Maison Premiere Reviews

Some of the best oysters I’ve had. Good happy hour (oysters only) but excellent service and ambiance 👌 recommend 10/10

I always go there for the $1 oysters during the happy hour, because unlike the most places that offer your usual Blue Points only for HH, this place has a very nice choice. Of course, I am not the only one who likes the deal (although at my last visit, the $1 oysters were actually $ 1.25 - still good, but false advertising), so the place is packed, noisy and the shuckers don't have always enough time to clean properly. Never mind. Order some Balthazar bread with seaweed butter and you'll be in heaven. Muscadet goes nicely with it. Servers and bartenders are sort of OK, even if pretentious as is everybody in the hood, but the girls at the door have no bloody idea what they're doing. The happy hour takes no reservations and is advertised as first-come-first-served, but no. People are waiting in front of the place despite plenty of space inside, promised 1 minute turns easily into 20 and at the end you get one of the six empty spaces you've been staring at for the last 20 minutes. Also, the young ladies have some special rules about hipness - if you are not up to their desired level, no good table for you, just sit at the window - next time you'll learn to wear a plaid shirt and a beard. And seriously, why would one consider entering a place in Billyburg with no tattoo and expecting a decent table??

I visited Maison Premier on a Friday so I advise to book in advance it could be very busy... nice cozy restaurant and very courteous staff although not very attentive. Food was good and I recommend the tartar which was excellent followed by the lobster. Overall good restaurant.

Celebrated my little sister's bday by starting out with oysters and some fresh uni! We literally had one of each oyster from the menu!! This is the first oyster spot I've been to that carried such a huge variety of different oysters. We also ordered the warm bread that comes with seaweed butter. Yummy. Service is impeccable there and it does get crowded. We went there on a thurs evening around 445pm and it was crowded already. They have a bar and tables to choose from if available. Will definitely be going back for more!

3 of us visited, 2 asked for drinks that were not on the menu and the bartender had no problem accommodating their requests. The drinks were all brilliant and the setting is stunning.

This place has the best oyster happy hour in town with more than 10 options at happy hour price. Food is delicious. They have a massive wine list, fresh ingredients. Definitely YES to this place.

This restaurant was top-notch the variety of absinthe. the knowledge of the wait staff about how everything being served from the bar to the kitchen was excellent. best of all their selection of oysters and clams absolutely premium the dinner was out of this world We had oysters, clams, lobster and the short rib which was decadent and finally I highly recommend the cheesecake with chocolate ganache. This place is a gem and on my top 10 best restaurants ever.

We arrive before 6 so I figured we didn’t need a reservation. The hostess sat us by the bar affirming that was this only place available before the patrons with reservation arrive. Mind you, after 1 1/2 hour there were more than 6 tables that stayed unoccupied this whole time. It was a terrible spot right in front of the bar and next to that door that so many employees were going to pick up whatever. We were hot the whole time because you know it’s summer and it’s great to not have AC! (Sarcasm). It seems that we were really an inconvenience to the 1st waitress who we ordered the drinks from. Thank goodness somehow a switch happen to a second waitress who was a delight. It was oyster happy hour so we started with that. They were very very small but good. Should I mention we were charged $4 for bread. Let me know in advance, it’s like charging for water. Then we ordered a main entree each. The crayfish étouffée was good so was the lobster roll, on a small size for a whooping $32. A tad salty. 1 cocktail was good while the absinthe I ordered was watered down. At 54% alcohol you’d thing I’d get a buzz but no. Overall it’s overrated to my opinion and to much attitude.

Maison Premiere has been on my list of restaurants to try for quite some time, so I will thrilled to have dinner there this past weekend. From start to finish, the entire experience was out of this world. The place was quaint with a bar wrapping around the first room, smaller tables in the back, and a gorgeous patio. The whole ambiance reminded me of a cozy upscale bar in the French Quarter. My partner and I went to town on the oysters, which were absolutely amazing. I didn't quite find a drink I liked on the menu, so I asked the bartender if he could custom make a drink for me, and he made an incredibly delicious drink. It was so perfect. The staff overall were extremely hospitable, friendly, and fun to talk to. The hostess was awesome. We had a brief interaction with her when we put our names down, and in those few minutes, she made us feel like old friends. The bartenders were so fun to chat to, and they were such attentive servers. I was so blown away by the whole experience. I had spent an entire day doing things in Williamsburg, and that was by far the highlight of my evening If you are in Williamsburg, I highly recommend dropping by Maison Premiere for a slice of New Orleans and a delicious drink. It is absolutely worth a visit.

We were in Brooklyn NY & wanted to try their happy hour Oysters. We waited quite some time, so you have to be Patient ! You can order as many or little as you want, and They have many to choose from so it's nice that your not limited to one kind only.

Came here for some brunch and left full and happy. The house salad was simple and tasty. Tried a dozen oyster samplers and they were all delicious. The pork pastrami sandwich is insanely good. The duck hash was excellent. Would come back here in a heart beat. Not cheap but not pricey.

Oyster happy hour & Absinthe cocktails are great but everything else on the menu is amazing too so I would recommend staying for dinner as well.

It's all about the raw bar and the cocktails... We snagged a spot right in front of the replica Absinthe fountain and watched the water slowly drip over the sugar cubes into the glasses below. The oyster list is impressive as is the artistry of the mixologists crafting up vintage cocktails. The space is a breath-taking walk back in time and the staff play their parts very well with clothing from the era. Don't miss this place when in NYC. We got in without reservations but it can get very busy so plan ahead if you don't have a chance to return easily. Well deserved James Beard Award.

Step into this magical restaurant through the very subtle entrance (no signage) and find yourself in the middle of a great experience: great design and music combined with outstanding service make you look forward to your meal, and to spending a few hours there. We had drinks and oysters (too many to choose from!) and the duck, and everything was delicious. A strong recommendation, a must book.

I had a decadent lunch of lobster roll and gin cocktail - it was heavenly! Highly recommend even though oysters are not my cup of tea!

Welcome to the 1920’s, thats the feeling you get when you enter Maison Premiere. I was just having a walk in Brooklyn with a friend and happened to find this place where I had a great experience. We ordered some Oysters (they have an amazing selection) I had duxbury, Malpeque, Skookum and Barnstable oysters, among others. I also had the sepia fish as an appetizer and you have to have the lobster gnocchi! I pair it up with some white wine: Muscadet Sevre et Maine (melon de bourgogne) and it was a good pairing for what I had for dinner! As a hint, you can sit by the bar where the Chefs are opening up the oysters and get to see all the varieties they have and get to talk with those experts to learn more about them!

Came in here June on a first date and totally loved it. We had only oysters and champagne, so I am unsure about the rest of the menu. I would come back here just for the oysters though. So fresh and briny and delicious! The ambience is great as well. All the doors were open allowing for the breeze and conversations to flow. We sat inside, but would love to have an outdoor garden table next time. Wrought iron chairs, small wooden tables, and gravel covering make you feel like you are in the south - like Charleston or Savannah.

This is a great bar with amazing atmosphere. We stopped by for drinks. Its a great place to get away from some of the other bars and be able to have a conversation.

Went for oysters and we weren’t disappointed. They were delicious lots of choices. They offer happy hour during week for oysters. Drinks were good nice beer selection. Oysters Rockefeller were good different from what we’ve had before. Definitely would recommend.

we visited this place during the ousters happy hour, which is very price-worthy. The place is very cosy, we were sitting outside - where it was quite and romantic. The choice of ousters and cocktails is outstanding. You should definitely reserve a table - the place is always full.

What else can be said about Maison Premiere, it's that good. It can be crowded during peak hours or if you're waiting for the back patio on a nice day, but there are plenty of times you can sneak in a get seated immediately at the bar or a table for two. Maison Premiere features one of NYC's best oyster selections and an award winning cocktail program. You can't go wrong with any of their expertly crafted cocktails, but I'm a sucker for the Mai Tai.

