A.W. Shucks Cocktail & Oyster Bar

My evening quick bite to eat search had me landing here at AW Shucks. Seated at the bar, the tender was cordial & attentive. I had the combo soup & half sandwich. Clam chowder & Albacore tuna salad sandwich. The bread was thick and the sandwich was full of tasty ingredients. The Chowder was a cup full & was average but good. I got what I expected & prices seem reasonable. Restroom was clean as the overall appearance of this restaurant shows.

Marc provided outstanding service, engaging in great conversation and offering spot-on recommendations that truly elevated the experience. I tried the clam chowder and oysters Rockefeller, and both were absolutely phenomenal. The clam chowder, in particular, was the best I’ve ever had—rich, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned. This cozy, intimate spot offers an unforgettable dining experience. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the quality of the food speaks for itself. If you’re in Carmel, A.W. Shucks is a must-visit!

I recently had dinner here with my partner after discovering this place on Reddit while craving baked oysters. Our server, Tommy, was outstanding. We were on a tight schedule, and he provided quick, exceptional service. The food was fantastic – we ordered two bowls of the Rose clam chowder, garlic bread, and a half-dozen Shuckefeller oysters. This place has truly raised my standard for baked oysters. I’d happily bring friends or family from out of town here. Thank you, Tommy, for making our visit so enjoyable. We’ll definitely be back!

Went here because of a recommendation. It did not disappoint. Everything we had was good! Service was really nice! Atmosphere had a cool vibe. If, ever in town again, I would definitely come back.

Really great food! The oysters were great, and they had different varieties from different locations. Each had their own unique flavor. The other menu items were also really good. I recommend the clam chowder.

We were excited to enjoy freshly shucked local oysters and decided on this place. The dozen we received were not freshly shucked, as we were seated at the oyster bar and watched them being pulled out of a fridge already opened. They were rather small and unimpressive. We mentioned this to our server who smiled and shrugged. The steamed artichoke dish came next and was excellent. For an entrée we went for the Alaskan cod, which was quite good. However the hot fish and sauce were served with a cold green salad. This was an unusual and not very enjoyable arrangement. Doubtful we would return.

Such an awesome experience, excellent service staff, fantastic fresh food, and lots of great menu choices!!! The owner’s are such great people who care about their employees & your satisfaction!! We love A W Shucks and have been enjoying this fun Oyster & Cocktail Bar for years!!

Good food, nice scenery, and fresh oysters. What else could a girl ask for?! Oysters tasted good. However, there was a crab inside, and some shells were shocked, but the flavor was good. They have great selections of alcohol in this place. Po boy is a way to go. The shrimps had a wonderful texture and good flavors.

My friend and I stopped in on Thanksgiving Day right as they were opening. Perfect timing for a getting a seat at the bar. We started with a half dozen of Oysters Shuckfeller, which are broiled with butter, garlic, wine and parmesan cheese. These were delicious. As for drinks, my friend got the special of the day, which was a peanut butter whisky cocktail, and I opted for a AW Shuck Bloody Mary with Kettle One Vodka. My friend ordered the French Dip and I ordered the Crab Cake Ceasar Salad. Both were awesome and promptly served. Our hostess was helpful on making a selection. Though, my friend said she should have ordered a cup of the calm chowder because it looked amazing. It is really about timing, a lot of the restaurants in downtown Carmel were busy on this Thanksgiving Day and we just happened to walking by. I can't wait to come back again to try the Kumamoto Oysters and the Fresh Oysters. Great vibe and wonderful staff.

This was more of a 3.5 than a 3. Service was great, the restaurant is so lively and fun- kind of small but doesnt feel claustrophobic! Our clam chowder and oysters were 5/5- so good and would come back for that in a heartbeat. But our fish and chips and fish tacos lacked flavor. I felt both dishes needed more salt. That could just be a preference but the batter of the fish just lacked all flavor. The lychee martini was mouthwatering though!

