Your guide to N.C. oysters, from the salty sea to the half-shell

Oysters are big in the state and poised to become even bigger. With that in mind, here’s a look some of the basics about N.C. oysters. 

The Best Oysters To Eat in Raleigh, NC

Local chefs share their "pearls of wisdom" about what oysters to look out for around the City of Oaks.

The South’s Oyster Trails Are Drawing Hungry Crowds

Oyster trails, a new leg of culinary travel, invite visitors to learn about the deep history of these rural, coastal communities, see working oyster farms, and sample the briny bivalves at restaurants who support them.

What’s So Special About North Carolina’s Oysters?
Savoring the NC Oyster Trail

The Trail includes over 75 members across the state that offer a wide variety of shellfish tourism experiences. Along the Trail, you can find seafood restaurants and markets, shellfish farm tours, recreational and educational activities, and special events highlighting N.C. oysters.

Oyster farming is hard work, but rewarding

Katherine McGlade loves oysters. In fact, she likes them so much that she left her successful environmental consulting business to pursue oyster farming.

Farm Fresh ~ Ghost Fleet Oyster Co.

Cody and Rachel Faison are farming oysters to reap a harvest they can sell. But that’s only one aspect of their Ghost Fleet Oyster Co. farm in Hampstead, North Carolina.

North Carolina’s Oysters Come Out of Their Shell

In the tradition of wine and ale trails, the state’s oyster trail aims to give the farmed shellfish industry a needed boost.

Check out the living shoreline that helps stop erosion

NC Coastal Federation set up a “living shoreline” in Carolina Beach state park in 2015, and holds occasional events to maintain the structure.

Oyster trail designed to protect threatened industry

New trail along North Carolina coastline includes oyster farms, seafood markets, restaurants and educational sites.

New program aims to boost NC’s growing oyster industry

The oyster industry in North Carolina has grown dramatically in recent years, and now a new program will look to not only help bolster future wild oyster numbers, it will also benefit oyster growers in the state.

How to Explore the NC Oyster Trail (10+ Adventurous Ways!)

There are multiple ways to experience this fantastic trail, and we’ve created this guide to help you explore it, along with some helpful info about the NC oyster industry.

Durham chef Ricky Moore of Saltbox wins James Beard Award

Durham chef Ricky Moore of Saltbox Seafood Joint, one of our trail members, is a 2022 James Beard Award winner for Best Chef: Southeast.
© 2023 NC Oyster Trail.