Oyster bars are quite common on the east and west coasts of the U.S., and are popular for their unique and delicious dining experiences. Unfortunately, oyster bars are few and far between in Arizona, due to the state's landlocked location. Nevertheless, there are a handful of oyster bars in the state, particularly in the larger cities, such as Flagstaff, Phoenix and Tucson.
Flagstaff is located in the northern portion of Arizona, less than 2 hours from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. For oysters, check out Buster's Restaurant and Bar, which has been voted as the best restaurant in Flagstaff by Arizona Daily Sun readers for the last 10 years. The restaurant has a small but high-quality oyster bar, which includes oysters on the half-shell, oysters Rockefeller, and steamed clams. Prices are quite reasonable, and there are plenty of other entrees to choose from if you are dining with a less adventurous eater.
Buster's Restaurant & Bar
1800 S. Milton Rd.
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
928-774-5155
busters-restaurant.com
For a unique oyster bar experience, try Casey Moore's Oyster House. The restaurant is located in Tempe, just southeast of Phoenix. It is actually an Irish pub that offers oysters Rockefeller, fresh oysters on the half-shell, steamed clams and many other fresh seafood selections. Pelican Bay Oyster Bar and Grill in Phoenix is a small, inconspicuous establishment that features a variety of Tuscan-inspired oyster dishes, along with more traditional oyster bar offerings.
Casey Moore's Oyster House
850 South Ash Ave.
Tempe, AZ 85281
480-968-9935
caseymoores.com
Pelican Bay Oyster Bar & Grill
7710 W. Lower Buckeye Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85043
623-474-7680
Tucson is located in the south of Arizona, and offers two excellent oyster bar options. The first is the Kingfisher Bar and Grill, voted best seafood restaurant in Tucson for eight consecutive years by the Tucson Weekly. The Kingfisher's oyster bar includes fresh Gulf of Mexico oysters, as well as seasonal oyster selections, bay scallops and Alaskan king crab legs. Enjoy live jazz and blues music on Monday nights. The Bluefin Seafood Bistro, under the same ownership, features a similar oyster bar menu, with the addition of clams on the half shell and scallop and shrimp ceviche cocktail. From 4:30 to 6:30 in the evening, the Bluefin features its Mussel Madness happy hour, with great specials on mussels, as well as live music on Friday and Saturday nights.
Kingfisher Bar and Grill
2564 E. Grant Rd.
Tucson, AZ 85716
520-323-7739
kingfishertucson.com
Bluefin Seafood Bistro
7053 North Oracle Rd.
Tucson, AZ 85704
520-531-8500
bluefintucson.com
