Black Seal Seafood Grille

Wonderful experience at the Black Seal. We went for a late lunch after our river cruise and we were pleasantly surprised with this place. The wait staff was excellent they all pitched in and worked together and were very friendly. The food was great we had the clams casino and fried calamari they were cook perfectly to our liking. Then we both had the seafood stew OMG delicious one of the best broths I've ever tasted and loaded with seafood. Compliments to the Chef. I would recommend this place to all my friends and family give them a try you won't be disappointed.

The meatloaf was mush (it was not served this way, just had no hold so it ended up like that in the to go box.). I would’ve just told the waitress but she never checked in on us. calamari and PEI muscles were very good but my meal was pretty gross. The restaurant itself was really cool.

I went there for Easter, the drink specials were totally awesome the bar keep was amazing, we ordered wild mushroom ravioli appetizers, very tasty, the three friends I was with ordered the specials and were good, i ordered fish and chips and totally disappointed, the fish was over cooked, the coating was soft and oily and the fish was warm, one bite and I couldn't go any farther, my friends tried it and were not happy with it, the waitress asked how everything was and I said the fish was not good and she just ignored that and asked if we'd like another drink, not sure if the food is good but I do know that our waitress was not good at her job at all, the place was not even busy, that should have been a heads up, I will give them another try my friends eat there regularly, but I will definitely ask for a different waitress if we are seated in her station, on the way out I talked with the bartender and thanked her for the great cocktails she was very pleasant...the fish is in the last picture it looks like over cooked chicken tenders, horrible

We loved our lunch time meal. My husband ordered the hamburger and I hit the lunch special quesidilla. Food was delicious and the atmosphere was great!!! We will be back in May to eat here again!!!

We’ve been here dozens of times over 30 years.
We just returned from out of state back to CT and live west of Hartford now, but have tripped back down to Essex twice lately.
Both times we ended up eating at Black Seal.
Both times we had a great lunch.
My wife had the Cheese Quesadilla and I had their burger.
Awesome grilled flavor.
Service is great and the restaurant has a great atmosphere.

The model and almost ideal of what Nautical bar and seafood restaurant should be in historic Maritime village. With an authentic no nonsense old world feel with jovial entertaining local staff to complete experience. High quality food is consistently excellent, fresh and wholesome in addition to being approachable.

My friend & I are we’re looking for a place to eat and stumbled upon this jewel. We were a little hesitant but we were hungry! 😂 So we went in as soon as we walked in we were greeted. We were then seated quickly. Our waitress was extremely sweet & kind. Our food was sooooo good. Overall we would recommend this place to anyone look for some good food & a good atmosphere. Not to mention all the decorations inside super cute, it has a cozy small town feel. And after you eat and you need all that goodness to settle just a walk in the neighborhood it’s very adorable.