Elm Square Oyster Co.

I liked my time here. You can start by having a mix-and-match of different oysters, and each comes with their descriptions (brine/sweetness/size, etc.), which is useful for deciding. My husband and I then took the crispy halibut sandwich, which was yummy. Although the main entrees were pricier, the food tasted really good. However, I would have loved to see more options on the menu (a salmon dish, for example). The service here was fantastic though. Everyone was warm and friendly, and the food was served really fast! Also, just a suggestion: the decor could be improved with some ambient lighting.

My wife and I were in for Valentine's Day last tonight and had a great time. The food was wonderful and the staff was very attentive. The only observation I have is that there is almost no waiting space at the entrance, so we were standing in the way a bit before being seated. Some benches or couches outside the threshold would be great.

Elm Square Oyster Co is amazing. My wife and I reserved a table for our anniversary dinner and ran into some traffic and issues which delayed us about half an hour. Roseann the owner and her staff were so accommodating and great to work with to ensure even with the hiccups we wouldn’t be waiting for a table. It just got better when we got there. Our waiter Jessie, was probably one of the best waiters I have ever had. He was so courteous, proactive (our table was a bit off balance, he fixed it without me mentioning it) and pleasant. We had the best time due to him and other staff there. The food is also amazing. We got oysters of course, charcuterie, mussels, and salads. The drinks were awesome. We will be returning sooner than later! Thank you for a great evening!!!

First time at Elm Square Oyster. Had a table available in the bar which seemed to be the place to be. Bar area was packed. Started with couple signature drinks. I had a snowbird, it was very tasty if you like grapefruit. Server was excellent even though it was very busy. He recommended a few oysters and off we went. Very well shucked keeping the brine in the shell and they had the usual cocktail sauce and mignonette but there was an additional sauce - spicy with maybe some Sriracha, honestly saved it for my burger/fries, it was that good. Crab dip and chips were ok. Drip was good but I don't love it when places serve the chips "well done". We then had a mushroom toast and burger. The sauce on the mushroom toast was amazing. Burger was solid and definitely a good portion. All in all. Definitely will return. Great vibe, good food, excellent service.

Blown away! I haven’t had a meal in a long time up in the “burbs” that has blown me away and this place did that. Artfully crafted starters and mains- flavors were spot on and seasoning was perfect. The crudo we had was refreshing and flavorful. Mushroom risotto balls were cooked to perfection, and the surprising sweetness and saltiness on them was delicious! The halibut was cooked to perfection and melted in my mouth. We will be back!

Friendly staff, fresh seafood, overall a great experience. I enjoyed the steak a lot it was cooked perfectly. Beef tartar taste well with the bread, and they have specials for different oyster each night.

A year later, and still amazed by this team. Loved celebrating our anniversary with Elm Square Oyster! . . . Original: The hostess, manager, chef, and server were all fantastic. Their "made from scratch" menu certainly doesn't disappoint. Their oysters were shucked wonderfully. This was our first visit, and we'll certainly be looking to return! . . We have since returned and it was equally delightful!

What a wonderful first experience here. An incredible selection of oysters and the steak was perfect. We also had the lamb kebab and deviled eggs! Everything is made here fresh (the bread for the cheese plate is from boston and the cheese is obviously imported) but this restaurant is perfect for those who appreciate fresh ingredients and everything made from scratch. Not inexpensive but worth every dollar. Would recommend and will be back. What a delicious menu and the cocktails are perfectly executed!

Had the oysters, deviled eggs, and the fried clams. The oysters came with an amazing house made hot sauce - I could eat this with EVERYTHING. Deviled eggs were heavenly and the fried clams were awesome. Will definitely be back for dinner as everything looks great. Service was great and very attentive! Parking in the back is available after 6 for restaurants around the area.

Oysters were good. Crudos however came out warm and the flavors I didn't like so much.. our entrees were not bad but just ok. Desserts and service however were amazing! Would definitely just come here for oysters, desserts, and drinks again.

What a wonderful first experience here. An incredible selection of oysters and the steak was perfect. We also had the lamb kebab and deviled eggs! Everything is made here fresh (the bread for the cheese plate is from boston and the cheese is obviously imported) but this restaurant is perfect for those who appreciate fresh ingredients and everything made from scratch. Not inexpensive but worth every dollar. Would recommend and will be back. What a delicious menu and the cocktails are perfectly executed!

