It was my first visit to Max's to celebrate a milestone bday. We went monday September 9and had Amy as our server. She was wonderful and attentive and our food and wine delicious. I highly recommend a visit and ask for Amy to wait on you. She is wonderful. read more

The wife and I came here to celebrate our 21st wedding anniversary. We haven't been to the place in years and it looked great! Our server Brittany was awesome, The crab dip was amazing, and our food was wonderful! We will definitely be back. read more

What in the world has happened to Max's? This was a family favorite since long before the current owners, and for a while things got even better under them. This was our go-to restaurant for special occasions, family holiday dinners, romantic evenings, Saturday night dinner and movie fare, and weeknight specials. I would say that right through 2011, there was no place we'd rather go. Throughout 2012, I believe partially because of a change in chefs, things had begun to get less appealing for me. Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Valentine dinners not up to par with the previous year, and one notable Tuscany Sunday I was served what was probably the worst Bolognese I've ever experienced. That was a year ago. We've been back a couple times since then, and although it was hard to admit, because we loved Max's for so long, we started to discuss other places to take our business. I'd been committed to not bother going back. Recently even the service had gotten bad. Over the past few weekends, other family members have taken guests there for special occasions and have ended up angry and embarrassed. So none of us will go back. What a shame. Inattentive careless service; hyped up menu descriptions that don't deliver; disappointing meals. What happened to Max's? read more

Not sure what happen to this place, used to be great, now menu is just bland and boring with way too much salt, and service is pretty terrible. Whatever happen I hope it goes back read more

I got to tell everyone that this WAS one our favorite places to eat. The feeling we get is a restaurant that either has money problems or the owner doesn't treat his staff with respect and there quitting on the spot. We had a party of 7 that had dinner over 4 hours. The waiter was so nice and kept apologizing for the delay. There wine list was condensed down to just there house wine. We were told the wine stock was missing from the cellar. The dinner was good but spaced out so far in time you just wanted to leave. The problem was that this was the second time in a row. It just seemed so short staffed in the kitchen. That's a problem for us when your paying premium prices for dinner. Beware everyone! read more

Well, back five months ago when I was unhappy, I spoke to the owner. She seemed generally sympathetic that they had made a mistake. She offered me a $25.00 gift certificate that she would keep on file under my name. (Interesting that most restaurants would just mail it out to you). We tried to use that $25.00 gift certificate today. She claimed she didn't have anything on file. She didn't even have the nerve to come over and speak to me, although she looked over. Really? But they decided to comp me $12.00. We will NOT be returning. Their food has gone down hill, the specials are "not special" anymore. And.... The husband and wife duo really don't care about making the customers happy. As we made our Last attempt, we will not be back. There are too many great restaurants out there with great owners that truly care. Don't waste your time at Max's. read more

Well, lets chalk it up to just a bad night there. Started off fine, found a parking spot very close, that was good because it was pouring. Found a spot at the bar and are reservations were held on time, table for 2, which i reserved on yelp. Also found out it was last day for 4 course meal for $35. That was pretty much the end of the good. We sat at a nice cozy table for 2, but it was very dark, not dim, dark. So dark we couldnt read menu without my phone flashlight. So dark we couldnt even see what we were eating. Then the mussles came out. I remember getting 60 for 5.95, but that was years ago. Now we get about 20 tiny ones, $9.00. Got chowder next, about 15min later. Was ok, also needed flashlight to see what i was putting in my mouth. Half hour later my steak came out, that was just good enough. Wifes chix parm was very good. By this time we been there over n hour and had to ask waitress 4 different times, for 2 drinks. Didnt want to bother her for anymore. Another half hour goes bye, as my wife and i stare at each other with no drinks and no waitress. Bye the way, im still waiting for my keylime pie. I left after 1 3/4 hours and my more patient wife waited to pay the bill, which we had to ask for numerous times. 3 stars are for the food, which is almost worth the prices they get. Its a shame that a bad young waitress can ruin your experience. Would recommend going to mulligans where you can 2 meals, much better, then the price of 1 at maxs. Also they have 3 parking lots, and enough waitresses that pay attention so you can get drunk, if you would like too. read more

Decent restaurant, nice atmosphere, but I do have to say my husband ordered clams and pasta and there was sand in his clams. Slightly disappointing. read more

We went here for lunch with friends yesterday. Jamie our server was very competent. The food was great and I will definitely recommend this restaurant and will return soon. read more

Max's has the most delicious food ever! We went there for the first time to see music and have dinner. The waitstaff was super friendly! We will definitely return! read more

