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Two people picking up oysters on the half shell from a tray of ice with a dozen oysters.
T’is the season for quality oysters in Houston.
Kirsten Gilliam

Where to Eat the Freshest Oysters in Houston

Whether you prefer buttery Gulf oysters or briny bivalves from the East Coast, here’s where to find the city’s best

by Megha McSwain and Brittany Britto Garley Updated
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T’is the season for quality oysters in Houston.
| Kirsten Gilliam
by Megha McSwain and Brittany Britto Garley Updated

Houston is a true oyster lover’s paradise. Not only can we easily get fresh, fat, raw oysters from our own backyard — the Gulf of Mexico — usually at a reasonable price, but the city also has a bounty of restaurants serving some of the best East Coast bivalves available.

Add to that a truly impressive number of preparation styles — fried, chargrilled, topped with chiles and sriracha, blue crab, or marinated in garlicky butter — and there really is something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for fine dining or an oyster happy hour with a dive bar vibe, you’ll find it at one of these 16 restaurants.

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Field & Tides

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This Heights hangout is a solid go-to for seafood-heavy dishes and freshly shucked oysters. Start with a dozen raw Gulf gems, followed by fried oysters and shaved Brussels sprouts with sambal aioli and a Caesar salad topped with cornmeal-crusted flash-fried oysters.  

705 E 11th St, Houston, TX 77008
(713) 861-6143
(713) 861-6143

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1751 Sea and Bar

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Don’t be fooled by the nondescript location in a Heights area retail — this chic eatery boasts some of the finest seafood eats in town, including a revolving selection of Gulf and Atlantic oysters. The Texas wood-grilled oysters pack a hearty bite with toasted seaweed butter, an anise-flavored liqueur, and hollandaise, while the caviar oyster, topped with Baeri caviar, offers a luxurious snack. Go for happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, when oysters are $1 to $3 each, depending on the type.

191 Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77007
(832) 831-9820
(832) 831-9820

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Margaux's Oyster Bar

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A new addition among the choice counters within Bravery Chef Hall, Margaux’s offers prime raw bar seating with oysters from coasts near and far. Platters are presented traditionally with mignonette, fresh horseradish, and cocktail sauce, with chargrilled choices flavored with garlic and fennel. Oyster enthusiasts, take heed — the restaurant has plans to launch an oyster omakase soon.

409 Travis St STE A, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 909-0691
(713) 909-0691

Willie G's Seafood

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This spirited Landry’s restaurant is a festive eating and drinking place and one of the best places to get your fill of raw and cooked oysters. Freshly shucked oysters hail from both the Gulf and East Coast, and grilled and roasted varieties come in adventurous flavors like Thai chili with coconut milk or the “Bourbon Street” with a crab mix topping.

1640 W Loop S, Houston, TX 77027
(713) 840-7190
(713) 840-7190

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Eugene's Gulf Coast Cuisine

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Have your oyster and shoot it, too, at Eugene’s Gulf Coast Cuisine in Montrose. In addition to raw oysters, oysters Rockefeller, and oysters Montrose — topped with parmesan and lump crab — this family-owned seafood restaurant crafts oyster shooters as a festive alternative. The Buffalo Bayou features a freshly shucked oyster with cocktail sauce, horseradish, Tabasco, and Tito’s vodka.

1985 Welch St, Houston, TX 77019
(713) 807-8883
(713) 807-8883

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Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette

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With locations in River Oaks and Memorial, Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette puts a spotlight on coastal cuisine, including its bites like its oysters on the half shell and its deviled eggs topped with fried oysters. Find Gulf Coast oysters from both Texas and Louisiana, plus East Coast offerings that vary seasonally. For those wary of eating raw oysters, try the chargrilled Gulf oysters in two decadent varieties — Parmesan-herb butter and bacon jam and butter.

4224 San Felipe St, Houston, TX 77027
(713) 622-1010
(713) 622-1010

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Traveler's Table

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From 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. each Wednesday, this Montrose gem celebrates the deliciousness of the bivalve with its International Oyster Night. Find roasted Viet-Cajun oysters, topped with crispy shallots, lime juice, and fish sauce, or a dozen raw Louisiana oysters served with a classic mignonette and a mango cucumber chili sauce for $20. Or opt for a dozen East Coast oysters, a set of nine Irish Oyster Kilpatricks, which are loaded with bacon, Irish cheddar and a hint of Guinness, or the Peruvian oysters, which come with aji amarillo, shallot-lime mojo, crème fraîche, paddlefish caviar, and chicharrones.

