Brrrrr… Chilly out there isn’t it? Real baltic, as they say.
But rather than bemoaning the dropping temperatures with an onomatopoeic teeth chattering, we’re extending those Rs for a different, more celebratory reason. Because with that beloved letter in the month, it truly is native oyster season right now.
Milky, watery bivalve molluscs be damned; we’re here for the briny boys, plump and pert, chewable, a little metallic, even…
You do chew, right? We’ll have no slurp and swallow here. Instead, let’s cherish those faintly illicit, full-on seductive flavours for as long as possible, in one of the world’s oyster capitals; London.
Bit of a stretch? Not really. London’s affair with oysters is not just a culinary fling; it’s a storied romance that dates back centuries. Since Roman times, oysters have been a staple of London’s gastronomic tapestry. The Victorian era saw oysters as the food of the masses, readily available and enjoyed by all, stacked high on the bar as an encouragement to drink and paired with a pint of bitter for breakfast, before they ascended once again to the status of a luxury treat.
Today, the capital’s oyster scene is a delightful homage to this rich history, serving these jewels of the sea with the reverence they deserve. And we’re going to serve up this article in much the same way. So, whether it’s raw, rockefeller’d or riotously dressed, let’s keep things reverent with this guide on the best places to eat oysters in London.
Pearly Queen, Shoreditch
Ideal for burnished bivalves and other seafood treats…
From the chef behind Michelin-starred Cornerstone in Hackney Wick comes Pearly Queen, an ode to all things oyster but with modern flourishes and adornments that feel a world away from the half-dozen-over-ice vibes of some of the other restaurants on our list.
Here, the oysters are given the ‘dirty’ treatment of a million food truck chip servings, whether served raw with scotch bonnet hot sauce or breadcrumbed, deep fried and doused in a ranch dressing. In lesser hands, such hard hitting, crowdpleasing flavours would eclipse the humble majesty of the oyster lurking beneath but here, under Brown and his head chef Patrick Maher’s stewardship, these spicy, piquant sauces breathe new life into the beloved bivalve. All preparations are priced at £4 for one or £21 for six.
Don’t stop there, as there’s a whole menu of showboating seafood dishes to satisfy the squad. The roast chicken butter sauce made famous by Brown’s appearance on Saturday Kitchen graces the menu here, currently paired with roast cod and courgettes. At £32 for a fairly dainty plate, that sauce needs to be pretty damn special. Fear not; it’s the business.
With a cocktail menu curated by Max Venning of the inimitable Three Sheets, and plenty of counter seating, this is the perfect place to enjoy a drink and a few oysters as the precursor to a night in Shoreditch. Cheers to that!
Pearly Queen is closed on Sundays.
Address:: 44 Commercial St, London E1 6LT
Website: thepearlyqueen.com
Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill, Piccadilly Circus
Ideal for slurping on oysters in historic surroundings…
Established in 1916 by charismatic (or so the story goes) fishmonger Frank Bentley, Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill is an institution in the heart of London. Just a shell’s throw from Piccadilly Circus, this historic restaurant has been serving some of the finest native oysters you’ll find just about anywhere for over a century, the vibe still as reassuringly dutiful as – no doubt – it was all those years ago.
There’s certainly a sense of history on the stools here; Bentley’s has welcomed countless notable figures in its storied history, including Winston Churchill, Ernest Hemingway, and Charlie Chaplin, all drawn to the restaurant’s reputation for fresh seafood and impeccable service.
Under the expert guidance of cherished chef and raconteur Richard Corrigan since 2005, Bentley’s offers a range of oysters from British waters, including the native Fal River oysters, which are available from September to April, as well as those from West Mersea, Helford and Galway, alongside cultivated bois from Jersey, Menai, and Carlingford Rocks. They shuck, on average, a thousand each day, which is as good a guarantee of freshness as you’ll get.
Sitting pretty on Swallow Street (appropriately named for an ingredient many struggle to get down), and with a classy ambiance and suave service, Bentley’s is a must-visit for any oyster aficionado. Arguably, it is the best place in London to enjoy oysters.
Address: 11-15 Swallow St, London W1B 4DG
Website: bentleys.org
Darby’s, Nine Elms
Ideal for a taste of a classic New York oyster bar in London…
Nine Elms, best known for its proximity to the US Embassy, has undergone something of a revitalisation in recent years, with the recently rejuvenated Battersea Power Station and the 2020 completion of the Northern Line extension here fuelling its growing status in the city.
There’s a sense of the thriving and the thrusting in the area’s best restaurant, Darby’s, too, no doubt stoked up by their terrific selection of oysters.
Here, Darby’s founder Robin Gill draws inspiration from his Irish roots and his father’s love of New York City’s classic oyster bars, to create one of the best restaurant experience anywhere in the capital, with an expansive countertop, Grand Central-style, just perfect for leaning on, sipping a stout, and chucking back a few natives.
As if you needed any further encouragement, from Wednesday to Saturdays Darby’s throws an ‘Oyster Happy Hour’ between 5pm and 7pm. For just £17, you’ll get half a dozen oysters, a pint of Guinness, and (almost) all of your nutritional needs seen to.
Website: darbys-london.com
Address: 3 Viaduct Gdns, Nine Elms, London SW11 7AY
Read: 7 IDEAL ways to enjoy oysters
Wright Brothers, Various Locations
Ideal for the best Oyster Happy Hour in London and proper Cornish oysters…
With several locations across London, Wright Brothers is a name synonymous with squeaking-fresh seafood, especially our slurpy siblings, the oyster.
