This Friday, August 5th, is National Oyster Day, and Miami is no stranger to these briny bivalve mollusks.  Iced cold oysters are the perfect summer food...high in protein, low in calories, full of zinc and other beneficial minerals, good fat and certainly a better choice for salt cravings than a bag of chips! 

There are over 150 varieties of true oysters but actually only 5 species and traditionally they are named after the body of water or bay in which they are grown and are known by a myriad of names such as Wellfleets, Blue Points, Kumamoto and Kuushi.  

The flavor varies depending on the type of conditions or Terroir they are grown in; rocky soil, tidal or brackish water, etc. with the Northeast areas of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Maine providing some of the most delicious and accessible oysters. 

In celebration of National Oyster Day, here are some local options to slurp up a half shell (or a couple dozen):   

Izzys Fish & Oyster- Miami Beach’s best fresh seafood restaurant is hosting a “Buck a Shuck” oyster special from 5- 8 pm for anyone purchasing a bottle of wine or sparkling wine.  Izzys Fish & Oyster 423 Washington Ave. Miami Beach FL

Mignonette is shell-ebrating with $2 oysters at lunch and dinner. Mignonette reliably serves up the freshest oysters and boasts eight varieties every day. The Mignonette team shucks about 500 oysters on a typical Friday, excluding those for baking, frying and excessive quality checking. This National Oyster Day, Chef de Cuisine Bobby Frank is looking to break that record. Cheers to the oyster at Mignonette! On Friday, August 5th the restaurant will open for lunch at 12:00pm – 3:30pm and for dinner 5:30pm – 11:00pm. Mignonette 210 NE 18th Street. Miami. FL  (305) 374-4635

Meat Market - come mingle over mollusks with a selection of delicious specials that are certain to tantalize even the most discerning bivalve connoisseur. Available at both the restaurant’s flagship location on Lincoln Road and in Palm Beach, enjoy some of Executive Chef Sean Brasel’s creative takes on the shellfish including Black Duck Salt Oyster, 6 for $10 and MM Oyster Po Boy Sliders for $7 each. Those at the bar can also enjoy half-off oysters and $10 champagne all day. Meat Market Miami 915 Lincoln Rd Miami Beach, FL.

The Dutch Miami offers a daily “Oysters & Bubbles” Happy Hour, with oysters and champagne available for half-price from 6:30-7:30PM. The Dutch will also be offering Chef Andrew Carmellini’s famous Oyster Sandwich for one day only. This delicious dish consists of flash fried cornmeal crusted blue point oyster on a homemade sesame-toasted brioche bun with iceberg lettuce and pickled okra remoulade. The Dutch in the W Hotel 2201 Collins Ave. Miami Beach FL

La Cote at Fontainebleau Miami Beach will be offering one (1) complimentary glass of Domaine Sainte Foy La Côte Rosé for each order of one dozen oysters. La Cote 4441 Collins Ave. Miami Beach. FL

Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Co.-  Fresh off their win at Tales of The Cocktails New Orleans for Best New American Cocktail Bar, Sweet Liberty also offers 75 cent oysters  and $5 Rose everyday from 4-7 pm  Sweet Liberty 237 20th st. Miami Beach, FL

Edge Steak and Bar- $1 oysters during Happy Hour everyday along with other bar bites and specially priced cocktails, beer and wine.  Edge at The Four Seasons 1435 Brickell Ave. Miami Beach, FL

Midtown Oyster Bar- located in the bustling Midtown Miami restaurant alley (3301 NE 1st Ave), is celebrating National Oyster Day by setting up a self-service oyster bar from 5 to 7pm on Friday August 5th for a $25 all-you-can-eat oyster bonanza! And in partnership with Wynwood Brewing Company, Midtown Oyster Bar will also be offering $2 pints of the signature La Rubia. Guests must have pre-purchased tickets for this event. For tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/midtown-oysterfest-tickets-2668577587. In addition guests can enjoy individual oysters at $1 ALL DAY on Friday August 5th (no ticket required). Midtown Oyster Bar, 3301 NE 1st Ave., Suite 103-1, Miami, FL. 786-220-2070   midtownoysterbar.com.

The River Seafood & Oyster Bar - One of Miami’s favorite downtown restaurants, serving sustainable, locally-sourced organic cuisine with a focus on seafood – River will be joining the celebration with their renowned Fire Roasted Oysters served with ancho, sofrito butter, queso manchego and chorizo Guests can also toast to National Oyster Day at the bar during Happy Hour from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and choose from 8-10 different types of hand-shucked oysters for half price along with drink specials. The River Seafood & Oyster Bar- 650 South Miami Avenue. Miami, FL (305) 530-1915; www.therivermiami.com.

And up in Fort Lauderdale make a stop at Burlock Coast for $1 Oysters all day on August 5th. Burlock Coast 1 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. Fort Lauderdale , FL

or join the party at Wild Sea Oyster Bar for a shucking and eating event.  Wild Sea Oyster Bar Grill on bustling Las Olas Boulevard is celebrating National Oyster Day From 6:30PM to 9:30PM, with passed tapas by Executive Chef Toby Joseph –as well as East and West Coast oysters for 50¢ each. To wash down the fresh fare, guests can sip on complimentary pours by Funky Buddha Brewery and bubbly from a champagne ice luge. The celebration will kick off in the restaurant’s main bar and patio overlooking Las Olas Boulevard with live DJ entertainment. Guests up for a challenge can go head-to- head with Chef Toby in an oyster eating contest. The friendly competition will take place at 8:15PM and will include prizes of a $50 bar tab credit (3 rd place), a $100 gift card to Wild Sea (2 nd place) and a coveted grand prize of $150 towards brunch for four at Indigo, the Riverside’s contemporary American restaurant. Wild Sea Oyster Bar Grille Riverside Hotel 620 East Las Olas Boulevard Fort Lauderdale, FL

And in other related seafood news, Momi Oyster, the once Brickell favorite that specialized in fresh seafood with exquisite Japanese flavors is now set to reopen on August 1st at its same location, 1040 S Miami Ave. This much-missed spot that brought Miami all different kinds of bivalves and other seafood is back with these fresh delicacies from the sea, both raw and cooked, that will be prepared to please anyone’s palate. Momi Oyster will be offering patrons a few specials starting opening day to celebrate the re-launching of the location. All day, guests can enjoy fresh all-you- can-eat Lobster for $40 or all-you- can eat lobster AND oysters for $59.99. Momi Oyster 1040 S Miami Ave, Miami Fl  786 703 7812.