La Marea Reviews

Top notch Restaurant. Amazing food. Wow. A must if your in the area.

Very inviting place, not rushed and an sit and just decompress from a busy day at the office.

The most authentic Italian restaurant in the area. High quality ingredients and superb service!

The food was very good and the service was very good as well. They provide good social distance and everything is clean and welcoming. A+

Our table had the fried calamari as an appetizer: excellent!!! My wife had two of the specials of the night, grilled swordfish and a chicken dish whose name I cannot recall. Both were wonderful!! Our dinner guests had a specialty pizza which they loved as well.

We would definitely make a return trip to La Marea! Conveniently located right off of Rt. 9 in Old Saybrook.

Tried La Marea for the first time over the weekend. Nice decor and good service. The food was fresh and delicious. Will definitely go back.

Service is always outstanding and the food is always good. A fabulous venue when accommodating large groups too.

I had lunch one week after the opening and the service and food were both outstanding. The owner walked to our table several times to greet us and spoke Italian to us as well...very personable. I would highly recommend this restaurant.

Great food the summer tuna salad app was a flavor bomb ....fantastic!

Fabulous food, lovely dining room, classy but not pretentious and nice people.

First time here after Covid. Just as spectacular as we remember. Great service. Drinks are outstanding. Dinner and dessert perfect !

Nice ambience and decor, excellent service, good menu selections with nice-sized portions. I noticed a fair amount of seafood options within entire menu. Tasty, fresh and enjoyable. Slightly pricey but worth the overall experience.

Really good Italian restaurant I have been to in Old Saybrook.

Staff is super friendly and fun and the food was insanely good

4 star restaurant, but if your really hungry order two servings.

Well rounded Italian restaurant. Nice dining room and really good service. House made pasta dishes are excellent. We had the yellow tail snapper special which hit the spot.
La Marea offers pizza that looks worth trying. Priced on the higher side, but worth making the visit from time to time.

The staff rushed us from the time we arrived. The portions were small but tasty. 45 minutes after arriving we were walking out the door.

Owner greets you to make you feel welcome. Staff is very attentive. Wine and Food are excellent! Dessert and coffee equally impressive.

Genuine high end Italian food. The owners are so very friendly and welcoming. The food is outstanding.

Good Italian dishes, nice dessert array. Pretty interior plus outdoor tent dining. The fettuccine bolognese with ricotta was delicious. As was the tiramisu.

Excellent food, great staff, terrific vibe and fantastic owner!

Excellent food, great service and perfect atmosphere - we will be returning soon!

This place is my number one place. Of all restaurants I know I like it most. I always suggests to my friends to go to that place. when I I need a good lunch, this place comes straightaway to my head. very good and varied food and a large menu.professional crew, and good atmosphere. Also important, the bill is decent. I tell about this restaurant with pleasure.

After being treated poorly at the Essex restaurant in centerbrook, we decided to go where we know will be treated like they want us there at La Marea. The food AND service are second to none. Everyone should follow this owner's way of business. Hats off to Nino and his staff.

Nino (the owner) is the best. Come here for special occasions all the time, food is always great and owner makes his presence known. Fantastic people and authentic Italian.

The food and service was excellent but we did not appreciate being stared down by the hostess as two people in our party were still drinking their coffee.

Food is always fabulous. Workers talk a lot amongst themselves instead of noticing their customers need something. Had to keep waving them down.

Wonderful food selection, quality, atmosphere, service and bar!

Food is delicious. Service is exceptional. Presentation is right on!! Will definitely go back.

We took my mother in law out for her birthday. It took over an hour plus to get our food. I ordered a chicken, they put two legs on a dish with asparagus very small, I got served parts and was charged for a better quality cut. It was dry!!! No seasonings! My husband ordered halibut, the fish special, the halibut was dried out, no seasoning, an orange sauce no flavor and asparagus. Horrible!!! Tasteless! My father in law ordered gnocchi! The brought out a white plate with very little on it. We were like did they run away. Very very skimpy!! I do not recommend this place at all. The food was lousy!!

Excellent food! Fun and lively bar. The owmers are the best!

Food was delicious, definitely want more. However, that s the issue. You pay for 300% more to get 1/3 of normal platings. Deeply over priced for the two bites you receive.

The grilled octopus, meatballs and charcuterie board we're very good. All their freshly made pasta dishes are excellent. The cab blend is very good. The staff is particularly attentive, and very enjoyable. I highly recommend.

