Inland Shuckin’
It’s no secret that Carolinians have a love affair with oysters. We fry them, we boil them, we grill them, we roast them, we put them in soup and on salads. If you’ve ever been to a good ol’ Carolina oyster roast you know that there is nothing better than a cold beer to go along with your bivalves. Even though most people typically associate Charleston or the coastal beach towns with oysters, Charlotte has plenty of great options for you mollusk loving maniacs and we have broken down some of the best places along with what to order to get your fix.
Georges Brasserie
Weve told you a hundred times and well tell you a hundred more if necessary, if you love raw oysters on the half shell, look no further than Georges Brasserie at Piedmont Town Center. Swing by on Friday for the best happy hour oysters in the city.
georgesbrasserie.com
Nan and Byrons
Cant stomach the raw oysters but still want to get in on the goodness? Check out N&Bs Crispy Oyster appetizer. They are fried to crispy perfection and served on a slice of juicy pineapple than topped with shaved jalepenos and garnished with a tangy barbecue viniagrette.
nanandbyrons.com
Beef and Bottle
Beef and Bottle has been serving some of the best steaks in the Queen City for over 50 years. The perfect prelude to one of those tender ribeyes or filets, their Oysters Rockefeller is one of the best dishes weve ever had, without a doubt, a magnate on Beef And Bottles classic menu.
beefandbottle.net
Napa on Providence
Chef Michael Griswold prepares some of the tastiest oysters on the half shell in the Queen City. When at Napa on Providence also try their wide selection of California wines to wash those oysters down. Also, be sure to ask your server whats on special as their selection changes seasonally.
napaonprovidence.com
Upstream
This place is known for their seafood as its name suggests but one of the highlights is definitely their raw oyster bar that features a daily selection of raw oysters from around the world. Check out Oyster Shuck Outs going on every Monday from 4-6:30. East Coast oysters are $1 each and West Coast oysters are 1.50. They also have fantastic drink specials to cleanse the palate.
harpersgroup.com
Lure Oyster BAR
Offering almost every conceivable seafood option on the planet, youve got some tough decisions to make. Best advice is to start off with one of their yummy oyster shooters-raw oyster, cocktail sauce, a squeeze of lemon, and topped with vodka. Once your taste buds have awakened, the menu should start talking to you!
lurecharlotte.com
Good Food On Montford
First off, you really cant go wrong with anything on Bruce Moffetts Good Food On Montford and its award winning menu. But, since we are talking oysters, you just have to try their fried oysters entree. The soft savory-ness of the black eyed peas and the collards combined with the crunch of the perfectly fried oysters make for some amazing textures and the spectrum of flavor profiles is out of this world.
goodfoodonmontford.com
Rock Salt
While theres still a nip in the air, we recommend going out and getting a bowl of the new Park Road Shopping Center restaurants smoky oyster chowder. The potatoes and oysters come in chunks just as they should and the consistency of the chowdah and smoke of the bacon and oysters keeps on coming.
facebook.com/rocksaltcharlotte
Halcyon
Have a hankerin for fried oysters but dont want the added calories or carbs from bread, Halycon offers fried oysters on a salad. Its the greatest compromise around. Cooked with just the right amount of crispiness, these delicious little suckers go nicely with winter greens, root vegetables and sherry vinaigrette dressing.
halcyonflavors.com
Lumiere
Theres no better way to combine delicacies! Baking oysters just the right amount and yet still incredibly tender, this starter is one of Lumieres main attractions. Married with melted leeks and burgundy truffle glacage, these will take any oyster lover to heaven.
lumieremyerspark.com
The Punch Room
The Kusshi oysters have a hint of cucumber and are briny. They are very small, deep oysters raised in Vancouver. The Punch Room garnishes them simply with pickled local Granny Smith apple, house-made collard green kimchee purée, sweet potato pearls and cilantro.
ritzcarlton.com
Terrace Cafe
We all know that Terrace Café is one of the best known restaurants in Charlotte and is celebrated for its unique approach to classic dishes. Building on the traditional spinach salad, they throw in some caramelized onions, smoked bacon and hot bacon vinaigrette and top it with cooked-to-perfection fried oysters.
terracecafecharlotte.com
Harrys Grille & Tavern
Harrys take on the Rockefeller is a unique and unexpected one – and delicious nonetheless – that mixes parmesan panko, spinach, and absinthe.
harrysgrilleandtavern.com
Passion 8
When youre taking in a fine evening at Passion8, the new gem on Elizabeth Avenue, try Chef Lucas tasty oyster dish that blends the flavors of oyster, lemon espuma, spicy vermout, and fried shallot.
thepassion8.com
Vivace
Looking to mix some sweet and savory with a perfect view of the Queen Citys skyline? Look no further than Vivaces Oysters Fritti: oysters paired with citrus crème fraiche, celery, and delicious ruby grapefruit.
vivacecharlotte.com