When the calendar flips to September, oyster season is on the horizon.
You’ve probably heard the old rule, “Only eat oysters in months with an ‘R’ in their name. That means September through April, when cooler temperatures bring back the season for one of the coast’s most beloved delicacies. And while modern refrigeration and oyster farming mean the old saying isn’t quite the hard-and-fast rule it once was, there’s still good reason to look forward to oysters when fall arrives.
As the water cools, oysters are no longer focused on spawning, helping them develop the plump texture and briny, complex flavor that oyster lovers crave. Around The Northern Outer Banks, that makes fall and winter an especially delicious time to visit.
Top 10 Best
Shuck, Slurp, Repeat
There’s no wrong way to enjoy a good oyster.
Order them raw on the half shell with a squeeze of lemon. Try them roasted until they’re warm and smoky. Go for fried oysters, baked oysters, or a creative preparation from a local chef. Or, if you’re staying in a vacation rental, pick up a batch from a local seafood market and make an oyster roast of your own.
Corolla restaurants and raw bars offer plenty of ways to get your oyster fix, including Oceanfront Grille at Corolla Light, North Banks Restaurant & Raw Bar, and Sundogs Raw Bar & Grill. On the Mainland, Frog Island Seafood and Coinjock Marina & Restaurant are longtime favorites for fresh local seafood. Many local menus change with availability, so it’s always a good idea to check ahead for current oyster offerings. And don’t forget the Big Currishuck event with oysters as the star, held annually at Sanctuary Vineyards the Saturday after Thanksgiving noon-6 p.m.
Prefer to do the shucking yourself? Bluewater Seafood Market and Seaside Farm Market are among the local spots where you can pick up fresh oysters and other seafood to enjoy back at your vacation home.
And if you’ve never experienced an oyster roast, fall is the perfect excuse. Gather around a table with friends and family, pile up the shells, grab a shucking knife, and settle in for a meal that’s as much about the company as it is about the food.
Make a Northern Outer Banks Oyster Escape
Of course, oysters are only part of the appeal of visiting between September and December.
Cooler temperatures and smaller crowds make fall a wonderful time to explore the beaches, watch for the Corolla Wild Horses, climb the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, or spend an afternoon exploring Historic Corolla Park, then settle in for a sunset and a plate of fresh seafood. For more autumnal ideas, see our Top Things to Do in the Fall in The Northern Outer Banks!
Ready to give your oyster cravings a coastal address? Plan a Northern Outer Banks getaway this fall or early winter, book a vacation rental with space to gather, and make room on the itinerary for something salty, fresh, and straight from the coast.
