42nd Street Oyster Bar

Name: 42nd Street Oyster Bar
Address: 508 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC, United States, 27603
Telephone: (919) 831-2811
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.6

4.6

5145 Reviews

$31 to $50

Seafood

Top Tags:

A Southern Seafood Tradition Since 1931.

The 42nd St. Oyster Bar is one of the South's most famous landmark restaurants, satisfying thousands of grateful patrons since its humble beginnings in 1931 as a grocery store offering oysters and draft beer.

Our Mission: To provide a remarkable experience by recognizing and appreciating that each guest is the most important person in the world while dining at the 42nd St. Oyster Bar.

We invite you to join us for dinner tonight!

“Eat seafood … live longer

Eat oysters … love longer

Eat clams … last longer"

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Jan 31, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 56 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

(919) 831-2811

Other options

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
Seafood
Hours of operation
Dinner Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(919) 831-2811
Website
http://www.42ndstoysterbar.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Joe Rohrer

Location
508 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27603
Neighborhood
Raleigh
Cross street
West Street
Parking details
We offer one private lot. There is street and public parking also available.
Public transit
RLine stop one block away <br />
Entertainment
Live Entertainment (Southern Rock, Classic Rock, Top 40, Beach, Disco, Dance, Blue Grass, 70's, 80's,) Friday and Saturday 10pm-1pm
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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Popular dishes

What 5,145 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.7Service
4.6Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

