Hanks’ Capitol Hill location closed back in 2020, but this casual go-to for briny bivalves still serves three neighborhoods around the city, including at a new address in Old Town Alexandria. Oysters on the half shell are $1.50 a pop during happy hour, which runs from 4 to 6 pm Tuesday through Friday at the bar only (the deals start at 3 pm down at The Wharf). Beer, wine and rail drinks run $5 to $8.

Feast on platters of raw bar beauties to oysters any way you want ‘em (Hog Island style involves dunking in a tangy lemon-garlic-Tabasco-butter sauce, a sprinkling of breadcrumbs and shredded cheese and broiling until caramelized!). Lobster rolls, creamy chowder, and crab cake sandwiches with Old Bay-seasoned fries conjure up days at the beach from years gone by.

Hank’s Oyster Bar is headed by Jamie Leeds, one of Washington’s most distinguished chefs. The restaurant specializes in coastal fare and New England beach favorites, like lobster rolls, daily fish specials and lightly fried popcorn shrimp and calamari. The ice bar, consisting of raw oysters, tartar and ceviche, is the highlight.

All four branches of Jamie Leeds's upscale seafood shack offer brunch, although there are slight differences among the menus. The Hangtown Fry — a frittata with fried oysters and bacon or pork belly — is a constant ($16), as is the panko-coated crab cake paired with poached eggs and a tangy hollandaise sauce ($17). Ingredients in the three-egg omelet rotate; a recent version included house-smoked salmon ($13-$14).

Jamie Leeds Restaurant Group oversees the three Hank’s Oyster Bar locations and is led by none other than Jamie Leeds. A self-taught chef, Leeds began her career in 1980, opened the first Hank’s – named after her father – in 2005 and formed her Restaurant Group in 2015. Leeds serves as a mentor to other female business owners and is a supporter of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s “Save the Bay” efforts.

Serving up coastal favorites and New England beach fare classics since 2005, Hank's Oyster Bar is a favorite among locals. There are three locations, Capitol Hill, Dupont Circle and Alexandria, Va., but each offers different menu items daily. Dinner menu includes ice bar, small and large plate selections, meats and side orders.

Hank’s Oyster Bar is the wildly successful casual restaurant of owner/chef Jamie Leeds. Since opening in 2005, it’s received accolades from the likes of Bon Appetit, The Washington Post, Gourmet, and Southern Living. The award-winning chef describes her menu as urban New England beach food.

These popular seafood restaurants are go-tos for oysters by the dozen and fried seafood po’ boys with Old Bay fries. While the Dupont Circle location is closed for weekday lunch, you can catch waterfront views at the Wharf outpost or a rooftop breeze in Old Town Alexandria.

Hank’s Oyster Bar – A local favorite serving coastal and New England beach fare classics like lobster rolls and daily fish specials. Lightly fried items such as the popcorn shrimp and calamari and clams balance Hank’s ice bar options.

Hank’s Oyster Bar: Order nautical flavors on Hank’s Oyster Bar’s heated rooftop for a selection of seafood po’boys, Maine-style lobster rolls, pan-seared crab cakes and seasonally inspired daily seafood specials.