12 Spots to Slurp Oysters in Richmond
They say oysters are best in months that have an “r” in their name, but we’re down for some shells-on-ice any ol’ time if *Richmond’s best* are shucking ‘em. And we’re not shellfish — here are our favorite places to go when that crustacean craving hits.
— by Kelsey Heintz, Managing Editor
Rappahannock
Obviously, we have to start with (one of) Rappahannock Oyster Co.’s ventures into the restaurant industry. Rappahannock is the org’s take on farm-to-table deliciousness, featuring “an enormous raw bar focusing on our very own oyster farms.” Grab a plate of Olde Salts or Rappahannocks served with cocktail sauce, lemon, and mignonette, and feel free to add shrimp cocktail or smoked fish dip to your order. And if you’re looking for more where that came from, try Rappahannock’s small plates: Baked Oysters (bacon allium and arugula topping with candied fresnos) or Oysters & Pearls (Rappahannock oysters, with glühwein granita and trout caviar).
Location: 320 E Grace St (Downtown)
Hours: Found here
Menu: Found here
Session
Speaking of Rappahannock, the seafood staple recently opened a new, lower-key spot next door: Session. This late-night bar and cocktail lounge is targeting folks looking for a pre-show or post-show dinner when they’ve got tickets to something at the Dominion Energy Center or The National, and the menu offers snack-y options — Olde Salt and Rappahannock oysters included, ofc — along with affordable drinks.
Location: 318 E Grace St (Downtown)
Hours: Found here
Menu: Found in-restaurant only
Lillian Oyster Hall
This one’s a new kid on the ~rock(s)~. The atmosphere features a grand wraparound bar and standing tables near the windows; the extensive wine list pairs perfectly with the oysters (confirms our in-house wine expert, Paige, obvs); and an order of Towers (eight oysters, eight shrimp, four clams, two shooters, two skewers, crudite and pickles, and tuna tartare) is what we recommend — at least for starters.
Location: 3001 W Leigh St (Scott’s Addition)
Hours: Found here
Menu: Found in-restaurant only
Birdie’s
Sure, Birdie’s could be considered the best spot in town to get your Holiday Spirit on, but when you bring it back to brass tax, the li’l downtown bar and cafe is a hot spot for oysters, too. Snag a tray of Minnie Pearl, Victory Point, Big Island, Peach Tree, Wavelength, or Malpeque mollusks, and look forward to Christmas 2024 — only 10+ months to go.
Location: 305 W Broad St (Monroe Ward)
Hours: Found here
Menu: Found here
The Boathouse
When you’re going for oysters on the waterfront, it’s The Boathouse. This spot offers Boathouse, Wavelength, and market oysters on the half shell, served with cocktail sauce, mignonette, hot sauce, lemon, and views, if you head to the Rocketts Landing location. But you can also get a bunch of barnacles at The Boathouse in Short Pump, Midlo, and Hopewell, if you so choose.
Locations:
4708 E Old Main St (Rocketts Landing)
11800 W Broad St #950 (Short Pump)
4602 Millridge Pkwy (Midlothian)
701 W Randolph Rd (Hopewell)
Hours: Found here
Menu: Found here
Can Can Brasserie
If it’s French feels and the prettiest lights in town you’re looking to pair with your plate of prawns, look here. Can Can serves an hor d’oeuvres of Crispy Oysters (plus remoulade), among other slurpable options.
Location: 3120 W Cary St (Carytown)
Hours: Found here
Menu: Found here
Fighting Fish
Fighting Fish is one of our favorite places to roll into for sushi, but their oyster offerings aren’t shallow either. Start with an order of Oysters on the 1/2 Shell (topped with black tobiko and scallion and served with wasabi cocktail sauce or yuzu mignonette) and then fill up on some rolls, burritos, and more.
Locations: 912 N Arthur Ashe Blvd (Scott’s Addition)
Hours: Found here
Menu: Found here
East Coast Provisions
Can you talk about oysters without talking about the East Coast? No. Enter: East Coast Provisions. This Carytown spot offers its Featured Oysters on the half shell and Grilled Oysters (baked with herb butter and parmesan), along with sushi, hand-cut steak, and then some.
Location: 3411 W Cary St (Carytown)
Hours: Found here
Menu: Found here
Laura Lee’s
Cozy up at this brick-wall-lined spot below the river and get a little ~umph~ with your oysters. Laura Lee’s serves its crustaceans fried, *plus* green herb mayo and chow chow.
Location: 3410 Semmes Ave (Woodland Heights)
Hours: Found here
Menu: Found here
The Savory Grain
The Savory Grain has been known to offer $1 oysters on Wednesday nights, but don’t sleep on the signature dish Oysters Rockefeller every other night — mussels cooked in a garlic and white wine sauce, tossed with pork belly lardons and fresh herbs in linguini, and served with garlic toast points.
Location: 2043 W Broad St (The Fan)
Hours: Found here
Menu: Found here
Brenner Pass
The airy vibe at this Scott’s Addition favorite will practically make you feel like you’re enjoying your order seaside. Request a tray from the extensive Raw Bar, Cheese, and Charcuterie menu, and wash it down with something from the equally extensive Cocktails menu.
Location: 3200 Rockbridge St #100 (Scott’s Addition)
Hours: Found here
Menu: Found here
Beaucoup
This new spot comes to us from the brains behind Jardin and Grisette. It’s got bar seating and intimate table seating available, and the menu features mouth-watering eats and drinks *and* a killer happy hour with $1 oysters (plus, $6 big beers, $8 martinis, $30 bottles of muscadet). When our social media manager, Paige, and her crew visited most recently, they started with a dozen oysters, then enjoyed the Frites & Garlic Aioli, Oeuf Mayonnaise (soft boiled and fried egg, dijon aioli), and Scallop Roll (milk bread, lightly dressed, chips). “Mind blowing,” she says.
Location: 111 N Robinson St (The Fan)
Hours: Found here
Menu: Found in-restaurant only
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