Celebrate National Oyster Day with a Golden Oyster All Month Long During August

In Panama City, Florida, oysters are a local tradition and way of life. And every August, to celebrate National Oyster Day, that tradition gets a golden touch.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or about to try your very first oyster, there’s no better place to celebrate National Oyster Day than in Historic St. Andrews. All month long (all year long, really), you can savor Gulf-fresh oysters and become part of a local story worth retelling, especially at one of the city’s most beloved institutions: Hunt’s Oyster Bar.

While National Oyster Day officially lands on August 5, Panama City celebrates all month long. That means plenty of time to plan your trip, bring friends, and start your own Golden Oyster tradition. Whether you’re a first-timer or an oyster veteran, this experience adds a little something special to your summer getaway.

The Golden Oyster at Hunt’s: A Bite to Remember

Hunt’s has been serving up fresh Gulf Coast seafood since 1966. Step inside and you’ll hear it: sizzling seafood, laughter from the bar, and the unmistakable crack of oyster shells hitting trays. The walls are lined with decades of memorabilia, but it’s the people that bring the place to life: locals who’ve come for generations, and visitors who feel like regulars after just one meal.

But come National Oyster Day, something special happens. One afternoon, a young kid sat wide-eyed in front of their very first oyster, with parents and grandparents cheering him on. There was laughter, hesitation, and a little peer pressure before the triumphant slurp. That single slurp sparked a tradition. Now, anyone who tries their first oyster at Hunt’s can be honored with a hand-painted Golden Oyster shell. It’s a keepsake that marks the moment you joined the club.

Why Do Oysters in Panama City Taste So Good?

What makes oysters in Panama City so good? It’s all in the water. Oysters absorb the flavor of their environment, and the briny, mineral-rich waters of the Gulf give local oysters a clean, slightly sweet taste that’s hard to beat. Gulf oysters are prized for their size, texture, and flavor and there’s over a dozen of places to enjoy them in Panama City. They’re served up raw, grilled, or baked with all kinds of house-made toppings. Try them loaded with butter and parmesan, or keep it classic with a squeeze of lemon and dash of hot sauce.

A City That Celebrates Oysters Year-Round

Panama City doesn’t just celebrate National Oyster Day once a year. Here, oysters are a year-round obsession. From oyster parties and seafood cook-offs to weekly traditions with friends at local bars, oysters are part of the culture.

Want to keep the celebration going? Follow the Panama City Oyster Trail , a local favorite that highlights the best places in town to enjoy this Gulf Coast delicacy. Along the trail, you’ll find everything from casual dives to waterfront patios, each serving oysters in their own signature style.

Your Golden Oyster Moment Awaits

There’s something special about your first oyster—especially when it happens in a place like Hunt’s, surrounded by friendly faces and Gulf Coast flavor. If you’re lucky, that bite might come with a little extra sparkle in the form of a golden keepsake.

So this August, plan a trip to Panama City, Florida, and celebrate National Oyster Day the way locals do: with good food, a little fanfare, and a whole lot of flavor.

Exploring the Oyster Trail

Of course, Hunt’s is just the beginning. If oysters are on your summer checklist—and let’s be honest, they should be—Panama City has plenty more stops to explore. The Panama City Oyster Trail connects some of the city’s most iconic oyster bars and seafood spots, each with its own personality and favorite way to serve up this local delicacy.

Think of it as a self-guided tour with flavor as your guide. You might find yourself at a casual lunch counter in Millville one afternoon, and on a breezy patio in St. Andrews by sunset. Some places shuck them raw with a side of saltines. Others broil them with garlic butter and a sprinkle of parmesan. Whether you’re in it for the slurp, the crunch, or just the view, the trail has a table for you.

So if you came for National Oyster Day, stay a little longer. Taste your way across town and find your favorite stop. After all, in Panama City, oysters aren’t just a summer thing, they’re a part of the every day life.

About Panama City

Embraced by beautiful St. Andrew Bay on Florida’s Emerald Coast, Panama City offers a myriad of water sports ranging from world-class sailing to some of the best year round in-shore and off-shore fishing in the U.S. Off the water, visitors to the Northwest Florida city delight in the sunny destination’s eclectically rich neighborhoods offering a thriving visual and performing arts scene, a range of dining that makes full use of bounteous local seafood, and diverse shopping and antiquing.