• Banner 1
  • Banner 2
  • Banner 3

Welcome to Oyster Society

Oyster Society, nestled in historic Petersburg, VA, is a culinary gem that fuses eclectic charm with innovative cuisine. The restaurant showcases a captivating array of small plates, featuring everything from roasted mussels to vegan delights, each crafted with creativity and flair. Their "Manifestations" menu further elevates the dining experience, offering stunning entrees like succulent duck and tender beef, all artfully presented. Customers rave about the unique ambiance, reminiscent of a whimsical Edgar Allan Poe setting, creating a warm yet vibrant atmosphere. With thoughtful wine pairings and enchanting cocktails, every visit promises a delightful food adventure that’s not to be missed.

LOCATIONS

Welcome to Oyster Society, a gastronomic treasure nestled in the heart of Petersburg, Virginia. This enchanting establishment invites diners to embark on a culinary adventure that transcends the traditional oyster experience. The address, 309 N Sycamore St, Petersburg, VA 23803, is where you will find a unique blend of historic charm and modern creativity that defines the restaurant's intriguing atmosphere.

At Oyster Society, the menu is a carefully curated journey through a world of flavors, focusing on specialty food that combines comfort and sophistication. From the moment you step in, expect an eclectic vibe, likened to what one might imagine if Edgar Allan Poe decorated a Cracker Barrel—imagine velvet cushioned seats and an assortment of vintage memorabilia creating a magical dining backdrop.

  • Signature Dishes: The offerings include an impressive range of oysters, from juicy raw varieties to delightful baked preparations featuring seasonal vegetables and braised bacon topped with pecorino. Each dish is artfully presented, transforming a simple meal into a feast for the senses.
  • Small Plates: The small plates menu offers an assortment of creative bites, such as the Cap Stone Salad with its creamy blue cheese and apple preserves, and Tartare (W/Training Wheels), featuring sous vide tenderloin accompanied by fried capers and buttermilk. Diners rave about the eclectic combination of flavors that Chef brings to each plate.
  • Manifestations: For a truly unique experience, the "Manifestations" menu provides entrée options centered around seafood, beef, duck, and even vegan interpretations. Dishes like the Fall Risotto—with curry coconut risotto and braised pork belly—are standout selections that showcase the restaurant’s ingenuity.

As you explore the drink menu, you’ll find an extensive collection of wine pairings and inventive cocktails. Each server is trained to guide your choices, ensuring that your beverage complements the vibrant dishes served. This level of attentiveness makes every meal feel like a personalized experience, where you are treated like the only diner in the establishment.

Customer reviews echo the sentiments of a crowd captivated by Oyster Society. Guests have celebrated not only the exquisite food but also the lively atmosphere filled with energy and charm. For some, this restaurant has become a 'must-revisit' spot, with many eager to return time and time again.

In conclusion, Oyster Society is more than a restaurant; it’s a culinary experience that captures the imagination. It challenges the norms of fine dining with its creative spirit and welcoming environment. Dine here for an adventure that promises to delight not just your palate, but also your heart. Don’t just take our word for it—let the vibrant dishes and unique ambiance transport you on your next meal out!

START YOUR REVIEW OF Oyster Society
Chelsea
Chelsea

This was the best restaurant I've ever visited. From the electric and spooky energy, to the funky decorating, the lovely servers, the creative cocktail (omg), and holy hell the food. It was the best food I've ever put in my mouth. The entire meal was an experience - from the cozy seating up front while waiting on a table (we opted for the bar) to the pouring of the drinks.... The presentation of the food..... cannot be beat.

K S.
K S.

Historic, antique and eclectic describe the Oyster Society venue. Don't let the word "Oyster" limit your thinking about this incredible culinary experience in Old Town Petersburg. Oyster Society has huge assortment of specialty small plate items including various meats, seafood and vegan choices. One could easily dine solely on assortment of small plates, but make sure you order from the "Manifestations" menu for your entree. On the manifestations, one is given the choice of beef, pork, seafood or vegan. You can't make a wrong choice. Speaking to the carnivores, don't rule out the vegan selections. You will not be disappointed. These folks are creative. Expect to see some different choices each time you visit. Oyster Society has a great selection of wine pairings and specialty cocktails. Your server will guide you with your selections, give you time to converse and generally treat you as if you are the only customer. Parking is conveniently located on Sycamore Street or in a lot within a short walking distance. This Old Town Petersburg Venue is on my "must repeat" list. OS is one of my top recommendations!

