This place could be a Brooklyn based James Beard award winning restaurant. I can’t believe the quality of the food and the level of service we got here. I have some new food allergies I’m dealing with and the staff went over the top to make sure I could still have a great time. The food is EXCELLENT. Their sister restaurant, Tavern on State, is incredible as well and what led us to check this place out. I’m not sure which is my favorite now, they’re both so good. Can’t rave about this place enough, truly a gem and New Haven is lucky to have them.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jack Mulqueen
Have been during the summer and enjoyed food and ambiance on deck. Inside extremely cozy. Menu then was varied and interesting. Went tonight and could only get seating on the “enclosed Deck”. It was freezing despite limited heaters. Ate in a parka on cold metal chairs. Not pleasant. Menu was drastically different. Two of four large plates were meat. The food I had was good not fantastic. Go in the good weather.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 4
Corey Mac
Will be back, oysters were so good…but pricey for a single oyster $3.50 I believe. But good presentation and friendly service and atmosphere so I’ll take it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bob I.
Great food and awesome bartenders. The atmosphere is unique, since it sits on a marina.
J Sand
Cocktails are amazing,dishes are so creative , I am a foodie, I want to go out and get something I don't make at home , the raw bar was superb, you will see things here that don't exist in other resturants, I am highling Clam chowder clear broth with miso and kelp,baby butter lettues with fried oysters pickled shallots & Bonito,anchovy toast, and mussels paprikash,Go for it ,you will not be diappointed !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joe S.
Cocktails are amazing,dishes are so creative , I am a foodie, I want to go out and get something I don't make at home , the raw bar was superb, you will see things here that don't exist in other resturants, I am highling Clam chowder clear broth with miso and kelp,baby butter lettues with fried oysters pickled shallots & Bonito,anchovy toast, and mussels paprikash,Go for it ,you will not be diappointed !
Corbet Johnson
Friendly staff and super fresh oysters. Fried oyster salad was really tasty.
Maxim S.
Delicious food and excellent service! Its hard to not fall in love with Fair Haven Oyster after your first visit - highly recommend.
Mark LoGiurato
A hidden gem on the river! Small restaurant with large flavors! The cocktails are amazingly good. The oysters are very fresh and tasty. The chicory salad is a must! The combination of flavors in the salad makes you want to come back for more! The staff is very friendly and accommodating. The octopus skewers have a great flavor. Don't tell anyone about this place as it will be impossible to get in.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jason Stamp
Absolutely love this place, only wish it was closer to home. If you like this style of food your will love this place.
The only concern I have with giving Fair Haven Oyster a five star review is that readers of these reviews will more likely go there and it will become harder to get a reservation! The restaurant is cozy, warm and friendly. Their menu has some interesting offerings that you don't often see. There were four of us and we started out by sampling six different oysters, all were super clean and delicious. We then shared a couple appetizers - grilled mackerel and roasted littlenecks.For dinner, we had grilled monkfish with roasted rutabaga, skate wing, salt cod brandade, and seared scallops, all cooked to perfection.Our server (Lauren) was super friendly and is familiar with everything on the menu and behind the bar. If I had my own restaurant, I would try to poach her!If you are looking for anything from a light meal and a seat at the bar or a full on delicious seafood dinner, this is a great option.It seems that this place will become our go to seafood restaurant in New Haven. I am looking forward to going back!
holly novo
The food is delicious and they have a well crafted menu. Drinks were incredible. Very kind staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
lisa e
I've been to many MANY restaurants. This place missed the mark. First up, Clam chowder. Read the description. It's a green/ brown chowder. It requires an acquired taste. This is NOT what I was expecting. Honestly terrible.Next up, Wedge salad. Another miss. Wedge salad typically either has Blue cheese or Ranch dressing. All I could taste was vinegar. It was terrible. So soooo much vinegar taste. It also had some type of Durkee onion type things on it. Wedge salad should never have this on it. One thing to be different, another to just know it does NOT work. THIS didn't work! The taste of vinegar! WHOA! Terrible. I could not finish it.Finally, the finale, the burger. Edible, decent, but... not worth a 2nd visit. Gave this place a shot, won't be back. Not to mention we had a reservation for 630, they were able to get us in earlier, but online it said they were booked. We got there and the place was empty! The place was totally empty!! Plenty of tables......I'm sure there's better places to try out. Go give them a try...
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 3
Donna Myjak
Cozy and comfortable spot waterside with huge raw bar selection and menu focused on … of course seafood. Amazingly creative dishes using quality and fresh ingredients. Beautifully served cocktails to sip and savor. Halibut schnitzel - melt in your mouth. Consistently great service. Always lookForward to dining here! You will too.