Fish and chips were the highlight. Meaty fish in a light batter with steak fries, freshly fried complimented with a homemade tartare sauce. Delicious The chill seafood platter was a great sampler of their menu items. I really enjoyed the lumps of crab meat. I couldn't help but order the Bloody Mary- enjoyed the perfect balance you expect, nice paired to enjoy the other shellfish items. From the hostess to the server, friendly and attentive. They were hustling checking on us on a regular basis. The vibe is more on the bar side and very family friendly.

Just about everything went well. This is my second time here, and the service is just amazing. The girls got us in right away, they took our order with the same speed, and we had an amazing meal right away as well. My wife had the tuna with fries, and I had the half a sandwich Salad clam chowder soup. The place is so nice and it looks like someone took some time to design how to make it look just cozy and comfortable. I highly recommend this place.

Yummy cocktails and good quality oysters! Their fish and chips were also good, as well as their crab cakes. Staff was so friendly and the restaurant is so clean and bright.

My favorite place to eat in Carmel. The service, the food and atmosphere are great! We ordered the Crab Louie Salad and Calamari Steak with Salad. Both were delicious. Food is made to order but comes out fast! Great place to grab adults drinks too.

Best part: Bloody Mary. Spicy & strong! Oysters were fresh but overpriced. Crab cakes were meh, not recommended. Sports bar vibe with attentive service. I would drop by again just for the bloody mary.

A.W. Shucks is one of those places I've walked by and wondered "how good is it really?" Well it's definitely a bar atmosphere with an interesting drink and food menu, but I'm here today for oysters. The bar wax packed do I ended up in a high top. Server was friendly but not over attentive. Lots of couples and families. If it wasn't for the overly small tiny Kumamoto oysters without brine, I'd hand upped my rating. C'mon. At 4.25 a pop, I'd expect something fresher. I really wondered if they pre shucked and plated especially they seemed dry. Add an extra when they are so small! Server couldn't be bothered.

We wanted oysters and oysters we got! Love the clever name of this oyster bar, it truly caught our attention. Friendly host and server. Our food came out so quickly! Loved the Kumamoto oysters so much (our absolute fave) that we ordered another dozen, slurp slurp! We also ordered the clams and they were divine! Dipping our bread in the tasty sauce wasn't enough, I had to use my soup spoon to scoop all the flavor in my belly. Yum! Our kids enjoyed the calamari. Everyone was so nice , even the locals who helped me pick up the legos that my kids manage to drop everywhere! When in town we will be back again!

My husband and I stopped by for a quick dinner. It was so busy but they were able to get us seated quick. Service was friendly. I ordered the clam chowder and it was delicious! If you're in Carmel, do yourself a favorite and grab lunch or dinner here. I can't wait to try the oysters next time!

Great place for seafood and of course-- oysters. Very popular spot along the main commercial street in Carmel. Always crowded but they'll seat you quickly. Service and food is superb.

Really loved this restaurant. I got the fish sandwich, and it was scrumptious. Hubby got the fish n chips and enjoyed his as well. Waitress was super sweet, friendly and attentive. Also, got a slice of key lime pie, which was yummy.

The food was good! Our server was so great and personable we really enjoyed it. Food came out fast too. The restaurant was smaller, but most of the places in this area of Carmel are. We would definitely come back.

A More casual stop in the Carmel area than some of the high end places. I liked the vibe. We ordered the oysters and the waitress explained exactly where they were from. I liked the variety. We also ordered some sandwiches. I had the chowder that was a mix of both New England and Manhattan. It was an interesting concept. I didn't love the New England. It was a bit thick but that's a preference thing I suppose. Overall a great experience from the service, to the menu, to the food.

This place is fun! It has a great happy vibe. We stop by before dinner for drinks & a bite and had a blast sitting at the oyster bar. The waitress was very nice & friendly and the food came pretty fast. We'll definitely be back! Cocktails: we got a St. Germain Squeeze & Vesper and both were really nice & clean. Dozen Oyster: We got 2 types of oysters and both were very fresh & tasty. It came with lemons & different sauces. Caesar Salad w/Crab Cake: Good portion & tasty. The salad was pretty good with nice dressing. The crab cake was super tasty, crispy outside & tender inside.

Brandy alone gave us 5 star service here! She was so on top of everything and her alone would make me come back here. The oysters here are very fresh, highly recommend their banana old fashioned.

