A unique experience. We had raw oysters, steamed oysters, steamed scallops, and steamed shrimp. I could just stick with raw oysters, personally. Not to mention the steamed broccoli with cheese! You are seated at a U-shaped bar while your personal server shucks your oysters, one at a time, and brings your choice of steamed seafood. They have crab legs also. You will have a personal tube of saltine crackers, hot sauce, horseradish, whatever you need. Beer and wine available. It isn't cheap -- It is fresh seafood. The friends we invited from out of town said it was worth the drive!! They open the doors at 5:30 - get there early or expect to wait, especially on weekends. They close for the summer like the traditional oyster bar they are. read more

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We visit Sunny Side often, and look forward to it opening each season. Definitely the best oyster shucking place around. The vibe is local/casual and the food is always good and consistent. I love their homemade cocktail sauce, we even buy it when we have our own family tradition oyster roast each year. read more

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One of the coolest places I've been. Grest service and atmosphere. Very reasonable prices and great seafood.

Family tradition for at least 20 years. Sunny Side is often imitated but never duplicated. Some things just can't be copied. This is the place to make memories! read more

Amazing atmosphere in there the food was ok and the service was amazing. The part where get to see them break open the oysters was cool.

The low down: This place is the real deal. Fro. The outside you'd think it was a run down shack, but there is some seafood goodness inside w crazy low prices! Driving back from the Outer Banks, my boyfriend said there was a small place that a friend told him about that we just had to try. when we pulled up I was surprised at how rundown the building looked and thought there is no way this could be all he claims. I turned to my YELP community only to find out that the hype must be true. When you walk in, there is a huge open waiting area w video games (one of which is Ms.Pac-Man), a pool table and a bar. They don't sell wine by the glass here only by the bottle. You have to give your name if you ever want to be called to the back for food. The amazing ladies that worked the front bar told us that they had just opened two weeks ago and usually there is a bout a 2-3 hr wait. Sunday is their least busy night and when we went at 4:45 there was only about a 30 minute Usually they have 6 shuckers on at a time, but this night they only had 4 so only 27 people could be taken at a time. I got steamed scallops and broccoli and cheese. My boyfriend got 1/2 dozen steamed oysters. Food was cooked to perfection. They shuck the oysters right in front of you, which was really cool. If you've never been here it isn't very clear how the process works and if I could recommend one thing to change it would be to make that more clear. We will most definitely be returning here! read more

Griff is the man! Great local spot that always gets it right! Have never had a bad experience. read more

Sunny Side Oyster Bar - Seafood Near Me - Williamston, North Carolina

This is a historic place that is fun. Delicious oysters and shrimp and they have added crab legs and scallops in the last decade or so and so it's changed since the 90's when I started coming, but it is absolutely amazing. The group of investors that opened it back up and restored it and improved upon it even by making it larger did an amazing job and you can go and have a wonderful lengthy time with friends and just socialize and have a wonderful meal. If you want to go in and eat and leave, it's not your place unless you get there right at opening. If you go between 530 and 8 o'clock, just be prepared to wait and socialize. I think the wait sometimes is two or three hours because it's a horseshoe shaped oyster bar. But the staff is amazing, otherwise known as your shuckers, who will keep you full of beverages and food. The sauce is the best ever and you've got to try a red rooster if you can tolerate heat. Love this place and love the people that run it. There's a reason people come from our away and other states even to eat here at least once a year as a tradition. The people who are closer are privileged. read more

Best "old school" raw bar I've ever been to! Nothing fancy about it, and the atmosphere, food & employees are awesome. If you want fried seafood, it's not on the menu so go somewhere else.... But if you want to have a great time while eating really good steamed oysters, scallops & shrimp.... This is your kinda place!! read more

Great place try a red rooster if you can handle it had a great time will definitely go again

Ok so I didn't not even have a chance to take a picture of the oysters, they were that good! Amazing if u like oysters u need to go that's it. Best raw oysters in an unassuming place, friendly service, good price. Ambiance well just try it for yourself very unique but totally worth it. If you want to avoid the lines come here later in the day during a weekday. read more

Sunny Side Oyster Bar - Copper line - Seafood Near Me - Williamston, North Carolina

The worst oyster place because there's nothing but beer and wine ... so you can't call it a bar.... the hostess was rude and not welcoming at all and honestly acted drunk... i came at 830 for a late dinner and was told it would be 45 min wait then was told only beer was served because they can't afford liquor.. I'm from a beach community and we have REAL oyster bars..!! read more

Oysters were good. I also got steamed shrimp. I had to wait a few minutes but they had a huge group. I would go again.