This is a great space for a seafood dinner (or a landlubber dinner if you prefer). You have several seating options, inside and outside. The menu is a bit smaller than you might expect (and the QR code can be tough to scan), but it covers the bases. For drinks, I was surprised that a place that offers whiskey pours did not feature whiskey cocktails on the bar menu, it's all gin, vodka, and tequila. I opted for their Summer Gin & Tonic, which features watermelon. They also offer a summer sangria, with smashed peaches - delicious, but it needs to be muddled better, as the small chunks of peach constantly got stuck in the straw. Their regular menu offers an extensive list of oysters, from where they come, and their flavor. This was great as I'm still learning which types and locations are my oysters of preference. Unfortunately, their nightly menu will only feature a limited selection of them (usually about 6 types) on any given evening. If you have the flexibility of weeknight dining, consider Monday and Wednesday for reduced price oysters. The oysters are served with lemon and 3 toppings: Traditional cocktail sauce with horseradish, and 2 of their own sauces, one is hot. For my entree I went with the halibut, because I almost always order halibut when it is available. It was cooked perfectly, with a nicely crisped and spiced "crust" on one side, accompanied by fingerling potatoes, corn, and roasted scallions. I passed on dessert, because (a) it's expensive, starting at $11, and (b) I didn't want to ruin the delicious taste of all the seafood I had. Service is friendly, laid back, yet professional, and the entire staff works as a team to to serve, clear, check in, etc.. Overall, dining here, for me, was a very enjoyable experience.

Good food, great drinks, cozy atmosphere. Colin is one of the best bartenders around!

Atmosphere was nice, busy evening vibe. It was clean, from flatware to bathrrom, which is huge for me! I had a dirty martini -delicious flavor but not gorgeous because it was scant and had lots of ice shards floating around in it. I tried the cauliflour sandwhich which looked cool, had a yummy dressing but had a very heavy batter so I really couldn't eat the fries and bun too. It was a good idea but just too much bread, fried, batter on one plate. Beer on tap I got a local IPA which was great. Went with a small group. Waiter agreed to provide seperate checks. Every check was wrong. Lesson learned. They also screwed up one person's order who ordered the same thing I ordered so i was served about 10 minutes later than everyone else. Since I had no food and was starving I ended up ordering a beer.

I came here for 1 drink and oysters while killing time before going to a friend's house in Andover. This spot came up as having a good cocktail program, so I went to check it out on a Saturday just after opening time. I sat at the bar and a few other folks who seemed like regulars came in right after me. I ordered the cucumber gimlet with gin and it was well mixed and tasty. They had moondancer oysters on special, so I asked the bartender if they were briny. His response was that all the oysters were briny. That should have been a red flag, but I was like 6 moondancers, please! They were tiny and not briny. I was so disappointed that I almost didn't order moondancers at a different restaurant the next day - however those were both large AND briny! Someone had their oyster types wrong. Honestly, it probably wasn't here since they have Oyster in their name. Lol. Oh, yeah - the woman who dropped off my oysters pointed out a "very spicy" sauce that came with them. Of course, I had to try it. I almost died. So spicy. But so good. I couldn't use it for my oysters since I actually wanted to taste them, but I did get a few spoonfuls of that sauce in my mouth after the fact. Hooboy! Glad she warned me! Anyway - the bartender was friendly, the drink was good and I should have found someone else to ask about the oyster types, apparently. I would come back here if I'm in the area again. The other drinks and food that people were having looked delicious.

Not sure why we waited so long to try it ... oh that's right, i'm allergic to shellfish. But honestly they are soooo much more than shellfish. we walked in off the golf course without a reservation and were immediately seated inside near the cute bar. we had great cocktails and wine, ordered a bunch of things off the starters and chacuterie menu and then shared a desert. among the gems: 1) the scotch egg made with tarragon mustard was out of this world. Scotch eggs are a yummy english treat making a comeback - you take a perfect egg (quail?) and wrap it in sausage and then deep fry it. Delicious. 2) the crudo of the day - which was a black bass - was perfect. 3) the house made (and everything there is house made) chicken liver mousse and rillettes were terrific 4) the sticky toffee pudding was also out of this world served with a perfect scoop of brown butter ice cream Yes we lived in the UK for years and were biassed to find yummy UK courses... but honestly everything was great and the servers were so friendly and efficient.