Stopped into this spot for lunch as we wanted something light and craving seafood by the sea. There is no option to secure a reservation online, but we arrived in on a Friday just an hour after they opened and were able to grab a seat for 2 immediately. The place was pretty packed, as the area is not too large. Our server was very nice and attentive, even when it got even more busy later. We had a half dozen of the raw oysters which came with 3 different kinds. We also got the shockefella oysters which were incredibly delicious. A bit salty but that's to be expected from cheese. I'd definitely get these oysters again. We also had the bowl clam chowder and it was quite the size, very shareable for at least 3-4 people (unless you are a clam chowder hoarder haha). I personally thought the soup was alright, I've had much more amazing clam chowders but certainly not bad either. We also got the fish & chips and that was amazing. Super fresh fries and fresh fish. Wished it was a little more saltier on the fish but the tartar sauce definitely helps bring up the flavor. Highly recommend for anyone visiting Carmel-by-the-Sea!

Casual spot that can easily be missed as they have a small entryway. Service was friendly and accommodating. There is table and bar seating. Food is good consisting of fried options, sandwiches, oysters, and various appetizers. All the food was tasty and portion size was more than enough to share. Drinks were reasonably priced and enjoyable. Oysters were fresh and full of flavor. The chowder was hearty and light. The salad was substantial and hearty. Overall, a nice spot for a good meal. Enjoy.

I always try to get fresh seafood when I'm in the Carmel area and this place has such great dishes! This trip I was only able to do a quick bite so I of course ordered a dozen oysters. They're so fresh and I love the variety of oysters. My fav were the ones from the eats coast! Will definitely come back soon

One of the more affordable seafood spots in Carmel with a cozy pub style atmosphere. Fish is prepared fresh from local area and served with their own signature sauces. They boast the best blooody Mary in town and it was perfectly seasoned and medium spicy with a fresh stalk of celery, olives and pepperocini. Try the seafood sampler to get an idea of their seafood. Excellent cocktail sauce with horseradish

Cute. Loud and delicious! Very cramped, tables are very small, but service was excellent

After several disappointing restaurants in the area with good reviews this one was a welcome change. Great hostesses, great service and very good food. We sat at the bar, they don't take reservations. The oysters were delicious and not overpriced. Fried calamari was crisp and fresh. Great crab cocktail and chowder. So nice to see Manhattan chowder for a change. Bartender was attentive and a nice guy

Fun spot to get a break from winery hopping. The fresh oysters were delicious. I don't mind a bit of brininess, but these didn't have any at all which made them enjoyable even for those in our group that weren't huge fans of oysters. We also ordered the parmesan and garlic broiled oysters which were... interesting. Definitely worth trying if garlic bread oysters sounds intriguing but otherwise I wouldn't have minded sticking with the fresh oysters. We also ordered the fried plate with calamari, shrimp, and fish. It wasn't anything special so I'd skip it. Someone at our table also ordered a tuna sandwich which they claimed was the best thing they ate all weekend. I can only attest for the caesar salad that came with their order, which was perfect.

Food was great! The staff were very friendly and welcoming, and ambience was nice. A must try!

Stopped at this popular place because our love for oysters. While the hostess and our waitress worked hard with the crowd and they still managed to keep all tables Services's and charmed.However the food was sub-par: the raw oysters- we ordered a mix of 3 types- all seemed to have been shucked an extended time earlier- they didn't seem fresh or tasty. The mignonette sauce was terrible. We sampled the white / Boston Clam Chowder but it had an odd taste with only a few bits of clams and potatoes- so we had the red /Manhattan Clam Chowder that was tasty and good. The seafood sandwich was good but the mayo seemed off/ or was the lettuce wet? The table water tasted like it can from a rusty pipe/bad municipal water, so order bottles water or a drink! I had their Bloody Mary that was a best spicy with a beautiful celery stick and large olive. The pepperoni was too bitter(!) to eat. So if you go here w hit the bar and pick wisely from the menu.

Happened upon this place quite randomly, while walking around in Carmel. Service was great, food is even better! Absolutely recommend the Oysters, of course. However, don't sleep on the rest of the menu: the crabcake was sublime, and the fresh made Caesar salad is one of the best I've had in a very long time. Top-notch food with exemplary service from Diane! What a wonderful way to spend a rainy afternoon, dining here.

