Upstate Reviews

We came to eat at 6pm. There were tables available online but as we are local we just walked over. There were 5 free tables outside and one inside and additional space at the bar. The girl on the door didn’t seem to care about getting business in. She said they were fully booked from 6:30. We asked if we could have a drink at the bar for 1/2 an hour as there was space. She said no. I can’t understand how the manager can employ staff who clearly have no interest in hospitality and deter people from ever coming back. Good luck with your business!

A must try! Great selection of oysters & other seafood dishes.

Recently in NYC for a few days. Found a website with so many positive reviews of Upstate we hopped in a cab and set out for dinner. Arrived to find a small place bursting with style and in time to enjoy happy hour. Six oysters and a beer, $12 in NYC! The selection was amazing. Each one we tasted was better than the next. Simple, a bit rustic but warm and cozy. Staff friendly and knowledgeable. We had 2 rounds of oysters follow by crab cakes. Perfect scallops with risotto were next, ended with whiskey cake and coffee. Best seafood I have ever eaten in NYC!

I loved it so much I went twice in one week! The owner, Shane, is great and will suggest the perfect beer/wine pairings for everything on the menu. My favorite, aside from the extensive list of oysters, was the crab cake with habanero honey sauce. The uni, squid salad, and scallop ceviche were also excellent. I can't wait to go back to try more menu items. At the end of the meal you are served a small slice of homemade whiskey cake; the perfect ending. This place gets extremely crowded, so be prepared to wait awhile. Bar area, with about a dozen seats, is first come, first served. Daily happy hour from 5-7 includes your choice of draft beer and a half dozen oysters for $12; a bargain!

We visit NYC each December and always head to Upstate for at least one meal. Staff are incredible...informative and friendly but never pushy. It is a small restaurant and always full. Get there early if you can. Food is so fresh. Oysters are incredible. Beer and wine list are great. ONLY thing is there is no dessert.....a yummy pound cake is brought with the bill though .

Went there for dinner with a friend and had the oyster happy hour where we get six large tasty fresh oysters and a beer for a mere $12! It's a great way to start a bar/restaurant hopping Friday evening. It's a small place but turnover is pretty fast. That said, go earlier to avoid any waiting. We arrived at around 1820h and had to wait around 20 minutes. The place is dim and cosy on the inside (which explains the grainy photos). The waiters are great and the staff at the bar definitely know their beers and oysters and would patiently explain how the oysters would taste different depending on where they come from. My friend and I ordered a shared dish of crab cakes and the scallop special as well, both of which were divine - I highly recommend them! Overall, tt's a great, chill place with a happy hour special that is perfect for a quick after-work pre-dinner.

The place was dark and romantic in a rainy night ! The menu selection was very good and the food was very fresh ! The oyster list was rich and also happy hour as well! They also had a very good selection of local beer breweries and wines. Def get the Risotto with scallops and trout with butter. Def recommend this place to fish lovers , a must!

My friend was craving some oysters after an early Saturday night dinner. We found Upstate and it was still pretty packed at around 8. We were able to put our names down for 9 PM for three seats at the bar. We ordered: -Oysters (Sea Kist, Wellfleet, Wave Lengths, Upstate's Own, Blue Whale) - these were all east coast oyster because the west coast ones were sold out. East coast oysters are priced at $2.85 each, which is reasonable IMO for regular pricing. There are some types of oysters that are plumper than others, so you can always ask for recommendations. All of the oysters were pretty good but I did get a few that weren't properly shucked -Little neck clams - I love a good clam, and these were nice and fresh. I might have liked them even more than the oysters -Escargot (snails slow cooked in basil and parsley butter) - this was probably one of the worst escargot I've ever eaten. It didn't really have much flavor, and the butter tasted like movie theater popcorn butter -Uni (Maine uni, quail egg, salmon roe with toast points) - this wasn't what I was expecting. It served on some sort of cauliflower puree (?), which masked the flavor of everything else. The bread also tasted a bit stale For drinks, I had the dragon stout, which reminded me of a Guinness Extra Stout. It was pretty good. They also have a nice variety of other beers on draft. If that's not your thing, they've got some wine and a few cocktails, but none of the cocktails appealed to me that night. The food menu sounds really good but if it's similar to the two dishes we ordered, I probably wouldn't try it. I would come back for more oysters/clams though!

We were blown away by the service, incredible food, and attention to detail. Every moment was sensational -- warm atmosphere, delicious craft beer, incredible oysters and impressive main dishes. It would be the perfect place for a date, to take family or a special occasion with friends. Absolutely perfect!

Went here on a weeknight and the place was still relatively packed but we did not have to wait for a table. Ordered the crab cakes to share, then the scallops, and finally the fettuccine with clams. The crab cakes were good but a bit salty -the salad balanced it out given that the dressing was sweet. The scallops were delicious and it came with mushroom risotto. My favorite was the fettuccine with clams - it was AMAZING!!! Cheesy pasta and the buttery clams -great combo! Forgot to mention, they finish the meal with a complimentary whiskey cake, which is delish. The attentive service along with the tasty food I can't wait to go back and check out other items. Ps the seafood here is very very fresh because they order from the market daily and there aren't any freezer on site!

Visited here on the basis of a love of seafood and trip advisor reviews. Emailed week before to see if I could book - fast response saying give them a date and time and they would make sure space was available. Turned up on the day and after a few minutes wait we had a table. Seafood choice was amazing and I had my first shark steak ! If you like seafood you’ll love this place. A word of caution however - it is noisy with people enjoying their meals.

