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Oyster House Philadelphia

$50 and over

Seafood

Make a booking

2 people

22 Mar 2025

19:00

Booked 52 times today

Lively
Good for special occasions
Neighbourhood gem

Philadelphia’s premier destination for seafood lovers since 1976. With a menu that is as traditional as it is innovative, this family-owned business run by third-generation restaurateur Sam Mink has been a community cornerstone for almost 50 years. Cherished by Philly locals and visitors alike for its decadent lobster rolls, signature crab cakes and crispy fried oysters, Oyster House continues to honor the region’s culinary roots while constantly cooking up tasty, new favorites. Oyster House’s robust seafood menu curated by executive chef Joe Campoli, promises high quality cuisine along with an excellent dining experience. Enjoy a seat at Philadelphia’s most famed oyster bar while enjoying a show by Philly’s most legendary oyster shuckers. The weekday Happy Hour is always abuzz with a lively mix of coworkers and friends.

Why they're an Icon

Executive chef: Joseph Campoli

From the OpenTable editors: This seafood institution in Center City dates back to 1947. Restaurateur Sam Mink is the third generation behind the beloved oyster bar, and locals and tourists alike keep coming back for super-fresh seafood towers, lobster rolls, and crab cakes. Belly up to the raw bar in the center of the space to watch the pros shuck oysters in seconds. Cocktails include a mini menu of oyster shooters and an impressively deep selection of gin.

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Seafood, Oyster Bar
Hours of Operation
Tue–Thu 11:30–21:00 Fri, Sat 11:30–22:00
Phone number
(215) 567-7683
Website
http://www.oysterhousephilly.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress

Location
1516 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Area
Center City
Cross Street
15th & Sansom Street (between 15th and 16th on Sansom Street)
Parking details
Public Lot
Public transit
Walnut-Locust BSL stop is two blocks away
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Wine

BETSY CAPE SALT US$4.50
Cape May Peninsula, NJ
AQUIDNECK US$4.00
Sakonnet River, RI
WELLFLEETUS$4.00
Wellfleet Harbor, Cape Cod
PEMAQUIDUS$4.50
Damariscotta River, ME
EEL LAKE US$4.00
Eel Lake, Nova Scotia
ROYAL MIYAGI US$4.50
Wilipa Bay, WA
LITTLENECK CLAM US$2.75
Barnegat Bay, NJ
CHERRYSTONE CLAM US$3.00
Jersey Shore
SHRIMP COCKTAIL US$17.00
SPLIT CHILLED 2# LOBSTER US$56.00

OYSTER HOUSE SEA F OOD TOWER

featuring:

oysters, clams, chilled lobster, shrimp cocktail, seafood salad, crab dip, scallop crudoUS$135.00

SOUPS

MANHATTAN CLAM CHOWDER US$12.00
NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER w/ baconUS$12.00
SNAPPER TURTLE SOUPUS$13.00

CRUDOS

SCALLOP US$21.00
sesame chili crunch, scallions
FLUKE US$18.00
lemon olive oil, serrano, smoked sea salt
TUNA US$19.00
wasabi, green apple, ginger-scallion vinaigrette

ROASTED

OYSTERS ROCKEFELLER US$18.00
spinach, pernod
GRILLED OYSTERS US$18.00
garlic butter, parmesan
OYSTERS XO US$18.00
sun-dried tomato, scallion, lime

SIDES

ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS US$9.00
hazelnuts, lemon ricotta, aleppo
BUTTER BRAISED & GRILLED CABBAGE US$9.00
horseradish, mustard cream
COLE SLAWUS$8.00
HAND CUT FRIES US$9.00
long hot aioli