Love any place with happy hour oysters, and love the interior of the bar/restaurant. But I had a terrible experience with the host and the waitress. The people who work there were rude, wouldn’t seat us despite there being open seating, and it took 25 mins just to get the check.

Quaint smallish space with lovely midsized backyard. Great design aesthetic. But we were there primarily for 2 things: Oysters and drinks. Oysters were delicious; lots of variety. Drinks took way too long to come out, sometimes 10 minutes or more. We weren't a big fan of some of the drinks that came out (perhaps the lag in time from ordering to sipping also skewered our impression). Tried ordering a sparkling wine; that also took 10 minutes. The lag in getting our drinks on time and misses on some of the food besides the Oysters made it a mediocre experience in a lovely space.

Rather (deliberately) dilapidated looking bistro. Crowded inside. Very popular, expect long waits if you are coming at peak hours. Great variety of fresh oysters. The quality of the rest of the seafood is variable. We had excellent sea urchin and some bland scallops. Cocktails are excellent. Good absinthe selection. The staff is polished and charming, but with a definite Williamsburg service air. You'll know what I mean if you've been to Williamsburg.

We wanted a special meal to end our holiday in NY, so decided on Maison Premiere based on other reviews. I'm really glad we did as everything from the service, food, drinks, decor and ambience was just perfect. We booked in advance at the start of the week and were able to reserve a table for two at 10pm on a Friday night; we would have maybe liked a little earlier but the place is so popular you have to book early. Don't try and just turn up - you won't get a prime time table any night. We were greeted at the door by the maitre d' who showed us to our table behind the large bar. The restaurant is divided by the back of the bar, so is a little secluded from the people just in there to drink. The whole place feels like an early 20th century New Orleans bar and it has a wonderful shabby chic to it. We were seated inside where there are about 4 or 5 tables, but the room opens out onto a stunning outdoor walled patio where the majority of the tables are. Our server was very attentive and explained the menu to us when we asked about certain dishes and how much to order - there is a mixture of small plates, large plates and sharing dishes and we didn't want to under or over order. We started with two of the best cocktails we've ever drunk and a selection of their oysters. They have a huge range from East Coast (salty) to West Coast (creamy) so we chose a mixture to try. All were great value ($2.50 - $3.50 each) and were delicious. We then had a selection of the small plates as well as 1/2 a lobster ($19) which came on ice and was perfectly presented and prepared. We finished with the fish bouillabaisse-like sharing dish which had a great selection of fish and seafood. Maison Premiere may be one of the top 5 restaurants I've eaten in and we would definitely go back. We didn't make it to the absinthe selection, so will make that something to try next time. Unbelievably good value for such stunning food and drinks - our bill came to about $130 (£85) including the cocktails.

The restaurant was loud and crowded, but it was nice to be able to sit at the bar without waiting. The oyster selection is impressive—they had about fifteen varieties—and the oysters were very good. I also had the steamed clams with andouille sausage, which were fine but not memorable.

Places straight out of a prohibition period movie. Music to match the period and waiters straight outof gangster movies. Impressive choice of oysters mainly from North America. But on the menu you can find perles such as the brandade de morue. Impressive cocktail choice.

Place was jam packed on a beautiful Saturday night as are many restaurants in nyc. We had a reservation for 7:00, so we walked in and got seated immediately. As we are just sitting down, the hostess proceeds to tell us that they "need the table back" at 9 pm. We are three girls celebrating a friend's birthday dinner. We have all traveled around the world and eaten in many of the top restaurants in NYC and abroad, and that was our first experience hearing something so RUDE. If that is the restaurant's policy, then they should make absolutely sure that upon making a reservation, the people are told just that. Because then I can decide if I actually want to dine there or not. We had a great server named Daniel. He was extremely attentive to us, very kind, and he was really busy. We expressed to him at almost 8:30 that most of our food hadn't even come out yet which he obviously realized, and your hostess is telling us we have to leave in a half hour!!!??? He told us not to worry and it wasn't a problem that the table was ours. Nice, being that we ordered a ton of food, oysters, cocktails, and dessert and spent plenty of money there. Aside from the hostess comment, we thoroughly enjoyed our time there. The restaurant is beautiful, the oysters were delicious, we loved our cocktails and our server Daniel was terrific.

Great happy hour! Oysters are great value for money and variety and freshness of shellfish for happy hour was beyond expectations. Bartenders can come across a bit of a snub but they know what they are doing. Place fills up quickly so be ready to be there before 4:30. Hot dishes were great as well. Try therir cocktails too. Deadly but worth the next morning hangover!

Delicious cocktails and apps. Great spot for a drink and some small bites like shrimp or oysters. Service was very good, and fairly trendy. The drinks have a lot of flavor depth, and keeps on going. I would recommend and would return.

We loved the decor and atmosphere of this place and the food and service was excellent. We didn't want to leave.

Came from FL to have a romantic dinner night. Though our server, Massala, was less than desirable, the food and cocktails were worth every penny! We really didn't like our waitress, lazy and didn't give us the time of day. Very charming little place.

I went there with family for a special occasion. The cocktails are amazing and the staff is knowledgable about the menu and especially oysters. A bit pricy but totally worth it! Certainly one of the most beautiful outdoor seatings in NYC!!

We love the oysters at Happy Hour, the vibe makes you feel like you travelled back in time and the drinks are very well executed. It is an experience to dine or drink here and one worth putting on your NYC bucket list :) The stewardess could have a been a whole lot friendlier .... that's why I dropped a star. Everything else was on point.

I was searching for a quite place for a drink, I found this bar and was a surprise! Beautiful location, the bartenders are great and drinks... WOW!!! One of the best in Brooklyn!

We managed to snatch seats at the bar for the oyster happy hour and loved it (until we discovered that only the oysters are on happy hour price, not the drinks). The drinks though are carefully crafted by mixologists dressed up like in the old days. The atmosphere is beautiful and very different to other NYC places, a mix of NOLA and Paris, really unique. The food is exquisite... we tried some of the raw offerings, and of course lots of oysters of outstanding quality. Happy hour starts at 4pm but the line forms earlier. And for dinner or brunch it's wise to make a reservation... and then enjoy!

Maison Premiere is a must if in Williamsburg. Ambience is fantastic, the oysters were fantastic as was the rest of the meal.

To be honest. Don’t known where to start with this one. Entrance a bit deceiving. However when you walk in the atmosphere takes over of a very rich heritage and long history behind the rest. Tables are small. Service is great. Best of all is the oysters. Fantastic selection. Highly recommend for all in Bedford area to try the rest. Absolutely great value for money. A bottle of red wine with 36 oysters @ $160. That’s a seriously well deserved dinner. Staff very friendly and supportive. Would definitely go again.

This place is really something. The entrance was secret with unexpected experience. Gorgeous interior and decoration. Good service. Great assortment of oysters and the avocado-toast was delicious. The lobster could have had some more salt and stayed in the boiling water little bit longer. Total experience was more 4,5 then 4. Go there, you will not get disappointed.

From London, UK and my girlfriend found Maison Premiere to celebrate my 40th and it was amazing. Really cool place, amazing decor and attention to detail and service that exceeds most 5* establishments. Our host Robert(o) was amazing and made our lunch an event. In fact he was the best host we found in our 5 days in New York. The food, vino and cocktails were superb. This has to be on your Must Visit list in NYC.

Really good Oyster Bar with great cocktail bar vibe. We had fresh oyster, pasta, lobster rolls...all turned out great. Great cocktails too. Need to book ahead. A very happening place.

Very speakeasy, 1920's vibe to the place. We sat at the bar & got a great spot to watch the bartender mix the drinks. WHAT a show, seriously. He was super meticulous with every pour &shake, every ingredient and garnish. Delicious oysters,tartare was fabulous too. Very busy spot, not overly expensive, worth checking out 100%.

