New York City

Personal Rating from * (Blah, avoid) to * * * * * (Fabulous, must go)

Akariba (website) – *
77 North 6th Street between Wythe & Kent Avenue (Brooklyn)
Intimate, low-key, but must order 6 pcs of same oyster at once and chef prefers to RINSE the oysters

Aquagrill (website) – * * * * *
210 Spring Street at 6th Avenue
Outdoor dining, lively, decent selection of oysters ($2.10-3.20/ea); waitstaff is not as knowledgeable

Back Forty (website) – * * *
190 Avenue B at 12th Street
Charming and exceedingly delicious restaurant with a nice selection of oysters

Balthazar (website) – * * * *
80 Spring Street between Broadway and Crosby
Chic and sceney bistro that serves east and west coast oysters … have had fantastic Belons there! 

DBGB Kitchen + Bar (website) – * * * *
299 Bowery Street between Houston and 1st Street
Chic, great selection, wonderful service, and plenty of beers and wines to pair your mollusks with

The Dutch (website) – * * * *
131 Sullivan Street at Prince Street
A small, but satisfying selection of oysters ($3/ea) and must-try little fried oyster sandwiches

Essex Restaurant (website) – * * * *
120 Essex Street at Rivington Street
Good selection of oysters, knowledgeable staff, great for brunch and private events

Fish (website) – * * * *
280 Bleecker Street at Jones Street
6 Blue Points or 6 Clams on the half shell with house wine or PBR for $8… can’t find a better deal

Goat Town (website) – *
511 East 5th Street at Avenue A
Hip LES restaurant with oyster bar in the back, happy hour: 6 oysters + muscadet for $20

Grand Central Oyster Bar (website) – * *
89 E. 42nd Street at Vanderbilt Avenue
Historic, nostalgic, great for groups, hit or miss oysters/shucking/presentation

Jack’s Luxury Oyster Bar - * *
101 2nd Ave between 5th & 6th Street
Cozy and romantic; good oyster sizes for beginners–nothing too ostentatious

The John Dory Oyster Bar (website) – * * *
1196 Broadway at 29th Street in the Ace Hotel
Airy, chic venue with about half a dozen oyster varieties ($3/ea), delicious small plates

L&W Oyster Co (website) – * * * *
254 Fifth Avenue and 28th Street
A great place for oysters and then a killer seafood dinner… don’t miss out on the BK clam chowder! 

The Leadbelly (website) – * * *
14B Orchard Street at Canal Street
Pre-game with some tasty oysters and liquor before heading across the street to The Fat Radish

Lure Fishbar (website) – * * * *
142 Mercer Street at Prince Street
Fantastic happy hour menu, great oyster selection, swanky setting that’s perfect for groups

Maison Premiere (website) – * * * *
298 Bedford Avenue btw South First & Grand Street (Brooklyn)
New Orleans charm, backyard garden, and a brilliant selection of oysters & absinthe

Marea (website) – * * * *
240 Central Park South
Gorgeous setting, impeccable shucking, beautiful presentation–a high class seafood experience

Mermaid Oyster Bar (website) – * * * *
79 MacDougal Street btw Bleecker & Houston Street
Charming, intimate, perfect date place, I’m addicted to the $1 oyster happy hour

Upstate Craft Beer & Oyster Bar (website) – * * * *
95 1st Avenue at 6th Street
Cozy, amazing selection, great shucking, reasonable prices ($2.50 per piece), craft-beer enthusiast haven 

Walter Foods (website) – * * * *
253 Grand Street at Roebling Street (Brooklyn)
Casual setting, great booths for four, deliciously savory oyster selection

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Washington D.C.

Hank’s Oyster Bar (website) – * * * * *
1624 Q Street Northwest
1026 King Street, Alexandria
Great brunch, charming locale, friendly staff, excellent selection

Pearl Dive Oyster Palace (website) – * * * * *
1612 14th Street NW
Amazing brunch, expertly curated oyster selection (min. of 1/2 doz per variety order)

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San Francisco

Hog Island Oyster Bar (website) – * * * * *
The Ferry Building Marketplace, One Ferry Building
Divine local selection of oysters (must try Hog Island Kumamoto’s and Sweetwaters)

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Seattle

Elliott’s Oyster House (website) – * * * *
Pier 56,  1201 Alaskan Way
Oceanview outdoor seating, happy hour  starts at 3pm with 75 cent oysters

Taylor Shellfish Farms Melrose Market (website) – * * * * *
1521 Melrose Avenue
Eat in or take home, array of fresh shellfish and crustaceans, perfect wine pairings

The Walrus and the Carpenter (website) – * * * * *
4743 Ballard Avenue NW
Great selection of local oysters, coolest shucker ever, amazing food

Toulouse Petit Kitchen & Lounge (website) – * * * * *
601 Queen Anne Avenue North
Fresh and oven roasted local oysters, insane late night happy hour menu

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London

Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill (website) – * * * *
11-15 Swallow Street btw Regent and Piccadilly Street
Intimate, good selection, great location (for shopping afterward)

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Paris

Brasserie Flottes (website) – * * * *
2, rue Cambon at Rue de Rivoli
Fantastic oyster towers, great selection of flats and Pacifics

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Brussels

Belga Queen (website) – * * * * *
Wolvengracht 32
Opulent, wide selection, warning: they don’t cut the abductor muscle

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Hong Kong

Mandarin Grill + Bar (website) – * * * *
5 Connaught Road
Elegant oyster bar, memorable amuse-bouches, eclectic selection, must try sashimi plate as well

Oyster Station (website) – * * * * *
31 Bridges Street
Cozy (15-person bar), selection of 12 from around the world, fantastic fresh seafood

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Tokyo

Fish House Oyster Bar (website) – * * * *
Belle Ebisu M1F 1-3-11 Ebisu-Nishi, Shibuya-Ku
Amazing selection of Japanese, Australian and European oysters; good place for groups & families