STARTERS

PEAR & FIG SALAD US$14.00
goat cheese, pistachios, cider vinaigrette
GRILLED BROCCOLI CAESAR US$16.00
boquerones, parmesan
CRAB TOAST US$19.00
apricot & bell pepper mostarda, fennel, whipped feta
GRILLED SARDINES US$14.00
yuzu kosho aioli, crispy black rice, pickled shallots
FRIED CALAMARI US$15.00
shishito peppers, spicy aioli
SAUTEED MUSSELS US$21.00
fennel cream, sumac onions, chili oil, crostini
GRILLED OCTOPUS US$23.00
carrot hummus, rutabaga, mint, chili oil
CRISPY FRIED OYSTERSUS$19.00
- with chicken saladUS$22.00

PLATES

LOBSTER ROLL
chilled new england style, fries ........ MP
BURGER bacon jam, crab mayo, cooper sharp, friesUS$19.00
FISHERMAN’S STEW shrimp, mussels, calamari, fish, spicy tomato broth, saffron rouilleUS$31.00
PAN ROASTED COD US$35.00
potato croquettes, celery root cream, cauliflower, pickled fresno
MARYLAND CRABCAKE US$35.00
chesapeake remoulade, fried smashed potatoes, malt vinegar, parmesan
PAN SEARED SEA SCALLOPS US$34.00
sweet potatoes, chickpeas, thai basil tahina, crispy quinoa
MIXED SEAFOOD GRILL US$41.00
swordfish, shrimp, scallops, potatoes, butternut squash, chimichurri

SPLIT GRILLED MAINE LOBSTER

ROASTED GARLIC THYME BUTTER HAND CUT FRIESUS$64.00

FRIED WHOLE RED SNAPPER

SAMBAL VINAIGRETTE SESAME-CABBAGE SLAW .
.... MP

CLAMBAKE FOR 2

SHRIMP, CLAMS, MUSSELS, LOBSTER, POTATOES, CORN CHIVE GARLIC BUTTER US$96.00

What 210 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.8Service
4.6Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Philadelphia County
Seafood
Philadelphia
Best Food

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Oyster House Philadelphia offers a delightful seafood dining experience with "excellent food," "attentive service," and an inviting atmosphere. Diners rave about the "amazing oysters," "fantastic lobster roll," and "delicious crab cakes." The restaurant is popular for its fresh seafood, "great wine selection," and "friendly staff," making it a "must-visit" in Philadelphia.

210 Reviews

MW
MollyW VIP
Richmond15 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food! Even with busy happy hour, service was exceptional.
Is this helpful?
e
eileen VIP
Philadelphia5 reviews
4.0
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always a favorite - loved the Turtle soup and lobster roll
Is this helpful?
B
Brad
Philadelphia37 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The freshest seafood well prepared. Wonderful raw bar. Great liquor program and wine list. Not a cheap date but the quality level makes it worth every penny.
Is this helpful?
D
Dan VIP
Atlantic City40 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Still, one of the verry best restaurants in Philadelphia.
Is this helpful?
D
Dsn
Unspecified1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
everything was excellent. thank you for a wonderful evening
Is this helpful?
LM
LorieM
Washington DC2 reviews
5.0
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Another delicious meal at the Oyster House. It never fails!
Is this helpful?
B
Bret
Philadelphia97 reviews
5.0
Dined on 14 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
With all of the wonderful restaurants Philadelphia has to offer, Oyster House is our go-to place before or after an event. It is old-timey, beautifully appointed, seafood establishment located on a side street in center city, so it is a true "find." In addition to the variety of fresh and briney oysters, they offer several seafood and traditional items that are delightful. On our last visit we enjoyed the Fisherman's Stew and the pan roasted sea bass accompanied by a generous pour of a rich and smooth Malbec. We followed them with their house made decadent desserts. What's not to like? The service was spot on. Our server was professional yet easily engaged in some friendly banter throughout our visit. Dirty dishes did not linger on the table, they were quickly whisked away after we were finished with them. We would be amiss not to tell you that we were here on a Friday evening and the place was buzzing with an eclectic group having a good time. For us that just meant that we made a good choice. The prices were commensurate with the experience.
Is this helpful?
J
Jonathan
Philadelphia23 reviews
5.0
Dined on 14 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
We like oysters. The Oyster House has them year round.
Is this helpful?
D
Dianne VIP
Philadelphia14 reviews
4.0
Dined on 13 March 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
As always, it was a nice experience at Oyster House. I do wish, though, they offered a little more variety in their menu or changed it a little more often. Service is always excellent.
Is this helpful?
H
Hamarab1 VIP
Philadelphia5 reviews
5.0
Dined on 11 March 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Love The Oyster House. Lovely food carefully prepared and nicely presented. A helpful, knowledgeable service corp and a favorite for clients and friends.All of the foregoing in pleasant surroundings which features wall hangings of sea and fishing themed oyster plates
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Oyster House Philadelphia is rated 4.8 stars by 210 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

