The Best Oyster Bars in Atlanta
When the weather’s cold, that’s when oysters are at their peak! Whether you’re slurping something raw, forking something chargrilled or digging in to some fried oysters, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite places to binge on bivalves. Whether you’re North, South, East or West, there’s a great oyster bar no matter what direction you’re heading to in Atlanta.
1. C&S Seafood
Multiple Locations
Vinings and Sandy Springs are desirable neighborhoods because of great schools, great houses and great restaurants like C&S Seafood in a close vicinity. C&S is an elevated seafood dining experience with fresh, well sourced product. If you’re looking for more than just oysters, the seafood tower is always an excellent option.
2. Hugo’s Oyster Bar
10360 Alpharetta St,
Roswell, GA 30075
(770) 993-5922
Owned by the same great operators of C&S Seafood, Hugo’s in Roswell focuses even more sharply on oysters, with tons of selection and the best Bloody Mary bar in Atlanta. They’ve got cold bar oysters on the half shell, but we love their 1st place “Hangout Oyster Cookoff” Oysters Rockefeller with spinach, bacon, parmesan, béchamel and Pernod.
3. The Optimist
914 Howell Mill Rd,
Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 477-6260
Ford Fry’s iconic westside cold bar restaurant has to be on this list. While the seafood towers are iconic, the crispy fried oysters are worth a try as well for a little taste of the lowcountry.
4. Kimball House
303 E Howard Ave,
Decatur, GA 30030
(404) 378-3502
They may make the best cocktails in Atlanta and source the best oysters – all in one Decatur restaurant. In fact, Atlanta Magazine covered their oyster shucker in a big profile where he shared some of his shucking secrets. Their raw bar is stacked with over a dozen options no matter what sized mollusk you’re mulling.
5. Beetlecat
299 North Highland Avenue Northeast,
Atlanta, GA 30307
(678) 732-0360
Another Ford Fry restaurant, this Inman Park restaurant has one of the coolest restaurant interiors in the city. They’ve been nationally recognized for their lobster roll, but the oysters are nothing to sleep on. Head to the restaurant for their daily oyster selection.
6. Hammock’s
7285 Roswell Rd,
Sandy Springs, GA 30328
(770) 395-9592
A reliable, delicious seafood spot with culinary influences from around the world, Hammock’s is modest but the food can be magnificent. Located in North Sandy Springs, they make some great grilled Oysters on the Half Shell including with Garlic Parmesan Butter, Crispy Cornmeal Fried with Tartar Sauce, Oysters Rockefeller, and Baked Cheese and Jalapeño.
7. Louisiana Bistreaux
Multiple Locations
If you’re looking for a great cajun take on bivalves, the Bistreaux has you covered. With three locations in Atlanta – Decatur, East Point, and Buckhead – you don’t need to travel far to get their Bistreaux Oysters – Oysters on the half shell topped with white wine garlic butter, Parmesan and then chargrilled.
8. Davio’s
Phipps Plaza, 3500 Peachtree Rd NE,
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 844-4810
Phipps Plaza’s Northern Italian Steakhouse is also shelling out some delicious shellfish. Their seafood tower is one of the best in Buckhead, and their oysters Rockefeller are nothing to sleep on either!
9. Atlanta Fish Market
265 Pharr Rd NE,
Atlanta, GA 30305
(404) 262-3165
An Atlanta classic, don’t ever forget about one of Buckhead’s best – the Atlanta Fish Market. They have multiple options from the freshest oyster purveyors in the world – all thanks to their Buckhead Life ownership group controlling the entire distribution of their seafood and flying in the freshest catches every day to their restaurants!
