Oyster-centric restaurants are popping up everywhere lately, from Jeff Black’s plan to open the largest oyster bar on the East Coast with his newest venture, Empire Oyster House in Merrifield, to the addition of Rappahannock Oyster Co.'s raw bar at the soon-to-open Union Market. But there are already great places to down raw oysters in the Washington area. Here are some of DC's best spots for the freshest oysters on the half shell around, whether you like 'em sweet or briny.

—Adele Chapin