First time in here. We managed to find a table for 6 ( no prior reservation on this Saturday evening ) Enjoyed our drinks 🍹. We didn't try the food 🥘 ( mainly sea food = oysters ....etc ) however looked very attempting. Service is good. Highly recommended .

Yes what a treat to go to Maison Premiere for Cocktail Hour!!! The bar scene is great. Wonderful atmosphere - Attentive staff - My husband and I usually order Oysters but last week opted for their Alaska king crab legs........no regret!! Such an amazing dish. Will do it again

This is a really popular place for oysters and cocktails! Many varieties are available. Even though I noticed that the prices went up for happy hour. Still it's a good deal. Service is great. Coctails are awesome, but if you want to get a really good buzz you may need more then one - the size of cocktails are rather small. Get ready to spend $$$$$. Although if you like obscure tastes - this is the place to try new things!

Oysters and champagne - what more could a girl want! Not only was the food delicious but also accompanied by great service and really friendly staff. Would highly recommend!

Had one of my favorite dining experiences here. Tasted a few different Absinthe's at the bar while we waited for our table in the Garden Patio. The cocktails that followed were nothing short of amazing. They lived up too and exceeded their hype. Oysters, from Briny to Buttery, so many to chose from, did not disappoint.

We stopped in on our way to a friends place to have a cocktail and oysters. Amazing bar, cozy atmosphere. They had a great selection of oysters and the bartender was very attentive. Would definitely recommend to anyone in the area.

Stopped in for brunch and had a lovely meal at the bar. The interior is absolutely beautiful as were the waitstaff. There is a garden in the back which is equally as lovely.

Just go there! It doesn’t matter that the place is in every guidebook. It’s in there for a reason. Absinthe cocktails from heaven, oysters with the taste of happy oceans, served in classical atmosphere from a bygone era with great personell. And yes, that October afternoon at Maison Premiere will be hard to beat for a long time.

This is really a terrific place, from the minute you step through the door (best to reserve). It looks like a French Quarter, Louis Malle-inspired speakeasy, there's a real NOLA buzz and they certainly get their Sazeracs right. Fantastic oysters and clams (happy hour until 7:00 pm) and delicious small plates (we had cod brandade and octopus, both terrific) and even the cheesecake dessert was original and outstanding. Excellent service, unobtrusive, friendly and efficient. A keeper!

If Maison Premiere isn't the definition of 'Brooklyn Cool', what is? From the outside it doesn't really look like anything / much, but as soon as you step in, you enter a world of oysters, scallops, wonderful service, amazing cocktails (try the Whiskey sour), and a good and relaxed atmosphere. We had a seat at the bar (behind the bar), and saw first hand how they made and prepared the oysters. We also, by coincidence, dropped in during happy hour on oysters (!) which was a good thing for the wallet. I would strongly recommend this place to anyone.

Dropped in late and heard the last of the jazz that played during the day. Sat at the oyster bar as we did not have reservations. Had great cocktails, yummy olives, bread, oysters and the oysters Rockefeller. I would not recommend the oysters Rockefeller as they were too salty and too much bacon. Have had better. Stick to the raw oysters if you like that. Great atmosphere and superb service.

The restaurant is beautiful but service, food quality and attitude are not up to it. We asked for a bottle of champagne and they were out of this brand but were not able to offer an alternative. Oysters were not as fresh as I expected, also were served without bread or pepper. Overall experience was not good.

We have been here multiple times, oysters quality always 100%, as well as welcoming experience! Stephen the bar manager always took care of us, every single time we have been here, he has been amazing, accommodating us, helping us living the best experience, not missing anything, actually just having an amazing experience once again ! I’ll recommend this place if you want get most likely the best oysters in New York City, as well as best welcoming! Best oysters in town? You know where to go! Thank you once again Stephen, you make it amazing for us, every single time!

We ate dinner here on the recommendation of our cousin, who lives locally. The face of the restaurant is rather unassuming and just has a sign that says "oysters," so we had no idea what to expect other than, perhaps, a raw bar. The moment we entered the dining area, we both felt like we were going to have a magical evening. We were seated next to the hearth in the first dining room. That was lovely enough! It was decorated in such a charming fashion with so many little candles lit everywhere and vintage china all around. Even better, they had Hill Farmstead on tap, which surprised and delighted us both. The dining room beyond us was just like a solarium out of a Wharton novel. As happy as we were with our beautiful table, we would happily have switched to a table within this striking room. Plants were growing everywhere and there was so much gorgeous, natural light. As for the food, regrettably, we both agreed we ordered the wrong things. So, I feel like we cannot give a great representation of the quality of the cuisine. We would love to try it again. We left feeling fortunate we had happened upon such a special place.

We recently sat outside in the leafy back patio and had 3 types of PEI oysters - all of them fresh and delicious. A couple of absinthe choices from a very extensive list started the evening. And the wine list featured a good range of wines with lots of French options. Dungeness crab as a main was also very fresh and nicely plated. The patio was almost overgrown and did a nice job of transporting us away from the busy street outside. If you sit inside, the vibe is dark and intimate and still rolling with the New Orleans style. The service, although friendly, was a little disjointed but overall the rest of the restaurant made up for those small gaps.

I chose this restaurant for my BF's 50th birthday. We went to The Four Horsemen up the street for drinks first and I wish we had done the reverse. Maison Premiere has a wonderful, fun atmosphere and it was packed with people. Dinner service was rather slow, it took a while to get drinks and the food was meh. We were a group of 5 and none of us was excited about our meals and the lobster roll was very small considering its price. I had the lobster which was cooked well, but the vanilla butter just did not jive with the lobster in my opinion. The martini presentation was very cool and my friend said she would absolutly order it again. This was a very pricey dinner and I would not do it again, but I would definitely go back for drinks.

We went to the Maison Premiere and had a great experience. It was on Labor Day and they had a special band playing there live music. We tried different kind on oysters and. Very good and professional service.

We've been to Maison Premiere twice and look forward to our next visit. Oysters are the big attraction, and MP does not disappoint. Happy hour oyster pricing is hard to beat, too. The brunch menu isn't extensive, but everything we've tried has been delicious. I'd particularly recommend the duck confit hash. There's a great bar and attractive decor, not to mention the music. Best of all, the service is friendly.

Classy atmosphere with wait staff dressed in old time 1920-1930 attire serving shell fish and old style cocktails in style. Bus boys are in Tuxedos. When we were there we had our choice of over 20 different oysters with a unique way of ordering. Highly recommend Happy Hour for reduced pricing. Don't be concerned about unimpressive store front on Bedford avenue, Sitting at extensive Bar or back in rear garden area preferred. You will be impressed.

We had a late night reservation for drinks here and had a great time. Their cocktails are excellent. They have a speciality with Absinthe but that’s only part of the story. Great staff and drinks.

There is no sign outside but you find it easily. Once inside, you're in a different world. I felt like being in somebody's house when I looked at some decoration. The oysters are excellent and the wine selection is large. As everybody around me had cocktails, I switched too a cocktail myself, which was of excellent quality. The winter garden in the back of the place is just magic. I definitely recommend MP for cocktails, oysters and excellent ambiance!

Step back into the late 19th century and enjoy the superb seafood in a cozy, dimly lighted atmosphere. The standout was the multi-level tower of oysters, clams,'muscles, scallops, lobster, crab, and more (the plateau des fruit de mer). Along with a nice bottle of white wine, it is a sumptuous feast. Also especially enjoyed the pickled oyster and vegetables. The canneles and madeleines were a nice dessert.

Made a point to get to Maison Premiere to try the oysters and the atmosphere from the website looked wonderful. I could not have been happier. Yes indeed it was crowded, but we were able to get a place at the bar on Friday after 6 after a brief wait. The oysters were fantastic. Great choices and some of the freshest that I can recall enjoying. The cocktails are expertly selected and impeccably made in a setting that is simply ethereal. The staff look like they all get along and actually like each other; they work seamlessly behind the bar. No one rushes, no one panics, and you are never unattended for too long. It is simply a great spot from every angle. Clearly the ownership/management knows what they are doing and have looked after every detail with intense care. Great, great spot.

