Virginia is the Oyster Capital of the East Coast, with over 40 million oysters sold each year since 2016, and if you have ever had a Virginia oyster, you know what all the fuss is about. These tiny yet tasty delicacies can be served raw, steamed, baked, fried, roasted…there really is no wrong way to cook oysters!
But while many people may know how to eat them, not everyone knows what makes the oysters harvested in Virginia so special. The answer is simple: Product diversity and quality. The watermen of Virginia have been harvesting oysters in their respective regions for generations, passing down their knowledge to the younger family members as they learn new tricks of the trade. With this growing skill set, harvesting the best oysters is second nature to the latest generations of Virginia watermen.
From salty to sweet, buttery to briny, Virginia’s oysters taste just like the waters they came from– whether it’s the mighty Rappahannock, the Chesapeake Bay, or the Atlantic Ocean. Virginia boasts eight oyster regions that produce eight distinctive flavors. So go ahead, do a taste test to find your favorite Virginia oyster flavor!
THE HISTORY OF WATERMEN & OYSTERS IN VIRGINIA
Photo Credit: Todd Wright, @toddwrightphoto
The story of Virginia watermen goes back thousands of years to when Native Americans fished the waters of the Bay, but the more recent and notable oyster history can be traced to John Smith and the English settlers that arrived in 1609. One early Virginia resident noted, “Oysters there be in whole banks and beds, and those of the best. I have seen some thirteen inches long.” The conditions of the Bay during that time were perfect for oysters, with the salty Atlantic Ocean water mixing with the freshwater of the rivers that emptied into the Chesapeake Bay. The water conditions and the low population along the Bay created an ideal balance for the oysters to grow uninhibited.
THE VIRGINIA OYSTER RESURGENCE
Unfortunately, 19th century population growth and 20th century pollution drastically affected the oyster beds of the Chesapeake. By the 1980’s, the once-abundant seafood dish became scarce and virtually inedible.
In the early 2000’s, a group of Virginia watermen, scientists, environmental agencies, and federal officials met to discuss a plan for saving the Bay’s oyster business. They began working to clean up the Chesapeake Bay and reintroduce healthy oysters once the water was clean. Today, these efforts have led to a sort of oyster renaissance in Virginia, and you can find plump, mouthwatering examples of their success at restaurants throughout the East Coast.
THE EIGHT OYSTER REGIONS & THEIR DISTINCT FLAVORS
Depending on where they are harvested along the shores of Virginia, you may get very differing tastes when dining on oysters from the Bay, even though they are all the same species (Crassostrea Virginica). With the introduction of the Tangier/Middle Chesapeake Bay oyster region on July 21, 2016, there are now eight distinct oyster regions in Virginia, each with a unique flavor. Are you a briny fan or do you lean towards sweeter oysters? The flavor of Virginia’s Oyster is unique to the region (a concept called “merroir,” similar to the wine concept “terroir”). These exceptional tastes range in salinity, creaminess, and sweetness. Use these characteristics to discover the oysters that best fit your taste buds.
1. SEASIDE
Photo Credit: Rachel Stevens
Where They Are Found: On the Atlantic coast of the Eastern Shore.
Flavor: Initial bold saltiness mellowing into a taste of sweet butter/cream at the finish.
Common Types: Sewansecott, Misty Point, Olde Salts, Indian Rock, Broadwater Salts, Ballard/Cherrystone
Suggested Wine Pairing: Ingleside Vineyards—Albarino
Order Them Here: Rappahannock Restaurant, Richmond and Rocksalt in Charlottesville
Annual Oyster Festival: Annual Chincoteague Island Oyster Festival
2. UPPER BAY EASTERN SHORE
Where They Are Found: On the bay coast in the Northern part of the Eastern Shore.
Flavor: Classic Virginia Bay oyster flavor with balanced salt and sweet, with a savory finish.
Common Types: Pungoteague Creek, Battle Creek, Dixie Belles
Suggested Wine Pairing: Cardinal Point—Green
Order Them Here: Hank’s Oyster Bar in Alexandria
3. LOWER BAY EASTERN SHORE
Photo Credit: Sam Dean, @sdeanphotos
Where They Are Found: From Craddockville to Cape Charles along the bay side of the Eastern Shore.
Flavor: Salty and creamy with mellow sweetness with a quick finish.
Common Types: Nassawadox Salts, Henderson Bros. Oysters, Watch House Point, Ruby Salts, Nandua, Sandy Point, Shooting Point
Suggested Wine Pairing: Chatham Vineyards—Steel Chardonnay
Order Them Here: The Oyster Farm at Kings Creek in Cape Charles and Burger Bach in Richmond
Annual Oyster Festival: Cape Charles Historical Society Oyster Roast in Cape Charles.