Great environment, good service, extremely fresh oysters! A little pricey compared to oyster happy hours and seafood across manhattan though.

Had booked up in London before our visit to nyc and wow what a treat. This is a real find. A warm welcoming oyster bar and restaurant. Everything we ate was superb. We just made the oyster happy hour too. It is a relaxed and chilled local place. Small,lively and a joy.

This is more than a restaurant. It's an experience! Sat at bar and we were guided through our oyster choices. Fresh and of high quality. Main course of al dente pasta with fresh clams was best I've ever had. On tap formidable craft beer choices. There is a wait but you can give phone number and browse the neighborhood. Salvatore at the front could not be fairer and more welcoming. A must visit!

the line is not crazy at Friday night, best oysters and beers! A great way to refresh yourself after work!

This small, busy place is the best fish restaurant in the area. Every time we visit NYC, we make a point of eating here. Everything we've tried on the menu is delicious...they know how to prepare and sauce fish! The whiskey pound cake dessert is wonderful. Happy hour is super popular...service is great...just an excellent place.

We went next door for a drink while we waited for a table at Upstate, and it was well worth the wait! We relied on the recommendations of our waiter, and we could not have been more pleased. Although the stout I had was delicious, I still felt the only downfall was that they do not have a full bar. Still, I would go back for the food!

I love everything about this place. The first time we sat at the bar and were treated to the expert knowledge of oyster by the owner (with a couple of free “taste this one” thrown in during the night). I still an amateur oyster consumer so rely heavily on the knowledge of the staff. What fun! The linguine with clams is sooooo goooood – garlicky, oily, “parmesanny”, chocked full of fresh, whole clams. The beer list is small but solid, atmosphere is fun and intimate. The free sliver of rum cake at the end is a nice touch to a nice place!

LOVED the oysters. Also, the Gruner Veltliner wine is delicious and they had a great selection of craft beers. All excellent until the mains came - octopus which was way too salty and their signature dish of clam fettuccine which was mediocre and stodgy. Maybe we came on an off day? I really enjoyed the ambience, oysters and wine though.

This my favorite place for oysters in NYC by far and I've been through a few of them. The waiters are knowledgeable and the menu changes ever day based on whats available so you wont have the same experience twice. Its tough to get a table but its worth the wait. Great date spot as well.

Been coming here for years. It's a very small place so you must arrive early if you want the HH special. They do waitlists so you can go grab a drink nearby. The beers are craft beers and they offer a nice selection of wines. Their dinner menu isn't vast though and its good but not to die for. We have dinner sometimes while we're they're and never leave disappointed. Their oyster HH matched with that craft beer is where it's at.

The happy hour special of 6 oysters and a beer for $12 was well worth the visit, especially as you can try a range of oysters off the extensive oyster menu. The service was great and the staff are more than willing to provide recommendations on both the range of oysters available as well as the craft beers. If you're not an oyster fan, there are plenty of other taste sensations to tempt you. The complimentary slice of cake to finish the meal was a nice surprise.

We came for the oysters and beer. And would have returned again and again. If only I lived in NYC. Delicious fresh oysters, happy hour specials on some, and a good, varied and not overwhelming craft brew selection that kept us happy. You can ask for a sample taste if you aren't sure you want to commit to a full pint. We also tried out some of the regular appetizers and they were delicious as well. It was crowded, we were told that it was up to a 45 minute wait but were texted within 10 minutes. Note that this place is busy so plan for a waiting period at happy hour. Service was top notch: friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. The warm whiskey cake with the bill was a nice top off to this experience.

We arrived before 7pm and we were able to take advantage of the offer of 6 oysters + beer for 12 dollars or 15 for 6 oysters and wine, and we had that, plus a plate of fettuccine with clams and another with tuna. Everything was great and Omar's attention was excellent. We had a great time on the terrace. Highly recommended restaurant in East Village.

Upstate is fantastic. The seafood is the freshest you will find ANYWHERE, the people who work there are friendly and knowledgeable, and it's just all-around a great neighborhood spot. I rarely review my hometown restaurants on TripAdvisor (which is a shame), but I have been here so many times that Upstate really deserves the highest praise I can give. If you want to do NYC like a local, don't miss coming here.

This is one of the best restaurants I have been to. This statement is perhaps justified by the fact that you cannot make a reservation. Instead, when you arrive, they give you an estimate of when the next table will be free (typically 30-45 mins), and they text you when it is ready. There are ample places to go for a pre-oyster drink. There was a list of at least a dozen different species of oysters to choose from. We selected 6 very different types, all raw of course. All so fresh as well. A nice crisp white wine to go with it - sensational! They don't only do oysters. We followed them with several seafood dishes to share. And all were superb. I was unable to fault this place. And not too expensive. I will definitely be back!

This place is a gem. Small and tucked away it's easy to miss. It specialises in oysters and seafood - and it delivers. We had a selection of East Coast oysters recommended by the waiter (which was a special price oyster and beer combo). The oysters were fresh, all different in texture and flavour - and very close to the descriptions by the waiter. Excellent. Worth listening to the recommendations - he got it spot on. For main I had the clam linguini. Large clams, fresh and the pasta al dente .... absolute perfection. This place is small and would recommend you go early or book. The staff are knowledgable and friendly. Highly recommended. A fantastic local.