I've been going to max's for several years. In that time I have had excellent meals and great service, but Unfortunately I have seen the quality of the food and service go steadily downhill. We frequent many places in south jersey and due to the recent decline in quality at max's, we have slowed down going there from 2x a month to possibly once every two or three months to only have drinks, eat and sit at the bar. I love their bar. It's beautiful, ornate & well maintained w hand made spirits and a nice selection of local craft beers. So much potential! The problem is that it's hot as h$&@ in the summer and cold as S&(@ in the winter & If the bar is packed You can count on the owner and his wife taking up at least 3 seats in an already crowded space. My wife and I both enjoy mussels and that is the reason we keep returning. That is the only consistent product. Since the regular bartenders left there is a new one every time we return. This leads to an impersonal feel and affects the service. During our next to last visit I had crab Mac and Che delivered WO crab, and after commenting, It was taken back to the kitchen and brought back to me cold w an even colder side of lump in a small bowl- that's not service. During our last visit I had a steak that was ordered medium and delivered raw, sent back, never to return and still had to pay for it, after receiving a free round, so we would forget about the steak. While this is going on, the head chef is walking around shaking hands and talking. Get back in the kitchen and cook a medium filet. That's pretty basic stuff. If a piece of meat can't be cooked to order, close now. After that, we laughed at the bill and said we're never going back. The last few times the service has gone from bad to worse & we said we're never returning, yet for some reason we did. After the last visit we're never wasting our money again. Perception is everything for a restaurant situated in that locale, but the service and quality isn't close to being worth the money. read more

Max's has been a favorite of our for years and it never disappoints. The mussels, as others have said, are a long time favorite. I had the spicy red but the other sauces are equally good--just depends on your mood. I also ordered the long hots from the bar menu. They came w/cheese and prosciutto on toasts--so good I could have eaten a tray full. There is something on the menu for everyone--whether you want to eat hearty or light. Seafood is a specialty but the menu goes beyond the everyday. They keep the standard favorites on the menu but there is always something new to try. When family visits from out-of-town, Max's is where they want to go and we are happy to take them. read more

TERRIBLE SERVICE! This is a nice corner restaurant located in a developing ghetto. My family and I had waited over 10 minutes to be seated, waited 45 minutes for an appetizer and over 1.5 hours for our food. Both the ambience and food were respectable however the service needed some major help. I'd be hard pressed to recommend this to any of my friends. read more

THE ABSOLUTE BEST SEAFOOD in SOUTH JERSEY! In the 1970's Gloucester Citys best kept secret was Max's Cafe. A tiny corner bar / restaurant with linoleum floors, Bad carpeting and Butt to Butt seating. The Patrons Were Friendly and the Seafood "THE BEST in The Tri -State Area". Their Signature dish was their Famous Mussels served on a Cafeteria Tray and 2 Kaiser Rolls to Sop up the Delicious Nectar! Like a fine wine, Max's Cafe just gets better with age. Caring New Owners Refurbed the interior with a Cozy Hardwood / Brick Interior, Beautiful Tin Ceilings and Restored the Original Bar. The Menu became Modernized Still Keeping the Classics and Improving on them Such as the Mussels and the Fried Combo That Max's is Famous for. The New Menu boasts Fresh, Daily Specials that satisfy everyone from an "OLD SALT" to the Discriminating Gourmet. A Delicious Raw Bar Menu, Fresh Spring Mix Salads and Fresh ( NOT STALE!) Loaves of Bread. Max's Boasts an Extensive Wine and Spirit List. The Service is Attentive and Friendly! With all this and the place STILL keeps its "CHEERS" like atmosphere! If you're looking for the Best Seafood in the TRI-STATE area, treat yourself to Max's Cafe in the Heart of Gloucester City, NJ.! Max's is always quite busy, so my suggestion is to use the Open Table Online Reservation system. It can be accessed through their website. It's Fast, Convenient, and Gives a confirmation within seconds. Enjoy! read more

We always have a good dinner at Max's. I dreamt about the ahi tuna spring rolls the entire time I was pregnant with both of my children. We went last weekend for my birthday and, again, everything was great. We had the spring rolls and the calimari appetizers. My husband had the mussels app for his entree and I had the salmon (which is a favorite for both of us). Everything was delicious and the service was great. If I had to change anything about Max's I'd move it to a different location, because the neighborhood is not great, but it might lose some of its charm. We kind of entertained ourselves trying to decide if the guy who kept coming out of the bar across the street and walking around the corner and back was dealing drugs or just smoking or whether the drunk guy sitting on his porch roof would fall off before we were finished eating. Anyway... a great meal and a nice time. read more

