Growing Since 2009
MATUNUCK OYSTER BAR
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Perry Raso, Owner

Perry started digging littlenecks in Point Judith Pond when he was 12 years old. He grew up harvesting shellfish, eel trapping, bull-raking clams, and scuba diving for steamers. Before he opened Matunuck Oyster Bar, he was an oyster farmer. Graduating from URI with a bachelors and master’s degree, Raso studied aquaculture and fisheries technology.

In 2002 he founded Matunuck Oyster Farm, a wading depth aquaculture farm, on Potter Pond in East Matunuck (South Kingstown), RI. By 2008, the oyster farm was selling oysters across the country, and to ensure the future of the farm, he purchased a rundown restaurant located on the pond that had commercial docks.  The docks would provide access for work boats, and the restaurant, opened in 2009 as Matunuck Oyster Bar, was a means to sell fresh oysters.

In 2011 he was growing organic vegetables at his farm located at the North end of Potter Pond, Matunuck Vegetable Farm, in order to provide guests with fresh produce. Most recently, he is building a shellfish hatchery across the street from the restaurant. He has been doing educational oyster farm tours since 2002 and has traveled to several developing countries to consult on various aquaculture operations. Education and giving back has always been at the core of the business.

"Education and giving back has always been at the core of the business."

Matunuck Oyster Bar’s Famous Stew is What You Should be Eating on National Oyster Day

 Matunuck Oyster Bar’s Famous Stew is What You Should be Eating on National Oyster Day 900 650 Matunuck Oyster Bar

If you’ve never traveled to Matunuck Oyster Bar in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, National Oyster Day (August 5th) is the perfect time to do so. Or any other day, year-round for that matter. Owned by Perry Raso, it’s an oyster lover’s paradise, since their highly-prized Matunuck Oysters are grown in Potter Pond, right off the waterfront patio. Related: How to…

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Matunuck Oyster Bar Launches New Bully Boy Collaboration Gin

 Matunuck Oyster Bar Launches New Bully Boy Collaboration Gin 1024 683 Matunuck Oyster Bar

July 25, 2020  Beverage Journal Boston, Massachusetts-based Bully Boy Distillers and Matunuck Oyster Bar in South Kingstown celebrated the releases of a proprietary gin, part of the distillery’s program that enables restaurants, bars or package stores to design a namesake gin entirely from scratch, start to finish. Matunuck Oyster Bar’s Owner and Founder Perry Raso…

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The 25 Best Lobster Rolls In New England

 The 25 Best Lobster Rolls In New England 900 650 Matunuck Oyster Bar

Big 7 Travel Rhode Island might be known in New England as home to some of the region’s best clam chowder or stuffed clams, but this South Kingstown oyster bar serves up what is easily one of the best lobster rolls in New England. What makes the food here so special is that they focus…

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Matunuck Oyster Farmer and Restaurateur is Environmental Award Finalist

 Matunuck Oyster Farmer and Restaurateur is Environmental Award Finalist 900 650 Matunuck Oyster Bar

Providence Journal Matunuck Oyster Farm’s Perry Raso is one of five finalists for the first annual New England Leopold Conservation Award, for business owners who inspire others with their dedication to ethical land, water and wildlife habitat management. This is the first year the $10,000 award will be presented. It will be awarded during The…

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A Hidden Gem of Rhode Island

 A Hidden Gem of Rhode Island 900 650 Matunuck Oyster Bar

www.nytimes.com Matunuck With three beaches, the village of Matunuck, six miles east of Charlestown, is known for its surfing, kiteboarding and windsurfing. The best waves are found at Deep Hole and there is neither a parking fee nor amenities. The surf at nearby East Matunuck State Beach has smaller, less forceful waves, and is a…

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The 21 best seafood restaurants in America

 The 21 best seafood restaurants in America 1024 930 Matunuck Oyster Bar

TIMEOUT.COM The 21 best seafood restaurants in America By Ruth Tobias and Time Out editors Posted: Monday April 4 2016 These best seafood restaurants in America serve expert chowder, droolworthy lobster and new takes on classic fish dishes 16. Matunuck Oyster Bar, South Kingstown, RI Like Boston’s Island Creek, Matunuck Oyster Bar was founded by…

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Raising the Bar

 Raising the Bar 800 692 Matunuck Oyster Bar

Independentri.com Perry Raso, owner of Matunuck Oyster Bar, recently started serving scallops at his restaurant, and will give a TEDxProvidence talk Saturday about his farm-to-table, pond-to-plate practices. Posted: Thursday, April 7, 2016 11:30 am Helena Touhey Features Editor | As Perry Raso sorts through cages of fresh scallops, he deftly and swiftly finds the larger…

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Food Republic: Forget the ‘R-Month’ Thing

 Food Republic: Forget the ‘R-Month’ Thing 900 650 Matunuck Oyster Bar

Forget The ‘R-Month’ Thing: 9 Places To Eat Oysters Around The United States Our picks in Chicago, Seattle, New Orleans and more By Emily Saladino At Eventide in Portland, ME, 20 oysters are available, half from Maine, the other “from away.” We know, we know. You’ve long been told that you are supposed to eat…

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Raising Objections: Hurdles for Rhode Island Aquaculture

 Raising Objections: Hurdles for Rhode Island Aquaculture 550 309 Matunuck Oyster Bar

Raising Objections: Hurdles for Rhode Island Aquaculture August 18, 2014 R.I. SHELLFISH FARMS FACE INCREASING OPPOSITION by  RudiHempe photographs by Acacia Johnson

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