Follow along as we explore the restaurant scene of the winter's most sought-after seafood season - Gulf oysters! From classic oyster bars to upscale eateries, we'll take you on an adventure, uncovering the diverse and delectable ways these morsels are prepared and enjoyed in the heart of Cajun & Creole country. From raw to fried and even charbroiled, there are so many ways to enjoy the fruits of the Gulf. It's worth noting that, like many locally caught and harvested seafood, there is a season where you're more likely to find raw oysters served in restaurants, typically from September through April. However, restaurants have recently turned to farm-raised, off-the-bottom oysters as a delicious year-round alternative.
Don't see your favorite oyster place on the list? Send us an email and we'll be sure to add them.
Don's Seafood
Right on Johnston Street in the heart of Lafayette, Don's is well known for its oysters. They're offered in various flavors, including on the half shell, charbroiled with parmesan cheese, and jacked up (charbroiled with bacon, jalapenos, and pepperjack cheese.) Look for deals on raw oysters during peak oyster season, usually in December.
Drago's Seafood Restaurant
You don't have to travel to New Orleans to enjoy the famous Drago's oysters. The crowd favorite is charbroiled, but they offer them raw and on a fried platter.
Cafe Josephine
Make the short trip to Cafe Josephine in Sunset, an upscale, cozy diner spot featuring steaks, seafood, and oysters. Start your meal with the tasty appetizer Zydeco Oysters, fried oysters topped with spicy mayo, pepper jelly, and sriracha. Then, sample to your heart's desire through the various ways Cafe Josephine serves up their half-shelled bites: classic charbroiled, the duo, or the trio. The trio features oysters topped with creamed spinach and housemade bacon, seafood ettouffee, and creamy lump crabmeat.
Uncle T's Oyster Bar
Located just down the road in Scott, Uncle T's Oyster Bar represents its namesake well. Along with fried and raw oysters, they have a charbroiled menu with different flavor combinations. Try the NOLA, charbroiled topped with garlic butter and shredded parmesan cheese. The firecracker is topped with pepperjack cheese, jalapeno, and bacon. If you're feeling adventurous, go for the classic candy - oysters topped with zydeco sauce, candied jalapenos, and pepperjack cheese or go big with le bon cochon, oysters topped with boudin, pepperjack and creole mustard. Want to try them all? Go with the Holly Beach slammer.
Fezzo’s Seafood, Steakhouse and Oyster Bar
Fezzo's is a locally owned restaurant chain with multiple locations around Acadiana. Whether you're in Broussard, Crowley, or Scott, you can find a Fezzo's. You're in luck during oyster season because Fezzo's has an extensive menu. Offering the classics raw and charbroiled, they don't stop there. You can also try the Oysters Rockefeller, charbroiled topped with spinach, artichokes, and butter sauce, or the Monterey jack oysters, topped with Monterey jack cheese, jalapeno peppers, butter sauce, and bacon, or try all three charbroiled flavors.
Vestal Restaurant
If you're looking for an upscale date night for the oyster-loving couple, Vestal is hip and trendy. Start your meal off with raw oysters or Vestal's spin on what they're calling roasted oysters - grilled oysters topped with togarashi butter, pecorino, furikake, and Szechuan.
