Fontaine's Oysterhouse

(404) 872-0869

1026 1/2 N Highland Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30306 33.7825 -84.3545

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Neighborhoods: Virginia Highland, Northeast, Northeast

NNNWCORP.COM

Price:

$$

Last updated 10.15.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, Diners Club, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Lunch Spot, Outdoor Dining

Cuisine:

Seafood, Cajun & Creole

Smoking Permitted:

Yes

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Fontaine's Oysterhouse

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – In what is Virginia Highland's only spot for decent seafood, this elongated and boisterous oyster bar is known more for their hard-partying weekend crowds than their lobster bisque. Post-college fraternity types and attractive gussied up 20-somethings flood the narrow main room, the roaring crowd spilling through the French doors during busy spring days. As much a happy hour destination as it is a serious restaurant, and as a restaurant more of a snacks place than serious sit-down. Just don't come here with dreams of red beans and rice or serious etouffee. Keep it simple --…

Editor's Tips

The Extras:
Check out the cellar stylings of the Highland Tap, located downstairs.
Where to Sit:
The best seat in the house is on the back patio, that shares space Euro-style with neighboring restaurants.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “Its going to be awhile before you get that table on the back patio, so get comfortable standing up and downing oysters.”
  2. “Very authentic, great atmosphere (anything but chain or concept restaurant like).”
  3. “The overall atmosphere is fun; you just don't want to leave.”
  4. “The atmosphere is unique; you can count on fun quotes posted throughout the restaurant to brighten your week.”
  5. “Grumpy bartender, great atmosphere”
  6. “The patio out back is fun and great in nice weather.”
  7. “Service is unfailingly polite, actually joins in on the fun at the table instead of merely serving and taking orders, food is delicious and not too expensive; forget about the fries if you order a sandwich, hush puppies are the way to go.”
  8. “The location is great, but they are not keeping this place clean.”
  9. “$4 Heinekens, fresh seafood, and chill atmosphere?”
  10. “Both my boyfriend and I enjoyed the food and the atmosphere.”
drinks
92.8600025177002% positive
  1. “love the way the bar looks, and if you like Katrina oysters, then this is the place for you.”
  2. “Saddle up to the oyster bar, make friends with a shucker and order an Abita while you wait for your dozen.”
  3. “We always start with one of the coldest beers in the ATL, and a bowl of that tasty lobster bisque.”
  4. “The food is very good, but the bar is frequently crowded.”
  5. “great laid-back bar”
  6. “We would suggest the staff model themselves on the young lady behind the bar who we presume was the manager.”
  7. “will definately go back for beer and oysters once it warms up a bit in good ole Georgia!”
  8. “The drinks were affordable, but so watered down, that it explained the discounted price.”
  9. “Everyone was friendly, smiling and of course, carrying atleast one drink in thier hands.”
  10. “One of the city's best casual places to down a few oysters and a cold drink.”
  11. “nice place to escape for a beer and steamed shrimp on a hot day, but go elsewhere if you're craving serious Cajun cuisine.”
  12. “Later our drinks ran out repeatedly and when she did finally come back to fill them she acted like she was doing us a huge favor.”
  13. “My girlfriend and I visited Fontaines last Saturday and were treated to the usual great food and drink.”
  14. “Oysters get shucked right at the raw bar, there are these great floor-to-ceiling windows that open up right on N. Highland, the place has an elegant but dark feel to it.”
food quality
86.56999588012695% positive
  1. “continues with oysters -- YUMMM-O while my dinner date did the salmon -- big, moist, yummy.”
  2. “But the service is fine, and the hushpuppies and shrimp fritters are good (but you'll feel like your arteries are clogging up if you eat too many of them).”
  3. “Service is unfailingly polite, actually joins in on the fun at the table instead of merely serving and taking orders, food is delicious and not too expensive; forget about the fries if you order a sandwich, hush puppies are the way to go.”
  4. “Be careful if you order food.”
  5. “The fresh oysters are excellent, the fried seafood PoBoys are not as good as other places.”
  6. “The food is fantastic (especially the hushpuppies, bisque, & steampot).”
  7. “peel and eat shrimp was excellent and an amazing deal.”
  8. “Both my boyfriend and I enjoyed the food and the atmosphere.”
  9. “they had $2 special drafts on summer ale and a dozen fresh raw oysters for like $3!”
  10. “Very authentic, great atmosphere (anything but chain or concept restaurant like).”
  11. “nice place to escape for a beer and steamed shrimp on a hot day, but go elsewhere if you're craving serious Cajun cuisine.”
  12. “The food is very good, but the bar is frequently crowded.”
  13. “The food is average, with the exception of addictive hush puppies and slightly above-average gumbo.”
  14. “Expected great food, but what about the service?”
  15. “The people there are friendly, the oysters are fresh and the shucker is good and fast.”
  16. “Great food, prices, and service”
  17. “Delicious, fresh seafood”
  18. “Also, the grilled chicken sandwich reminded me of backyard summer cook-outs - perfect!”
