We had an excellent experience. everyone was welcoming. Great choices on the menu, the food was brought promptly, well prepared, wait staff was attentive. Had the Mystic oysters for appetizer, they were amazing. We will be back again !
Jane
We had not been to Liv's for a number of years since our last experience was not positive. We were delighted to find that this time was very different. Our meals were excellent, service was helpful and attentive and our overall experience was most enjoyable.
Lynn Lombard
We LOVE Liv’s! We started going over 14 years ago and have recently been going to the bar for date night each weekend! The bartenders are amazing! Before we even sit down Brian and Kayla have our drinks ready for us! The best part is yet to come! I have a dairy allergy and I have NEVER, EVER been to a restaurant as accommodating as Liv’s (and we enjoy going out to eat so have dealt with many restaurants and chefs!) The chef at Liv’s is willing to try and make almost anything without dairy! It makes me feel so comfortable eating there and the food is absolutely amazing! I highly, HIGHLY recommend eating at Liv’s! Everything is perfect from the service to the food!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Shrimp Cocktail
Chipatipan
My wife and I had never been here before. However, I was vegetarian, the menu looks like a place that my wife would enjoy. We were not disappointed! My wife had the salmon and a parsnip cream, and I had the scallops in a celery root sauce. OMG... both dishes were fantastic! We are still talking about them more than a week later! The ambience was very nice. Not too noisy at all. And they definitely did not rush us. In fact, if anything, it took just a wee bit too long to be served, to get our drinks, to receive our food and to get the check. It wasn't a big deal to us - we weren't in any kind of a rush whatsoever. But I could see some minding. The only “complaint” (if you want to even call it that) is that the dessert menu seemed kind of “meh”. But, honestly, I was so full that I only looked for the sake of looking. The prices are about on par with other fish houses you might visit but the quality of the food made me feel like I got a bargain! We will definitely be visiting again.
JohnB
We enjoyed our experience the noise level was acceptable in previous visits it was very loud. The food was excellent and waiter was very friendly and knowledgeable of items we had questions about. Will come again for special occasions.
Mike
This has become our go-to when we attend events in this area, lovely small restaurant on Main St in Old Saybrook. Great atmosphere, nice photographs of shoreline-y subjects on the walls; very creative and ever-changing menu (different everytime I have been there), we shared some appetizers (empanadas and a salad, both delicious); I had the sea bass special, delicious. Everyone else in our party really enjoyed the food. Nice wine list, interesting desserts. Always very professional service, efficient, and polished. Definitely recommend!
First time at Liv's. Everything was great. Server was attentive and friendly. Food was delicious. Only comment is that fish portions seemed a bit light for the price. Otherwise, a top choice when in Old Saybrook.
GinaT
The entire staff was extremely gracious and accommodating. The menu was very creative and diversified, all raw bar items were very fresh and chilled to perfection. At no point did we ever feel rushed, the timing of all courses from start to finish was right on point. My wife and I hadn't dined there in quite a while, forgot just how nice it is, we'll be back soon. Thanks to all for a very enjoyable evening.
Lucille
Great little cafe with nice ambience and wonderful staff, from host to waiter to bus person...everyone was super professional, welcoming and efficient. The wine by the glass selection is exceptional. The menu is also interesting with many seafood and other options. The Salmon dish that I had was good but very salty and the dish was overly laden with purée that overpowered the farro and other ingredients and so that was disappointing. My sister however had scallops and loved her dish. I would return again and try other items on the menu. Overall it's a good restaurant
Old bay fries were perfectly seasoned (old bay is really salty and I think some people forget that), calamari was perfectly fried and the aioli it was served with was perfectly balanced tangy and sweet. The ahi lettuce tacos were so good I might just order them with another app as my meal next time as they were so delicious. My husband and I are doing dry January and they actually had a GOOD non-alcoholic beer option (ahem NOT Heineken 0.0), Sam Adams Just the Haze, which we really appreciated. Not everyone wants Diet Coke or watery non alcoholic beers, so that was nice to have. Also worth noting that the staff all seemed happy and pleasant and like they enjoyed working together which, as 2 people who have worked in the industry and just notice that kind of thing, was nice to see. Great experience, will definitely return!
fishlover
The food was delish. All fresh ingredients. Service was attentive but not annoyingly. Cocktail was enthusiastically enjoyed. Timing of food was perfect. Consistent high quality food. Highly recommend.
KlausR
As for years, a very good restaurant. The food selection is excellent, also for vegetarians. One big advantage: they change the menu on a regular basis, which cannot be said from many other restaurants. We love to go there, and will do so in the future.
Ladybug
We went on a weeknight for a birthday celebration. It was fairly busy but not packed. Service was excellent and attentive without being overbearing . We had two of the best meals we've had in any restaurant in a long time. I had the Arctic char which was phenomenal. Perfectly cooked, great accompaniments annd beautiful presentation. My husband had the Yellowfin tuna which was incredible. We had recently had it at a restaurant in Newport and this was much better. This is one of the best restaurants on the shoreline and we will be back!
Josh Bagnati
My wife and I have been regulars at Liv’s for about a decade now. There is a very good reason for this. I rate a restaurant on three fronts: quality of food, quality of service, and atmosphere.Liv’s has consistently delivered on all three. I have proudly invited family, friends and colleagues to join me here for dinner and have always received great feedback. From the amazing locally sourced food, carefully crafted cocktails and friendly staff, I couldn’t recommend Liv’s enough. I have traveled the country and use Liv’s as my standard. For those reading negative reviews- I can only imagine those are fully human mistakes,unavoidable but regrettable; give this place a try, I promise you’ll be more than content.