We went two weeks ago on our way back from the shore. I was feeling like seafood and we knew there was a place in Gloucester we wanted to try. From the AC Expessway I searched and found Max's so we headed over. It's nestled in a neighborhood so parking is in the street. As soon as we walked in I knew this was not the place we were thinking of. Much more fancy than we were thinking after spending the day at the beach. Regardless we were not disappointed. We started with the mussels in red sauce. They were awesome and would go back just for three or fours orders of them! Hubby had the fish trio broiled combo and I had the seafood broiled combo all were delicious! We will definitely go back. Oh and service was good. I would not say great but I was picking up on a little tension in the restaurant so I think could easily go from good to great as far as service goes! Great atmosphere as well! Turns out the place we were looking for was Grabbes...lol. What a great mistake! read more

Second visit and just as pleased as I was with first. Calmari was excellent! Seafood Jambalya was very good. I wish I lived closer, but this is where I eat when I'm near downtown Philadelphia. read more

Have had maybe one negative experience, in the past, but otherwise, LOVE Max's. The happy hour menu/prices is pretty great. The food rarely disappoints. One of my favorites is the Thai mussels. Usually go through 2 bread baskets, sopping up the leftover sauce, after the mussels are gone. We love the ambiance of Max's, and the service. Noise level is low to non-existent. (unless they have live music), which is still tolerable and doesn't take away from the intimate dining experience. read more

Very Disappointing ! Had dinner for restaurant week ... it was our first time and will be our last . the tuna sear wasn't even seared , it was very chalky and bland , couldn't even eat it ... the cream of asparagus soup was tasty but had stem strings in it which were hard to swallow. the salmon was undercooked and the sweet potato was hard and undercooked also . the skate fish was very boring and on top of hard undercooked risotto . the dessert sampler with the key lime pie and godiva chocolate cake was good but there was an awful dry bread pudding instead of the tiramisu ( originally listed on the menu) . the warm spring veggie salad was good along with the mussels in a very tasty red sauce. it's a shame becuase the place ha s a nice warm , comfortable feeling with unique historic decor . read more

Just got back from a fabulous dinner.. Service from Ashley was superb ... Atmosphere was warm and inviting.....mussels big and juicy, clams and crabs cakes delish. Do not skip the drinks... .. Martini's amazing !!!! Cannot wait to return ..... read more

Neighbors asked for a recommendation for the four of us last Saturday night. I suggested Max's, having been there many times over the years, but not in the last two or three months. After making the reservation I looked at Yelp and was worried by some of the comments, fearing even perhaps that it had been sold. NOT TO WORRY. The evening was totally enjoyable and the food excellent. Mussels still unbeatable whether as an appetizer or with pasta. The kitchen was good enough to make the Jambalaya to order to accommodate a shellfish allergy. Drinks were well made. Service was a little slow, but not a problem for us since we had some catching to do. read more

My wife and I have been coming here on a regular basis for 5+ years now and really enjoy the whole experience here. Their Happy Hour specials, in particular, are fantastic! Good wine/beer selection as well as organic vodkas, etc. Great food all around. Old school all the way and a welcome alternative to the chains, large crowded restaurants in South Jersey. The owners are around a lot to see that things are running smoothly but also to speak with customers. read more

Hi I went to max's 8-14-2014 A The service was good! But the flies were bad. We ordered the crab dip and it looked old and smelled fishy. I ordered the ny strip and frites the steak was not charbroiled it tasted like it was cooked in a frying pan. And was tough in olive oil and salt and pepper. Alright but not worth the $25.00. read more

This is my favorite South Jersey restaurant. Great food and some really nice craft beers on tap. I love the Thai mussels for an appetizer. Every meal there has been good - cedar plank salmon, bouillebaisse, Jambalaya, baked tilapia. read more

I am reluctant to go to restaurants that specialize in seafood since I don't eat it, but I'm glad I made an exception this afternoon. The first positive thing for me was the ambiance which exemplified the richness of an upscale early 1900's bar and dining establishment. Next, to my delight, not a hint of a fishy odor or scent of fried oil. In addition to numerous seafood entrees, there were many choices for me. I had a nostalgic yen for a smoked pork chop, spaetzles, and sauerkraut... This entrée was simply delicious and so plentiful I took enough home for another dinner! A ravioli dish also tempted me...maybe next time. The staff was attentive, professional, and friendly. The bartender warmly greeted us when we entered, and bade us good bye when we left two hours later... happy and more than pleased with our decision to give Max's a try. We will return. read more

