Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill

    3.9 (1.1k reviews)
    Open • 11:00 am - 11:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill Photos

    SHELL & BONES OYSTER BAR AND GRILL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Happy hour specials

    You might also consider

    More like Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill

    Recommended Reviews - Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Libby H.

    My girlfriends and I came here for dinner. We didn't have reservations and got seated right away inside. I did the lavendar cocktail with vodka and it was so good. Their bread was yummy and it came with black salt which was cool. For appetizers, we did the tuna tuna tartare and fried calamari. They were good. For my entree I did the salmon and it came with coconut fried rice, it was delicious. My friends did the oven-roasted chicken thighs. Higher end restaurant, our bill was $200, but right on the water and pleasant dining. Great place to come with family, friends or on a date. I would come back!

    Ellen L.

    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.

    Xanadu split
    Darya S.

    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.

    Frozen rose cocktail
    Thao H.

    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!

    Bone marrow mussels
    Daniella M.

    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

    Creme  Brullee
    Yvette C.

    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.

    Ricotta w/ focaccia
    Brande Jane W.

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

    Soggy not fresh undressed salad
    Heather W.

    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.

    Tenderloin steak with spinach and potatoes
    Lauren B.

    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.

    4 types of oyster
    J S.

    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.

    Panko Crab Cake
    Kristi W.

    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.

    Joey T.

    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.

    New England Clam Chowder

    See all

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 1

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Darya S.
    1460
    3390
    3274

    7 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Carla G.
    360
    142
    119

    26 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mary B.
    12
    196
    299

    26 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    21 days ago

    Hands down great place worth every Penny they care about their food with gorgeous ambiance and meticulous cocktails!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    26 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of J S.
    341
    22
    18

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Eric W.
    2669
    841
    3602

    2 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 3
    Love this 3
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

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

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Steve B.

    Steve B.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of David W.
    25
    66
    23

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 28

    Ask the Community - Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill

    Is it loud?

    I sat at the bar and could hear my date. Noise was medium level- not loud and not quiet.

    Is the inside seating have Air conditioning?

    Yes! However, if you sit near the glass (that partitions it from the deck) and it's sunny, it may be too much for you. It was for us.

    Are dogs allowed?

    No

    Do they have happy hour?

    Monday - Friday 3:00-5:00

    Do you offer a kids menu?

    Yes, actually the chicken tenders are really good.

    Do they have outdoor heaters?

    They sure do.

    Do i need to make a reservation? how do I make a reservation?

    I would suggest you make one.

    What's the best food here?

    Yes!

    Are children welcome here?

    Yes of course

    View All 10 Questions

    You might also consider

    Barcelona Wine Bar - Patatas Bravas

    Barcelona Wine Bar

    4.0(817 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    •$$

    My wife and I were in New Haven for a concert. We had tried the Stamford location previously and…read moreloved it. This location felt larger but was still an intimate setting for a date night. Our waitress Diana was pleasant and professional and made helpful recommendations. My wife enjoyed a wine flight of sparkling wine, Chardonnay, and Malbec. We selected two cheeses and a sausage for a light start. High quality, enjoyed the cheese with the flowers on the rind. I probably should have slowed the pace of ordering but everything was so tempting. Chickpeas, broccoli, spicy meatballs, honey nut squash, and patatas bravas were all awesome! The "half" paella was huge and we probably should have went with a lighter choice, that said it was still excellent and we finished the rice the next day as leftovers. I would have had the olive oil cake because it's outstanding but was too full and went with an excellent double espresso instead. Glad we went to Barcelona Wine Bar!

    Came here for the first time for my brother and sister-in-law's rehearsal dinner, and WOW. 10/10…read moreacross the board! Every dish was phenomenal, but the standouts were the mussels (that chorizo-sofrito broth is insane; dip the bread), ham croquetas, meatballs, flank steak, chicken thigh, potatoes with salsa and a garlic aioli( patatas bravas) corn ribs, and crispy broccoli (super spicy). Wash it all down with their sangria; legitimately one of the best in CT.

    Photos
    Barcelona Wine Bar
    Barcelona Wine Bar - Albondigas

    Albondigas

    Barcelona Wine Bar - Beef empanadas

    See all

    Beef empanadas

    Manjares Tapas and wine - Spaghetti carbonara

    Manjares Tapas and wine

    5.0(4 reviews)
    3.5 mi

    After a garbage week of snow, freezing cold and work stress we wanted to try somewhere new for…read morehappy hour. I've been wanting to try Manjares for drinks and a bite since I already know how good their baked goods are for breakfast. Tonight was our chance despite traffic jams on the Parkway and snow drifts that makes parking everywhere in New Haven a treasure hunt. Decor is beautiful, ambiance is chill and relaxing. Very reminiscent of Olea without the downtown hustle and bustle. Menu is small yet carefully curated with something for everyone. We came specifically for potatoes bravas, one of our favorites. Saw it on the menu online but was told it was no longer available. Our server, Tabitha, suggested some Yucca fries which was not on the menu but she made a request to the kitchen for us. They were delicious and honestly if they were in the menu we would've ordered that as well. Fried calamari was seasoned and fried to absolutely tender perfection. The coating was light and crispy. My wife loved the aioli and picked onion combo on it. I preferred the lemon. Both of us decided to get a pasta course, bolognese and carbonara. For a non-Italian place to cook both of these dishes with such perfection blew us away. Flavorful bolognese that wasn't drenched in tomato sauce coated the al dente rigatoni perfectly. The carbonara was rich and savory with a little pepper accented by the guanciale. My wife had issues finishing ir and I suggested taking it home. She then finished it out of spite I believe. For $25 each, the pasta dishes were both satisfying without making you feel so full and bloated that you needed a wheelbarrow to get you back to the car. Plenty of food for even the biggest eater. Well worth the money. The attention to depth of flavors was evident. These were not some thrown together pasta dishes. Our compliments to the chef. Tabitha was great. Her cocktails were fantastic. She was attentive without being intrusive and has a great sense of humor. We are definitely coming back.