Went hear at the end of a long day that included a bunch of basketball, a great dinner and just needed a cocktail to wind down. Fantastic bar, great staff, great list of cocktails. Actually ordered one that was not on the menu -- and old-school Boulevardier -- and the mixologist made one of the best I've ever had. Great absinthe drinks as well. Was constantly looking over my shoulder waiting for Bogart or Hemingway to walk in. Very cool, romantic spot.

Come here every time I'm in New York. The experience was awesome: nice service, nice atmosphere and nice and broad selection of oysters for happy hour. However, when I went again this time, the happy hour oyster selection dropped from around 11-12 to only 5 left. My favourite Stella Bay was not even in the menu. Not sure if I will go back again.

This place was absolutely amazing. The cocktails were incredible. The service was amazing. Definitely a five star rating. Loved it. Everything was so fresh and staff were so accommodating and nice. Great experience

This place is really cool, and although you get the sense that they kinda know that, we were well impressed by the service and general atmosphere for our thanksgiving dinner here. Food was good and wine and oysters were well chosen and delivered. The standout aspect of this place though is the surroundings, and the excellent bar and waiting staff brought it to life.

Well, it's kind of weird to write something bad about a bar well known for its always on time and kind service. Last saturday I went there along with some friends (a well known bartender from South America and owners of one of the best bar in Colombia) and it was their first time at Maison Premiere and wanted to show them what everyone talks about and, actually, they were amazed at first sight. We ordered an absinthe and they took at least 40mins to tell us that they had lost the order so we had to wait a little longer. Usually you dont wait more than 5 mins after something like this happens; well, we had to wait around 15 more minutes. When it finally came, of course, we enjoyed it but there was this sour feeling of showing my friends that Maison wasn't this day what everyone was talking about. I hope they can correct these things and keep improving as if it was their first day in business and never lose the passion and service that they're known for.

Always fresh oysters, expensive, but very well made drinks, nice vibe, and great service. It’s great for dates, dinner or brunch with friends, or just enjoying those delicious oysters by yourself.

Great find. Stylish, excellent food and service. Arrived at 3:00pm after busy morning site seeing for a late lunch and were not disappointed. A short walk from Bedford Avenue station on the L line

So it may be said that i was a little worse for wear when i came here but this was a beautiful restaurant, the decor, style and service were amazing along with really good food and drinks. Give it a try

So my wife and I found this place a few years ago, shortly after they opened. I can't say enough about the staff - bartenders, managers, hosts/hostesses, waiters and waitresses, everyone is courteous, professional and knowledgeable. They go above and beyond; since it has been our go to spot for years, I actually proposed to my wife here in May 2014. Will and the other staff, with no notice, helped set the mood with some special cocktails, dessert, and the ring on a covered plate. I recommend planning a proposal a bit more than just anxiously heaping an engagement ring on your favorite bartender and asking for help; but Will and staff nailed it. The bar staff is incredibly skilled and knowledgeable and the cocktails are fantastic. I've had pretty much every kind of drink, meal and appetizer here over the years, from oysters to razor clams to duck to lobster bisque - everything is always enjoyable. The decor and atmosphere recalls another time and place, and is impeccably done. I've seen this attempted elsewhere and really miss the mark, but Maison Premiere is a beautiful, cozy, and authentic space, and it is quite a pleasure to spend a bit of time there. Enjoy, but if you're coming during happy hour, be prepared to wait a bit. You can't be this much of a gem and not attract crowds.

My friends had never tried oysters before and I’ve visited this restaurant a few times so thought it was a fitting opportunity to take them here. The oysters were fantastic, the cocktails like always are amazing and the staff are so polite and pleasant it’s fantastic. Great doctor and ambiance. Thanks again!

After a stroll around the area by chance we stopped outside this unusual friendly place, and the host were friendly the drink very good the cocktail worth tasting all served with smile and care. I raccomend the barber of seville cocktail a regreshing bless

Management implements a weird policy; they do not accept more than 6 people at a time... at least, that goes for tourists! We were 7 (very "civilized") Canadians with money to spend, but that was the ONLY reason we were given to be denied access! Do they only cater to locals??? We could have lied and split our group, but confronted with such arrogance and lack of common (business) sense, we gladly took our business elsewhere!

Saturday morning looking for a brunch spot when the wait everywhere was at least an hour we spotted this little spot with hardly a sign in front. Peeking inside I heard the coolest blues playing and the elegant Maitre'd in a three piece suit told me we were in the right place. Some bar patrons shuffled their seats to make room for us at the bar and when we settled ourselves noticed we were transported to a 300 year old Bourbon Street bistro. I am so happy to watch the handsome, well dressed bar tenders work their magic on their craft cocktails while entertaining us with their banter. We started with an oyster sampling, expertly presented and moved on to spicy shrimp and grits. I loved my crab toast with a spicy lobster Bisque sauce. When in Brooklyn, this is where I want to be!

From the horse-shoe shaped bar to the extravagant oyster bar,tastefully and as a transformation to Paris when it is most inviting.Fantastic sympathetic and informative Sommelier-Head waiter, rarely meeting his like in NYC's restaurant world.Shellfish plateau is of fine quality, but a little complicated to share a lobster half when you are more than one at dinner table.Apart from this, I'm already longing for a return.

This was a recommendation from a frequent traveler friend who said it was his favorite venue in NYC. Thanks Dean great venue, great service and the absinthe cocktails amazing.. did I mention happy hour oysters. Great experience

Sat at the bar and really fun to watch Will and the guys mixing drinks from their extensive bar menu. Very personable and friendly staff from the front of the house to the bar to the service staff. Food was excellent, corn and sorrel chowder delightful, shrimp cocktail delicious and the Greenpoint lettuce's salad was divine. Everything was super fresh and very tasty. Prices were reasonable. Reservations suggested or go early as it is a popular spot. Definitely will return.

FANCY! Stunning atmosphere. Gorgeous setting. Oysters of my dreams and cocktails that make you feel on top of the world!

I would love to tell you about this bar but the door lady with the blonde bob was enjoying herself too much turning people away even though there was ample space inside

Definitely very cool..... But, an oyster is an oyster and a clam is a clam. And, the Corpse Reviver #2, with its dash or spray of absinthe, was not the best. I asked for them to make it with Cointreau and they substituted Triple Sec..... it makes a difference. Indeed, the atmosphere is fabulous, and after a few, you can be taken back to the days of old Paris and the district of Montmartre. If you squint, you just might see Vincent Van Gough, or Julius Verne, or Toulouse Lautrec, or Pablo Picasso or Edgar Allen Poe or some people you don’t want to see. Fun!

Sat at the tiniest table in the bar area right in the path of all the traffic. Service was dismissive. The oysters and selection were nothing special. The crudo, we shared three, was mostly poor quality except for the arctic char. The lobster roll was mediocre. The panna cotta tasted like boxed jello. The wines were limited. If you are coming for the scene, the absinthe, inattentive service and you must almost beg for a reservation at the tiniest table....enjoy. Otherwise there is much better oysters, crudo, lobster rolls, wines, desserts and service in the city. We dreaded to think the kitchen was in the basement. For all this we had to secure our reservation with a credit card. NEVER AGAIN! Try Pearl's Oyster Bar for the real thing.

This is a hidden gem of a place. You are really transported back to the 50´s, the decor, music and service is all stunning. We ate the oyster and seafood platter. Was sensational. Best to book a table as this is a popular place and now I have eaten here I can understand why. There are pates that you can share and this is also really excellent. stunning, just stunning.

