SHELLS, FIRE, AND FLAVOR: Inside Oyster Season at Hieronymus

At Hieronymus, oyster season isn’t just a time of year—it’s a full-blown coastal celebration. From their indulgent, crab-topped baked Oysteronymus to briny raw oysters served with bright, house-made mignonettes, the restaurant showcases the very best from North Carolina waters. With local farms supplying the salt-kissed flavors guests love and cold craft beers ready to match every slurp, Hieronymus is the place to dive into the freshest oysters of the season. Visitors can grab a seat by the fire, watch the shucker in action, and savor the coast one shell at a time.

What are the your signature oyster dishes at Hieronymus?

Their signature oyster dish, the Oysteronymus, begins with a pristine raw oyster nestled in its shell, topped with a generous spoonful of house-made crab dip folded with fresh spinach. Each one is finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan and parsley before being baked to a savory, golden perfection.

For those who prefer their oysters raw, Hieronymus offers a selection of refined mignonettes—ranging from the classic blend of red wine vinegar, chopped shallots, and black pepper to a bright, elegant variation made with Champagne vinegar and shallots.

Where do you source your oysters from and what makes them unique?

This time of year, Hieronymus sources wild oysters from Surf City Crab Company and farm-raised varieties from Soundside Oyster Farm, Crystal Coast Oysters, and Three Little Spats. Most are harvested from the Topsail and Stump Sound region, with Crystal Coast bringing in exceptional oysters from Beaufort, North Carolina. The naturally higher salinity of the state’s sound waters imparts the bold, briny flavor that locals especially love.

What would you recommend sipping with oysters?

We normally recommend a draught beer such as our local Waterline Kolsch or Bills Brewing Wavebreak IPA as a perfect compliment to the saltiness of the oysters.

Anything you would like our readers to know around Oyster season at Hieronymus?

We love running steamed bucket specials.  For $35.00 you get a bucket of approximately 30 oysters, you shuck em.  We also have 1/2 dozen and a dozen options for oyster, raw or steamed.  From 3 pm-6 pm on Sunday-Thursday we offer the steamed bucket for $30.  Our oyster bar has a fireplace to enjoy the oysters by, or you can sit on our covered patio by the firepit. Our guests can watch the shucker cooking their oysters while they sit at the bar or tables in the oyster bar since our steamers are located at the end of the bar.