New York Oyster Trail

New York Sea Grant’s Oyster Trail highlights many of New York’s Oyster centric businesses. These featured businesses are a glimpse into the state's oyster industry and how you can interact and engage with them. Click on the red markers to learn more about New York’s Oyster businesses.

Locations on the Map

Disclaimer: This list is not comprehensive and is subject to change. If you would like your business to be added or removed from the map, or if you'd like to change any information, please reach out to aquaculture@cornell.edu. Thank you!

Locations on the Map

Title	Phone	Website	Email	Bio
Blue Island Oysters	631-750-5986	https://blueislandoysters.com/	events@blueislandoysters.com	Only 50 miles east of Manhattan, Blue Island Oyster Farm offers a tour full of adventure and fun on the beautiful Great South Bay. The setting is beautiful and serene with gorgeous views of the Fire Island Lighthouse. There is no other place quite like it, anywhere: warm sunshine, fresh air and breathtaking views. Oyster Farm Tours run during the summer months for up to approx 16 guests at a time. We run both public and private group tours that are great or corporate outings, birthday parties and a variety of other gatherings.
The Frisky Oyster	621-477-4265	http://www.thefriskyoyster.com	thefriskyoyster@gmail.com	This North Fork destination eatery is known for imaginative cuisine in a sophisticated, metropolitan atmosphere. Don't miss the oysters "friskafella," a local staple! Dinner begins at 5, reservations recommended.
Great Gun Oysters	631-896-0766	http://www.greatgun.com	paul@greatgun.com
Cull & Pistol Oyster Bar	646-568-1223	http://www.cullandpistol.com	hospitality@lobsterplace.com	The Cull & Pistol Oyster Bar is a Michelin-acclaimed seafood restaurant located in the heart of Chelsea Market. Since opening in 2013 we’ve become a go-to dining destination, beloved by locals and tourists alike. We’re known for delivering exceptional service and a seasonal menu that takes full advantage of the remarkably fresh and varied offerings from our sister seafood market, The Lobster Place. We offer a dozen different varieties of oysters that are updated daily. sourced directly from farms in northeastern United States and Canada.
Happy Oyster Company	631-902-0836	http://www.happyoysterco.com	happyoyco@gmail.com
Fishers Island Oyster Farm	631-788-7899	http://www.fishersislandoysters.com	hello@fishersislandoysters.com	Family farm started in 1981 using only suspension culture techniques with zero negative impact on bottom ecosystem.
Little Ram Oyster Co.	917-239-7032	http://www.littleramoysters.com	stef@littleramoysters.com	Little Ram Oyster Company is a female-owned and operated family business that was established in 2018 by Elizabeth Peeples and Stefanie Bassett. Surrounded by wineries, local farmers, fresh seafood, pristine beaches and some of the friendliest people you will meet, the couple planted a seed on the North Fork of Long Island after 17-year careers in NYC… and they couldn’t be happier! When the ladies aren’t shucking, shlepping or slurping, they are taking care of their son, Finn!
Lucky 13 Oysters, LLC	516-769-2611		Lucky13oysters@gmail.com	We farm oysters in the Great South Bay
Cornell Oysters	631-680-1032	http://www.cornelloysters.net	Marta@cornelloysters.net	We have spent a lifetime on the water and are one of the few oyster farms owned and operated by true North Fork baymen. We strive to remain sustainable while providing the finest farmed Peconic Bay oysters possible. We have 4 roadside stands open 24/7.
Founders Oyster Farm	201-960-2005	http://www.Foundersoysterfarm.com	steven@foundersoysterfarm.com	Just 1000 yards off the Founders Landing and the shore of Shelter Island and Paradise Point in the pristine Peconic Bay, grow fabulous, flavorful Founder oysters.
Peconic Gold Oysters Inc.	631-495-7061	http://www.peconicgoldoysters.com	Matt@peconicgoldoysters.com	The gold standard of Oyster growers, Established in 2013, Peconic Gold Oysters Inc. produces petite and large oysters for restaurants and the general public. Experience some great, and easy to open, local healthy food.
Southold Bay Oysters	914-602-3339	http://www.SoutholdBayOysters.com	Dave@SoutholdBayOysters.com	We are a shellfish farm growing Southold Shindig Oysters in the waters of Southold Bay, on the North Fork of Long Island, NY. Learn the process of farming delicious local oysters at a working aquaculture farm. The tour describes the oyster spawning process through the grow-out phase and the gear used to farm oysters. Your experience concludes with an oyster shucking lesson and a waterfront sample of our Southold Shindig Oysters.
Widow's Hole Oysters	631-477-3443	http://www.widowsholeoysters.com	mike@widowsholeoysters.com	For 3 decades we have been growing New York's premier kusshi-ed oyster. Huge lawn/ gardens on a peninsula at a 200 year old estate.
Blue Island Oysters (Commercial Operation)	631-563-1330	https://blueislandoysters.com/	events@BlueIslandOysters.com	Blue Island Oyster Co. was founded in 1995 with the aim of providing Manhattan restaurants with the highest quality shellfish available. It all started when Chris Quartuccio began scuba diving for natural oysters in the Long Island Sound and delivering them fresh daily to chefs in New York City. This business has grown substantially in 24 years and is now recognized as the number one oyster and clam distributor in the New York area. Blue Island has recently expanded its marketplace and is now shipping shellfish all over the United States. Our oysters and clams can be found on restaurant menus in Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston & Miami. Our dedication to consistent quality and adherence to proper oyster appellation has landed our shellfish in virtually every oyster bar and seafood restaurant in Manhattan. Numerous James Beard Award winners, 3 and 4 star chefs, and large restaurant groups have designated Blue Island as their primary supplier. Our distribution facility and corporate offices are located in west Sayville NY and our oyster farm is located on the fire island inlet by 3500 Ocean Parkway, Babylon NY. Summer farm tours can be booked for guests ages 12 and over