Late Sunday night meal. Our waitress Chris provided great service with extra friendly hospitality. Our West Coast oysters were excellent as was our tuna and salmon tatar. Our scallops and mushroom risotto was also a welcome surprise. The whisky soaked dessert cake was also a pleasant treat. Small cosy restaurant with a pleasant atmosphere. I highly recommend.

We enjoyed the happy hour oysters on recommendation from the bartender - West and East Coast variety. All of the beers were wonderful and very affordable. We arrived early - around 5:30, and when we left at 7 it was jammed.

Read about this place and just had to try it. Based on another review, I checked the wait time on the No Wait app before heading over, it was showing a 15-30 minute wait. We put our name down, got a drink at a bar across the street and were texted when the table was ready. We sat at the bar, which as previous reviews have stated, is well worth it. We got to have a nice chat and learn more about the restaurant. All of the seafood is delivered fresh daily. The menu changes regularly based on what they are receiving. The clams are caught in Long Island. It's fairly small, which attributes to any long wait times. Despite that, I didn't feel rushed by the restaurant in any way. The service was quick and friendly. Food: We had the oysters, went with their recommendations, and wow, they were so good. Squid salad - excellent, that's a must get. After reading about it in previous reviews, I got the Fettuccine with clams - so so good. Everything is very fresh here. Definitely coming back here, definitely recommend. Also, I didn't have the beer, but it seemed that the beer is regularly changed as well. Anyone who is a beef aficionado, I think would enjoy their selections.

I read about Upstate on my NYC tour guide. After my first time I tried to go there nearly every evening. But I managed only once again, because is always full. They don't accept reservations. The staff is extremely friendly. Excellent choice of beers and wine. Very tasty oysters. One of the best restaurants in NYC!!

We shared a variety of dishes and the scallops and oysters were the standout ones. Very good tuna tartare. Only thing that was just okay was the pasta that came with the clams - the pasta itself was overcooked and big clumps of it were stuck together

We sought this place out during our 4 day visit from England, and were so glad we did. It's easy to walk past, as it is tiny, but that means it can concentrate on food quality, decent pricing and customer service. We got seated at the bar, and had a good chat with the owner, who was friendly and informative, and made us feel welcome. Straight away, we were given oysters to eat, which I have to say were out of this world, and picked out a couple of the excellent local craft beers. The fishcakes and clam fettucine we had were just beautiful. Fresh as could be, and served with care and pride. A highlight of our trip, without doubt.

Very tasty seafood, great service! It is worth coming! But kind of a small... And the neighborhood is not very beautiful.

We had a last minute change to the number of people in our reservation which they graciously accommodated. Oysters were shucked to perfection and you must get the clam pasta, seriously so good!

If you are n the mood to chow down lots of oysters and wash it down with good beer/wine, this is your place. It is tiny, packed, and worth the wait. No frills, nothing else you really want to order, just keep ordering oysters and drinking. Service is friendly and fast. Lots of variety and they shuck it right in front of you

Very cool little bar serving a crazy variety of oysters. The waiter recommended some East Coast oysters which were truly amazing, served with a delicious salsa sauce and horse radish. Very different and so good.

I didn't know oysters could be gourmet. I ate 5 different kinds of oysters here, and one was better than the next. We sampled all of the appetizers, and they were so wonderful. They also serve craft beers that we loved. Restaurant was crowded and loud, but the service was outstanding! With so many people there, they still managed to make us feel special and welcome.

We visited Upstate as a group of 6. I cannot speak highly enough of this restaurant. Walking up 1st doesn’t make you think you’re going to find an amazing restaurant but you’d be wrong. Everything from the menu to the beer selection to the service is top notch. We started with a great selection of craft beer before moving on to a selection of oysters (outstanding) and a scallop starter. Entrees were all fantastic and, at only $18 each, an absolute bargain. The service was friendly and very efficient. Next time I’m in NYC this is the first restaurant I’m going to.

We only stopped in for happy hour but plan to come back for a meal, but let me say this has to be one of the best oyster happy hours around. $12 for 6 oysters (from a selection of 3 of the days offerings) and a craft beer is insanely good. The oysters were fresh and delicious, and the beer selection is great. We also ordered the crudo which was really lovely as well. Looking forward to coming back to try out the rest of the menu!

I have walked by Upstate almost every day since I moved back to the neighborhood and have never taken notice and am now thinking about how many amazing meals I could have had here! A friend, who is a huge fan, took me for dinner and I am very glad he did. Upstate ticked all my boxes in a low key way... they know what they're doing and they don't need to boast about it. The beverage list is complimentary to the food offered without being over the top. The menu is small but packs a punch. I have not had such good east coast oysters in a very long time. We ordered a few other dishes and they are were executed to perfection. Simple, fresh ingredients at a great price point and perfect portions. Our service was awesome; our waiter was knowledgable, attentive and just generally a solid guy - I always think it's a good sign of service when you walk away thinking "that guy seemed like he would be a good person to grab a beer with and bro-out about foodie stuff with." The space itself is intimate - perfect for a nice dinner with friends or date night. It wasn't too loud and they had seats at the bar for anyone who can't find an oyster buddy to indulge with. I can't wait to go back and take advantage of this happy hour I keep reading about!

