How do you like your oysters? Deep-fried and smothered in sauce, or straight from the half shell? Fresh from the waters of the Louisiana Gulf, or just-shucked North Eastern oysters? No matter how you like your oysters, Atlanta has a restaurant for you.
Southern style cooking combines with coastal vibes and luxury restaurants to create an almost unmatched oyster experience. It doesn’t even matter that Atlanta is hours from the sea!
The restaurants below are picked so you can find the best quality oysters Atlanta has to offer. Whether you’re a local, on vacation, or just passing through, Atlanta has oysters to keep even the choosiest of dines satisfied.
Kimball House
303 E Howard Ave, Decatur, GA 30030, United States
404-378-3502
Kimball House might be the very best place to get oysters in Atlanta. If nothing else, it has one of the largest menus around. The oysters in their raw bar come from across America, and with a range of flavors and finishes.
Even the oyster connoisseur may find something they’ve never tried before. Perhaps one to avoid if you struggle to make decisions, because everything on the menu is enough to get your mouth watering.
This is an oyster experience, so we recommend mixing them up and taking a chance. You never know what you might discover.
Pair your oysters with one of Kimball House's fantastic cocktails, from the classic to the unusual. We recommend the Sazerac for traditional flavorings - provided you can hold your absinthe.
If you don’t fancy dining in, Kimball House even offers oysters to go. Pick up a dozen oysters, and you can shuck them at home.
BeetleCat
299 North Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30307, United States
678-732-0360
Fresh from the sea is what BeetleCat is all about, and their oyster menu exemplifies this philosophy. With a good range of choices, you can try something a bit different, or stick to the old favorites.
The oysters are well-priced, and described perfectly on the menu, allowing you to make the perfect choice (or maybe choices!). They are particularly fantastic when combined with the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere that BeetleCat provides.
The BeetleCat menu is imaginative and innovative, so you can offset your oysters with a round of kimchi or their award-winning lobster roll.
BeetleCat is a fun spot, the kind of place you can find yourself losing hours in as you sample every oyster on the menu. Come early for the donut brunch, and stay late enjoying the Chef’s selection of baked oysters.
Fontaine’s Oyster House
1026 1/2 North Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30306, United States
404-872-0869
nightcapfoodandspirits.com/fontainesmainpage.html
Fontaine’s Oyster House is the classic choice for oyster loves in Atlanta. They claim to have the freshest oysters around, and if you pull up a seat by the raw bar you can get a look at what they have to offer.
The house oyster and Blue Point oyster are regularly joined by freshly shucked specials, for a new experience with every visit.
Take a look as well at their oysters from the kitchen. The crab and bacon oysters are especially tempting, but the NOLA oysters with garlic butter and Parmesan cheese are hard to resist.
Don’t forget the oysters Rockefeller, for those with more traditional tastes. If you really can’t pick, Fontaine’s offers a sampler selection of 6 oysters.
Fontaine’s has a friendly atmosphere that supports good, hearty food. For a filling meal, order the oyster po’ boy or try the classic oyster stew. For seasoned oyster lovers, or first time samplers, there’s sure to be something to please.
Hammock’s Trading Company
7285 Roswell Rd, Sandy Springs, GA 30328, United States
770-395-9592
Hammock’s is a place to hang out - hence the name - and the casual beach attitude is reflected in the seafood menu.
The oysters are a particular specialty, and you may find yourself whiling away the evening snacking on the different offerings. The oysters served Rockefeller style are award-winning, and a high point of the menu.
If you’d like to try something different, then try the oysters baked with cheese and jalapeño. The salty heat is delicious, and even locals will feel they’re on vacation biting into these. For a larger meal, go with the fried oyster platter.
These specially selected Louisiana oysters are fried in seasoned cornmeal, and served alongside hushpuppies, coleslaw, and Old Bay fries. If you only want a quick bite (and we mean quick), check out the Bloody Mary oyster shooter. There’s enough here to satisfy any palate.
The Optimist
914 Howell Mill Rd, Atlanta, GA 30318, United States
404-477-6260
theoptimistrestaurant.com/atlanta
This trendy restaurant offers fresh, sustainably sourced seafood from across the country, and oysters are no exception. Enjoy them raw or wood hearth roasted, or even try the deep-fried oysters with pickles.
Then turn your head to the large wine list to pick a beverage that pairs exactly. All the seafood on the menu is fired to perfection in the wood oven, and served with classically complementary sides.