Great food ,and great service!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Oyster Sampler, Liv's Fries, Fried Oysters
We had an excellent experience. everyone was welcoming. Great choices on the menu, the food was brought promptly, well prepared, wait staff was attentive. Had the Mystic oysters for appetizer, they were amazing. We will be back again !
We had not been to Liv's for a number of years since our last experience was not positive. We were delighted to find that this time was very different. Our meals were excellent, service was helpful and attentive and our overall experience was most enjoyable.
We LOVE Liv’s! We started going over 14 years ago and have recently been going to the bar for date night each weekend! The bartenders are amazing! Before we even sit down Brian and Kayla have our drinks ready for us! The best part is yet to come! I have a dairy allergy and I have NEVER, EVER been to a restaurant as accommodating as Liv’s (and we enjoy going out to eat so have dealt with many restaurants and chefs!) The chef at Liv’s is willing to try and make almost anything without dairy! It makes me feel so comfortable eating there and the food is absolutely amazing! I highly, HIGHLY recommend eating at Liv’s! Everything is perfect from the service to the food!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Shrimp Cocktail
My wife and I had never been here before. However, I was vegetarian, the menu looks like a place that my wife would enjoy. We were not disappointed! My wife had the salmon and a parsnip cream, and I had the scallops in a celery root sauce. OMG... both dishes were fantastic! We are still talking about them more than a week later! The ambience was very nice. Not too noisy at all. And they definitely did not rush us. In fact, if anything, it took just a wee bit too long to be served, to get our drinks, to receive our food and to get the check. It wasn't a big deal to us - we weren't in any kind of a rush whatsoever. But I could see some minding. The only “complaint” (if you want to even call it that) is that the dessert menu seemed kind of “meh”. But, honestly, I was so full that I only looked for the sake of looking. The prices are about on par with other fish houses you might visit but the quality of the food made me feel like I got a bargain! We will definitely be visiting again.
We enjoyed our experience the noise level was acceptable in previous visits it was very loud. The food was excellent and waiter was very friendly and knowledgeable of items we had questions about. Will come again for special occasions.
This has become our go-to when we attend events in this area, lovely small restaurant on Main St in Old Saybrook. Great atmosphere, nice photographs of shoreline-y subjects on the walls; very creative and ever-changing menu (different everytime I have been there), we shared some appetizers (empanadas and a salad, both delicious); I had the sea bass special, delicious. Everyone else in our party really enjoyed the food. Nice wine list, interesting desserts. Always very professional service, efficient, and polished. Definitely recommend!
First time at Liv's. Everything was great. Server was attentive and friendly. Food was delicious. Only comment is that fish portions seemed a bit light for the price. Otherwise, a top choice when in Old Saybrook.
The entire staff was extremely gracious and accommodating. The menu was very creative and diversified, all raw bar items were very fresh and chilled to perfection. At no point did we ever feel rushed, the timing of all courses from start to finish was right on point. My wife and I hadn't dined there in quite a while, forgot just how nice it is, we'll be back soon. Thanks to all for a very enjoyable evening.
Great little cafe with nice ambience and wonderful staff, from host to waiter to bus person...everyone was super professional, welcoming and efficient. The wine by the glass selection is exceptional. The menu is also interesting with many seafood and other options. The Salmon dish that I had was good but very salty and the dish was overly laden with purée that overpowered the farro and other ingredients and so that was disappointing. My sister however had scallops and loved her dish. I would return again and try other items on the menu. Overall it's a good restaurant
Restaurantji Recommends
Old bay fries were perfectly seasoned (old bay is really salty and I think some people forget that), calamari was perfectly fried and the aioli it was served with was perfectly balanced tangy and sweet. The ahi lettuce tacos were so good I might just order them with another app as my meal next time as they were so delicious. My husband and I are doing dry January and they actually had a GOOD non-alcoholic beer option (ahem NOT Heineken 0.0), Sam Adams Just the Haze, which we really appreciated. Not everyone wants Diet Coke or watery non alcoholic beers, so that was nice to have. Also worth noting that the staff all seemed happy and pleasant and like they enjoyed working together which, as 2 people who have worked in the industry and just notice that kind of thing, was nice to see. Great experience, will definitely return!
The food was delish. All fresh ingredients. Service was attentive but not annoyingly. Cocktail was enthusiastically enjoyed. Timing of food was perfect. Consistent high quality food. Highly recommend.
As for years, a very good restaurant. The food selection is excellent, also for vegetarians. One big advantage: they change the menu on a regular basis, which cannot be said from many other restaurants. We love to go there, and will do so in the future.
We went on a weeknight for a birthday celebration. It was fairly busy but not packed. Service was excellent and attentive without being overbearing . We had two of the best meals we've had in any restaurant in a long time. I had the Arctic char which was phenomenal. Perfectly cooked, great accompaniments annd beautiful presentation. My husband had the Yellowfin tuna which was incredible. We had recently had it at a restaurant in Newport and this was much better. This is one of the best restaurants on the shoreline and we will be back!
My wife and I have been regulars at Liv’s for about a decade now. There is a very good reason for this. I rate a restaurant on three fronts: quality of food, quality of service, and atmosphere.Liv’s has consistently delivered on all three. I have proudly invited family, friends and colleagues to join me here for dinner and have always received great feedback. From the amazing locally sourced food, carefully crafted cocktails and friendly staff, I couldn’t recommend Liv’s enough. I have traveled the country and use Liv’s as my standard. For those reading negative reviews- I can only imagine those are fully human mistakes,unavoidable but regrettable; give this place a try, I promise you’ll be more than content.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5