When it comes to seafood restaurants, diners in South Florida certainly have a plethora of restaurants to choose from, but there is one mainstay that has stood the test of time – and for good reason.
For more than 25 years, City Oyster & Sushi Bar, best known for its impressive selection of fresh East and West Coast oysters and eye-catching sushi presentations, continues to be a favorite spot for both locals and tourists alike.
Diners flock to the seafood-focused restaurant to enjoy a lively atmosphere either on the outdoor patio or inside the open dining room with bustling bar area to nosh on everything from rock shrimp tempura and steamed shrimp dumplings to crab and spinach dip, and tuna tartare.
Chef Jordan Stilley has created an approachable menu that features starters like his signature smoked fish dip served with pickled jalapenos and creative main events like a shrimp and crab gumbo bowl with Cajun sausage.
Friendly servers get guests started with an addicting sampling of their fresh focaccia bread paired up with a side of olive oil for dipping.
We recommend starting off with one of their creative cocktails like the citrusy Paloma, a classic Gin Martini, an effervescent Aperol Spritz, or a glass of their famous sangria.
While the restaurant focuses on dishes from the sea, there is also a nice selection of entrees for land lovers that include handhelds and even an exclusive Butcher’s Block section. A signature Buddha bowl offers a flavorful combination of grilled chicken, cucumber, chickpeas, sprouts, tomatoes, quinoa, greens, and cashews topped with a green goddess dressing.
Be sure to try a sampling of fresh oysters ranging from enormous briny bivalves from Maine to freshly shucked selections from Prince Edward Island. Other chilled shellfish offerings include classic shrimp cocktail and jumbo lump crab cocktail. Oysters can also be prepared Rockefeller or Casino-style as well.
The Morimoto Roll was a standout from their sushi offerings. An enormous California roll arrived topped with a very generous offering of spicy tuna, salmon, seaweed salad, and fresh avocado.
Other impressive sushi offerings include a specialty Wagyu tartare roll, a signature Spicy Geisha, and a Yummy Roll featuring “inside out shrimp.”
The pan-seared local grouper entree was a declared favorite served atop carrot risotto, English peas, parmigiana Reggiano, and pea tendrils in a delicious brown butter sauce.
An uber tender eight-ounce filet mignon cooked to our medium-rare liking can be complemented with a blue cheese crust, truffle aioli, or jumbo lump crab Oscar. There is also an option to pair it up with a lobster tail for a tasty surf and turf-style dinner.
While we did not save room for dessert, we look forward to returning soon to try a slice of the creamy chocolate peanut butter pie or old-fashioned Key lime pie.
Be sure to keep an eye out for City Oyster’s nightly specials that include Tini Tuesdays where diners can enjoy half priced martinis with the purchase of an entrée.
City Oyster & Sushi Bar is located at 213 E. Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach, Florida.
