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Oyster House

4.3 (1.8k reviews)
Closed • 11:30 am - 10:00 pm
Updated 2 weeks ago

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OYSTER HOUSE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Trendy
Outdoor seating
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Oyster House

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Reviews With Photos

Chris M.

The oysters were absolutely amazing, and honestly the best part of the experience. I wasn't a big fan of the pesto, but that's more of a personal preference. Unfortunately, the service is what really brought the rating down. For a restaurant where you're spending around $50 per person, I expected much better service. My glass stayed empty for long periods of time, and it took forever just to get our waitress to come back to the table. I was dressed in sports gear since I'm visiting from out of town, and I couldn't help but feel like maybe we were judged based on how we were dressed instead of being given the same level of service as everyone else. I can't say for sure that was the case, but that's how the experience made me feel. The oysters were great, but when you're paying these prices, the service should match the quality of the food. Unfortunately, it didn't during my visit.

Maryland Crabcake
Mike C.

This place is FIRE!!! Best oysters I ever had, and they came with a lot of oyster liquor (natural juice that oysters produce, a mix of seawater from their habitat and their own internal fluids such as hemolymph (the invertebrate equivalent of blood) and cellular fluids). The oyster liquor makes it so the oyster remains fresh btw as well which is obviously uber important. We had oysters from Maine, Rhode Island, and Connecticut and all of the ones we chose you could taste the unique differences from one to the next. Crab cakes were on point; the vegetables were next level with the side of asparagus coming with roe on top of it. New England soup was actually light and not heavy like most creamy NE soups which I appreciated as it made me have room for the rest of the meal. We also indulged in some Butterscotch Pudding which in my view had three distinct flavors. The very top tasted similar to sweet creme Brule, the actual pudding was creamy and delish and there was a garnish of whipped cream I believe on top. All items surpassed my expectations and we will definitely be repeat customers. Highly Recommend. As always people SYOY!!!!

Clam chowder
Thomas k.

Service was a little slow today. Usually pretty good. I like sitting at the bar at happy hour. Great service and drinks. There is always a good background noise as the restaurant is typically busy. But not too loud so your party can still have a great conversation. Enjoyed the lunch today especially the fish and chips. The clam chowder is a must. And they have the best fries.

Wellfleet oysters.
Janez S.

Absolutely one of the best oyster experiences I've had. I ordered the Wellfleet oysters, and they were some of the best oysters I've ever tasted. They were fresh, & flavorful. My server was incredibly friendly, attentive, and helpful in guiding me through the menu and making recommendations. She suggested the Mermaid martini I believe it's called, that ended up being excellent and paired perfectly with the oysters. Great food, great service, and an overall wonderful experience. I highly recommend this place and will definitely be back.

J N P E.

We went to a house show until 5 a.m. the night before and woke up late. Our reso was at 1:30, but we called and pushed it to 2:30. The hostess said no problem. Great phone voice, by the way. We walked to the restaurant during the purported "heat dome" weekend. Fortunately, the air conditioning is pristine. We sat at the oyster bar and recommend you do so too. Our waiter was great. We should have caught his name but didn't. Either way, he was a real one. P spotted some absolute babe across the bar and asked our waiter what she was drinking. Important side note: attractive people dine here, but not in an intimidating way if you're a normie. Turns out it was a mocktail from the Zero Proof menu. We don't judge. Our waiter then turned us on to an OG move: order a mocktail and add booze. P got the Pink Drink and added vodka. J ordered a Bee's Knees and a Firing Squad. All above average. Anyway, we created an oyster flight and got two of each, working our way across the Eastern Seaboard. The house sauce was fantastic and incorporated some sort of onion and horseradish combination. We don't pretend to understand what that sorcery was, but keep doing it. Create your own GD oyster flight. You won't regret it. We also ordered some shrimp cocktail and shared the lobster roll sandwich. We forgot to take pics, but the generic photo attached is actually how it looks. Not a bad bite. This was the perfect amount of food for two hungover people who took IR Adderall before the walk. We lingered for a while and they don't push you out. Ended up ordering a couple IPAs. They started shucking oysters to prepare for the dinner crowd, which is neat to watch when you're on the spectrum like us. Also, the walls are covered in different oyster plates. We spent about 20 minutes discussing which one was our favorite. We landed on a green one. It's a real vibe lifter of a joint. Brought us back to life. 10/10.

Drink
Dionna J.

Perfect spot for lunch before heading to The Academy of Music. A building and bustling crowd on a Saturday afternoon. The food and drinks were excellent. The standout being the grilled octopus ramen. It's listed as a starter but don't fret, "it's hearty but not huge" per my server. This just might be the best thing I've had here! I also had the lobster roll which never disappoints (devoured it before I had the chance to take a pic). The chocolate pecan pie was not needed, but very delicious.

Happy hour: New England Clam Chowder & Shrimp sliders
Jody S.