520 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006
(832) 409-5785
(832) 409-5785

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Acme Oyster House

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Like its Louisiana counterpart, Acme Oyster House is a one-stop shop for oysters galore. Raw oysters are presented simply with lemon and spicy cocktail sauce, while dishes like the oyster tacos feature golden fried oysters tossed in chargrill butter and topped with slaw. Another unique option: a bowl of creamy oyster Rockefeller soup with Parmesan cheese and spinach. 

1201 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006
(346) 571-2071
(346) 571-2071

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Caracol Restaurant

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Hugo Ortega’s Uptown restaurant Caracol is like an escape within the city, with coastal-inspired cuisine to match. The wood-roasted Gulf oysters topped with cheese and chipotle butter are among the best in town and are available by the half and full dozen. Prefer ‘em raw? Here, raw oysters on the half shell are presented with salsa bruja and lime. 

2200 Post Oak Blvd #160, Houston, TX 77056
(713) 622-9996
(713) 622-9996

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Brennan's of Houston

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At this iconic Midtown restaurant, bold Creole flavor is pumped into dishes like Jimmy’s Grilled Oysters, topped with jalapeños cornbread crumbs, and the Gulf fish Pontchartrain, topped with crispy Louisiana oysters. Care to venture beyond the Gulf? Raw East Coast oysters can be sampled in one of two seafood towers. Oyster fun fact: The famous Terms of Endearment scene in which Jack Nicholson’s character slurped chilled oysters in front of Shirley Maclaine’s was filmed at Brennan’s of Houston.

3300 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006
(713) 522-9711
(713) 522-9711
Brennan’s of Houston’s Jimmy’s Grilled Oysters dish, which is topped with jalapeno cornbread crumbs.
At Brennan’s, diners can expect oysters packed with Creole flavor.
Kimberly Park

Also featured in:

State of Grace

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This buzzy River Oaks restaurant boasts its own oyster room designed with premier oyster bar seating near all of the shucking action. Diners can choose between a hefty list of raw oysters from the Gulf Coast, East Coast, and Canada, or opt for roasted oysters with garlic and seaweed butter.

3258 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098
(832) 942-5080
(832) 942-5080

Also featured in:

Winnie's

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A popular hangout with its playful decor and adjoining patio, Winnie’s is made for kicking back with fresh oysters and cocktails, presented in ice-filled treasure chests. Pick from raw or chargrilled varieties, which hail from both the East and Gulf coasts. Thursday night happy hour promises $1 Gulf oysters plus $5 happy hours until 5 p.m.

3622 Main St Suite A, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 520-0660
(713) 520-0660

Also featured in:

Christie's Seafood & Steaks

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This Houston institution has been shelling out seafood favorites for more than 100 years, making it a foolproof destination for oysters. Pair cheesy oysters thermidor with oyster stew, and follow it up with a stacked oyster BLT po’ boy.

6029 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77057
(713) 978-6563
(713) 978-6563

Also featured in:

Ragin' Cajun

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This time-honored destination run by the Mandola family should be on any oyster-eating bucket list. On top of raw and chargrilled options, the fried Gulf oyster po’ boy built on a traditional French baguette is a must-try.

4302 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77027
(713) 623-6321
(713) 623-6321

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Tommy's Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar

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Harvesting its own oysters from Galveston Bay, this Clear Lake institution has been shelling out oysters in various ways for more than 30 years. Its oyster bar is plentifulFor a sample of its cooked offerings, order Tommy’s Trio, which comes with four oysters Rockefeller, four grilled oysters, and four grilled shrimp au gratin oysters that are topped with shrimp, jalapenos, and a cheesy sauce.

2555 Bay Area Blvd, Houston, TX 77058
(281) 480-2221
(281) 480-2221

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Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House

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It’s worth the trek to San Leon for a taste of some of the freshest Gulf oysters around. Run by Raz Halili, a second-generation oysterman whose family owns and operates Prestige Oysters, the restaurant offers multiple ways to indulge in the briny, buttery treat. In addition to raw oysters, Pier 6 offers oysters Rockefeller, crab gratin stuffed oysters, fiery oysters cooked with Sriracha and habanero butter, and cornmeal fried oyster baskets with coleslaw. Bivalve lovers can get the party started with the off-the-menu oyster flight. Hungry for more? Spring for the velvety Prestige Oyster chowder or the Fried Oysterman sandwich during lunch.

