Bristol Oyster Bar

Edit: Went in last night with my girlfriends, we got to taste some new menu items and fell in love! Always a great experience and the food levels up with each update. I love being able to try a variety of things when dining out, that’s why this new menu is right up my alley. I started with some oysters, and then got a few small plates to fill up. I ended up leaving full and still had some leftovers. Highly recommend the crudo trio, beef tartar and brandade! If you’re an espresso martini fan like me, you will be happy to find an entire section of flavors to try, plus the bartender, Nadia, and the entire staff is wonderful! Can’t wait to come back and try more of the menu.

Bartender sam made amazing margaritas and was a little cutie patootie! Bria was super attentive to her tables and Ian is just a vibe. The shucker was fast but still gave us clean oysters and had a smile on his face all night! Host Lydia was adorable and very accommodating to my seating preferences. Food was a 10/10 and the kitchen staff even came out to see how we were doing. Love this place, will be back again!

What is there to say- Bristol Oyster Bar exceeded my wildest expectations! The oysters were delightful, local and freshly plucked from the sea. Also they were shucked to perfection, expertly separated from the shell and without any gritty fragments. The calamari was perfectly cooked and prepared with a unique and absolutely delicious combination of flavors- Thai chili lemongrass and sweet soy. There were chopped peanuts as well that added some lovely texture to the dish. Next was the beef tartare, a first for myself. It was expertly diced, and marinated in a wonderful vinegar based dressing with thinly sliced shallots. The focaccia toast was a smart addition to the dish and added a perfectly placed crunch to the experience. Lastly, the swordfish with sticky rice and coconut curry simply blew my mind; I will be thinking about it for many days to come. The curry broth was a complete flavor bomb, the rice was expertly cooked, and the swordfish was grilled to perfection. When everything was had together in unison as a perfect bite, it was unlike anything I’ve ever had in the best possible way. My husband and I were celebrating our wedding, and Chef Tom made a point to come and talk with us throughout the evening. Our server Samantha was sweet as can be, informative, and attentive. And Steven, one of the cooks, also came to deliver our dishes and give detailed descriptions of what we were about to dig into. I highly recommend Bristol Oyster Bar, it was one of the best meals I’ve had in dare I say years, and I cannot wait to come back and try the rest of the menu! Thank you for such a memorable experience, we won’t soon forget it!!!

Martini was skimpy and tasted watered down. Perhaps shaken too vigorously. Oysters were half price but were so small they had hardly any taste or flavor. Probably harvested early and less expensive to buy. Charged extra for condiments. Really! Chowder was mostly broth. Clam casinos were small and over baked. Bar did not have a friendly vibe. The restaurant did respond to my review which is positive. First and foremost, I do take these reviews seriously and would never do anything to purposely damage the reputation of a restaurant. However, after spending~$60 and it se it fail on so many levels I felt compelled to respond. In response to their response, I did some further research with the following results. 1. Age absolutely affects oyster size. 2. Cold water makes oysters firmer, sweeter and safer to eat. Respectfully submitted.

I had only been to the Providence location before tonight, and I had high expectations for this restaurant given my previous experience. It did not disappoint! The drinks ( margarita and " the bees knees" ) were delicious! Though the drinks were fantastic, they had nothing in comparison to the tasty oysters, crab cake and the Fluke ( not pictured here). I will definitely be coming back to try more of their unique dishes and explore the town! Service was also excellent! Our waitress was very polite and kind!

Always delicious place to get local oysters. Tonight they had five different choices of oyster. Staff was friendly and knowledgeable. I sampled 2 of each oyster, then got the swordfish over saffron rice. The oysters were of a good variety. The swordfish over saffron was buttery and tasty though could have been more flavorful. The octopus was delicious. The sauce and chorizo were perfectly paired with the tenderness of the octopus. Has an apple turnover for dessert. It was very good with their housemaid ice cream.

Amazing experience. The selection of oysters is fantastic, the shuckers present them beautifully, and each type has its unique taste. Best oyster raw bar I've ever been to (just laid waste to a dozen and a half on my most recent visit). Staff are fantastic (including the owner who knows and farms oysters himself), the vibe is upbeat, and the full menu is appealing to all tastes. Highly recommended!!.... ... Was back for a spring afternoon lunch in the outdoor tent. Laid waste to a dozen oysters, an IPA, and the lamb entree, like Napoleon taking Europe. Excellent food, service, and overall atmosphere, as always.

