Half Shell Raw Bar

Taylor Pink 3 months ago

My first time coming to half shell and the experience was like no other. First off Tonee is so vibrant and very kind! Everything came out so quickly, the service is extremely friendly, and Tonee was awesome, gave us a lot of really good recommendations. The ambiance is very nice and classy - perfect for relaxing after a long day of work. The food is also out of this world. The oysters were so good, we did a mix of all the options they had available and each oyster tasted completely different from the next but still really good. Will definitely be coming back and especially to see TONEE!!!!!

HJC 6 months ago

Half Shell — such a fun new seafood spot in Charlotte! The space is super cool— clean, industrial, lively and perfect for sitting at the bar (which we did). Service was attentive and kept things moving, adding to the upbeat vibe. A few small hiccups but nothing major: they didn’t have blue cheese olives (a little sad, but not a dealbreaker), and the fries were unfortunately frozen with about an hour wait… BUT they subbed in truffle chips and wow—those were next level. Honestly, they should just make that the standard. Food-wise, even though it’s a seafood spot and we didn’t go all-in on seafood, the tuna poke nachos were incredibly fresh and easily the standout—those homemade crisps with the yum yum sauce were unreal. We also ordered a main Caesar but got the side instead, which was totally fine—it was good, just a pretty standard salad. They had a great oyster selection too, even though we skipped it this time. Overall, a really solid experience with great vibes and standout bites. Not sure I’d sprint back, but I’d definitely go again 👍

Zach Morgan 6 months ago

Been to Half Shell a few times now and it’s been consistently solid every visit. The oysters are always fresh and on point. I like them with hot sauce and they’re always happy to bring it out. The apps are probably my favorite part of the menu: the poke nachos, calamari (with a great aioli and fried pepperoncini), and spicy little tails (fried lobster) are all worth getting. The shrimp po’ boy was loaded with fried shrimp and definitely my favorite handheld. For entrees, the scallops stood out. Nicely seared with a good crust, tender inside, and just really succulent. For drinks, the Osaka Old Fashioned is smooth with a slightly smoky twang. They’ve also got some solid lighter beers on tap that pair well with the oysters. Overall, a really reliable seafood spot I’ll keep coming back to.

Lori Schilkowski 8 months ago

As New England natives, we are always on the lookout for fresh seafood in NC. We live an hour away, but made the drive to give Half Shell a try - and we will be coming back for sure. Beautiful interior, professional wait staff, wonderfully curated wine list, delicious signature cocktails, and AMAZING food. We had the tuna poke nachos to start with. SO GOOD! Fried wonton nacho chips with chunks of fresh tuna & avocado, topped with sliced jalapeños, Sriracha aioli, and unagi sauce. Hubs had an oyster sampler from the raw bar. Fantastic selection. Served with a traditional mignonette, as well as a spicy Serrano pepper option. Next up we had the Spicy Little Tails and the Rhode Island Style Calamari. Both were cooked to perfection - tender with a flavorful, light, crispy batter. Lastly, we ordered the chilled lobster roll and a side of truffle fries. Neither disappointed. Split top bun filled with huge chunks of tender lobster - just like back home. Hubs stuck with his usual drink, but I ventured into the signature cocktail menu and ordered the Sea Glass. Vodka, lime, and cucumber. Light & refreshing. Definitely our new favorite for seafood in the Queen city!

Adam Strange 8 months ago

Bar area when you walk in is very welcoming with a great selection of liquor and cocktails. Dining area is laid out nicely with different seating areas laid out in a way that you don't feel crowded regardless of your party size. They have a wine menu with recommendations based on the seafood you plan to order. The raw bar selection is fantastic especially when it comes to oysters. They had oysters from NC, CT, ME, CA, and New Brunswick. They serve them with 2 amazing mignonettes. We also shared the spicy lobster tail appetizer that comes with an amazing mustard and butter sauce. People in our group had the hot lobster rolls, tuna nachos, salmons special and halibut special. Each dish was presented very professionally. Lobster rolls are packed with perfectly cooked lobster and a side of drawn butter and a side of thin crispy fries or housemade chips. Chips were some of the best made and seasoned chips I have had. Both fish dishes were perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection. Highly recommended Half Shell to any seafood lover and especially for the oyster lover.