Celebrate National Oyster Day with five elevated oyster experiences in NYC. From smoky grilled oysters in Brooklyn to chilled seaside pairings by the Atlantic.

There is something elemental—almost daring—about oysters. They ask for a little ceremony. A little slowness. A little salt on your lips and time to taste something ancient and oceanic. They are, as Shirley Chisholm once said, “a bold choice.” 

And New York City has long embraced the oyster. Once home to the largest oyster population in the world, the city’s harbors were lined with oyster beds so abundant they became a staple of the local diet. Sold from pushcarts, served in saloons, and celebrated in ornate oyster houses like that of Thomas Downing, a free Black man who built an empire downtown before the Civil War. The city’s legacy is quite literally paved with oysters—their shells still used as foundation in parts of lower Manhattan.

Today, the ritual endures. We eat oysters not just for the taste, but for the experience. The chill of the shell, the brine of the sea, the contrast of something so delicate paired with a glass of something dry and crisp. On August 5th—National Oyster Day—we celebrate more than a mollusk. We celebrate the ritual.

How to Order Oysters Like a New Yorker

Editor’s Note

First, ask where they are from. East Coast oysters tend to be smaller and brinier; West Coast oysters lean sweeter and creamier. A good server will guide you, but do not hesitate to try a mix. Always eat your first one plain—no lemon, no sauce—just to taste the water it came from. After that, garnish as you like. And if you are nervous? Start grilled. It is still oyster culture, just with a little sizzle.

Curious about NYC’s oyster legacy or how to enjoy oysters like a local? Our original guide to National Oyster Day in NYC explores the city’s deep oyster roots, sustainable seafood tips, and timeless places to savor the half-shell year-round.

Sweet Catch BK: The Flavor-Fueled Trio in PLG

📍 Location: 1222 Nostrand Avenue — Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn

Sweet Catch BK is not just serving oysters—they are telling stories with them. Tucked into Prospect Lefferts Garden [PLG], this seafood-focused fast-casual restaurant melds coastal cravings with bold Brooklyn energy. For National Oyster Day, the menu gets an extra kick with three inventive expressions:

• Happy Hour Raw Oysters [5–7 PM]: At $1.50 a piece [with a six-oyster minimum], these come dressed with cocktail sauce, horseradish, and a crisp mignonette—simple, satisfying, and ideal for pairing with their signature rum punch.
• Thomas Downing Oysters: Chargrilled and indulgent, these are topped with house-made whiskey butter, grated Parmesan, and fresh parsley—an homage to one of NYC’s most legendary oyster pioneers.
• BBQ Bacon Bourbon Oysters: The name says it all. A special-of-the-day standout, these chargrilled beauties arrive lacquered with a bourbon-infused BBQ glaze, smoky bacon, and crispy shallots.

Sweet Catch is unapologetically flavorful—a beautiful option for those who like their oysters with attitude.

Sungold at Arlo Williamsburg: Tomato Mignonette and a $50 Wine & Brine

📍 Location: 96 Wythe Avenue — Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Oysters meet their match in Sungold’s namesake tomato. This airy, design-forward Williamsburg restaurant leans into hyper-seasonal sourcing, and on August 5th, the kitchen keeps things bright and intentional.

Order a half or full dozen New England oysters dressed simply with lemon and a house-made sungold tomato mignonette—a quietly complex nod to summer. If you stop by between 4 PM and 7 PM during their Wine & Brine happy hour, $50 gets you a dozen oysters and a bottle of wine.

Settle in on the patio, swirl your glass, and consider this your midweek palate cleanse.

Breva Brighton Beach: A Boardwalk Brasserie Moment

📍 Location: 3145 Brighton 4th Street — Brighton Beach, Brooklyn

With its Atlantic backdrop and neighborhood brasserie charm, Breva brings a breezy European vibe to Brighton Beach. On National Oyster Day, they are serving a chilled duo of East and West Coast oysters—accompanied by smoked-vodka cocktail sauce and a pink peppercorn mignonette.

It is the kind of seaside pairing that practically begs for a toast. Take your oysters to the patio, breathe in the salt air, and let the rhythm of the waves carry you into the evening.

Crave Fishbar: Sustainable Slurping in Manhattan

📍 Location: 945 2nd Avenue — Midtown East, Manhattan | 428 Amsterdam Avenue — Upper West Side, Manhattan

A longtime NYC favorite for responsibly sourced seafood, Crave Fishbar is where oyster devotees go when they want to feel good about their slurps. On National Oyster Day, expect a dynamic mix of East and West Coast oysters—each shucked to order and served with thoughtful, seasonal accompaniments.

Their #Oystergram Happy Hour is widely considered NYC’s best oyster deal, with a rotating raw bar that can include up to twenty varieties in one evening. It is a chance to explore the spectrum of texture and salinity, all while sipping something chilled and bright.

With two sleek, relaxed locations—one in Midtown East and the other on the Upper West Side—Crave invites you to slow down, stay curious, and enjoy seafood that is as ethical as it is elegant.

Maison Premiere: The Quintessential Oyster Bar

📍 Location: 298 Bedford Avenue — Williamsburg, Brooklyn

No NYC oyster list would be complete without Maison Premiere. Stepping into this Williamsburg institution feels like entering a dream somewhere between Paris and New Orleans—where absinthe drips slowly from vintage fountains and oysters are displayed like jewels on crushed ice.

With over 30 varieties and an attention to detail that borders on reverent, Maison Premiere turns oyster tasting into an art. It is not just a celebration—it is a ritual. Reservations are highly recommended, especially on August 5th.

National Oyster Day: One Day. Five Ways. All Delicious.

Oysters do not clamor for attention. They whisper. On August 5th, you listen. You pause at the bar or settle by the sea, and taste something that reminds you how vast the world really is.

Whether it is a smoky grilled bite in Prospect Lefferts Gardens or a chilled toast by the Atlantic, consider this your invitation to indulge. Quietly, boldly, and with unmistakable pleasure. Exactly as it should be.