4. UPPER BAY WESTERN SHORE
Photo Credit: Todd Wright, @toddwrightphoto
Where They Are Found: From the mouth of the Potomac River to North of the Rappahannock River.
Flavor: Sweetwater oyster with a light cream taste.
Common Types: Fleet Island Oysters, Bevans Oysters, Little Wicomico Oysters, Deltaville Oysters, Schooners, Skipjacks, Windmill Point, Potomac Whitecaps
Suggested Wine Pairing: Pearmund Cellars—Old Vine Chardonnay
Order Them Here: Denson’s Grocery and R&B Oyster Bar in Colonial Beach
Annual Oyster Festival: Reedville Fishermen’s Museum Oyster Roast in Reedville.
5. MIDDLE BAY WESTERN SHORE
Rappahannock Oyster Company serves up their fresh oysters
Where They Are Found: The mouth of the Rappahannock River.
Flavor: Lightly salty with easily distinguished cream or butter and a pleasant slight minerality.
Common Types: Rappahannock River Oysters, Urbanna Creek, Parrot Island Oysters, Shores & Ruark, Chapel Creek Oysters
Suggested Wine Pairing: Zoll Vineyards—Unoaked Chardonnay
Order Them Here: Merroir in Topping and Chesapeake Bay Oyster Company in Wake
Annual Oyster Festival: Urbanna Oyster Festival in Urbanna.
6. LOWER BAY WESTERN SHORE
Where They Are Found: Mobjack Bay region and the mouth of the York River.
Flavor: Mild saltiness moving to a sweet finish.
Common Types: Stingray Oysters, Goodwin Island Oysters, York River Oysters, Dandylicious, Eagle Flats, Forbidden Oysters, Mobjack Bay, Yorksters
Suggested Wine Pairing: Afton Mountain Vineyards—Bollicine
Order Them Here: Aberdeen Barn and the Fat Tuna in Williamsburg, Catch 31 in Virginia Beach
Annual Oyster Festival: Oyster Roast at the Freight Shed with Bluegrass in Yorktown.
7. TIDEWATER
Photo Credit: Ron Magee
Where They Are Found: From south of Yorktown to Virginia Beach along the shore.
Flavor: Salty oyster with sweetness and a smooth finish.
Common Types: Lynnhaven Oysters, Church Point, James River, Nansemond River, Pleasure House Oysters, York Point Oysters
Suggested Wine Pairing: Williamsburg Winery—Acte 12
Order Them Here: Terrapin Restaurant in Virginia Beach and A.W. Shucks Raw Bar in Norfolk
Annual Oyster Festival: Virginia Living Museum Oyster Roast in Newport News and the Oyster and South Festival in Chesapeake.
8. TANGIER/MIDDLE CHESAPEAKE BAY
photo credit: Big Orange Frame
Where They Are Found: Tangier Island and the North Central part of the Chesapeake Bay.
Flavor: Traditional Virginia Bay Oyster flavor with a balance of salt and sweet, and a savory butter/cream finish.
Common Types: Tangier Sound Oysters
Suggested Wine Pairing: Glass House Winery—Viognier
Order Them Here: Shagbark in Richmond
OYSTER TOURS
In addition to getting them fresh at the locations listed above, you can tour the oyster regions firsthand with one of these seafaring Virginia oyster companies:
- Fat ‘N Happy Oyster Company—Heathsville
- Faded Glory Tour at the Hope & Glory Inn—Irvington
- Pleasure House Oysters—Virginia Beach
- SouthEast Expeditions—Cape Charles
- Virginia Watermen’s Heritage Tour Program—Gloucester
- Taste Tidewater Tours—Virginia Beach
UNIQUE OYSTER TRAVEL EXPERIENCES
Explore The Virginia Oyster Trail— The Virginia Oyster Trail connects producers, farmers, purveyors, seafood restaurants and raw bars in Virginia’s distinctive bay and river towns for an authentic oyster tourism experience.
Merroir’s Outdoor Oyster Grill—Visit Merroir for the ultimate oyster tasting room experience. Featuring the celebrated farms of Rappahannock Oyster Company, the oyster are served to your preference, either raw or cooked on their outdoor grill, then expertly paired with Virginia craft brews and wines.
Pleasure House Oyster Farm, Chef’s Table Tour
Pleasure House Oyster Farm’s Picnic in the Water—Sign up for the Chef’s Table Tour at Pleasure House Oyster Farm. Hosted by Captain Chris Ludford, owner and oyster farmer, this is a dining experience you won’t soon forget. Stand knee-deep in the waters of the Lynnhaven River (don’t worry, they provide the waders to keep your feet dry!) as you savor oysters plucked right from your feet at the in-water picnic table.
There are many more oyster festivals, restaurants, and tours throughout the Commonwealth, and if you consider yourself a true oyster aficionado, use this article as a must-visit checklist rather than just a resource for dinner.