Our favorite place in Bristol RI . Very simple decor , relaxing and most important part - absolutely delish. That place has the best chef who is very talented, creative- bravo! Went maybe 4/5 time now - excellent every time .

Burrata cheese salad with a twist... bacon and watermelon? Yes! Clam chowder because when in New England is imperative to have it every day. Tuna poke and steak frites for entrees great choice as well.service and ambience were grand Thanks Bristol for the great culinary experience.

We have not tried every oyster spot in RI yet but this is clearly a winner. Always a nice selection of fresh oysters (4 types available today). We had a casual Sunday "brunch" enjoying their 1/2 price oysters (from noon to 2 PM). Had 6 of 3 types. A few drinks. Entrees were butternut squash bisque and Statler chicken. Street parking nearby. Service always good. You will not be disappointed. Damages with tip was $110 (oyster savings was $31).

Everything delicious We'll be back again and again and.... You get the gist. I have to have more characters in this post so. It was Soooooo good!!!!

The Bristol Oyster Bar is housed in a huge brick building that was formerly a YMCA. The bar was full so we opted to eat on the patio. They have added a heated tent to the front patio to be able to continue serving out there during cold weather. The oysters were delicious, the service was attentive. We will definitely return for more oysters!

Was visiting family in area and we dined at this location. Oysters on the half shell is why we went, and I must say they have a large selection of local suppliers. It was hard deciding which was best as they were all excellent. Advise is stick with the oysters items out of kitchen are hit or miss.

Food was cooked perfectly. Scallops were excellent. Oysters were medium and tender. Sat at the bar and the service was spot on. Restaurant is downtown Bristol take a stroll.

The food is awesome. The people are very nice and the place is clean. From the outside, the building looks very nice and cool. The food did not take long and the food was better than I thought! This place is extremely good if you like seafood and meat. The meat and seafood here is so good! I totally recommend this restaurant.

Cute little space, delicious and fresh local food, great service! They have a huge selection of local oysters and food from local farms and businesses. Just about every dish had really great and balanced flavor profiles!! So impressed! Awesome apps: OYSTERS CASINO: 6 aquidneck farm oysters topped with house bacon, focaccia breadcrumbs, and herb butter BRAISED PORK BELLY: gochujang glaze, caramelized baby bok choy, fried rice (amazing), and sesame brittle NATIVE CRAB & GUANCIALE ARANCINI: jonah crab meat, arborio rice, parmesan, crispy guanciale, adobo aioli, pickled shallot, and chervil Amazingggg entree: PAN SEARED FLUKE: with mushroom-parmesan risotto, wilted baby spinach, meyer lemon vinaigrette, and topped with fried parsley

my husband and i have been here a couple of times. The first time we came was bit dissatisfied because they ignored our special anniversary . ( not a word of it ) but food was almost excellent (just because oyster Rockefeller were too salty) even dessert, apple galette was super good. This review was in August ( forgot to write) For the Appetizer, I got octopus, (carrot noodles came was salty) my husband got crab cake. They were both good. main I got salmon with zucchini noodles, it was not seen much of noodles under the salmon, not enough food for the main, as for appetizer size ? my husband got chicken and he was happy. Dessert was just a huge chocolate cake, it wasn't good at all not fresh , store bought looks. it was sad

Totally disappointing. Went for my daughter's birthday celebration. Was served three dozen cold shellfish and had to wait over 5 minutes to get the appropriate sauces brought to the table. Three Ny strips were ordered and again waited over five minutes to get steak knives. Chicken strips and French fries were ordered immediately upon sitting to avoid a meltdown . Meltdown happened and my daughter had to leave the restaurant to regulate him. 25 minutes later chicken came out. 5 more minutes for ketchup...

