The Essex

Name: The Essex
Address: 247 Main St, Old Saybrook, CT, United States, 06475
Telephone: (860) 237-4189
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.7

4.7

1051 Reviews

$31 to $50

American

247 Main St, Old Saybrook, CT 06475

Make a reservation

2 people

Apr 26, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 17 times today

About this restaurant

Good for special occasions
Innovative
Great for creative cocktails

Set in the heart of downtown, across from the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, the “new” Essex will continue to offer the progressive, modern, approachable cuisine that has made it a top restaurant in the region. Whether it’s a pre-theater dinner, a casual gathering with friends, or a tasting menu for a special evening, guests can gather at The Essex to create memories with family and friends while enjoying excellent cuisine.

The Essex menu showcases modern American cuisine that draws inspiration from the land, sea and deep heritage of the Connecticut River Valley, using the freshest locally sourced products available from farm and sea. All will inspire an ever-changing menu of progressive interpretations of timeless dishes.

"Voted Best New Restaurant in New England" Yankee Magazine
"Best Restaurants in Connecticut" CT Magazine
"Not to be Missed" Town & Country Magazine
"Rising Chef Star" CT Mag

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
American, Contemporary French / American, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service
Hours of operation
Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(860) 237-4189
Website
http://www.theessex.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive chef
Colt Taylor
Private party facilities
Your Special Events Destination: Elevating the Dining Experience on the Shoreline.Contact Colt@TheEssex.com

Location
247 Main St, Old Saybrook, CT 06475
Neighborhood
Old Saybrook
Cross street
Across From Town Hall and The Katharine Hepburn Theatre
Parking details
Parking in Rear
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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What 1,051 people are saying

The Essex reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.9Service
4.8Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Connecticut
Innovative
Middlesex
Best Overall
Middlesex
Best Food
Middlesex
Best Service
Middlesex
Best Ambiance
Middlesex
Innovative
Middlesex
Great for fine wines
Middlesex
Romantic
Middlesex
Good for special occasions
Middlesex
Lively

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

The Essex in Old Saybrook impresses with its "amazing" chef's tasting menu and innovative cuisine. Guests rave about the "excellent service," "scrumptious tacos," and "delicious" prix fixe options. Chef Colt Taylor is noted for his culinary expertise, creating "phenomenal" and "unique" dishes that make dining a memorable experience.

1,051 Reviews

J
John VIP
New York City5 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 18, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We tried the tasting menu, which changes frequently, and it was amazing!!! Not one item was subpar. Everything was of the utmost quality. Including the staff and cocktails. Highly recommend!!!
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S
Samantha
Greater Boston1 review
2.0
Dined on April 5, 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
The owner runs the cooking line like a diner- calling out orders. His predecessor had more class, it was quieter, a nicer scene. The speakers were pumping 80’s music…in a fine dining restaurant??? When I asked if it could be turned down or changed to jazz or a non-lyrical variety- something more befitting the experience, and so I didn’t have to shout the person right next to me, I was told by the bartender that owner was in back managing the music. Refused to change it because he likes it. Most of The food was all masked with Asian sauces. Duck confit in Asian sauce- huh? Burnt octopus, burnt chocolate sauce, burnt bits of monkfish as an appetizer. Total rip-off. Two drinks each and the tasting menu- $330 including tip for lying bartender. Was a favorite of mine but no more- never going back.
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A
Anthony VIP
New York City23 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 4, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Truly one of our favorite restaurants . We always do the tasting menu and it is such an amazing experience
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B
Brian
New York City2 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 4, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Chefs tasting menu dis not disappoint! Everything was amazing. Highly recommend to all the true food lovers out there.
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C
Chris VIP
Connecticut92 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 3, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Taking with Chef Colt at the chef’s table is always the highlight of our visit! He has an amazing staff, and we really appreciated the service as well as the amazing food!
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R
Robin VIP
New York City6 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 3, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Attention food lovers: The Essex in Old Saybrook is doing a tacos and tequila happy hour all April—Tuesday to Thursday (sometimes Friday), 4–6pm. It’s such a sweet little surprise. Each bite was delicious. Scrumptious tacos, house-made everything, and innovative, tasty margaritas. Planning on being there a lot this April!
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H
Hannah
Greater Boston1 review
5.0
Dined on March 29, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing!!! Such a perfect dinner to celebrate our anniversary
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P
Patricia VIP
Connecticut29 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 29, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We have been here many times. The service is outstanding. The food is a fun experience for your taste buds. Always creative and beautifully executed. So glad we live close and can keep experiencing the innovative chef.
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B
Bill
Greater Boston3 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 22, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Absolutely delicious! Everything was amazing. Do the tasting you will not be disappointed! So many great and unique dishes.
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r
robin VIP
Greater Boston11 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 22, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Again we had a wonderful dinner. Food and service were excellent. Dylan always makes our experience a great one. Can’t wait to come back!!
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FAQs

The Essex is rated 4.7 stars by 1051 OpenTable diners.

The Essex does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Apr 26, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 17 times today

247 Main St, Old Saybrook, CT 06475

Additional information

Cross street
Across From Town Hall and The Katharine Hepburn Theatre
Neighborhood
Old Saybrook
Hours of operation
Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
American, Contemporary French / American, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Parking in Rear
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Colt Taylor
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.theessex.com/
Phone number
(860) 237-4189
Private party facilities
Your Special Events Destination: Elevating the Dining Experience on the Shoreline.Contact Colt@TheEssex.com

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card

The Essex

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Additional information

Gift card

Concierge
AI Beta

Menu

What 1,051 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is The Essex restaurant rated?

Does The Essex offer gift cards?

Is The Essex currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information

Gift card