Atlas Oyster House serves some of Pensacola’s best shellfish at one of the city’s most beautiful locations. Fresh and local mollusks, a menu of other offerings, and waterfront dining have made this a local and tourist favorite since 2002.
The oysters shucked at Atlas Oyster House regularly come from Atlas Bay, East Bay, and Pensacola Bay — which is the water that’s no farther than a stone’s throw from the restaurant’s tables. (Please don’t throw oyster shells to test the exact distance.) The shellfish come by the dozen or half-dozen, and they can be raw, steamed, baked, blackened, or topped with any number of scrumptious options. Oysters Rockefeller, Oysters Acadia, and Imperial Oysters are all worth trying.
The dinner menu offers many other options if you’re not into oysters, with burgers, steaks and seafood featured in many of the entrees. The Daily Fish is as fresh and local as the oysters are, and there’s a range of Platters and Samplers if you can’t settle on just one catch. Also consider the Sushi, which includes some vegetarian choices, as an appetizer or meal.
Should you come for brunch, the dinner entrees are complemented by more common breakfast fare. Eggs Benedict, Monte Cristo and Cinnamon Toast Crunch French Toast are a sampling of the morning offerings, which generally don’t have seafood in them.
A variety of cocktails and wines are prominent on the drink menu, but be sure to give the beers serious consideration. While not a brewery in itself, Atlas Oyster House is known for featuring local brews and they tend to go extremely well with red meat and seafood. Sodas and other non-alcoholic options are offered for those under 21 or who don’t wish to imbibe in an adult beverage.
All of this is served in a setting that’s as delightful as the food itself is. You’re bound to see boats heading in and out of Pensacola Bay, and who knows whether wildlife might make an appearance in or near the water during your meal.
Atlas Oyster House is the go-to place for fresh and local oysters, but it’s far from limited in choices. Come for the food and stay for the waterfront views, lingering for however long it takes to wash a beer (or wine) down.
A few of our menu favorites at Atlas Oyster House include:
Pensacola Bay Oysters
When you can theoretically throw the shelf of the seafood you’re eating into the bay where it came from, you know the shellfish is fresh and the location is prime. Get the Pensacola Bay Oysters on the Half Shell, and you’ll have one of the most prized foods in the whole city.
Baked Sampler
Like to dress your oysters up all fancy? Go with the baked sampler, and you’ll have a smattering of Oysters Rockefeller, Oysters Acadia and Imperial Oysters. Just don’t be surprised if you order another dozen of your favorite.
Cinnamon Toast Crunch French Toast
Dipped in custard, sealed in sugary cereal and dusted with powdered sugar. The french toast comes to the table already delicious, and that’s before you drizzle (or douse) syrup on it. Fresh berries are served on the side, so you don’t have to feel quite as guilty when eating.
New York Strip
Not a seafood lover? No worries, the New York Strip tastes as good in Florida as it does in the Big Easy. A well-loved cut of beef, this hearty 12-ouncer will leave little room for dessert.
Old Florida Orange Ale
Brewed by nearby Gulf Coast Brewery exclusively for the restaurant, Old Florida Orange Ale captures the non-seafood tastes of the region in a glass. Get a light and refreshing cold one, and you’ll instantly be cooled on a hot day
Insider Tip:
If you’re going here on a date, specifically ask for an outside table. Not only will you have the full waterfront view, but you’ll also get away from the televisions that are inside. They aren’t the most romantic decor.