5 Memphis Spots We Love for Fresh Oysters
September marks the return of oyster season! We're celebrating with a roundup of our favorite Memphis spots for fresh oysters. Image: Facebook / Pier 64 Seafood & Bar
Traditionally, September through April — all of the months with an r — represent prime oyster season, and we’re fully committing with a roundup of our five favorite spots to snag these slippery gems, served raw on the half shell. From fine dining to essential local dives, here’s where you can order up some of the best oysters in Memphis!
Coastal Fish Company
Neighborhood: East Memphis
More Info: coastalfishcompany.com
Located on Hyde Lake in Shelby Farms Park and open seven days a week, Coastal Fish Company offers waterfront views along with its extensive raw bar menu. Choose from a variety of raw oysters on the half-shell and even a selection of “composed” oysters layered with additional ingredients. Special occasion? Go for the full Grand Tower, featuring jumbo shrimp, a half lobster, mussels, jumbo lump crab, and of course, raw oysters!
Half Shell
Neighborhood: East Memphis
More Info: halfshell-memphis.com
Half Shell has been serving seafood favorites since the 1970s. True to its name, this unassuming eatery offers hand-shucked raw oysters served with cocktail sauce and horseradish as a permanent menu staple. In fact, you can order oysters pretty much every which way — baked, chargilled, and fried.
Pier 64 Seafood & Bar
Neighborhood: Bartlett
More Info: pier64seafoodbar.com
Out in Bartlett, Pier 64 is serving up some serious seafood — everything from oysters and shrimp to po’ boys, fried fish, seafood pasta, and a variety of options served by the pound. Where raw oysters are concerned, you can choose from plain oysters on the half shell with traditional accompaniments or oysters with the chef’s special sauce, pictured below!
The Cove
Neighborhood: Broad Avenue Arts District
More Info: facebook.com/cove.bar
Decked out in leather booths, dark wood, and pirate murals and known by many as “the ship bar,” The Cove specializes in oysters and handcrafted Prohibition-era cocktails. They offer live music on weekends, a weekly trivia night, and cocktail and oyster specials every day from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Southern Social
Neighborhood: Germantown
More Info: southernsocial.com
This fine-dining spot in Germantown focuses on elevated fare served up with Southern hospitality. Fresh oysters with a traditional trio of mignonette, cocktail sauce, and horseradish are always on offer. Complete your order with an epic Caesar salad, deviled eggs topped with crispy cornmeal-dusted oysters, and hearty entrées like fried chicken and wild game meatloaf.
**********
Stay in the know on the best of Memphis. Subscribe to StyleBlueprint’s FREE daily emails!
Alissa Harb
Alissa Harb is StyleBlueprint's Managing Editor, based in Nashville. A lifelong Tennessee native, Alissa has over 13 years of experience in digital media and loves writing about food, travel, and entertaining. She is a lover of dogs, true crime, and ordering for the table.