113 6th St, San Leon, TX 77539
(281) 339-1515
(281) 339-1515
Pier 6’s Fried Oysterman sandwich, where fried cornmeal-crusted oysters are loaded on Texas toast with lettuce and tomato.
Pier 6 offers oysters in myriad ways.
Kirsten Gilliam

Also featured in:

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Field & Tides

705 E 11th St, Houston, TX 77008

This Heights hangout is a solid go-to for seafood-heavy dishes and freshly shucked oysters. Start with a dozen raw Gulf gems, followed by fried oysters and shaved Brussels sprouts with sambal aioli and a Caesar salad topped with cornmeal-crusted flash-fried oysters.  

705 E 11th St, Houston, TX 77008
(713) 861-6143
(713) 861-6143

1751 Sea and Bar

191 Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77007

Don’t be fooled by the nondescript location in a Heights area retail — this chic eatery boasts some of the finest seafood eats in town, including a revolving selection of Gulf and Atlantic oysters. The Texas wood-grilled oysters pack a hearty bite with toasted seaweed butter, an anise-flavored liqueur, and hollandaise, while the caviar oyster, topped with Baeri caviar, offers a luxurious snack. Go for happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, when oysters are $1 to $3 each, depending on the type.

191 Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77007
(832) 831-9820
(832) 831-9820

Margaux's Oyster Bar

409 Travis St STE A, Houston, TX 77002

A new addition among the choice counters within Bravery Chef Hall, Margaux’s offers prime raw bar seating with oysters from coasts near and far. Platters are presented traditionally with mignonette, fresh horseradish, and cocktail sauce, with chargrilled choices flavored with garlic and fennel. Oyster enthusiasts, take heed — the restaurant has plans to launch an oyster omakase soon.

409 Travis St STE A, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 909-0691
(713) 909-0691

Willie G's Seafood

1640 W Loop S, Houston, TX 77027

This spirited Landry’s restaurant is a festive eating and drinking place and one of the best places to get your fill of raw and cooked oysters. Freshly shucked oysters hail from both the Gulf and East Coast, and grilled and roasted varieties come in adventurous flavors like Thai chili with coconut milk or the “Bourbon Street” with a crab mix topping.

1640 W Loop S, Houston, TX 77027
(713) 840-7190
(713) 840-7190

Eugene's Gulf Coast Cuisine

1985 Welch St, Houston, TX 77019

Have your oyster and shoot it, too, at Eugene’s Gulf Coast Cuisine in Montrose. In addition to raw oysters, oysters Rockefeller, and oysters Montrose — topped with parmesan and lump crab — this family-owned seafood restaurant crafts oyster shooters as a festive alternative. The Buffalo Bayou features a freshly shucked oyster with cocktail sauce, horseradish, Tabasco, and Tito’s vodka.

1985 Welch St, Houston, TX 77019
(713) 807-8883
(713) 807-8883

Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette

4224 San Felipe St, Houston, TX 77027

With locations in River Oaks and Memorial, Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette puts a spotlight on coastal cuisine, including its bites like its oysters on the half shell and its deviled eggs topped with fried oysters. Find Gulf Coast oysters from both Texas and Louisiana, plus East Coast offerings that vary seasonally. For those wary of eating raw oysters, try the chargrilled Gulf oysters in two decadent varieties — Parmesan-herb butter and bacon jam and butter.

4224 San Felipe St, Houston, TX 77027
(713) 622-1010
(713) 622-1010

Traveler's Table

520 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

From 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. each Wednesday, this Montrose gem celebrates the deliciousness of the bivalve with its International Oyster Night. Find roasted Viet-Cajun oysters, topped with crispy shallots, lime juice, and fish sauce, or a dozen raw Louisiana oysters served with a classic mignonette and a mango cucumber chili sauce for $20. Or opt for a dozen East Coast oysters, a set of nine Irish Oyster Kilpatricks, which are loaded with bacon, Irish cheddar and a hint of Guinness, or the Peruvian oysters, which come with aji amarillo, shallot-lime mojo, crème fraîche, paddlefish caviar, and chicharrones.

520 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006
(832) 409-5785
(832) 409-5785

Acme Oyster House

1201 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

Like its Louisiana counterpart, Acme Oyster House is a one-stop shop for oysters galore. Raw oysters are presented simply with lemon and spicy cocktail sauce, while dishes like the oyster tacos feature golden fried oysters tossed in chargrill butter and topped with slaw. Another unique option: a bowl of creamy oyster Rockefeller soup with Parmesan cheese and spinach. 

