Snockey’s Oyster & Crab House
Visitors and locals alike trek from miles around for the raw bar at this Queen Village favorite. With three generations and 98 years invested into the business, the Snockeys have earned a reputation for quality oysters and crabs. 1020 S. Second St., 215-339- 9578; snockeys.com
McCormick & Schmick’s
Located across the street from City Hall, this is a staple for suits and other well-heeled clientele. The raw bar features several varieties of oysters, as well as California rolls. 1 S. Broad St., 215-568-6888; mccormickandschmicks.com
Oyster House
The Minks have upheld a long tradition of providing fresh oysters to Center City power players since the middle of the century at their Sansom Street eatery. Although the family sold the establishment for a brief period, the youngest Mink, Sam Jr., reopened the Oyster House in 2009 with a fresh, modern look, and it’s been a local favorite ever since. 1516 Sansom St., 215-567-7683; oysterhousephilly.com
Butcher and Singer
At Stephen Starr’s 1930s-era steakhouse, moderation is a virtue that goes unheeded. Steaks are seared to perfection, martini glasses are kept full, and seafood platters are loaded with shrimp, oysters, clams, Alaskan king crab legs, and lump crab meat. 1500 Walnut St., 215-732-4444; butcherandsinger.com
SeaBlue
For the ultimate in elegant seafood dining, Michael Mina’s restaurant at Borgata offers several varieties of caviar along with all the chilled options like oysters, clams, and poached Maine Lobster—plus a two-pound lobster pot pie that will sate even the most hard-to-please seafood fanatic. 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, 609-317-1000; theborgata.com
Fin
Down by the shore, we always get a craving for some briny goodness. The raw options in this corner of the Tropicana are many, and all can be enjoyed on the outdoor patio—or from inside during the colder months, as every seat in the house has ocean views. 2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, 800-345-8767; tropac2.net
Caffe Aldo Lamberti
The build-your-own seafood harvest here is just as delicious as it sounds. Crab claws, langoustines, shrimp, lobster, clams, and oysters are among the choices that you can load onto your seafood platter, in whatever proportions you please. 2011 Rte. 70 W., Cherry Hill, NJ, 856-663-1747; caffelamberti.com
XIX Nineteen
On the 19th floor of The Bellevue, XIX Nineteen offers a spread of seafood delights in a dining room anchored by a breathtaking chandelier. Its crab cocktail with mustard and shrimp cocktail with Bloody Mary cocktail sauce are creative classics. 200 S. Broad St., 215-790-1919; hyatt.com
Union Trust Steakhouse
A revered meeting place for power lunches, the Union Trust Steakhouse offers teetering shellfish towers, but we go for the specialty oysters: spicy shooters flavored like Bloody Marys or Latin “smoked” oysters, accompanied by a charred herb mignonette and avocado. 717 Chestnut St., 215-627-2082; uniontruststeakhouse.com
Devon Seafood Grill
Devon Seafood Grill attracts Rittenhouse Square diners in the mood for fresh fish. Aside from the seafood platter, it has one of the best raw offerings out there—tuna tartare. 225 S. 18th St., 215-546-5940; devonseafood.com