J F
Truly excellent and creative food. We sampled a lot of dishes and came out at around $100 per person.
This place could be a Brooklyn based James Beard award winning restaurant. I can’t believe the quality of the food and the level of service we got here. I have some new food allergies I’m dealing with and the staff went over the top to make sure I could still have a great time. The food is EXCELLENT. Their sister restaurant, Tavern on State, is incredible as well and what led us to check this place out. I’m not sure which is my favorite now, they’re both so good. Can’t rave about this place enough, truly a gem and New Haven is lucky to have them.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Have been during the summer and enjoyed food and ambiance on deck. Inside extremely cozy. Menu then was varied and interesting. Went tonight and could only get seating on the “enclosed Deck”. It was freezing despite limited heaters. Ate in a parka on cold metal chairs. Not pleasant. Menu was drastically different. Two of four large plates were meat. The food I had was good not fantastic. Go in the good weather.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 4
Will be back, oysters were so good…but pricey for a single oyster $3.50 I believe. But good presentation and friendly service and atmosphere so I’ll take it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food and awesome bartenders. The atmosphere is unique, since it sits on a marina.
Cocktails are amazing,dishes are so creative , I am a foodie, I want to go out and get something I don't make at home , the raw bar was superb, you will see things here that don't exist in other resturants, I am highling Clam chowder clear broth with miso and kelp,baby butter lettues with fried oysters pickled shallots & Bonito,anchovy toast, and mussels paprikash,Go for it ,you will not be diappointed !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cocktails are amazing,dishes are so creative , I am a foodie, I want to go out and get something I don't make at home , the raw bar was superb, you will see things here that don't exist in other resturants, I am highling Clam chowder clear broth with miso and kelp,baby butter lettues with fried oysters pickled shallots & Bonito,anchovy toast, and mussels paprikash,Go for it ,you will not be diappointed !
Friendly staff and super fresh oysters. Fried oyster salad was really tasty.
Delicious food and excellent service! Its hard to not fall in love with Fair Haven Oyster after your first visit - highly recommend.
A hidden gem on the river! Small restaurant with large flavors! The cocktails are amazingly good. The oysters are very fresh and tasty. The chicory salad is a must! The combination of flavors in the salad makes you want to come back for more! The staff is very friendly and accommodating. The octopus skewers have a great flavor. Don't tell anyone about this place as it will be impossible to get in.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Absolutely love this place, only wish it was closer to home. If you like this style of food your will love this place.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
The only concern I have with giving Fair Haven Oyster a five star review is that readers of these reviews will more likely go there and it will become harder to get a reservation! The restaurant is cozy, warm and friendly. Their menu has some interesting offerings that you don't often see. There were four of us and we started out by sampling six different oysters, all were super clean and delicious. We then shared a couple appetizers - grilled mackerel and roasted littlenecks.For dinner, we had grilled monkfish with roasted rutabaga, skate wing, salt cod brandade, and seared scallops, all cooked to perfection.Our server (Lauren) was super friendly and is familiar with everything on the menu and behind the bar. If I had my own restaurant, I would try to poach her!If you are looking for anything from a light meal and a seat at the bar or a full on delicious seafood dinner, this is a great option.It seems that this place will become our go to seafood restaurant in New Haven. I am looking forward to going back!
The food is delicious and they have a well crafted menu. Drinks were incredible. Very kind staff.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I've been to many MANY restaurants. This place missed the mark. First up, Clam chowder. Read the description. It's a green/ brown chowder. It requires an acquired taste. This is NOT what I was expecting. Honestly terrible.Next up, Wedge salad. Another miss. Wedge salad typically either has Blue cheese or Ranch dressing. All I could taste was vinegar. It was terrible. So soooo much vinegar taste. It also had some type of Durkee onion type things on it. Wedge salad should never have this on it. One thing to be different, another to just know it does NOT work. THIS didn't work! The taste of vinegar! WHOA! Terrible. I could not finish it.Finally, the finale, the burger. Edible, decent, but... not worth a 2nd visit. Gave this place a shot, won't be back. Not to mention we had a reservation for 630, they were able to get us in earlier, but online it said they were booked. We got there and the place was empty! The place was totally empty!! Plenty of tables......I'm sure there's better places to try out. Go give them a try...
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 3
Cozy and comfortable spot waterside with huge raw bar selection and menu focused on … of course seafood. Amazingly creative dishes using quality and fresh ingredients. Beautifully served cocktails to sip and savor. Halibut schnitzel - melt in your mouth. Consistently great service. Always lookForward to dining here! You will too.
Truly excellent and creative food. We sampled a lot of dishes and came out at around $100 per person.