Yum!! Went here for a date night and had a wonderful time. We ordered oysters, charcuterie, and entrees of chicken and salmon. Pros: mixed drinks were amazing! Strong and flavorful with just the right ratio. Would highly recommend their Maple Manhattan. Our waiter was also incredibly attentive, kind, and polite! The salmon was cooked perfectly. The skin was crisp, and the middle melted away as soon as I dug my fork into it. Cons: We were seated in the back by the bathroom and kitchen, which was far too loud and busy. It felt as though we were in the middle of an intersection. This was a bit disappointing as the rest of the place seemed to have a classy, romantic ambience. The price for oysters are a bit steep at $3.50 a shell. I'd like to go back for $1.50 oyster nights on Tuesday and Wednesdays. Lastly, though the technique for the salmon was outstanding, the entree was overpowered with way too much salt. Overall, a great date night spot on the pricier side with excellent drinks!

Second visit - both were amazing! Second visit was made even better by our outstanding server, Eddie. He recommended starters (swordfish kebob and smoked halibut beignets), entree (seared scallops with pork belly and asparagus - fabulously salty!) and dessert (walnut and caramel tart with cinnamon ice cream) - all were fantastic. Eddie was personable, professional and his timing was impeccable. Can't wait to visit again; thanks again to Eddie!

Place is small & LOUD, so be cognizant of that if you're hitting it on a weekend. Food & drinks were great. Service was slow & infrequent. Prices are WAY high, even for Andover. With La Fina & Smythe + Dove within walking distance, they won't survive long term with the current price model.

Nice clean place to dine in. Service is good.food is good but not the best seafood I ever had .

Literally 1 shrimp in the shrimp cocktail! First time was great. Second was disappointing. Food good but confirm what you get before you order. Service is great!

Exceptional service, food, and atmosphere. The smoked old fashions were perfect, the espresso martinis on point, and the food, check, check, check. First time here and the bartenders and patrons were terrific, great conversation and a genuine care and interest in the customers. Kathy and Colin were great to chat with and a great representation of Elms and the experience you hope for. The halibut and the scallop & pork belly dishes were delicious! And... Don't get me started with the oysters or the beef tartar; highly recommend for a date night or boys or girls night out. A new weekly favorite!

My family and I went to Elm Square for the first time last night. All I can say is AMAZING from the owner, Roseann to the staff to the food! The Deviled Eggs, Homemade Potato Chips, Cheese Board, Chicken Liver Pate and Scotch Eggs (Rabbi Burns Special) were Excellent!! We all chose different sandwiches, Crispy Chicken, Crispy Halibut, Cauliflower, and Hamburgers. All were Excellent! We also had the Brussel Sprouts and for dessert the Sticky Toffee Pudding (not to be missed!). The bartender did a great job with the drinks. My cousin who was visiting from Scotland enjoyed the Guiness! The restaurant itself is beautiful and very large. Bring your appetite! I will definitely be back!

I've been driving by this place for years and finally came in for the first time. As a local I couldn't believe why I pass this restaurant all the time without giving it a chance. Oysters were fresh and delicious. Lobster roll was decent. Pork loin was my favorite cooked to perfection with a very balanced of favors. Best of all they have happy hour wine for $5.

Good service. Loved my cauliflower sandwich, and my friend loved her fish sandwich. The red pepper app wasn't what we expected (they were small and pickled) but still good.

In town on business and knew this place had the right look for a drink and a bite after a long day. Excellent bar service, an Old Fashioned that made me jealous I'd never be able to match it at home. The menu is adventurous with a play on flavors that confirmed that I had made the right choice spending my evening there. The customer base is upscale but very welcoming to visiting guests. Simply put, a wonderful place and kudos to the bar and kitchen staff. They were both outstanding.

