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Stop by BeetleCat for oyster happy hour weekdays from 4 to 6 p.m.

Get the barbecue oysters at Hammock's Trading Company.

Oysters are a terrific choice for your romantic meal at 101 Steak.

Shellfish galore await at Ray's in the City.

Get the oyster combo platter at Hugo's for the best of all kinds offered.

15 Best Places for Oysters in Atlanta

Oysters lovers know that, whether they are raw, baked, barbecued or grilled, these gems from the ocean are delicious any way they are prepared. Even though Atlanta is far from the coast, it’s a fabulous city for finding delicious seafood, including oysters of all varieties. (See our full list of seafood restaurants here.) Here are 15 restaurants that serve the best oysters in Atlanta.

  1. 101 Steak – This swanky and romantic spot is a fantastic place to celebrate with your bae. Before you enjoy the numerous steak options, get a dozen oysters as an appetizer. It’ll be hard to select from the many varieties, but you’ll love the sour orange cocktail sauce and pickled ginger mignonette that accompany them.
  2. BeetleCat – You could make a meal out of the oysters here, and there’s a great variety. But options like the lobster roll and seafood stew don’t disappoint. Go for oyster happy hour Tuesday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m
  3. Brine Seafood – Located in Alpharetta’s Avalon, Brine has oysters both fried and baked (Rockefeller or garlic and herbs). Wash them down with a tiki cocktail or a local craft beer. Tip: The rooftop patio is perfect for spring and fall.
  4. C&S Oyster Bar – Located in Vinings, this swanky spot serves up excellent seafood with spectacular white glove service. Go all out and get the seafood tower before moving on to the raw or grilled oysters. 
  5. Fontaine’s – Oysters are the specialty here. Besides raw oysters, also consider oysters Rockefeller, crab and bacon oysters, and oysters scampi.
  6. Drift Fish House and Oyster Bar – The raw bar at this East Cobb spot features about eight different kinds of oysters ranging from meaty and briney to fruity with a cucumber-like finish. The bright restaurant with other tasty seafood choices and a terrific wine list is perfect for a business meeting. 
  7. Goin’ Coastal – This sustainable seafood eatery in Virginia-Highland has incredible baked oysters, but you can also get the seasonal raw oysters.
  8. Hammock’s Trading Company – This Sandy Springs restaurant has oysters ranging from plain jane raw to crab meat and jalapeno, but my favorite are the grilled oysters with barbecue butter.
  9. Hugo’s Oyster Bar – This unassuming Roswell restaurant is hiding a secret: fresh oysters from all over the country. The selection differs from sweet and plump to small, salty and briney. The best way to enjoy is to get some raw oysters as well as the sampler platter with Rockefeller, jalapeno cheddar and and char-grilled. Tip: Hugo’s has great happy hour specials. 
  10. Kimball House – This Decatur favorite is truly the talk of the town when it comes to oysters. With more than 20 kinds of oysters available, Kimball House has you covered from coast to coast.
  11. Lure – Broiled oysters come with bacon, crawfish, parmesan breadcrumbs and cider hot sauce for a unique twist, or opt for raw with shochu mignonette. Either way, you’ll be satisfied.
  12. Noble Fin – Chef Jay Swift’s seafood restaurant is a highlight in Peachtree Corners. Steaks and fish await, too. My favorite oysters are the fried kind with yuzu old bay ailoli. But the raw are just as pleasing.  
  13. The Optimist – In trendy West Midtown, The Optimist offers more than 10 different varieties of oysters. Eat them on ice or enjoy them from the wood-roasted oven. Tip: Enjoy excellent people watching from the Oyster Bar at The Optimist (no waiting).
  14. Ray’s in the City – For decades Ray’s has been noted as the best seafood in town. The downtown location has delectable seafood options, and the raw oyster selection is stellar. 
  15. Tin Can Oyster Bar – With two locations (Brookhaven and Sandy Springs), Tin Can offers new varieties of oysters weekly. Sample options from Virginia, New Jersey and Prince Edward Island.

 Malika Bowling is the author of Culinary Atlanta: Guide to the Best Restaurants, Markets, Breweries and More!, and founder of Roamilicious. Malika also has served as a judge at various culinary competitions and food festivals, including Taste of Atlanta. Her podcast, Just a Byte, can be found on Tunes. Follow her on Twitter @MalikaBowling and Instagram

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