Fantastic meal and the perfect way to end our Connecticut getaway. We sat outside overlooking the harbor and our server was outstanding. The Harbor Sampler was excellent, the mussel pot had a unique curry broth that we really enjoyed, and the New England IPAs and Frozé hit the spot. The clam chowder had great flavor and a large amount of crab but it could've been a little warmer and a few oyster crackers would've been nice. If you're looking for fresh seafood, oysters, harbor views, and great service, Shell & Bones is absolutely worth the stop. read more

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Fabulous second time here as a visitor to New Haven. My first time for brunch great, other than the temperature of my food, so I came get back for date night. They said they could not guarantee the patio. But we were lucky to be able to sit outside anyway. The water is magical at night. More importantly, they have a very interesting bar program and delicious food. I got the new Message in a Bottle cocktail, which was clarified, so there is mango, lime, rum, orgeat, curaçao and milk... but it was as clear as an old-fashioned. Lots of flavors going on and they balanced extreme well. Very delicious, vacation-like, and sophisticated. The bread here was also delicious as well the butter and the black salt it was served with. They have a whole vegan menu, but there were also some vegetarian things on the main menu so I stick with that. The beet salad was incredible. Huge portion, and some very delicious blue cheese which was in the dressing. It was very filling and I still had some to take back to my hotel. The wild mushroom "bolognese" (meatless) was tasty too, but it had a little too much of an herb (thyme?). Otherwise the meal was so very delicious and the setting was beautiful. And this is coming from a San Diegan who is used to waterfront views and good food! read more

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Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill is an elevated seafood restaurant, steakhouse and raw bar that opened in New Haven, Connecticut in July 2015. It was founded by restaurateurs Daniel Kay, Marc Knight, and Robert Bolduc. Knight and Bolduc had previously had success when they opened the popular southwestern restaurant Geronimo Tequila Bar & Southwest Grill in the Elm City in November 2007. Kay had spent nearly 15 years serving as the president of Connecticut Fluid Power. In 2015, the three business partners came together to open a new venture at New Haven's historic City Point. The location (on the ground level below the Pequonnock Yacht Club) had been home to several restaurants for decades (most recently to Sage American Grill & Oyster Bar). After a complete remodel, they opened Shell & Bones. The trio brought in the award-winning executive chef Arturo Franco Camacho to serve as the culinary director. My wife and I recently had a lunch date at Shell & Bones. The restaurant had been on our bucket list for some time. We loved the nautical theme of the decor as well as the amazing views of New Haven Harbor. We were seated in the indoor patio; it was a little too cold and rainy during our visit for al fresco dining. For drinks, I ordered "The Breakfast Bloody Mary" (Ostreida oyster vodka, Tres Agaves Bloody Mary mix, chorizo, cocktail shrimp, bacon, cornichon, olives) while my wife had the "Lavender Limoncello Spritzer". The cocktails were just as visually pleasing as they were delicious. From the raw bar, we shared four "Lucky Lady" oysters, which were super light and smooth. For our entrées, I had the "Crab Cake B.L.T." (sweet & spicy bacon, romaine, tomato, chipotle mayo, brioche roll) and my wife had the "Shell & Bones Lobster Roll" (served hot w/ house-made Lobster Butter). For our sides, we both ordered "Hand Cut Truffle Parmesan Fries". My sandwich was bursting with flavor, my wife's lobster roll was one of the best we ever had, and the fries were just the icing on the cake. We looked over the dessert menu (which looked great), but we were way too full. We had a fantastic experience at Shell & Bones and look forward to returning! read more

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Came here because of the reviews but surprisingly disappointed at the quality if their seafood seems all over cooked, very bland, and not as fresh as i expected, not Worth the price. My seafood combo dish was $60 and i literally didn't like anything in it, especially the scallop seems immitate crab meat. Clam chowder is watery, lack of clam flavor, idk why they put chips in it, it has 1 clam in shell and that's all. I'll just get the one from whole food. Raw clams and oysters are ok! The best out of everything we ordered was the steak & fries. Steak was made perfect and love the truffle fries. (Or maybe because i was very disappointed at my own seafood dish) So, I won't come back here for any of the seafood. read more

