Matunuck Oyster Bar
Oyster bar restaurant · Washington County
629 Succotash Rd, Wakefield, RI 02879
Highlights
Pond-to-table oysters, farm-fresh produce, waterfront dining
Pond-to-table oysters, farm-fresh produce, waterfront dining
"A devastating fire early on May 20 badly damaged a beloved New England seafood destination in South Kingstown, Rhode Island; firefighters brought the blaze under control in about an hour and a half amid strong winds, no injuries were reported, and the building is likely a total loss while the cause remains under investigation. Owner Perry Raso—an advocate for sustainable aquaculture who founded a local oyster farm in 2002—thanked the community, vowed to rebuild, and a GoFundMe has been established to support employees and reconstruction. Renowned for its pond-to-plate ethos on Potter Pond, the restaurant let diners watch oysters being harvested and shucked while dining, served organic vegetables from its nearby farm, recently opened a shellfish hatchery, and offered educational, family-friendly oyster-farm tours. The menu celebrated the diversity of local waters—clams, oysters, lobsters, Jonah crab, bay scallops, and Black Sea bass—and often highlighted underutilized species like monkfish; its littlenecks with chouriço earned national praise from The New York Times in 2023, it was named to USA Today's 2025 Best Restaurants list, and it has won multiple Wine Spectator awards. A year-round dining destination and holiday tradition for many, the spot is treasured by chefs and regulars for its quality, value, and role in supporting local harvesters, and patrons are eager for its eventual reopening." - Tanya Edwards
"Located in Wakefield, Matunuck Oyster Bar specializes in Rhode Island's quahog specialties, including stuffies and littlenecks raw or with linguini." - Adam H. Callaghan
"The restaurant, created by fellow local Perry Raso, is, simply put, the best dining in the state. With perfection comes epically long wait times, but we managed to get a massive table on the roof by calling six weeks in advance. We heartily ate dozens upon dozens of oysters (don't miss the homegrown Matunucks) and locally sourced seafood until we could eat no more." - Staff Author
"A popular Wakefield seafood restaurant celebrated for fresh oysters, regionally sourced fish and produce, and the option to take an oyster farm tour to learn about local aquaculture practices; reservations are recommended." - Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca is an award-winning journalist and co-founder of Be a Travel Writer, an online course for the next generation of travel journalists. Her photos, videos, and words have appeared in print or online for Travel + Leisure, Time, Los Angeles Times, Glamour, and many more. You'll usually find her in an airport. If you do see her there, please say hello. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"Grow, harvest, serve is the motto of this seafood restaurant just ten minutes from Newport and owned by actual oysterman Perry Raso. This is the freshest fish that you can eat, all sourced from adjacent Potter Pond with its shellfish beds and accompanying organic farm—so close, you can see it from the restaurant. Owner Perry is at the forefront of sustainable aquaculture (he has his own Ted Talk on the subject) with a menu that features a combination of wild-caught and farm-raised to reflect it. Start with a sampling of oysters from the raw bar, dive into tuna tartar tacos and scallop ceviche, and finish with the lobster and Alaskan king crab. Aim to be seated just before sunset and enjoy the view."