My Father grew up on the Quarter,my expectations were low walking into Maison Premiere, my daughters choose this spot knowing how tough I can be. We were seated in the back, the lighting a decor is so lovely and quiet. The food was quite good, my server was attentive and knowledgeable. I will go again!

I came here in summer 2015. Definitely recommend sitting on the terrace and ordering oysters and wine, good stuff!

It doesn't get much better than this. New friends, fresh succulent oysters, delicious cocktails and perfectly cooked scrambled eggs. What a wonderful new experience to help endear me on this summer like day in Brooklyn. Can't wait to return and experience a few more items on the menu with new and old friends.

One of the favorite thing we like to do on Memorial Day is to have a brunch at Maison Premiere. They have special menu for this day, and usually opens earlier on this day then usual. They have a large bar, taking up most of the space. They have table seating around the bar, to the side, front, and yes, to the back. Not many seating as you can imagine, and with that, wait time can get a bit crazy…reservation is recommended! The BEST part of this place (to me) is their amazing, beautiful, so super-fantastic patio in the back! It is such relaxing space, a true oasis in the busy Brooklyn street. With the huge bar upfront, they do offer some impressive cocktail and Absinthe menu. We ordered Maison Jungle Bird and Maison Piña Colada. Fun, tasty, and high quality. Piña Colada was extra awesome, it came in a Whole Young Coconut! For food, we had some oysters and Memorial Day Special items. Oysters were all super fresh, not fishy in any way, and yes, tasty! Memorial Day Specials were St. Louis Ribs, and Beef Brisket. Delicious, decadent, filling and really nicely done! I enjoyed the brisket more than the ribs, but my hubby really enjoyed the ribs. The service was great, warm and welcoming, polite and friendly. Our server Rachel, who was really lovely, took a good care of us. We had another amazing time here, can't wait to go back already!

The food was excellent. I had steaks and eggs. When we came in, we were immediately seated at the bar, placed the order and waited 90 min to be served. We had to wait about 10 min to have the drink orders taken, and another 10 min to actually get the drinks. This is why this place gets 3 stars. The food itself was actually 4 stars.

There is a reason Travel & Leisure Magazine rated this as one of the 20 best restaurants in the USA for oysters. We went for brunch and they had an oyster Happy Hour. Exception service and oysters. They had local beers on tap and when my wife and I asked to sample one for ourselves they did. We liked our selection. The only knock is that the restaurant is small. Our table was small as well and we may have done better eating at the bar perhaps. The place is cozy. They will open up their courtyard in the warmer weather and if you have been to New Orleans, it may remind you of it.

Came here for the cocktails and they did not disappoint. Would highly recommend any of the absinthe drinks or a martini. Also has a very fun old school vibe.

Located in the middle of Williamsburg , trying to reproduce the Bourbon street flavor, almost succeed but for a big lapse of our bartender fault : he forgot to put in our orders for food. Now the list of drinks is rather extensive and the guys certainly can fix you a nice cocktail and the food is interestingly innovative , but the fact that we waited almost 90 minutes to get our entrees made it difficult to appreciate the taste at its fullest since we were quite hungry after couple of drinks and just few oysters and quickly we engorge the food. So for this reason only only a disappointing 3 stars, but I would give them another chance.

Some of the best shrimps I have ever eaten and the absinthe cocktails continued to deliver late in to the evening. A really unique venue and vibe here. Feels like a best kept secret. The only disappointing aspect was our waitress - who despite being delightful to begin with - became increasing surly as the evening progressed. Despite spilling a quarter of a bottle of expensive wine over our table and one of our guests - she never batted an eyelid. Naturally she reappeared at the end of our time with hand outstretched for the 20% “service” charge. Still a great place, but needs to take a good look at its recruitment / training policy.

We had a wonderful dinner at Madison Premiere on a Friday evening in February. The service was very good. Lobster roll and Wagyu steak were highlights along with the La Petite Madison Plateau. Drinks at the bar to start the evening were fun. If you like Absinthe, this is your place.

A popular place behind a anonymous green door is strongly recommended for oysters. We had a big plateau with a large selection of various oysters, clams, scallops and lobster, and together with a bottle of champagne, this was a great lunch our first day in Williamsburg

Rude and arrogant personnel, especially Nora. We came early and she asked us to wait, which was ok. There were three of us but only two chairs. We asked for a third chair. She gave us the chair but made it look like a huge favor. She didn’t offer us a menu. She said we can’t offer drinks at the bar. She said that someone will take our order but no one did. Finally a bartender took the order. The drinks were terrible - too much alcohol so that you can’t taste anything else. I rarely write negative reviews but this place doesn’t even deserve the one star

Maison Premiere is my favorite restaurant in NYC/Brooklyn. I've been there 2x now and it is a must every time I visit the city. Nothing better than going for brunch. The history is almost amazing as the food. Be sure and try the absinthe drips or cocktails. Read about the history of absinthe before you go. So much fun. Lobster Roll is incredible, but if you are a oyster, lobster, mussels type of person, you will be in heaven. Ask to sit at the back bar so you can watch the oysters being shucked. Also lovely outside back garden that is just lovely. 5 stars....make your reservations in advance.

So this was pre-COVID, but I figure I can catch up on reviews. Steven at MP was amazing. He has that balance of mixologist skill, witty banter and sophistication that is rare these days. I can make my own cocktails but I can’t recreate the experience that comes from visiting a place such as MP. I’m writing this in hopes that as life returns to normal and you’re deciding who to support, you put MP on your short list.

Best oysters, unreal happy hour, get there early for the line. This place is the best, I love the atomosphere. The Service is unreal, the amount of info they have on every oyster is impeccable! Be there early for Happy hour specials and make sure your whole party is with you or they wont sit you!

This was a tip from a friend so we made a reservation in advance. We only managed to get a reservation at the bar but when arriving the host arranged a table in the back of the restaurant on the outside terrace! This was a lovely surprise. The ambience is nice, I love the simplicity of the entrance and the fact that the name isn't mentioned. There seems to be a staff member for every action. One brings the menu, another the water, a third the cutlery followed by the last who brings the food. The service execution wasn't that good. Things where forgotten and when the waiter brought our oysters which contained a wide variety he gave us the kitchen paper with the oyster names and didn't say which is which. Aside from that my main dish was excellent and the wine we had was fantastic. We ate outside on the terrace. I would advise you to try and get a seat there!

Went for drinks and oysters, the bar was crowded but we got seated at a little table pretty quickly. A little noisy so it was hard to hear the server but there is a large selection of oysters (over a dozen varieties) and you can get a selection of 12 for $30. They also had absinthe cocktails and a very non-standard list of cocktails to explore. Fun, definitely the place to be, and a nice place to treat yourself!

Hidden gem in the heart of Williamsburg. After a hair cut at the amazing Ludlow Blunt, this bar and restaurant is amazing for cocktails. Extremely hard to get in but worth the effort and wait. The cocktail list is amazing and then have perfected pretty much everything else. A must visit !

The food was delicious and the service was impeccable. The ambiance reminded me of the Bywater neighborhood in New Orleans. Maison Premiere is a true gem in Williamsburg. The mussels from the raw bar and the venison tartare were the highlights. Additionally the clam chowder is some of the best I have ever had and I am originally from Boston!

I had a reservation for 12:30 for some reason I thought it was for 11:00am. They promptly accommodated me in a very nice spot outside In a very beautiful indoor terrace. Everything ordered arrived promptly, including a very fresh assortment of oysters from their happy hour. Absinthe cocktails were great and very well explained by their manager/sommelier. Waiters and runners rotated gratefully to ensure fast and attentive service. Are the waiters snubs and arrogant like some posts said? Not at all. They have to follow a standard for their concept, but I can say that I was treated like a king. I even saw my waiter bringing a plate with water for a service dog on the next table, which he wasn't asked for. Great find and awesome food. I just wished I brought a nice date to this place.

