There's nothing more tempting than a platter of freshly shucked raw oysters—except when those oysters come for just $1 a pop. Here's our guide to six of the best and briniest buck-a-shucks in Philadelphia.
Anastasi Seafood
Bella Vista
Anastasi Seafood, located on the corner of Washington and 9th streets, is a triple threat in Philadelphia's oyster scene with a restaurant, bar and fish market housed all in one place. During happy hour on Tuesday-Friday from 4-6pm, customers can chow down on oysters for $1, in addition to $1 clams, $4 crab cake sliders and $6 guacamole and chips. Drink specials include $5 draft beers and $4 house wine. Anastasi's has limited seating indoors but there are tables and chairs available outside so you can shuck some oysters, throw back a few drinks and people watch to your heart's content.
Devon Seafood Grill
Rittenhouse
This Rittenhouse Square seafood restaurant can be a bit pricey if you go during regular hours. However, stop by Sunday to Friday from 4-7pm and you'll snag deals that seem too good to be true. Oysters are $1 and diners will have the option to choose from several different types including Wianno from Cape Cod, Blue Point from Connecticut and more. Pair your oysters with an assortment of appetizers offered for $7.50 like calamari, Peruvian ceviche, a New England lobster roll and others, in addition to drink specials throughout the week.
Pro tip: If you can, try and ask for a table outside or near the front of the house so you can take in the view of Rittenhouse Square as the sun sets over the city.
Alla Spina
Fairmount
The family-owned Italian gastropub is known for its brunch menu, but did you know that it also offers $1 oysters during happy hour? Plus, on Sunday to Thursday from 4:30-6:30pm, chicken nuggets are $1 a piece, pretzels and french fries are half off and pig head bruschetta or fried cauliflower is $5 an order. Wash it all down with your choice of wine ($6), Negroni ($7) or fernet branca shots ($3). The business, which offers seating inside as well as additional tables on its expansive outdoor patio, is also a "haven for craft beers." Beer enthusiasts will be happy to hear that there are 20 different beers on tap, more than 50 bottled beers and an exclusive house beer from Victory, a local craft brewery.
Pennsylvania 6
Market East
The upscale seafood restaurant boasts a menu filled with contemporary American dishes and seafood specialties in a space that will "make you feel like you traveled back to the 30s." From 5-7pm during the work week, it offers six raw oysters for $6 along with additional offerings like white bean dip, spicy maple bacon peanuts, two Berkshire pork sliders and more for $6 each. Drink specials like the Treaty of Paris, Dr. Neville, Sparkling Sangria and others are also $6 a glass.
The Olde Bar
Old City
Owned and operated by Chef Jose Garces, the contemporary oyster bar and cocktail lounge is a "tribute to the city's storied past." The eatery, complete with an oyster bar near the front door, dark brown interior and red high top chairs, offers $1 oysters on Monday-Friday from 5-7pm and on the weekend from 4-6pm. Pair your oysters with $6 fish house punch, $5 wine or Baby BoB Stout, and $3 Miller High draft. If you're looking for more food offerings, there are additional snacks like beef fat fries, sautéed mussels, buffalo cauliflower and more for $5 each.
Oyster House
Rittenhouse Square
Located in the trendy Rittenhouse Square neighborhood, Oysters House has been one of the go-to places for oyster enthusiasts since it opened for business back in 1976. Customers can indulge themselves on $1 oysters, Monday to Friday from 5-7pm and on Saturday from 9-11pm, in addition to $1 clams and $3 beers. The trendy eatery only offers its happy hour specials at the bar, so we highly suggest arriving early to snag a seat since it tends to get crowded and boisterous early on.
Pro tip: If you don't like waiting 30-45 minutes for a drink and your group is okay with it, split the group in two and have some people grab a drink upstairs at Mission Taqueria's happy hour while others eat oysters downstairs.
