The Oyster House on Market – Great Outdoor Patio,
Large Indoor Space
My spouse and I visited the Oyster House on Market for
drinks on a Friday evening in mid-November 2016. The Oyster House is open daily
for lunch, dinner, and drinks; however, the raw bar (called O-Bar) within the
restaurant does not open until 4:00 pm on weekdays. The owner of the Oyster
House also owns the Charleston Crab House (and another location of the Crab
House on James Island). The restaurant accepts reservations via their website (www
dot oysterhouse dot menu forward slash reservations).
The Oyster House on Market, which opened in early 2016,
resides in the space previously occupied by AW Shuck’s for 36 years. The
7,000-square foot area offers a semi-corner location, offering entrances from
both Market and State Streets in the French Quarter neighborhood of the Historic
District. (The Crab House occupies the true corner, with the Oyster House
wrapped around it.) Because of its unique placement, the restaurant offers
expansive indoor and outdoor dining areas. The outdoor space includes a covered
patio that overlooks the Charleston Market. Inside, décor includes high ceilings,
exposed brick walls, wood beams, black-and-white tile floors, copper light
fixtures, vintage photos, and dishcloth napkins. A drinks bar and a raw bar
occupy the main dining room, which offers booth and table seating. A raised dining
area in an adjacent room is located a few steps up from the main space offers more
cozy and quiet dining.
The Oyster House menu features seafood (served as main
dishes, sandwiches, and salads containing lobster, shrimp, shellfish, and
regular fish) and Lowcountry dishes (including she-crab soup, cheese fritters,
hushpuppies, and fried green tomatoes). Because we only visited for drinks, we
cannot comment on the food, but the menu seemed to contain something to please
everyone. We sat at the bar, and bartender Brittany Taylor, who the Charleston City Paper just announced as the
“Best Bartender in Charleston” was efficient, friendly, and helpful. She even took
the time and initiative to write down suggestions for us that came up in our conversation.
If you are looking for a drink or meal near the historic market, stop at
the Oyster House on Market.
