Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Rappahannock Oyster Bar

    3.5 (394 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 11:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Rappahannock Oyster Bar Photos

    Business Info

    RAPPAHANNOCK OYSTER BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Classy
    Upscale
    Moderate noise

    You might also consider

    More like Rappahannock Oyster Bar

    Recommended Reviews - Rappahannock Oyster Bar

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Tuna tartare
    Shawn H.

    Stopped into Rappahannock Oyster Bar with a girlfriend before an event. We wanted something light, so I went with the tuna tartare. Fresh, flavorful, and exactly what I needed to hold me over without feeling heavy. We chose to sit at the bar, and while the food impressed, the service didn't quite match. The bartenders spent most of their time chatting with a regular, which meant we were waiting longer than I'd like for refills or attention. Still, the quality of the dish makes it worth another visit. Next time I'll probably grab a table instead of bar seating to get the full experience.

    Forbidden Zone
    Erica W.

    Really good birthday dinner! I'm pretty good with a vibe next to the water while enjoying seafood. Our bartender/server was very accommodating and made sure I was happy during our visit. We started with the grilled octopus, 6 raw oysters & 6 rockefeller - atleast an 8 across the board - everything was pretty standard. The crabcakes, thai lettuce wraps, combo baskets and Branzino get two thumbs up for flavor and portions. For cocktails, I wasn't a huge fan of the Forbidden Zone and Summer in Dogtown because the mezcal was overpowering but the Seasonal Sangria (Peach) was perfect! Although the weather was terrible, we had a few minutes of calm to enjoy the scene and our food without chaos. I would definitely consider this a top choice for a view and vibes.

    Jumbo Lump Crabcake 7/30/25
    Jim P.

    I went through all the one star reviews before stopping in here. I thought they were all pretty petty. Most of the people that left reviews with one star only had one to very few reviews and it just seemed like it was a case or Red Ass! So glad I came in. I brought my wife and adult son. We had a dozen oysters (4 of each) , they were all fantastic. We the shared the Tuna Tartare and Lump Crabcake. Both were bomb! Check out my pics. Also, I had the Branzino. No lie, best I ever had. It's a full fish with just the right amount of add ons (sno peas, mushrooms, lemon, Red Fresno peppers, and some micro greens) in my opinion (also the bartender) the best entree on the wharf. Get it, you won't be disappointed. The inside seating is good for small groups at the bar, but there is no room for large groups. Fortunately, there is an outside patio , but when it's HAF outside and humid, it's a no go for me. Side note the Sauvignon Blanc was top tier and paired well with all the above. I will be definitely be back! Cheers

    Oysters & Martinis
    Matt H.

    One of my absolute favorite restaurants in DC. As I come to DC from NYC frequently , there's one place that my trip to DC r is not complete without and that's Rappahanock Oyster Bar. During the summer and warmer months, sitting at the bar and sipping a dirty martini while noshing on some oysters is the absolute perfect afternoon experience. We've come for dinner, we've come for lunch and we've come for just oysters and cocktails and we've never been disappointed. The food is always great and there is never a complaint. The service is always super friendly and casual and the ambience couldn't be better. Whether you want to come and sit for a longer dinner, just want to grab some oysters at the oyster bar or are just looking for a casual place to hang out for some drinks. This place is the place to go. I can't wait for my next trip to Rappahanock.

    Scallop Carpaccio ~ 20 Pickled Red & White Grapes, Purple Ninja Radish Crispy Shallots, Red Yuzo Kosho Vinaigrette
    Gloria M.

    This is an interesting dish... I don't think the grapes and onions and radishes all pair that well together, so I wouldn't necessarily recommend this dish. Also tried the oysters, they were on the large side and good, no complaints. Service was good for it being a busy afternoon. The bathrooms were a disaster: beware!

    Seasonal sangria - white peach
    Karina E.

    My sister and I visited for lunch during a weekday and were immediately seated under the covered patio. It was a hot day but the space was breezy and shaded. Our server, Barry, was friendly, attentive, and very knowledgeable about the menu. I ordered the seasonal sangria which was so refreshing on the hot day; I loved it! I especially loved the butter garlic sauce that came with the mussels that I ordered. My sister's tuna tartare was also really good, but I think they should offer a different type of vehicle to eat the tartare with. Everything tasted fresh and flavorful. Barry also created a tequila lemon drop for my sister with elderflower(?) that she really enjoyed. Overall we had great service and good food.