Came back after 2 years on a return trip to New York. Still a great happy hour with 6 oysters and a craft beer for $12. Service is friendly, and quick. It was sort of a slow night and our server made us feel welcome. The crab cakes are great too. If you want wine instead of beer, there is a $4 upcharge during Happy Hour (5-7)

This reasonably new oyster bar (2 years) has quickly become my favorite place for oysters. It is tiny and crowded during meal time (a good sign), but the bar seats 10 so I can usually find a single. The selection of oysters is extensive (12-18 daily) and they have a happy hour special of 6 oysters and a draft craft beer for $12! Their small kitchen offers a limited seafood menu, but EVERYTHING i have eaten here has been prepared properly and absolutely delicious. Steamed clams, seared Scallops, sautéed Soft Shell Crabs and pan sautéed halibut were all wonderful. A nice selection of craft draft beers and interesting wines are available. The staff very helpful. I would go back (I have many times) there again.

Limited choice of food on the menu but the mussels, fettuccine with clams and the special of the day were very good. Such a pity that we felt as if the only important thing for the waiter was to get us to finish our meal quickly so that they could get someone else on the table. I know US restaurants want a fast turnaround time but this took eating quickly to a new level! Not a restaurant I would recommend until they change their approach.

Went here on business with three business colleagues while in NYC. Place is small but lively. Great seafood at affordable prices and tasty draft beers. Highly recommend.

Excellent small place in the East Village, craft beer as well as wine selection is very good, the food was amazing even more at the price. Will be for sure back again...loved the place and the food.

Love this place! you can't beat the $12 happy hour special for 6 oysters and a craft beer! i can't get enough. I love how the beer selection is always changing and how you get to pick where and which oysters you want (its almost half the fun) I usually just come here for oysters and beers but last time I went I had the linguine and clams. The dish was soo good! Simple menu and superb quality- love love

The squid ink pasta is divine. Buttery creamy juicy pasta accented perfectly by tasty sea urchin and roe. The scallop risotto and grilled tuna were also decent. Restaurant is small but outdoor dining area was sufficient.

Wanted to live in this place. Great chatty staff, low key decor and the best selection of oysters we've ever eaten. The simplicity of great Ales and oysters is priceless. We hung out with the staff as it was a quiet night and they shouted us a drink with desert. Totally made our trip

My bestie brought me here for the first time about 3 years ago and I have been hooked every since. It's tiny so definitely get there early and definitely make a reso. It's a small cozy little space with an open kitchen. You could be sitting at your table and still be able to speak to the chef in the kitchen while he is shucking your oysters. And speaking of oysters they are always so chilled and fresh. The beer steamed mussels and the fettucine are a must. I'm also a sucker for the crab cake. Taste soo New England. They have a great seasonal beer selection too. I had a watermelon beer there one summer that knocked my socks off! Staff is great! Sarcastic yet cool and super friendly and knowledgeable. This spot is a must for all my family and friends when they are in NYC from out of town. It's also a cute date night spot once the sun goes down.

Visiting The Bowery, and stumbled into this GEM by accident, got a seat at the bar, and had an experience. Where did this place come from? A huge selection of fresh oysters, and amazing fresh dishes that play with your pallet. A staff that not only knows Food, they know service. I had a great chef from another local restaurant sitting right next to me at the bar, eating and tasting. Speaks volumes for this lovely place. The owners are there working, and there's not a freezer in the place. Speaks volumes. I don't usually find this type of Gem in my travels, but I am amazed at their food.

This place is awesome. Affordable. Unpretentious. Excellent food.The seafood was incredibly, possibly the biggest oyster selection I've seen fresh. I highly recommend the squid and kale salad.

We were lucky enough to snag a table last Saturday. We went before six and got the last table. Everything was so good, oysters were fresh, as were rest of meal. Reasonable prices and very good service. Will return and try my luck again.

Visited there last Thursday. Little off the beaten track but well worth the visit. Never tasted fresher seafood. Crab cake starter followed by fettuccini and clams all washed down with a few glasses of the local IPA. Very helpful service. Will definitely return on our next visit to NYC

We spent NYears Eve in NY and the guy who works in other near and wonderful place (The Inmmigrant) recommended us to have dinner in Upstate. Place is very cozy, delicious, excellent food with variety of courses to chose and good ambience in the heart of the East Village. We came from Spain to visit NYC and it was an excellent surprise to find a restaurant like this. Very good!

We stumbled across this place purely by accident as a local bar we wanted to visit was closed. We popped in here to get a quick Oyster fix and ended up having what was the best meal of our entire holiday. LOVED the selection of oysters and craft beer. The staff are all really friendly & attentive - our glasses were never left empty. We also had a selection of 4 appetisers to share which were all delicious and beautifully presented. I loved the uni dish (sea urchin with salmon roe & raw egg). The food & drink is all really reasonably priced too. Would highly recommend this place to others!

If you want to eat a wonderful dish of oyster or clams, this is the right restaurant. A little bit small, the tables are very near to each other, but the atmospher is positive and dynamics

I honestly haven't had fresher oysters in the city. My top 3 recommendations are: Oysters (top!!!!!) Fettuccine with clams (yummy) Salmon tartar (supreme) And sitting on the bar is the best specially if Frank is around! Best server ever! Although all the staff is super friendly and cool!!!!! I don't drink but I know they have the best craft beers. Oh! and the cake at the end is so simple but tasty.

Terrific little place with a warm atmosphere. Fantastic selection of very fresh oysters from both coasts. A small menu of food but the items on there are delicious. Try the scallops with risotto. Yum!