We checked out Oyster house during one of our happy hour Fridays and we were very fond! Especially knowing that this is a top rated happy hour location as well as my preference always being seafood, the seafood options are certainly there! Since this was one of our later happy hours, we arrived ~4:30 and we weren't seated at the bar until 5 as it is a popular spot. The vibe was very New England and felt like home. We ordered appetizers, I had the clam chowder and shrimp sliders. I enjoyed my dish and had the desire to try other items on the menu but my stomach was full. They had decent wine selections as well.

The bar
Ashley V.

This place serves some of the best oysters--freshly shucked right in front of you! Food: I came here during happy hour, and it was absolutely worth it. The oysters were fresh, affordable, and delicious. The oysters here tasted way better than the ones I ate in New Orleans. The mussels were also excellent--tender and flavorful. I ordered a lobster roll outside of the happy hour menu, and while they were generous with the lobster, the dish felt a bit dry and overpowered by too much sriracha, which masked the natural flavor of the lobster. Drinks: I ordered a Sazerac, and it was perfectly balanced. I really appreciate a well-crafted whiskey cocktail, and this one hit the mark. Atmosphere: The space was lively, nicely decorated, and very clean--perfect for a casual night out. Service: Excellent and attentive. The staff were friendly and checked in just the right amount. Overall: I had a great time here and highly recommend stopping by during happy hour if you can. I'll definitely be back the next time I'm in Philly.

Trent O.

We stopped by at 5:30 for a 6:00pm reservation. We were told we were too early, and would need to wait for a spot at the Oyster Bar as we had reserved. No problem. We went over to the bar, and the bartender made eyes with us and gestured to a corner spot on the bar where a couple was settling up to leave. We jumped in their seats and he whipped up some great cocktails and handed us the happy hour menu. (Weekdays 4pm-6pm) we ordered 10 of the raspberry point oysters ($2ea during happy hour!) and the crab deviled eggs. Both were awesome and the appreciated the happy hour deal. We actually spent the rest of our evening at the bar because the folks we were around at the bar and bartender were super engaging in conversation and we enjoyed talking to him while trying the cocktails. We went on to order the lobster roll and fries and crab cake entree, both were awesome. Will definitely be back but we really appreciated the experience and hospitality that the bartender in particular provided. I think his name is was Giovani.

Butterscotch pudding
Diana P.

This place is phenomenal! We tried 3 kinds of oysters: Sweet Amalia (Cape May, NJ); Mystic (CT); and Rough Water (RI) and they were all so fresh and perfectly chilled. Outstanding! We also had the crabcakes served with the most delicious green beans and porcini mushrooms topped with parmesan & a side of asparagus. For dessert, we had the Butterscotch pudding, which was thick and creamy. Every single thing was top notch. Our server was fantastic, so helpful and knowledgeable about Gluten Free items. She put a note on our ticket and also double checked with the kitchen to confirm everything I ordered was GF. I cannot wait to go back and try additional items.

Fisherman's Stew
Joseph S.

I had just returned from a two week vacation driving down the Pacific Coast. Starting in San Francisco, I went to several seafood restaurants for one item - Cioppino (Fisherman's Stew). Starting with Scoma's, I had it 5 times during those 2 weeks. I happened to read an article about the Oyster House here in Philly. It's tucked away on Sansom St. between 15th and 16th streets. The article highlighted the Fisherman's Stew and the lobster rolls. I was ready for the Stew!! It came nice and hot, which is a strong requirement for me - as it stayed hot until the last spoonful. It was excellent! A great stew starts with the broth - this was so flavorful and rich, with just a little spice! I had to remind myself I was in PA not CA! The stew had calamari, so tender - little shrimps which stood out for their flavor and texture - a delicate white fish and mussels. I was so surprised to find such a great stew here in Philly! The Oyster House will be seeing me regularly - next time, I'll try the lobster rolls! I also wanted to mention I sat at the bar and a very lovely lady gave me a brief history of the restaurant, which made the visit even more enjoyable!

Oysters and clams. Happy hour blackberry oysters, a couple Irish point oysters (not pictures, delicious!) and a couple clams.
Linda H.

LOVED it! I love oysters. I love a good happy hour and they had both. They were very busy with a great deal of fun energy from everyone eating, shucking, and serving. I sat by myself at a bar stool with a view of the 5 people shucking oysters and clams non-stop. Oysters were fresh and sweet and would love to go back with friends or by myself, again!

Fries, prawns, octopus
Gerald N.

Came on a weekend night with a reservation and the restaurant was packed. Service was friendly and timely. Good menu with plenty of options for seafood and some meat. 1. Oysters - A good selection of oysters even up to AK. Average priced. 2. Calamari - Small pieces, good quality with good crisp. 3. Octopus - Wasabi sauce so if you don't like wasabi, don't get this. Good quality octopus nonetheless 4. Fries - A bit flimsy but good aoili sauce 5. Prawns - Sizable pieces which were a bit salty but good. Overall a good seafood restaurant to try at least once! Staple in the area.