    Pauline D.

    So I spent the end of the summer visiting here and enjoyed it. We would air in the bar area which is open area when warm. Get some drinks and oysters, plus oyster shooters. Definitely recommend visiting for that experience alone. We've been around looking for ones we like better.

    Victoria L.

    Really great fresh seafood. Great ambiance outside. Great service. If you're in the area and have time to stop for lunch or dinner it's probably one of the best options on The Warf.

    Mocha Crème Brûlée
    Rich S.

    You get what you pay for Food I have been here three times now with my parents, son and daughter. We have gotten the shrimp poboy twice, the burger twice, oysters each time and the shrimp salad once. We have also always gotten whatever flavor of Crème Brûlée was on the menu. The burger was one of the best I have ever had. They have recently changed it and it isn't quite as good as before but the quality and flavor of the meat is top notch. The sauce they put on it is also excellent. The oysters are some of the best if not the best I've ever had very fresh tasing not fishy or too salty like many I have had on the gulf coast. The shrimp poboy was dressed differently than I am use to in Louisiana but it was a great change up. The shrimp are huge and flavorful. Overall one of the best shrimp poboys I've had and I've had a lot of great ones. The Crème Brûlée was one of the best restaurant deserts I have had anywhere. I prefer the Mocha over the Matcha but for someone who normally despises Matcha I was shocked how much I liked it (my daughter loves matcha and she couldn't get enough). The salad and charred oysters my parents got were also very good. Overall everything we have had has always been top quality. Service The wait staff are always friendly, quick and helpful. Never had a bad experience here. Ambiance We have always sat under the covered porch. It is right on the water and has a beautiful view. You feel the breeze come through (they also have fans in the summer and heaters in the winter). There is also indoor seating if you prefer. Overall very pleasant place to eat. Price This is my only knock on the restaurant. Last time I was there we ordered 1 burger, 1 dessert, 2 oysters and water and the bill was $50. The burger alone is $24. I knew that it was expensive after the frost trip and I still have gone back twice but this is definitely a special occasion kind of place for us but since we aren't in DC often that is fine. I'm not going to say something is or is not worth it for you just know this is high end not a midrange place to eat. With all of that said it is 5* for me. We love the food and I would go back whenever I am here so long as it is a small party. I would not however bring the whole family of 5 simply because of the price tag.

    Ceasar salad
    Ashley S.

    A solid oysters experience on The Wharf. Happy hour is the place to be here, as they do $2 oysters and $1.50 clams. They also have a nice selection of fresh salads and other seafood dishes. I haven't had it, but the whole branding looks delicious. The one drawback for me: I prefer West Coast oysters, and you'll only find East Coast / Virginia oysters here.

    Crème broule
    Tiffany H.

    Great place by the wharf. The oysters are so fresh! So good! We sat by bar w n ordered a bottle of brut! The fries are nice n crispy n hot, the grilled octopus is sooo good perfectly cooked. The deserts crème boule was great n the apple empanada was so great. This was a great find! Service is friendly m, courteous n attentive which I always appreciate

    Exterior
    Karen P.

    Wet day - looked for a seafood restaurant in Harbor area and decided to try Rappahannock Oyster Bar . Great seafood fettuccine with juicy shrimps and tasty mussels in a tomato sauce that was so delicious that we asked for bread to soak up sauce! Husband ordered hamburger and fries (he is not a fan of shellfish). Another great dish! Burger was juicy ,bursting with flavor cooked medium rare perfection. Enjoyed tequila oyster shot! Tasty and spicy! Service waiter was attentive,, helpful with suggestions and charming! Great view of both harbor and seafood market. Cozy but spacious seating in enclosed patio.

    Courtney R.