A small cozy busy spot to try out. Excellent oysters and other seafood treasures to be had. Small but nice

This menu is simple but it is high quality. Everything was delicious. Get the appetizers they were fantastic.

This place is tiny and cosy. They serve some amazing oysters. Service is friendly and quick. Large selection of oysters, good beers, nice atmosphere and fairly priced! Highly recommended.

A fantastic sea food experience. All of the oysters were fabulous and fairly priced. The lobster ceviche was good, not great, but that was my fault (i have to remember i don't love lobster) but the scallops were among the best i ever had. they happily replaced the risotto with gnocchi and that made the meal. a fantastic fun place.

We arrived as they opened and got a seat right away. $2 oysters were fantastic as was the ceviche and crab cakes. For dinner we shared the fettuccini with clams (the least interesting item on the menus) and the tuna. I couldn’t detect any wasabi in the tuna, but it was very good none the less. My only disappointment was that the apps came before the oysters, and the oysters came with the entree. It made the meal feel rushed and the entrees got cold while we enjoyed the oysters. I would go back but hold off ordering all at once in the future.

Food, happy hour, makes for great bargain. Cold cut plate and crab cakes were very good. Mussels had great broth. Clams over linguine was a little too cheesy for me but still good. Nice beverage selection. No dessert or coffee. Service was very good by Sam and other waitstaff pitched in. I'm not an oyster fan but selection was very good. Clean restroom. As a non-oyster fan, would I return? Heck yeah!!!

This place has the best selection of oysters in NYC with a knowledgable staff to tell you about each. Cooked seafood is ok but nothing special.

This little place is amazing. Oysters were so very good. Service was wonderful. Main courses were equally as good.

I used to love opposite this spot. Such a great addition to the 'hood. It's friendly and welcoming and the staff are on point. It's all about the happy hour oysters and beer combo. Stop in, stay a while and chat to the staff. They know what they're taking about.

You wouldn’t know from the modest appearance that this is a top rated restaurant and it is well deserved. Fresh oysters, good beer on tap and excellent main courses. The tuna with wasabi mashed potatoes was a special treat. Prices are very reasonable and service was fast and friendly. Definitely worth coming back to.

Come during Happy Hour! You can get 6 (huge and delicious) oysters and a beer for $12. A nice start to a food adventure through East Village. We didn't try the main dishes, but they were also reasonably priced, considering the fact that it's a trendy seafood restaurant in NYC. Good service and nice ambience/seating too! After about 6 PM - even on a Monday - it gets full, so come early if you don't want to wait.

This is a small, quaint restaurant that gets very busy during dinner time. Sometimes it is hard to score a seat at the bar, but once you're in, and the oysters start arriving, you won't want it to end. They're fresh, and delivered daily, so the selection is always changing (which is great!) The menu is a classic approach to seaside dining in the city. The killer selection of beers rotates often so there's always a beer to look forward to. There's also a good wine selection well-paired for the menu. It's also a great place to take a date. They also have a nice Oyster Happy Hour. They close the kitchen promptly at 11pm so it is not great for late dining. A must try in the city!

great seafood. Loved the oysters, cracking service and good beer. We also had the clams and softshell crab, also very good. thoroughly recommend

Went here with a colleague for after work drinks/dinner. Very cool place. They do a few things and do them very well. Beer, oysters and fun. There is a great vibe here. It just feels fun and energetic as soon as you walk within a few feet of the entrance. This particular night the front was wide open, the "fresh" NYC air adding to the charm. Oh, then there are the oysters and beer. Great, fresh selection of both. The waiters, bartenders and owners are very friendly and knowledgeable about both. Prices are reasonable too, at least for NYC. And if you're hungry for a bit more, there are some great apps and a handful of main dishes. This is the definition of a great neighborhood "joint." Highly recommend.

Wow! The food was great. The service was good and the drinks not half bad. Needed a meat free night and asked for a recommendation from colleagues. Suggestion was upstate. Started with the oyster menu. Staff were very helpful and knew their oysters. Could have kept going on those all night. Good accompaniments as well. Main course was equally impressive. Mustard mash was amazing. Finally I recommend the canned Bloody Mary. Was a little surprised to see a can, but it does work. All round a great night. Couldn’t fault it.

Excellent casual dining experience. We sat the bar and enjoyed a number of microbrew beers. The waiter was knowledgeable and talked us through the menu and recommended that we get some oysters. They have oysters from the 'local' region and it was great to taste the different types back to back. I had a clam pasta as a main. Delicious. Would recommend.

The food and service is outstanding! Nathan is a great server and took really good care of us. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable about the food and beer. The variety and quality was impressive for a small local place! Definitely will be returning next time we are in NYC!

6 oysters and a local craft beer for $12?? I’ll take two. Great little bar with fresh oysters and delicious local beers. Black lager was the best. Had a few with my dozen oysters. Sat by the open front windows and had an amazing dinner.

This place is hard to find -- a small hole-in-the-wall w/ only a tiny almost unreadable sign on the window. We walked right by it the first two times, till we asked a shop owner, who told us it was right next door... Packed and no reservations, so expect a wait. Our wait was 30 minutes, and well worth it. Started out with the bartender offering us samples of wine to go with the meal we had ordered. The second suggestion was a winner, and he poured generous glasses for both of us. We had the smoked salmon 'share plate,' and it was easily the best smoked salmon I have tasted, with homemade capers and other spices. Next came the scallops main course -- again one of the best scallop plates we have had. Overall a very pleasant dinner. Prices for New York were quite reasonable (though a lot higher than we would be paying home in Ecuador...)