Great dinner and drinks. Oysters were shucked perfectly. Amazing taste. I wish they weren't 3.50 each. Pricey for a causal dining spot in Andover. Anyways meat and cheese was delicious and plenty for party of 3. Halibut was crispy and moist. Pork belly and scallops were cooked perfectly. Cavatelli was light and flavorful. I'd like to try out their "happy hour"

Not our first time here but it was the first time ALL FOUR OF US left very disappointed. My baked stuffed (small)lobster came with no claws and undercooked mushy stuffing. Our server should have explained that I was buying half a lobster. I guess my claw meat was used to make somebody else's lobster roll. Speaking of lobster rolls, they were light on the lobster heavy on the mayo, and kind of tasteless. Most frustrating of all,.... we were all hungry when we left . So we went to 34 Park restaurant for drinks and a couple of apps to try and salvage a very disappointing evening. Won't be returning to ESOC anytime soon, such a shame for a signature downtown establishment.

Staff was friendly and accommodating, their oysters were good along with their charcuterie board. Our first round of drinks were made perfect but the second round were watered down. Our main meal was not as expected, the mussels were minced and heavy on the onion. Overall 4 stars might come back again if they changed the menu a bit

I've been here twice now and both times were outstanding. The seafood is fresh and well prepared. This is definitely one of those places where I can't help but do multiple courses so I can sample appetizers, salads, the whole nine. All of it is top notch, but the real reason I come back here is for the cocktails, which are some of the best, strongest, and most balanced in Massachusetts.

Sadly it had been nearly a year since we dined here. Shame on us. Staff/service is what any patron would hope for. The entire staff did a great job making the night extra special for my wife's birthday. I had a few choices for her birthday dinner but made the correct choice. Special occasion or not dining here becomes special regardless. Go enjoy. You will not regret it!

Came here last night and was blown away by the food, service, and ambiance. We sat next the bar so the bartender Collin mostly served us. He was extremely attentive and friendly our entire night there. We started with 3 dozen oysters and they were so fresh and had incredible sauces served with them. The scallops I had for my entree were some of the best I've had. We weren't drinking last night but the drinks on the menu looked amazing. Will definitely be back while I'm temporarily living up here!

Nice place to sit down for drinks, definitely a bit more upscale for menu choices and pricing but the atmosphere is nice and the food is tasty

This place is a hidden gem in Andover. The oysters are so good, on par with Row 34, B&G, etc. I'm not sure how they do it! Moving on to the charcuterie and small plates, great selection and generous portions. We usually share oysters and small plates, but last night I got the sirloin steak entree with potatoes and broccolini and it was superb. Amazing cocktails and excellent service to seal the deal. A+

We went on a whim. We love the atmosphere. Great cocktails, glidden point oysters were the cleanest & best oysters I've ever had, the scallops were phenomenal, the burger my husband had looked great to but he didn't offer me a single bite . Drove 45 minutes to get there and it was totally worth it.

Menu is disappointing and a bit too sophisticated for the crowd that is near. Quality of food is ok. Atmosphere and vibe is really nice though. Service I've never had an issue with.

Lovely outdoor dining on the town square. Started with the St Paul, a crisp grapefruit based cocktail. Perfect. The problem was it took 20 minutes from the time I ordered it until served. Had the half priced oyster (moondancer)special; they were perfectly shucked, briney, with great cocktail sauce/horseradish. The fries as an appetizer needed seasoning. Had the cavatelli with fresh corn and soft yolked egg. The menu listed ricotta but I never saw it. For dessert had a Spanish coffee unfortunately I waited greater than 30 minutes for after ordering. Very frustrating. They need to get this problem resolved.

The best place for oysters in the Andover area. Their menu for types of oysters is very helpful with accurate brine levels. The freshness was top-notch when I visited. The surprise was definitely the steak, cementing this place as a legitimate restaurant rather than just an oyster bar that has food. I'd like to note that the meal sizes are a little smaller than most places around the area.

An experience in fine dining, for sure. The food was delicious. The best raw oysters in Andover. The scallops and pork belly were culinary delights and so was the halibut. Wonderful ambience. Courteous staff. Highly recommend!