We went here for dinner with another couple and were initially charmed to be eating in the lovely garden with twinkle lights in the back. However, the cast-iron tables are quite small and the chairs are a bit wobbly on the gravel in the back yard. We ordered a seafood plateau, and there really wasn't room for it and our wine/water glasses on the table, much less the breadbasket.

My partner and I were excited to visit this location as he was looking to experience Absinthe in its purest form, along with it’s mix with traditional cocktail mixes. First off its frontal view of the restaurant is so clean and vintage, separating its look from the nearby bars surrounding it. The bars ambiance and low dim lounge feel is very settling and its menu and style, as well as employees all coordinate so beautiful. Everyone was very welcoming and accommodating as we moved from walls seats to the bar to better see their mixology process. Absinthe is not an everyday drink and for our first time experience, we were not disappointed. Cocktail Presentation is neat and visually appealing. We were also happy to know that the bartender would give us info on the drinks. As bartenders its always nice to learn from others especially when well introduced with accurate info. They have a big selection on Oysters but we really loved the lobster linguini. Desserts also were appetizing alongside a dessert cocktail. The whole experience was delightful and we had a great time with our first experience with Absinthe.

I would have rated them a five but the service was slow. All tables were taken but we were able to get seats at the bar. It took more than a few minutes for us to be recognized. However, this restaurant has great oysters and a good variety of them. It may remind you of a New Orleans restaurant with a nice garden in the back. The oysters just seemed to melt in your mouth. One note here: The oysters are of the raw type. They do not cook or fry them. They do take reservations but keep in mind that you should make them well in advance as they will fill up quickly especially on a Saturday night. While the service could have been better, we certainly would go back and give it another chance.

Maison Premiere does not display its name on the front of the building. "Bar Oysters" is what the sign says. That is a good summary of the strengths of the place. They buy oysters 100 to the bag, and have many selections of east and west coast oysters. So go early for the oysters, especially during the happy hour when the oysters are discounted.. The bar occupies the center of the interior space. There is a nice garden in the back. We thought the iron tables were a bit low. Besides oysters, the menu is limited. We thought the lobster roll could have used more lobster, and the wine pour was on the small side. The servers are pleasant, they wear approximations of French-New Orleans style clothing.

I live in the neighborhood and have been coming to Maison Premiere for special occasions since before the pandemic. This time, it was for my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. We’d been before, and as big oyster fans, they were so excited to return. Unfortunately, the service was off from the start. It felt like we walked in during a chaotic shift change—after being seated, no one came by for quite a while. There were four of us, but we only received two cocktail menus and no food menus. We had to flag someone down, who handed us two more menus. Not a huge deal, but definitely not the vibe you want kicking off a milestone celebration. Eventually, we got a dedicated server and placed our orders. I was especially looking forward to the tableside Sazerac—something I’ve ordered many times and always loved. Part of the charm is the storytelling: the ingredients, the ritual, the history. It’s usually a little bit of magic. This time, it was… awkward. The maître d’ arrived with the tray, said nothing, made the cocktail with his back to me (the one who ordered it), and didn’t acknowledge us at all during the process. Total silence. When he finished, he asked—terse and flat—if we had any questions. Only after I told him I was disappointed not to hear any of the usual details did he rattle off a brief explanation. Honestly? Pretty lame for a $34 cocktail, especially on what was shaping up to be a $500 meal. It felt rushed and weirdly dismissive—not the elevated experience I’ve come to expect from Maison Premiere. The oysters were top notch, as always, and the crudo was fresh and complex. Food-wise, everything was excellent. But the service? Let’s just say it never really recovered. Our server was… fine. She took our order, but didn’t crack a smile all night. You’d think the energy might match the occasion a bit more—especially when you’ve told them in advance it’s your parents’ 50th anniversary. There was a small “Happy Anniversary” sign on the table when we arrived, which was a nice touch. But when I asked—discreetly—if they could put a candle in the dessert, I got a bit of a shrug. First it was “no,” then “maybe,” then eventually “okay.” It was unnecessarily complicated for something so simple. And honestly, would it have killed them to comp a dessert more candle-friendly given the occasion and our tab? All in all, this was the first disappointing experience I’ve had at Maison Premiere—and the maître d’ really soured the evening. I get it: people have off nights, maybe something personal was going on, or maybe he just doesn’t like performing the tableside ritual anymore. But if that’s the case, don’t offer tableside service at all. It missed the mark, and I won’t be rushing back.

Perfect environment. The decoration and the staff was like from another decade. Really nice uniforms. High level service. Nice music. For oyster lovers it's the best choice. It has a small lovely yard. Better go with reservation or else you have to wait at least 45 min.

Amazing cocktail bar! I travel a lot and I have tried a lot of cocktail bars, but this has a very unique cocktail list. Excellent service and oysters selection.

This is a very cool restaurant. Has a retro Cuban vibe. We visited on a Thursday night and the happy hour was hopping! It took a LONG time to get our drinks but worth the wait. Staff was friendly and informative. Would visit if your looking for a great raw bar with typical NYC feel

We arrived there around 6pm. Hipster enviroment. Speak-easy bar. We have some Mai Thai, beer and some Gin drinks. All great! But the Mai Thai is highly recommend!. Oysters... 12 east varieties + 2 west varieties... you couldn't ask for more or more fresh in this area!!! Totally recommend to start your night or to drink some.high end cocktails!

Make your reservation as this place jams!! Nestled in an historic building in hip Williamsburg it's intimate, romantic and fun. The bar presents quite a show as the bar tenders create the most exotic and imaginative craft drinks. It's small but very large in creativity and energy! Dining area in the back has a quietly tone and if you're lucky you get a table on the patio outside. If the weather is good it's a pure delight! Our drink of choice tonight: Absinthe, yes Absinthe. The drink enjoyed by Hemingway, Picasso, Van Gogh, Oscar Wilde, Lord Byron, Poe, and James Joyce among others. Absinthe is an anise flavored spirit derived from botanical, including the flowers and leaves of Artemisia absinthium (grand wormwood) together with green anise, sweet fennel, and other medicinal and culinary herbs. Formerly banned it also is known as "the green fairy". It's recommend that one does not over indulge in Absinthe. The Oyster menu is huge! I had to go on line to find an oyster guide site to help me choose. Happy Hour runs to 7:00 pm when the oysters are $1.25 a piece. Bring 'em on!! We scarfed down two dozen easily. Then onto dinner. But if you go do not overlook the cocktail menu, it's incredible. I go to a lot of first class restaurants in my business travels and I can say without question not one competes with this menu of craft cocktails lovingly created by skilled artisans caller Bar Tenders. For me dinner was the Lobster roll. Tender, perfectly cooked big chunks of lobster tucked into a buttered Brioche roll with home made Cape Cod chips. Yum! Our server, Melissa, was on top of her game. She was well informed about the cocktails and dinner items. Our water was constantly refilled and Melissa was very attentive. It was quite an experience. If you like craft cocktails, willing to experiment with Absinthe and love oysters this is a must visit. PS. Seating is interesting. Metal seats, no cushions. Avoid the back table with the wood bench. Very uncomfortable but worth it for the exquisite food and drink. Enjoy!!

Very nice place, I read some reviews on web and absolutely wanted to try this bar/restaurant. The place is very nice, great atmosphere and the idea is very original! Cocktails are really delicious, and very interesting are all made with absinthe. I just tried the cocktails this time but I'll definitely go back for the oysters and seafood!!! Service could be a bit warmer, it'd make the place even better :)

My husband, 2 friends and I decided to explore Bedford Avenue on a warm Sunday in November. We entered the unassuming building, not really sure what we were walking into! We felt like we had walked into New Orleans! They were busy but we got some stools in the corner had some drinks - 2 from their extensive absinthe menu, and some oysters. Since it was happy hour there was a selection of the oysters that were only a $1 each. The food looked wonderful, but since we were just exploring we left it at oysters and adult beverages. We are already planning our return visit.