  19. “The food is always good.”
  20. “They have good seafood.”
  21. “Recently, we had to ask to get menus and then waited about 25 minutes before telling the waitress that we were ready to order our food.”
  22. “good seafood”
  23. “Horrible service overshadows good food”
  24. “The food was very good but completely overshadowed by the rude, obnoxious service.”
  25. “$4 Heinekens, fresh seafood, and chill atmosphere?”
  26. “ordered the Turkey Club only to find nasty, raw bacon inside.”
  27. “We don't have to subject ourselves to this sort of treatment in order to get good food.”
  28. “He had the chicken fingers and I had the raw oysters, which were so fresh and briny.”
  29. “Went there for a pre-Christmas dinner and even though the service was a bit slow the food more than made up for it.”
  30. “My girlfriend and I visited Fontaines last Saturday and were treated to the usual great food and drink.”
  31. “was so surprised because you just can't get fresh seafood in Atlanta without paying out the a** for it.”
  32. “Muscles, Clams, Oysters OH MY - fresh, yummie and you can't help coming back for more - and you won't break the bank.”
  33. “Good food needs to be accompanied by good service.”
  34. “We always start with one of the coldest beers in the ATL, and a bowl of that tasty lobster bisque.”
  35. “We LOVE Fontaine's and dine there often due to the outstanding and attentive service and tasty food.”
  36. “The food doesn't disappoint, including various cajun dishes and specials throughout the week.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “They've even added the famous "steamhouse bisque" to the Fontaine's menu.”
  2. “Recently, we had to ask to get menus and then waited about 25 minutes before telling the waitress that we were ready to order our food.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “Oysters get shucked right at the raw bar, there are these great floor-to-ceiling windows that open up right on N. Highland, the place has an elegant but dark feel to it.”
  2. “nice place to escape for a beer and steamed shrimp on a hot day, but go elsewhere if you're craving serious Cajun cuisine.”
  3. “Very authentic, great atmosphere (anything but chain or concept restaurant like).”
  4. “The location is great, but they are not keeping this place clean.”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “will definately go back for beer and oysters once it warms up a bit in good ole Georgia!”
  2. “Later our drinks ran out repeatedly and when she did finally come back to fill them she acted like she was doing us a huge favor.”
service
69.0500020980835% positive
  1. “The bartender was as rude as could be, hated being at work that day, acted like she was hungover or stoned or both.”
  2. “We LOVE Fontaine's and dine there often due to the outstanding and attentive service and tasty food.”
  3. “Went there for a pre-Christmas dinner and even though the service was a bit slow the food more than made up for it.”
  4. “Good food needs to be accompanied by good service.”
  5. “I'd been there before and had bad service, but considered it a fluke.”
  6. “The people there are friendly, the oysters are fresh and the shucker is good and fast.”
  7. “Grumpy bartender, great atmosphere”
  8. “Horrible service overshadows good food”
  9. “Expected great food, but what about the service?”
  10. “The place had a laidback vibe with Blues music playing and friendly staff.”
  11. “Table service is pleasant, friendly, fast, and attentive.”
  12. “Everyone was friendly, smiling and of course, carrying atleast one drink in thier hands.”
  13. “The food was very good but completely overshadowed by the rude, obnoxious service.”
  14. “If the staff is too busy, then the management should hire more servers for busy evenings and knock off the snooty servers who act as if they work for the DMV.”
  15. “Our server was attentive and speedy and it was a great experience overall.”
  16. “We would suggest the staff model themselves on the young lady behind the bar who we presume was the manager.”
  17. “The service staff was very helpful and attentive.”
  18. “Great food, prices, and service”
  19. “Recently, we had to ask to get menus and then waited about 25 minutes before telling the waitress that we were ready to order our food.”
  20. “But the service is fine, and the hushpuppies and shrimp fritters are good (but you'll feel like your arteries are clogging up if you eat too many of them).”
  21. “The last two times I went, the servers were rude, acted as if they couldn't be bothered with us, and never checked on how we were doing.”
value
75.0% positive
  1. “The drinks were affordable, but so watered down, that it explained the discounted price.”
  2. “Later our drinks ran out repeatedly and when she did finally come back to fill them she acted like she was doing us a huge favor.”
  3. “Great food, prices, and service”
  4. “The margaritas are horrible, they use very cheap mix.”
  5. “Service is unfailingly polite, actually joins in on the fun at the table instead of merely serving and taking orders, food is delicious and not too expensive; forget about the fries if you order a sandwich, hush puppies are the way to go.”
  6. “The gumbo and cajun riceballs were excellent as well - all for amazingly low prices.”
wait time
50.0% positive
  1. “Recently, we had to ask to get menus and then waited about 25 minutes before telling the waitress that we were ready to order our food.”
  2. “Went there for a pre-Christmas dinner and even though the service was a bit slow the food more than made up for it.”
3 Star Rating: Average

