So we walked in and it was cute and a great atmosphere. Made you feel like everybody was a regular in fact people thought we had been there many times before.. We sat down and we got a cocktail. I had a boulevardier and my husband had a missunderstood mule using misunderstood whiskey. We started with the oysters from Canada, Maine, and Duxbury, Massachusetts . All delicious I say skip the hot sauce and the cocktail sauce and try just a little bit of the vinegar. First three things we got were the Jimmy Nardello peppers that were stuffed with sausage and had an amazing ricotta spread that they were on top of then we also had the crab and corn beignets . The special that they had right now was the crab dip with the potato chips are only complaint that there wasn't more. We kinda liked it a lot.. Jesse was our main server, who is fantastic supported by all of the rest of the staff you would've never thought that we had a moment not being taken care of. They thought something took a little long so they brought us some dessert. It was delicious. After moving back here after 15 years away, this is one of the first restaurants we thought about going to on the regular so we can't wait to go back . No, really we're coming back Chef Michael. You're doing an amazing job. read more

See all

Nice place for drinks and oysters in downtown Andover. The interior is smaller than I expected judging by the outside, but the atmosphere is cozy with soft lighting and minimalistic decor. The bar has plenty of space, even when it's full. The restrooms are outside the restaurant but not too far. The bartenders were very attentive. I tried the Maple Manhattan and Violet Lemon Drop from the cocktail menu and enjoyed both. The oysters were excellent--very fresh and flavorful--although I one of my sauce containers was empty when I got my plate. I tried one each of the six available ranging from Massachusetts to Maine to Canada and each had a unique flavor accurately described by the menu. The dinner menu is rather limited. I had the crispy halibut sandwich was okay. I wish the piece of halibut had been thicker, but it was nice and crispy without having too much batter. The fries that came with it were a bit overcooked in my opinion. If I were to come back for dinner I'd try one of the entrees instead of a sandwich. Overall pleased with my experience and I will be back! read more

Elm Square Oyster - Crispy halibut sandwich - Bars Near Me - Andover, Massachusetts

See all

Overall great ambiance, as we sat in the bar area, which had a good buzz, but not too noisy. Staff was very helpful, food overall was very good - except for dessert, which definitely had some opportunity. We originally ordered a chocolate cake, however we were very disappointed when it came out, as plating was poor & it looked unappetizing - however the staff provided an alternate dessert (Toffee Sticky Pudding), which was delicious, so maybe just an issue with that one. Overall, a great experience from start to finish - just stay away from the chocolate cake dessert! read more

Oysters were good. Crudos however came out warm and the flavors I didn't like so much.. our entrees were not bad but just ok. Desserts and service however were amazing! Would definitely just come here for oysters, desserts, and drinks again. read more

We visited Elm Square oyster for the first time in eight years and we're so pleasantly surprised with the food and the service. We will definitely be coming back as we frequent many of the restaurant establishments in andover this one by far is the best the owner was super friendly, thank you and sat down with us and chatted. The food was delicious. read more

What a wonderful first experience here. An incredible selection of oysters and the steak was perfect. We also had the lamb kebab and deviled eggs! Everything is made here fresh (the bread for the cheese plate is from boston and the cheese is obviously imported) but this restaurant is perfect for those who appreciate fresh ingredients and everything made from scratch. Not inexpensive but worth every dollar. Would recommend and will be back. What a delicious menu and the cocktails are perfectly executed! read more

Elm Square Oyster - Selection of 6 different types of oysters to varied to type! - Bars Near Me - Andover, Massachusetts

See all

This is a great space for a seafood dinner (or a landlubber dinner if you prefer). You have several seating options, inside and outside. The menu is a bit smaller than you might expect (and the QR code can be tough to scan), but it covers the bases. For drinks, I was surprised that a place that offers whiskey pours did not feature whiskey cocktails on the bar menu, it's all gin, vodka, and tequila. I opted for their Summer Gin & Tonic, which features watermelon. They also offer a summer sangria, with smashed peaches - delicious, but it needs to be muddled better, as the small chunks of peach constantly got stuck in the straw. Their regular menu offers an extensive list of oysters, from where they come, and their flavor. This was great as I'm still learning which types and locations are my oysters of preference. Unfortunately, their nightly menu will only feature a limited selection of them (usually about 6 types) on any given evening. If you have the flexibility of weeknight dining, consider Monday and Wednesday for reduced price oysters. The oysters are served with lemon and 3 toppings: Traditional cocktail sauce with horseradish, and 2 of their own sauces, one is hot. For my entree I went with the halibut, because I almost always order halibut when it is available. It was cooked perfectly, with a nicely crisped and spiced "crust" on one side, accompanied by fingerling potatoes, corn, and roasted scallions. I passed on dessert, because (a) it's expensive, starting at $11, and (b) I didn't want to ruin the delicious taste of all the seafood I had. Service is friendly, laid back, yet professional, and the entire staff works as a team to to serve, clear, check in, etc.. Overall, dining here, for me, was a very enjoyable experience. read more

