Sunny Side Oyster Bar

Ok so I didn't not even have a chance to take a picture of the oysters, they were that good! Amazing if u like oysters u need to go that's it. Best raw oysters in an unassuming place, friendly service, good price. Ambiance well just try it for yourself very unique but totally worth it. If you want to avoid the lines come here later in the day during a weekday.

The low down: This place is the real deal. Fro. The outside you'd think it was a run down shack, but there is some seafood goodness inside w crazy low prices!

Driving back from the Outer Banks, my boyfriend said there was a small place that a friend told him about that we just had to try. when we pulled up I was surprised at how rundown the building looked and thought there is no way this could be all he claims. I turned to my YELP community only to find out that the hype must be true.

When you walk in, there is a huge open waiting area w video games (one of which is Ms.Pac-Man), a pool table and a bar. They don't sell wine by the glass here only by the bottle. You have to give your name if you ever want to be called to the back for food. The amazing ladies that worked the front bar told us that they had just opened two weeks ago and usually there is a bout a 2-3 hr wait. Sunday is their least busy night and when we went at 4:45 there was only about a 30 minute

Usually they have 6 shuckers on at a time, but this night they only had 4 so only 27 people could be taken at a time.

I got steamed scallops and broccoli and cheese. My boyfriend got 1/2 dozen steamed oysters. Food was cooked to perfection. They shuck the oysters right in front of you, which was really cool.

If you've never been here it isn't very clear how the process works and if I could recommend one thing to change it would be to make that more clear.

We will most definitely be returning here!

If you like oysters, you have to try this place if you are in the area. Opened in 1935, second oldest oyster bar on the east coast, steeped in history. They have a few other things (shrimp, scallops, crab legs); but that's only if you have a member of your group that refuses to eat oysters -- don't go unless you are going for oysters. You have a choice of steamed or raw (steamed oysters are very good, better than I expected, and what I would recommend), along with a to-die-for cocktail sauce, melted butter, and saltine crackers. You can also get a side of broccoli and cheese, but almost no one that we saw did. Oh, and you do this while sitting on very uncomfortable high stools in the old bar area, elbow to elbow with fellow diners, watching your shucker plop your oysters into a bowl in front of you about as fast as you can eat them. And if you don't get there VERY early (around 5:00pm for their 5:30pm first seating), you'll likely be waiting a long time for a bar seat. I'm glad I went -- and the oysters were wonderful -- but it's not a place I would go to on a regular basis.

My buddy and I stopped in recently while heading east on a hunting trip, based on the positive reviews. The outer gathering area is basically a bar with some surprisingly good brews on tap. Once you make it into the inner sanctum you're sitting around a fairly small horseshoe facing the shuckers' pit. Wood shavings on the floor are a nice touch. The oysters were as advertised - succulent, flavorful and super fresh. Great no-frills atmosphere and very friendly staff. The only down note were the side "scallops" we ordered. Didn't have much flavor and were suspiciously all exactly the same size, perfectly round with sharp edges. Don't want to say the "P" word (ok, plugs) but hmmm? I'll just chalk this off as a rookie ordering mistake and would definitely return for the oysters which are first rate and obviously the main attraction!

Great place, interesting crowd, small menu but it keeps me busy. Can't wait to go back and get some crab legs. Omg to die for.

Quality... Cool... Historic... A good first date or a good thousandth date ... Keep it simple stupid

Ohh my.... this place is heavenly! One of the locals and Eastern NC favorite places to eat oysters. It's a little hole in the wall, not your oyster fancy restaurant, but the quality of oysters and service is a 5 star.

My favorite type of oysters were the steamed ones dipped in the house sauce and warm butter. The menu is small but it has worked for many years.

If you are wanting an adult beverage you get it at the bar while you wait to be called. The place is small arrive there early and make sure your whole party is there. If not you will have to wait to be serve until everyone is there.

Make sure you called prior to planning a visit as their hours variety and they work base on the oysters they get.

Enjoy this amazing oysters place!

If you're patient it's well worth the waiting time. I do not recommend bringing children here it's a very adult atmosphere. There's lots of seating in the waiting area so you can chat and drink. When we were finally seated it was a very awesome experience having a personal oyster-shucker. He was very engaging it was like dinner and a show. There's also lots of hot sauces to choose from including a spicy habanero.

All I can say is WOW!!

When you pull up you are going to think you made a mistake, but the only mistake you can make is not going in and eating!

Just today my wife and I visited the top 4 oyster bars from New Bern to the OBX, and none of them came close to Sunny Side!

Okay so some pointers.

The oysters are amazing any way you go, but the steamed oysters are insane. Make sure you ask for the special hot sauce. The Orange one that was made my the father of one of the shuckers. It is awesome!!

Next up has to be the snow crab. Perfectly steamed and with the drawn butter you can not go wrong.

Finally let's talk about this famous cocktail sauce. It was better than I was led to even believe it could be. We had the shrimp and scallops as well and all I wanted was a bowl of cocktail sauce for each shrimp I ate. Oh and made sure to get the shrimp and scallops spicy. They are not at all hot, but the flavor is awesome.

Overall it is a dive that should have been on dinners drive-ins and dives. It is like stepping back into time and the food is just as good as it was the day it opened.

Will 1000000% be back here and bringing as many friends as that raw bar will hold!

Everything one could want in a classic oyster bar. 100% authentic and hasn't changed in decades.