depth were both lacking. Honestly, this version of a crab cake was such a letdown, it nearly brought a tear to my eye. Please, spare us this abomination.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
UPDATE: 12/3/25 it was so good we went back the next day! This time we had the apple cider calamari again, crab smash and lobster roll. I’ve never tasted anything better! Even their butter was good!! Try the apple cider margarita! 12/2/25 Wonderful stop! Had great service from Grace and the food was amazing. You won’t regret the Apple cider vinegar calamari, smash burger or fish and chips. The espresso martini was delicious!
UPDATE: 12/3/25 it was so good we went back the next day! This time we had the apple cider calamari again, crab smash and lobster roll. I’ve never tasted anything better! Even their butter was good!! Try the apple cider margarita!
12/2/25 Wonderful stop! Had great service from Grace and the food was amazing. You won’t regret the Apple cider vinegar calamari, smash burger or fish and chips. The espresso martini was delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nice bar area, we discovered this place two weeks ago. Awesome cocktails, great food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fried Calamari, Truffle Honey Chicken Sandwich
Andrew and Payton are the best bartenders in Connecticut! Ever since I discovered the place I’ve been going once a week. Amazing for the family or the single man.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seared Ahi Tuna Salad, Hamburger
Great food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If I could give more than 5 stars I would. Stewart is the most personable , professional host/bartender/owner…with a full bar he made us feel like we were the only guests he was serving.
I was unsure what cocktail to order. I told Stewart my vibe and he made me a white Negroni. Perfect.
Ordered the calamari app then lobster roll and ahi tuna salad. Amazing.
10 out of 10. Would recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I've been waiting to come here. Sad I missed the summer menu but the fall menu didn't disappoint.
Drink the Bong Water!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Drift just doesn’t seem to ever disappoint. Even on a cold - windy Tuesday in November…Peyton and the bar crew/kitchen deliver. Drinks at the bar with take out food and all 5 ⭐️s. Bravo 🙌
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My dining experience here was beyond excellent! Food was great, the drinks were yummy and my server Grace was delightful! Can’t wait to come back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
My wife and I and a couple they’re close to us went out for dinner. We were happy with the atmosphere very quaint looking out over the water. We purposely went there October 31, because of the Halloween parade on Main Street.
We didn’t go wrong having dinner there. I was happy with my meal and so were the other three people we are definitely gonna be going back in the future.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tasteless lobster, rudimentary french fries, and greasy fish
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Had a great meal at Drift. The staff is really friendly and food was outstanding. Will definitely come back.
I can’t wait to go back and work my way through the menu, then stroll down Main Street in Essex. The food and drink offerings are so thoughtfully curated by Stewart and his team. The bar, tucked in the back, gives off a cozy, inviting vibe and the service was outstanding. Payton made the best damn Apple Cider Margarita!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My wife and I stopped here for lunch during an overnight trip to Essex. We sat at the bar.
Overall it was an excellent pit stop. We split the squash donut ring, which were AMAZING. I got the seared scallop roll, I forgot what my wife ordered but she enjoyed it. My only nitpick would be the scallop roll, while great, was a little heavy on dry bread at the bottom. But I scoffed it all down so what do I know. Clearly it wasn’t a dealbreaker…
Our bartender was great and his cocktails were tasty. I forget his name but it was a Sunday afternoon so kudos to him for being a good bartender for Drift.
Overall it’s definitely worth a stop if you’re in the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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