Oysters and Champagne!! The Oyster menu consisted of 20 something different oysters from different regions. . Our server was very well educated and knowledgeable. Great atmosphere, great vibe, and you can walk in with no reservations. First come first serve. Great stop In NYC and I would definitely go back.

When I came into Upstate I thought the atmosphere was friendly and comfortable. I really liked the way me and my family were treating as soon as we walked through the door. We were able to sit where we wanted and the waited presented us with the long menus. I began searching for what to eat and I finally settled on the grilled tilapia. When the chef brought out the dish it smelled delicious. I could not wait to dig into the food. It was just as I expected, delicious. I ate the entire meal in about 20 minutes and I felt pleasantly full. I loved the choice and variety I had as a guest. Also, the bathrooms were shockingly clean, almost to the point where I didn't want to dirty it up.

Great food in general but can't beat happy hour, perfect 6 Oysters and a Craft beer it's hard to go wrong. Little bit of a line at times, but go early to check out happy hour. Staff are friendly and seem to enjoy what they do.

EXCELLENT joint in east village! We planned to go to an another spot, but no tables were available there, and we chose this spot! Seafood is fresh as it can be, service is superb and courteous, well done for a small spot!!!!

Came here on a Monday night. Super impressed! Great food and great service. Got the happy hour beer and oysters deal. Bartender made the choices for me. Great selections of oysters. We had tuna tar tar, scallops with mushroom risotto( this is amazing. Scallops cooked to perfection) clams fettuccine was great too. Will definitely going back. The place is tiny. It gets packed but worth the wait

Quaint and cosy restaurant with excellent service and delicious food. They have a happy hour oyster from 5-7pm but get there early before they run out. I wasn't seated until close to 6.30pm and they only had one choice of oyster left. Not to worry - they were still delicious! The fettuccini with clams is every bit as delicious as all the reviews describe. I can't wait to go back for more. Excellent value also. The only problem with Upstate is that you can't make a reservation and with such a fabulous menu and happy hour the wait can be long at times. Be organized, arrive early and put your name on the list if a table is not available and then grab a pre dinner drink at a nearby bar.

Always great to find a Good new spot. Well,went for the oyster happy hour. 12 bucks 6 oysters and a craft beer(nice little selection of beer and oysters) Oysters were GREAT. Wife also did 6 with a glass of vino 16 bucks.Good Deal. Also decided to share the scallop dish we both loved it.I didn't want to share after the first bite. All in all had a great first experience there.Great service small cozy place,good atmosphere. Happy hour 5to7. Gets crowed quick and it was a Monday night.Also nice little slice of whiskey cake for dessert.(no charge)Cant wait to return.May turn into our new go to spot.

Incredible! I've never been a raw oyster fan (I prefer them fried), but, like with beer, I keep trying them in the hope that I 'get it' at some point. Well, tonight I 'got it'! I asked for 2 different kinds of oysters that represented opposite ends of the spectrum. Our wonderful server recommended an East coast and a West coast. These oysters were so fresh and delicious and really did offer very different flavors. I'm a fan! We also got the shark and the scallops and they were both perfectly cooked and scrumptious! A wonderful restaurant! I can't wait to come back!

We went after reading all the good reviews on Trip Advisor. Got there at 5 when they opened for their happy hour. We were not disappointed. Had lots of oysters, muscles, and crab cakes. All were first rate. There was a wait to get in by 5:45 and no one left till after 7. Almost all the other restaurants in the area were almost completely empty so the word is out.

Walked by and something said YOU MUCH TRY. Well I did and was not disappointed. The food was incredible... simple fresh and prepared exquisitely. The beer and wine selection was wonderful. Staff well trained and attentive. No reservations.. but NO WAIT on your phone gets you on the wait list....

Upstate is insanely popular for a reason--it offers really fresh oysters at a bargain price. There's a comprehensive menu listing more kinds of oysters than I knew existed. The wait staff know their oysters, so ask them for guidance if you're not sure what kind to order. There's a good selection of beers as well. It's small and the tables are a bit close together, but the atmosphere is casual and friendly. If you like oysters, you'll be sure to be happy here.

We were from out of town and hadn't seen that Upstate does not open until 5:00, so had to kill an hour-plus after we showed up too early. But the wait was worth it, even the part of it in a snowstorm. The 3 types of oysters offered were all excellent, and we appreciate the Happy Hour deal for them plus craft beer, one of which was a very good IPA. For dinner we both ordered clam fettuccine which which was excellent in terms of taste and quantity. The bill was very reasonable for New York City. So overall we were very satisfied with the whole dining experience.

Came here Saturday night for happy hour (5-7) and deal is good $12/6oysters and a pint. They give you 3 types of oysters to choose from which is decent as oyster happy hours go, usually managers pick. We also got the uni (sea urchin) which comes with large fish eggs and a raw egg, not for the faint of heart if you have any stomach sensitivities. A yelp reviewer went off on how good it was but I wouldn't get it again. My husband has a cement stomach but was up all night barfing (I was fine and we shared everything so it's hard to say if he got a bad oyster or the uni or the egg. We came at 5:30 and had to wait about an hour to sit at the bar, it's a pretty small place so I wouldn't come here with a group. If I went back I'd get the fettuccini with clams, it was garlicky and delicious.

