Story by Jeanette Wages | Photography by Victoria Mance

This year—in lieu of Oyster Festival—Old Town Alexandria hosted its first annual Oyster Week featuring oyster specials and Guinness pairings at restaurants throughout the neighborhood. Capping off the week of great food was the oyster shucking contest, bringing out staff from participating restaurants to show off their skills shucking, cleaning and plating oysters. First place went to Fish Market, followed by Union Street Public House and The Wharf.

“Old Town Oyster Week displayed everything that is fabulous about our wonderful city of Alexandria, even during a pandemic. We [the restaurants] showed our community that we are all committed to getting through this shoulder-to-shoulder and fighting this pandemic together. Watch out, folks! 2021 will be amazing, and I can't wait for O'Connell's to take the crown from Fish Market at the 2021 Oyster Shucking Competition! Shuck on, folks!”

Níamh O'Donovan

General Manager & Company President

Daniel O'Connells Irish Pub