Wow, what an amazing experience from start to finish. From top to bottom this place is doing it right. Just excellence at every level of what it takes to be a top rated restaurant. The food: just amazing, I went with my mother and wife and each of us loved what we got. I had swordfish and it was just perfectly cooked, fresh and the bean ragout that came with it was perfect to add some moisture to the dish. My mom had the scallops, they were plump, juicy sweet and again perfectly cooked. My wife had the street corn crab cake which was a combination I had never heard of and thought was just so creative to begin with. It was delicious and interesting to combine those two foods. Our server Lily was delightful, the other servers were also delightful in that they were literally smiling while they worked, as in wow these people actually enjoy their jobs!! Such a nice experience for us all and since my mom is 84, I am aware that every experience we have should be memorable, that we need to make the most of our time left together. This place is a little slice of heaven and I will I'm sure look back on our dinner there as a truly happy memory.

Such a cute quaint spot, only 6 tables so you definitely need to make reservations ahead of time! We started with Bristol bay raw oysters and then the fried oysters, both were so good. I got the crab cake as my entree, it was phenomenal, my boyfriend got the duck and he loved it. To finish the peach cobbler and the crème brûlée we're phenomenal. All in all a fantastic meal, good service and cute atmosphere!

Oysters and littlenecks to start. Martini and cocktail both perfect. Entrees very solid, zero complaints! Can't wait to come back

Housed in a very pretty building, getting outside seats here during the nicer weather times is essential. Not sure how to explain it, but the inside doesn't have much ambiance at all and the chairs are quite uncomfortable. Service is stellar, overall. The menu is small, but that lends focus to each of the offerings. They list where they get their fish and farm products etc, so you know there is a lot of care going into everything you are eating, and the price point is quite fair, to boot. Ironic given they specialize in being an oyster bar, but the pork belly was the standout.

The baked oysters were out of this world! And the fluke was phenomenal! Service was excellent! We can't wait to go back!

What a great experience. Ian our waiter was candid and very attentive, making dinner even better. It's a relaxed vibe inside but the food was far from relaxed. Easily the best crab cake we've ever had, and the calamari with the sausage was interesting and delicious. Main courses of fluke and tuna were super fresh and also very tasty. If anyone is in the Bristol area this place is a must try.

Charming spot for a quick lunch. I enjoyed some delightful oysters shucked to perfection (no shells, intact with all their juices). The calamari app was plenty to share. A tad over seasoned with salt and a bit overdone, the corn meal batter was a nice touch. I can see that they would be tender if just taken out a little sooner. Had some fish tacos after reading reviews that they were fabulous. Some fried pieces of white fish were a somewhat soggy and lacked any crisp coating. The flavors were nice just lacked an interesting texture. The service was stellar. I might go back as the space was beautiful. Maybe an off day?

Love this spot. The oysters are the freshest. The wine selection is good. And they do a mean Guinness to accompany the oysters!

10/10 service. Ask for Sam if you want the best experience!! Every request was accommodated timely and my entire evening was very enjoyable! The oysters were fresh and the drinks were probably the best I've had in a while! I highly recommend the espresso martini!! I love the atmosphere and everyone working gave me a smile! If you're looking for great service and quality food you've found the right place :)

We find ourselves making an annual pilgrimage to Bristol in large part because of the Oyster Bar. Their 1/2 price raw bar happy hour and seasonal cocktails literally has us planning our stay around their hours and we make sure to be in town on a Wednesday or Thursday so we can enjoy their entire selection of oysters. The staff is always friendly and we have dined both inside and street side. I do like to sit at the bar and marvel at the amount of oysters their crew can shuck. Thief dinner menu has a nice selection of local produce, but to be honest I usually end up ordering a salad or the tacos because I have eaten 2 or 4 dozen oysters by the time we get around to ordering.

Oysters are fresh and the beer is cold. This place has great seafood and good drinks. The only issue is the dining room has a very strange setup. Not very good flow through. Besides the oysters, the crab cake is quite nice.

Tiny spot with huge flavors. Sorry I don't have pictures because we devoured the food. Get the octopus - I could have eaten multiple platefuls of it. We were just there for apps and a glass of wine... but we will be back for dinner and I will try to snag a picture and update then.

A few years back, I made a poor review due to an issue with the acoustics in the main dining area. This issue has long since been corrected. This is one of my favorite restaurants in Bristol. The food is always on point. The drink menu is perfect. No matter the season, this place rocks! Check it out.

