Was in CT for work. Went to this place. It was fantastic. Server was a little obnoxious but my wife and I thought he meant well. They gave us a steak per our request that wasn't on the menu for that night. Cooked very well and tasted delicious. I would definitely go back. read more

Had the best appetizer here. The Arborio-crusted Calamari with Garlic, poblano peppers, napa cabbage, yuzu-sesame squid ink aioli was superb. One of the best calamari I have had. Also had the Tuna tartare, if you like raw tuna, you'll also enjoy this dish. read more

Excellent birthday dinner! Waitress Brittany was very attentive and made sure our meal was excellent! Seafood chowder was just ok. Steaks were excellent! read more

Came back again for restaurant week last week. Absolutely fabulous again. Waitstaff very attentive. We were also given a very nice table.The food so delicious and a great selection of $30 bottles of wine. Always recommend this restaurant to friends. They have convenient parking as the restaurant is connected to the garage. Nice in the cold weather. read more

Over-priced perfectly executed traditional American fare in a bourgeois setting, good service, clean environment....

The service and and food was great and then it came time for dessert. I was halfway into my crème brûlée and then I found a hair YUCK! Management apologized but was very nonchalant. Then it came time to retrieve my car from valet. Not only have I been waiting for over 10 minutes the guy then asked me if this was the correct key.? When I said NO he asked me if I was sure! Isn't the purpose of valet is that they don't mix up your keys that's why you get a ticket?! HIGHLY UPSET! NEVER COMING HERE AGAIN! read more

VERY GOOD every time. The wait staff are professional and courteous. Thank you!!! The food pricing is a bit high but if it's not exactly how you want it they'll find a way to please you. I went with my family and my son wanted chicken parmigian. The chef went out of his way to make it. I've been going for about 20 years and this place is a home run. read more

The service here is outstanding, but honestly, I'm just not that impressed with the food considering what I'm paying for. I can't think of a single thing that I've ordered there that actually left an impression. Meh. read more

Beautiful place, classy jazz music. But I've been sitting here in the bar for 35 minutes and no one has come to serve me.

I've been to Max Downtown on 2 occasions, both during Hartford Restaurant Week. I know, I know, Restaurant Week menus are not always representative of what the restaurant can fully offer but I think it should be tasty enough to draw newcomers back. My first experience at Max Downtown, I was blown away. I don't remember exactly what I had but I did choose choices that were fairly easy to get right. My second experience at Max Downtown was in the midst of the business of Restaurant Week. I enjoyed the company of our server more than I expected to. He was humorous and entertaining and I don't think I've ever really remember a server before but he made quite the impression. Unfortunately, our server was the only thing that was great about our dinner there. The wait was long between courses and the food was only okay, disappointing actually. To give Max Downtown some credit, it was very busy Wednesday night. However, I can't shake how disappointing the food was. The so-called Warm Kale and Pancetta Salad had maybe 3 microbits of pancetta. The scallops main course over pasta and asparagus also lacked the desired amount of asparagus and had a bit too much salt. The Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee was also nothing to rave about. This lackluster dining experience fails to convince me to return. Though I still believe Max Downtown is a solid restaurant choice, I think it'll be awhile before I come back. read more

My wife planned our wedding with the help of the management and staff of Max Downtown in October 2014. The wedding went flawless due to the professional and accommodating nature of the staff. The food was fantastic, the service was outstanding and the environment was perfect for us to celebrate one of the most important days of our lives. I would not have done anything different or changed a thing. The kitchen produced perfect entrees (all cook to order) swiftly. The wait staff were so warm and pleasant and the bar tenders kept the glasses full. Adam and Steve were so accommodating and helpful with my (overly anxious at times) wife every step of the way. I am very grateful to Max Downtown for such an amazing day. I would not want to spend such a magical day anywhere else. Max Downtown truly as good as it gets!!!!! read more

We went here for dinner based on Yelp reviews and we are staying at a hotel nearby. We didn't have a reservation on a Wednesday evening but were still able to get a table right away. The bourbon list is very good. The service was very professional, helpful, and friendly. Our steaks were cooked perfectly and the mac and cheese side is excellent, as was the chocolate soufflé for dessert. If I lived here, I'd definitely come back. read more

Crappy service, you have to pay for parking (they validate only up to $5 dollars) and the food is expensive for what you get. I've been here three times and I was angry by the time I left each time. From now on, I'll walk another 200 feet down the street and go to Salute where Jimmy actually cares if you had an enjoyable experience... read more

Hit Max's as last minute thing ahead of a concert and could not have been more impressed. Food was creative and rich in flavor. Had a small issue with one of the meals and the manager and wait staff handled it above my expectations. Will be going back when up in Hartford again. read more

