Whether you’re in the mood for your oysters to be baked, broiled, fried, stewed or nude, you will find a smorgasbord of dining options across the Alabama Gulf Coast. And sticking to the old adage of eating oysters in months that only have an “R” means February is a great time to enjoy eating oysters along the Alabama Coastal Connection’s Connecting with Food itinerary. Get your taste buds ready for a savory treat!

AAC February 2016 Oyster Itinerary PhotoTraveling the Connecting With Food itinerary will put your starting point on Dauphin Island. Restaurants known for serving up these half-shell delights include Pirate’s Pleasure, Barnacle Bill’s, Island House and Skinner’s.

Continue your travels to Baldwin County where a bounty of restaurants serving oysters is sure to please. On your way down to the coast, stop in Robertsdale at Ivey’s for a bowl of creamy oyster stew or barbecued oysters in a sauce unlike any you’ve experienced. Heading south, consider visiting one of The Shrimp Basket locations, well known for their options including delicious oyster or shrimp po-boys.

The world is your oyster when dining on oysters in Gulf Shores. Acme Oyster House, King Neptune’s Seafood Restaurant, The Original Oyster House and the Flora-Bama Lounge and Oyster Bar are tried and true dining choices for the mollusk-minded. South-of-the-Border Oysters stuffed with fresh salsa, jalapeno and cilantro, then topped with cheddar cheese, are a spicy contrast to the Oysters Baked in Parmesan Butter at King Neptune’s.hangout oyster cook off

Wake up with Oyster Shooters, a single oyster paired with vodka and cocktail sauce, at Acme Oyster House in Gulf Shores – or try the Chargrilled Oysters in an herb butter sauce topped with a special blend of cheese.

Go a little farther east and watch the sunset under the Perdido Bay Bridge at Cobalt Restaurant as you sink your teeth into traditional Oysters Rockefeller topped with a blend of baked spinach, shallots, parsley and green onions. Or choose luscious chargrilled or raw oysters.

Oyster itineraries are a great starting place to eat something really special and fresh while you’re visiting. Here are some tips to remember for oyster dishes:

  • Interested in an oyster po’ boy? Specify whether you want the sandwich dressed or not, meaning you want it served with lettuce and tomato and sometimes a pickle.
  • Raw oysters are served best with slightly spicy cocktail sauce, although some diners prefer a squeeze of lemon while others opt for only horseradish. Still others choose to concoct their own mixture of cocktail sauce and horseradish before placing the oyster atop a cracker and slathering it with cocktail sauce
  • Cold beverages are a wonderful accompaniment to raw oysters.