National Oyster Day is just around the corner on August 5, and we are more than ready to celebrate. There’s nothing quite like an oyster on the half-shell on a hot summer’s day, preferably paired with a glass of white wine. Whether it’s served with lemon, cocktail sauce or a mignonette, this seafood delicacy is always a crowd-pleaser. Here is a list of some of our preferred places to celebrate National Oyster Day and slurp down these tasty treats.
See also: The 8 Most Decadent Seafood Towers In NYC
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Various Locations / Website
This chic Greek restaurant with locations in Midtown, on Madison Avenue and in Rockefeller Center has tons of oyster and raw bar options to indulge in. They have East Coast oysters, West Coast oysters and their raw sampler royale with oyster, shrimp and lobster for the ultimate seafood experience. Craving al fresco dining? The Rockefeller location has some of the most expansive outdoor dining areas on Sixth Avenue, making it the perfect location to enjoy some oysters.
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80 Spring St. / 212.965.1414 / Website
Located in the heart of Soho, this iconic French restaurant has been a staple to New Yorkers for decades. Their extensive raw bar menu features oysters from the East Coast and the West Coast, as well as Little Neck clams. The establishment is also known for its baked goods and other French dishes like escargot and onion soup gratinée.
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420 Hudson St. / 212.242.7420 / Website
With both classic and contemporary presentations, seafood is the name of the game at this West Village neighborhood favorite. With both $8 cocktails and $2 oysters available during happy hour Tuesday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., The Clam always draws in a crowd.
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50 Commerce St. / 929.302.6044 / Website
Opened last summer on a quiet street in the West Village is the Commerce Inn, brought to you by the owners of Via Carota and Buvette. The warm environment serves Shaker-inspired foods and oysters can be ordered raw, pickled or fried and are best enjoyed alongside other menu items like the delicious spoonbread.
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114 Nassau Ave. / 718.313.1913 / Website
Located in Greenpoint, this fish market and restaurant serves up some of the freshest seafood in New York. Not only do they have East and West Coast oysters on the half-shell, but also crudo, sea scallops and ceviche as well.
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77 Delancey St. / 646.580.5239 / Website
This Lower East Side hot spot is known for its fresh oyster selection as well as its other seafood dishes like the lobster roll and mussels. Stop by from Sunday to Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. and enjoy their happy hour with $1 oysters and $10 cocktails.
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172 Waverly Place / Website
Set in the West Village, this restaurant is known for its raw bar and oyster selection. Choose from the different types of oysters and mix it up with their king crab legs or littleneck clams as well for the ultimate seafood experience.
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142 Mercer St. / 212.431.7676 / Website
This Soho staple is a great spot to enjoy oysters in a luxe ambiance while people-watching. The large raw bar menu includes oysters from a selection of locations as well as their shellfish plateaux which can include a combination of oysters, clams, lobster, king crab and tuna tartare, to name a few.
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298 Bedford Ave. / 347.889.5710 / Website
This New Orleans-style restaurant in Williamsburg has a designated oyster menu with a selection from places like Norwalk, Connecticut; Damariscotta River, Maine and Puget Sound, Washington. Pair them with some of their craft cocktails or other dishes like the lobster roll or braised beef cheek.
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630 9th Ave. / 212.333.2323 / Website
For nearly two decades, Marseille has been bringing delicious French food to Broadway in Hell's Kitchen. Its oyster happy hour from 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. is a great deal at only $1.50 an oyster. Pair your oysters with a delicious craft cocktail (try the frozen mojito!) for the perfect evening.
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Pier 25 Hudson River Park / 212.660.6312 / Website
Dine with a waterfront view at Grand Banks, where the oyster selection is extensive, including choices from near and far, such as British Columbia and Moriches Bay. If you’re here for a good time and a long time, order the Grand Banks Pan-American oyster experience with nearly every type of oyster imaginable.
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240 Central Park S. / 212.582.5100 / Website
Marea might be temporarily closed for renovations, but that doesn’t mean it’s not one of our favorite oyster spots in the city. With plenty of oysters and caviar to go around, we love this spot for an elevated afternoon meal. The restaurant is slated to reopen in September, so follow its Instagram for updates!
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89 South St. / 212.838.1200 / Website
There’s nothing quite like a raw bar with a waterfront view, and the Fulton is undoubtedly one of our favorite spots to indulge. East Coast oysters, in particular, are highlighted, which we love to pair with some Little Neck clams for a well-rounded raw bar experience.
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89 MacDougal St. / 212.260.0100 / Website
This Greenwich Village restaurant is known for its seafood selection and large variety of oysters. Their everyday happy hour from 4:30–6:30 p.m. has oysters for $1.50 as well as other items like fish tacos and fried calamari.
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246 Spring St. / 212.784.1350 / Website
This Michelin-starred restaurant's authentic seafood is Soho legend and is the obvious choice if you are looking to celebrate in style this National Oyster Day. To elevate the classic, look no further for oysters like you've never seen before.
No matter where in NYC you reside, these restaurants and bars ensure that your National Oyster Day 2023 will be one to remember. Our recommendation? Hop around town, have a shucking great time and let us know which resto earns your top spot for the very best oysters in NYC.
Photography by: courtesy of Marea
