The Franklin

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!

I have been to The Franklin twice now and the food has been consistently excellent! I’ve tried several menu items and they’re all fantastic. I brought my parents, who classically aren’t big seafood fans, but they thought everything was fresh, delicious, and they were really impressed. I would definitely recommend and will be returning!

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.

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!

Ownership spent $$$$ and many months to open this next version of The Franklin and it’s much better than its predecessors. Two levels, each level has a full service bar and tables tightly spaced. First floor has the oyster bar, second floor the restrooms. No booths. Menu is interesting. Specialty is the fresh oysters, fresh and tasty. Shrimp cocktail average at best for $4 each, not firm and medium sized. Fried mushrooms? Yes. But why not calamari or clam strips instead? Cornbread $8 is worth the splurge. Dill Caesar amazing. Entrees are sparse, no fresh fish of the day and sorry, salmon doesn’t qualify. And why no seafood pasta or seafood stew? Lobster roll excellent as were the decadent scallops. Sorry again, but no restaurant will get 5 stars with 3 oz. martinis at $18. Craft cocktails are good. Wine list very expensive for a place like this, $850 for Schrader, why offer it? No decent selections under $100. Obviously ownership trying to recover costs with elevated alcohol prices. Overall, very happy with our first experience and hoping for an updated menu that is more in line with their seafood twist. And love they accept reservations.

When we arrived, we were seated immediately, which we appreciated. However, after being seated, it took quite a while before anyone came by to greet us or take our drink/appetizer order. Eventually, we had to ask the (very sweet) hostess to check in with our server. When the waitress finally came over, she said, "I heard you guys are ready to order," which made it unclear whether she had been assigned to our table earlier or was just now being notified. We also noticed that other staff passing by to refill water didn’t seem especially friendly and didn’t introduce themselves — including our server, whose name we never caught. While we understand it was later in the evening and perhaps the team was winding down, the overall service felt a bit impersonal. That said, the food was excellent, and despite the lackluster service, we still chose to leave a 20% tip. We hope this was just an off night, because we would consider coming back for the food.

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

First visit, Arthur and his fellow bartenders were amazing. Great recommendations and background on where food is sourced. Gluten free options as well. Great food and experience, we will definitely be back.