Oysters were good. Not the freshest I've even had but they did the job. The bar atmosphere was fun. We were underwhelmed with the appetizers. The crudo needed some acid to balance it out. I'd go back to try the entrees

Fantastic. Went here for the first time last week and they were very accommodating. The bartenders were very helpful to get us a seat and made some spectacular drinks. A whiskey mai tai ? I don't think I'll have one any other way now ! Excellent beer list. Had a bunch of oysters with some tasty accoutrements. Apps were awesome and told by my pal that the burgers were the best in 10 miles. Can't wait to go back and try.

This is a great spot for drinks and oysters. We love coming here. They have happy hour oyster special every day $1.50 during happy hour. The oysters here are ALWAYS fresh and shucked cleanly. I love when they have the oysters from Maine, those are my favorite. The bread service is great here. But they don't always give it to you for some reason. We have come here for oysters only and have been served bread alongside, and we have come here for dinner and oysters and not been given the bread service. In any case, it's a yummy brioche bun with a flavored butter. Service can be slow, but it's not the kind of place you want to be in a rush anyway. The atmosphere is relaxing, and it's never too loud. Great spot!

Quite literally the best meal I have EVER had. Four of us went for dinner, and started with a couple dozen oysters. Freshest, cleanest and tastiest oysters I've ever had as a New England native!! We ordered the crudo also, which happened to be tuna, avocado, jalapeño and pistachio. Hands down the most unique and flavorful small plate I've seen! We ordered the halibut for dinner and we're not at all disappointed. Such wonderful flavors combined to balance a perfect dish. We ended the meal with carrot cake. Like none I've ever had before!! Carrot purée, pineapple sorbet and shaved carrot curls... Light, sweet and and a little savory. Top it all off with expertly mixed cocktails; This may be my new favorite date spot!!

Went last night for a light dinner. Had the seared scallops and a dozen oysters. Perfect since the ups store is only a block away. Know where I'm heading for lunch on Tuesday. Thank you for the wonderful food and the wonderful service.

Great COVID compliant dining experience. Expertly poured Paloma cocktails and the best deviled eggs for apps. Dinners were both A+, the Halibut and the Scallops. Service, atmosphere, food and drinks all exceptional.

There's not a ton of choices of great places to go in Andover. With that said, Elm Street Oyster is a definite good option. There's no other place near by that has a raw bar with this amount of choice. Every time we go we start with oysters. I wish they would serve with a mignonette. I also prefer horseradish to be minced or a paste vs the grated/stringy bit they serve in the cocktail sauce. The entrees I've tried have been good...last night the burger with cheddar and charred onion and watercress...cooked and seasoned well. Have to say I love their 'salty girl' skinny margarita. The bartenders are great. Know their clients by name. Love that. Can't wait for the outdoor patio to open in summer.

I stopped in to the Elm Square Oyster and was warmly greeted by their accommodating staff. We sat at the bar and Colin went over the drink specials and oysters of the night. I usually go to "The Summer Shack" in Cambridge for oysters (where they're mostly from the Cape or PEI), so I was looking forward to trying some Maine oysters. I was really impressed that the owner herself travels several times a weeks to get the oysters. I have to say -- they were some of the best oysters I have ever eaten! I was pleasantly surprised and I'm definitely a fan for life. I loved the Maine oyster taste, plenty of brine, meaty, rich range of taste and very clean finish.

Nice update to what was Brasserie 28. Wine selection very good. Clams were excellent as was the burger and seasoned fries. Entrees didn't focus enough on seafood in my opinion. However I like the small plates concept so would like to see maybe a scallop skewer or ceviche added to the menu. Outdoor seating was really nicely done.

Just had a lovely outdoor meal at this gem of a restaurant. The seating area is lovely with festive lighting and heat lamps. The food was delicious and came out piping hot. I had the cauliflower burger - it was marvelous. Huge and crunchy with a delicate vinegary slaw on top. Fantastic. The kids had burgers and hubby and I also shared some delicious oysters. My middle one ordered the crispy chicken sandwich and said it was the best prepared chicken he'd ever had. I stole a bite and agreed that the seasoning and preparation was on point. I hope they eventually put an oyster po boy on the menu!! Thanks, Elm Square Oyster!!

