I wish every person who buys fresh seafood, could truly know the story of Saybrook Seafood. It's a classic .......This place is owned by a woman from a family of fourth-generation, CT Shoreline fishwives...Fishwives, a term sometimes used as an insult...but when it comes to fresh seafood, is the highest compliment/assurance of quality and local knowledge. I don't know how many generations of fishing are represented in this family, but I do know that the quality and freshness of their fish reflect every generation... I'll make it simple.... -Saybrook Seafood knows every clammer, oysterman, fin fisherman, dragger, trawler, tuna hunter, long-liner and lobsterman from Clinton to Point Judith. -Atlantic seafood knows every wholesaler from here to the Fulton fish market. -Saybrook seafood chowder recipes have been honed for generations. I know because when I was a kid (I'm 65) the clam chowder I relished is still made exactly by Saybrook Seafood..right down to the perfect consistency of the potatoes, not too firm, not too mushy... -Atlantic seafood has a wide selection gathered from all over the fish world.. -Old saybrook seafood has a much smaller selection because, with very few exceptions, if it isn't available locally, it isn't in the case... -Sea scallops are from Day Boats.....Tuna is from Point Judith.... -hard calms are from local clammers -oysters are from third generation oyster farms, farmed to taste like oysters...not hybrid, cross-bred, designer-named lab-rats... -Steamers are from Maine -Stuffed shrimp is a simply-seasoned, perfectly-balanced, third-generation recipe that honors and enhances....without flavor-masking, the main player in the dish... -Herring is from an old local guy -smoked fish is from a different old local guy -Shad is from yet another old local guy -And most of these old local guys...are part of the family... Get the picture? In short Saybrook seafood is the tip of an iceberg....an iceberg of colorful local history....the watermen of CT and Rhode Island, who have made their living catching and digging and knowing local seafood for generations.... ..who still think marketing means foodshopping....and for whom quality, freshness and cleanliness are not a state requirement, or even good business, but a simple issue of family pride, and unbreakable commitment to honor family traditions that will never, never be forsaken.... read more

I sent my mom in to Saybrook Seafood today to pick up some fish & oysters because I've always had a pleasant experience and have found the staff very helpful. Unfortunately, the woman helping my mom was incredibly rude even snapping at her several times when she asked a question or tried to move the butcher paper to see the weight of the fish on the scale. I am aware the store was very busy at the time my mom was in, but this is so incredibly unacceptable and I am disgusted that we just spent so much money after being treated that way rather than walking out. I tried to call the store several times today to voice my upset over the phone directly rather than leaving a poor review. No one has answered and there is no answering machine. We will no longer be customers at Saybrook Seafood. read more

Saybrook Seafood has ruined me for going anywhere else for our fish - even the classics: scallops, salmon, cooked shrimp, stuffies, etc.... I come from several towns over and am heading over now for the second time this week. read more

I love their fresh local fish. I really love to pick up several frozen (home made) soups. They come in handy on a night you don't want to cook but want something really good. read more

The girls here are wonderful, so helpful in selecting the fish and telling you how to cook it! Their shrimp dips fantastic, soups, seafood so fresh, the best seafood market all around, visit them today! read more

We've shopped here for years and the quality and service has always been top notch. But sadly, we won't be going back. We bought some ($40) swordfish that turned out to be mushy, like pudding. When we called simply to let the store know -- not to ask for money back or any other accommodation -- we were met with unbridled hostility. The call ended with us being told to maybe take our business elsewhere. We will. read more

We've been getting seafood from this place for generations! We followed them after they left Atlantic and opened this place. We get Maine steamers frequently as well as an assortment of fish and the premade chowders. We also love the shucked quahogs for making our own chowder for the 4th of July. The whitefish dip is not to be missed! We go through multiple containers in a week. We're sad now that they close for June and July but we always make sure to stop by and stock up before then. They have our business whenever they're open. read more

Freshest fish on the shoreline, Robin is a gem as well as her staff. I love their delicious prepared soups, shrimp, shrimp spread, to just name a few. This is the cleanest fish market I've ever been to all others fail in comparison. read more

