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Best Romantic Restaurants in Old Saybrook

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202 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Aspen Restaurant restaurant
1. Aspen Restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(1708)
Price: Moderate
• Contemporary American • Old Saybrook
Booked 9 times today
Aspen Restaurant Voted Best New Restaurant for 2009 by Connecticut Magazine. A premiere destination dining experience, serving contemporary american cuisine with global accents. Aspen Restaurant is Located on 2 main street in Old Saybrook,CT.
A photo of The Essex restaurant
2. The Essex
4.8
Exceptional(1034)
Price: Expensive
• American • Old Saybrook
Booked 6 times today
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
A photo of Liv's Oyster Bar restaurant
3. Liv's Oyster Bar
4.9
Exceptional(2703)
Price: Expensive
• Seafood • Old Saybrook
Booked 5 times today
Opening in 2006, Liv’s Oyster Bar and Restaurant quickly became a dining destination in Old Saybrook. Inspired by his daughter, Olivia, and years of experience in the restaurant industry, owner John Brescio set out with a desire to welcome the community to his family’s table.Dining at Liv’s, whether in the main room, at the bar, or on the patio, is an experience to be savored with friends and family long after summer on the shoreline has past.John Brescio also serves as Liv’s Executive Chef, creating simple, focused dishes with an emphasis on local ingredients, and the stunning seafood that the area provides. The menu at Liv’s changes with the seasons, bringing guests a true taste of the pristine environment. John works closely with Liv’s partners to make sure only the best produce is used, as he would serve nothing less to his family.Together with his exceptional staff, John welcomes you to the special experience he’s created at Liv’s Oyster Bar.
A photo of Fresh Salt restaurant
4. Fresh Salt
4.6
Exceptional(1517)
Price: Expensive
• Seafood • Old Saybrook
Booked 14 times today
Fresh Salt is more than just a restaurant; it is a place to enjoy one another’s company and experience the breathtaking views of the Long Island Sound quietly intertwined with the Connecticut River. Utilizing the chef’s simple yet high quality approach, the fresh, seasonal local ingredients of Connecticut are transformed into beautifully inspired dishes. Our Local Food Commitment allows us to work with local farmers and artisans to ensure the quality of locally grown ingredients from the sea, land and soil. These fresh ingredients and vibrant tastes of Fresh Salt are available daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Located right on the water means seriously fresh seafood and our menu definitely delivers. From the beloved Lobster Roll to the cherished Clam Chowder and so many more specialties, Fresh Salt dishes are guaranteed to please every palate. We offer indoor and outdoor dining, outdoor dining is based on a first come first serve basis, outdoor dining is non-reservable.
A photo of The Griswold Inn restaurant
5. The Griswold Inn
4.5
Awesome(933)
Price: Expensive
• American • Essex
Booked 10 times today
The Griswold Inn is an inn and restaurant located in the historic seaport village of Essex. The Gris, as it is affectionately known, has been in continous operation since 1776.`Currently we are offering dine in, dine out, and Gris To Go! Inside, guests may enjoy dining in historic, art-filled rooms which exude character, charm and tradition. Seating for the alfresco experience is available on a first-come, first-served basis, with the exception of larger parties of 7 or more which may be made by calling 860.767.1776. The Inn boasts a wine list consistently recognized by Wine Spectator with the prestigious Award of Excellence; Food & Wine and Travel + Leisure have recently recognized the Inn's restaurant as "Connecticut's coziest" and it is included in Patricia Schulz's "1000 Places to See Before You Die". The Griswold Inn is also the recipient of Connecticut's Highest Award for Hospitality. The best of old and new meet here.
A photo of La Marea restaurant
6. La Marea
4.8
Exceptional(1802)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Old Saybrook
Booked 10 times today
Savor the authentic tastes of Italy when you dine at La Marea. Located on the shoreline of CT in Old Saybrook, our family owned Italian restaurant prepares northern and southern Italian cuisine using a mix of the finest imports from Italy as well as fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Gluten Free and Vegetarian options are available. Enjoy your dining experience in either our dining room or be sure to reserve a seat at our conversational hi-top tables or at the bar in our lounge.Important: when making a reservation through OpenTable there is an option to make a reservation at a high top table in the bar area or standard table which is in the dining room. If the high top option does not pop up as an option for you then that means that there are NO High Top tables available at those times. If you would like to reserve bar seats please leave us a note or call us. See you soon! Take-out available
A photo of Café Routier restaurant
7. Café Routier
4.7
Exceptional(2171)
Price: Moderate
• American • Westbrook
Booked 11 times today
Cafe Routier is described as a 'beautiful, welcoming restaurant' with a 'romantic ambience' in multiple reviews. With its seasonally driven menus and cozy atmosphere, it's an ideal spot for a romantic evening. One reviewer even noted that it's 'perfect for a special occasion'. The restaurant's attention to detail, including a 'wide range of prices' for their wine list, further adds to the romantic experience.
