When it comes to satisfying your craving for fresh oysters, these restaurants and oyster bars offer an exceptional selection that will surely delight your taste buds. From the classic raw oyster experience to creatively prepared dishes, these establishments provide a wide range of options for oyster enthusiasts. Discover 10 South Florida places to shuck it to ya.
Even Keel Fish Shack-Las Olas
Address: 1109 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
The Buzz: You can get oysters prepared just about any style here — chilled, served with shrimp and fish dip, grilled with scallion lemon butter and sprinkled with parmesan or a platter that’s mega-sized. Called the Mega Yacht, there are a dozen and a half oysters, peel-and-eat shrimp, conch salad, poke, fish dip and shrimp ceviche — a seafood lover’s dream. On Tuesdays, grab as many oysters as you want for just 2 bucks each.
Contact: (754) 701-4895; www.evenkeelfish.com
Shuck N Dive
Address: 660 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale
The Buzz: Something you won’t find anywhere else is Shuck’s trio of oysters baked on the half shell. Black N Blues are topped with butter, blackening spice, crumbled blue cheese, then finished under the broiler; or try the Oysters Bienville, invented at Antoine’s in New Orleans – shrimp, bacon, onion and green pepper in a cream reduction sauce; or the Oysters Rockefeller made Shuck’s way: creamed spinach, onion, garlic and simmered with Pernod liqueur.
Contact: (954) 462-0088; www.shuck-n-dive.com
City Oyster & Sushi Bar
Address: 213 E. Atlantic Blvd., Delray Beach
The Buzz: At City Oyster, ask for these bivalves by name: Barstool Cocktail, a shuck-ready cocktail oyster from Rustico, Prince Edward Island (PEI) with a clean, crisp, salty yet sweet flavor; the Mamma Mia from Canada with a slightly fruity finish; the Moondancer from Maine with its sweet and briny kiss; and the Fat Dog, meaty like its name with grassy tones from Great Bay, New Hampshire.
Contact: (561) 272-0220; www.cityoysterdelray.com
YOT Bar & Kitchen
Address: 2015 SW 20th St., Fort Lauderdale
The Buzz: Every day is YOT day but Thursday might be the best time to visit this picturesque dockside dining establishment within the Lauderdale Marine Center on the New River. That’s when the vodka and mollusks are flowing for martini and oyster night; $2 oysters washed down with $10 Grey Goose martinis, plus live music. And a terrific view.
Contact: (954) 953-9000; www.yotlmc.com
J&C Oyster
Address: 2035 Harrison St., Hollywood
The Buzz: Oysters from the raw bar have a bit of a different flair from this Asian-influenced menu. Chilled and fresh, it’s the house made sauce accompaniments that set J&C’s oyster presentation apart – nam prik mignonette – a slightly sweet Thai chili sauce, a mango habanero or, for the purists, a horseradish cocktail sauce. Broiled oysters get their pizazz from the house-made yuzu kosho mayo.
Contact: (954) 300-1007; www.jandcoyster.com
G&B Oyster Bar
Address: 429 Seabreeze Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
The Buzz: There’s a reason why G&B makes sure oysters are front and center in its name: the raw bar’s must is the oyster and clam combo. From the bar, grab a vodka oyster shooter. There are Oysters Rockefeller and signature crispy oysters from the grill, but the crème de la crème here is the Surf & Surf Oyster — a special offering where the oysters are laden with fresh, lump crab meat. Quite the combo.
Contact: (954) 525-2421; www.gandboysterbar.com
Bubbles & Pearls
Address: 2037 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors
The Buzz: Grab your seat at the bar early — seating is limited in the small space — for the daily Champagne and oyster happy hour. This pearl of a place from the creative mind of Bravo Top Chef competitor Josie Smith-Malave does $1 Florida-sourced oysters every day from 5 to 7 p.m. and Sunday all day along with $5 glasses of bubbly. Don’t give up your seat until you’ve tried Josie’s take on the oyster shooter — beer, Tabasco sauce and lemons, or up the game with the tsunami shooter made with cucumber, raw miso and wasabi cream.
Contact: (954) 533-9533; @bubblesandpearls
Wild Sea Las Olas
Address: 620 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
The Buzz: Inside the historic Riverside Hotel, the upscale ambience of Wild Sea with its cool blues is the place to savor oysters. During the week, some of the Las Olas business types pop in for daily lunch selections of East Coast oysters. On Mondays, pretty much all day, from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., enjoy Oyster Mania for $1.50. The lore of oysters as an aphrodisiac could certainly be tested here; at night, the atmosphere is ripe for a romantic dinner date.
Contact: (954) 467-2555; www.wildsealasolas.com
Southport Raw Bar
Address: 1536 Cordova Road, Fort Lauderdale
The Buzz: While landlubbers are regulars at this Harbordale staple, true Southporters arrive dockside by boat. Order up a half dozen Gulf oysters for $10.50, catch one of the many specials, and don’t miss out on the appetizer that’s the raw bar’s historic spin on Oysters Rockefeller — Oysters Southport made with Pernod liqueur.
Contact: (954) 525-2526; www.southportrawbar.com
Papa’s Raw Bar
Address: 4610 N. Federal Hwy., Lighthouse Point
The Buzz: With its motto of eat, drink and be local, Papa’s is a familiar favorite in northeastern Broward County. With seafood at Papa’s sourced from its market right next door, expect fresh. Go for half-off oysters during happy hour, Monday through Friday, which starts early beginning at 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. The Nolas (with parmesan) and the Black and Blues (with bacon and blue cheese) are chargrilled to perfection. Get the party started at Papa’s with an oyster shooter – your choice of either beer or vodka as the chaser.
Contact: (754) 307-5034; www.papasrawbar.com