1201 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006
(346) 571-2071
(346) 571-2071

Caracol Restaurant

2200 Post Oak Blvd #160, Houston, TX 77056

Hugo Ortega’s Uptown restaurant Caracol is like an escape within the city, with coastal-inspired cuisine to match. The wood-roasted Gulf oysters topped with cheese and chipotle butter are among the best in town and are available by the half and full dozen. Prefer ‘em raw? Here, raw oysters on the half shell are presented with salsa bruja and lime. 

2200 Post Oak Blvd #160, Houston, TX 77056
(713) 622-9996
(713) 622-9996

Brennan's of Houston

3300 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006

At this iconic Midtown restaurant, bold Creole flavor is pumped into dishes like Jimmy’s Grilled Oysters, topped with jalapeños cornbread crumbs, and the Gulf fish Pontchartrain, topped with crispy Louisiana oysters. Care to venture beyond the Gulf? Raw East Coast oysters can be sampled in one of two seafood towers. Oyster fun fact: The famous Terms of Endearment scene in which Jack Nicholson’s character slurped chilled oysters in front of Shirley Maclaine’s was filmed at Brennan’s of Houston.

3300 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006
(713) 522-9711
(713) 522-9711
Brennan’s of Houston’s Jimmy’s Grilled Oysters dish, which is topped with jalapeno cornbread crumbs.
At Brennan’s, diners can expect oysters packed with Creole flavor.
Kimberly Park

State of Grace

3258 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098

This buzzy River Oaks restaurant boasts its own oyster room designed with premier oyster bar seating near all of the shucking action. Diners can choose between a hefty list of raw oysters from the Gulf Coast, East Coast, and Canada, or opt for roasted oysters with garlic and seaweed butter.

3258 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098
(832) 942-5080
(832) 942-5080

Winnie's

3622 Main St Suite A, Houston, TX 77002

A popular hangout with its playful decor and adjoining patio, Winnie’s is made for kicking back with fresh oysters and cocktails, presented in ice-filled treasure chests. Pick from raw or chargrilled varieties, which hail from both the East and Gulf coasts. Thursday night happy hour promises $1 Gulf oysters plus $5 happy hours until 5 p.m.

3622 Main St Suite A, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 520-0660
(713) 520-0660

Christie's Seafood & Steaks

6029 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77057

This Houston institution has been shelling out seafood favorites for more than 100 years, making it a foolproof destination for oysters. Pair cheesy oysters thermidor with oyster stew, and follow it up with a stacked oyster BLT po’ boy.

6029 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77057
(713) 978-6563
(713) 978-6563

Ragin' Cajun

4302 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77027

This time-honored destination run by the Mandola family should be on any oyster-eating bucket list. On top of raw and chargrilled options, the fried Gulf oyster po’ boy built on a traditional French baguette is a must-try.

4302 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77027
(713) 623-6321
(713) 623-6321

Tommy's Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar

2555 Bay Area Blvd, Houston, TX 77058

Harvesting its own oysters from Galveston Bay, this Clear Lake institution has been shelling out oysters in various ways for more than 30 years. Its oyster bar is plentifulFor a sample of its cooked offerings, order Tommy’s Trio, which comes with four oysters Rockefeller, four grilled oysters, and four grilled shrimp au gratin oysters that are topped with shrimp, jalapenos, and a cheesy sauce.

2555 Bay Area Blvd, Houston, TX 77058
(281) 480-2221
(281) 480-2221

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Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House

113 6th St, San Leon, TX 77539

It’s worth the trek to San Leon for a taste of some of the freshest Gulf oysters around. Run by Raz Halili, a second-generation oysterman whose family owns and operates Prestige Oysters, the restaurant offers multiple ways to indulge in the briny, buttery treat. In addition to raw oysters, Pier 6 offers oysters Rockefeller, crab gratin stuffed oysters, fiery oysters cooked with Sriracha and habanero butter, and cornmeal fried oyster baskets with coleslaw. Bivalve lovers can get the party started with the off-the-menu oyster flight. Hungry for more? Spring for the velvety Prestige Oyster chowder or the Fried Oysterman sandwich during lunch.

113 6th St, San Leon, TX 77539
(281) 339-1515
(281) 339-1515
Pier 6’s Fried Oysterman sandwich, where fried cornmeal-crusted oysters are loaded on Texas toast with lettuce and tomato.
Pier 6 offers oysters in myriad ways.
Kirsten Gilliam

Related Maps