Half-shell oysters from Chincoteague, Rappahannock, Choptank and the Eastern Shore appellations, shucked to order on a bed of crushed ice with mignonette, lemon and saltines.
The Chesapeake Bay has been the largest US oyster fishery for two centuries. Old Ebbitt Grill, founded in 1856 four blocks from the White House, has run a marble oyster bar continuously since the 19th century; its Oyster Riot each November is the national reference event. The Salt Line on Penn Quarter Avenue SE codifies the contemporary Chesapeake-meets-New-England oyster house.
2 editor picks for Chesapeake Bay raw oysters in Washington DC, ranked by editorial score. All Washington DC signature dishes · Chesapeake Bay raw oysters across every city.
The Salt Line ★ 4.5
navy-yard · 79 Potomac Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003
The Salt Line in Washington DC is the Navy Yard New England-style seafood room overlooking Diamond Teague Park, with Connecticut-style lobster rolls.
Old Ebbitt Grill ★ 4.0
downtown · 675 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
Old Ebbitt Grill in Washington DC is the city's oldest saloon, founded 1856 and now serving 1.5 million guests a year across four bars at its 15th Street.