Roasted oysters

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24 days ago

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Sam M.

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16 days ago

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4 months ago

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3 months ago

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Thanks for the lovely review. We hope to see you soon.

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8 months ago

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10 months ago

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1 year ago

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Hi Ashley, We very much appreciate your visit and your lovely review.

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3 months ago

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Thanks for the review, Cliff.

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Thanks for the 5-star review, Taurin.

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8 months ago

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Hi Bina, We love being your new favorite restaurant!! See you soon.

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Page 1 of 44

Oyster House Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Oyster House

Do you have to have a reservation if your dining solo?

Hi Emily, You don't need a reservation but we always recommend making a reservation if you know when you'd like to join us.

Is the Oyster House open on Christmas Eve and what are the hours?

Oyster House will be closed on December 24th and 25 for the Christmas holiday. We will reopen on Thursday 12/26. We hope to see you then.

Is it open on Thanksgiving?

Is there any Covid type rules?

Does oyster house still have the partnership with baysave where the used shells are put back into the Delaware for repopulation vs throwing them out?

You'd have to call to ask them I'm sure they're giving back to the community & respecting the environment.

If I sit at the oyster bar, and add tip on the bill, does that tip go to the shucker? Or do I need to tip them in cash?

There are cash tip jars on the bar just for the shuckers. When you tip on the receipt, usually it is for your waitress/waiters.

How is the snapper soup?

Outstanding. One of the best items on the menu.

What dishes would the public recommend at Oyster's House?

If you go for happy hour (from 8-10 pm), i suggest oysters, new england clam chowder, and lobster rolls (half off i think)

Are there any buck a shuck specials?

Yes. During happy hour! Weekdays from 5pm to 7pm. But get there 4:30. You'll probably still have to wait as this place is packed!! Might want to get a table while you wait and munch on something. I want to say on Saturdays it's from 9pm til 11pm… 

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I've gotta give a follow-up review…read more This place has skyrocketed in a great direction under GM Jimmy. Nick, also great manager. Bartender Kenzie is fantastic. One of the best. Sidnee, too. It's a great spot and very well managed now. Go there.

This place was recommended on Eater. It's the first place we've gone to from an Eater that we were…read moredisappointed in. There is duck bowling, which means they're small balls and pins, but they're only four lanes, so if you don't make a reservation, you won't be able to bowl. The families that were playing were enjoying themselves. I would come here to bowl and have specific, easy-to-make drinks. We grabbed seats at the bar because the restaurant seemed full, and sports were on the TVs. The bar seats were comfy, with backs on them, and there was a bar to rest your foot. It took a minute to get service, as it seems the bartender is the only one for the whole place. Maybe they need another bartender when the bowling alley and restaurant are both complete. I had an espresso martini, which was too sweet for me. My husband had a mule and thought it was good. My second drink was a tall Titos vodka soda. The bartender informed us that the menu changes on Tuesday, so they have no more crab, which is what I wanted. I was going to order the crab dip and the seafood mac & cheese. We pivoted to fried green tomatoes that were a little too breaded and cooked for me, but the sauce was good. We did get the seafood mac & cheese, but it did not have much shrimp on it. The shells were overcooked and combined, so you had to separate them and cover them in sauce, or the bite didn't have enough flavor. Also, the cheese sauce was a little soupy.

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If you're looking for more than just a delicious dinner this is a great spot! The jazz club was…read moreintimate but wonderful. Top notch talent. Staff was friendly and on point from beginning to end. They do take the dress code seriously, I saw people get turned away for athletic wear. It's clear on their website and not asking too much for an upscale night out. Prices weren't ridiculous, especially since portions were plentiful. A lot of people were leaving with leftovers. The specialty drinks are a bit pricey tho. The cornbread and Mac n cheese are a must order the moment you sit down to start things off. Both served in a small skillet, perfect to share. The cornbread bread was flavorful and the butter that comes on top you def want to let that melt right in! The Mac n cheese noodles were a little softer than I would of preferred but the blend of cheeses and the crisp crust on top made me not worry about the doneness of the noodles, it was top notch! We went classic with the entrees - catfish with gulf shrimp. The catfish was cooked perfect super tender and flaky. I wasn't thrilled with the shrimp, for "gulf shrimp" as they listed in the menu they were a lot Smaller than I expected and a little tough. The sauce they came in was nice. I would have liked some kind of sauce on the side for the catfish. The collard green rice was delicious and the broccoli that came with it was prob the most delicious broccoli I've ever had, just cooked well in lots of butter! The other entree we got was the fried chicken. Really delicious and tender. It came with a sweet potato side that was yummy and a classic collard greens Even tho we were stuffed we had to try the bread pudding, it was served with a Side of delicious ice cream. The bread pudding was perfect! I would definitely return even just to eat and try more menu items but the jazz club is a must do! Beautifully decorated and classy establishment all around

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South - Indoors

Indoors

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