Customer service clearly not a priority Ordered 2 dozen oysters at 6.99 a pound.came to 60 + dollars Christmas eve. Line out the door didnt think I needed to stop and count them. Christmas day found out they gave me 62. Almost double. Pretty good way to make money I say. Went in to tLk to them and because I did not bring them back they could not do any thing about it. So rip people off and then not even care. Never again SMH read more

Incredibly fresh. Owner actually goes to Point Judith to get finest catch. They don't depend on wholesalers whose fish is preserved in a brine but focuses on the freshest catch. I have tried fish from the big name stores and local fish stores and have never found anything that comes close to Saybrook Seafood. But don't take my word for it or anyones on the web you have to try it yourself. Oh by the way when you enter Saybrook Seafood you don't get a funky old fish smell, rather you smell one of their wonderful homemade soups or chowders cooking in the back. read more

Saybrook Seafood - the front of the restaurant - Seafood Markets Near Me - Old Saybrook, Connecticut

Very freshest of the best seasonal fish available. Owners are knowledgable of cooking instructions, be it grill, oven or steam. Their cooked shrimp is the best. Chowders, and soups are delicious, and generous in taste. Whenever they get trout the owner lets me know because that is a fav of mine. read more

Seafood is not as fresh as the other place down the road, and the service could not be more unwelcoming or rude. The owner doesn't care if you are happy with the fish or the service. Not sure why she bothers owning a shop in the first place, since she clearly doesn't like people. read more

The fish is all overpriced, Norwegian Farmed Salmon 22.95??. Stop and shop has the same fish for 7.99-9.99. No difference. All the fish is 20 and up per lb. no whole fish it's sitting in a deli case. I bought 130.00 in fish. And was charged a 5.11 service charge??. What is that for?. A tip for wrapping the fish?. read more

There are no clams in the baked stuffed clams. These bsc are all bread with not much flavor. As a bac recipe goes , there should be a good amount of clam. Dont waste your money. read more

Absolutely horrific treatment of customers. The owner is aggressively rude. No-one in their right mind would yell at an elderly customer in that way, and after seeing the harm that this verbal assault has caused, I will go out of my way to spread the word that this business should be avoided. read more

I love their fresh cooked shrimp for shrimp cocktail. It's meaty and dry and I mean dry in a good way. It's not slimy. It's my favorite place for shrimp cocktail and I'm very picky about my shrimp cocktail. My family has been getting it there for years and it never disappoints. I can't speak for other menu items but this is my go-to joint for cooked shrimp. read more

Recently went back to Saybrook Seafood and unless I missed it before, it appears that they may have replaced the flooring in the retail section - sparkling white and a bright blue tile - was again spotless and clean. I tried their baked stuffed clams and thought that they were very good. So, if you haven't time to make your own...buy theirs. The two I purchased did not have a lot of clam pieces but a really strong clam flavor that was excellent. 2 thumbs up! read more

We found the fish very fresh. Highly recommend the lobster bisque and corn and shrimp chowder found in the freezer case, They very creamy with the right amount of seafood. read more

Saybrook Seafood - Little necks, yum! - Seafood Markets Near Me - Old Saybrook, Connecticut

Good variety and the smoked salmon here is THE BEST. They are always friendly and the place is spotless.

Fresh and local choices. All you need for the best seafood. Never have been disappointed.