    What a lovely evening! It felt like being in someone's warm home, surrounded by beautiful artwork…read morecreated by Miguel Trelles, one of the owners. He and his lovely wife Ana have created a little haven in the neighborhood. The food was excellent-- my friends and I enjoyed the fried artichoke salad, grilled octopus, crispy calamari, the branzino and the carbonara. Everything came out either with a bright sauce, perfect vegetables or out of the ordinary accompaniments (like pickled onions with the calamari!). Delicious! And our server Tabitha took such good care of us to top it all off! A great start to the weekend.

    Photos
    Manjares Tapas and wine - They now offer breakfast

    They now offer breakfast

    Manjares Tapas and wine - Rigatoni Bolognese

    Rigatoni Bolognese

    Manjares Tapas and wine - Fried calamari

    See all

    Fried calamari

    Ordinary - Bavarian pretzel

    Ordinary

    4.1(319 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    •$$

    This place is great. Stumbled across it via the InKind app, and have been back multiple times,…read moreincluding making a special detour via New Haven on our last night before leaving Connecticut. The Ordinary is one of the oldest purpose build bars, with lovely dark gothic wood. A wacky gothic humor and excellent staff, who really care about the clients and the drinks. Good selection of gins. Outstanding cocktails on the list, at fair prices (especially happy hour). Or better yet, ask the expert staff to recommend and invent one for you. The bacon is a thick, crunchy, sugary must. Add it to your burger. And an egg. Get the shishito peppers. And the chocolate chip cookies. And if you're lucky and hungry, the coffin-full of sliders is a delicious bargain (with plenty for the next day).

    I've been to Ordinary perhaps 3-4 times. Being a New Haven native, I've been to about every bar,…read morerestaurant, or eatery in the city, and Ordinary has been no exception. First few times I went was during covid, and they were one of the few that allowed folks to just be. They resembled a real speakeasy during lockdown because you had to ring a bell and be let in. My most recent visit was with two of my long time friends on a rainy Wednesday night. We got seated by the "fireplace" and browsed the menu. I landed on a mocktail old fashion, my friend got the bee's knees and we got the big pretzel and the candied bacon. Pretzel was great, old fashion could have been better but the ambience was just what we needed. You really get a feel of old school New Haven being at Ordinary. The staff was great so I'll be back.

    Photos
    Ordinary - Cool pictures hanging up

    Cool pictures hanging up

    Ordinary - Cheese & Meat Board

    Cheese & Meat Board

    Ordinary - Vampire decor

    See all

    Vampire decor

    South Bay - Tuna Tartar with a Twist

    South Bay

    4.1(238 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    •$$

    happy easter everyone! first time at South Bay for me, my partner's been before…read more let's start with the positives: the food? incredible. no notes. the food runner and busser absolutely carried the experience and were the highlight of our night. now... the service. from the moment we were seated, it went downhill. as the host brought us to our table and introduced us to our server, she muttered "me mata" (spanish for "kill me") under her breath upon seeing us in her section. not exactly a warm welcome. little did she know i am trilingual in Portuguese and Spanish! throughout the night, she'd walk by, throw out a question, and keep moving without waiting for an answer or actually checking in. then, when it was time to order our mains, my partner placed her order and the server literally laughed while her facetime call was on speaker in her pocket. she giggled and made the whole interaction uncomfortable and honestly just unprofessional, and before anyone says "maybe they were busy" they weren't. there were fewer than 20 covers the entire time we were there. meanwhile, she had no problem giving attentive service to her other tables. so yes, no tip. actions have consequences. all that said, we loved the food, the music, and we didn't let her attitude ruin our night. just unfortunate that such a great spot is let down by service like that.

    We got the lobster bisque, grilled hanger steak, truffle Mac-n-cheese, prosciutto crisp, seared…read morescallops, crispy mushroom risotto tater tots, and Brussels sprout salad with rice cake, and fried Sicilian calamari. Lobster bisque was hot though pretty liquid-y. The Brussels sprout salad was by no means a salad. More of a rice cake with Brussels shavings on too but really good. Calamari was okay. Mac and cheese was eh, really liquidy as well. I did really like the crispy mushroom risotto tater tots. They tasted just like tater tots. As we were getting to our last bites and still eating, at least three different staff members within a matter of a minute asked if we're were done and could take our plates away. I would have given this place four stars had we not been bombarded at the end of our dinner. It felt like we were being rushed out even though there were tons of tables and seats still available. Left a bad taste in my mouth.

    Photos
    South Bay - Dining room

    Dining room

    South Bay
    South Bay - Inside

    See all

    Inside

    Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill - seafood - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...