Now I know, Matunuck Oyster Bar is not in Newport, Rhode Island. But I am telling you the restaurant and the oyster farm tour are totally worth the short drive. Stick around to the end to find out my favorite beach, which is located just 15 minutes from the oyster bar. This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to use my links to purchase certain items, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. I appreciate your support.
My husband and I have been to Rhode Island and the Matunuck Oyster Bar numerous times. Finally, I brought my parents this summer, and the Matunuck Oyster Farm Tour was my mother’s favorite activity of the whole trip, and she is allergic to shellfish 🙂
I hold a special place in my heart for Matunuck Oyster Bar because my husband and I slurped down our first oysters there. I felt like we grew up the afternoon we ventured up to the outdoor patio and ordered grilled oysters because we were afraid of the raw ones. Once we managed those, we got brave and ordered a few raw oysters. Downing those felt like we swallowed the sea, in a good way, and we were hooked. Matunuck Oyster Bar serves the oysters we measure everyone else’s against, so I wanted to share this place with anyone willing to listen 🙂
This post is all about the Matunuck Oyster Bar and what to expect on their oyster farm tour.
How on Earth Do You Pronounce Matunuck?
Mah-TOON-uck. You. Are. Welcome.
What to Know About the Matunuck Oyster Bar?
- They are open year round, Woo Hoo! You can find their hours of operation here.
- This “pond to plate” restaurant made USA Today’s Restaurant of the Year list for 2024 and 2025.
- You are dining on Potter Pond, where the oysters are farmed.
- They have an award-winning wine list. I am no connoisseur (wish I were), so I’ll leave it at that, LOL!
- They have plenty of other dishes if you don’t prefer oysters. Hint: Their clam chowder is one of my favorites!
- Sadly, the restaurant suffered from a fire in the spring of 2025, and they need to rebuild. In the meantime, they have a heated al fresco dining tent across the street from the original location. We found it to be really nice, and the food was as good as it always is.
- I recommend reservations for evenings in the summer months. Book a table.
- They offer both private and public oyster farm tours! Find out more here.
The Matunuck Oyster Farm Tour Explained
The tours are roughly an hour long, and they embark rain or shine. Keep in mind, they have private tours, which are pricey. If it is within your budget, I imagine it is an amazing experience. We just did the regular farm tour, and it was very affordable, like $27-$32 per person, I believe.
How to Book the Tour
I noticed that the tours open closer to the season, but you can certainly email them to ask any questions about booking a tour. I had to do that because I like to do things way ahead of time, and they responded quickly. You can read more about the tours and book once they open here.
Where do I park for the Oyster Farm Tour?
You park at the restaurant for the oyster farm tour.
Tip: I would recommend a late morning tour and lunch afterwards at the restaurant. You’ll have way more appreciation for it after your tour 🙂
What to Expect on the Oyster Farm Tour:
Once aboard you can expect an oyster farmer to take you out on Potetr Pond and explain how oyster farming works. You can ask any questions, and then he suits up and jumps in the water. He’ll pull up cages of oysters during different phases of growth. You can even snag a handful of oysters to hold if you’re adventurous. We even got to hold little mini crabs that were on the outside of the cages. It was really a fun morning for us! This is a perfect activity for families!
tip: Bring a sweater or sweatshirt and a blanket for your lap. it can get pretty cold even on the pond. also, the show goes on rain or shine, so bring an umbrella or raincoat IF needed.
Is the Matunuck Oyster Farm Tour Worth It?
Yes, totally! While it is not right in Newport, Rhode Island, where most tourists are staying, it is still well worth the trip. The food and ambiance alone are worth it. They have the best oysters we have tried, and their clam chowder may even be my favorite. And in all honesty, a 40-45 minute drive through beautiful, coastal Rhode Island is hardly anything to run from!
Another Thing to do Nearby
If you really want something else to do, my favorite beach is just 15 minutes from the Matunuck Oyster Bar. I highly recommend checking out Blue Shutters Beach and my blog post all about it. So worth it!
Blue Shutters Beach | Prepare for an Unforgettable Day at the Beach Not Far From Newport, RI
I just realized I set up a nice little day trip from Newport for you. Maybe that should be my next post:)
This post was all about the Matunuck Oyster Bar and what to expect on their oyster farm tour.
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