If you’re a seafood lover, you’ll be happy to learn there are many places in which you can indulge in tasty menus chocked full of creative dishes. Few things are better than finding a great seafood restaurant that you can visit frequently. If you’re into oysters and raw bars, it may seem like the options are few. But here are, by popular opinion, America’s top 7 oyster & raw bars that are constantly topping the list. Try one or make a trip to try them all!
Casamentos, New Orleans
Located in New Orleans, this landmark was established in 1919. With fried oyster Po’ boys and delicious raw oysters that are shucked in front of you, this is the ultimate granddaddy of oyster bars. It’s regularly featured in lists such as “The 12 Best Sandwiches in New Orleans” and “Where the Locals Eat and Drink in New Orleans.”
Eventide Oyster Co., Portland, ME
This restaurant located in Portland, Maine continues to dominate seafood. In fact, it is the best place in Old Port to get the best seafood. Owners Mike Wiley and Andrew Taylor are passionate about their oysters and offer an extremely curated list that allows you to choose accoutrements for the oysters, including three different types of ice and two mignonettes.
Hog Island Oyster Company, San Francisco
This recently-expanded oyster bar located inside the Ferry Building in San Francisco provides amazing views of Bay Bridge. The shellfish pulled from Tomales Bay are top notch. In fact, the chef’s menu features sustainably raised seafood like semolina-dusted crispy smelts and Manila clams. On top of that, much of the produce on the menu is grown near the oyster farm.
Pearl Drive Oyster Place, Washington, D.C
This restaurant is one of the newest in Washington, D.C. and is an urban fish shack inspired by the Gulf of Mexico. It features two oyster bars, a full menu of seafood gumbos, and po’boys. Black Jack, which is located upstairs and is owned by the same people, offers a wide-ranging pub menu of spiked slushies, craft cocktails, and an indoor bocce court.
The Walrus & The Carpenter, Seattle
This is one of Seattle’s coolest oyster bars. When you pull up a stool, you’ll already feel like a regular. It was named one of the Best New Restaurants in 2012 and still remains one of the most important in Seattle. The oysters are fresh and pulled from the Puget Sound that is less than an hour away.
Boss Oyster, Apalachicola, FL
You won’t find this oyster bar in a big city. In fact, it’s located in Apalachicola, Florida, which is a quiet, sleepy fishing village with a population below 2,500. Boss Oyster owns its own boat that heads out each morning and brings back fresh seafood for the restaurant.
Mare, Boston
Located in Boston, this restaurant focuses on sustainable fishing. Favorites like Zuppa di Mare and Rock Crab Spaghettoni are great for those who are looking for Italian food while other favorites like Pan Roasted Halibut showcase the exceptional cooking of the staff.
There’s nothing like finding a great raw oyster bar and chowing down some great food. Dine at any of these seven restaurants and you’re sure to have a meal to remember.
