I’ll Have a Dozen, Please…
We’re so lucky on the Alabama Gulf Coast to have a fresh, local supply of seafood. Purists know there’s nothing quite like an oyster on the half-shell. From the Gulf to your plate, it doesn’t get much fresher than that. At many restaurants on the Gulf Coast, you can watch your oysters shucked at the bar and promptly delivered to your table. Whether you top it with hot sauce, cocktail sauce, horseradish, put it on a cracker, squirt it with lemon or have it prepared one of the ways below, you simply can’t go wrong enjoying a plate of fresh, oysters straight out of the Gulf of Mexico.
Best Oysters on the Alabama Gulf Coast
Here’s a list of a few of our favorite joints who serve up these succulent bivalves:
Raw (In the Nude)
- The Crab Trap Seafood & Oyster Bar
- Flipper’s Seafood & Oyster Bar at Bear Point Marina
- Sea-n-Suds Restaurant & Oyster Bar
- Fisher’s at Orange Beach Marina
- Cobalt The Restaurant
- Pink Pony Pub
- Sassy Bass Caribbean Grill
- The Gulf (seasonal)
- DeSoto’s Seafood Kitchen
- The Original Oyster House
Everything’s Better with Butter
Of course, raw oysters aren’t everyone’s thing. Although we think you’re missing out, we’re ok with it because that just means more for us! But seriously, we don’t judge you for it because truthfully, cooked oysters are just as delicious. Try one of these menu offerings.
Chargrilled Oysters at the The Flora-Bama Yacht Club | Topped with romano, parmesan, & garlic butter
Oyster Rockefeller Soup at Acme Oyster House | Oysters, spinach, parmesan cheese, and a hint of Herbsaint
Wood Fired Sampler at Villaggio Grill | Oysters served with garlic & butter, prosciutto Rockefeller, gorgonzola & shallot, and fontina & jalapeno
Grilled Oysters at Playa | Three varieties include jerk butter & crispy chicken skin, green chili butter & garlic tortilla crunch, or Creole garlic butter & green onions
Oyster Beignets at Royal House Seafood | Oysters, fried golden brown in tempura batter and finished with a Crystal beurre blanc sauce and cane syrup
Fried Oyster Po’Boy at Multiple Restaurants | Find fried oysters in sandwich form at spots like Cosmo’s Restaurant and Bar, Sassy Bass Amazin’ Grill, and more!
Papa-Rocco’s | Oysters Fiesta baked on the half-shell with butter, picante sauce, cheddar cheese and bread crumbs
Dine for a Good Cause
If you’ve got a craving for some happiness on the half shell and want to do some good while you dine, head to one of these local spots immediately. These restaurants participate in the Alabama Oyster Shell Recycling Program, an initiative of the Alabama Coastal Foundation.
Doc’s Seafood Shack & Oyster Bar
Fisher’s at Orange Beach Marina
Flora-Bama Lounge, Ole River Bar, and Yacht Club
Original Oyster House, Gulf Shores
Tacky Jacks Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan and Orange Beach
Wolf Bay Lodge in Orange Beach
If you really love oysters, check out the Hangout Oyster Cook-Off and Craft Beer weekend in November!
If you’ve got a craving for some happiness on the halfshell, head to one of these local spots immediately. Do not pass go, do not collect $200 – if you’re lucky, you’ll find a pearl and won’t need the cash anyway. Not into oysters but still want some of the bounty of the Gulf of Mexico? We think you’re missing out (but more for us), don't worry -- we've got plenty of other seafood on our menus!