Nestled on Governor's Island, Island Oyster is an outdoor seafood haven where you can indulge in fresh oysters and lobster rolls while soaking in stunning views of Manhattan's skyline.
"Island Oyster has the best mix of atmosphere and food on the island, and it’s the main reason why we make our annual pilgrimage to the land of no cars. This place is from the Grand Banks team, and the long bar on the waterfront makes you feel like you’re at a beach resort, but one with panoramic views of downtown Manhattan. Get a spritz, fresh oysters, and an above-average lobster roll while you weigh the pros and cons of cooling off by way of a dunk in the East River (please don’t actually jump in)." - will hartman, kenny yang
"It’s great to be on the water in the summer. It puts everyone in a better mood, and removes all traces of hot trash smell from the air. Go to Island Oyster, and you’ll get an extra dose of that fresh air on the ferry to Governor’s Island. Because it takes a bit more work to get to, this usually isn’t as much of a zoo as most places on the water in Manhattan. You might still have to wait a little for a table, but you’ll be rewarded with a lobster roll, oysters, and an amazing view of downtown." - matt tervooren
"It’s in the small, bright, briny Atlantic oysters, paired with a glass of ice-cold rose, anywhere you can find them—including at Island Oyster on Governors Island, a fancier place to leave town in the summer without leaving town."
"In addition to Island Oyster and Grand Banks, the siblings operate Pilot, a floating restaurant docked in Brooklyn Heights; outdoor oyster bar Drift In; and Seaworthy, a seafood spot in New Orleans, where the brothers grew up." - Luke Fortney
"Governors Island’s Island Oyster is like a little getaway without having to really go anywhere." - Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya
