On the half shell, char-grilled, fried, Rockefeller and Bienville – you’ll have plenty of options to explore while you are in New Orleans. Eat them raw, fried on a po-boy, on top of eggs benedict or poached in their own juices and topped with butter, garlic and cheese sauce. Yum It Up!
Photos Courtesy Of Yelp/Casamento’s
Casamento’s
The freshest and highest quality raw oysters in NOLA – they close if available oysters don’t meet their standards. Founded in 1919 by Italian immigrant Joe Casamento, the restaurant is completely tiled for spotless daily cleaning. Oysters are served raw, stewed, and fried on pan-bread sandwiches. I start with a dozen on the ½ shell and then order a ½ oyster loaf, dressed – hold the mayo, add ketchup and hot sauce. Order fried crab claws and calamari as appetizers for the table. Call ahead to make sure they are open and expect to wait a bit during peak hours. No reservations.
504.895.9761 
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Address: 4330 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115
Photos Courtesy Of NewOrleansAficionado.com
Drago’s
The home of the charbroiled oyster – raw oysters covered in a garlic parmesan cheese butter sauce and then flash grilled over an open fire, drenched again in sauce, and topped with more cheese. Expect oysters poached in their own juices floating in sauce with a very thin crust of cheese and more than a hint of grilled flavor provided by the fire. Served with french bread for wiping up excess sauce. Don’t be polite – roll up your sleeves and order at least a dozen per person and a cold Abita beer. Located in the Hilton New Orleans Riverside – second location/original in suburban Metairie. They have a large seafood menu –but the oysters are a must. We only go for the oysters.
504.584.3911 Website Yelp Facebook
Address: Hilton Hotel Riverside, 2 Poydras St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Photos Courtesy Of pecherestaurant.com
Peche
Famed Chef Donald Link’s seafood restaurant. Oysters on the ½ shell are extremely fresh and the selection includes specialty oysters from both coasts and Canada. I like to add oysters to a large starter seafood platter for the table and then go on to the fish of the day– usually grilled and lightly sauced for me. Expect professional, knowledgeable, and friendly service. Reservations are strongly suggested.
504.522.1744 Website Yelp Facebook
Address: 800 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Photos Courtesy Of NewOrleansAficionado.com
Pascale’s Manale
Locals and tourists alike step up to the oyster bar at Manale’s for some of the biggest and best NOLA has to offer. First go the bar and order a drink and a token for a dozen oysters on the ½ shell. Proceed to the oyster bar – mix your own cocktail sauce and step to the oyster bar and hand the shucker your token. That’s it! Oysters arrive at the exact pace of consumption. Tip lavishly and don’t hesitate to stay for a wonderful dinner of seafood pan-roast, bbq’ed shrimp, and bread pudding.
(504) 895-4877 Website Yelp Facebook
Address: 1838 Napoleon Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115
Photos Courtesy Of Yelp/Luke
Luke
The best oyster happy hour in town is found at this Chef John Besh restaurant – 75 cent oysters are served almost everyday between 3 and 6 PM. Quality is superb and paired with happy hour beer, wine and drink prices- this is hard to beat. What a civilized way to end a busy afternoon – fresh oysters and champagne! So good you may want to come back for dinner.
(504) 378-2840 Website Yelp Facebook
Address: 333 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130