One of my favorite off-strip hidden gems in Las Vegas is the Palace Station Oyster bar. Eater.com called it “the most popular restaurant in Vegas.”
If you enjoy fresh oysters, shrimp cocktail, and clam chowder, this is a must visit! I dined here over 10 years ago for the first time and I’ve been back on every subsequent trip I make to Las Vegas NV.
Today I’ll share with you all you need to know about this culinary gem by the Station Casinos and tell you more about their most popular dish – the pan roast. For those of you who want to see it live and in action, here’s a quick video of what you can expect when you visit.
Where is the Palace Station Located?
As I mentioned in the introduction, this is just off the Las Vegas Strip. It sits about a mile west of the north end of the Strip, close to Sahara Avenue and I-15, making it easy to reach downtown Las Vegas or the Strip within a few minutes in an Uber or other rideshare service.
Once inside the Palace Station, one of the many Station Casinos that cater largely to locals in the area, you’l find the Oyster Bar once you walk through the main casino floor which leads you to the Race & Sports Book, which was recently renovated and very well appointed. The Oyster Bar is located just off the to the side of this area in a counter-style, half moon shaped bar. You can view the open kitchen from any seat and watch the chefs prepare all the food right in front of you.
Note that with limited 18 person seating, the Oyster Bar has infamously long wait times which can be over an hour, and even up to three hours at times. I recommend going around 11:00 AM and avoiding the noon – 3 PM window as many people frequent this venue for lunch and even an early happy hour.
The venue is open 24 hours a day, making dining at any hour possible. Yes, even in the middle of the night!
Oyster Bar Las Vegas Menu
Pan Roast
While the name correctly implies that you can devour fresh oysters, the main attraction here is a dish called the pan roast. Oyster bar goes through 33,000 gallons of this dish every year!
The pan roast isn’t actually a roast that you’d put in the oven and the name doesn’t make much sense to me when you see the dish. Instead, this is a thick bisque type of sauce packed with layers of shellfish in a soupy, tomato cream sauce. It’s the epitome of Cajun food and when you order it, you’ll be asked which level of spice you want on a scale of 1-10. I have a high tolerance for spice and let me tell you, the level 8 is the most I can tolerate. They will double confirm with you and stress the heat the sauce you will experience if you opt for a higher level. You’ve been warned!
The dish is served with bread and white rice, which you are free to dump into the soup. Some people opt to eat this with noodles but you’ll see the majority of people going with the rice.
While oysters may bring people here (I find Vegas lacking in the oyster department), I urge everyone to try the pan roast and I’ve never received bad feedback! In fact, my friend Alex shared with me on a recent trip that it was a “12 out of 10.”
The only comparable hot soup type dish in the area that I’ll put it up against is the Pho at Pho Kim Long!
Chilled Seafood
While the pan roast is the main draw here, there are other dishes you’ll find in the form of chilled seafood. Steamers, gulf oysters on the half shell, clams on the half shell, or a combo platter called the Seafood Jackpot which is an assortment of Chilled Shrimp Cocktail, Gulf Oysters, New Zealand Mussels and Lobster Tail.
Starters
They also serve clam chowder in both New England style (white sauce) and Manhattan style (red sauce). I’ve never once thought about going astray from oysters and the pan roast, but they do have a Caesar salad for the health conscious. Additionally, they also have peel and eat shrimp, Cajun style, of course.
I normally start off with my go-to shot of an oyster shooter to start my experience. It’s like a mini bloody mary with vodka and of course, an oyster.
Gumbo
The Palace Station Oyster bar describes their gumbo as a “rich Creole Stew Cooked with Andouille Sausage, Okra and Your Choice of Chicken or Seafood. Served with Steamed Rice.” While I’ve never sampled this, it gets great reviews online and I’ve seen the gumbo come out for another customer and it looked creamy with lots of flavor.
House Favorites
If you aren’t already overwhelmed with the menu options at the Palace Station Oyster Bar, there’s more!
If you’ve had the pan roast and are looking for some classic cajun options on another visit to this location, their house favorites include:
- Cioppino
- Bouillabaisse
- House Étouffée
- Alaskan Chowder
- Linguine Shrimp Scampi
- Seafood Jambalaya
- Linguine and Clams
- Bouill-Roast
- Shrimp and Lobster Fra Diavolo
Again, I can’t speak to any of these house favorites at the Palae Station Oyster Bar because I am very loyal to my order of oysters and the pan roast!
Here’s a link to the full menu.
What to Know Ahead of Visiting the Oyster Bar
For starters, this isn’t fine dining in any way. It’s blue collar cajun food served in a bar theme. Being that this is a bar, they won’t seat anyone under 21 years old. If you wanted to bring the kids, they are out of luck here.
Oyster Bar came to fruition in 1995, and 2025 marked it’s 30th anniversary of being a top draw for casual food in Las Vegas.
Oyster bar serves beer and wine only.
Oyster Bar is located inside the Palace Station on Sahara Ave.
Name: Oyster Bar at Palace Station
Address: 2411 W Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89102
Phone: (702) 367-2411
In Summary
The Palace Station Oyster Bar Las Vegas has built up an iconic following by serving high quality Cajun seafood and other dishes. While the Oyster Bar name implies it’s a great spot for oysters, (and it is) there is so much more to choose from here. This is the main draw to the slightly off strip Palace Station Hotel and if you can’t tell already, I highly recommend this restaurant.
Oyster Bar at Palace Station – Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Oyster Bar located inside Palace Station?
The Oyster Bar is located on the main casino floor near the Race & Sports Book. It’s a counter-style restaurant that’s easy to spot by the line that often forms in front of it.
Do I need a reservation to dine at the Oyster Bar?
No. The Oyster Bar does not accept reservations and operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Expect long wait times during peak hours.
How long is the typical wait time at the Oyster Bar?
Wait times usually range from 30 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the time of day. Early mornings and late nights generally offer shorter wait times.
What is the Oyster Bar known for?
The Oyster Bar is famous for its pan roasts, fresh oysters, seafood chowders, and Cajun-inspired dishes prepared right in front of guests.
What are the Oyster Bar’s hours of operation?
The Oyster Bar is typically open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Hours may vary, so it’s a good idea to check for the most current schedule.
Is the Oyster Bar kid-friendly?
Yes, the Oyster Bar welcomes families. However, seating is limited and counter-style, which may not be ideal for larger groups.
Does the Oyster Bar offer takeout?
The Oyster Bar primarily focuses on dine-in service, but takeout availability may vary. Guests can check with staff for current options.
What is the price range at the Oyster Bar?
Menu items typically range from $20 to $45, with specialty dishes like pan roasts priced higher due to their premium ingredients and preparation.
Are there vegetarian or gluten-free options available?
The menu is seafood-focused, though some customizations may be possible. Guests with dietary restrictions should speak directly with the chef when seated.
Why is the Oyster Bar so popular?
The Oyster Bar has earned its reputation for fresh, made-to-order seafood dishes, especially its iconic pan roasts, served in a cozy counter setting that guests love.
About Peter C.
Peter is a digital nomad who largely writes from Asia, Europe, and South America. Always following the "vibe," he sets up shop in hostels and AirBNB's and continues to entertain us with wild stories from life abroad. Ask him anything in our community forum. Make sure to download the AllWorld Travel Hacks FREE ebook.
