By Alysa Suleiman By Alysa Suleiman | August 3, 2023 | Food & Drink, Feature, Guides,
This National Oyster Day (Aug. 5th), stop by one of Boston’s top eateries for the beloved, briny delicacy. Oysters from Little Whale Oyster Bar
Atlantic Fish Company
Serving up the freshest seafood, supplied by a fourth-generation Boston family business, this Back Bay staple is a must for oyster lovers. Place an order for the classic selection, or surprise your tastebuds with the fried oysters, featuring a cajun remoulade. 761 Boylston St., 617.267.4000, atlanticfish.com
B&G Oysters
Juicy oysters with a fried, crunchy exterior just might be the perfect summer snack. Stop by B&G Oysters to indulge in a crispy, salty treat, paired with a creamy, zesty tartar sauce. For the oyster purest, this South End spot also serves up daily-changing varieties. 550 Tremont St., 617.423.0550, bandgoysters.com
Black Lamb
Cheers to National Oyster Day with Black Lamb’s Ostreida Martini. The savory combination of oyster vodka, manzanilla sherry, mignonette and lemon twist is the briny riff on a dirty martini you didn’t know you needed. Pair it with their daily rotation of creamy raw oysters or grilled little gem Caesar salad served with a smoked oyster dressing. 571 Tremont St., 617.982.6330, blacklambsouthend.com
Eventide Fenway
While this Portland transplant might be known for its infamous brown butter lobster roll, the tasty oyster offerings are not to be overlooked. Try their daily selections on the half shell before indulging in the fried oyster bun, served with mixed pickles, tartar and tomato. 1321 Boylston St., 617.545.1060, eventideoysterco.com
Fin Point Oyster Bar & Grille
The faint sweet notes of oysters are further amplified at Fin Point, thanks to a strawberry rose mignonette. Whether you choose to drizzle each bite with this vinegar-forward condiment or a squeeze of lemon, the fresh Cape Cod or daily harvest oysters are sure to please. Compliment the light fare with a Fin Point Old Fashioned. 89 Broad St., 617.348.1234, finpointboston.com
Little Whale Oyster Bar
Tucked amid the hustle and bustle of Newbury Street is your new favorite seafood spot—by chef Michael Serpa. Known for its approachable style, this bistro features high-quality oysters prepared with simple and seasonal ingredients. Choose from three different seafood platters sizes—The Newbury, The Grand, or The Big Whale. 314 Newbury St., 857.277.0800, littlewhaleboston.com
Mare Oyster Bar
North End’s Mare takes the best of the sea and Italian cuisine to create one tasty eatery. Of course, the half-shell raw oysters are the obvious choice, but we recommend trying the oysters alongside a wide array of other seafood with the Mare Shellfish Tower—think Alaskan King Crab and chilled lobster. 223 Hanover St., 617.723.6273, mareoysterbar.com
Neptune Oyster Bar
As one of the only oyster bars in Boston to source their product from all over the world, Neptune Oyster Bar is a must-try spot. Taste a dash of subtle sweetness, creamy brininess or a salty zing in their varieties from California, Alaska, the Prince Edward Islands and more. A must-try is their iconic Oyster Piggybacks—an appetizer of fried oysters, pulled pork and pecan butter on a biscuit. For a heartier plate, indulge in a Neptune Burger that features fried oysters and garlic relish. 63 Salem St., 617.742.3474, neptuneoyster.com
Ostra
Let chef/owner Jamie Mammano and executive chef Mitchell Randall be your Mediterranean tour guides for the evening. Their daily shellfish selection will certainly transport you to the crystal blue waters with every bite. Try Duxbury’s own Powder Point Oysters, the Cocktail Wellfleet Oysters or the Unicorn Oysters from Maine’s Damariscotta River, served with housemade horseradish cocktail, lemon, sparkling mignonette and Tabasco. 1 Charles St. South, 617.421.1200, ostraboston.com
Pescador
Delight your taste buds with an Andalusian and Argentinian take on oysters. The coastal grill’s Oysters Asadas are quickly becoming a favorite among Bostonians, featuring large roasted oysters cooked in mouthwatering chili butter and lime. Pescador also offers raw varieties with flavorful aqua chili, salsa marisquera and coconut leche de tigre. 498 Commonwealth Ave, 617.532.1050, pescadorkenmore.com
Saltie Girl
If you’re looking for a true taste of the sea, look no further than Saltie Girl. Seafood towers that range from Petite to Grande and Royale boast delectable fresh oysters and more. For an adventurous bite, try the briny delicacy tin-style—either smoked, habanero or lemon pepper. Pair your chosen dish with the Bloody Mary cocktail, served with an oyster on top. 279 Dartmouth St., 617.267.0691, saltiegirl.com
Select Oyster Bar
While on your oyster tour of Boston, stop by Little Whale’s sister—Select Oyster Bar. This award-winning Michael Serpa restaurant has brought in recognition for both their raw bar, which features four different sizes of seafood towers, as well as a select seafood-centric wine program that was carefully curated to match their menu. The bar is also known to whip up flavorful cocktails made with small-batch artisanal spirits. 50 Gloucester St., 857.239.8064, selectboston.com
Union Oyster House
What better way to celebrate on August 5 than with a visit to Boston’s oldest oyster bar? Historic New England comes to life at the Faneuil Hall spot that opened in 1826. The menu is a pure, down-to-earth dedication to all things New England seafood, including freshly shucked oysters, fried oysters and the fried oyster roll. 41 Union St., 617.227.2750, unionoysterhouse.com
Waypoint
Sometimes the unexpected is what brings us the most satisfaction. At chef Michael Scelfo’s Cambridge favorite, oysters come baked with sharp pecorino cheese, garlic butter and a sprinkle of crunchy toasted breadcrumbs. Don’t worry, though, because if you’re feeling traditional, Waypoint still honors the classics. Their raw bar serves a tasty daily selection of half-shell oysters with a pickled fennel mignonette and a cocktail sauce. 1030 Mass Ave, Cambridge, 617.864.2300, waypointharvard.com
Photography by: Courtesy of brand; Courtesy of brand; Reagan Byrne; Courtesy of brand; Courtesy of brand; Courtesy of brand; Steve Hill; Mike Cotrone; Courtesy of brand; Courtesy of brand; Courtesy of brand