Opal's Oysters — Restaurant in Waco

Service with Kenndal was top notch! She really made for a special night at Opal's.

A savory Bloody Mary with just a touch of spice is the perfect balance—it’s got that rich, umami flavor without being overwhelming. garnished with an olive and lime. Lobster Roll - Fresh, sweet lobster meat in a buttery, toasted roll with just enough mayo and butter to complement the natural flavor without overpowering it—it's simple but elegant. Lobster bisque - That's the real comfort food! It’s done right, it’s rich, creamy, and packed with deep lobster flavor. The best bisque with a velvety texture and a balance of sweet lobster meat and a touch of sherry or brandy for depth. Seared scallops - such a treat!!! they’re cooked perfectly! They have that golden, crispy exterior while staying tender and juicy on the inside. A bit of caramelization on the outside really brings out their natural sweetness. The three dipping sauces are fantastic!!! Big Cove oysters—Oysters from places like Big Cove tend to have a clean, briny flavor with a slight sweetness, making them perfect for slurping straight from the shell or with a little squeeze of lemon. Since they're fresh, they’ve got that smooth, oceanic taste. You don't even need to garnishes. Smoked salmon lox—such a classic! It’s all about that silky texture and rich, smoky flavor with just the right balance of saltiness. Very fresh and perfectly cured, it’s a melt-in-your-mouth experience. The delicate smokiness pairs so well with the toast, cream cheese, capers, red onions, and a squeeze of lemon to brighten everything up. Cold water lobster mac and cheese - the ultimate indulgence! The sweetness of the cold-water lobster paired with the creamy, cheesy richness of mac and cheese is a dream combo. The lobster adds that luxurious, buttery flavor, while the cheese sauce takes the whole dish to another level. **Caramelized cauliflower - This is the only dish we had that was sub par. excess sauce and is very salty and the macadamia nuts soft. You couldn't really taste anything other than the saltiness of it all. **Citrus Ceviche - very delicious. The corn chips were excessively salty with the Tajin. If they didn't have so much seasoning, they would have paired so well with the ceviche. Belgian Chocolate Cake - There’s something about the richness of this Belgian chocolate that really sets this cake apart. layers of decadence with a dense, moist crumb and that deep, almost bittersweet cocoa flavor. Maybe it was paired with a silky ganache or even a touch of espresso to enhance that chocolate depth. Burnt Basque Cheesecake - I couldn't tell the actual flavor of the cheesecake. It was a dull, rich flavor with some sourness. The guave sauce was the best part of this dessert. Meyer lemon tart—a delightful choice! On a buttery, flaky crust that holds a velvety filling with just the right amount of tang, balanced by the soft sweetness of the Meyer lemon. The light, refreshing flavor is perfect for cutting through the richness of the pastry. Fresh Strawberry Bunt Cake - A must try! so comforting with a moist, dense crumb, and the addition of fresh strawberries brings a burst of natural sweetness and a touch of fruitiness. The glaze, is perfect to complement the strawberry flavor without...

Our experience at Opal’s was amazing, so please hear me out when you see they are only getting a 3 star review from me.

Myself, my husband, and a couple of our couple friends decided to try this place out on Friday as they just opened this week and we wanted to see the hype. We made reservations for 5:15, we got there promptly, and even though we were missing two people from our party from tardiness, they still sat us! Not many places do that, so that’s a plus.

First of all, I want to commend the atmosphere that has been created at Opal’s. It is very much a vibe. The kind of vibe where you go with your girlfriends for a drink and light meal after a long week of work, or celebrating any event in your life - Opal’s is all that, literally.

Secondly, the food was amazing. We tried a wide array of things but I think my absolute favorite was the lobster bisque… seriously, the flaky croissant on top in which you could dip into the bisque was chef’s kiss and there was a big chunk of lobster in there. We tried a few different kinds of oysters (I’m not an oyster fan so I won’t go into detail but they were good). For our entree, we had some crab roll which was fantastic, taretare which was different but very yum, lobster Mac (lobster was also not skimped out on this either - YUM) and a few other things. I topped it off with dessert - Belgian chocolate cake, very rich but delicious, and their lemon tart which was tart and topped with marshmallow.

The drinks were also very good! We all got something different, and then we decided to get a champagne of beers bucket which was to include 6 beers, but we only got 5 at first. And trust, we double, triple, quadruple counted before we brought it to our servers attention! Thankfully he was accommodating and went and got our 6th one ;)

So here is where I give you the nitty gritty - why this is only getting 3 stars from me. As you can see, we got quite a bit of items from apps, entrees, drinks and desserts and we spent quite a bit while there. Our tabs were easily $200 for each couple. Well, what put a sour taste in all our mouths was that about halfway through our dining, the manager came up to us, and he was a friendly gentlemen, but he told us that they had reserved our table for another group in an hour. And he just left it at that. When he left, we all just looked at each other like ???? Did he just “politely” tell us we need to go soon?! It was WEIRD. I’ve never had someone just randomly come up and tell us that, especially at a fine dining establishment like Opal’s. A customer is a customer, and we are paying customers as well as the next person. did not enjoy feeling like we were on a time crunch. Although we all kept joking about it through the night, like are they going to allow us dessert?? Are we allowed another drink or do we need to give up our table!?

Anywho, NONE of that experience is reflected upon our server, Dylan, who was incredible!!! Seriously, he answered all our questions, gave us phenomenal recommendations and was just overall amazing. I hope his first week serving there was awesome and I truly hope the best for Opal’s! It’s a one of a kind spot...

Ambience and flavor of the French Quarter…in Waco!

In 1970, a teenaged friend and I would stroll down Bourbon Street, dancing to the jazz notes wafting out of cafes and nightclubs.

When the aroma of street food roused hunger, we’d hurry to a cafe where our dads sat, drinking, maybe worried about us. They introduced us to a favorite server. Then dishes began to roll out from a bustling kitchen on steel carts and get set on our white tablecloth: raw oysters, stuffed flounder, cheese grits , shrimp etouffee. My friend and I would sip on our Virgin Hurricanes and feel much older than 16 and eat and talk and bask in the nearness of our fathers, the savoring of this moment…part of a restless and vibrant and exotic culture yet safe. Loved.

Six months ago, Opal’s came to Waco and sparked 50-year-old memories . Like New Orleans cafes, coves and nooks and a patio bedeck it. Waiters dress formally but talk friendly, ushering you in past the sandalwood and musk incense that greets you at the door. For summer starters, I love the Hugo spritzer, redolent with mint and rosemary and elderflower. There’s a huge bar menu..and. flavors of Bourbon Street in many of the drinks.

Opal’s has become my go-to Waco spot, and the seafood dishes have surpassed this former Louisiana girl’s expectations. Order dishes to share…but first off, get some and order the buttery golden French bread.

On a recent visit, we started with the crudo plate, marinated daily catches, like salmon, sea bass, and yellow fin. Smoked salt, citrus wasabi vinaigrette, and capers, which “cook” the fish, proved to be the perfect dipping sauce.

We made a lunch out of the crudo, shrimp cocktail, and lobster roll, then split one of my favorites: Purple Haze and Berries salad, replete with figs, baby greens, praline pecans, strawberries, and basil-balsamic vinaigrette.

The waitstaff served us flawlessly, giving input when asked but never forcing themselves into our memories, laughter, and plans.

An hour passed, then two. Not wanting things to end, we split an order of Meyer lemon tarts…dipped coffee, savored the ambience, and said goodbye.

We will be back. You...