18 Central Oyster Bar & Grill

While the food and menu is a 10/10, the service, specifically from hostess and waitress leaves a lot to be desired.

Let’s start with the good- fresh, wonderful oysters and while I am a mignonette girlie over cocktail sauce, the wood charred component of the “cocktail sauce” was exciting. The star of the show was by far the mussels. Large, plump and juicy- you can tell they’re fresh, and boy do they go well with the garlicky, brown butter goodness! I sopped up the sauce with the hardened “focaccia” it was almost as if the baker forgot an ingredient, and it was more of a crumpet texture, but i liked it more than if it were greasy/fluddy, especially when topped with the garlic pieces.

Now what left a bad taste- the stuffy, unwelcoming, insufferable vibe from the staff. No introduction nor greeting from the server, no descriptions of food, when I’d ask a question about the ingredients or a dish, it was almost like I was it pained her to speak/embellish. While I loved the food and would want to return, I’d rather go to a welcoming establishment where the staff are passionate about their job and menu, or at the bare minimum, can explain the menu/make an effort.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 2

Delicious & inventive food in warm, bustling atmosphere with friendly and professional staff. Arrived early but the hostess made us comfortable near the bar and took our drink order. Seven oysters to choose from and amazing smoked mussel appetizer. Wouldn’t usually order chicken sitting next to the ocean but both the fried chicken & Jamaican jerk bbq chicken lived up to the hype. Wonderful night, great wait staff, overall special night vibe.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Oysters on the Half Shell Three Varieties, Fried Chicken, Roasted Mussels, BBQ Chicken

A classic stop. Want some peace and a nice place to eat? Call for a reservation, and have peace for yourself, a date, or business with friends.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Ive been here 3 times, the food is absolutely phenomenal with great wine and cocktail selections. Have to dock a star for timing though, every time I've come here some aspect of the meal has been heavily delayed. The first time it was one party member' entire entre that came out way late. Second time it was wine that took so long to come we had finished the food before it arrived. This time one of our appetizers came 10min after the other and I had to wait to start my steak because once again we were waiting on wine. I'll still come back, food's great, but it would be awesome to see them step this part of their game up!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Just this evening we had the rudest hostess I've ever had in any restaurant. We left and found a restaurant that was very delightful the minute we walked in the door.

Took out of town friends with us to 18 Central for dinner last night. The hostess/co-owner Jessica Duffy was shockingly rude in her greeting and seating of us. Soon after, we saw a similar interaction with another group of diners as she took them to their reserved table. They walked out. If you read through the reviews, you'll see this is playing out night after night. It's a pity because the food and the location are quite good. But there are so many other amazing places to eat where you don't have to deal with a mean-spirited person who treats people poorly.

Walked in, hostess was not nice,
Had a really bad attitude, we left , party of 6. September 15 at 6 PM

Service: 1

Truly excellent food yet truly poor service and vibe. I've been eating here under this owner and the previous one since it's inception. There is a certain perfected anethma when it comes to the hospitality and service. Thankfully the food stands on it own but I'll be hard pressed to come back soon. Midcoast Maine has many fine dining establishments. This is one of the better ones, but I'd rather an ordinary meal with human connections , a welcoming vibe and solid service than an excellent meal feeling like I'm doing them a favor to eat there.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 2

Recommended dishes: Scallops

We made last minute “reservations” which were more of a “early walk in” when they opened at 5. Being from out of town, we had been referred by a local guide after stating we had primary interest in finding seafood (shellfish). We were quickly seated on the patio with an amazing view of the harbor below. Unfortunately, the shellfish offerings were merely oysters (as the name indicates) and one scallop dish. So….we did not stay, and moved on in our shellfish offerings quest. EVERYTHING else was top notch. Note: we arrived about a half hour before they opened, and during that time, approximately 20-25 people were standing on the sidewalk with us, so be sure to plan ahead.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Avoid Avoid Avoid!! The large female manager is extremely hateful to non locals. Waited 35 minutes for our reserved table. Server was told to delay service and very rude. Worst meal of our month in Maine! Gross and slimy

Attractive FOH space, dirty, bad, uncared for bathroom. Drinks were not good - went on a Sunday night and they actually had a 17yo making cocktails. The place smelled like a funnel cake vendor at a county fair - clearly the exhaust needs to be worked on. Roasted oysters served in an escargot plate - tasty but not like any roasted oyster we’ve ever eaten/made at home. Halibut with grabeche is not a traditional grabeche. - owner dismissed me when I commented but had no idea what she was talking about. Mayo/ketchup served in containers filled from the Heinz bottle.

Overall just okay - I would’ve preferred not to eat, but alas, you’re on vacation so you’re sort of stuck.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 3

We were there on a night they were short staffed so service was tough but the food and drinks were spectacular. Incredible oysters (though sold out of a few by 6pm on a Saturday night) and apps. The star of the night though was the mussels! Huge and plump and incredible flavor. Will be dreaming of them for a while…

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 3

10/10 experience, food and atmosphere. Will definitely be coming back. Of note you need a reservation during peak season!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Raw Bar

We try to eat here every time we're on the area. Great food, especially fresh oysters, great service, wonderful venue.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Oysters on the Half Shell Three Varieties, Raw Bar, Halibut, Scallops and Pork Belly, Crudo Appetizer

Wonderful restaurant. We sat at the bar and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves . Food, Service and Atmosphere was excellent.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5