The Franklin

We just went for our 3rd visit and it was amazing! It is simple food with amazing flavors. They are not throwing foam on a plate or adding a bunch of fruit to a savory dish. No gimmick here, just great food slightly deconstructed. Our favorite dishes are the Caesar Salad, Clam Chowder, Oysters, Lobster Roll... all great! Also the staff are excellent and every time we have been we have enjoyed the service, even when we were seated right after a party of 30 and waited longer than usual! Beautiful outdoor space.

I had the pleasure of dining in the restaurant and it was a memorable experience. The seafood was fresh, that highlighted both creativity and respect for the natural flavors. Every dish felt thoughtfully crafted, with right seasoning and textures that elevated the dining experience. The staff were knowledgeable on the me u and offering excellent recommendations. This is a good choice for anyone who appreciates upscale dining and fresh seafood dishes. I would gladly return and highly recommend it. PS - Make sure you book a table in advance because they get crowded and the only available table is the open bar sitting

We absolutely loved our experience at The Franklin Oyster Bar & Eatery! We came for the oysters, and they did not disappoint. So fresh, perfectly shucked, and without even a hint of fishiness. The restaurant itself is stunning, set in a beautifully restored historic space with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Every detail is thoughtfully done, from Benjamin Franklin-themed wallpaper in the bathroom to the check being presented inside his autobiography book. Our server was a delight, sharing oyster facts and making us feel right at home. We left full, happy, and already planning our next date night here! 🤍🦪

Had the best meal at The Franklin! We shared a seafood tower with friends and it was super fresh. Also loved the Caesar salad (the croutons are so unique and delicious!), scallops, and the key lime ice cream tart was my favorite! The restaurant design is so well done! You really feel like you’re on the east coast. Bonus points for the cutest themed bathroom! Really enjoyed as a date night spot and can’t wait to go back!

Franklin Oyster Bar was great! The food was fresh and flavorful. Everything was consistently good and paired well. The service was amazing. friendly, attentive, and made us feel so welcome. Can't wait to come back!

This was our first time going to this restaurant and we loved it. The staff were very friendly. The food and drinks were outstanding. Everything on the menu was beyond delicious. Thank you Justin for such a memorable experience!

One of the best raw bars I’ve had in metro Detroit. A unique menu with options for even the pickiest of eaters. Atmosphere is inviting and friendly staff service. Tons of creative and fun wall art. I had the pleasure of dining upstairs in the nook with a party of 8. You felt like you had the place to yourself. Our server Sam was friendly and turned a dinner into a dining experience. As far as the drinks and food..I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves. You have to give this place a try!

First time back after opening under new ownership, and it didn't disappoint. Amazing seafood. Fresh, well prepared dishes. Great atmosphere and wonderful service. Highly recommended.

This is an elegant restaurant that I feel will quickly become a neighborhood gem. Right in "downtown" Franklin, it is located in a renovated historical home, and has a large outdoor patio. Because it was chilly outside, I dined in their cozy indoor dining room. My server with very friendly, helpful and informative, taking the time to assist my mom with her menu selections. The menu is mostly seafood-focused with a daily selection of oysters and seafood. They have a thoughtfully curated wine list, but also offer cocktails and mocktails. We enjoyed the oysters, octopus small plate, smashed burger, and a side of coleslaw. The preparation of the octopus was the best I have ever had... perfectly tender and with flavorful accompaniments. I would also say the same for the dill coleslaw which was vinegar-based instead of made with mayonnaise. For dessert, we enjoyed their peanut butter, chocolate cake with banana sorbet. My mom typically doesn't like dairy-free desserts, but even she loved it! I would definitely return to Franklin Oyster Bar and Eatery. I highly recommend making a reservation well in advance as they book up quickly (this was my third try). In warmer weather, the patio looks like it would also be enjoyable.

This restaurant is absolutely beautiful truly it feels like dining inside a historic home full of character and charm, almost like being in the South. The food is incredible, with everything made from scratch, even the crackers and desserts. Our waiter, Samuel, was fantastic super friendly and attentive. The lobster roll was outstanding, and the desserts were just as amazing!