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We always have such a wonderful time at Shell & Bones. I love being by the water, catching up with friends to a beautiful view of the ocean and boats. We all enjoyed our drinks and meals. The calamari and Bloody Mary were amazing. I had fish tacos and fries which was ok. My friend enjoyed her smoked salmon eggs Benedict and fancy frozen cocktail, and another had a chicken sandwich and mimosa. Our waiter was so kind and even gave us complimentary champagne to celebrate my milestone birthday! Can't wait to go back! read more

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My husband and I came here before seeing a show. We walked in without a reservation and we're seated immediately, granted it was at 4pm! But when you have toddlers, you're used to eating at that time lol. We had a dozen oysters, the oysters and bone marrow appetizer special, the clam chowder, the bouillabaisse, a side of brussel sprouts, the pot of mussels, carrot ginger juice, some whiskey drink, and the xanadu split for dessert. We really loved every bite and there was nothing I wouldn't recommend. I would definitely say to get the bouillabaisse to share, because it's so delicious and filling. Our waitress was patient, warm, and friendly, wish I remembered her name. Best of all is the view. Great for sweet couple photos, and makes the price worth it. read more

Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill - Xanadu split - Seafood Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Had a great birthday dinner at Shell & Bones! The restaurant is gorgeous we sat next to the fireplace and it was cozy and elegant. I'd love to see what it looks like in the summer with the beautiful water views! Our waiter was great and brought the birthday girl a glass of champagne. Everything we ate was delicious you really can't go wrong here but do not skip the mussels for an appetizer!! We wanted to drink the broth they were so good. I can't remember what steak I ordered but it was cooked perfectly and the sauce was delicious. It definitely is pricey but you get what you pay for. It's a lovely spot for a special occasion! I can't recommend it enough read more

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This place is wayyy too over priced, 23$ for a martini. 26$ for 6 oysters. F****** The beet salad was good but overall just way too expensive for what it is. read more

Came here for drinks and apps. The clam chowder is legitimately some of the best I've ever had so that's obviously a plus. We also had the spare ribs and Thai mussels. The mussels and broth were really lacking in any flavor. The spare ribs were also pretty bland. The drinks were poured short and not very well made. View is spectacular. Come for a beer (not cocktail) and clam chowder on the water. Leave the rest read more

Service is unmatched. When they make a mistake the own it and fix it (even if it takes 4 tries). Fresh seafood and great steak. read more

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Great restaurant, somewhat pricey but good drinks as well as good food. Salmon is always a go to for here.

Stumbled across this place while traveling thru New Haven. My waiter was Taylor who reminds me of the road runner. Fast, agile, having a good time, all while making great suggestions and giving great service. His back up dancers ( aka bus people/food runners) gave excellent support. I felt well cared for but not smothered. The osters Rockefeller were heavy on the garlic, which I love. The Bouillabaisse was delicious. The sauce was lighter then I expected but they added so much seafood that it made sense. A heavier broth would have been too much. It is a huge portion. Lots of perfectly cooked shrimp, scallops, clams, etc. I used the bread to sop up the broth. Normally I am not overly picky but I noticed and appreciated a lot of details. The bread came out warm. Crusty on the outside, soft inside. Butter was soft, fresh and spreadable. Wine was VERY chilled. They even took the shell tails off the shrimp. Funny how these little things made my experience pretty wonderful. Thank you for a lovely, solo birthday dinner. read more

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We had a terrible experience. My family (husband and daughter) went for lunch/ dinner at 3:30 PM. Our waitress was very passive aggressive, was not responding to anything we would ask her. We felt very unwelcomed, uncomfortable and were hesitant to ask her for anything. We ordered wellfleet oysters and cuban Rockefeller, both of these came out without much to it. We have never had such a bad experience anywhere else. We still tipped the waitress 10% and left without having full dinner. read more

Phenomenal experience, food was excellent. Staff was very friendly. Good selection of mocktails. Our favorite was the baked ricotta with focaccia bread. read more

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I cannot say enough good things about this restaurant. Every meal I have had here has been amazing. I usually come here 6 times a year and I've never been disappointed. Not only is the food amazing but the service is outstanding. If you come here, you must try their clam chowder. It is literally the best clam chowder I have ever had in my life. read more

