The Citiblog

Photo: The Avra Group

The recently opened Avra Estiatorio Rockefeller Center, is serving up some of the freshest oysters and seafood in the city. Avra offers a delicious selection of oysters as well as a Raw Sampler Royale (pictured below) that is a seafood lover's dream come true. With a variety of raw offerings such as East and West Coast Oysters, Maine Lobster Cocktail, Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail Shrimp and more - the Raw Sampler Royale is the best way to get a taste of all Avra has to offer. Available for two ($74.95) or for four ($149.95). With the most expansive outdoor dining patio on Sixth Avenue - Avra Rockefeller Center makes for the perfect al fresco, post-heatwave oyster slurping situation.

Photo: The Grid

The Grid – NoHo (686 Broadway, NYC)

The Grid is a lively eatery offering a modern approach to American cuisine within Great Jones Distilling Co. Helmed by Executive Chef Adam Raksin, the full-service dining destination pays homage to a bygone era. For National Oyster Day, The Grid is offering a succulent platter of oysters served with trout roe mignonette for $28.


The Standard Grill – Chelsea (848 Washington Street, NYC)

The Standard Grill remains a fixture of the downtown dining scene. Unbound by rules and conventions, The Standard Grill has the familiar feel of a neighborhood bistro—remixed with The Standard’s buzzy, international sensibility. The Standard High Line will extend its happy hour $1 oysters for a whole day just on 8/5.

Photo: Marseille

Marseille (630 9th Ave, NYC)

Longstanding Hell's Kitchen favorite and French brasserie Marseille, now in its 21st year, offers their famed Oyster Happy Hour daily from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM featuring Connecticut Blue Point oysters for $1.50 each. To complement the oysters, guests can enjoy their selection of cocktails and Happy Hour French classics such as Escargot En Persillade for $17, Steak Tartare for $20, Duck Liver Mousse for $16, and Goat Cheese Tart for $17.

Balthazar (80 Spring St, NYC)

Oysters reign supreme at Keith McNally’s French brasserie Balthazar with close to two dozen on hand as well as an oyster sampler from the raw bar. Le Balthazar, a tower of fresh shellfish and oysters, costs $195.

Photo: Le Rock/Gentl + Hyers

Le Rock (45 Rockefeller Plaza, NYC)

Le Rock, the elegant new brasserie at Rockefeller Center from the Frenchette team, is worthy of a stop for some fresh oysters and cocktails. The menu includes an entire sections for “coquillages” or creatures of the sea. The shellfish and oysters are offered with a selection of small accompaniments to enjoy with a Frenchette Bakery baguette.

Gage and Tollner (372 Fulton St, Brooklyn)

Gage and Tollner, the lovingly restored 1879 Oyster and Chop House, is a perfect spot to celebrate National Oyster Day with a daily selection of East Coast oysters. Oysters Rockefeller also make an appearance with shallot butter, absinthe and greens.

Photo: The Mermaid Inn

The Mermaid Inn (570 Amsterdam Avenue, NYC, 212-799-7400, 227 10th Avenue, 646-905-5900; Mermaid Oyster Bar, 89 MacDougal Street, NYC, 212-260-0100)

For almost two decades Danny Abrams and Cindy Smith have channeled New England seafood shack vibes in New York City with their wildly popular spots The Mermaid Inn and Mermaid Oyster Bar. Briny East Coast oysters are available for $1.25 at all locations during Happy Hour from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Guests hankering for a taste of Maine won’t want to miss the “Nearly Famous” Lobster Roll ($34).

Photo: Grand Banks/Cititour.com

Grand Banks (Pier 25 at West St, NYC)

What better setting than a schooner for an oyster outing with harbor views. Grand Banks’ oyster collection includes West Robbins from New York’s Peconic Bay, Montauk Pearks from Block Island Sound, Welfleets from Massachusetts, Pink Moons from Prince Edward Island and Kusshis from British Columbia. The oysters are dressed with shishito. Cucumber and champagne mignonette.

Grand Central Oyster Bar and Restaurant (89 E 42nd St, NYC)

This iconic oyster bar in Grand Central with vaulted ceilings is known for its wide selection of oysters, from briny Asharokens from Long Island to Banstables from Cape Cod and Goose Points from British Columbia. Aside from on the half shell, oysters are also available fried, baked and grilled.

The Clam (420 Hudson Street, NYC)

The Clam, West Village neighborhood favorite by Executive Chef and co-owner Mike Price and co-owner Joey Campanaro (both of Blackfoot Hospitality), showcases a variety of oysters from the east and west coast for $4 with a chili-lime mignonette with just the right kick, and don’t miss their special Happy Hour Tuesday through Saturday from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM with the incredible Iced East Coast Oysters served with a champagne mignonette for $2 each.

Photo: Vestry

Vestry (246 Spring St, NYC, 212-784-1350, vestrynyc.com)

Michelin-Starred Chef Shaun Hergatt’s SoHo hotspot, Vestry, offers a seasonally driven menu highlighting produce grown on nearby farms and seafood, meats and poultry carefully selected by the world’s top harvesters. You can start your dinner with an order of Shigoku Oysters, dressed in a soy-ginger sauce and served with finger limes, tapioca pearls, fennel pollen and oyster sauce for $28.