DELICIOUS, But UPSTAIRS IS A DOWNER We had a fun night and the food was good. * The lobster roll was perfectly cooked and easily the best in the area. * The dill caesar salad with polenta croutons was fresh and flavorful. * The burger, salmon, and chicken entrees were also hits with our group. Our servers were friendly but slow and disorganized; Hopefully, this improves with time. Unfortunately, we were seated upstairs, which was cramped and extremely loud (frat party decibel level!), making conversation nearly impossible. Next time, we'll be sure to sit in the main dining room or the patio. JAY, PLEASE SOUNDPROOF.

Such an intimate venue with a great brunch menu and exceptional service. I can't wait to come back and experience their dinner menu as well. I met a friend here for a girl brunch and the experience did not disappoint. Staff were extremely friendly, had great suggestions about menu options and the cocktails were delicious. We both had two cocktails, oysters, two small apps and an entree. I want to go back to try their brunch burger (that is my go-to anytime I visit a restaurant so I tried to step outside of my normal order) but had the delicious shrimp and middlins - they were lighter, flavorful and I had leftovers to take home. Lovely experience from start to finish, I know they're a popular dinner spot so book ahead of time!

From start to finish, everything about our meal was fantastic. The atmosphere was warm and inviting--perfect for a relaxed evening out. We shared a variety of dishes including the burger, fries, Caesar salad, mushroom pasta, cornbread, lobster roll, and oysters--and every single item was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. The ingredients tasted high quality, and the flavors were well balanced across the board. The lobster roll was buttery was my favorite! I'm already looking forward to coming back and trying even more of the menu. Highly recommend!

Loved our experience at The Franklin!! Such a great addition to the area and nothing disappointed! Highly recommend the crudo and oysters (of course) and the prosciutto plate and salad were the perfect addition.

We loved this place so much e went back the very next week! I know Thai sounds crazy but we are vegetarian and their options were phenomenal -- our favorite were the fried green tomatoes!!! I highly recommend this place and the servers were really kind and super accountable.

Terrible food , tiny drinks and prices that are not worth eating there ever ‼ Service was ok Ambience very nice Been twice , never going back Bring back the old Franklin Grill

First visit here last night where I met a friend at 10:00. I had a res though didn't think I needed one that late. Most places have emptied out by then. Upon arriving I was surprised how busy it was inside and even busier in the beautiful outside area. I really like the interior but recommend eating outdoors if weather is good. We were just there for a light bite. I ordered a lobster roll and fries. The lobster roll is on the small plates menu and, as others have mentioned, it is a small roll for sure but for $26 that's not surprising since they are usually $35+ at upscale restaurants. It was a very good roll as were the fries. My friend had oysters he enjoyed and also some shrimp. The shrimp didn't look particularly large for the price. All in all I enjoyed the food and the ambience and service was spot on so I do recommend the restaurant....just recognize portions are not huge and prices reflect the prime location.

Prices are high and portions are small. The martini glasses are mini size, but the prices are high $18-$20. Lobster roll is good, but it is 2 bites and mostly bread.

Oof. Think this place is experiencing some growing pains. The good: Some of the food was very good. The salmon was excellent -- thick fillet, perfectly cooked medium, and flavorful. The seafood tower was also very good -- nice variety of oysters, solid shrimp, a little bit of lobster and a crudo. Pricey though at 65 for not much food. The bad: Some of the food just wasn't any good. The crab Louie was terrible. Almost no crab, lettuce tasted cheap, doused (I mean doused) in dressing. Also pricey for the portion, which was super small. The ugly: First, did I mention the prices? Way too high for the portions they serve. Second, while our waitress was awesome (shout out Hannah), the coordination and overall service was atrocious. We didn't get two dishes -- cornbread** and another appetizer -- despite asking quite a few times for them. When they finally did bring them out -- well after we had finished dinner -- we had already spoken to someone to get them cancelled. (To their credit, they didn't charge us.) Took like five asks to get a refill of a Diet Coke (did charge us for that, ha.) **they kindly gave us some cornbread to take home, and it was quite good. If they lower their prices (or enlarge their portion sizes commensurately) and get their act together on the service front, think this place has a good amount of potential. Not there yet though...

Our server was incredibly personable and attentive. Of course, we arrived at opening time, and almost nobody else was in the place. Still, she both made food/drink recommendations, and shared information about her personal life. The oysters were good. The menu is small but has enough for almost any taste. We had the mushroom ragu pasta and scallops. Both were tasty. The space has been updated in a fun way that still keeps the traditional feel of an 1800s house.