Super fresh oysters!! We stopped in for an app before walking around town and wow! I highly recommend. We got the 1/2 dozen oyster (mix of the 3 choices). Our favorite was the British Colombia oysters. Yumm!

We have been making staycations in the Carmel/Monterey area for many years...and whenever we walked by A W Shucks, it was always packed with patrons. On our recent trip to the area, we decided to give this restaurant a try by waiting for a table...they do not take reservations. The wait for a table wasn't long even though the restaurant was busy. One of our disappointments was the ambiance. More "pub-style" than we had hoped for. The other disappointment was the cost. On the positive side...our Server, Rebecca, was friendly and attentive throughout our meal. We ordered the following: Drink: Irish Coffee (4/5...good taste but not as "rich" as we prefer), Appetizers: Oyster "Shuckaffeler" (5/5...really yummy but for a dozen, a bit expensive). Main(s): Oyster Po' Boy (5/5), Prime Rib French Dip (5/5)...both sandwiches were good, but again, we felt that the prices were high. Our bill for the items ordered and listed above totaled $115.00 without the tip. Coming in, we were hungry...leaving, we were satisfied with everything except the cost. Rationalizing...yes, it's Carmel, everything here comes with a "higher" price tag. Yet there are other "favorite" eateries in town and the surrounding area...where spending this kind of money renders a true 5 Star experience. On this occasion, in this Yelper's opinion...A W Shucks Cocktail & Oyster Bar earned this "recommend" (if you're up for a very casual and decent, yet expensive meal) 4 Star review.

This small restaurant has good vibes, but the service was not great. Our waitress was friendly but left us for too long in between checking on us. The Oysters are what give this restaurant their name, but when my friends and I got a dozen only half were good. The other half of them were not cleaned very well so there were chunks of shells and sand mixed in and the bad ones were super chewy, bland and if it did have a flavor it tasted like salty ocean which is not ideal. The rest of the food we got was mediocre at best, I would not return here for a meal.

Was in carmel for the day and my partner was craving oysters. Luckily the wait was only 20 minutes so we took a quick walkaround the block and got seated right away. We started with drinks, beer and pomegranate margarita, which were amazing. We also got a dozen oysters and the fish and chips and they were mouthwatering. Our waitresses surprised us because she was also the bartender! What an amazing multi-tasker! Overall a great experience at A W shucks!!!

Great Carmel staple, you know you'll get good seafood here, relaxed vibes, always a good time.

Oysters were great. The location and atmosphere was perfect! We love Carmel for our seafood

We were looking for a light lunch and this place was perfect. Our server Diana A was friendly and super quick, but didn't rush us. Soup salad combo with clam chowder. I upgraded from garden salad to Caesar salad and so glad I did. Anchovy filets and roasted garlic ... so good. My husband had half sandwich soup combo. 1/2 sandwich was huge. We both thought the clam chowder was excellent.

Food was fantastic! Service was exceptional! A bit noisy as it's a small space. Had a great time!!

If you're craving oysters, chowder, great sandwich, fish tacos this is the place!! Cozy and casual, been around for forty years. Never disappoints!

See all the great reviews on yelp at A W Shucks cocktails.... ( No periods after the A and the W)

I had the crab Louis salad and I was highly disappointed. The crab was watery & beyond crumbled. It taste like it was frozen and then sat in in water waiting to to be used. No good sized "chunks" per say. I did like that the dressing was served on the side and it tasted fresh. Service was very good!

I would certainly come back here again if I'm in the area! On the busy strip in Caramel, I was surprised to get a table without a wait (perhaps was just good timing). We were immediately greeted and seated upon entry. It's a small restaurant so the tables were pretty close. I didn't notice much after being seated. I orders the jumbo prawns (great!), New England clam chowder (really good but needed salt and pepper), and seafood sale sandwich (also needed salt and pepper). I was pleased with everything I had even with the need to add salt and pepper. Can't wait to pop in again and check out some oysters.