Went here for happy hour and was blown away by the happy hour specials. Great oysters on the shell. Crowded but delicious scallop entrée. Great neighborhood seafood joint.

This place was amazing! We frequently walked past this but did not know what we were missing for so long. We were expecting just some oysters and craft beer, but got so much more It was a cozy restaurant. I would suggest making reservations. There are many different east coast oysters to choose from and a few west coast. We also had the grilled octopus, trout and crab cakes. The trout was amazing. Everything is fresh. The staff was friendly and the service was great. The owner said the menu changes frequently due to what fresh ingredients/seafood is available. We loved this place and looking to go back soon.

The happy hour is a great time to visit. 6 oysters with each beer. The food was delicious and service was very friendly and attentive. Chill spot for meetup with friends

Ver nice meal,was had by our party of four.,we did not book,but got luck to snap up,a table on an otherwise busy Friday night. If you love oysters and seafood that you cannot go wrong here. Starters of oysters, and sharing plates (squid salad, tuna tartare and fish cakes)'was followed by scallops and fish stew, all very nice. Reasonably priced and recommendable.

This tiny seafood place on 1st Avenue is really worth a visit. A small but adequate food, wine and beer selection will accomodate most. They have a textmessage booking system that is personal and works well. We were at the door around opening hours and about an hour later our table at 7.30 was promised. We had crabcakes and grilled tuna, very enjoyable. The owner, Shane, had noticed me looking through the window at lunchtime and gave us an entre. He even invited me behind the bar for a pic!

Small place but with a great ambiance. The team was very nice and they propose great simple food and awesome craft bier. Recommend to eat at the bar !!

Apart from the incredible sheer beauty of the restaurant, the food is also well made. I highly recommend the orecchiette as a main meal and the duck wings for appetizer. Would go back 100%.

We were in the neighborhood and decided to visit Upstate Craft Beer & Oyster Bar by reading its great reviews on Yelp. The decor is vintage style with cozy and relaxing ambiance. Our dinner started with $12 Happy Hour, 6 oysters with one beer (Mother’s Milk Stout). The quality of oysters was decent and fresh. We had Escargot ($13) from shared plate and Squid Ink Pasta with Uni and Salmon Roe ($23) from main plate. Their food was amazingly delicious especially the Squid Ink Pasta. The sauce was flavorful & creamy and the texture was various from chewy noodles to soft sea urchin. It’s definitely one of the best pastas we have ever had in NYC. After meal, the staff served their complimentary dessert, whiskey infused pound cake. My husband loved it so much due to the strong alcohol taste and the balance of sweetness from the cake & bitterness from the whiskey.

Rude hostess and manager. Never in my life have I needed a reservation to sit at the bar! There were three tables available and no one waiting and this rude little girl told me they do reservations by text message. I dont care how good food may be, if you have idiots guarding the door you cannot eat!

With only three days in NYC, I knew I had to plan my meals accordingly. Because oysters are one of my favorite things, I hoped to find a place that served them, happy hour style. Upstate fit that bill perfectly. We dined there for a happy hour special on a Saturday night. Located in the lower East side, Upstate was not far from familiar haunts we used to frequent in the days when my husband and I lived in NYC. The restaurant is tiny.. it doesn't take reservations.. but what it does do is give you exceptional quality for an unbeatable price. We got the flight of 12 oysters/beer (they will sub out wine for a small surcharge).. and because everything was so amazing.. we got another round. The tables were full when we got there, but the staff will take your number and text you as soon as something is available. That worked out fine for us.. we walked down the street, grabbed a cocktail.. and within 15 minutes.. our table was ready. Next time, we are coming back for more than the happy hour. All of the seafood dishes the staff brought out for other patrons smelled amazing. These guys know what they are doing. Loved everything about it.. it reminded me of the best of NYC in one small bite.

been here two days ago...... had to wait a good 20-30 min, but was worthy..... selection of oyster and fish really fresh.... not big place, tables close to each other, don't remember the name of the waiter, but he was really good on give us suggestions for dinner, but this is east village!!! i'll be back!!!!

We went here for our anniversary dinner in New York City! We were not too hungry and wanted something light so this place turned out to be perfect. We started with the happy hour oysters--6 for $12 including a beer. We got two of those and the Stony Brook oysters were excellent. Large, no aftertaste, super fresh. We then proceeded to a few shared plates although the portions are easily big enough for one person. I got the cured salmon and loved it. Huge portion, salmon was very light and not all salty. The wife ordered the uni and it was a bit old as indicated by its flavor, but it was still good. Then we split a lobster ceviche. It was very light and flavorful but did not taste at all like lobster. Our server was attentive and helpful. The place is small so expect a wait for a table during happy hour. It also is very loud so it is hard to converse. Great place, would return for sure.

Three words: Oyster. Happy. Hour You MUST check this place out; so many amazing drinks and the best oysters in NY! I can't wait to return! Their drink options are also on point. Great service and great food! Would absolutely recommend this location to anyone and everyone!

We ate at Upstate this past weekend while visiting friends. Everything was amazing, from the wine, to the beer, to the food itself. Our server was fantastic, very helpful and provided great recommendations for the oysters, all of which we loved. Our main courses were fantastic and we are still raving out then several days later. High recommend this place if you're looking for a delicious seafood dinner, you will not be disappointed.