A photo of Old Lyme Inn restaurant
8. Old Lyme Inn
4.7
Exceptional(682)
Price: Expensive
• American • Old Lyme
Booked 4 times today
The Old Lyme Inn’s restaurant and bar offers guests contemporary New England Fare in a casual yet elegant atmosphere. Our chef embraces the changing seasons and bounty of the Connecticut River Valley to offer creative menus that change weekly. Since it's opening in April 2012, the restaurant has quickly become a celebrated meeting place for visitors and locals alike. The inn boasts three different dining rooms, a grand eight seat bar and a fireplace adorned library. The Side Door Jazz Club offers shows every Friday and Saturday night and has been recognized by 'Down Beat' magazine as one of the best jazz venues in the world.Whether you're joining us for our famous 'Jazzy' brunch, cozying up with a friend at our afternoon tea or enjoying an elegant dinner before a show at the Side Door; we can't wait to exceed your expectations.
A photo of Dattilo Fine Italian at Water’s Edge restaurant
9. Dattilo Fine Italian at Water’s Edge
4.4
Awesome(873)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Westbrook
Booked 11 times today
Located on the expansive grounds of the Water’s Edge Resort and Spa sits a beautiful restaurant with magnificent ocean views, Dattilo Fine Italian, the jewel of the Connecticut shoreline. The cuisine is fresh, creative and bold, with flavors reminiscent of old-world Italy. A rich authentic menu pairs with our extensive wine list features wines from across the globe. In addition to the seasonal menu Dattilo also offers nightly dining specials and themed dinners. Each Sunday we end the weekend with one of the finest Brunches in Connecticut featuring carving, pasta, crepe, and omelet stations. The brunch theme changes each week offering a new variety of fare to experience.
A photo of The Wine Bar & Bistro at The Griswold Inn restaurant
10. The Wine Bar & Bistro at The Griswold Inn
4.8
Exceptional(85)
Price: Moderate
• Wine Bar • Essex
The Wine Bar at The Griswold Inn is an extraordinary space in which to enjoy a delicious experience in every respect. It features an innovative tapas menu, inspired "macro" plates, artisanal cheeses and handcrafted desserts. The menu changes periodically to take advantage of all that characterizes a particular season, though there are a few classics that remain on the menu throughout the year, like its very popular Grilled and Carved Bistro Steak, served with white truffle-laced pommes frites, arugula,and red wine jus. A consistent winner of Wine Spectator's prestigious Award of Excellence, it offers numerous wines by the glass, wine flights, and a more extensive bottle list. A full-service bar is also available. A creative and accomplished chef and a knowledgeable and attentive service staff complete the experience.
‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • C
    New York City •4 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    We came for the Valentines special tasting menu. Normally I am not a fan of the bloated vdaypreset menu, however at $165 per person this over delivered and was truly special! 9 courses of excitement, attentive service, wonderful wine and an unpretentious atmosphere. The food, I mean this was the best meal we have ever had! The surprise winner of the night? “The Beet”. No words can even do justice to a simple roasted beet with a magical ride of adventure! And the best part? As they said, this is not a one off for the holiday, this is just like any other night at the restaurant with their tasting menu!
    More info
    The EssexPrice: Expensive• American• Old Saybrook
    •
    4.8
  • JeffVIP
    San Francisco Bay Area •9 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Great location and property. Excellent ambiance and vibe. Piano music in the pub before dinner. Decorated beautifully. Popcorn for early snack. Dinner in the timeless Steamboat room. Excellent and diverse menu. Food was very good. After dinner had a classic 60s trio band playing. Great sound. Was a great Valentine’s Day dinner. Only draw back was the service. Specifically the bar. Took forever to get a drink. Bar tender was surly with limited sense of urgency and lots of attitude. This was when the bar crowd was small. As the evening progressed it become significantly worse. I can’t imagine how much revenue was lost by the establishment due to these inefficiencies. Overall our experience was very positive.
    More info
    The Griswold InnPrice: Expensive• American• Essex
    •
    4.5
  • Reed
    New York City •7 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed an early VD dinner trying the halibut and beef Wellington. Both were excellent. He would have preferred the fish to be cooked a little longer, but that’s the only critique. We shared the hazelnut ice cream sundae named after the Ferraro Rocher candy. It came in a bowl that looked like a small bathtub! Too much deliciousness, but we succeeded in conquering the challenge!
    More info
    Fresh SaltPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Old Saybrook
    •
    4.6
  • SusanVIP
    San Francisco Bay Area •31 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    Met a friend for an early dinner. As usual it was a CNN lively low key time for dinner. Our favorite server was there and she delivered impeccable and friendly service. She greeted us at the door with a warm hello. The food was excellent. I would highly recommend Aspen for lunch or dinner!
    More info
    Aspen RestaurantPrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• Old Saybrook
    •
    4.7
  • JohnVIP
    New York City •59 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on 5 Feb 2025
    Another fine meal with excellent service. We will be back to enjoy this local treasure.
    More info
    Liv's Oyster BarPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Old Saybrook
    •
    4.9

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