OMG! That bartender sure has a good memory from two years ago! Hahahahahaha. I think not. The clue should have been, like I said in my original review. I"LL have.....that means I WILL have, not WE will have. Excuses, excuses......obviously trying to backtrack. Don't waste your time! Go some place else. read more

Came here on Friday night and it was packed but the atmosphere was nice. Ordered from the happy hour menu in the bar area. I got street tacos and it was great. They aren't really tacos more so a mix of chicken and veggies with sauce on two small tapas. Nevertheless, it was delicious. I shared chocolate mousse as well with my boyfriend which was delicious and was almost too much for the two of us. read more

Delicious, simply delicious! This place honestly has an edge over capital grille... food is awesome not the same menu every season like at the grille. This will be my spot from now on. Sorry capital grille read more

They say in life you get what you pay for. When I first looked at the menu prices I thought to myself, it better be worth it! It totally was!!!! My wife and I each had the Prime Aged New York Strip. I have traveled all over the country and this was the best steak I have ever had! The crab cake appetizer was perfection! I never like Brussel Sprouts before but Max's has changed my tune! The wine and beer selection was incredible. We had Jason as our server and he was the best and most knowledgeable server we have ever come across. His recommendations were spot on. If I could give 10 stars I would! We will be back very soon! Thank you Jason and the Max's staff for an incredible dinning experience! read more

Fantastic experience! The service was incredible - we felt at home with the atmosphere and friendliness of everyone we met! Will definitely make eating here a routine! read more

Had dinner last night at Max Downtown and this was a night when most places were closed due to the snowstorm. Thankfully they were open. The service was absolutely impeccable. Duncan Ferguson, the Hospitality Manager, was so gracious, professional and welcoming. He established rapport with us as we walked in. He recognized us and asked if we just called. Our server, David was really, really good. He made such great suggestions for our meals and we were extremely happy with his service. Our busser, Janice, was very friendly and attentive to our table. We were very happy with our service last night. Duncan referred us to the Palm Beach Garden location as we are from South Florida. Whenever, we are in Hartford, we eat at a Max location, usually Max Fish. This was our first time here and we will definitely be back. read more

I'm giving this place 4 stars for during thee Taste of Hartford event but if I had gone here on an average day it would probably drop to 3 stars. The service was the best part of the experience - extremely attentive and genuinely nice. Lisa was our server and I will certainly request her if we go again. The manager was also very friendly and enthusiastic. After ordering we were served a chef's special treat which was tiny like you would expect and delicious. We both really enjoyed our appetizers too (I had the watermelon gazpacho). The main course was "meh" and had I paid the normal price for it I would have been upset. The prices are really, really high especially for that quality. Composition was nice and the dessert was average at best. so for the Taste of Hartford event it was a nice experience but I would not return during the rest of the year. read more

Max Downtown just does things right. The food is always reliably delicious, and the service is polished and efficient. This past week, three of us were dining at Max on an extremely busy night due to a nearby event. Timing was tight - we had to retrieve our car from Max's valet parking, drive to the theater and park again. We were all getting a little uptight about the timing when the managing partner of the restaurant, Steve Abrams, noticed our predicament. He did not offer to buy us a drink, or to send over dessert. Steve offered to get our car, drive us over to the theater, park our car with the valet there, and then text us a picture the valet ticket. I have never heard of any restauranteur going out of his or her way to rectify a situation quite like that. And, to top it off, Steve had to walk back to the restaurant. Thank you, Steve. Like I said, Max does thing right. read more

Amazing! I had the coffee crusted Hanger steak and a chopped salad. The steak was cooked to perfection and the salad was fresh and flavorful! I really enjoyed this place! read more

I had the clams on the half shell happy hour special (ONLY $1) which were fresh and amazing. Our waiter was attentive and courteous. I had the seared Ahi Tuna and it was fantastic! One of my favorite restaurants in Hartford!! read more

Went back for a second try...everything was EXCELLENT! We had oysters, chopped salad, calamari, steaks, wine, creme brûlée. Food was fantastic. Excellent service from Bruce, and both managers checked in on us. See ya again soon. read more

I was very pleased with my visit to Max Downtown. The service was top notch. Typically the service makes or breaks an experience for me. I was very impressed with my waitress for her attentiveness and level of service. The food was very good. The menu items are not as pricy as expected. I was happy with this visit and will be back! read more

Took advantage of the restaurant week deal. Three courses for 30.15. Everything was delicious. I had the local tomato salad, the chicken saltimbocca and the Honey Lavender Creme Brûlée. The chicken had great flavor and was really moist. I would order all three again. We sat in the bar which was good for our group but the service was a little slow. All and all it was a great night, with great food and the best of friends. read more

