Downtown’s Southpark prides itself on local, sustainable seafood, which extends to the briny Hood Canal oysters included in the chilled seafood feast, nestled alongside Dungeness crab meat, ahi tuna poke, and wild jumbo shrimp. Oysters on the half shell are also available with horseradish and an apple mignonette, anytime or part of the happy hour for a reduced price. Southpark is open for takeout, dine-in, and outdoor seating. 

Sitting out on the patio at Interurban, it’s easy to kill a few hours over summery cocktails and a pile of curly fries. However, not many know that Interurban is also a nice spot to knock back oysters, served with cocktail-themed granitas, lemon, and hot sauce. The current menu pairs Hama Hamas with a strawberry mimosa granita, plus the customary green chile hot sauce. Interurban is open for dine-in indoors and out, as well as delivery and takeout.

Considering this Portland institution has been shucking oysters near the waterfront since 1907, it’s fair to say they know what they’re doing. The family-owned landmark is an ideal spot for sampling oysters, often from Washington state like the sweet and tiny Kumamotos and meaty Hammersleys. Oysters are also available in baked preparations like classic oysters Rockefeller and the oyster stew in a milky broth. As an added bonus, oysters are happy hour-priced all Monday. Dan and Louis is open for takeout, delivery, and dine-in.

When dining rooms were closed, lower Burnside favorite, Canard, served elaborate seafood towers during an outdoor weekend brunch. The menu has since reverted back to dinner only, but the oysters on the half shell remain. The fresh shellfish are served with a mezcal mignonette and chile salt for a subtly smoky and spicy twist on a classic. Canard is open for takeout, dine-in, and has outdoor seating.

In addition to the creative French-inflected menu, this Buckman bistro also offers Pacific Northwest oysters served with lemon wedges, and instead of the usual accoutrements, offers two icy granitas: one spiked with horseradish, the other incorporating tomato and spices like a bloody mary. Normandie is open for dine-in, outdoor dining, and takeout.

Langbaan might’ve put its renowned Thai tasting menus on hold, but its takeout and outdoor dining game remains strong. In addition to the drinking snacks like Thai pickles and the kanom krok — crispy rice cups filled with scallops and coconut cream — the restaurant also serves fresh fresh oysters to knock back between bites of cuttlefish. Instead of lemon, the oysters come with lime wedges and three accompaniments: pickled red cabbage, crispy fried shallots, and a dipping sauce made from green Thai chiles, lime juice, garlic, and fish sauce. Langbaan is open for takeout and outdoor dining.

This restaurant and market is the spot for sampling fresh oysters from both coasts, shucked by knowledgeable staff, including owner Lyf Gildeersleeve. The selection is heavily weighted to Pacific Northwest varieties like Kokus from Washington or Kusshi from British Columbia, though there are often specimens from Maine, as well. While they’re not always on the menu, Flying Fish is also one of the few places where diners can get a taste of hyper-local Netarts oysters from Oregon. The restaurant is open for takeout, dine-in, and has a covered patio.

During the pandemic, Montavilla’s Lazy Susan was a bright spot with its brunch boxes, but there’s no better way to kick off a spread of charcoal-grilled spot prawns, short ribs, or morels with a half-dozen oysters on a bed of ice, served simply with lemon wedges and hot sauce. Lazy Susan is open for takeout, dining-in, and has outdoor seating.