42nd St Oyster Bar & Seafood Grill

My wife and I are new to the area and the 42nd Street Oyster Bar is quickly becoming a go-to fav for quality seafood. Nostalgic local history in a nautical theme combined with a witty atmosphere only enhances the wonderful menu items prepared and presented smartly. Open kitchen allows a view of the preparation and there is plenty of seating room.

The BEST hushpuppies I've ever tasted! The food is fresh, delicious, savory, flavorful, lively. You gotta try the pimento cheese oysters. There isn't anything negative I could say about this place. The waiter and cooks friendly, engaging, and made great recommendations from the menu and places to visit around town. Its busy so make reservations for groups.

The food was fresh and hot. The atmosphere was nostalgic. The waiter was attentive and friendly. I ordered the Two platter with a side: oysters, shrimp, macaroni and cheese and cole slaw. One of my oysters had some sand but overall, I enjoyed the service and the meal.My coworkers ordered crab cakes which were huge, a side of collards, and macaroni and cheese. All enjoyed their meals and vowed to add this spot to our list of restaurants to visit.

Food and service here was AMAZING!!! I wish i lived here so I can be eating here all the time. I’ll be back!

Exceptional service and always amazing food! The oysters here are always clean, I never find any shell shards or anything else in the oysters here like you typically do at other seafood restaurants. Favorite (non-oyster) things on the menu are the baked crab/artichoke dip and the buffalo shrimp! Fun atmosphere and great location off of glenwood. Highly recommend!

Great food and service. Will definitely come back.

It's funny; I don't really like cooked seafood but I love raw seafood. Poke, sushi, oysters on the half shell, that's all for me. But I have to get some kind of non-seafood entree because the raw options here are limited, and I know it's my fault for ordering steak at a seafood place, but I can't eat just oysters for a meal.So, oysters are delicious, always. The steak, however, is not that great, and it's expensive. I asked for med rare and got medium at best, closer to med well. So if you love oysters and seafood, definitely go here. it's on the pricier side and be sure to make reservations well in advance, but if you like seafood you will not be disappointed. If you don't like seafood and you're going because your friends/family do, well, maybe you'll want to get something beforehand because the not-seafood options are (correctly!) limited and not that good.

I have been here dozens of times and I have always had wonderful meals and service. One of the last old school restaurants in Raleigh!!!! Don't hesitate to give them a try!!!

Excellent food and service. Got a main course an appetizer and about 18 clams. It was awesome. Shucked the clams right in front of me. Sit at the oyster bar if you can. 5 stars will return. $$$$$

Fabulous! The food was delicious and the service outstanding. We would highly recommend and will be sure to return.

I have been going here for special occasions for the past 30 years. Tonight I went for celebrating my 66th birthday. It's a great place for celebrations of any kind. The food is excellent and very fresh.

Delicious! Had Buffalo Shrimp & grits, fried green tomatoes & steamed oysters. Sat at the bar, band was playing, service was great & food was yummy! Would definitely recommend & go back

The ambiance is great, no frills. We sat at the cocktail tables for happy hour and had the oysters, clam, and shrimp. Haley, our waitress, was very accommodating and sweet. The food was really good! Would definitely go again.

Service very slow. Staff very friendly. Food very good 👌. Prices high. Good place for special occasions. Not a place for routine meals

I’m glad we came here - it was a real experience! We made reservations just because google maps gave the option and we were planning ahead. Very happy we made reservations because it was packed and the line of reservation-holders long.Food was good. I had oysters and clams but the clams were unimpressive. The Caesar salad was yum! My friend loved her order of flounder and she loved the hush puppies served with butter. Drinks were cheap and tasty.Service was great and the place was really happening!