Solid Choice
TLDR: The Mermaid Inn is a great choice for last minute oysters. Their seafood is reliably fresh and they have a fun and warm atmosphere. With three sister locations to choose from, The Mermaid Inn has got your back in a pinch with a little something for everyone.
Image credit: themermaidnyc.com
Sometimes, I really want oysters and fries. It’s the perfect snacky dinner to follow a big lunch or to tide you over to actual dinner. But, it’s not a meal I would ever attempt to make on my own (shuck no) so when my craving calls, places like The Mermaid Inn answer.
The Mermaid Inn is warm and inviting – it nails New England hygge. It’s suitable for many occasions where fresh seafood is desired, such as a fun summer happy hour (the Chelsea location has outdoor seating), a cozy winter date (see above definition of hygge), or even dinner with your in-laws. It’s not fancy schmancy, just properly nice.
Most importantly, it serves some excellent east coast oysters with doubly excellent, slender and crispy fries you can dip into your excess mignonette and cocktail sauce (try it before you knock it). There are other good things to order too. I’ve enjoyed their salads and “nearly famous” lobster roll on the rare occasions I’m not dead set on oysters. Not everything is going to wow here (the yellowtail ceviche was not at all worth ordering), but most things are rock solid and the seafood is definitely fresh. As a terribly exciting bonus, they give you a free chocolate pudding at the end of your meal. It might just be a Snack Pack from the grocery store piped into a pretty cup with a little whipped cream on top, but I love chocolate and free things so this is definitely a win.
I’ve only ever walked into The Mermaid Inn, so you definitely don’t need to make a reservation with a party of 2. I actually love bar seating for oysters, but if you can’t stand it then you’ll be safer with a resy. Fortunately, there are several Mermaid Inn sister restaurants with almost identical menus and similar vibes, so should you find yourself wanting oysters in Greenwich Village or Times Square instead of Chelsea, they’ve got you covered.
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