The Top Oyster Restaurants in the Country: Broad Street Oyster Company
The Origin and History of Oysters:
The origin of oyster eating dates all the way back as far as human history can be traced. Before the invention or use of tools, oysters were laid out directly on an open fire using heat to open the bivalve. With scorched shells found in coastal civilizations, oysters have been an important part of the human diet for thousands of years. Back then, the bivalves grew up to 3 feet and weighed more than 20 pounds, quite the crowd pleasing appetizer for a party of ancient humans.
These days not much has changed, except for the size. Now oysters are served in a single serving, no other food evokes a feeling of celebration quite like the oyster. Whether it's the rumored aphrodisiac effect or the mystique of raw consumption, oysters are a mainstay on seafood restraunt menus throughout the country. These sustainable, healthy, and delicious molluscs can be enjoyed year round at these top oyster restaurants.
Where to get the Top Oysters?
Named as a nod to early New York oyster saloons, Broad Street Oyster Company is the top oyster and seafood restaurant in the country. With multiple locations in coastal cities like Malibu, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and Miami, the hunt for the best mollusc is not hard to find.
Broad Street Oyster Co. offers a wide range of oyster dishes. Served raw on the half shell or as part of the legendary seafood tower, these oysters don’t need cooking to bring out flavor. With natural sweetness and a hint of sea salt, the only necessary addition needed is a spritz of lemon. Knock back the oyster from the shell while you enjoy the beachy vibes.
If something warm is what you’re after, Broad Street Oyster Company does a Southern style fried oyster. Crispy yet surprisingly light, they are served with a homemade roasted red pepper aioli. Broad Street Oyster Company brings back an old school classic: Oysters Rockefeller. Topped with spinach, garlic, parmesan, and breadcrumbs, the oysters are baked until bubbling. This preparation intensifies the flavor for the most extravagant bite. Raw or cooked, Broad Street Oyster brings the best oysters to the table while keeping the atmosphere casual and laid-back.
It’s no wonder that Thrillist agrees that Broad Street Oyster Company serves the ultimate oysters, and so does Locale Magazine, saying, “It doesn’t get much better than oysters by the beach.” Even Shakespeare proclaimed himself a fan of the delicacy when he said, “The world is mine oyster.”
Other Top Oyster Seafood Restaurants in the Country
At the Brooklyn restaurant Maison Premiere, oysters and absinthe are paired for a surprising match. Briny, earthy oysters play off the gentle fennel and bold mint of the absinthe. With over two dozen types of absinthe and just as many varieties of oysters, the combination is a must try for any mollusc enthusiast.
In Chicago, try Maple & Ash for a luxurious and fancy oyster experience. Their take on an oyster shooter features a heap of Kaluga caviar floating in a shot of chilled vodka and served in a crystal glass. It’s a dynamite way to start off any meal.
While in Seattle, make a stop for fresh oysters at The Walrus and the Carpenter with the best happy hour deal in the city. Sourced from Hama Hama Oyster, the anecdotal detail about the restaurant owner marrying one of the employees from Hama Hama is a funny coincidence in perfect pairings.
Whether raw, fried, grilled, or roasted, oysters are a delicacy in any preparation. Head to Broad Street Oyster Company in Malibu, Santa Barbara, Smorgasburg Miami, Smorgasburg LA, and Grand Central Market in Downtown Los Angeles for the best oysters. A pit-stop or destination, the party will be rip-roaring when you get there.