Great atmosphere, service very attentive, food is always amazing. . .

From appetizer to dessert, all was tasty and satisfying. The mozzarella was the freshest and "runniest" I've ever tasted. I had shrimp and scallops served over polenta with fresh vegetables...it was exquisite. The flavors were subtly blended for great overall taste. The cheesecake was a blend of unique ingredients including chocolate. Overall, it was a great dining experience.

The service was amazing, the food, meh... it took forever to come, nothing exciting.

Best food on the Shoreline in a modern-beachy style. Very comfortable and cozy on a October chilly night.

This is the third time I've been here and each time has been excellent. The service is attentive but not cloying, the food was wonderful, the cocktails were delicious. my girlfriend and I have very different tastes and we were both able to find things that we really liked on the menu.

Fantastic restaurant. Great food with great service.

The pizza is angelic -- lighest crust I have ever seen (both of us ate all the crust, without a second thought) (I speculate that the pizza-dough is made from imported "double-zero" superfine flour), -- and each pizza's cheese is thinly sliced bona fide buffala mozzerella (not the generic, shredded American "mozzerella").
This is also one of the few Italian restaurants where you hear Italian (not just Spanish) spoken from the kitchen.
Authenticity is not an unmixed blessing though.
This style of pizza was great as a Margherita, but I doubt that its angelicly-light slices would support many toppings or endure a drive home (were the pizzas to be ordered as take-out, rather than as dine-in).
The interior is rustic and spacious, evoking thoughts of an alpine lodge (so, why not dine-in?).
The entrees and appetizers were high quality (almost up there with the modestly-sized, angelic pizzas), but the portions are European-sized -- in line with the tales of Americans going to Paris, going to dinner, having an elegant dinner, and leaving hungry (and then going to McDonalds). So, if you want to stuff your face with supersized portions of relatively-high-quality, relatively-economical food, this place isn't going to become your new after-work bar or new go-to weekend-evening pizza-run option (stick with PizzaWorks, by the Old Saybrook train station, just 5km away for that).
But if you want a pizza that is of a type that is (easily inhalable and is) hard to find on this side of the Atlantic, and want that authentic pizza in an authentic (sometimes a little too authentic [a la the less diplomatic relative in your party yells out, ^hey, I ordered the entree, not the appetizer^]) environment, this is the place: where pizza intersects with fine, European, dining. But hey, America is full of the utilitarian type of pizza places. In juxtaposition to them, La Marea's presence significantly enhances the diversity of the Connecticut Shoreline pizza ecosystem.
The restaurant in general is worth a try. The pizza though, is a must-try, even if just so that you know what you're missing.

Outstanding meals, service and very personable staff.

Decent food, Mini portions, if you want real Italian food go to Grano in Chester

This is a high class restaurant all the way. O highly recommend making reservations like their website says. It is pricey but well worth it. Their flavors are phenomenal. I had the veal. It was a true ITALIAN traditional dish, not a veal parm, but veal steak that melts like butter in your mouth. Be sure to try the biscotti it'll remind you of your NoNa's.

A true Italian restaurant. Italian dishes are not just listed on the menu... the food really tastes like it does in Italy! It was a wonderful surprise. Nice atmosphere. Friendly and professional service. Great bread too. I recommend it most highly.

Great food with exceptional service. Compliments to the owners Nino & wife for this little hidden gem!

Excellent food, very warm and friendly, great service

Fantastico! Great food, friendly staff and greeted in Italian. Well worth the drive from Winddor.

We had the most wonderful dinner at La Marea! The food was great as well as the service. We had the eggplant appetizer which was excellent- multilayered - so fine. The calamari was excellent especially with the lemon sauce. My husband loved the short ribs and gnocchi. Our friends loved the pasta and seafood special. The service was impeccable. The manager was friendly and involved- we were made to feel very welcome. Can't wait to go back!

Best restaurant on the shoreline, maybe in the state. The Italian owners are absolutely delightful and take great pride in the selection of ingredients, preparation of the food, and welcoming atmosphere. It's a true family restaurant hosted by extremely generous and talented people.

Terrible on 2 separate occasions born and raised in saybrook and never been treated this bad at any other resturant in the area rude bar tenders and the calamari was cold came with about 10 and was suppose to come with shrimp came with 3 shrimp if you want quality food for the price you will pay dont go here many other higher quality resturants not mention one with a water view

Was there today the most wonderful place and AMAZING SERVICE AND 10 OUT OF 10 IN FOOD WELL WORTH GOING OUT OF OUR WAY FOR.