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Really, really terrible service. I basically had to go get everything myself, meaning once ordered, after AT LEAST 20-50M, I ended up flagging someone else down to help. Lots of bussers running around, but the actual server we had was an absolute nightmare. We had to order drinks multiple times and only received 2 after asking for 2.5h. Ordered lobster roll, my friend is food poisoned and has been vomiting ever since. Ordered a salad with balsamic on the side-- eventually it finally came, dressed with whatever already on there-- after about 25m, server F came back and explained 'he didn't realize I wanted balsamic on the side' and actually asked about it. WTF?! WHY would you bring out a dressed salad with NOT the dressing I requested? Clearly he was at fault and bringing up the irrelevant, but it was clear he didn't care. Bread took about 60m to come out. We had ordered Rockefeller and were waiting for it. Service never came to check on us. Ridiculous service, that alone would give it 1 star or lower. Then the food poisoning. Then the lack of parking, and waiting after we had a reservation for Sunday brunch. Wow, this place. Complete nightmare. All around, negative stars. Oh, forgot to mention the soggy cold fries. That's the least of it. And also forgot to mention the second soggy old dried out salad. There's that. Photos included. EDIT: I forgot to mention we were swatting flies away EVERYWHERE, constantly. We were indoors, far away the doors. Ugh. Miserable all around. read more

Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill - Soggy not fresh undressed salad - Seafood Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Lovely location right on the marina. Interior was cozy with the fireplace roaring. Service was on par with expectations. The crab cake had a lot of filler and was extra crispy, wouldn't order it again. However, the salmon and scallops were both winners and we completed our meal with a creamy Chocolate Pot de Crème. read more

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This place was fabulous, from the location to the service to the delicious clam chowder, oysters, crab cake, and pasta! Their lavender75 drink was also delightful. The dining room is beautiful with a fireplace and deck on the water decorated for the holiday season. read more

Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill - Seafood Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

4.5 I have come here so many times, but never posted a review. Although a seafood place, I appreciate the thought for vegetarian options. Brunch options are great, but the French toast was a little soft for my liking. The drinks are fun and creative. The staff is always so nice and service is good. The view is beautiful! read more

(Last visited 4/3/2023.) My wife (fiancée at the time) and I just finished up an engagement photoshoot in downtown New Haven and it's time to eat! So we did some Yelp'ing of course and decided on Shell & Bones right on the water! Here's how things went! Atmosphere/Appearance: This place is so beautiful and ducked off right on Winter Harbor in southern New Haven. It's seated right on the water and has some excellent views! Perfect for date night or just a nice hang out session. The inside is just as spectacular. It's clean, spacious, but a little confusing. There are so many dining areas, outdoor areas and just places to eat that I got a little lost in there, no matter. Service: Ali took excellent care of us! She was sweet, funny, patient, made excellent recommendations and just made sure we had everything that we need! Food: The complimentary bread was fresh, warm, simple and paired well with the salty, creamy butter. As a started I opted for their very famous New England Clam Chowder. It looked like no other clam chowder that I've ever seen, but it was SUPER FLAVORFUL. It even had a bit of spice to it. The herbs came through to shine, the soup was hot, complex, yet balanced and I really liked this. For my entree I was feeling steak so I opted for the Prime 18. oz. Ribeye. This thing was SO JUICY, but you know... fatty as well. I did have to cut a bit off, but that's totally normal for this cut of beef. I loved the charred flavors from the kiss of the dragon and the natural flavors of the good stuff. The scalloped/au gratin potatoes were so cool! They were served in like, a loaf, but sliced the long ways... they were just cool, but nothing to write-home about taste wise. Value: It's an upscale steak restaurant... do what you want with that information. Lol. Don't pull on to a restaurant on the water in Connecticut and not expect to spend playa... In conclusion, I'd love to come back here on a nice summer's day to have some wine and seafood while looking out at the water. Babe, if you're reading this... let's make it happen! read more

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This is a beautiful place. Right on the water. Great seafood... staff was nice. Very clean great atmosphere. I will definitely do this again very soon soon. I highly recommend! read more

Have never had a bad meal here in addition to really great service in a welcoming atmosphere. read more

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Beautiful Friday night dinner celebrating my birthday and my parent's 50th anniversary a few weeks back. Mentioned at the door we had a few celebrations. Started with the clam chowder and crab cake. Wow. Chowder had a heavy bacon flavor which I loved. My mom didn't care for. Crab cake had a different flavor too. Not as fishy as normal which I thought was great. Chopped salad delicious. Not much to say there. I got the Bouillabaise for an entree. Might have been nice with pasta or rice. Basically like a soup. Loved the bread crostini on top. Nice flavor but very salty. Everyone else liked their meals for the most part. My dad mentioned the Fra Diavolo could have used more sauce. A tadddd dry. Waitress brought me ice cream with Happy Birthday written in chocolate. Also 3 glasses of champagne. Dad doesn't drink so brought him ginger ale which was so thoughtful. Super expensive - my meal was $49 with no pasta or rice. Everything very pricey so know that coming here. Overall a very nice experience. read more

