The DMV is perfectly situated north of the Chesapeake Bay which means that DC diners can reap the benefits of all that fresh seafood, especially the oysters. There’s a slew of oyster raw bars and restaurants in DC that place a high emphasis on just how locally-sourced their oysters are, and it shows. There’s a great selection of eateries to slurp up a variety of oysters. Today, we’ve rounded up the nine very best places to get oysters in Washington, DC.
See Also: The 33 Best Washington, DC Bars You Need To Visit In 2022
View this post on Instagram
1359 H Street NE / Website
For a large variety of oysters from around North America, and the occasional international import, head to Brine Oyster Bar. The menu changes by the season so there’s always a new oyster to try. Go for weekend brunch and enjoy scampi oysters, oysters Rockefeller, and oyster po’boys with mimosas and bloody Marys. Happy hour runs from Monday to Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and offers $1 off each oyster, among other specials. Reservations can be made here.
View this post on Instagram
724 9th Street NW / Website
Cranes is known for renowned, creative, Michelin-starred Spanish Japanese cuisine. It’s also a great spot for oysters. Available on both the happy hour and tapas menus, Cranes’ oysters are served with ponzu sauce, extra virgin olive oil, and Espelette peppers. Reservations can be made here.
View this post on Instagram
1700 N Moore Street, Arlington, VA / Website
Enjoy oysters from the North American East Coast at Fog Point. Their menu features a variety of oysters from Maryland, New Jersey, and Nova Scotia. For an appetizer, oyster-lovers should try the fried oysters, served with arugula, pickled onion, and gribiche sauce. Reservations can be made here.
View this post on Instagram
Multiple Locations / Website
Head to any of Hank’s Oyster Bar’s three DMV locations for a truly expansive selection of oysters. At the raw bar, find oysters on the half shell and Hank’s exclusive Salty Wolfe oysters from the lower Chesapeake Bay in Virginia. The oysters don’t stop at the raw bar, find barbecue oysters, an oyster po’boy, oyster Rockefeller pasta, and fried oysters throughout the loaded menu. Then, top your meal off with a sake bloody Mary oyster shooter for good measure. Reservations can be made here.
View this post on Instagram
675 15th Street NW / Website
For classy seafood late into the night, try the Old Ebbitt Grill. Their raw bar features four varieties of oysters from Massachusetts, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. Happy hour at the raw bar occurs daily from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and again from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. Order a full seafood platter for the table, or stick to an entree like the fried oysters. For weekend brunch, pair a plate of oysters Rockefeller with oyster shooters and a bloody Mary for a seafood-filled meal. Reservations can be made here.
View this post on Instagram
1612 14th Street NW / Website
Head to this fun spot for a solid selection of both chilled and hot oysters. Guests will find the classic oysters on the half shell, as well as warmer options like southern fried oysters, grilled bacon-wrapped oysters, and cornmeal-crusted oysters. For weekend brunch, served Friday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., try the Tchoupitoulas, made with oyster confit, blue crab, tasso ham, roasted corn, and cayenne hollandaise. Reservations can be made here.
View this post on Instagram
Multiple Locations / Website
Local oysters reign supreme at Rappahannock Oyster Bar. The raw bar regularly features three oysters on the half shell harvested from areas in Virginia. For a warm oyster, try the charbroiled oysters, made with raspberry-black pepper butter, panko, and pecorino romano cheese. Head to the Wharf location to experience the historic, refurbished Municipal Fish Market of DC, or get a quick bite at their Union Market location.
View this post on Instagram
152 Waterfront Street, Oxon Hill, MD / Website
With an emphasis on local oysters, choose from sweet, briny, or salty varieties at The Walrus Oyster & Ale. The dedicated “shucking” menu breaks down each oyster by its flavor profile and where it was harvested. Swing by from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday for stellar happy hour deals on both drinks and oysters. The full menu features a slew of oyster-centric seafood items like the fried oyster roll and oysters Rockefeller. Reservations can be made here.
View this post on Instagram
301 John Carlyle Street, Alexandria, VA / Website
For a consistently large selection of oysters (and whiskeys), swing by this Alexandria spot. The raw bar regularly features five or more fresh oysters. On the main menu, oyster-lovers will find grilled oysters, fried oysters, oysters Rockefeller, and a fried oyster po’boy. Follow along with the restaurant’s social media to find out about nightly events and specials.
In 2020, about 400 million market-size oysters were harvested from the Chesapeake Bay. While this is an increase from their 2018 numbers, the oyster population is still fragile, according to Allison Colden, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Maryland fisheries scientist. Restoration efforts are in progress in areas of Maryland and Virginia in order to bring back the oyster reef.
Photography by: Lisovskaya / Getty Images
