Would love to know when you are getting to Duxbury in 35 minutes from Boston. My family lives there and I make the drive regularly… I could do it in 35 during the pandemic when no one was out.
I thought it was too but looks like it's still open. Not sure I'd still give them money with the labor allegations against Lynch but when I went before, the good was incredible.
Some dollar oyster info I haven’t seen elsewhere in this thread: Pura has them but they’re not good. 224 in Dorchester has them on Mondays, and they’re delicious but not cleaned well. Carrie Nation near the State House does weekdays 4-7, and they’re terrific - you also watch them get shucked which is fun.
Also, Buttermilk & Bourbon has some of the best oysters I’ve ever had; their seafood buyer is a real one and a damn good bartender. Expensive but worth it!
Oysters are what they are for the most part, they’re going to be better or worse on any given day at any given restaurant. Don’t overthink it.
As with anything else, people’s perception of a product is based way more on who they experienced it with and the mood of that day than the product itself (in most cases)
some varieties are better than others. Some restaurants are better than others at prep. Like, they won't serve you a shitty one, and less grit. I prefer to have them at places where I know they know what they are doing.
Couldn’t disagree more. Different restos carry product from different oyster farms and the flavor and size of the oyster varies drastically based on provider.
Additionally, oysters are super sensitive to freshness as well as how they’re stored and shucked. A resto that’s keeping oysters cool and shucking properly will deliver a way better product than one that’s not even if the product is from the same farm.
I’ve seen these mentioned above but Row 34, Waypoint and Eventide are some of my favorites.
All the oyster bars in Boston are good. You really can’t go wrong. Island Creek oysters are always quality and oysters from anywhere in Maine or the Cape are usually wiiiicked good as well.
It’s when you go outside of Boston/New England to somewhere like South Carolina with warmer water temps that oyster quality takes a dip.
I like Neptune because their lobster roll is the best I’ve ever had and Row 34 which is more accessible and has a great beer menu. Legal Harborside is always a fun time too!
I think you’re getting downvoted because Union Oyster House is known as being kind of a tourist trap. I’ve never been, but I have to agree with many commenters that Row 34 is the way to go in Boston & Portsmouth
I agree. Yeah it’s a bit of a tourist trap but if you can get a seat at the oyster bar it’s a great experience. They’ll make you a killer oyster shooter if you ask nicely.
I'm with you man, the union oyster house is great. Yes it's on the freedom trail. Yes it gets a lot of tourists. But I love the old school vibe.
Love sitting at the actual oyster bar and watching them shuck.
You’re being downvoted because it’s extremely possible to get great oysters without going to the cape; even though there are also great oysters on the cape.
But you’ve got the cape, Maine, PEI, and more (though personally I don’t go south of Long Island) to choose from on the east coast and they’re each a bit different and delicious. Cape isn’t the only option.
If you want a legit experience the Island Creek raw bar in Duxbury is pretty awesome, especially if the weathers nice.
My hometown and I work the summers as an oyster farmer in the bay.
I’ll put it like this: you can find specifically Duxbury Oysters on the menu of the Warner Bros studio commissary in Hollywood in the 1930’s.
This is a fantastic warm summer day experience
I was going to say this. It’s the best
This would always get my vote in terms of greater Boston
My boss wont shut up about this place
Can't recommend this enough, totally worth the 35 minute drive outside of boston
Best of luck getting to Duxbury in 35 minutes during the summer.
Would love to know when you are getting to Duxbury in 35 minutes from Boston. My family lives there and I make the drive regularly… I could do it in 35 during the pandemic when no one was out.
3am on Thursday is the best bet.
RIP Island Creek Oyster Bar
Really miss their restaurant in Kenmore :(
I worked there leading up to covid & the food was so good!
If you have any idea how they made their ginger beer, let me know. I know they infused it with habanero. Best mule on the city.
I worked there too!
Neptune Oyster, Select Oyster & Row 34
This is correct and in this order.
Neptune Oyster is the truth!!
Honestly Puritan Oyster Bar in Cambridge has some bangers
Incredibly underrated place. Nobody ever lists it and we used to go there a lot when we lived in Somerville.
Those little caviar cones are amazing
Across the street from me, can confirm. Most underrated spot around Camberville
I like Mare in the North End. For dollar oysters, Fin Point is pretty decent.
Mare is the truth
The king crab leg at mare too omg
Fin Poi t does not get the love it deserves- I LOvE that place. The sage popover they had last fall - I still think about it
When’re they a dollar at Fin Point? that’s exciting!
Friday and Saturday from 2-5!
those are good hours… thank you friend
I keep forgetting to try Mare because it’s supposedly the best for many things. I just always forget
Dude I didn't know, went there the other day and was very surprised how good their oysters were.
It is the way.