Ohh my.... this place is heavenly! One of the locals and Eastern NC favorite places to eat oysters. It's a little hole in the wall, not your oyster fancy restaurant, but the quality of oysters and service is a 5 star. My favorite type of oysters were the steamed ones dipped in the house sauce and warm butter. The menu is small but it has worked for many years. If you are wanting an adult beverage you get it at the bar while you wait to be called. The place is small arrive there early and make sure your whole party is there. If not you will have to wait to be serve until everyone is there. Make sure you called prior to planning a visit as their hours variety and they work base on the oysters they get. Enjoy this amazing oysters place! read more

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All I can say is WOW!! When you pull up you are going to think you made a mistake, but the only mistake you can make is not going in and eating! Just today my wife and I visited the top 4 oyster bars from New Bern to the OBX, and none of them came close to Sunny Side! Okay so some pointers. The oysters are amazing any way you go, but the steamed oysters are insane. Make sure you ask for the special hot sauce. The Orange one that was made my the father of one of the shuckers. It is awesome!! Next up has to be the snow crab. Perfectly steamed and with the drawn butter you can not go wrong. Finally let's talk about this famous cocktail sauce. It was better than I was led to even believe it could be. We had the shrimp and scallops as well and all I wanted was a bowl of cocktail sauce for each shrimp I ate. Oh and made sure to get the shrimp and scallops spicy. They are not at all hot, but the flavor is awesome. Overall it is a dive that should have been on dinners drive-ins and dives. It is like stepping back into time and the food is just as good as it was the day it opened. Will 1000000% be back here and bringing as many friends as that raw bar will hold! read more

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Believe me - the best oysters in Eastern North Carolina are here! On the other side of the horse shoe bar, your party has your own shucker that does the heavy lifting for you. Douse your oysters in the warmed cocktail sauce with butter and horseradish. Wash them down with a cold beer. Their best kept secret - the scallops!! Some of the best that I have ever had. If you are into spicy food, ask your shucker about a red rooster (if you dare). read more

Great place, interesting crowd, small menu but it keeps me busy. Can't wait to go back and get some crab legs. Omg to die for.

If you're patient it's well worth the waiting time. I do not recommend bringing children here it's a very adult atmosphere. There's lots of seating in the waiting area so you can chat and drink. When we were finally seated it was a very awesome experience having a personal oyster-shucker. He was very engaging it was like dinner and a show. There's also lots of hot sauces to choose from including a spicy habanero. read more

Quality... Cool... Historic... A good first date or a good thousandth date ... Keep it simple stupid

My buddy and I stopped in recently while heading east on a hunting trip, based on the positive reviews. The outer gathering area is basically a bar with some surprisingly good brews on tap. Once you make it into the inner sanctum you're sitting around a fairly small horseshoe facing the shuckers' pit. Wood shavings on the floor are a nice touch. The oysters were as advertised - succulent, flavorful and super fresh. Great no-frills atmosphere and very friendly staff. The only down note were the side "scallops" we ordered. Didn't have much flavor and were suspiciously all exactly the same size, perfectly round with sharp edges. Don't want to say the "P" word (ok, plugs) but hmmm? I'll just chalk this off as a rookie ordering mistake and would definitely return for the oysters which are first rate and obviously the main attraction! read more

If you like oysters, you have to try this place if you are in the area. Opened in 1935, second oldest oyster bar on the east coast, steeped in history. They have a few other things (shrimp, scallops, crab legs); but that's only if you have a member of your group that refuses to eat oysters -- don't go unless you are going for oysters. You have a choice of steamed or raw (steamed oysters are very good, better than I expected, and what I would recommend), along with a to-die-for cocktail sauce, melted butter, and saltine crackers. You can also get a side of broccoli and cheese, but almost no one that we saw did. Oh, and you do this while sitting on very uncomfortable high stools in the old bar area, elbow to elbow with fellow diners, watching your shucker plop your oysters into a bowl in front of you about as fast as you can eat them. And if you don't get there VERY early (around 5:00pm for their 5:30pm first seating), you'll likely be waiting a long time for a bar seat. I'm glad I went -- and the oysters were wonderful -- but it's not a place I would go to on a regular basis. read more

Everything one could want in a classic oyster bar. 100% authentic and hasn't changed in decades.

The oysters are always great but be prepared to wait a bit. Only so many people can sit around the horseshoe. It's not uncommon to arrive at 7 pm and be seated by 8 or 8:30. The shuckers are the stars of the show. They'll have as much fun as you, just as engaging as you choose to be. The broccoli and cheese is an unexpected good pairing with steamed oysters. Their scallops and shrimp are good, but bear in mind everything is steamed, nothing fried. They'll lightly season with old bay upon request but be prepared to be satisfied only, not blown away. The oysters are why you go here. read more

When traveling to the Greenville area, my hosts highly, and I will repeat, highly recommended this place. Who am I to say no to going to an authentic oyster restaurant? Anyway, the interior is very basic. You have white wood walls, a plain wood floor, and green trim. However, you have everything you need! They have food, beer, tables, counters, and bathrooms. They even have shuckers for you! Of course you can eat oysters. If you want something else, they also have shrimp and crab. For the brave, or those egged on by the peer pressure of everyone else in the group getting one, there are the red roosters. The rooster is a raw oyster with horseradish and Tabasco sauce. The Rooster comes in two flavors, hot or extra hot or maybe regular or mild, I forget. The non standard heat level is a special request. Because of the horseradish it has the kind of fresh kick that is very different than the heat of Tabasco, be prepared. This place is great because it is authentic, a great value, and fun. The shuckers (and servers) are more than happy to talk to people, you are probably here with some friends, and it will be a great night. read more

