Thanks to Birmingham’s thriving dining scene, you don’t have to travel to the coast to enjoy fresh oysters. From classic preparations to inventive takes, these 12 local eateries are serving up oysters that prove the Magic City knows its way around this seafood staple.
Armour House
Neighborhood: Downtown
More Info: armour-house.com
Opened late last year by Executive Chef Jeffrey Compton and partners Rollins Montgomery and Chris Reebals, Armour House is a neighborhood brasserie blending Southern European flair with local charm. With premium proteins, locally sourced produce, a curated 300+ wine list, and cocktails that push the bar beyond the ordinary, Armour House has quickly become a sought-after downtown destination.
The raw bar, however, takes center stage. It offers oysters sourced from across the country, available by the half dozen or as part of an impressive seafood tower. Perfectly briny and served with inventive accompaniments, these oysters are a must for both seasoned seafood lovers and first-time tasters.
Automatic Seafood and Oysters
Neighborhood: Lakeview
More Info: automaticseafood.com
Chef Adam Evans and Designer Suzanne Humphries opened Automatic Seafood and Oysters in 2019, fulfilling a dream to blend fine dining with a welcoming (and beautifully designed) atmosphere. Since then, the eatery has worked to become not only a local favorite for finding some of the very best seafood around, but also the home of a James Beard award winner (Chef Evans was named Best Chef of the South in 2022).
To craft a menu that celebrates the very best of the South, Chef Evans works directly with local vendors, markets, and fisheries to source fish, mainly from the Gulf. Oysters are a standout, sourced from waters along both the Southern and Eastern coastlines.
Although the menu changes daily, frequently served dishes include the Grilled Oysters with corn, ancho chili, and lime, as well as the Cornmeal Fried Oysters with XO sauce, farm pickles, and scallions.
Bayonet
Neighborhood: Downtown
More Info: bayonetbham.com
Bayonet, Chef Rob and Emily McDaniel’s newest concept, has only been open for a few months, but it’s already making waves in Birmingham’s dining scene. Located next to their acclaimed debut restaurant, Helen, Bayonet offers an inventive, seafood-forward menu with a raw bar that takes center stage.
Oysters are the undeniable star, with 20-plus varieties on offer, ranging from Alabama, Maine, Canada, Washington, and more. Diners can enjoy them alongside thoughtfully composed dishes, making Bayonet a well-rounded destination for any seafood lover.
Dyron’s Lowcountry
Neighborhood: Mountain Brook
More Info: dyronslowcountry.com
Dyron’s Lowcountry has been a Mountain Brook institution since opening in Crestline Village in 2009. Inspired by trips through South Carolina and Georgia’s Lowcountry, Dyron and Sonya Powell bring the region’s flavors to their menu, from rich Seafood Gumbo and tender Duck Confit to Black Grouper and Gulf Flounder.
But no visit is complete without their oysters (whether fresh on the half shell or Southern-style and baked to perfection with lemon butter, thyme, bacon, spring onions, and a cornbread-pecan crumble), turning every bite into an authentic taste of the Lowcountry.
The Fish Market Restaurant
Neighborhoods: Southside, Greystone, and Hoover
More Info: thefishmarket.net + fishmarketrestaurant.com
For over three decades, The Fish Market Restaurant has been a culinary cornerstone in Birmingham, serving fresh Gulf seafood, traditional Greek dishes, and Southern classics in a warm, family-style atmosphere.
Founded in 1983 by George Sarris, who arrived from the Peloponnese at just 17, the family-owned restaurant blends Greek heritage with coastal influences, creating a menu that honors both tradition and quality. Just as generations of Sarrises have poured their hearts into the restaurant, generations of diners have flocked to it — not just for the warm hospitality but for the food, which is topped off by a selection of fresh oysters.
Half Shell Oyster House
Neighborhoods: Pelham and Trussville
More Info: halfshelloysterhouse.com
With six Alabama locations, including two in the Birmingham area, Half Shell Oyster House has become a favorite for fresh Gulf seafood. The menu leans into Southern flavors with a New Orleans flair, but it’s the oysters that keep diners coming back again and again.
Shucked fresh throughout the day, these Gulf gems shine in countless preparations, from the classic half shell to the signature Charbroiled Oysters with white wine, butter, garlic, and parmesan. For those who can’t choose just one, the Oyster Sampler offers a taste of Half Shell’s most beloved creations, making it clear why this spot has become a Magic City staple.
Little Betty Steak Bar
Neighborhood: Mountain Brook
More Info: littlebettysteakbar.com
When you first think of Little Betty Steak Bar, their premium cuts of beef likely come to mind. But this Mountain Brook gem goes well beyond the steakhouse norm, offering a curated menu that celebrates the sea, too. The oysters here are nothing short of decadent, served fresh with mignonette and a house-fermented hot sauce, and elevated even further with the option to add caviar. It’s a refined touch that makes Little Betty a standout spot for those oyster cravings.
Magnolia Point
Neighborhood: Southside
More Info: eatmagnoliapoint.com
Magnolia Point landed on the Magic City culinary scene just over a year ago. Since then, it has delivered on its mission of bringing the freshest Gulf seafood straight to our dinner tables. While staying true to that fresh-from-the-fish-camp feel, this laid-back eatery showcases oysters the southern way — served up golden and crisp on one of its signature po’ boys, a bite that captures comfort and coastal flavors all in one.
Ocean
Neighborhood: Five Points
More Info: oceanbirmingham.com
Ocean has set the standard for elevated seafood in Birmingham for more than two decades, and its oysters are no exception. The raw bar alone is reason enough to visit, with selections that shift daily to showcase the best available options. From classic oysters on the half shell to indulgent preparations like Oysters Rockefeller with spinach, bacon, and manchego, or Oysters Bienville with shrimp, blue crab, and a rich Mornay sauce, every bite delivers a taste of the coast in true Ocean style.
The Rougaroux
Neighborhoods: Forest Park and Mountain Brook Village
More Info: rougarouxbhm.com
The Rougaroux delivers a taste of New Orleans right here in Birmingham. This beloved spot blends the bold flavors of Cajun country with Southern-fried goodness, and nowhere is that more evident than in its oyster offerings.
The menu highlights a classic oyster po’ boy with the Fried Bon Secour Oyster Po’ boy, as well as the ultimate New Orleans-inspired Oyster Rockefeller Po’ boy, with perfectly flash-fried Bon Secour oysters, creamed spinach, bacon, shaved parmesan, red pepper flakes, and lemon zest. It’s a lineup guaranteed to please any oyster connoisseur’s palate.
Snapper Grabber’s Land & Sea
Neighborhood: Vestavia
More Info: snappergrabbers.com
Snapper Grabber’s Land & Sea makes sure every oyster craving is covered. In its welcoming café, guests can enjoy freshly prepared oysters either tucked into a classic po’ boy or served in a golden-fried basket with hushpuppies and a side. For those who prefer to bring the flavors home, the seafood case is stocked daily with freshly shucked oysters, ready to be prepared just the way you like them.
Sexton’s
Neighborhood: Cahaba Heights
More Info: Facebook
For decades, Sexton’s Seafood in Cahaba Heights has been a trusted source for fresh Gulf Coast seafood, earning a loyal following among locals and seafood enthusiasts alike. The seafood market offers a wide selection of fish, shrimp, crab meat, and oysters. Shucked oysters are available by the pint daily, and live oysters whenever possible, perfect for enjoying at home.
Bon appétit, Birmingham!
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