    Great options with indoor, outdoor, and shaded seating options! The food was okay... I enjoyed the olde Salt oysters and the fries the most. I did not like the asparagus and burrata salad at all. The service at the bar was friendly, helpful, and fast. Overall, it's a great spot on the wharf giving a "DC vibe" that's not the stuffy. I was a little surprised the way the bill stacked up but I'll be back and have no problem bringing friends and family

    Bacon cheeseburger and fries

    See all

    29 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Iris J.
    293
    671
    2801

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sue C.
    204
    686
    2137

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 3
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tara L.
    3766
    1222
    3934

    3 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Jodi V.
    0
    195
    227

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alishia H.
    95
    109
    45

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    Page 1 of 10

    Ask the Community - Rappahannock Oyster Bar

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Seafood 10,054 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Free State - Hazy IPA

    Free State

    4.3(149 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    Not to be confused with Free State Distillery in Upper Marlboro (though many also call it Arthur…read moreWheeler Spirits haha), this place is located just off of the main street in chinatown, and it's surprisingly lowkey. It's a basement bar with a bit of a dive vibe, but it's hard to ignore the nautical, blue crab theme throughout. Turns out that one of the owners is a Marylander, which is cool to see reflected in the decor in a place in dc, even though it is next door. They have a happy hour and they have a great variety of drinks in general. It's bring-your-own-food (BYOF) and there are a bunch of delicious looking Asian spots nearby, including upstairs. It didn't start getting crowded until closer to 10, which, as I said, is surprising for this part of town to me. Everywhere in Chinatown is not going to be packed and busy, and this place is here to remind you of that. Stop by if you're looking for a more chill vibe. Staff are pretty cool.

    Free State is perfect for a chill bar in the Downtown area. It's exactly the kind of place you want…read moreto share a few drinks and be able to hear the person in front of you. I had a delicious orange crush drink and my friend had a sangria. The bartenders are extremely chill and nice; they only come up when you need it which is nice for good conversation. I'll easily be back when I want to catch up with friends without a speaker blaring in our ears. Great place to introduce to more people!

    Photos
    Free State - Spiked chocolate

    Spiked chocolate

    Free State - Bar

    Bar

    Free State - Small glasses

    See all

    Small glasses

    Henceforth - Waffle and potato

    Henceforth

    4.5(32 reviews)
    2.5 miH Street Corridor/Atlas District/Near Northeast

    We walked to this brewery, but could easily make it on the streetcar as it stops right across the…read morestreet. This former mini golf country club space has transformed into such a cute and classy neighborhood watering hole, while maintaining some of the golf decor. With a large and varied draft beer menu (our group had IPAs, stouts, seasonal ales, and even a cider), plenty of wines (including NA!) and an expert sommelier, and bar snacks for all tastes, I can see myself ducking into Henceforth for any sort of drinking. Their upstairs area had more tables and intimate spaces, but our group took up the comfy couches downstairs. Their staff is incredibly friendly, and just generally seem happy to be there. They also host monthly activities on their calendar, which sounds like a great way to gather!

    What a nice vibe this place has! I only got a glimpse of the first floor because I was meeting a…read moreparty upstairs. It felt like the perfect lounge. You sit anywhere you like and you order from the bar. There was one bartender running to and from downstairs to grab things. I have partied enough for the weekend so I didn't get any drinks besides a soda, but I shared the veggie sandwich and curry mussels for food. The curry mussels were outstanding. I thought they should have provided a separate bowl and spoon to handle all of the empty shells and juices, but that Curry was fantastic. Curry as an alternative for wine sauce should be normalized. The sandwich tasted great, but the veggies were so greasy that the sandwich was very messy to handle. They provide towelettes whenever someone gets wings, they need those for that sandwich too. And I absolutely loved the Old Bay chips that came with it. I would definitely come back to chill for happy hour or the like. The music was at an oddly low volume, but still I'd recommend.

    Photos
    Henceforth
    Henceforth - Triple Fried Fat Fries with aioli verde, buffalo and honey old bay wings, Spicy Chicken sandwich, and Braised Short Rib.

    Triple Fried Fat Fries with aioli verde, buffalo and honey old bay wings, Spicy Chicken sandwich, and Braised Short Rib.

    Henceforth

    See all

    Cordial at the Wharf - Expanded Spirits sections

    Cordial at the Wharf

    4.7(19 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    I visited this store looking for Dekuyper Red Apple Schnapps, as Google indicated it was sold here…read more While the item wasn't currently in stock, the sales associate went above and beyond to assist me. They took the time to check the ordering system and even mentioned they would speak with the store owner about possibly getting it in and following up with me. That level of effort and care--regardless of the outcome--is what true customer service looks like, and I genuinely appreciated it. Note: The store is tucked away in an alley, so if you're using Google Maps, be cautious when navigating to the location--it's easy to miss or drive past.