I've been here several times...most recently with a group of friends having a mini high school reunion. This isn't the place to take kids or young families, as the menu appeals to foodies, and the price point is reflective of that. The portions aren't expansive for the price, which many reviews mention, but the ambiance is great and it's a place where folks should at least dress appropriately. A few of us got to the bar earlier than our reservation and enjoyed a cocktail and some $1.49 oysters on special; lots of locals at the bar and the bartenders were busy but attentive. Once seated (in my favorite: the big round booth), we decided on apps. As I eat Keto, I was disappointed to hear (from John) that the deviled eggs were unavailable and that the stuffed olives were going to be taken off the menu! Please revisit this decision! Or else, put more non-carb-laden items on for folks like me. I ordered the chicken liver mousse and asked to sub out the bread/crackers for celery (or some other hard veggie I could spread the mousse on), but the kitchen served it with shaved celery (not really spreader-friendly) and greens. The mousse needed more seasoning of some kind, as it was bland. Most of my friends had the roast-carrot soup, and they all raved about it. I was looking forward to my entree (pork loin and pork belly), which proved to be delicious. I thoroughly enjoyed the presentation too (see photo). The friend closest to my camera had the fish special (see photo). The website menus aren't up to date, so they may want to fix that. I finished up with a pot of Earl Gray tea...not sure what brand they use, but it was loose leaf and it was one of the best tasting tea I've had in a restaurant!

Plenty of out door seating and they are following safety guidelines. Scallops were excellent.

You are paying for the ambience.Very pricey and very small portions Gnocci was $24 and left my teenage daughter still wanting. Our children ordered sliders - these were undercooked - bright red inside... Better as a couples place where the focus is on drinks and appetizers.

My first time there. My fellow Yelpers usually guide me well, but you all dropped the ball on warning me to stay away from the sirloin. I know I was in a seafood restaurant but I did factor that in to my low expectations. But the steak was the worst I ever had. Honestly. I've had better at Outback. At half the price. My wife loved her halibut. So lesson learned. But putting this in the records so unlike me, you eil have been forewarned. You're welcome.

We had dinner there last night. The "Happy Hour" oysters were very fresh and served with three different, very tasty sauces. Our meal consisted of the burger, very good, accompanied by parmesan french fries; the lobster roll which was delicious and generous in meat; and the halibut which was good, just a tad overcooked. For an appetizer we had the fried clams, which were VERY tasty, perfectly breaded and cooked. Also, one of us got a glass of the "happy hour" wine; $5...where do you get a glass of wine for $5 (and it was good!)? I do agree with some of the reviews commenting on service being somewhat slow. It was a bit slow at times, but not to the point that it was an issue. All the staff members that we interacted with were pleasant (very important to me), and went out of their way to accommodate. We received good service. I will return...and I will get those delicious fried clams!

Eh. I want to like this place, I really do...it just has too many drawbacks to be rated any higher. It's a decent spot, drawing locals, date nights, and the bourgeois. It's a bit of an odd layout, and god forbid you need to use the restroom, you can say hi to David Bowie as you pass through the labyrinth. Sitting near the door at the main entrance is also not the wisest seating placement unless you want pneumonia. Anywhoo...on to the goods. The service is genuine and nice, the spirits are plentiful, the wine list needs help, the food is...meza meza, and the prices are absolutely unjustified. The nibbles are good (pickles, french fries) but the entrees were hit or miss (burgers and sandwiches were good, but the short rib was bland). The prices are what really hurt this place. For the portion size, presentation, and quality, I was really let down. Maybe we were naive for not ordering seafood, but for the pricetag, we expected more.

Went here the other day for dinner. Food: Was par, but for the price they charge for entrees, I expect much better. Combinations are inventive, presentation is ok, if it was food alone I would give it 3 stars just because 4 or more should be an adequate balance of price and flavor/cohesiveness. Service: Poor. Server always had a smile, but you could tell it wasn't genuine. Never came to the table once on his own, I had to flag him down for everything - first round of drinks, ordering, refills. And it wasn't that busy at all. Dinner took a long time just due to how long I had to wait for him to even look in our direction to flag him down (almost 25 minutes after receiving our drinks). I'll be back for drinks and maybe apps at best, if I have to.

Excellent New Years Tasting Menu! Michael Sherman stepped up his game for this tasting. Presentation was amazing.