Had the oysters, deviled eggs, and the fried clams. The oysters came with an amazing house made hot sauce - I could eat this with EVERYTHING. Deviled eggs were heavenly and the fried clams were awesome. Will definitely be back for dinner as everything looks great. Service was great and very attentive! Parking in the back is available after 6 for restaurants around the area. read more

I came here for 1 drink and oysters while killing time before going to a friend's house in Andover. This spot came up as having a good cocktail program, so I went to check it out on a Saturday just after opening time. I sat at the bar and a few other folks who seemed like regulars came in right after me. I ordered the cucumber gimlet with gin and it was well mixed and tasty. They had moondancer oysters on special, so I asked the bartender if they were briny. His response was that all the oysters were briny. That should have been a red flag, but I was like 6 moondancers, please! They were tiny and not briny. I was so disappointed that I almost didn't order moondancers at a different restaurant the next day - however those were both large AND briny! Someone had their oyster types wrong. Honestly, it probably wasn't here since they have Oyster in their name. Lol. Oh, yeah - the woman who dropped off my oysters pointed out a "very spicy" sauce that came with them. Of course, I had to try it. I almost died. So spicy. But so good. I couldn't use it for my oysters since I actually wanted to taste them, but I did get a few spoonfuls of that sauce in my mouth after the fact. Hooboy! Glad she warned me! Anyway - the bartender was friendly, the drink was good and I should have found someone else to ask about the oyster types, apparently. I would come back here if I'm in the area again. The other drinks and food that people were having looked delicious. read more

Elm Square Oyster - Gin cucumber gimlet and oyster special - Bars Near Me - Andover, Massachusetts

Yum!! Went here for a date night and had a wonderful time. We ordered oysters, charcuterie, and entrees of chicken and salmon. Pros: mixed drinks were amazing! Strong and flavorful with just the right ratio. Would highly recommend their Maple Manhattan. Our waiter was also incredibly attentive, kind, and polite! The salmon was cooked perfectly. The skin was crisp, and the middle melted away as soon as I dug my fork into it. Cons: We were seated in the back by the bathroom and kitchen, which was far too loud and busy. It felt as though we were in the middle of an intersection. This was a bit disappointing as the rest of the place seemed to have a classy, romantic ambience. The price for oysters are a bit steep at $3.50 a shell. I'd like to go back for $1.50 oyster nights on Tuesday and Wednesdays. Lastly, though the technique for the salmon was outstanding, the entree was overpowered with way too much salt. Overall, a great date night spot on the pricier side with excellent drinks! read more

Elm Square Oyster - Salmon entree with maple Manhattan - Bars Near Me - Andover, Massachusetts

Good food, great drinks, cozy atmosphere. Colin is one of the best bartenders around!

Not sure why we waited so long to try it ... oh that's right, i'm allergic to shellfish. But honestly they are soooo much more than shellfish. we walked in off the golf course without a reservation and were immediately seated inside near the cute bar. we had great cocktails and wine, ordered a bunch of things off the starters and chacuterie menu and then shared a desert. among the gems: 1) the scotch egg made with tarragon mustard was out of this world. Scotch eggs are a yummy english treat making a comeback - you take a perfect egg (quail?) and wrap it in sausage and then deep fry it. Delicious. 2) the crudo of the day - which was a black bass - was perfect. 3) the house made (and everything there is house made) chicken liver mousse and rillettes were terrific 4) the sticky toffee pudding was also out of this world served with a perfect scoop of brown butter ice cream Yes we lived in the UK for years and were biassed to find yummy UK courses... but honestly everything was great and the servers were so friendly and efficient. read more

Place is small & LOUD, so be cognizant of that if you're hitting it on a weekend. Food & drinks were great. Service was slow & infrequent. Prices are WAY high, even for Andover. With La Fina & Smythe + Dove within walking distance, they won't survive long term with the current price model. read more

Atmosphere was nice, busy evening vibe. It was clean, from flatware to bathrrom, which is huge for me! I had a dirty martini -delicious flavor but not gorgeous because it was scant and had lots of ice shards floating around in it. I tried the cauliflour sandwhich which looked cool, had a yummy dressing but had a very heavy batter so I really couldn't eat the fries and bun too. It was a good idea but just too much bread, fried, batter on one plate. Beer on tap I got a local IPA which was great. Went with a small group. Waiter agreed to provide seperate checks. Every check was wrong. Lesson learned. They also screwed up one person's order who ordered the same thing I ordered so i was served about 10 minutes later than everyone else. Since I had no food and was starving I ended up ordering a beer. read more

