When The Waterman Fish Bar owners planned to build and open their third seafood brand in North Carolina, they knew they wanted to add a unique element. The new restaurant would be near Lake Norman, and the designers added three ActivWall Gas Strut Windows to create an indoor/outdoor 360 bar, with a wrap-around patio. 

The outdoor bar is a popular spot at the restaurant as the windows add function, style, and wow factor. We’ll share more info about the innovative window, but first, let’s talk about the food! 

The Waterman is known for raw oysters, fresh seafood, and their signature boat drinks. On my recent visit, I tried three dishes. 

First up was the Crispy Oyster Taco. The freshly caught oysters were perfectly fried and served on a corn tortilla with tri-pepper slaw and Creole mustard. It was tender, flavorful, and delicious.

Next, I tried the Blackened Shrimp Taco, where half a dozen sauteed shrimp were served on a corn tortilla with corn salsa, cotija, and sweet Sriracha. The first taco was delicious, but this one blew me away. The seasoned shrimp paired with layers of sweet and spicy flavors was phenomenal, and you could taste that the corn salsa was freshly made on-site. 

Last, I sampled a few of The Waterman’s fresh raw oysters. Each day, varietals offered from the East Coast, Canada, and West Coast are listed online on a chalkboard. The oysters are served on ice with their signature white fennel mignonette, house-made cocktail sauce, and freshly shredded horseradish.

My server recommended some crowd favorites for me to try. The Beausoleil from New Brunswick, Canada, was my favorite, followed by the Sea Level Salts from Sea Level, NC, and Delaware Wilds from Delaware Bay, NJ. If you enjoy Sea Level Salts, The Waterman offers their “Shell Yeah” special, with $1.50 oysters on weekdays from 2-7 pm.