42nd Street Oyster Bar is a Raleigh institution — a loud, wood-panelled seafood bar that has been feeding the city since 1931. The fried oysters are the headliner: plump, lightly breaded, and impeccably fresh. Don't overlook the sides — the greens and black-eyed peas are remarkably good for a seafood bar, and the house-made key lime pie is worth saving room for.
The place gets crowded, particularly on weekend evenings, and the noise level at peak times is considerable. Go for the authentic Raleigh experience rather than a quiet dinner. Located downtown, a few blocks from the Capitol.