22 Mar 2025

19:00

Booked 52 times today

Google Map for Oyster House Philadelphia

1516 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19102

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross Street
15th & Sansom Street (between 15th and 16th on Sansom Street)
Area
Center City
Hours of Operation
Tue–Thu 11:30–21:00 Fri, Sat 11:30–22:00
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Seafood, Oyster Bar
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Public Lot
Public transit
Walnut-Locust BSL stop is two blocks away
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Wine

Website
http://www.oysterhousephilly.com/
Phone number
(215) 567-7683

Oyster House Philadelphia

Make a booking

Why they're an Icon

Dining areas

Additional information

TODAY'S RAW BAR

BETSY CAPE SALT US$4.50

AQUIDNECK US$4.00

WELLFLEETUS$4.00

PEMAQUIDUS$4.50

EEL LAKE US$4.00

ROYAL MIYAGI US$4.50

LITTLENECK CLAM US$2.75

CHERRYSTONE CLAM US$3.00

SHRIMP COCKTAIL US$17.00

SPLIT CHILLED 2# LOBSTER US$56.00

OYSTER HOUSE SEA F OOD TOWER

oysters, clams, chilled lobster, shrimp cocktail, seafood salad, crab dip, scallop crudoUS$135.00

SOUPS

MANHATTAN CLAM CHOWDER US$12.00

NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER w/ baconUS$12.00

SNAPPER TURTLE SOUPUS$13.00

CRUDOS

SCALLOP US$21.00

FLUKE US$18.00

TUNA US$19.00

ROASTED

OYSTERS ROCKEFELLER US$18.00

GRILLED OYSTERS US$18.00

OYSTERS XO US$18.00

SIDES

ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS US$9.00

BUTTER BRAISED & GRILLED CABBAGE US$9.00

COLE SLAWUS$8.00

HAND CUT FRIES US$9.00

STARTERS

PEAR & FIG SALAD US$14.00

GRILLED BROCCOLI CAESAR US$16.00

CRAB TOAST US$19.00

GRILLED SARDINES US$14.00

FRIED CALAMARI US$15.00

SAUTEED MUSSELS US$21.00

GRILLED OCTOPUS US$23.00

CRISPY FRIED OYSTERSUS$19.00

PLATES

LOBSTER ROLL

BURGER bacon jam, crab mayo, cooper sharp, friesUS$19.00

FISHERMAN’S STEW shrimp, mussels, calamari, fish, spicy tomato broth, saffron rouilleUS$31.00

PAN ROASTED COD US$35.00

MARYLAND CRABCAKE US$35.00

PAN SEARED SEA SCALLOPS US$34.00

MIXED SEAFOOD GRILL US$41.00

SPLIT GRILLED MAINE LOBSTER

ROASTED GARLIC THYME BUTTER HAND CUT FRIESUS$64.00

FRIED WHOLE RED SNAPPER

SAMBAL VINAIGRETTE SESAME-CABBAGE SLAW .

CLAMBAKE FOR 2

SHRIMP, CLAMS, MUSSELS, LOBSTER, POTATOES, CORN CHIVE GARLIC BUTTER US$96.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is Oyster House Philadelphia restaurant rated?

Is Oyster House Philadelphia currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Dining areas

Additional information