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This is a religious experience. My partner and I split a peck of oysters and a pound of scallops. With beer. Honestly, I was so happy. The best. read more

Sunny Side Oyster Bar - Placemat - Seafood Near Me - Williamston, North Carolina

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Great place to eat at, love going here at lease 2 or 3 times per season friendly people and the food is awesome

This place is seasonal and when oysters are season, it is a must go! Pull your stool up order a drink then let the magic begin! The servers Will do the work on the oysters right in front of you and let me tell you- they are delicious!!!!!! Sunny side Oyster Bar is a payed back fun place. Look forward to going back! When a month ends in R! read more

Sunny Side Oyster Bar - WELL WORTH GOING!!!! - Seafood Near Me - Williamston, North Carolina

This place is the best hot sauce....yes please. I went there after a photo shoot with my crew and it was the best setup of the day read more

Sunny Side Oyster Bar - I went here after a photo shoot and the entire crew loved it. Hot sauce is the best. Two thumbs up! - Seafood Near Me - Williamston, North Carolina

Fish camp style. The oysters were great and the scallops were good. The staff is very friendly.

This place is awesome! Griff was the best shucker, has work here for 50 years. Best seafood EVER and reasonable!

Atmosphere energetic and happy Service is friendly and good Food is fresh and tasty, mainly seafood ! Unique experience !!! Recommended ! read more

Sunny Side Oyster Bar - Seafood Near Me - Williamston, North Carolina

This place is the real deal. One of the last old school oyster places, and as noted only open seasonally. The oysters are the star- of course and even if you haven't tried them before or aren't sure, you need to go here to get a real experience. Especially after a day in the sun. The place is pretty small and old- and you get a seat at the bar with service from your own shucker. Don't be afraid to ask questions and recommendations. Try the red rooster- it has vinegar peppers, hot sauce, horseradish, and black pepper. Pretty much covers every layer of 'hot'. The veggies (broccoli only if i remember correctly) are fine, but you might as well focus on the briny goodness of the oyster. That's what it's all about. read more

Best Oysters I've Ever Had! No lie. Really good atmosphere. They only serve steamed oysters, crab legs, shrimp, and scallops. If you don't like seafood come out after dinner and enjoy a drink and they sometimes have live music. One of the few places to grab a drink in Williamston. Definitely check it out, i've never met someone who didn't love it. Last time I was in there the guy sitting next to me had driven 3 hours just to eat there. Whatever you do make sure you ask your oyster shucker to fix you a red rooster. if like hot and spicy food you will not be sorry. even if you don't give it a try anyway! read more

I went one time for a birthday and loved everything about my experience. Found it pretty incredible that our shucker had been shucking oysters since the 1970's. Sunnyside must treat their employees right to have that kind of retention. I hope to come back and eat more delicious oysters. read more

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Oysters oysters and more oysters. You come here to eat them not to enjoy the decor. All you can eat the shuckers stay very busy. Just let them work. Place gets crazy busy so you may need to wait. Sometimes big busses of people show up this is for serious eaters only. They do offer shrimp too. Open during oyster season not a place to dress up Flip flop kind of place read more

This place is open only seasonally, so don't be put out if it isn't open when you want to go. Best to call ahead to make sure. I highly recommend this place for the food, the atmosphere, and the service. It may take you a while to get seated at the seafood bar, so get yourself some beer from the real bar. You'll be seated around a U shaped bar, with a personal server for your group. They'll prepare all the food, shuck the oysters, what have you. Get yourself a rooster if you dare: raw oyster, horseradish, Tabasco sauce and deliciousness! Williamston is a small town and this is a small town restaurant, so you NYC and West Coast snobs can pass this place by. Leave it to the Southerners to appreciate! read more

INSANELY GOOD!!! The atmosphere was so hole in the wall crusty awesome! Such a find on the way to the outer banks! In fact, we will definitely be taking a drive just to come back here. This place rivals anywhere we've been in: FL, Maui, San Francisco and New Orleans! A MUST STOP!! The prices are super reasonable too!! read more

A great oyster bar! They had a simple menu of oysters, shrimp, scallops, or crab. It is all steamed. Nothing fried. My wife and I shared 1/2 a peck of oysters and 1/2 a pound os shrimp. The shrimp were pealed ready to eat. The oysters were delicious. Very friendly and personable staff who have been there for years. They opened at 5:30pm and people were waiting. read more

I love this place! We have a great time setting oysters and shrimp! Great people and great food!

Classic oyster bar known throughout the East coast. If you've never been, then what are you waiting for?