Shunk Gulley Oyster Guide

Why Oysters Are Core to Who We Are

Shunk Gulley takes its name from a historic fishing reef in the Gulf just south of our restaurant in Santa Rosa Beach, once a landmark for local fishermen navigating these waters. Oysters have been part of that story from the start, and today they're one of the biggest reasons people come find us on 30A.

Read more about our name and history on our About Us page.

Award-Winning Oysters

Shunk Gulley has been voted Best Oysters on the Emerald Coast, and oysters remain one of the most-ordered items on our menu, alongside our Blackened Grouper Sandwich.

Raw or Grilled: How Shunk Gulley Serves Them

  • Raw oysters, on the half shell: served chilled, straight from the Gulf, for a clean, briny flavor.
  • Grilled oysters: cooked over open flame for a warmer, richer take on the classic.

Raw oysters are a good pick for a clean, briny, straight-from-the-water flavor. Grilled oysters are warmer, more savory, and a bit more filling. Many guests order both.

Gulf-to-Table Sourcing

Shunk Gulley sources its seafood, including oysters, directly from local fisheries and farms rather than large-scale distributors. It's part of a broader commitment to fresh, local Gulf seafood that shows up across our whole menu.

From Plate to Reef: Our Oyster Shell Program

Through the CBA O.Y.S.T.E.R. Program, guests can personalize an oyster shell for a small donation. Those shells later become part of new artificial reef structures in the Gulf, built in partnership with the South Walton Artificial Reef Association (SWARA). It connects the oysters on your plate to the health of the reef the restaurant is named after.

Come Try Them Yourself

1875 South County Highway 393, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

(850) 622-2733

Open Monday-Sunday, 11 AM-10 PM

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Shunk Gulley sources oysters and other seafood from local Gulf fisheries and farms as part of its Gulf-to-table approach.

Both. Shunk Gulley serves oysters raw on the half shell and grilled, so guests can choose based on preference.

Through the CBA O.Y.S.T.E.R. Program, guests can personalize an oyster shell for a donation. Those shells are later used to help build new artificial reef structures in the Gulf, in partnership with the South Walton Artificial Reef Association (SWARA).