I've been driving by this place for years and finally came in for the first time. As a local I couldn't believe why I pass this restaurant all the time without giving it a chance. Oysters were fresh and delicious. Lobster roll was decent. Pork loin was my favorite cooked to perfection with a very balanced of favors. Best of all they have happy hour wine for $5. read more

See all

Second visit - both were amazing! Second visit was made even better by our outstanding server, Eddie. He recommended starters (swordfish kebob and smoked halibut beignets), entree (seared scallops with pork belly and asparagus - fabulously salty!) and dessert (walnut and caramel tart with cinnamon ice cream) - all were fantastic. Eddie was personable, professional and his timing was impeccable. Can't wait to visit again; thanks again to Eddie! read more

Nice clean place to dine in. Service is good.food is good but not the best seafood I ever had .

Great dinner and drinks. Oysters were shucked perfectly. Amazing taste. I wish they weren't 3.50 each. Pricey for a causal dining spot in Andover. Anyways meat and cheese was delicious and plenty for party of 3. Halibut was crispy and moist. Pork belly and scallops were cooked perfectly. Cavatelli was light and flavorful. I'd like to try out their "happy hour" read more

Elm Square Oyster - Espresso martini. Spicy margarita. Pumpkin latte. - Bars Near Me - Andover, Massachusetts

See all

Literally 1 shrimp in the shrimp cocktail! First time was great. Second was disappointing. Food good but confirm what you get before you order. Service is great! read more

My family and I went to Elm Square for the first time last night. All I can say is AMAZING from the owner, Roseann to the staff to the food! The Deviled Eggs, Homemade Potato Chips, Cheese Board, Chicken Liver Pate and Scotch Eggs (Rabbi Burns Special) were Excellent!! We all chose different sandwiches, Crispy Chicken, Crispy Halibut, Cauliflower, and Hamburgers. All were Excellent! We also had the Brussel Sprouts and for dessert the Sticky Toffee Pudding (not to be missed!). The bartender did a great job with the drinks. My cousin who was visiting from Scotland enjoyed the Guiness! The restaurant itself is beautiful and very large. Bring your appetite! I will definitely be back! read more

Exceptional service, food, and atmosphere. The smoked old fashions were perfect, the espresso martinis on point, and the food, check, check, check. First time here and the bartenders and patrons were terrific, great conversation and a genuine care and interest in the customers. Kathy and Colin were great to chat with and a great representation of Elms and the experience you hope for. The halibut and the scallop & pork belly dishes were delicious! And... Don't get me started with the oysters or the beef tartar; highly recommend for a date night or boys or girls night out. A new weekly favorite! read more

I've been here twice now and both times were outstanding. The seafood is fresh and well prepared. This is definitely one of those places where I can't help but do multiple courses so I can sample appetizers, salads, the whole nine. All of it is top notch, but the real reason I come back here is for the cocktails, which are some of the best, strongest, and most balanced in Massachusetts. read more

Came here last night and was blown away by the food, service, and ambiance. We sat next the bar so the bartender Collin mostly served us. He was extremely attentive and friendly our entire night there. We started with 3 dozen oysters and they were so fresh and had incredible sauces served with them. The scallops I had for my entree were some of the best I've had. We weren't drinking last night but the drinks on the menu looked amazing. Will definitely be back while I'm temporarily living up here! read more

Elm Square Oyster - Incredibly fresh oysters - Bars Near Me - Andover, Massachusetts

See all

Good service. Loved my cauliflower sandwich, and my friend loved her fish sandwich. The red pepper app wasn't what we expected (they were small and pickled) but still good. read more

In town on business and knew this place had the right look for a drink and a bite after a long day. Excellent bar service, an Old Fashioned that made me jealous I'd never be able to match it at home. The menu is adventurous with a play on flavors that confirmed that I had made the right choice spending my evening there. The customer base is upscale but very welcoming to visiting guests. Simply put, a wonderful place and kudos to the bar and kitchen staff. They were both outstanding. read more

Not our first time here but it was the first time ALL FOUR OF US left very disappointed. My baked stuffed (small)lobster came with no claws and undercooked mushy stuffing. Our server should have explained that I was buying half a lobster. I guess my claw meat was used to make somebody else's lobster roll. Speaking of lobster rolls, they were light on the lobster heavy on the mayo, and kind of tasteless. Most frustrating of all,.... we were all hungry when we left . So we went to 34 Park restaurant for drinks and a couple of apps to try and salvage a very disappointing evening. Won't be returning to ESOC anytime soon, such a shame for a signature downtown establishment. read more