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I have re-visited the restaurant. The staffing has changed to a measurable degree. AND Management cared about my experience. I sincerely appreciate the interest and response. I am definitely taking clients to Shell & Bones once again read more

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This place is less than a mile off 95, a bit hard to find, but well worth the effort. I came in February, but was able to sit on the outdoor porch, which is for season. The server was great, right on the top of our needs. They have a great craft beer selection, and a very nice menu, offering a bit of something for everyone (seafood, steak, chicken, vegan). I ordered the prime rib, which was a bit pricey, but good sized and tasty. I mentioned my mother-in-law had a birthday, and was turning 90. They surprised us with a champagne toast and a kugle of ice cream with a candle in it. It was a very unexpected but appreciate the treat. read more

Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill - Great four season patio (photo taken in Feb ) - Seafood Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

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I was visiting my sister who lives in New Haven. Took me to this place on the water. We got a table outside the weather was perfect! Our waiter I believe his name was Mikey was fantastic. They actually had clams casino on the menu which I can't seem to find in Florida. My sister got the crab BLT. I have to tell you these clams casinos were the best!! Exactly as I remembered when I lived in New York. Nice garlic butter with Parmesan cheese and bacon. A slight amount of breadcrumbs and baked so they're a little crunchy on the outside. Very juicy flavor beyond good. Sis loved her crab sandwich. All in all a wonderful experience. Highly recommend. Will definitely be back when I come to visit again! read more

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Beautiful outdoor dining views, friendly service, and elevated interior dining ambiance. Happy Hour starts 3pm-6pm with oysters, clams, Martins & wine. Our daughter loved their bread and butter and is a big fan of lobster too. Shrimp Ceviche is a great shareable item, refreshing, plump shrimp; it was a great appetizer. read more

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We finally made it here! We decided to drop by on a lovely Sunday afternoon for brunch, and we got a fantastic table by the water with such a beautiful view. We did end up moving twice since the sun was beaming right in my brunch buddy's face, but it was all good! Now, let me tell you about the food--it was absolutely amazing! I can't wait to come back for dinner or happy hour. For my meal, I went with the steak and eggs (no home fries), and it was perfect! It came with a side salad that was deliciously dressed, and it paired wonderfully with the perfectly cooked steak. The service was super attentive and prompt, too. I'm definitely looking forward to checking this place out again during the summer! read more

Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill - Steak and eggs - Seafood Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

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We came here with friends to enjoy an early dinner. Our server was outstanding, made menu and drink recommendations and they were all good choices. The ambiance was casual and we felt welcomed. The food was delicious, and we tried a lot of different options. We truly enjoyed our dinner and will come back again! read more

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I had Sunday brunch here with my girls last weekend after a local recommended it to us. It was super easy to make reservations online which was nice. Just a heads up - their brunch menu is more like lunch food, no pancakes or waffles or anything like that. But still good options! I got the picanha steak sandwich on ciabatta bread and it was SO good. Picanha is literally my favorite cut so I was happy. But omg it was such a mess to eat with all the garlic aioli and dried tomato spread - my hands were disgusting by the end (lol). Totally worth it though. My friend got the crab cake sandwich and said it was decent but the crab cake tasted like it was frozen before, not freshly made. Two of my other friends both ordered the lobster roll and said it was really juicy and good but needed more salt. They also complained there was way too much bread compared to the lobster. Our waitress was amazing though! Since we were celebrating my friend's birthday she brought us complimentary champagne which was so sweet of her. We had a great table by the big windows in the back overlooking the water. Would've been perfect if it wasn't raining so we could've sat outside. Oh and the parking situation is terrible. The lot is tiny and super narrow, good luck finding a spot. Overall had a good time and would probably go back, just maybe not for "brunch" since it's really more of a lunch spot. read more

