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    Rappahannock Oyster Bar

    3.4 (398 reviews)
    Open 11:30 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Rappahannock Oyster Bar Photos

    Business Info

    RAPPAHANNOCK OYSTER BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Classy
    Upscale

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    Recommended Reviews - Rappahannock Oyster Bar

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    Jenni G.

    Drink was 10/10. Food was pretty good. Happy hour didn't have too much options. Service was good. The ambiance was nice but smaller than I expected.

    Sauvignon Blanc
    Wendy K.

    Great server. Excellent experience. Beautiful space and views. Food was ok. Very disappointed with the crab cake. Wine and menu selection was broad.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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

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    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!

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    Free State - Spiked chocolate

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    I had heard about Amelie for some time now and went with friends this past weekend. I give a 3 star…read morebecause it's a mixed review. I found my food to be pretty good and my friends liked their orders. The wine selection is also very good. My order was pretty large though my friends' portions were smaller and I ended up being the only one eating as they finished and then the server grabbed their plates before I was finished. But what detracted overall from the experience was the ambience and service. Maybe because it was the weekend, but the restaurant is so loud you need to shout at each other. The cacophony of conversation, open kitchen, laughter, screeching and music just ruins it. The service is spotty. The gentleman bringing the food basically tosses it on the table and hopefully it slides to your place. Water is aggressively poured wherever the glass is even if they need to reach acrosss your face while you're speaking. Plus they grab your bread plate after appetizer even if there is bread on it and you want it. Apparently bread service is only for the first part of the meal. So food and drink was good, but overall experience was not. We decided we won't go back. BUT, it seems very popular so you will need to make that call. I suggest trying to get a table at the front of the restaurant.

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    Rappahannock Oyster Bar - seafood - Updated August 2026

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