04/19/10

Go during the day.

by HunterPearson

It's the Hand-in-Hand part 2 in the heart of Virginia Highland. Walk in after 5pm and expect this oyster house to be filled with the still-thinks-they're-in-college popped collar set.

But something funny happens in the day time. Fontaine's is actually pretty cool. Oysters get shucked right at the raw bar, there are these great floor-to-ceiling windows that open up right on N. Highland, the place has an elegant but dark feel to it. I've always avoided the place because of the weekend crowds (both who, and how many) but strolling in for a late-afternoon beer on a Saturday was quite refreshing. Worth it, at the right time.

  • Pros: Decent vibe in the day time.
  • Cons: At night? Hello frat guys!
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/16/10

Fresh Oysters, Shrimp and Clams

by RoseCzar

Groupon purchase finally got me in this restaurant. Passed so many times while eating at Murphy's or .shopping at Chico's. I was really satisfied with the GREAT Oysters baked Rockerfeller, Shrimp Scampi and Parmesan crusted oysters. Ummmm . Don't miss the sumptious platter of HOT Alaskan Crab legs, U peel Shrimp, Clams, Hot in the shell Oysters... AND come ready to work at opening everything and smelling a little fishy afterwards. Looking forward to my next forage.

  • Pros: Tasty and Fresh fron the Sea!
  • Cons: Is a Bar - with covered veranda seating -- smoking in Bar
2 Star Rating: Below Average

04/26/09

Sick from Oysters

by ginny318

I tried this restaurant for the $5 Oyster special and got sick from this place. The location is great, but they are not keeping this place clean. The bathroom was dirty and the patio was not clean. Servers could also use more training. I have a rule to never return to places that made me sick so I will not return. I'll go to Six Feet Under the next time I am craving Oysters. Be careful if you order food.

  • Pros: Great Location with Comp Valet behind restaurant
  • Cons: Poor Service, Dirty Restaurant
4 Star Rating: Recommended

01/02/09

Cheap beer and oysters and chill spot!

by evilmagicmarker

Fontaine was a bar that my boyfriend and I stumbled upon on one of our "let's just get out of the house" escapades. I admit, it was a nice find. Both my boyfriend and I enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. He had the chicken fingers and I had the raw oysters, which were so fresh and briny. I was so surprised because you just can't get fresh seafood in Atlanta without paying out the a** for it. And the best part is that it was only $5 bucks, which is the special every Tuesday after 5 pm! $4 Heinekens, fresh seafood, and chill atmosphere? You can't beat that.

However, I didn't care too much for the service. The hostess was incredibly sweet and inviting but the bartender was very nonchalant. So long as service isn't rude, overly intent, and incompetent, so long as he gets my order right and on time with no sass, then I'm good. Other than that, this is the spot for seafood lovers and people who just wanna chill.

  • Pros: Freash seafood with great specials!
  • Cons: Mixed medicore to excellent service.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/01/09

Great Oyster Rockerfellers!!

by azianbrat

Went there for a pre-Christmas dinner and even though the service was a bit slow the food more than made up for it. I highley recommend the oyster rockerfeller. Perfect amount of cheese and fresh spinach on plump oysters. And the lobster bisque was full of lobster. Will definitely be coming back for more.

  • Pros: Food
  • Cons: parking

The Details on Fontaine's Oysterhouse

Place Categories:

  • good food
  • outstanding table service
  • great atmosphere
  • fresh seafood
  • great service staff
  • rude server
  • affordable drink
  • rude obnoxious service
  • fresh oysters
  • not clean patio
  • fresh raw oysters
  • nice place
  • great shrimp
  • fast shucker
  • love fontaine
  • full lobster bisque
  • refreshing cocktail
  • great bars
  • rude bartender
  • good new orleans restaura
  • perfect backyard summer cookouts
  • great restaurants
  • horrible service overshadows
  • great location
  • horrible margaritas

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