Half Shell Raw Bar: Authentic Key West Seafood Experience
Half Shell Raw Bar, located at 231 Margaret Street in the heart of Key West, offers an authentic seafood dining experience in a historic setting. Established in 1972 in a former shrimp warehouse, the venue features rustic wooden picnic tables and a vibrant bar area where guests enjoy freshly shucked oysters, steamed clams, and chilled Key West pink shrimp prepared with the freshest catches from local fishing boats. With breathtaking harbor views and world-famous sunsets, Half Shell Raw Bar is the only seafood restaurant in Key West that owns its own fish market, ensuring unmatched freshness.
The casual atmosphere is accentuated by the daily shucking of nearly 200 oysters during Happy Hour. The menu showcases classic starters such as conch chowder, buffalo wings, and conch fritters, along with hearty entrees including grilled or fried shrimp, stuffed seafood dishes, and assorted sandwiches served on Cuban bread. Inspired by the traditions of a New England crab house, dishes are presented in baskets and paper bowls, reflecting a deep connection to Key West’s rich maritime heritage at the Historic Seaport.