A travel back in time and the most extensive absinthe menu ever! Love the cocktails and the ambience! Such amazing decor!

Had a fantastic meal of oysters and lobster rolls. Made a reservation. Had heard rumours of staff being arrogant and ultra-hipster how ever we didn't experience this. Would definitely recommend

What a find. Great cocktail bar with really friendly and knowledgable staff. Drinks were excellent as my poor head proves this morning. Food is all fish based so if you don’t like seafood you’re gonna struggle. If you do like seafood, you’re going to be in heaven! I had the seafood gumbo which was excellent. Great atmosphere and well worth a visit.

This place is truly one of a kind. As soon as you walk in you feel as if you're in the past, in the 1920s! A friendly host greeted me and my party and took our coats and walked us to our table. All of the employees were dressed so sharply and greeted us. I sat in front of the oyster shuckers and I asked an employee for her recommendation on the oysters and she talked to us about the difference in flavor and size, she made the entire experience so much better. I also ordered the avocado toast which was amazing. Had the decadent French toast with blue berries and the salmon hash was utterly delicious. You must try their tea and all of their cocktails were delicious! Would recommend making reservations.

Good choice of oysters. That’s the only thing we like. We tried 6 different cocktails- very average. Main dish was just ok. Snobby staff, not welcoming at all. I would say over rated place.

Two nice ladies standing at the entrance could tell us the name of the place :-) At first you will enter a bar , very dark … in the back there is a cosy small oyster bar where two chefs are preparing the dishes. after sitting a while your eyes are adjusted .. the atmosphere is very nice, old music, fifties vibe… apart from the bar there are good seating benches, candle light We sat at the bar… the oysters ( a lot to choose) are very fresh and good, we did the chef;s choice.. Usd 30 added with a glass of white wine and gin tonic.. recommended

My wife visited here on a trip a few years ago and vowed to bring me back, and was it ever worth the wait! This is one of the most magical dining experiences I’ve ever had. The entire experience is well planned, from cocktails and oysters through the wine service and entrées through dessert and after dinner drinks, everything is orchestrated for maximum dining pleasure. We started at the back oyster bar with cocktails, incredible oysters, and presentation. That would’ve been enough, but we relocated out into the garden for a few entrées, wine, and convivial conversation with the experienced staff about the history of the building, their cocktail program, and tableside Sazerac presentations. We even snagged a copy of their cookbook and had them all sign. One of the most exquisite dining experiences I’ve ever had. I can’t wait to go back! Thank you for making us feel like locals and friends!

Very cool spot for brunch with a Southern/French vibe. The decor is vintage and the presentation was excellent. The food was also very tasty!

The food was fantastic and excellent, the place was welcoming and warm. The staff with us were helpful and attentive to our every need. We will be back for sure!!

We asked for the best vodka based cocktail and were not disappointed - three flavors in one glass - and the taste was sequential. Bravo!

Definitely one of my favorite oyster spot. Prices are a bit high but if your able to score a table during happy hour you'll be in oyster heaven. The drinks are amazing. The bartenders really know what they're doing. The decor is great, low lights and great music. A great place to bring a date or just come with friends for a good time.

Great cocktails - some amazing - Solid wine list - Attentive and hard working staff Eclectic diverse and fun customers Good food but not great - go for the booze and the scene not the chow - but the chow is fine

We live close to the restaurant and stopped by the other night, even though we didn't have a reservation. A really sweet hostess greeted us, said it would be a few minutes, and offered us some water. From there, the service was top notch, as we enjoyed a selection of oysters, a delicious green salad, a blackfish dish and the gumbo. The cocktails were creative (I had something with celery in it). It's a perfect place for a small group dinner (lots of people were Instagramming their seafood platers) or a romantic date. My only complaint is the font on the drinks menu is microscopic, so someone like me, who needs reading glasses, especially in dim lighting, practically has to pop out an eye to take a closer look. Anyhow, not a big deal. Worth a visit for sure.

The wife and I drifted in to recharge with morning beer and oysters after a long walk on a gorgeous first day of Fall; what a find. We sat at the bar and were expertly guided through the oyster and beer selection; nicely presented in a prompt fashion. The absolute highlight of the experience was watching the bartenders prepare cocktails at a brisk pace with a relaxed precision that was truly live theatre in a creative venue. Not to be missed.

Ok so.... a friend took us here cause she like the oysters at a very low price... little did we know, each cocktail is over 15dls, so... cheap oysters ????? This "cocktails" are made by two very rude "bar tenders" who talked trash behind our backs just because they did agree on a question that I made. This over priced cocktails are not even tasty ... alcohol is the only thing you can taste. Don't sit by the bar if you want to be treated well. The food is ok ... nothing special, but ... the place is cool !!! You'll have to arrive before they open cause it gets really busy.

One of the things I love the most about New York is that they believe in historic preservation and you find little gems like Maison Premiere tucked away in Brooklyn. I absolutely loved everything thing about this place and my date knew it. He told me "wait until you see the restroom". It had one of those victorian antique toilets with a wall-mounted tank and pull chain. Super cute. My date made reservations and we were seated as soon as we arrived but declined our table and opted to have a seat at the bar instead since we just wanted drinks and appetizers. The customer service was amazing. The bartender gave us great suggestions on which oysters to order. I'm still dreaming about the Oyster Rockefeller's. So freaking good.

The place was full but the high ceiling and low lighting and candles made it cozy, with many nooks and crannies for quiet conversation. The wine steward introduced us to an excellent Chablis vielles vignes which went well with our main course. The seafood gumbo was superb and we funished off with refreshing sorbets. We did not try the absynthe! Maybe next time.

My husband and I called in here on a Tuesday early evening for a quick drink after someone recommended it to us and we were so pleasantly surprised with this place we ended up staying way longer than we planned. We had several drinks and also took up our lovely server's offer of trying some oysters. Loved everything about it - the decor and atmosphere, the service was excellent and the oysters were honestly the best I have ever had. Definitely worth a visit, especially at happy hour when the oysters are so cheap! Will definitely return when we are next back in Brooklyn, in fact would make the visit to Brooklyn specifically to go back here.

Visited randomly this local hangout. Sunday night was packed. Sat in the corner, often was overlooked but when I mentioned it the extra service was so polite. Fly to Brooklyn from antarctic just for the experience. Check the bathrooms antique sink.

Worth a visit but no real entrees, the lobster role leaves you wanting. Oysters are good and the bar is great.

AMAZING food, TERRIBLE service. It’s an odd one, as I’d absolutely love to rate here as so high, as ambience, food, setting and all was great! So wonderful, but the service was abysmal. I thought we were on a hidden camera show to be honest. Jacob, while I’m sure is lovely outside of work, was surly, mute and clumsy, and he wasn’t the only one. Drinks were spilled, food forgotten and there was a constant reminder for top ups on wine. It’s not great that I have to name, but he really got into the ‘Parisian’ attitude, by being a misery. He came across as unpleasant and not wanting to be there - sure dude, we all hate days sometimes, but you are customer facing. The other team were nice enough, but every single drink, including water, was spilled every time we were refilled or had a new drink. That aside, the food was great, the rest of the staff were lovely, the setting was great and relaxed and it was clean and smelled fresh! The food was very good indeed, really amazing tbh, so I’ll for sure be back, and now knowing it’s for food and not the service.

Had a great experience here during happy hour with bargain prices on delicious oysters (before 6 or 7 PM?). Wonderful cocktails. Great atmosphere.

We wandered into Maison Premiere during happy hour on a Friday afternoon. It is a small place and quite crowded, but we had seats at the bar relatively quickly. The decor is very French, the staff is friendly, and the attention to detail is impressive. The bartenders were very attentive and flexible. I asked one to surprise me with some sort of lemony martini and the most amazing cocktail appeared, which I proceeded to have 2 of:-) It involved salted honey and a few other ingredients that I don't recall the names of. Cocktails are quite expensive at $14-$16. We ordered oysters ($1.25-$1.50 during happy hour) and bread (which came with salted seaweed butter - amazing) and we sat and enjoyed ourselves for almost 2 hours. We recommend Maison Premiere!