The Optimist is an open and airy space, fitting for any occasion. Bring the family along, hang out with friends, or even impress a date. When dinner is finished, you can head out for a round of mini golf!
That is, if you aren’t too full of oysters to move. This is beach food classics, paired with innovative ingredients, and a welcoming atmosphere.
Hugo’s Oyster Bar
10360 Alpharetta St, Roswell, GA 30075, United States
770-993-5922
You can never be sure what kind of oysters will be available at Hugo’s - other than fresh and tasty - so it draws you back time and time again. Hugo’s believes in simple preparation, allowing the seafood ingredients themselves to take center stage.
Try the Gulf oysters on the half shell to really get a feel for this. Keep an eye out for the market specials. Hugo’s prides itself on sourcing ingredients from the waters of the outer banks to the Mississippi delta, but they make an exception for oysters.
You can enjoy the finest oysters the North East has to offer, all while soaking up the traditional Southern atmosphere.
If you’d like to try something different, order the Hugo’s oysters. This restaurant specialty is served with bacon, jalapeño, and white cheddar for a taste explosion.
For another treat, try the RC’s Char grilled oysters, which are served with Parmesan, blackened spices, and garlic butter. Of course, you can never go wrong with oysters Rockefeller, especially not when they’re Hugo’s award-winning version.
Check out Hugo’s sister restaurant, C and S Seafood and Oyster Bar. Head across to their Sandy Springs location and enjoy happy hour oysters Monday through Friday, 4 - 6 pm.
Ray’s in the City
240 Peachtree St, Atlanta, GA 30303, United States
404-524-9224
raysrestaurants.com/raysinthecity
Ray’s is perhaps the best destination for seafood in Atlanta. With freshly caught fish forming the basis of a changeable menu, it’s become the place to visit for all lovers of seafood. Their seafood market is seasonal, with dishes created around the freshest fish available.
The oysters Rockefeller are a classic dish, and a great choice. However, the real stars are the fresh cold water oysters. Served with Ray’s iconic signature atomic cocktail sauce and a champagne mignonette, this is fine dining taken to the next level.
Pair your oysters with one of Ray’s signature cocktails, or ponder over their extensive bourbon and rye menu. If you’re looking to impress, or simply want to try some of the best seafood in Atlanta, look no further than Ray’s.
Ray’s has two other locations with the same focus on quality. Head to Ray’s on the River or Ray’s at Killer Creek. If you’re curious about what’s in season, you can phone ahead to see what’s on the menu today.
Lure
1106 Crescent Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, United States
404-817-3650
If the name doesn’t draw you in, then the oyster bar certainly should. Lure offers cold water oysters on the half shell, served with a cocktail sauce and shochu mignonette, to be washed down with a cool, crisp wine.
However, for something really different you need to turn to the char broiled menu.
Get the dynamite oysters for an Asian-style experience, featuring tobiko, kewpie mayonnaise, and sriracha. It may not be the classic combo, but you won’t regret it.
For a traditional seafood pairing, the scampi oysters are char broiled and accompanied by butter, garlic, lemon, and fresh herbs. And for the traditionalist, oyster Rockefeller style features the addition of bacon and hollandaise.
Lure is perfect for diners who want to mix things up, but also appreciate the classics. Pair oysters with a citrus white wine, one of Lure’s fun cocktails, or even a punch bowl (if you like to share).
Also try:
Goin’ Coastal
1021 Virginia Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306, United States
404-941-9117
Goin’ Coastal may seem an odd name for in-land Atlanta, but this sustainable fish restaurant is determined to make quality seafood the catch of the day. Try their baked oyster Rockefeller.
The Pig and the Pearl
1380 Atlantic Dr, Atlanta, GA 30363, United States
404-541-0930
Before you get stuck into your barbecue, enjoy some Pig and the Pearl’s oysters on the half shell. With unusual accompaniments, this fresh seafood is the perfect starter to the heavy barbecue meats.
Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar
The Avenue East Cobb, 4475 Roswell Rd #1410, Marietta, GA 30062, United States
770-635-7641
Keep an eye on their website for when different specials come around. In the meantime, enjoy the wood fire broiled oysters. They’re served two ways: Parmesan, garlic, lemon, and chili, garlic, lime.
Noona
3550 W Lawrenceville St #310, Duluth, GA 30096, United States
678-404-5001
Noona’s combines Asian cookers with American ingredients for a delicious experience. Their oysters are fantastic, and keep an eye out for their specials.