We went on a whim. We love the atmosphere. Great cocktails, glidden point oysters were the cleanest & best oysters I've ever had, the scallops were phenomenal, the burger my husband had looked great to but he didn't offer me a single bite . Drove 45 minutes to get there and it was totally worth it. read more

Elm Square Oyster - Glidden point oysters - Bars Near Me - Andover, Massachusetts

Lovely outdoor dining on the town square. Started with the St Paul, a crisp grapefruit based cocktail. Perfect. The problem was it took 20 minutes from the time I ordered it until served. Had the half priced oyster (moondancer)special; they were perfectly shucked, briney, with great cocktail sauce/horseradish. The fries as an appetizer needed seasoning. Had the cavatelli with fresh corn and soft yolked egg. The menu listed ricotta but I never saw it. For dessert had a Spanish coffee unfortunately I waited greater than 30 minutes for after ordering. Very frustrating. They need to get this problem resolved. read more

See all

Staff was friendly and accommodating, their oysters were good along with their charcuterie board. Our first round of drinks were made perfect but the second round were watered down. Our main meal was not as expected, the mussels were minced and heavy on the onion. Overall 4 stars might come back again if they changed the menu a bit read more

Nice place to sit down for drinks, definitely a bit more upscale for menu choices and pricing but the atmosphere is nice and the food is tasty read more

Sadly it had been nearly a year since we dined here. Shame on us. Staff/service is what any patron would hope for. The entire staff did a great job making the night extra special for my wife's birthday. I had a few choices for her birthday dinner but made the correct choice. Special occasion or not dining here becomes special regardless. Go enjoy. You will not regret it! read more

This place is a hidden gem in Andover. The oysters are so good, on par with Row 34, B&G, etc. I'm not sure how they do it! Moving on to the charcuterie and small plates, great selection and generous portions. We usually share oysters and small plates, but last night I got the sirloin steak entree with potatoes and broccolini and it was superb. Amazing cocktails and excellent service to seal the deal. A+ read more

The best place for oysters in the Andover area. Their menu for types of oysters is very helpful with accurate brine levels. The freshness was top-notch when I visited. The surprise was definitely the steak, cementing this place as a legitimate restaurant rather than just an oyster bar that has food. I'd like to note that the meal sizes are a little smaller than most places around the area. read more

Fantastic. Went here for the first time last week and they were very accommodating. The bartenders were very helpful to get us a seat and made some spectacular drinks. A whiskey mai tai ? I don't think I'll have one any other way now ! Excellent beer list. Had a bunch of oysters with some tasty accoutrements. Apps were awesome and told by my pal that the burgers were the best in 10 miles. Can't wait to go back and try. read more

Nice update to what was Brasserie 28. Wine selection very good. Clams were excellent as was the burger and seasoned fries. Entrees didn't focus enough on seafood in my opinion. However I like the small plates concept so would like to see maybe a scallop skewer or ceviche added to the menu. Outdoor seating was really nicely done. read more

Elm Square Oyster - Burger and seasoned fries - Bars Near Me - Andover, Massachusetts

See all

This is a great spot for drinks and oysters. We love coming here. They have happy hour oyster special every day $1.50 during happy hour. The oysters here are ALWAYS fresh and shucked cleanly. I love when they have the oysters from Maine, those are my favorite. The bread service is great here. But they don't always give it to you for some reason. We have come here for oysters only and have been served bread alongside, and we have come here for dinner and oysters and not been given the bread service. In any case, it's a yummy brioche bun with a flavored butter. Service can be slow, but it's not the kind of place you want to be in a rush anyway. The atmosphere is relaxing, and it's never too loud. Great spot! read more

Oysters were good. Not the freshest I've even had but they did the job. The bar atmosphere was fun. We were underwhelmed with the appetizers. The crudo needed some acid to balance it out. I'd go back to try the entrees read more

An experience in fine dining, for sure. The food was delicious. The best raw oysters in Andover. The scallops and pork belly were culinary delights and so was the halibut. Wonderful ambience. Courteous staff. Highly recommend! read more

Great menu variety, everything is made from scratch, service is always quick and personable.

Quite literally the best meal I have EVER had. Four of us went for dinner, and started with a couple dozen oysters. Freshest, cleanest and tastiest oysters I've ever had as a New England native!! We ordered the crudo also, which happened to be tuna, avocado, jalapeño and pistachio. Hands down the most unique and flavorful small plate I've seen! We ordered the halibut for dinner and we're not at all disappointed. Such wonderful flavors combined to balance a perfect dish. We ended the meal with carrot cake. Like none I've ever had before!! Carrot purée, pineapple sorbet and shaved carrot curls... Light, sweet and and a little savory. Top it all off with expertly mixed cocktails; This may be my new favorite date spot!! read more