We drove to Bristol to see what we could find in the way of seafood and stopped here. The location is quite charming, and you can see the water a bit from the sidewalk seats where we sat. They take reservations, but they aren't required. We got the calamari for an appetizer - it was perfection with a little bit of jalapeño peppers thrown in. For our main food we got the special - fettuccini oysters with white sauce and the atlantic salmon. It was fresh, flavorful, and tastefully presented. The seafood is locally sourced, which not only provides the freshest food but also supports our neighbors. The ONLY negative was the lack of bread. All that delightful sauce at the bottom of the bowl with no way to keep it from going to waste, other than slurping the bowl like a child. Being on the sidewalk, there aren't too many people watching, so you could possibly get away with this... Afterwards we walked around (which I totally recommend doing... stop by Hotpoint Emporium down the street to admire and support local artwork...) and looked longingly at the pubs and eateries serving their customers bread - delightfully lightly toasted garlic buttered bread. If we only had bread, it would be absolute perfection. Would I return and recommend? Absolutely yes. Would I also stash a baguette in my purse? Also yes.

Loved everything but the wasabi martini. Server was friendly, food was good, and atmosphere was nice

Boisterous atmosphere. Full bar. Fine wine list. Very fresh shellfish and a limited menu of notably tasty small and large plates. Based on our single experience at the Bristol Oyster Bar, its wait staff is attentive, responsive, able to explain its "Oyster Madness" tasting offer coherently, and willing to retrieve information about culinary methods from the chef when asked. The oysters are wonderfully fresh (and, as you would expect in Bristol, the littlenecks taste as though they are right out of Narragansett Bay. Maybe they are.). The grilled octopus small plate is memorably tender. The cod loin is deliciously firm. If the rest of the menu is cooked with equal skill, the Bristol Oyster Bar qualifies as a small culinary gem. For what it is, this oyster bar is about as good as it gets. It's worth finding your way to it even in the dark, which is sadly not intuitive. On a dank, foggy night It may not be obvious to anyone how to enter the restaurant, not easy for the fit , and a challenge for the feeble. Make a reservation and plan to park in the back of the building -- a left off Court Street.

I had high hopes for this place. It may have been an off night will give it another shot soon

Ate here during first week of April on our vacation. Couldn't make into another place closer to our rental so we called and they added our party of 5 "as long as we were out before 7:00" as there was another reservation then. This was one of the best chance happening of our trip! This place is FANTASTIC!! Our server had all kinds of great energy and wicked good knowledge of the 6 different fresh oyster options for the night. We ended up getting a wide sampling of all of them and they did not disappoint one bit. Main dishes were elegant and well portioned for the price. The pan seared cod was beautifully cooked and, although the risotto had perhaps a bit too much dill, was perfectly executed. My gnocchi dish was some of the best I've eaten outside of Italy. The other people in our party split the fried oysters and crab cake as a meal and left barely a crumb on the plate while practically licking their plates clean. The pork belly was good but not to the level of the other dishes. Highly recommend the key lime cheesecake and crème brûlée for dessert as well. We made it through the multitude of courses in time for the next reservation too BTW. I will say about the only thing that makes this place a challenge is its indoor seating. There's just not a whole lot of indoor seating, so get a reservation ahead. I'm sure in the summer it's an amazing place to sit outside and eat!

Disappointed . Husband and I were here Saturday early evening. It was not busy. It was so hot inside we asked if we could sit outside hostess said tables were all reserved some remained empty the whole time. Water glasses and silverware were dirty. Oysters were gritty . Husband ordered the scallop dish came with 3 scallops delicious but the mushrooms were so tough you couldn't eat. Dish looked like an appetizer. I had the pork dinner and the BBQ aus jus was so salty it ruined the sides pork was perfectly cooked but while chewing found cartilage or bones couldn't get past that and stopped eating . Did have 2 beers and an amazing martini ! Our waiter was very nice but first time ever a waitstaff did not ask how the meal was. $definitely not worth the $185 spent ! From the great reviews we looked forward to dining here . Left hungry and so hot !! Maybe it was an off night !