Merry Christmas! On 12/24/16 I went to Saybrook Seafood to pick up our pre-ordered seafood for the holiday. My husband discovered upon paying for the order that the crab meat we purchased was frozen, not thawed, as agreed upon when placing the order days earlier. When he brought this to the owner's attention he received the reply that "he was lucky to get that". Imagine that, $14 per container and we purchased three containers, yet we were lucky?!? When we got home I opened the 8lbs of cocktail shrimp and they didn't smell like shrimp, I tasted one and there was no taste while the texture was off- mealy, at best. I knew I could not serve this to my company. I went back to the store, waited in line, and when it was my turn I went to the end of the display case, as I did not want everyone to hear my complaint (thinking I am being respectful to the family who own the business). They went in the backroom to "discuss" my complaint, came back, offered my money back ($15 per pound x 8lbs), then TOLD ME NEVER TO COME BACK AS I WAS TOO DIFFICULT! Difficult?? I had just spent $385 in that market and WAS a year-round customer and I expected the quality that I was accustomed to. I have, year in and out, ignored the fact that when you buy a pound of shrimp you bring home only 12oz (as Ed W. also mentions here on Yelp). They say it's the count not weight, I say it's deceptive and lucrative for them. I was loyal to this market since the family opened after the mess with their parents, I guess this loyalty was foolish in hindsight. I recommend that if you live in the Saybrook area and are looking for quality seafood, at competitive prices, that you try Atlantic Seafood. They welcomed us and treated us with courtesy and respect on Christmas Eve with no pre-order. And once I opened the 8 lbs of shrimp I knew immediately I had done the right thing, their shrimp was perfect and delicious- the way fresh shrimp should be at $15+ per pound. Heed my advice, don't waste your time with Saybrook Seafood. They apparently think that they are doing you a favor by selling you their mediocre seafood when there is competition less than a mile down the street. A business should never tell a customer "they are lucky" to be buying an item from them nor telling a customer "never to return because they are difficult". And to everyone else.... spend your money elsewhere. read more

Last week I made a purchase at this market and was given a register receipt for my credit card purchase. The receipt was for $28 and a charge of $29+ was posted to my credit card. I called to question the discrepancy and was advised that they now assign half their service charge on credit card purchases to the customer, which is now allowed by a change in law. I was certainly surprised that this market, which is not inexpensive, had not only decided to pass their cost of accepting credit cards on to the customer, but that when I elected to have a receipt, they gave me one which did not reflect this additional charge. I can only imagine that they didn't want to confront the issue in person and were hoping that this would not be noticed. I have purchased a variety of seafood at this market and have mostly been satisfied with its quality. Dayboat cod is always very good and scallops are a winner as well. Unfortunately I have stopped getting cooked shrimp there because it hasn't been properly deveined and the texture is off. Their soups are quite good as well. BUT, this feeling of being "taken" has left me reluctant to use them going forward. Be advised that you will be penalized for using a credit card by making that convenience your burden at this market. Maybe they should be in the gasoline business. read more

I have to say that this place had some of the most unpleasant customer service that my wife and I have ever experienced. I cannot touch on the quality of the seafood at this venue simply because the awful customer service turned us off from making a purchase. While browsing casually for the day's seafood dinner, my wife had a simple question for the female owner regarding the freshness of the fish we were looking at. We were met with a cold "either buy it or get out" type of attitude. Needless to say, we won't be doing business here again. Good luck to you if you choose to yourself. read more

If you are looking for good/great seafood this is NOT the place for you. I purchased seafood here a few months ago and it was simply poor quality. I thought that was a one time only thing - possibly I got that last piece of fish that had been in the case for days. I did not write a review at that time, I figured I would give them another try before I "write them off". Since then I have returned and once again, this time the same poor quality - staff were less than friendly. Want seafood find another place to purchase it - this is not the place. read more

Decently fresh sea scallops, ok prices, service left a bit to be desired. Before I could even point to the scallops I wanted, she had a bucket scooped and into a bag... oh well... read more

Ist time and most definitely not the last! There was a steady flow of people when I stopped in at 2pm on a Friday, which itself speaks volumes for the popularity of this little fishmongers. There was so much to choose from, but i settled for the stuffed lobster tail, stuffed shrimp, stuffed clams, and a fancy lemon infused dry pasta imported from Italy. I read other reviews saying there are no clams in the stuffed clams, well i beg to differ! Everything on the plate was outstanding, and all i had to do was pop it in the oven on 325 for 30 minutes! I did make an oil and garlic sauce to toss the pasta in, and when I presented this dish to my husband his eyes popped out of his head! Needless to say ill be back, and not only was the store immaculate, the girls behind the counter were so lovely and helpful, and greeted everyone as they came through the door! If you haven't yet discovered this gem then I suggest you take a ride to Old Saybrook, you wont be disappointed! read more

Immaculate place and the seafood is very fresh. The cooked shrimp is fantastic. Also, they are the nicest people. I don't usually do reviews but they deserve it. read more

Top notch product, excellent service. Picked up some impeccable scallops.

