Hog Island Larkspur - Larkspur, California

Tina G.

Stopped by for an oyster snack and seafood stew at lunchtime on a Sunday afternoon. Delicious! There was a 25 minute wait for indoor seating so opted for outdoor. It was windy & chilly but under the heater was cozy. Service was awesome!

Charlie B.

It’s a February Sunday afternoon in Northern California… I'm cruising down the 101, heading back from Santa Rosa to Berkeley, and suddenly, my stomach starts rumbling. Now, I'm a big fan of fresh seafood, and I remembered hearing about the well-known Bay Area hotspot, Hog Island Oyster Company, having a location in Larkspur.

Perfect! I’m going right past it. So I pulled off the highway, and bam, there it was, not far from the ferry to San Fransisco and the “big house”, San Quentin.

Now, Hog Island Oyster Company, for those who don't know, isn't just any oyster shack. These guys are the rockstars of oyster farming in the Bay Area. They started out back in the 1980s, growing their own oysters in Tomales Bay, and they've built this amazing reputation for incredibly fresh, top-quality sustainable seafood. You can really taste the difference. Hog Island Oyster has also become something of a “must-do” destination, known for the fish sure, but also the bright, clean, friendly and lively atmosphere at their restaurants.

Anyway, I lucked out and snagged a seat at the counter, which was buzzing with people. It was a really fun vibe, super energetic. And let me tell you, everything I ate was just terrific.

Of course, I started with the oysters on the half shell. They were so fresh, briny, and just… perfect.

Served with Lemon and “Hogwash Mignonette”, I enjoyed Hog Island Sweetwater and Hog Island Earthquake Bay oysters. You could tell they came straight from the bay. These had some of the deepest cups I’ve ever enjoyed. I might have to have some shipped to my home in North Carolina one day.

Next, I ventured on to the grilled oysters. Oh man, those were something else. I got a pair with Chipotle Bourbon Butter, which was smoky and rich, and I also tried two with the Calabrian Chili Garlic Oil, which had this awesome kick of heat. Both were absolutely delicious.

But the real star of the show? The Rustic Seafood Stew. I’m familiar with this as somewhat a staple of Northern California seafood restaurants. So this was a must-do in my mind. And it did not disappoint.

It was packed with Lingcod, Shrimp, and Manila clams, all swimming in this flavorful tomato broth with a touch of Calabrian chili. And the grilled Acme bread for dipping?

Forget about it! It was the perfect comfort food on a slightly chilly afternoon. The seafood was cooked perfectly, and the broth was so good I wanted to lick the bowl.

How about the service? Seriously top-notch. Everyone was super friendly and attentive, even though the place was packed. They were happy to answer questions and offer recommendations, which I always appreciate.

Honestly, if I lived anywhere near Larkspur, I'd be a regular at Hog Island Oyster Company. It's the kind of place where you can just relax, enjoy amazing seafood, and soak up the lively atmosphere.

If you're ever in the area, do yourself a favor and check it out. You won't be disappointed!

Willis W.

Drove a ton of times but never stopped so figured we would give it a try. Tried a dozen oysters, clam chowder and crab sandwich, and all were good but not amazing. Service by main server was good, but a couple request to other wait staff went unfilled.

Worth a try but temper your expectations.

Unknownblah

Amazing little place to stop by. Was stuck because the ferry was shut down for a time and my friends and I stopped by here for a few beers.

Needless to say, the food here is top notch quality. The service was incredible and very welcoming. We do not remember our server's name, but he lived in Jacksonville Florida for some time. That guy was the highlight of our day!

He hooked us up with what to try when we told him we never tried an oyster before. He was an amazing server and deserves all the best tips.

Will recommend this place to everyone visiting and nearby to try and make time for a little getaway beer and food here.

A.S.D.

Oyster options are always delicious! My favorite is their BBQ chipotle bourbon oysters. Drinks are also great. Service is questionable sometimes as in they can seem annoyed to be there but their food will always bring me back! ❤️

Andrew J.

The views and ambiance can be great if you come in on a sunny day. If it's raining or windy, you're potentially in for a bad time as the outdoor seating is half of the restaurant capacity. The food is pretty good and the oysters are top notch. Service can be a mix depending on when you come in. When we went in on Friday for lunch, we kept getting other tables' dishes and were charged for the wrong items. Overall, still a good spot to catch a nice meal before heading out for a day of fun

Aiko T.

Great atmosphere and interior
Sat at bar because they didn’t want to seat us outside on picnic benches in case of big groups coming after us, even though over half the benches were open. Bar stools were very comfortable metal and mesh

The shrimp and oyster Po Boy sandwiches were delicious. Both really fresh, flavorful and juicy.

Service was great- bar staff attended to us quickly and made sure we had enough water.

It was lovely to walk around after our meal along the waterfront

Morpheus M.

Hog Island is the king of oyster flavor. They're always delicious. Never a bad dish and always fun Friendly service. I would have no shame eating 24 oysters but I can't do it all at once so I'll just have to come back at least 4 more times 🤣👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