For our 6th Anniversary we decided to have a Max's Seafood experience ! So glad we did ! The host was friendly & polite when he sat us at our reserved table. The app we had was fried Calamari with spicy Thai dip~ it was tender & tasty . The Chef had a special of seared Lobster over huge portion of delicious Pappardelle pasta with oyster mushrooms in a lemon Masala sauce that was to die for ! The crab cakes were made from lump crab with little to no filler with Asian pear slaw and whole grain rice included sides that were deliciously filling ! The coffee and chocolate Cannoli to top it off made dinner complete! The atmosphere was very classy even though it is casual dress. Our waiter John will be requested on our next visit as he was knowledgeable about the beers available and great service is still appreciated very much ! We cannot wait to come back to have a relaxing and enjoyable evening at Max's again ! We also recommend Max's for a romantic dinner ! The Secret is out ! The gift cards that are available are the next gift we are giving to spread the Max Love read more

First bad experience here, not sure if it's new management or just lower standards. But I was very unhappy with my meal...the portions were small and overpriced. read more

First time there. Bar keeps could be a bit more attentive and less gossipy, but drinks were well done and price excellent. We enjoyed the calamari at the bar - crunchy and tender, nice bite to the pickled fried banana peppers. Dined in the back area - nice, sound, and conversatins, travel and felt a bit out of sight of staff. Octopus needed a longer cook and better grill. main course of linquine le mer - abundant seafood, pasta done just right, spiced with our request. Lobster ravioli on wilted fresh spinach with nice lumps of crab meat, blush sauce, tomatoes - very good. Bread comes to the table with a garlicy hummous - we had no idea what it was except good. We ordered garlic bread - waaaay garlicky (too much for me, just right for my dining companion). Deserts included house made gellato - cinnamon and burbon vanilla. well made, cinnamon was lovely, vanilla good but bourbon part kinda missing. And, raisin raisin apple bread pudding with apple jack. i think the double raisin was not a typo - could have used a few more minutes in the oven, more bread to fruit ratio. Anglaise very nice. Apple Jack needed to be cooked out more. Staff was young and engaging, eager to please. Owner Tom and his wife delightful. Oh - and one of the very best wine menues and very doable prices! Room for improvement, and we'll definitely be back - look forward to having a new local hang with great bar and restaurant vibe, good prices, and delicious food read more

Hadn't been here in a while but it was better than the last visit. Not sure if they have a new chef but they had a few new offerings. Got there a little early and sat at bar and did the Happy Hour. 5 dollar appetizers - we got the Greek Platter - Olives - hummus and baba Ganesh with fresh grilled pita - Really good. Finally sat down for dinner and had the Oysters sampler - very fresh and tasty- even liked their spin on cocktail sauce. I ordered the Roasted Tomato Caprese App as my salad and it was wonderful. The menu had the old reliables - Crab Cakes - Fried and Broiled platters but they did have a few new items - my wife have the 5 spice Tuna with Wasabi Mashed - it was exceptional. I had the Citrus Mako special and it was very good. We even threw in a piece of Key Lime Pie for dessert and it was very good as well. Service was friendly and attentive. Still a found Treasure in the middle of Gloucester. read more

Our dining experience was very disappointing on July 30th. We were very disappointed not to see the usual staff we so very much enjoyed seeing. We were seated at a window table, and then asked by the hostess "did we have a reservation?" Next they were out of Pina Colada Mix, my mothers favorite and only drink at special occasions. No peppers accompanied the bread. Two of our favorite entrees gone from the menu. Stuffed pork chop and Seafood Penne. There was only one special that evening. We had to ask for the bread and our salads over and over again. Then to top it all off we had to wait over 45 min for our meals, which our waiter kept apologizing for and then he finally decided to stand in the kitchen and wait for our meals. We ordered from the menu, not anything special. We than got our meals, Mom ordered seafood and said it was tasteless. I had filet mignon and it was very chewy. We than ordered dessert and they had NO Whipped Cream!!!!! So we guess the kitchen staff has also been replaced. Will Max's seafood Sink or Swim???????? read more

this is our go to place for a great evening. love the food and drinks. pleasant staff but have had some slow service on a few occasions, but we weren't in a hurry, so it wasn't too much of a problem. read more