Went here on a last minute decision. It turned out to be a great pick. When we got there, they were booked, but luckily they decided to seat us as the people with the reservation had not shown up. We were later told, that it could take some time to get in. This is a small restaurant, but with big time flavors. We ordered the salmon appetizers, and these presentation and tastes were as good as it gets. I had linguine with huge shrimp (which was not on the menu, but they ran out of the fish which was) and it was incredible. The mixed seafood dish was likewise wonderful. After dinner, they brought us some homemade cake, and a taste of a local beer. The service was wonderful, the price was very reasonable, and just a great experience!!

The idea of having craft beers and oysters sounded too good to be true, but yes, there's a place that has made this marriage in heaven possible. Would you expect to be offered more than 12 different oysters and sea urchins in a "regular bar"? Hell yeah, this place does that and more. A cosy bar with chilled service that allows you to enjoy a great "tapas style" dinner night out with friends or your beloved one.

Happy hour: 6 oysters and beer for $12.50. OH MY GOODNESS GRACIOUS!!! The oysters were fresh and delicious. You can choose from a list of oysters and they tell you what kind of oysters they are and where they came from. You choose a beer from the list. My beer was awesome but I forgot what it was called. It had hints of fruits. My husband ordered the scallops and he loved them.

Great service! A true dining experience as small/midsize shareable plates come out one after another. We had the tuna tartare,snails, bonemarrow, octopus, and sea scallop risotto. Bon Appetite!

I went here with some friends while visiting NYC. They live in Queens and have been here before. Upstate is an awesome experience in a great location...a little hard to find but you really feel like you're in a neighborhood and not a touristy area. If there aren't seats available, they will take your number and text you when your table is ready...there is even an app where you can see how many parties are ahead of you. If you have to wait, take the opportunity to go to a cool little dive bar which is across the street net to the McDonalds...definitely a good place to grab a beer and wait for your table. I would definitely return to Upstate the next I'm in NYC.

We were after a great late night dinner and we got one. Chris our waitress was fantastic. We missed Oyster Happy Hour but still had the great oysters. Executive decision was made by Chris as to our selection. Small boards of tasty seafood dishes arrived. Salmon and tuna tartar and the best cooked scallops on a bed of risotto!. The drunken whiskey cake to finish as a parting gift was just perfect. Nice evening.

Arrived here at 5.45pm and were first in line for happy hour. What a happy hour it is. A craft beer and six oysters is the deal. They are freshly shucked and the beers are very unusual. Service is slick and helpful. You'll get a few slices of whisky buttercake to finish to share around the table if you are lucky. We also had a Lobster ceviche with mango salsa and a sea urchin plate with carrot puree, pickled onion and egg yolk. These are tapas style and cost around $14-17. Service was exyra good the day we went and I'd recommend a visit here

Really cozy atmosphere and friendly service, coupled with delicious seafood - fresh and well-prepared. I had a scallop risotto that was out of this world! Truly recommends a visit, you will not be disappointed!

Besides the oysters and the excellent local beers we we served a perfectly balanced main dish of fish and vegetables (monkfish and brussels sprouts). Friendly and knowledgeable service (oyster recommendations). On a Friday night we could be seated within 20 minutes. Affordable prices.

Vey small and cozy restaurant. They have great oysters, many selections. But what I am impressed with is their Fettuccine w Clams, Grilled Squid w Kale, Mushrooms Rissotto. They are all on point, good portion and definitely come back if the wait is much shorter. We waited for 1-1.5 hour for a table of 4.

My husband and I come here all the time. The oysters and always good, the staff is super knowledgable and the owner cares about putting out a great product. It's reasonably priced for NYC, and even if you don't eat shellfish, there are other great options (there is always a fish of the day with amazing vegetables). The staff is really friendly and very attentive. To succeed in NY as a restaurant, you need to have amazing food, great service and price yourself accordingly. This restaurant has figured out that simple formula and continues to impress us time and time again. I highly recommend.

This was our second time here, and there'll be many more. The oysters were so fresh. The food, non-pretentious. The service, efficient, and also non-pretentious. The happy hour special was amazing. The three of us all had two rounds of oyster + booze = happy happy. Be back soon!

Upstate is a "craft beer and oyster bar, although that label is a great injustice. It is simply the best oyster bar I have found in New York City. The craft beers are wonderful, but just an afterthought. Go to Upstate for the oysters!! The most important thing you need to remember is that it is a small narrow ground floor restaurant along lower First Avenue. The tables are packed in almost on top of each other. You can't discuss anything private or lewd because everyone around you can hear everything you say. It's always packed with people. It's loud and hectic. All this, however, is the perfect atmosphere for beer and oysters. On my recent visit there were two of us. We took oyster recommendations from the waiter and we chose some we had tasted in Maine, Connecticut, and California and liked. They alternated from small and sweet to large and briny. The ones from Damariscotta were my favorites with runner-up awards to the Nova Scotia and West Coast varieties. Between the two of us we had 3 dozen, a couple beers and then an order of the most amazing clams on fettuccini that I have had in years. It was a memorable meal. I also need to mention the expertise of the waiter, either he was lucky when he suggested some varieties to us . . . or what is more likely, he knew his oysters! Everything he suggested was superb. And finally, although the bill was not small, we had a great time. We could have been much more careful and easily settled for 2 dozen. The beers were not outrageously priced. You don't have to spend a fortune, but you can if you want to!! Dive in at Upstate. Try the oysters!!

A tiny place doing everything right. I like to get oysters then a few appetizers and sometimes more oysters. They give you a little free poundcake-like dessert.