Melissa L.
Melissa L.

This place is so freakin magical, and the food and cocktails are just beautiful! Such a well thought out menu and everything is interesting and delicious. Always a great experience and the staff is wonderful - can't wait to go back!

Katherine M.
Katherine M.

4.5 The food was top notch. Weird combinations that worked and were tasty. This was one of the best meals we've had in the Richmond area. Not cheap but worth it. Service was excellent. Attentive and explained everything. Told us her recommendation without being asked. We liked the ambience. It's funky but interesting. Wasn't too crowded or loud. We had oysters, two small plates and split a main course and had dessert. It was plenty without being too much. Hope this place can make it in Petersburg. Heard they have Po' boys during the day. Will definitely come back to try. Challenge yourself and go! It is not inexpensive but you can tell they work hard and take pride in their creations.

Alessia L.
Alessia L.

We attended Victoria's Lament Valentines Pre Fixe Dinner at Oyster Society tonight and it was spectacular. Six courses with six alcohol pairings. Ours was the 8:30 seating and it was a full house. We began with oysters. Ugh. Husband and I are not fans, but we decided to bite the bullet and just go for it. They were delicious. I'm still not an oyster fan, but I can now say that I have enjoyed an oyster. Second course was a braised pork belly that I could have eaten 468 more portions of. The pork was crispy and fatty and the tattooed heart was a nice touch, but the star of the plate were those beans. Creamy and rich, I wanted to stick my face in the bowl and just drown in them. Third course was a seafood delight with a blood orange gastrique that made me want to lick the plate. Both lobster and shrimp were cooked beautifully and whatever that root vegetable was with the tiny dollop of whipped cream made my day. Fourth course was the star of the evening. That bourbon glaze was incredible and my tenderloin melted in my mouth like butter. Fifth course was not my favorite taste-wise but came in first in presentation. A makeshift fresh buried grave complete with shovel on a stone slab. If you're not a fan of Gruyere cheese this won't be something you'd like. It was interesting to say the least, but the pairing of the sweet Vermut made it less......cheesy (?) Finally, as they dimmed the lights and the restaurant became dark, we were given our sixth course, a delectable blacker than black, black raspberry cobbler and ice cream. I did not care one bit that I couldn't see it because it was so dark, it was awesome. All in all, if you were looking for a quiet romantic dinner to stare lovingly into your partner's eyes, this wasn't it, honey. Lively and loud and full of energy we all were, excited about our food adventure, curious as to who we were sitting near and just embracing the unique "vibe" that is Oyster Society. I, for one, cannot wait to see what get they think of next!

Jessi C.
Jessi C.

The space is so cool. Love the eclectic vibe. Felt like if Edgar Allen Poe decorated a Cracker Barrel. So many animal skulls and old creepy painting. Velvet cushioned seats, church pew type benches. Really fun old style glasses and silverware. The food was delicious. Sometimes "fancy food" can be prettier than tasting good. This isn't the case. I had the Duck. It was cooked perfectly. Cut through like butter, melted in your mouth. The table side drizzling of apple cinnamon honey was a nice addition. The apple bread pudding had a great texture and so much flavor that accompanied the duck beautifully. All the root vegetable purées were delicious and full of flavor. I would get this again and again and be happy. My partner is a vegetarian who can't have dairy so he ordered the herbed gnocchi with stuffed cabbage and house made vegan risotto. He said it was fantastic (and he's a picky eater). We got the vegan deconstructed carrot cake for dessert. It was very cute and flavorful. The "cheesecake" was smooth and firm for being vegan and it had carrot cake layered inside. The staff were so friendly and attentive. A really great experience.

Marci F.
Marci F.

It is a very unique restaurant. From the DeCora to the food, we did not order entrée we only ordered small dishes, because there were so many incredible choices to choose from. The flavors were very bright. Combination of ingredients were unique, and it was just overall tasty. My boyfriend went nowhere pastrami Aki had been all his life, I would highly recommend Oyster Society.

John H.
John H.

This is a great addition to the restaurants here in Old Towne Petersburg! It's pretty unique, a combination of fancy and eclectic, there's so much interesting memorabilia in here! The food was top notch and believe me you will want to try one of everything so I suggest sharing. The menu is broken into 3 sections: oysters, small places, and today's manifestations. You're server offers you not just a meal but an experience. The butter candle is for spreading on your bread. We got the fried oysters, the Sea Board, ham biscuits, duck, beef tenderloin, and salmon. All were amazing. We will be back!