Oyster Fun Facts

Oysters can change their sex, often more than once in their lifetime. They start as males and usually end as females.
Oysters have gills and breathe like fish.
Oysters are very efficient water filters - an adult oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water in 24 hours. In Chesapeake Bay, for example, the oyster population could filter all the water in the bay in just 3 days.
Oyster reefs play a huge role in reducing erosion and flooding from storms - they can absorb up to 93 percent of wave energy.
Oyster shells are recyclable. They can usually be returned to several drop off locations which can then be reused to help grow young oysters.
Oysters get their flavor from their environment. It is because they develop a flavor profile from their environment while filtering the water and different water bodies have different levels of salt and nutrients.
Oysters are very rich in vitamins and nutrients. A single oyster can contain 1/4th of the recommended daily supply of copper, iodine, iron, manganese, phosphorus, zinc and numerous other minerals.
Manhattan’s oldest street, Pearl Street, is named after the fact that it was covered with crushed oyster shells.

Oyster Myths Debunked

Myth #1: Dousing the oyster in hot sauce or drinking alcohol at the same time as eating oysters will kill harmful bacteria.

Debunked: Simple science has shown that drowning oysters in hot sauce has the same effect as running them under water, and drinking alcohol while consuming them won’t kill potential pathogens. It is important to purchase your oysters from a reputable source or harvest them safely from certified water bodies.

Myth #2: Oysters can cure hangovers; they are also a natural aphrodisiac.

Debunked: No scientific evidence concretely supports either of these statements.

Myth #3: Jewelry pearls primarily come from oysters.

Debunked: Jewelry pearls primarily come from mussels and clams; oysters produce a very small minority of all jewelry pearls.

Myth #4: Raw oysters are only safe to eat during months with the letter R.

Debunked: This was actually a good rule of thumb in the past - as months without the letter R are warmer months when there is a higher prevalence of pathogenic bacteria in the water and more opportunity for growth when harvested. Under modern food safety regulations, harvest and temperature controls are strictly enforced to ensure commercially harvested shellfish are safe to eat year-round. Be sure to purchase your shellfish from a reputable source, any dealer following appropriate food safety regulations will have shellfish accompanied by a tag that indicates the appropriate license and sourcing information for those shellfish.

This list is not comprehensive and is subject to change. If you would like your site to be added or removed from the map, please reach out to aquaculture@cornell.edu. Thank you!