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Filters

RR
ReneeR
Nashville
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Everything was great from the greeting to the server to the delicious food.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
My experience was awesome I go there all the time also being a USFOODS delivery driver that have delivered there it’s a awesome place to service and dine there
GR
GerardR
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 3 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was incredible. The service was excellent. The restaurant had great ambience.
KS
KSNC
Tahoe
8 reviews
4.0
8 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
overall4food4service4ambience3
42nd Street is always good. Server (Joshua) was great.
J
Jeff
Raleigh
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
The hush puppies are always good, and the 42nd Street Platter was great, especially with swordfish as our fresh fish choice.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Raleigh
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Never disappoints!
JF
JustinF
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing! We had the swordfish and a peck of oysters. Delicious!
BG
BabsGo
Orlando
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 22, 2023
overall3food3service5ambience4
The food was good but we didn’t think it was great. Too much mayo in the crab and artichoke dip. The roasted oysters were okay but the muscle was not cut. Almost too much topping drowned out the oysters. Steamed shrimp was tasty not much seasoning and lacked the snap but overall good. Cocktail sauce was excellent. Dessert sorbet was outstanding as well. A good but not great meal.
MG
MindyG
Raleigh
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on January 22, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
One of our favorite places to celebrate or just stop in for a bite to eat. Never disappoints.
D
Deejay5
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 20, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience4
The food was great, the portions are worth the cost. The peanut butter pie was amazing, save some room.
N
Nick
Raleigh
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 20, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great for out of town friends and special occasions
JE
JayE
Phoenix
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 19, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
I'll be back. Wr got in and out in time for the game.
DF
DavidFromRaleigh
Raleigh
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined on January 13, 2023
overall4food4service3ambience4
Great food. Got a new server so awkward ordering process. Value ok but just a bit overpriced.
KP
KyleP
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 11, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food and atmosphere. Would recommend to anyone.
MM
MargaretM
Western NC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 11, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing oyster bar
JC
JimC
Tucson
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 11, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Shelby was a great host and server. She represents you well and made our experience very pleasurable. Jim
DD
DavidD
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on January 9, 2023
overall4food3service4ambience5
Food was fairly well done, but the presentation of the seafood platter was lacking. No garnish, decoration or accompaniment. The swordfish was a little overdone for my taste which was a result of the thickness of the piece combined with blackening. My guest’s sea bass on spinach etc was beautiful and fantastic for her. The pricing was a bit much based on the above, and I think that is a contradiction. The feeling and pricing is as a place for special occasion, but in the end it is just slightly elevated from casual
OT
OpenTable Diner
Raleigh
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on January 8, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
It was good, the food was very tasty. The service was good, not anything special.
MB
MarshaB
Raleigh
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on January 8, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Our waiter and his trainee were very professional, efficient and not intrusive. Our food was prepared just as we wanted. We’ll definitely go back again.
PS
PreciousS
Raleigh
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on January 8, 2023
overall4food2service4ambience3
The veggie melody was cold and the flounder was dry the server Rhet was great and other severs where attentive as well. Not the quality I’m use to from here but not everyone is on point every time
RI
RICKS
Hawaii
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on January 7, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent food, great service!! Love this place. The oysters and mahi mahi are the best.
m
mrsjavamama
Atlanta
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on January 7, 2023
overall5food4service3ambience3
The waitress jn the bar area was stretched thin but she handled it fairly well. We were happy to get one of those tables so we didn’t mind! Flounder had some bones, that happens- but takes away from the full enjoyment when you have to proceed with such caution going forward. Shrimp- amazing. Hushpuppies- heavenly. For some reason my fork and/or the aluminum cup the twice baked cheese potatoes are served in were interacting and creating a terrible metallic effect in my mouth so I had to put down the utensils and use my fingers. Lol. I can still remember that weird taste but it wasn’t anything that would keep me from going back- just won’t use a fork when I return! The West St. Margarita was sublime. We will be back soon!
BB
BelindaB
Raleigh
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on January 7, 2023
overall3food5service3ambience4
The only compliant I had was the wait time for our food and drinks. The restaurant was not crowded enough for the long wait time. The food and drinks were great once we received our orders.
K
Kiawahfox
Raleigh
18 reviews
5.0
18 reviews
Dined on January 6, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
One of our favorite restaurants in Raleigh! Lightly blackened Asian Sea Bass was delicious! Shrimp and Crabmeat Fettuccine is delicious, but be aware that it is a HUGE portion! Our server, Sam, was awesome. Paid $5 to park across the street, it would be nice if the restaurant credited that.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Raleigh
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 6, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Birthday dinner celebration for daughter and father! Server acknowledged special occasion and offered birthday desserts to both at the end of the night! What a great surprise! Thank You 42nd Street!
J
Jessica
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 6, 2023
overall5food3service5ambience5
Kara was an amazing server who was attentive to our table despite it being a busy night. The Chesapeake, VA oysters were delightful and cleanly prepared. They came with horseradish, tomato sauce, and lemon. We had the Blackened Bacon Wrapped Scallops Penne which was delicious but the bacon was burnt and overpowered the dish as well as the Shrimp & Crabmeat Fettuccine.
J
Jason
Raleigh
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 6, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience5
Excellent food and atmosphere. The quality of the food is always consistent! The seafood is lightly breaded and flavorful. The steaks are always cooked to perfection.
DA
DorisA
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on January 5, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience5
Excellent seafood quality and choices. Service is always wonderful and friendly.
LK
LauraK
Raleigh
17 reviews
vip
5.0
17 reviews
Dined on January 5, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Consistently good. A nice relaxed dining experience.
VP
VannP
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 5, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our Waitress, Madison was GREAT!!!! Very Attentive throughout our visit.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Greensboro
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 3, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Birthday Party, really good service
GH
GaryH
Raleigh
11 reviews
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on January 2, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our first time dining here. Everything was great! Fantastic oysters. The service was great (and I'm sorry I can't recall our server's name but she did a really good job). Food was excellent. We each had the Norfolk style crabmeat - crab always seems to taste better when someone else shells it for you! And 42nd was nice enough to comp us a dessert for our anniversary - Thank you!
t
timl
Raleigh
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 2, 2023
overall4food3service4ambience4
Great service! Thank you Cindy! Some parts of the meal were excellent others just ok. Pretty pricey place, but ok to splurge every now and then.
RC
RonC
Raleigh
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 1, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
I've been coming to 42nd Street for over 15 years. I tried the Cioppino for the 1st time and it was unbelievable!!!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Exclusive
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on January 1, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
I never cease to be blown away by 42nd St Oyster Bar. The food is outstanding, the service is excellent and the staff is top-notch. Definitely my favorite restaurant in Raleigh.
n
ncsudiva
Raleigh
18 reviews
5.0
18 reviews
Dined on December 31, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great as always for New Year’s Eve! Carmen provided excellent service and was very knowledgeable with the menu and provided helpful options with our orders.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Raleigh
5 reviews
vip
4.0
5 reviews
Dined on December 31, 2022
overall4food3service4ambience4
Definitely not the same experience as previously experienced but it has been a year or two. Food quality and presentation seems to be lacking.
AS
AngelaS
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 31, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food and service. They were very busy. Our server was Justin and he did a fantastic job! Would highly recommend as a date night or family night!!!
BH
BillH
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 30, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great place to eat. Great waitstaff. Food as expected
E
Elizabeth
Portland
12 reviews
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on December 30, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience5
The food was amazing. I highly recommend the raw oysters, blackened bacon wrapped scallops and crab cakes. Parking is a challenge but you can pay for parking across the street from restaurant.

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers

FAQs

42nd Street Oyster Bar does offer delivery in partnership with Chow Now and Uber Eats. 42nd Street Oyster Bar also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (919) 831-2811.

42nd Street Oyster Bar is rated 4.6 stars by 5145 OpenTable diners.

42nd Street Oyster Bar does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.