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The vibe was great, the food was not good. I had empanadas, oysters Rockefeller, lobster roll and a mimosa The empanadas were ok. The pastry looked and tasted more like a samosa than an empanada. They were small and pricy at 20something dollars. I didnt know the price before ordering ( it was a special) or else i wouldnt have. The oysters tasted good but the sizes ranged from small to really small. Ive never had rockerfeller this tiny before. Finally the lobster roll was very disappointing. The bun is oversized and not buttery. The lobster meat was ok, not the best ive had and it was lacking in flavor, like a little salt would help or good butter. Which brings me to the homemade lobster butter, it didnt taste like lobster or butter. Maybe it wasnt real butter? I couldnt tell. But it wasnt good quality tasty butter. A little salt and quality butter can save a lobster roll. The fries were eh. I wouldnt come here again. read more

Oh my goodness this place is so delicious; it's so hard to decide what to get off the menu because there are so many good options and price points. I really like the setting, it always feels cozy without being too crowded and always had good service. Really nice date night spot! read more

We went for a friends birthday after hearing about the restauran. it was a cold rainy spring night outside but we got a table by the fireplace. We started with a sampling of fresh oysters and shrimp cocktail both were extraordinary. Our mains were great as well. We loved the scallops and farro, linguini and clams. One of our friends is a vegan and was very pleased with the selections on offer given the name of the establishment. We highly recommend the tres leches dessert and this restaurant. The service was outstanding and we truly appreciated Tiffany's attention to detail. read more

From the moment we walked in, everyone made my sister's birthday feel truly special. The hostess noticed it on the reservation and greeted us with big smiles and a happy birthday which was repeated again when we were seated. Our server, Cristy, was fantastic: sociable, professional, friendly, and genuinely fun to talk to. She even surprised us with two complimentary glasses of champagne to celebrate! The manager stopped by to check in and wish her a happy birthday, and even the busser joined in. Every team member was kind and attentive we felt so taken care of all night. Food highlights: * Clams Casino (special) - Baked to perfection. Small in size but packed with flavor. * Oysters with bone marrow - Absolutely outstanding. The buttery marrow mixed with the garlicky notes and oysters was a wow moment. * Prime NY Strip, medium rare - Exactly as our waitress said, "as God intended." Flavorful and elevated by the truffle emulsion. * Piña Colada Crème Brûlée - Creamy and subtly sweet. * Banana Tres Leches - Not the traditional presentation (it came as a small ball topped with ice cream), but once cut open, the rich, milk-soaked cake was excellent. Drinks were perfectly crafted--the margarita with salt was just right, and The Kraken hit the exact mood I was in. When we left, they wished her a happy birthday again and told her safe travels. It was an amazing night from start to finish. Highly recommend, birthday was a hit! read more

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"Incredible" is the first description that comes to mind after having an exceptional Easter lunch at Shell and Bones. From the time we entered, we were treated with warm attentive service that made us feel right at home. Now for the food - amazing dishes all cooked to perfection! My wife had the sea scallops fra diovolo which were so tasteful and tender as I opted for the swordfish on a bed of fried tomatoes in a delightful artichoke sauce that perfectly complimented the dish. The menu and wine selections offer a wide variety of options - no matter what you order, it's all outstanding! Our server Erin and the manager Eric went out of their way to way to make our first experience at Shell and Bones a pleasantly memorable one. I can't say enough about this fine establishment and look forward to returning soon! read more

So this place was once a top restaurant. It was almost impossible to get a spot at the bar for dinner. We've noticed a reduction in quality over the years. We went tonight and will not be returning. The signature dish was the clam chowder. It was arguably the best I've had. Nice cast iron little crockpot with tons of clams and flavor. Tonight we ordered it along with a dinner and it was horrible. They changed to bowl to a small ramekin bowl but the chowder had zero flavor. Watered down and no clam flavor. It's a shame as the waterfront view is very nice however this place is very expensive and can't deliver anymore. Other better options in the area. read more

The food is prepared very well and is delicious. Service is excellent and very thoughtful and who could ever beat sitting by a glassed in seating area by the ocean which can even be opened to the lovely breezes! Beautiful!i read more

Came here for the 3 course Thanksgiving dinner. It was excellent. Ambiance was very New England. Wine pairings with each course were spot on. The service was stellar. Waiter was attentive to all of our needs. We'll be back. read more

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Every few years I try it again. They fail. Subpar service for visibly disabled or persons with disabilities. Shame on them.

Beware of their "happy hour". I've never felt like I was deceived at a restaurant until this visit. We ordered food that we believed was on the happy hour menu but told it wasn't after our bill arrived. We were excited to go but it is highly doubtful we will ever go back. Spent over $600 for an experience that was incredibly disappointing based on the price. Proceed with caution! read more