Oysters are a historic staple of New York cuisine — middens, or ancient piles of shells, have been found and dated back to 6,950 BC. The mollusc thrived for centuries in the New York Harbour, and as a result, European settlers developed a culinary oyster and beer culture that has evolved to the chic downtown happy hours of today. While the New York Harbour oyster was overfished, sustainably sourced fresh local oysters from the Long Island Sound and Shore are a popular summer indulgence. Many Downtown restaurants like the beloved Seamore’s and Lamia Fish Market serve the iconic New York delicacy — the perfect way to spend an afternoon downtown, with some oysters and bubbles — while also participating in the Billion Oyster Project program, donating discarded shells to restore New York Harbour’s oyster population.

Find Seamore’s locations at 250 Vesey St, New York, NY 10281 and 390 Broome St, New York, NY 10013