In 2021, in a happy coincidence, I learned that the Rappahannock Oyster Co., which farms the signature Emersum and Crackerjax oysters for Jax Fish House, is located just miles from where my sister lives in Virginia — and I happened to already have a trip booked to visit her.
I got to spend hours with Rappahannock Oyster Co. co-owner Ryan Croxton, who showed me the entire operation, drove a boat out to the oyster farm, and afterward, downed a couple dozen with me at the company's waterside restaurant, Merrior. Among many other things, I learned that oysters arriving in Denver are often fresher than those in some coastal towns because of our proximity to an international airport (freight shipping takes much longer). And, more important, that eating fresh oysters here helps balance coastal waterways there.
Ever since, I've savored every oyster even more. And so should you.
August 5 is National Oyster Day, so here's where you can indulge in some of the best fresh oysters in town:
A5 Steakhouse
1600 15th Street
303-623-0534
Our 2023 pick for the Best Steakhouse is a swanky, lively spot with top-notch beef, but its oyster game is also on point. Swing by from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. to slurp on selected oysters of the day for $2.50 each during happy hour. Pair them with A5's signature wagyu beef and a wedge salad for a truly indulgent meal.
Angelo's Taverna
620 East Sixth Avenue
303-744-3366
6885 South Santa Fe Drive, Littleton
720-532-1389
The original Angelo's on Sixth Avenue has been a landmark of Italian dining for over forty years. More recently, along with the housemade limoncello that lines a wall in the bar area, the best reason to visit is the oysters — and the same goes for the second Angelo's in Littleton. The selection of raw oysters changes regularly, and you can nab the house variety for $1 each during happy hour (3 to 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close daily). The garlicky, buttery "original" chargrilled oysters are $2.50 during happy hour, or you can opt for one of the other flavors like chipotle bourbon butter or bacon Gorgonzola.
Blue Island Oyster Bar & Seafood
2625 East Second Avenue
10008 Commons Street, Lone Tree
The Blue Island spots in Cherry Creek and Lone Tree both get oysters shipped in straight from the Blue Island Oyster Farm in Long Island, New York, as well as farms up and down the east and west coasts. It offers great deals on those oysters all year long, including $1.25 premium oysters every Monday and 99-cent premium oysters after 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Cart-Driver
2500 Larimer Street
303-292-3553
One of the ten best pizza places in town is also one of the best places to enjoy oysters. Head to RiNo (the LoHi location remains temporarily closed for renovations) to load up on the current oyster selection, served with fresh horseradish, lemon and a rotating mignonette. You can (and should) also double down on the seafood by adding some tinned fish, served with hot and steamy piada bread.
Fish N Beer
3510 Larimer Street
303-248-3491
With a rotating selection from both coasts, this seafood spot from Tacos Tequila Whiskey and Rolling Pin Pizza owner Kevin Morrison has its oyster game on point. You can go for raw, but there's something special about snagging a seat at the bar in front of the wood-fired grill and watching the action as you enjoy grilled oysters with garlic or "devil" (spicy) butter. During happy hour, raw oysters are $2.50 or $12 for six and the grilled varieties are $3 or $15 for six.
Emersum oysters at Jax Fish House taste as fresh in Denver as they do just feet from where they're grown in Virginia.
Molly Martin
Multiple locations
One of the OGs of Denver's seafood scene, Jax turns thirty this year and remains a go-to for all things tasty from the ocean, but it's particularly passionate about oysters. Along with its signature Emersums and newer addition, CrackerJax, all of its locations offer a variety of oyster options daily, available raw or chargrilled with Creole butter. During happy hour (4 to 6 p.m. daily and all day on Monday), raw CrackerJax are $2 each, while select West Coast oysters and chargrilled oysters are $3.
On August 5, Jax is offering a killer deal. From 4 to 6 p.m., each location will serve 700 CrackerJax oysters on the half shell at their OG 1994 price of just 50 cents each. It's also bringing back its signature event, High West Oyster Fest, on September 19 — save the date!
Traveling Mercies
2501 Dallas Street, Aurora
Caroline Glover, the James Beard Award-winning chef and owner of Annette, opened her second concept at the Stanley Marketplace last year; Traveling Mercies was recently named one of the best bars in America by Esquire. It specializes in martinis and East Coast oysters, which are $1 off during happy hour (4 to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday) and for $3 each or $36 for a dozen on Tuesdays.