The fish is very good.... BUT the guy has overcharged me more than once! And I'm a frequent customer... often twice a week and I spent over $300 there at Xmas. Today I was charged $12.97 for fish that should have been $9.85, according to their weight & their price. When I pointed out that he had overcharged me, he gave me back $1 until I made him reweigh it and recalculate it, at which point he gave me back $3. So, although the fish is good, you have to keep an eye on the guy who rings you up! read more

if you are in a real bind, and stop and shop is closed try your luck. not very busy but the fish and other seafood is ok. i have had much better ! read more

I called to asked the price of lobster, she said "Are you going to place an order I said Not for lobster your prices are high for the size of my party, but maybe shrimp can you tell me the price per pound and she hung up on me. I called back and she didn't answer. I left a message and told her I would post how I was treated online. Terrible service. read more

Have been a loyal customer for 10 years, spending around $60 a week. Was sold a filet of Arctic char that was not fresh. When complained, the owner did not even offer an apology. Not to mention a refund. Never again. read more

Recently moved to Old Saybrook. RAN out to find good seafood. We eat fish three times a week if not more. OS Seafood looked great and I made a point of introducing myself and commending them on their display. Told them that I have approx 20 years in Seafood in NY and Hawaii. My compliment was met with a sour face. Dismissed it. Have spent about 75 a week there for two months. Last week I got a lb of shrimp. I got home to feed guests a seafood rice dish and every other shrimp was soft and smelled like 'cr-p'. Rotten. I called and Chris apologized and told me to come in and they'll replace them. I then told him again that I love his seafood and I almost felt bad complaining. Two days later I entered. Chris was not there. Three women. I guess they are the fish women another poster talked about. They told me that Chris had no right agreeing to replace those 8 or 9 shrimp because "he only works four hours a week" and then a short woman with a mouth came out and nearly yelled at my wife and I accusing us of lying. She was backed up by another woman (blonde woman). Rude crude and basically low class. During all this I was polite and told them that "i spend a lot of money and am a fan". Finally getting nowhere I told them I'll go home and get the rotten shrimp which we did put in the freezer. I got home. Looked at the shrimp and threw them away. I'll never go there again and now go to Atlantic Seafood. I dropped in the other day and Atlantic was jammed the day before Christmas. OS seafood had an empty parking lot. No surprise. i don't care how much they know or who they know. They've seen me in their dozens of times and chose to treat us like crap. Now I'll share my story with everyone I meet until I hear that the fish girls have been replaced by workers who know how to treat loyal customers. Good luck Chris. You're gonna need it. Neal G read more

I was looking for good seafood today. Stopped by to try. I was extremely disappointed with the food. The seafood was definitely not fresh. The service was far from adequate. I won't be returning. read more

The owners of this small fish/clam/lobster store are running what I consider one of the cleanest fish stores I have ever seen. All of the product is top quality, fresh and gorgeous to look at. The prepared shrimp, smoked fish and stuffed seafood are some of the best I have ever had. They use no ice in the cases so you are buying fish not frozen water. Much of the seafood is locally sourced and extremely fresh. You know I really hate to give such a glowing review because it only makes the places get busier - but in this instance I think that these people really deserve a positive shout out. Great job - Saybrook Seafood! Did I mention that they will cook lobster for you? Beats anyone on the shoreline in job well done (IMHO) read more

No doubt about it, Saybrook Seafood is the place to go if you want an immaculate store, freshest fish in the area, great service, convenient store hours and above all if you ask a question you get an honest answer. From the Shrimp and Roasted Corn Chowder, lemon pepper smoked salmon, fresh fish of all kinds, fresh and cooked shrimp. I've purchased seafood in fish markets from Maine to Florida; definitely FIVE STARS, I wouldn't shop seafood any where else. read more