Amazing experience. To date the best overall restaurant I have been to. Amazing service, even better food. I had a steak cooked to perfection (medium rare), with Cognac Peppercorn cream sauce and it was the best piece of food I have ever eaten. Blueberry Parfait dessert amazing as well. read more

Went for Restaurant Week for $30.15 per person. Service and food was good. It's not your typical restaurant but more for a special occasion. Very pricey for me but taste wise this was good. Reservations are strongly recommended. Very good for groups. read more

Although food is good, service has a lot to be desired. Server on the table over to mine was talking out loud with her customers for about an hour and no manager was anywhere nearby to stop it. Visiting hours? In the past I had bad experiences with this establishment. I thought they got corrected. Wrong!!! read more

Max Downtown - Bars Near Me - Hartford, Connecticut

Went there for are anniversary, Normally we eat at there West Hartford restaurant, but no tables were available until latter in the night. Figured we would give it a try. Are server got a large party and stared to ignore us before we even got to place are order. Fortunately he works with another server and that server saw that we were being ignored and stepped in to take are order. Are server does not appear to be trained to handle multiple tables, he had a 10 top and several two tops and he was lost. The party next to us left the check on the table next to us and it sat there for over a hour and was still there when we left. We wanted to drink, but are glasses sat empty, The check would have been another 75.00 based on the price of the Bourbon I was drinking if they had given us service. The manager would come by to check on the 10 top but did not take notice of any one else. The food was excellent, but it does not matter how good the food is if the service is not on spot. You wind up leaving aggravated. I still left a $60.00 tip, not that he deserved it. Because of the quality of the food, I may try it again. I do not want to here that they were busy because of it being Valentines day week end and that's why the service was poor. It starts with the management. read more

Outstanding. Pricey but you pay for what you get. The mixologist is incredible and the food is even better. Try the specials

I have been to max downtown on numerous occasions and this place never disappoints. The oysters here are really good along with the seafood entrees (I have never had any meat here). The salmon, shrimp, swordfish are excellent. The desserts are great as well (maybe if my significant other didn't steal my desserts I would be able to enjoy them more!). Give it a shot! The service here is great! read more

My boyfriend and I are frequent patrons in the bar at Max Downtown. The bartenders are great and attentive and the Chopped Salad is crave-able! Max Downtown is consistent and always impressive. read more

Great service and good food, but for the prices and reviews I was underwhelmed by the food. It was good, but I expected great. The potato gnoccis were honestly bland and the butter with salt they gave with the bread was salty rather than flavorful. read more

Very fancy, and good service. Food was pretty good but not the greatest for the price. Nice variety of food and drinks.

This was my first time at Max downtown and based on reviews and comments from friends I had anticipated an exceptional meal. Sadly the calamari was more salty than the ocean. My steak was almost done rather than medium, the gorgonzola overpowered the tough to cut strip and the baked potato toppings were boring. The waitress was absolutely lovely, however, the food sucks And they charge for valet. If you are expecting a memorable meal, skip this place and go to an actual fine restaurant such as FireBox. read more

Probably Hartford's best restaurant. Great food, great service and THE place to take clients to lunch. It is the business person's go-to place for entertaining. read more

Came here on my first visit ever to Hartford. My boyfriend had just moved to the area and we wanted something special. We made reservations (as suggested) and when we arrived, we were seated promptly. Cons: The table was located at an extremely awkward position and the chair in the aisle kept getting bumped. Not a way to spend a romantic dinner. My boyfriend got the Kansas City strip steak ordered medium rare and it came out closer to medium well. I ordered the salmon and it was good, but felt guilty enjoying my meal when he so obviously didn't. Tried find the waitress to send it back, but she was pretty non-existent and he was starving. We had asked for recommendations on the wine and I'm not usually one for doing this, but figured at such a fancy place the waitress would know better than me. I was wrong... Not sure she even knew how to pronounce most of the selections (that sounds snobby, I know, but at $20 a glass I'm allowed to be!) Pros: I love the conservative, suit and tie atmosphere here. It feels upscale without being "stuffy". I'm a people watcher and I get to do quite a bit of that here. Aside from the steak, the food was quite tasty. The wine was delicious, but I picked it so I knew what I was getting. Verdict: Next time I'm in town and we are looking for a romantic dinner, if my boyfriend is craving steak, I think we'll pass on Max and dine at Capital Grille. read more

Jared was our waiter & he was awesome. The service and all food and wine were of exceptional quality. We were there celebrating a college graduation and Mother's Day - a perfect place for our special occasions. Party of 7 ages 13 to 80. read more