Loved the house crackers, the seafood tower was fresh. Highly suggest the crudo!!! The dill salad was delicious probably the best salad I've had, the crotons were a delightful surprise. The mushroom ravioli was also great. I do feel the octopus fell short, and the scallops were just ok for me.

This is really closer to 4.5 stars. I would definitely return. We loved the previous restaurant and absolutely love the patio. The lobster roll was good but it's tough to spilt. The fried green tomatoes were an interesting take but just tasted like fried something. The biscuits were a miss. Tiny and not the right consistency. But the pimento spread was amazing. Entrees were good but the pasta was undercooked. All the desserts were absolutely fantastic. If this review is critical it's because the prices are really high. If it was 20% cheaper this would be a solid 5 star. We'll definitely go back but probably more for drinks and apps/dessert

Where do I start? We were there for a birthday, clearly stated in our reservation, and they didn't lift a finger to do a damn thing special or accommodating. Then, on top of that, our main dishes took nearly a full hour to arrive from the time we sat down (probably 50 or so minutes after we ordered). The food that did arrive was tasty but also either lukewarm or cold like it had been sitting out for a long time. The waiter was continuously apologetic for the delay but also very, very distracted with other tables, offering he had made his general manager aware of the issues, and then nothing. Crickets. The meal concluded with a full price bill and the waiter hoping we would come back while they "iron out the issues with their system." Whatever the hell that means. To me, the dinner boiled down to, "look we know we effed up, but hey, we still have our training wheels on so give us a break, here's the bill and goodnight." There's screwing up and owning it to communicate a repeat trip might be worth it, and then there's the experience we had... The Franklin needs to do better.

We went for brunch and this place has excellent brunch and a great cozy vibe! The waiter had amazing customer service and great recommendations! I can't recommend this place enough!

We had reservations at 8:15, which is on the late side, especially as I was with my 88 year old mom. We got there a little early and they seated us. We picked out what we wanted and ordered. They brought us our wine. Then in a bit they brought us our oysters. The oysters got cleared away and we waited for the rest of our food. At 8:59 the waitress comes and tells me that they ran out of my dish. At that point I just ordered what I thought might be fastest. What a disappointment that they can't mange their orders and kitchen better. We won't be returning.

My husband and I dined at The Franklin on a Wednesday evening. Reservations are a must. We started with a dozen east coast oysters. Lovely presentation with mignonette, cocktail and Tabasco sauces plus extra horseradish- nice touch. Next- amberjack crudo. Served with scallions and avocado. Just enough but did not mask the taste of the fish. Next, hot honey octopus (forgot a pic). Served warm with a cool avocado mousse. Lastly we shared the scallops entree. Served with a corn puree and greens. Four large scallops. All dishes are shareable and what I liked most is they were small enough for two people to share a number of dishes. We probably could have ordered one more small plate, however I was perfectly satisfied. Our server was friendly, attentive but not hovering. The restaurant was bustling. They fit a lot of people in a small space. It gets loud, crowded and the bar area was packed you could barely get by. The weather was overcast, however on a nice day the patio is super cute and I'd like to sit outside. They also have The Pavilion that looked like it could be used for events like a shower. Nice drink menu with fancy cocktails, an extensive wine list and a few craft beers. Definitely check out The Franklin!

A pleasant atmosphere, and a nice patio for drinks or outside dining. We waited a bit too long for our server, but she was attentive from then on. Food quality is good, but small portions & quite expensive and everything is à la carte. The biggest downer was the tiniest lobster roll I've ever seen. I don't know why they ask when I made the reservation, if you're celebrating anything (wife's birthday) because they do absolutely NOTHING. Ohh sorry, after I ordered a $16 slice of cake they did serve it with a small candle It's too bad since I can walk to the restaurant. *4 friends went tonight 7/12, they ordered the Seafood Tower expensive but fresh & tasty. They celebrated a birthday and also received NOTHING ‍

