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    Amherst Oyster Bar

    3.6 (48 reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 8:30 PM

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    Oysters

    We absolutely love coming to Amherst Oyster Bar, and Anda is a huge reason why we keep coming back! His service is consistently exceptional -- he's welcoming, attentive, personable, and always makes the experience feel special. One of the coolest things he does is make his own homemade popsicles for the cocktails, and they are AMAZING. It's such a creative and memorable touch, and you can tell he puts real thought and effort into what he serves. The drinks are not only delicious, but genuinely unique and something we look forward to every time we visit. Anda has that rare ability to make you feel like more than just another customer. Great drinks are one thing, but outstanding hospitality is what makes you want to return, and he absolutely delivers both. If you visit Amherst Oyster Bar, do yourself a favor and grab a seat at the bar with Anda -- you won't be disappointed. We'll definitely continue coming back!

    ahi tuna
    Clarissa H.

    This was my first time visiting Amherst Oyster Bar, and while it's a super cute addition to the main street, I don't know if I'll be going back. I'm a vegetarian, and although a couple dishes had the option to swap the seafood for tofu, veggie options were lacking. The sesame cauliflower was very good as an app! I had wanted to try the burnt end mushrooms but they were no longer on the menu. Service was incredibly slow. I know the waitress was hustling and it's not her fault, but I'm not sure why it took 45 minutes for our entrees to come out. She kept apologizing and saying it would be out soon but we were there for a full 90 minutes before we got our entrees which was weird. I ordered the harvest bowl with tofu and it was fine. It was a big portion size, great variety of veggies, and the pesto was good. But there wasn't enough pesto for the whole dish and without the pesto, nothing else was seasoned at all. It was so bland. The tofu was just big chunks of lightly seared plain tofu. I saw on the menu you can order fish and chips with tofu instead, but it seems silly to come to a place known for seafood and swap their fish for tofu. Especially after eating the harvest dish, I don't know if they would even know how to properly prepare the tofu. Maybe this is a good spot for drinks and oysters but that's about it!

    Oysters
    Sue S.

    Mixed review here for sure. The place is cute and the food good for the most part, but the service was excruciatingly slow. One person in our party had to get her meal to go because it took nearly 90 minutes for the entrees to come out, a good 45 minutes past when we finished our apps. The server stopped by at one point to apologize for the delay and said the food would be out in 5 minutes, but it took another 15. The food came out warm, but not hot. The seared scallops and the seared tuna were both very good. Weirdly, one person got 7 scallops on their plate, and the other had 6. Fish and chips were dry and bland. The crab cakes were good, but I didn't like the lobster bisque. The oysters were good, as one would expect.

    Having been to Amherst Oyster many many times, the aspect that stands out to me the most is how consistent they are with food quality, attention to customer needs, and making you feel seen and celebrated. The atmosphere is upscale and inviting. The flavor pairings and food quality is great and honestly unexpected for the Amherst area. Anda is my favorite bartender, making the best drinks, and always creates an energetic visit. Highly recommend!

    Muscles were huge and there was no broth!
    Pamela T.

    We tried the Oyster Bar for the first time last weekend and we really liked the decor and the atmosphere. Our waitress was great and attentive. The drinks were great! The food was just mediocre. They are a new place so they may just need to work out some kinks. Hopefully they improve but we will definitely try it again in the future to see if they up their game.

    Caviar ice cream
    Cole M.

    Amherst oyster bar is such a pleasant new spot in the heart of town - great addition to the restaurant scene in Amherst. Delicious oysters and loved the scallops. The steak came out undercooked but the staff was accommodating and corrected the error and it ended up being good. The dessert was SO GOOD. Creative twists on the classics and were accommodating for dairy and gluten restrictions. The manager was great and you can tell he puts incredible care into everything about the restaurant. They are new and have to work out some logistics but think they will soon be a staple in town!

    The order slip for oysters.
    Al T.

    Drove two hours for Whole Belly Clams. Waitperson informed me, and I knew what was coming, that a pint would be $65.00. They were point on delicious! A dozen oysters were going for $3.50 each, did that. But, 4 to 6 they were $1.00. It was 4 pm, and I wasn't informed that only one type was at that price. Overheard that from a different waitperson at the table next to me. My person wasn't the best from what I could see, and I wasn't informed able to observe three others quite close! Nice looking place. Payable street parking only!!!

    Crab bisque and Spanish octopus

    Went there today for their Valentine's Day prefix and I'd have to say it wasn't great. One plus was that the servers were great. Very nice and attentive. Only reason it's not a one star review. Food was very slow and it wasn't swamped. Looked like half the restaurant was full while only serving a third of their normal menu. We got an appetizer of the oysters which were good. No complaints there. The flavor was great, it wasn't gritty and just the perfect amount of horse radish. Next we got the amuse-bouche which was just an oyster covered in beet sauce. Not great and nothing amazing about it. The prefix appetizers for us were the Cajun crab bisque and the Spanish octopus. The bisque had no flavor and the Spanish octopus was a half a tentacle that was over cooked on the outside and almost raw on the inside with a undercooked fingerling potato drenched in a half decent sauce. Next was the "salad" that was pretty much bagged arugula and 2 little pomegranate seeds. The entrees were next.......overcooked and fatty duck for one and the tiniest sliver of monkfish for the other. The flavors for the measly bite of monkfish was good. Then they threw potato sticks on top like it was fancy. Last the desserts. The chocolate friands was good with the cream and truffles. The vanilla tart was probably the worst dessert I've ever had. Taste like chalk was barely mixed into a vanilla pudding and dropped on a broken graham cracker. Oh and not to mention......none of the food came out hot. It was lukewarm or on the colder side while served.

    Buck a shuck!
    I-shea S.

    My experience at Amherst Oyster bar was like an uplifting smooth mixtape. Anda, our bartender, mixed drinks like a true mixologist - from the 'shake shake shake' rhythms he'd create over the music playing, giving life to his spirit of vibrance and delectable taste to the art of pouring and artful presentation. I truly enjoyed my experience there. I felt very taken care of. I would recommend the bar experience at AOB with Anda any day! Thank you

    Salmon

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    1 month ago

    Great service, fresh oysters, and the lobster roll was top notch! Definitely will be back.

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    1 year ago

    Outstanding food and service. Oysters were perfectly prepared and fresh. Service was excellent, and ambiance was lively but not intrusive.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Amherst Oyster Bar

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    Amherst Oyster Bar - seafood - Updated September 2026

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