The James Beard Awards have not yet been officially announced, but on Wednesday, a 50-year-old Philadelphia institution learned it was a winner of the foundation’s annual “America’s Classics” award.
Rittenhouse Square staple Oyster House received the honor for the Mid-Atlantic region. The restaurant is known for its raw bar, lobster rolls and a weekday happy hour featuring $2 oysters.
The James Beard Foundation described Oyster House as the “last of its generation” and “legendary.”
READ MORE | List of 2026 James Beard Award semifinalists in the Philadelphia region
The America’s Classics award recognizes locally owned restaurants that serve high-quality food, have timeless appeal and reflect the character of their communities.
Last month, more than a dozen businesses in the Philadelphia region were named semifinalists for this year’s James Beard Awards.