We lovedddd our dining experience at the Franklin! The fresh raw bar & oysters were some of the best I've had. The caesar salad and the warm, soft croutons deserve its own shoutout. The stuffed elephant ear was delicious, and the seared octopus was full of flavor. Ended with a smooth espresso martini! The whole place has a great vibe and beautiful design, they truly thought through the smallest of details. The bathrooms were all so cute and so different. Staff is very friendly and inviting. Can't wait to go back! Definitely our new date night spot

Was very excited for The Franklin to open up and it did not disappoint! So nice to have a new restaurant in this area. Our server was super friendly and helpful with the menu. It is really pretty inside and feels like you're in Charleston or somewhere out east. Great date night spot! My husband and I shared some oysters, a caesar salad, the sea scallops and the cucumbers. Everything was fresh and delicious! Cocktails were great too. I really liked the tequila drink called the Pearl and they made a great espresso martini. Also, don't skip dessert! I didn't get a photo but the key lime pie was amazing!

What a great place. We sat outside in arguably the nicest outside venue. A courtyard, with fireplace, couches for sitting and having a drink and nice dinner tables and chairs. The service was great. They had a large staff out there attending to customers needs. The food was great. The menu was not large but everything we had was excellent. I would rather have a small menu with excellent food, then a large menu with so so food. Had oysters that were really fresh and tasty. Then a really excellent Ceasar with polenta instead of croutons, the polenta was great. Then, mussels with great tasting sausage, excellent. Then the best, the scallops. I'm not a fan of scallops, now I am. They were terrific. Dessert was a real treat. Lemon meringue tart. Also, chocolate bourbon pecan ice cream. All in all the food was terrific.

Great Food! Steaks were outstanding, scallops were amazing, everything was outstanding. Didn't expect the level of cuisine, seafood, desert, wine etc. We sat at the Bar and were well cared for by the bartenders. They could not have been nicer, and he recommended a great bottle of Pinot Noir. Deserts were beautifully presented and did not disappoint. The new decor is much different as it should be for a much more upscale FG. I liked the vibe Al here and will definitely make this a regular stop. Several people at the bar ordered the burger and all said it was very good

Had a great first experience, our brunch was very good, great environment. Our waiter Alex was top notch!

Franklin Oyster Bar was great! The food was fresh and flavorful. Everything was consistently good and paired well. The service was amazing. friendly, attentive, and made us feel so welcome. Can't wait to come back!

What a tasty adventure, our first culinary cornucopia in Detroit. We were luckily guided to a delightful brunch at the Franklin Oyster Bar & Eatery where we were graciously greeted by Taylor and Abby and gratefully seated at Justin's table. He was knowledgeable and affably guided us through our sumptuous courses. Sam, the bartender, crafted luscious libation and playfully paired repartee. His bar craft regaled us with passion and expertise. Accenting our luxurious experience, we were privileged to meet Exec. Chef Nick and Chef John who we appreciated for cooking such care into their artistry. Chef Carly curated the perfect culmination to this gorgeous gastronomy with the famous cinnamon roll, which Chase delivered with the happiest countenance. Thank you Berto for your talented team and epicurean 'delectables' - a memorable beginning to our holiday with family.

I've dined here twice and plan to many more times! Every menu item I have tried so far has been a 10/10. The atmosphere and vibe is immaculate; the interior decor is gorgeous but I am left in awe when it comes to the outdoor patio. It's cozy yet open, simply and elegantly styled. The service is excellent. The staff is so personable and caring and you can tell that they all genuinely love what they do. So excited to have found a great new spot to enjoy this summer/fall!

Have been wanting to try Franklin Oyster Bar since it opened a month or so ago, and grabbed the first opportunity when it came up. All in all, a very positive experience, with a few caveats. First, the good. The dining area is a charming space, with (it seems) additional seating upstairs. There is also a covered outdoor area next door to the main restaurant, suitable for special events. This was not in use the evening we were there. Our server was a very capable gentleman, who gave us top-notch attention. Most important: the food. We shared a lobster roll, one of several small plates on offer. For our entrees, I got the linguine with clams. It consisted mostly of medium- wide noodles, a good quantity of clams in their shells, served in jus. It might have been improved by serving some French bread to soak up the liquid, but the flavor was quite nice. We mentioned this to the general manager, who was working the floor - he said he would bring this to the chef's attention: very good. The co-diner departed from the seafood theme and ordered chicken with pepper and a vegetable mixture. He found the dish to be well-prepared and flavorful. We ended our meal with French press coffee, which was very nice. Now, the caveats. First of all, if you want to try the establishment (which this Yelper encourages), be sure to book well in advance. We secured a table about a week ahead of time, but had to take an early dinner time. Parking was more than adequate, so no worries there. We did find the ambient noise of the other diners to be a bit excessive, particularly for older diners like us. If the place could install some noise dampening ceiling tiles, this might help. In sum, a fine addition to the suburban dining scene.

