Oysters, pan roasts, and chowder without the long wait
"One of the most Vegas experiences involves bellying up at an oyster bar for some bivalves, and Oyster Bar at Palace Station brings long lines of customers awaiting a seat in front of the live-action kitchen. Steamed clams, oysters on the half shell, homemade chowders, and seafood pastas all draw long lines of customers waiting to eat and ogle the kitchen. While the menu offers Creole gumbo and Bourbon Street jambalaya, the must-order is a pan roast brimming with plump, sweet seafood. The 24-hour restaurant generally means 24-hour lines — though weekdays around 8 a.m. are usually the sweet spot for breakfast shellfish without the wait." - Janna Karel
"Expect a near-constant line at Oyster Bar in Palace Station — but unlike many Vegas queues, this one’s worth it. Regulars belly up to the bar and watch the chefs steam clams and dole out homemade chowders and seafood pastas, alongside fresh oysters on the half shell. Diners can request a level of spice on their Cajun-style seafood, or go for Creole gumbo or the legendary pan roast that brims with seafood." - Janna Karel
"The enduring Palace Station Oyster Bar was the one that launched a dozen imitators and siblings, a place where 18 seats surrounding six steam kettles have served hundreds of thousands over the past three decades. What is the place? It’s a seafood bar where spicy, tomato bisque pan roasts come loaded with lobster, crab, and shrimp, simmered over the high-powered steam cauldrons with Cajun seasonings. Workers shuck Gulf oysters to order while servers shuffle through the plates and bowls from both inside and outside of the counter. Other must-order dishes include gumbo, chock-full of one’s choice of seafood, and the brothy bouillabaisse, where crab legs and shrimp are so generously portioned they’re nearly flopping out of the bowl. —Matthew Kang, lead editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest For those in the know: There is a line here almost every hour of the day, except the wee hours of the morning. If you don’t want to wait, come between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. for a Creole/Cajun seafood breakfast. Otherwise, expect to wait anywhere from one to two hours. Spice fiends should ask for a bit of “lava sauce,” a chile-laden sauce that tips the stews into dangerous (but thrilling) territory." - Matthew Kang
"Raw oysters on the half-shell may be the hot commodity at this classic Vegas seafood counter but, with flavors straight from Bourbon Street, the hot Cajun-style dishes also stand out. Gumbo is rich, peppery, and soul-warming, with andouille sausage, okra, and chicken or seafood. And a seafood jambalaya is loaded with generous portions of shrimp, crab, lobster, Andouille sausage, mussels, and clams — all braised with rice and seasoned with Creole spices. As a bonus, Oyster Bar is open 24 hours." - Janna Karel
"Oyster Bar at Harrah’s has Easter specials such as chili lime oysters or oysters on the half shell with roasted jalapeño, a spinach salad with bacon and candied almonds, and grilled salmon with cucumber mango salsa and cilantro lime rice." - Susan Stapleton