Had heard how great this was so we stopped on November 12. There was no one seated at a table and the patio area was also empty. There were people sitting at the bar. It seemed several people were in the kitchen, but suddenly there appeared to be some sort of disagreement between people. 45 minutes after our order went in, we were still waiting on food, it's difficult to tell but I don't think there is a refrigerator in the area where they cook because they came in and out of the area by the restroom which didn't even have soap in it. Our oysters and shrimp from the cold bar were incredible. The lamb looked like it had been over cooked and set, the vegetables were shriveled up on the plate. Had it not taken 45 minutes to get food, we would've sent it back. Our server was great, but seemed very concerned that the kitchen was not getting food out. Poor experience for our first time .

The food, service and ambiance is wonderful. But, their inside chairs are hard metal and are terrible for sitting more than 30 minutes!

If you're visiting Bristol, you need to go here. If you're a local- this should be your go-to spot for a delicious meal out. The menu changes seasonally so that only the best and freshest ingredients are used. Everything we had we loved! So much so we went back the next night...! The staff was friendly and the service was excellent. Eating here was definitely the highlight food-wise of our week in Rhode Island! What a gem!

Wonderful dinner. Best fish sandwich I have had in years. The scallops were amazing. Original cocktails were delicious. Can't wait to visit Bristol Oyster Bar again.

I stopped in on mothers day solo, was seated at the bar. Downloaded menu. Surrounded by plexiglass..all of this was within "normal" present day standards...unfortunately the plexiglass provided a horrible barrier for amy staff to assist me. Flagged down someone for drink, order, water etc. Ordered the artichoke crab dip..looked awesome..really looking forward to having crab.. the dip had an overwhelming smoky taste..could see crab but couldn't taste it. Didn't see any artichoke in dip..they could have put the kitchen sink in and I wouldn't have known , only thing tasted was smoke.

Delicious and Carefully prepared food, in a nice venue. Outdoor seating is fun here. They do seafood well! Totally recommend.

Definitely a high end dinner. If you love Oysters this is a great place to go. And they have a great happy hour. Half price oysters! Plan to spend a little more. But definitely worth the trip. Not for kids. But a great date night or Amal group!

The oysters we sampled were selected and shucked where we sat, they were as fresh as you can get, local, and delicious! Super friendly and efficient staff. The seasonal salad I had was very tasty and dressed perfectly. My partner's fried shrimp tacos were good, but he thought perhaps a bit sweet for his taste - but I thought they were fine. Partner's Manhattan was described as "perfect". Lovely, unpretentious dining room. Worth a stop when visiting Bristol!

This place is fantastic. Cool restaurant in a historic building. Oysters are fresh and tasty. From 12noon-2pm and 4pm-6pm, they have Oyster Happy Hour. Oysters are a $1. Polish off a dozen or two and have them mix and match so you get to try some great local varieties. As much as the Oysters rock, the food is awesome. Try the pork belly confit appetizer and you will email me a thank you. As strange as this sounds, you gotta try the Patty Melt. It might be the best burger I have ever had. The place is located in a beautiful village with some fun shops and places. Make it a day trip to Bristol but whatever you do, stop here.

Went out about 7:30 on Tuesday. Waitress was "annoyed" we wanted to sit outside. Even rolled her eyes after we requested it. Fish tacos were gross dry garbage. The THIRTY TWO DOLLAR lobster roll was dry and extremely dissatisfying. This place attempts to put themselves in the "finer dining" realm. I'll tell you this for free. Go somewhere else . They don't even have a freakin view and the wait staff is rude and extremely judgmental. I will not be back ever ever ever. Edit: After reading the owners responses to people's reviews I get a genuine chuckle. This owner is trying to say that the inflated prices of seafood is the reason for the ludicrous price of the lobster roll. 4 oz or lobster on a hot dog bun isn't worth 32 bucks plus tax. You're out of your mind. I really hope no one goes here to get abruptly disappointed.

My husband and I met friends at the restaurant on a Thursday night for happy hour. We ordered dozens of oysters as part of their 1/2 price happy hour special, along with colossal shrimp and tuna tartare. The drinks and service were magnificent. We will definitely visit again!