The service was great, ambiance is chill. I felt very relaxed. I ordered a Cesar salad with bay shrimp, oysters, & tequila of course ! #2024BigSurCaliTrip

Had the best experience here 2 weeks ago. Rowena was an amazing bartender and the food was fabulous! Oysters and bloody mary were spectacular! She made us a drink with an ingredient that most bars/restaurants aren't able to carry and it was delicious! We cannot wait to go back!

If you're looking for oysters, specifically those precious small morsels of Miyagi ones then this is your place! So absolutely fresh and delicious, with both a horseradish cocktail sauce and a tart sweet/sour sauce of which I poured both on my oysters with a dash of lemon, for a combo made from heaven. We got three and a half dozen of these bad boys lol. I will say that the ones in the end did seem to have a bit more shells but that is not going to stop me from going here again. The clam chowder however as others said --pass on it The flavor is bland but the potato and clam pieces were nice! I'm not sure why it's so bland. But hopefully it's low sodium so if that's the case then maybe noting so on the menu would be helpful to those looking for low sodium. We can then also expect it to be bland. Their Bloody Mary mix is on point! I would recommend this drink! Atmosphere is fun and service is great and attentive! Strollers not allowed but we were able to leave it right outside their entrance where they have a host by the entrance all the time. I am looking forward to when I can make it back here again :) P.S. The miyagi oysters come right from Tomales Bay!

We stumbled upon this place while taking a nice morning stroll after Valentines Day. Out server Fernando, was excellent! I ordered a cup of their rose clam chowder & my husband & I shared the prime rib sandwich - one of the best I've tasted! We also got a dozen of California oysters & a dozen of the oysters from Canada. This is a very intimate restaurant. Love how we can watch out food be prepared while sitting at the bar. Definitely will be coming back during our next trip!

Me and my husband got food poisoning. We ordered , the fried platter ( super bland & no seasoning whatsoever) Ordered half a dozen oysters- not fresh at all. The next day we woke up sick and in bed & ruined our trip. We don't recommend this place at all. Voted Best fish and chips?!! Yuck , be very careful. This place is also crammed!

If you're in Carmel stop for a quick drink and some oysters! Different types of shellfish all good and people are pleasant ! All around good everything

Outstanding service. Oysters are unbelievable. In the heart of Carmel. Not to believe liquor and wine selection.

updated review since there are new owners now. We have been going here since it opened and were surprised to find that it had changed owners. The good news is that not much seems changed. However both clam chowder recipes are updated, the red worked, the NE version is more like celery soup with a few clams. Not a fan. Both previous recipes were better. Service was good but server had to come back twice to confirm order. not bad thing, maybe she was new, but not the usual long term veteran service we are used to having here. Prawns and sandwiches all very good still. We hope the quality stays high and flavors consistent. It is hard to do but the previous owners made it work. Will wait and see.

Glad we stumbled upon A W Shucks while cruising around Carmel-by-the-sea! This small restaurant had a 30-45 minute wait on a weekend afternoon and it was well worth it. The Half dozen oysters were fresh and each had a unique flavor, Crab cake Caesar salad had ample portions of crab cake and salad, and our drinks arrived fast and well made. Our server and food were great. The only bad experience was sitting at the counter, and getting weird looks and vibes from the cooks - unfortunate considering how great everything else was. Parking was also a nightmare and we circled the neighborhoods for 15 minutes before finding a spot.

We come to AW Shucks whenever we're in Carmel. It has been one of our favorite for years. The food is always great and quick! We've always gotten very good service but we were especially please after our dinner last night with Miller. The man sitting near us said it best "service with a smile". She was so charming and really elevated our night and dinner.

Came across this spot during a quick trip through Carmel. We were told it was going to be about a 20 minute wait, which is completely understandable considering how busy downtown was. We waited about 15 minutes and then we got a seat at the bar. The bartender was super friendly and immediately got us started with drinks. I enjoyed a raspberry lemon drop, and my fiancé just had a bottle corona. After looking over the menu we decided to split a bowl and clam chowder, and the fried combo platter. It was plenty of food, and the clam chowder was one of the best we had during our trip! The service was quick, and they had a great vibe going on! We can't wait to return!