Downtown on the corner of Jones and West streets lies a true Raleigh institution. Originally a grocery store offering oysters and draft beer, 42nd St. Oyster Bar and Seafood Grill has been bringing the taste of the Carolina coast inland since 1931. Hour-long lines made up of state politicians, Old Raleigh's finest and Triangle visitors, all assembled here for seafood delicacies caught by 42nd St.'s own boats off Southport, N.C., attest to the enduring difference that fresh-off-the-boat fish can make. Servers clad in red suspenders and bowties scurry across the black-and-white tiled floor amid the art deco décor, running out each steaming plate as soon as it's ready. (The goal is shortest time from ocean to plate, you see.) The dining room is fairly loud, especially when the after-work crowd starts filling up the bar area, but the service has a reputation for excellence. Recommendations include steamed oysters, seafood bisque and twin lobster tails. Classic Southern sides include black-eyed peas, collard greens and cheese potatoes. A lengthy list of beer includes multiple local brews.
"Start with the seafood bisque, then stick with chef David Greenwell's
simple seafood offerings - bacon-wrapped scallops, rare grilled tuna
with sesame ginger sauce, oysters on the half shell, steamed shrimp,
oyster stew, plain grilled fish - or the baked oyster specialties
(Rockefeller, Casino, and "42nd Street" with spicy butter and bacon)."
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Gayot Live music Fri-Sat nights. Full bar. Serving dinner nightly.
ADDRESS
508 W Jones St ,
Raleigh, NC 27603
LOCALEATS AWARDS
Top 100 Restaurant
Best Oysters in Raleigh
WHAT WE SAY
Downtown on the corner of Jones and West streets lies a true Raleigh institution. Originally a grocery store offering oysters and draft beer, 42nd St. Oyster Bar and Seafood Grill has been bringing the taste of the Carolina coast inland since 1931. Hour-long lines made up of state politicians, Old Raleigh's finest and Triangle visitors, all assembled here for seafood delicacies caught by 42nd St.'s own boats off Southport, N.C., attest to the enduring difference that fresh-off-the-boat fish can make. Servers clad in red suspenders and bowties scurry across the black-and-white tiled floor amid the art deco décor, running out each steaming plate as soon as it's ready. (The goal is shortest time from ocean to plate, you see.) The dining room is fairly loud, especially when the after-work crowd starts filling up the bar area, but the service has a reputation for excellence. Recommendations include steamed oysters, seafood bisque and twin lobster tails. Classic Southern sides include black-eyed peas, collard greens and cheese potatoes. A lengthy list of beer includes multiple local brews.
WHAT THEY SAY
"Start with the seafood bisque, then stick with chef David Greenwell's
simple seafood offerings - bacon-wrapped scallops, rare grilled tuna
with sesame ginger sauce, oysters on the half shell, steamed shrimp,
oyster stew, plain grilled fish - or the baked oyster specialties
(Rockefeller, Casino, and "42nd Street" with spicy butter and bacon)."
-
Gayot
ADDITIONAL INFO
Live music Fri-Sat nights. Full bar. Serving dinner nightly.