Had a great experience tonight! The cuisine and cocktails were exactly what we were looking for during our short visit to Bristol. Ian, our wonderful server, was totally on top of all of our requests. In general, a great visit, and would recommend to all.

After having our reservations at Johnny's Atlantic resort in Middletown we decided to try out the Oyster Bar. We where seated right when we walked in. Katie our waitress came over after about 5 minutes and apologized for the wait. We laughed because we didn't wait at all and just experienced the worst customer service at the previous restaurant by the manager. She was so nice. She talked to us about our dogs, told us about local shops in case we wanted to come back to the area. Our food was delicious, the pricing was reasonable and the establishment was very clean and quaint. We will definitely be back to eat and shop for our pups up the street. (The lemon Cheesecake was soooo good!)

This place is consistently perfect. The service is fast & friendly. The draft beer selection is almost all craft - my favorite is Dogfish Seaquench. It's so open & clean in presentation. Of course the big hit is the oyster raw bar HAPPY HOUR which happens Mon-Wed all day. Yes please!! We always share plates so we can try a little bit of everything. I love the Ceviche, Seared Tuna, Braised Beef Tacos, Scallop Chowder & the Gazpacho. But that's just the starters. Fresh Seafood & flavorful sandwiches are consistently served. Great prices too. We'll be back to this beautiful building very soon.

We enjoyed the Valentines Prix Fix menu for our 57th Anniversary Dinner. (We've been around a while!) Best doggone food we've had since a 2019 trip to France. Unique dishes with local ingredients can't be beat. From warm greetings at the door to hugs as we left, the young, enthusiastic crew did everything right. We enjoyed adding an oyster selection to the menu, and were delighted to sample the five different oysters available, with our pick being the house favorite Aquidneck oysters. We had an impressive first experience and will be returning ASAP!

This review has nothing to do with the wait staff, who are all very pleasant. I also loved their copper silverware, and the oysters were very tasty (the mignonette was the best I've ever had.). Those are the reasons why this review is two stars rather than one. The big issue I had with this place was the complete rip off that is their $32 lobster roll. I know lobster rolls can be pricey, but when you charge $32 for a lobster roll, it better be over-stuffed to justify the price. Take a look at what I got. For starters, the brioche bun was LITERALLY shorter than the length of my small-sized iPhone. I took a picture of the lobster roll with a fork next to it to five you context. Now, take a look at how much meat it came with -- I'm guessing 2.5 ounces at best. Ridiculous. Felt like I was scammed. And we ordered 3 of them for the table! Will not return.

Here's the deal. Probably the best meal I've ever had. I know...you'd think an exaggeration but I'm not kidding. Started with two dozen oysters at $1 each. Flawless, delicious to the end. Next? Oysters Rock. Outstanding. Main course? Pan seared fluke with perfectly cooked vegetables and seasoned potato pancake. Tried my sons chowdah, delicious. Tried my wife's scallops, perfectly cooked. Service was outstanding. My beer was never empty and the table was always loaded with food. Outstanding from start to finish.

My wife and I had an amazing time here. Service was amazing, drinks were good, and best part was the number of oyster selections and reasonably priced.

A quaint seafood restaurant in a town dripping with quaintness and teaming with restaurants. But totally worth a trip to Bristol. G and I are pescatarians, and the Oyster House has many great sounding choices... so we ordered four appetizers and shared some of them. I had the Tuna Ceviche and shared Fried Oysters, both of which were excellent. G ordered Scallop Chowder and shared the Smoked Fish Plate... not as good. Chowder tasted good but had only one scallop. Smoked Fish wasn't very smoky. We ordered meals, too. G had Seasonal Vegetable Plate; I had the fish tacos. Both were very good. Tips: Small venue and no reservation. I think there's a parking lot in the back.

We went there for dinner, we were seated at a two top that had direct sunlight and it was really hot. We asked three times to move to a table with some more shade. There were only four tops available and they told us they couldn't move us because they were reserved for parties of four snd their policy was not to sit two people at a table for four. Then they proceeded to sit a couple in the four top right next to us. This was outrageous and makes me wonder if it was because they were caucasian. We immediate left and went to Roberto's where we were treated equally.