    We came in looking for a sweet red wine and had a specific bottle in mind. The employee let us know…read morethey didn't have it, but said there were other sweet red options we could try. We made it very clear that we do not like dry reds and that the sweeter, the better. He recommended a bottle, but his attitude wasn't very welcoming. We decided to trust his recommendation anyway, only to get home and realize the wine was very dry -- exactly what we said we didn't want. We were really disappointed because we were looking forward to trying a new sweet red wine. Better customer service and listening to customer preferences would've made this a much better experience. The place itself was very nice with a lot of selections.

    Photos
    Cordial at the Wharf - Expanded whisky selections

    Expanded whisky selections

    Cordial at the Wharf - 70 District Square storefront .

    70 District Square storefront .

    Cordial at the Wharf - Wine collection

    See all

    Wine collection

    Shelter - View from the outdoor patio in.

    Shelter

    4.6(16 reviews)
    2.3 miCapitol Hill

    I already mentioned Shelter in my Roost review, but it also deserves its own review for being the…read morebest beer bar that I ever visited inside a food court. Its a pretty easy feat to achieve for the minds behind spots like Church Key and The Sovereign (and I'll get to those places later). But from showcasing a well-rounded list of around 1000 beers annually including some exclusive brews in 50 taps, to having equipment like a temperature controlled tap system, side-pull taps for lagers, and a cask engine system for ales and ciders, it shows that they have features that many non-food court beer bars could only dream of! With it being Snallygaster weekend I was on cloud nine sipping and savoring a satisfying preview of the breweries that I'd be enjoying over the weekend. But I also enjoyed some of their regular harder to find brews while conversing and geeking out about good beers with the bartender. Another standout plus to the bar being in a food court that's very tech savvy was the ability to order from any restaurant in the court while sitting at the bar! Toss in plenty of cocktails, whiskey pours, a well-rounded wine list, and non-alcoholic options, and this bar is a good spot for anyone to Shelter in place in. Especially during their happy hour and special events!

    Excellent selection of beers and they have guest taps! There is something for everyone, which we…read morefound out after we saw the frozen drinks they had in the corner and decided instead of have frozen pina coladas instead of craft beer. Glad we did - these were really good! And a good size, too. Service was quick and helpful as counter service only.

    Photos
    Shelter - Frozen pina colada

    Frozen pina colada

    Shelter - True Hurricane  Pina Margarita

    True Hurricane Pina Margarita

    Shelter

    See all

    Tap99 - Fried Catfish Sandwich  - part of the all new Summer 2024 menu!

    Tap99

    4.4(123 reviews)
    1.2 miNavy Yard
    $$

    The most amazing service the girls walked us through every beer what they were there flavors they…read morewere very informative. Having it be my first time they made me feel very comfortable

    If you want a place with a good beer selection and fun vibes, then this is the spot. If you're…read morehungry, then maybe try another place first then come here for drinks.... We ordered the Mac and cheese bites but they did not have any Mac.. it was just fried cut up mozzarella sticks. Which is great.. if that's what it was called on the menu. We also ordered a fried chicken sandwich and a pub burger. The chicken sandwich was fine. The pub burger was ... meh. The pretzel bun they brought out was over toasted and looked like it was pretty dry before that. Like it was HARD. No one came to check on us after the food arrived so I had to take my plate to the check out desk to address the issue. Cait took care of it right away; I asked for just a new bun - I don't mind swapping it out myself. But in the end the burger was still just meh. Almost forgot to mention the fries .. not great. They were salted well but the fries themselves were almost chewy. When we checked out, Cait said apologized and mentioned some staffing issues. She offered to get in touch with some sort of compensation but didn't offer to waive our one beer. We left paying full price for everything. Again, fine spot if you just wanted to hang out and drink beer.

    Photos
    Tap99
    Tap99 - Shrimp Croquettes  - part of the all new Summer 2024 menu!

    Shrimp Croquettes - part of the all new Summer 2024 menu!

    Tap99 - Pigs in a Blanket - part of the all new Summer 2024 menu!

    See all

    Pigs in a Blanket - part of the all new Summer 2024 menu!

    Rappahannock Oyster Bar - seafood - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...