, it’s rare to find a Southerner who doesn’t enjoy the taste of a good oyster. With plenty of natural reefs and oyster farms along the Gulf and East Coasts from Galveston Bay to the Chesapeake Bay, the South produces a wealth of oysters of all shapes, sizes, and flavors to be relished and’s Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana locations serve the plumpest Gulf oysters that are shucked continually throughout the day to preserve freshness. If you find yourself in Mississippi, we suggest stopping by in Jackson where oysters get dressed up with crawfish tails, bacon, and Parmesan in a rendition of oysters Lafitte. Traveling westward, we recommend scheduling a pit stop at for a laid-back atmosphere where slurping down raw oysters from Galveston Bay is encouraged. Over on the Florida Panhandle, you’ll find a humble outpost right off the highway in Port St. Joe. With roots dating back to the early 20th century, has used the passing decades to dish out oysters raw, steamed, and baked. Tucked away in Georgia, we have to thank for a robust list of raw oysters for those looking to try ’em all. From Little Honeys found in Florida to Maine’s Submarine oysters, this full-bodied menu allows you to travel the country from the comfort of an elegant leather-tufted booth. Nearby in Atlanta, , a landlocked fish camp experience, offers a menu as bright as its name (Tennesseans will enjoy The Optimist’s Nashville location). Oysters shine on seafood platters like The Refuge, featuring shrimp, ceviche, smoked fish dip, chilled lobster, and Jonah crab. Deep in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, you’ll find with peaceful scenic views and oysters from the marshes to savor and remember. To top off the list, we just had to include . This elegant Asheville spot evokes the nostalgia we feel for the coastal seafood restaurants we visited as children, making a dozen raw oysters taste even more satisfying. With a coastline so bountiful in these oval-shaped beauties, the list of oyster bars in the South could go on and on. But, for now, we leave you with these must-try seafood spots for a taste of the freshest crustaceans.
