If you’re craving some salty, briny goodness, there are a number of restaurants in Jersey City serving fresh shucked oysters. The oysters here are just as good, if not better, than some of the places you’ll find in Manhattan!
We all know oysters aren’t particularly cheap, but some of Jersey City’s restaurants have Happy Hour deals with oysters as cheap as $1. So if you can get out of work early, it’s possible to slurp as many oysters as you want without breaking the bank.
Here’s where to find the best oysters in Jersey City.
Light Horse Tavern/Lobster Garage
Among the best oysters we’ve tasted are those served at Light Horse Tavern. Their raw bar features a good selection of oysters, including Blue Point, Wellfleet, Island Creek, and Eros. Oysters range from $3 to $3.50 per oyster, or you can get a dozen assorted oysters for $36. They’re super fresh, and if you visit on a Sunday you’ll be treated to live music.
If you don’t mind sitting outside and are looking for a quick meal, head to Lobster Garage – a casual restaurant owned by the folks at Light Horse Tavern. Happy Hour runs from 4pm to 6pm Monday to Friday and features $2 oysters, as well as $6 wines, $2 off frozen drinks and $2 off pints.
Greene Hook
If you’re looking for a good oyster happy hour, Greene Hook offers half price Blue Point oysters between 4pm and 6pm. This lively neighborhood bar is popular with the after work crowd and features an outdoor terrace, as well as multiple TVs and a shuffleboard table.
Just BeClaws
Run by the Tran brothers, Just BeClaws serves Southern cuisine with a Vietnamese influence in a down-to-earth, family style setting.
The menu features 6 oysters for $14, plus a wide variety of Southern-style seafood items including oyster po’boys, lobster rolls, southern fried catfish and lobster mac n cheese.
theBoil
theBoil is a cajun seafood restaurant serving oysters, chilled lobster and a whole host of cajun dishes, including gumbo, catfish sliders, crab cakes and BBQ crawfish baskets. Try their Kumamoto oysters, which are known for their sweet, fruity melon-scented flavor. Happy Hour price is $12 for a half a dozen oysters, while regular is $24.
Lokal
Lokal offers one of the best oyster Happy Hours in Jersey City, with $1 oysters between 4pm and 6pm. This venue is ultra chic and modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows revealing jaw-dropping views of the Manhattan skyline. Seriously, pop along at sunset and the experience is quite magical.
Edward’s Steakhouse
In the mood for some surf ‘n’ turf? Edward’s Steakhouse is a local institution serving juicy steaks and fresh seafood. Housed in an 1800s renovated building, Edward’s has a cozy, intimate atmosphere with a mahogany bar and friendly bartenders. Oysters here are $2.75 per oyster or $27 for one dozen.
Fire & Oak
Situated in the Westin Hotel near Newport PATH, Fire & Oak serves new American cuisine in a sleek, modern setting. On the menu you’ll find Beausoleil and Blue Point oysters, as well as burgers, sushi rolls and steaks. Happy Hour is Monday through Friday 3pm to 6pm, and includes Blue Point oysters on the half shell for $2 a piece.
The Hamilton Inn
Want to find the best oyster happy hour deal in town? Look no further than The Hamilton Inn, which offers $1 oysters on Wednesdays from 4pm to 10pm. If you can’t make it for Happy Hour, regular price is $3 for Blue Points and $4 for Kumamotos.
Honshu
One of Jersey City’s best sushi restaurants, Honshu, serves fresh oysters in the traditional way, or you can get them with gastronomy ponzu foam and scallion. The Happy Hour menu features $1 off any oyster of the day, along with $6 Japanese whiskeys, $5 sakes and small dishes for around $5.
Batello
Batello is a beautiful fine dining restaurant located on Jersey City’s waterfront, and is popular for date nights, weddings and special occasions. The menu has a seafood focus, with oysters for $4 each, or you can get half a dozen dressed oysters for $32. A little on the pricier side, but you’re paying for the experience.
They also offer a seafood tower, as well as a variety of fish dishes. Think fresh crudo, grilled shrimp, lobster ravioli, grilled branzino and Nantucket diver scallops.
Scale Fish Market
If you want to purchase some fresh fish to cook at home, look no further than Scale Fish Market. This fish market sells all kinds of fish, including salmon, tuna, halibut and branzino. They also have a small bar area where you can dine in, and on Thursdays they serve freshly shucked oysters for $1.50 ($1 if you take them home to go).
Hudson & Co
This Jersey City waterfront restaurant is known for its seafood and has beautiful views of the Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline. The menu features chilled East Coast and West Coast oysters, which come with mignonette and cocktail sauce. Other menu items include sushi rolls, pizzas, steaks, seafood pasta and pressed young chicken.
Maritime Parc
Situated by the Liberty Landing Marina near Liberty State Park, Maritime Parc is a spacious fine dining restaurant with coastal vibes. The restaurant features an open kitchen and views of the Hudson River, as well as a split level stone patio with space for 100 people.
Dishes at Maritime Parc are made with the best local, organic ingredients and there’s a raw bar featuring fresh, local shellfish. On Thursday nights from 5.30pm to 10pm, diners can enjoy the OBB Special – half a dozen oysters plus a draft beer or a glass of wine, along with a burger and duck fat fries – for just $29 per person. Quite a steal! The main dinner menu also features grilled oysters with bacon, leeks and cream for $18.
The Kitchen Step
The Kitchen Step is frequently listed as one of the best restaurants in Jersey City, and it definitely serves one of the best brunches in town.
If you visit during Happy Hour (5pm to 6.30pm), you can enjoy ½ dozen oysters with cucumber mignonette for $10, as well as $10 cocktails, $8 wines and $5 beers.
Madame
This cozy French restaurant is currently run by the folks behind Cellar 335 and is a good spot for a romantic date night. On the menu you’ll find a number of French-inspired dishes, including escargot, steak frites, beef tartare, and moules frites.
Among the appetizers are east and west coast oysters, which cost around $4 to $4.50. If you want a bit of extra flavor, you can add cucumber and fresno chili mignonette for $1.
Liberty Prime Steakhouse
Liberty Prime is a classic American steakhouse serving dry-aged steak and fresh seafood in an upscale setting. The restaurant’s raw bar features oysters of the day (market price), shrimp cocktail, lobster, crab meat and clams. Delish!
That completes our list of the best oysters in Jersey City! For more dining inspiration, check out our lists of the best Korean restaurants, the best steakhouses, and the best sushi spots in Jersey City.