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not readily accessible for wheelchair users. The threshold at the front door is very high. I was unable to navigate my husband's wheelchair by myself. Two female employees at the door (hostesses I presume) stood by and watched as we struggled mightily to get in. A woman across the street saw us struggling and ran over and helped us get in. I've honestly never seen employees of a restaurant not help a disabled person get into the restaurant. This was extremely disappointing and honestly just about ruined the meal. A very unpleasant first experience for that reason.

We have been here two times. Food and drinks are outstanding. Only complaint is the second floor gets noisy when full. We also sat in their patio which was wonderful. Staff was very good both times

Food is amazing - been a couple of times for dinner and brunch and was definitely not disappointed! Get the burger! Our service both times was great and the ambiance is beautiful - feels like a piece of the East Coast nestled in Franklin. Go for delicious food and a warm atmosphere.

What an amazing experience! The Franklin is officially our new favorite spot. The team here clearly knows how to create an experience worth returning for. The cocktails were excellent, a fun twist on the classics, and the food was absolutely delicious. It was tough to choose from such an enticing menu, so we ordered more than we should have and had zero regrets. We couldn't pass on dessert, and wow, I'm so glad we didn't. Every bite was incredible! It's clear that Gerti and Nick pour a lot of heart, intention, and hard work into making The Franklin a truly top-tier, hospitable experience, and they absolutely delivered. We WILL be back!!

Perfection! Cocktails, food, service and ambience were all amazing! Make reservations but you could get lucky and get a couple seats at the bar that hosts 10.

The food is really outstanding! Every plate we had was full of flavor and cooked to perfection. I really suggest the lobster roll and the country ham. Hands down, some of the most delicious food I've eaten lately! Excellent service and a robust wine selection. Everything was fresh. The elephant ear dessert didn't disappoint. I will keep coming back for the food, service and comfortable atmosphere. Can't think of a better place to spend an evening. Must try!

Overall, this was pretty meh. I had the scallops, and the portion could not have been smaller, especially for the price. My wife had the mussels. Three of them came to the table unopened, which means they were dead when they cooked them. They never should have left the kitchen being unopened. To the restaurant's credit, they removed them from the bill. Our server went missing for long stretches and was not the most attentive. Our guests had burgers and said they were good. In total, the meal and experience were fairly disappointing.

Our Waitress was amazing. We ate outside on the side patio and was the perfect night. The grilled octopus was Awsome. The lobster roll melted in your mouth. And the burger.. man, so good. Highly recommend this place.

Amazing...what an incredible place. Gerti and Berto have a great staff. Alex took amazing care of us. The Lobster Roll, the osters...I could go on and on. My hat to the chefs, they rock!

Small portions, overpriced, no sides come with entree. No hot vegetables available even to even to order a la carte. No soups. They List the price of each vodka for example but it cost more to have it in any kind of mixed drink. I left hungry and dissatisfied. Not even bread to soak up the sauce for the linguine with clams. Not even rice with the four medium sized scallops you get for $43. I Won't Go Back.

This place is absolutely gorgeous! Franklin needed this, and it did not disappoint. Ambiance gorgeous, staff wonderful, and food was outstanding!!!! The seafood platter unbelievable! All the food we had was out of this world. Thank you for opening this little gem. Looking forward to Polly's opening next door.!!

Not impressed, except if you like high prices with small portions. Not sure who is writing some of these other reviews. For example, $14 for a small caesar salad. Of course, it's mostly lettuce, but please don't be so stingy. The fried clams were over-cooked and not a large portion. The salmon was $39--yes, that's $39-- and it was a rather small portion, about 6 ounces. That comes to over $90 per pound! How about this: a side of marinated cucumbers was $12. I could go on. Bottom line: very expensive for what you got, portions were smaller than at most comparable spots. Service was good.