By Tori Wyffels

Fresh seafood can be hard to come by in Central New York despite the vibrant food scene. For oyster lovers like me, finding these hidden gems to satisfy that briny craving is no small feat. From seasonal oyster selections to happy hour discounts, use our guide to find the best quality oysters for the best price.

Best Deal

For inexpensive oysters on a fancy night out, look no further than The York. This New York City-inspired cocktail lounge in Armory Square offers both a raw bar and a seafood tower. While their daily oysters are usually $3.50 each, their happy hour  offers “Buck-a-Shuck” oysters at $1 per oyster. The quality of these oysters may not be up to par with more of our upscale selections, but they are decent considering the price. Note that parties are limited to one dozen oysters at a time. The York’s happy hour specials run weekdays from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm. 

Best Location

If you’re looking for a swanky location with seasonal oyster deals, turn to LM Social and Lemongrass. These restaurants have larger dining spaces for bigger groups and extensive menus to cater to all eating styles. The pricing and availability of oysters does depend on the market, so consider calling in advance. LM Social tends to offer discounted oyster deals during their happy hour and reverse happy hour, which runs Tuesday – Thursday: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm, Friday – Saturday: 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm, and Friday – Saturday: 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm. Currently, happy hour deals are $1.25 per oyster, and reverse happy hour deals are $2.25 per oyster. Lemongrass oyster prices change daily. 

Best Quality

Arad Evans Inn and The Brewster Inn offer the most expensive oysters on our guide, but they are sure to blow your mind. Arad Evans Inn is located in Fayetteville off East Genesee Street and offers three dining experiences. Their seafood is sustainably farmed,  freshness. The dish is $14 and served with three oysters, each coming in at roughly $4.60. While this is a steep price, the quality is incredible. The Brewster Inn offers two oyster dishes: raw oysters on the half-shell, and oysters with tuna toro ceviche. Both are East Coast oysters, with the first coming in at $4 per oyster and the second at $8 per oyster. If you’re looking to splurge, these two locations are for you.