People either love them or hate them.
But rarely do oysters garner a simple “meh.” An oyster takes a diner to the seashore in a mouthful. The taste is indicative of where the oyster grows, with hints of a mineral-like tang. If you don't like oysters, you'll never be a grown-up. So follow this guide, and don’t let oysters become your tomatoes. You’ll look back and think of the time you didn’t eat them as “lost years.” With that said, here are our favorite places in Austin to get oysters.
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photo via instagram
205 W 3rd St
If you're craving ice-cold martinis and fresh seafood, head over to Bill's Oyster in the 2nd Street District downtown. Their raw bar offers oysters in a few tasty ways: plain with all the fixings for $4 each, seasonally dressed for an extra buck, or royale style with uni, caviar, and bearnaise sauce for an extra $10. For more fresh seafood, try the King Crab Lettuce Wraps with hot honey garlic butter and Thai basil, or the Tuna Tartare mixed with watermelon, lime, serrano, and basil. Drop by during their happy hour from 3pm - 5:30pm daily, for $3 oysters, $10 martinis, $10 Bill's Burgers, half off bottles of wine, and more.
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photo via faceboo
300 Colorado St
10225 Research Blvd
Truluck's is the place to go when you’re celebrating something special—or just feeling bougie and craving oysters in a fancy setting. Their fresh oysters on the half shell come by the half dozen, served with horseradish, cocktail sauce, and champagne mignonette. And while this guide is all about oysters, we can't let you miss out on their Fresh Stone Crab Claws when they’re available. These deliciously sweet and meaty claws go from trap to table in less than 24 hours. They come pre-cracked and chilled, ready to enjoy with their signature mustard sauce.
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Photo Credit: Clark's Facebook
1200 W 6th St
This place is dangerous in the best way. Fantastic service and presentation just like their big sister, Perla's. Clark’s has a great selection of a la carte oysters prepared to perfection and served with various accouterments (lemon, cocktail sauce, a mignonette sauce of red-wine vinegar and shallots.) However, it's ultimately up to you whether you want to garnish your little guy. The smallish space is fairly vibey, come dressed to impress. Stop by during their happy hour (Monday - Friday, 3 to 5 PM) for 50 cents off oysters and $5 oyster shooters.
Photo Credit: Parkside Facebook
301 E 6th St
Two of our favorite things in life are happy hours and oysters. Whether you like sweet ones, briny ones, or the fat ones, Parkside is your go-to raw bar. Go crazy and mix it up with your favorites. Watch them shuck a dozen at the bar. The world is your oyster.
Photo Credit: Foreign & Domestic Facebook
306 E 53rd St
Foreign & Domestic is the real deal. Arrive early for a coveted spot at the bar and get down on its selection of East Coast oysters and drink specials. There is also an accompanying menu of poached shrimp, squid, and Southern-inspired sides to compliment your oyster feast. Come for Tuesday Oyster Night for $1 East Coast oysters (until they run out) and half off chilled wines!
Photo Credit: Perla's Facebook
1400 S. Congress Suite B100
Dine on the expansive deck where relaxed vibes and friendly staff are complemented by a star-studded oyster menu featuring more than a dozen varieties from the East Coast, helping to make up one of the best oyster rosters in town. Other seafood dishes at Perla’s are fairly pricey, but well worth it when you’re in the mood to splurge.
Photo Credit: Eddie v's Facebook
301 East 5th Street
9400 B Arboretum Blvd
Aside from savory cuts of steak, Eddie V's has a surprisingly great happy hour menu, including Eddie's Rockefeller. On their dinner menu you can find $4 East Coast oysters embellished with a cocktail and bright mignonette sauce. The long menu is strong across the board. Also included: live jazz and cocktail deals. It’s almost as if you’re right on the bayou.
4119 Guadalupe St
Since March of 2015, Mongers Market & Kitchen has been serving stellar seafood at their cozy restaurant. The establishment, which offers both the option of dining in and quality seafood to prepare at home, is the brainchild of notable fish kingpin Roberto San Miguel and restaurateur Shane Stark. Their goal is to serve classic and simple seafood dishes in an approachable way. The Raw Bar features a rotating selection of fresh oysters, shrimp and crab, with a full menu that includes seasonal menu items such as the Fish BLT, a Crab Cake Sandwich, Clam Chowder, Fish & Grits, Oyster Stew and more.
1209 E 11th St
A great bet for East and West coast oysters at this stylized former pharmacy. Hillside normally serves fresh sandwiches, salads and homestyle entrees made with fresh local ingredients, but they've also got some damn fine oysters available. Hillside’s unique mignonette sauce brings out a different flavor profile in the oysters that you may not otherwise detect. Gather around a Hillside Farmacy high-top and taste this one of a kind pairing.
Photo Credit: Lucy's Fried Chicken
2218 College Ave
Lucy's is an under-the-radar oyster destination for both raw and grilled varieties. Skip the fried chicken and go for Lucy’s three different selections of their gulf oysters. The prices at Lucy’s are impossible to ignore and the crustaceans come loaded with tequila butter, Worcestershire, bacon. or parm. This is a casual, comfortable, lively spot you’d be happy to eat at pretty much anytime.
photo via Maie Day
1603 South Congress Ave
If you are an oyster fan, Maie Day is the place for you. Located inside South Congress Hotel, this oyster haven serves jaw-dropping delicacies sourced from coast to coast and served with a Tabasco mignonette. Jazz up your oysters and feel the rush of salt and sea in this posh big-city environment.
Photo Credit: Travis Hallmark Co
3437 Bee Caves Rd
Aside from communal tables and Tiger beer, Sway also has a fantastic oyster program. The salty specimens at this upmarket Thai restaurant are topped with spicy chili sauce and served over a bed of glistening ice. Come with a group, and share a bunch of things. They also take their drinks seriously here, so plan to indulge in that as well.
OTHER GREAT OYSTERS IN AUSTIN:
509 Rio Grande St
Skipjack Oyster (former Stella San Jac location)
310 E 5th St
1211 W Riverside Dr
1100 S Lamar Blvd
1611 W 5th St
Various Locations
1101 S Mopac Expwy
2850 IH-35 N
5621 Airport Blvd
5700 N I-35 Frontage Rd
701 W Louis Henna Blvd
909 N Lamar Blvd
Did we shuck up and miss your favorite oyster spot in Austin?
Let us know.