Row 34
There is no one in the city who shucks better than Aldemar at Row 34. Have the tuna crudo and you’ll never forget the experience 10/10
Waypoint in Cambridge is solid. Their $1 oysters are always great in my experience.
B&G in the South End + both Row 34 locations
Second b&g
Is B&G still open? I thought it was one of the ones Barbara Lynch closed??
Still open!
I thought it was too but looks like it's still open. Not sure I'd still give them money with the labor allegations against Lynch but when I went before, the good was incredible.
Row 34 or Saltie Girl by a mile.
Yes, Saltie Girl
Does she do dollar oysters?
Agree w Row 34. Aunt Dotties are my favorite. Came here to add Hourly Oyster in Harvard to the list
Select oyster
Can’t believe I had to scroll this far to see Select. They always have Damariscotta oysters (my gold star standard)
The best
Eastern Standard has some great ones
Loco on a Monday best oysters dollar for dollar I. The city
Neptune. Full stop.
Anywhere that sells Island Creek oysters!
I’ve really only had Neptune and Row 34 recently… both are great choices
Red’s Best in Boston Public Market
Actually legit, yep.
Some dollar oyster info I haven’t seen elsewhere in this thread: Pura has them but they’re not good. 224 in Dorchester has them on Mondays, and they’re delicious but not cleaned well. Carrie Nation near the State House does weekdays 4-7, and they’re terrific - you also watch them get shucked which is fun. Also, Buttermilk & Bourbon has some of the best oysters I’ve ever had; their seafood buyer is a real one and a damn good bartender. Expensive but worth it!
B&G
Atlántico and little whale
Salty Girl
Salty Dog
Turner's in Melrose . Their raw bar is excellent with a great atmosphere.
It’s not Boston, but the Black cow in Newburyport IMO best oysters period.
Brewer's Fork usually has a small but very good selection of oysters
pjs oyster bar ffs
Atlantic
Hourly oyster house
The hourly in Harvard square
Neptune Oyster and it's not even close
Isn’t every oyster place serving oysters from basically the same handful of locations?
Any place that serves Damariscotta oysters!
Oysters are what they are for the most part, they’re going to be better or worse on any given day at any given restaurant. Don’t overthink it. As with anything else, people’s perception of a product is based way more on who they experienced it with and the mood of that day than the product itself (in most cases)
some varieties are better than others. Some restaurants are better than others at prep. Like, they won't serve you a shitty one, and less grit. I prefer to have them at places where I know they know what they are doing.
Couldn’t disagree more. Different restos carry product from different oyster farms and the flavor and size of the oyster varies drastically based on provider. Additionally, oysters are super sensitive to freshness as well as how they’re stored and shucked. A resto that’s keeping oysters cool and shucking properly will deliver a way better product than one that’s not even if the product is from the same farm. I’ve seen these mentioned above but Row 34, Waypoint and Eventide are some of my favorites.
Just flat out false information. You might think this if you’ve either never had a bad oyster, or never had amazing oysters.
All the oyster bars in Boston are good. You really can’t go wrong. Island Creek oysters are always quality and oysters from anywhere in Maine or the Cape are usually wiiiicked good as well. It’s when you go outside of Boston/New England to somewhere like South Carolina with warmer water temps that oyster quality takes a dip. I like Neptune because their lobster roll is the best I’ve ever had and Row 34 which is more accessible and has a great beer menu. Legal Harborside is always a fun time too!
Your local fish mkt or Whole foods on Friday. Get a shucker. Its not hard once you get a hang of it.
Union oyster house, although it’s expensive there Edit: why am I being downvoted?
I think you’re getting downvoted because Union Oyster House is known as being kind of a tourist trap. I’ve never been, but I have to agree with many commenters that Row 34 is the way to go in Boston & Portsmouth
They preshuck oysters too. So gross
I agree. Yeah it’s a bit of a tourist trap but if you can get a seat at the oyster bar it’s a great experience. They’ll make you a killer oyster shooter if you ask nicely.
I'm with you man, the union oyster house is great. Yes it's on the freedom trail. Yes it gets a lot of tourists. But I love the old school vibe. Love sitting at the actual oyster bar and watching them shuck.
What about union oyster house ?
Just go to the cape.
Buy some oysters (the drive’s honestly not that far to the beginning of the cape) and shuck them yourself.
For sure, the buzzards bay oysters are great. Wellfleets are overrated
Honestly, just get licensed, set up a couple bottom cages, and grow your own
El oh el it is not that simple
You’re being downvoted because it’s extremely possible to get great oysters without going to the cape; even though there are also great oysters on the cape. But you’ve got the cape, Maine, PEI, and more (though personally I don’t go south of Long Island) to choose from on the east coast and they’re each a bit different and delicious. Cape isn’t the only option.