Very good food, the oyster bar is amazing, cocktails are made to perfection (the bartenders are not as talkative as nomad or pdt but still very good service) If you like oysters and cocktails definitely worth going there. And when you are on the waterfront that is around the corner you have amazing views over manhaten. Definitely worth going.

I read all the reviews and was really looking forward to having some oysters while visiting the East coast. We arrived about 3pm an hour before happy hour, but found after a review of the menu that about 6 of the oyster varieties were excluded from the happy hour, of which two were ones I had preplanned to purchase. The clams are also excluded. So other reviews that suggest any oysters they have left are included was misinformed. The wine list is a little confusing as there are no descriptive as to flavor profile such as Oakley, acidic....however the waiter was knowledgeable and was able to help provide enough information to make a selection. The drink menu lists about ? 12 of the house special cocktails, but another reviewer mentioned great Bloody Marys but for example they were not listed anywhere.:my husband who loves bloody Marie’s and left his unfinished, as there was a very smoky flavored ingredient and he said the entire drink tasted like smoke. If you’re u removed the multiple garnishes and factored in the enormous amount of ice you were also left with the smallest Bloody Mary for $13. I think they get away with these prices because of their reputation but there are lots of bars in the area offering oysters at $1 each with an earlier happy hour and better priced drinks. We also ordered the oysters Rockefeller was had an enormous amount of spinach on each so mostly it’s was oysters baked with spinach. I would not recommend these. The little necks were great and the oysters ok. The bread appetizer for $4 was also very good but for a $200 tab for 4 for drinks, 10 oysters, 6 clams, one oyster rock app, and bread...just not worth a return visit.

It is hard to beat an 80 degree day in late October, especially when you are sitting in a pretty courtyard with oysters and champagne. It felt like a very special break in the day. The service was excellent, and they had a great variety of oysters. I am looking forward to returning when their menu expands later this fall. If you don't have a reservation, get there before it opens as the line forms quickly. We did not have tableside cocktail service, but they did at the next table and it was quite impressive.

No matter how cool you are (or think you are) you're probably still not as cool as this place. Stylish bartenders serving up delicious cocktails (and a great array of beers) in one of the coolest surroundings east of New Orleans. This is the speakeasy that every faux-speakeasy wants to be.

Beautiful and delicious cocktails. I have to go here at least once every time I visit New York. My favorite cocktail on the menu is Mai Tai and I really love how beautiful they decorate it. 😍🍹

Great oyster and drinks, entrees not really for dinner... come for oysters and drinks but not for the entrees which were very small and pricey and not filling ... Service was good but slow .. we were seated in the back of the restaurant which was ok but not as attentive to the tables in the.back... it's where they put you if no rabies are available in the front .. overall good food but I'd suggest have oysters and drinks and skip the rest

We timed our visit in a Tuesday for happy hour and got seats at the bar. Had a dozen oysters (our favourite were the Duxbury’s), and shared a Gumbo and a Passionfruit Absinthe Pannacotta. Great music and atmosphere, food, drinks and service. We loved it.

There are few places where you can drink absinthe in NYC. This is a great one, absinthe is served originally with a drip on a spoon in the original glass. Oyster selection is good, we went for the 12 selection that makes a good sample. Staff is friendly, it is a bit cramped.

The menu looked great, the raw bar was awesome. The cocktail list was extensive, but honestly if you read it the words do not make sense. It is a bunch of random ingredients no one has heard of. The service was odd, she really had trouble hearing/remembering what we ordered, so we had to keep reordering things. The oysters and appetizers were great. The lobster roll was pretty pathetic.

We were visiting Brooklyn for our NYC wedding reception and saw this blissful french bistro in Williamsburg. They have a beautiful garden area in the back. We had escargots and the absinthe. Great find and quite romantic.

Called in here whilst on holiday and had a really enjoyable evening. The service was really good and our barman was very friendly. We were fortunate enough to go on "stew night" and the tomato stew with shrimp was incredible, probably one of the nicest plates of food I have ever had!! Look forward to one day visiting again.

We stopped in for a cocktail after having dinner at Misi. As we were walk-ins, we were seated in the back under the pergola. Seating arrangements were a little uncomfortable as the floor was unstable pebbles, etc… it turned out we both had to have another cocktail as they were so delicious. Maybe will stop in for a bite next time.

We went to his place with some friends on a Sunday night. The atmosphere was amazing, nice people and the staff was super kind. Go there for the countless and delicious oyster's list and for the cocktails, the rest of the menu it's ok, nothing special. If you go to Brooklyn you can't miss this place! 👏🏽

Went there for a cozy 'bistro' dinner the other night. Sat at bar and waited for a table to clear. Ordered a glass of wine (small pour) and a Ketel One on the rocks (even smaller pour). Should have had one of their interesting beers (draft or bottle) with some raw bar offerings. Was eventally seated at a small corner table in the bar area...cramped but service was stellar. Our server suggested an interesting beer to try and we shared a fantastic endive Caesar salad, two lobster rolls and some monk fish. IMO the over-whelming amount of local hipsters only serve to drive up the prices...proceed with caution.

super slick oyster bar on bedford avenue. low lighting. classy decor. $1.25 oysters during the happy hour. We ordered 6 each and a few cocktails which were expertly made. The bar in the front is great if you are a two but if you are a larger group the back of the bar is just as nice. highly recommended for a date - it still seemed buzzy despite being around for awhile. one of the best places we went in Brooklyn/Manhattan.

Clam chowder was wonderful, a very good variety of oysters and the seafood platter was out of this world. Service is superb!!! Will do it again.

When you find number 298 look to the left and you will see some blocked up windows and a pair of doors painted a grey/green. Open the doors and you are in the most wonderful cocktail bar and sea food restaurant. We had not booked but there was space at the bar. The maitre d was wonderful and his staff are charming. We had a delicious plate of oysters tasting four different types - they were fresh and each type was individual. There is a wonderful selection of top quality wine which certainly complemented the oysters. The bar is famed for its cocktails and it was wonderful watching such class mixologists in action. When next in New York I will book a table.

Original and suggestive place. Nice staff. Great music. Good eating. Top cocktail. I suggest to go for a dinner, with friends or coupled

A great variety of delicious cocktails by experienced waiters in a very nice and sensual environment, to share some oysters or small plates.

My boyfriend LOVED his whole experience! I on the other hand have very strict dietary restrictions, almost everything on the brunch menu had gluten. Wouldn’t recommend for anyone who has celiac disease. But clam/oyster lovers I highly recommend this restaurant

This is a really cool place. It is a throwback to the 20's. They have a great value and variety of oysters for happy hour. If you call ahead for reservations try and get a table out back in the garden area.

We'd heard good things. Unfortunately our experience was less than pleasant. The Oysters and the wine were lovely. Bar tenders very helpful but to get that far you had to get by the disinterested matre d' on the door who gave the impression that she couldn't care less if we stayed or left. We stayed for 1 drink and some oysters and high tailed it somewhere where we felt out custom would be appreciated.

The sign out front says Bar Oysters, and that sums up the attraction. I arrived just after it opened at 4 pm and it was packed. Bartenders in suspenders serving up cocktails. Dark, enjoyable atmosphere with a patio out back. Good, but not overly generous, wines by the glass. The oyster selection from both the east and west coasts was excellent, and the happy hour prices were easy to take (about $1.25 apiece). Slurp away!

The strong point of the restaurant is the old fashioned atmosphere and the garden, which I did not understand why it was not available. We are not connoisseurs of oysters, but for us they were very good. The food absolutely in the average (or maybe less). The cocktails were good, but like in many other places nearby. So, having a look inside could be enough.