Reservations are highly recommended. All of our dinners were served perfectly. The waitstaff, support staff and management are very attentive. It was nice to have a night out with friends and not feel rushed through the meal. All six of us will definitely return!

The grilled veal chop was every bit worth the money.

We have been customers since they opened. Last night our family had a poor experience. The corkage fee was increased to $50 per bottle which is exorbitant. The finest NY restaurants don t charge that much. This fee increased our bill by 33%.

This place is a prize winner. Despite Co-Vid limitations, the same great service, and atmosphere. The menu is always hard to choose AWESOME.
They will survive against poor government leadership- CT GOVERNMENT wake-up! .La Marea waitstaff comply and apologize for what is not their choice to present down yo sakt/pepper and keep your enjoyment at the top of services.
Excellent always-' TY

Yesterday,Saturday,xmas weekend,
My wife and I were a walk in.
Checked with the young hostess if any table was available, she checked with Nino the owner and she sat us promptly.
We're going to a show and ordered quickly.
My wife had homemade papardelle fruti di mare and I had Osso bucco with rissotto.
The food was great, attentive service,very friendly owners.
Thank you Nino and Giuliana for your hospitality: 5 stars.
Definitely will return..
Mille grazie,Buono Natale,
Felice anno nuovo.

Nino and his wife are always at this wonderfully inspired Italian restaurant, and it shows in the quality of the food and the loyalty of clientele. My husband and I enjoy sitting at the bar, often in lively conversation with others, and Nino always stops by to give a hello and a hug. The Osso Buco is about the best I have had, as is the lamb shank. Pizzas are pretty amazing, prices are very reasonable, difficult to find a way to improve, perhaps a more creative wine list, and cocktails. I live and work in Manhattan, where Gramercy Tavern is my go to spot, so this is high praise!

Food is good but portions are too small for the price, waitress was good but bussers were not of the caliber I expect at a restaurant at this price point (unprofessional and awkward). Staff was standing around chatting within earshot of our table which was also awkward.

Phenomenal food! Include wine list. Great, warm atmosphere. Definitely a great place to go with some family and/or friends.

Jewel of a restaurant in Old Saybrook. Excellent, homemade choices in a warm and upscale yet comfortable environment . What separates this restaurant is the warm, friendly, almost family environment created by the owners and supported by a friendly and professional staff.

First time at La Marea everything was perfect from the well experirnced staff to the detail of perfecrion with their food..

Incredible food, spectacular service and absolutely wonderful people. Nino and Julianna have created the ultimate dining experience that makes you want to eat there every night.

When a real Italian Family cooks with love it s a Joy. When they do it with a judgmental edge and an attitude it s just another Pasta Joint. Nothing out of the ordinary and an Owner who could care less about his customers except them showing up again. This place has nothing on Brooklyn or Mulberry Street. Won t miss it for a moment. They should be so lucky to have a great bartender like John working there. Good luck.

An exceptional place with an Italian style in everything, in the service and in the food, tonight I tried the pizza ... a margherita that made me feel at home .... also the very hospitable and relaxing environment ... composes a magic picture .... Thanks !! #LaMarea

This place is my first choice place. Of all restaurants I know I favor it most. I always suggests to my friends to go to that place. Whenever I I need a good lunchon, this is the place that comes immediately to my head. superb and diverse food and a large list of dishes.generous staff, and agreeable mood. Also important, the expence is fair. I recommend this spot with great pleasure.

Great atmosphere and fantastic food. The best pasta and the white clam sauce was spectacular!

Our first time at this new restaurant...and believe me..it won't be our last. Unusual menu...delicious food...wonderful service....beautiful posh decor...a bit pricey but we'll worth it for special occasions.

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A five star experience. Well presented, delectable dishes. Plan for multi-course meal to maximize your experience. And the cocktails are well crafted and generous.

We started with the burrata and farm fresh tomatoes, I moved onto fresh-made pasta with the bolognese sauce, with homemade bread made for a delicious meal.

I had dinner at La Marea with friends last night. I drove down about an hour and twenty minutes from Providence so we could all meet up together. I loved my food and the service was outstanding. This is a place I would travel to again- or at least stop off at while driving between NYC and PVD. You will enjoy it.

Best apizza I ever had. True a pizza from Naples. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!!!