The Wright Brothers story began in 2002, when brothers-in-law Robin Hancock and Ben Wright embarked on a journey to share their love of oysters with the world. With a humble oyster stall in Borough Market, they introduced London to a new era of oyster appreciation, bringing fresh, high-quality oysters from British and Irish waters to the beating heart of the city. In 2005, they decided a larger operation in the market was in order, opening the Wright Brothers Oyster & Porter House to universal acclaim.
The oysters here are sourced from the brothers’ own beds in Cornwall, ensuring freshness, quality and, perhaps most importantly, dependability. The selection includes rock oysters and natives, served natural, dressed, or cooked.
With three locations, in Borough Market, Battersea Power Station and South Kensington Wright Brothers is a tribute to British seafood. The menu changes seasonally, offering a variety of oysters alongside other delicacies like Brixham scallops, whelks, and brown crab croquettes. Heaven.
We hate to exaggerate, but all three restaurants host the best Oyster Happy Hour in London. Monday through Wednesday, from 3 to 6pm, you can eat as many oysters as you want for a pound a pop.
Of all the restaurants, the Borough branch – the Mothership – is perhaps our favourite. Here you can sit at beer-barrel tables and watch the hustle and bustle of the market go by.
That said, the Battersea restaurant is good fun too. With ample outdoor seating boasting views of the iconic Power Station and the Thames, it’s ideal for al fresco dining in the summer. Here, they also host a 2-hour oyster masterclass where you’ll taste your way around the British Isles, trying dressed and cooked oysters, and generally feeling very spoilt.
Let’s hear it, too, for the South Kensington branch, which we haven’t actually been to and aren’t, therefore, qualified to comment on…
Anyway, if you’re looking for a seafood extravaganza in London, even after all two decades of shucking, you can still find comfort in kin.
Address: Borough Market, Battersea Power and South Kensington
Website: thewrightbrothers.co.uk
J Sheekey Atlantic Bar, Leicester Square
Ideal for a glamorous oyster gorging session, if such a thing exists…
Nestled in the heart of theatreland and just a short hop from Leicester Square, J Sheekey Atlantic Bar is a chic spot that exudes glamour. Given its position, the restaurant has long been a hub for thespians, which the walls adorned with framed photographs of famous faces will attest to.
The oyster menu is extensive, featuring a variety of British and Irish options. The oysters are shucked to order and can be enjoyed at the elegant bar or on the terrace. The Atlantic Bar also offers a ‘Fruits de Mer’ platter, which is perfect for those looking to sample a range of seafood alongside their oysters.
The story of J Sheekey began in the late 19th century when James Sheekey, a former fishmonger, opened his eponymous restaurant in Mayfair. With a passion for fresh seafood and an unwavering commitment to quality, Sheekey quickly established himself as a go-to destination for oyster lovers. The restaurant’s name, J Sheekey, became synonymous with the UK’s finest oysters and a refined dining experience, and more than a century later, the good stuff is still very much being shucked here.
J Sheekey’s Atlantic Bar exudes an air of sophisticated elegance, with its dimly lit, intimate atmosphere and impeccable service. The bar’s marble-topped counter horseshoe-shaped bar is the heart of the establishment, where expert oyster shuckers skillfully prepare and present the restaurant’s extensive oyster selection. All you have to do is order a little fizz and get ready to slurp…
Oh, and there’s live jazz every Sunday for all the hepcats out there.
Address: 28-32 St Martin’s Ct, London WC2N 4AL
Website: j-sheekey.co.uk
Parsons, Covent Garden
Ideal for a laid back slurping sesh…
A self-proclaimed ‘unassuming little fish’ spot in the West End, there’s nothing meek about the cooking at Parsons, with the oceanic, saline flavours dialled up to eleven but the prices kept resolutely in the single digits. What’s not to love?
Squeeze into their tight counter seating overlooking busy Endell Street, lean on the cool marble and prepare for a feat; here, three Colchester Rock oysters – woody, herby and reminiscent of green sap – will set you back just a fiver. That’s some value in Central London. Sometimes, they even have a deep-fried oyster snack on the menu, if you’re keen to mix things up a bit.
Speaking of mixing things up, the wine list at Parsons is full of surprises; a Slovenian Gašper pinot grigio – both buttery and briny – was just beautiful with a dozen of those Colchesters.
Address: 39 Endell St, London WC2H 9BA
Website: parsonslondon.co.uk
Bibendum Oyster Bar, Chelsea
Ideal for oysters in a truly iconic setting…
On the ground floor of Michelin House, an iconic, Grade II listed Chelsea building that was once the headquarters of Michelin in the UK, you’ll find a chef’s (in this case, 2 Michelin-starred Claude Bosi) selection of oysters from seven regions across three countries, with the revered Gillardeaus making a welcome appearance – yours for £8.50 a single slurp.
Whilst Bosi’s fine dining restaurant sits on the second floor, there’s just as much fun (actually, much more fun) to be found at the oyster bar, where the original reception area still features a mosaic depicting Michelin man Bibendum holding a glass of nuts, bolts, and other hazards, echoing the company’s motto, “Nunc est Bibendum,” which translates to “Now is the time to drink”.
And drink you shall, as Bibendum Oyster Bar is as much about the unabashed flow of champers as it is the downing of bivalves, the former of which starts at £19 by the glass.
Address: Michelin House, 81 Fulham Rd., London SW3 6RD
Website: claudebosi.com
The Oystermen Seafood Bar & Kitchen, Covent Garden
Ideal for an inventive selection of dressed and cooked oysters…
Dining in Covent Garden isn’t always the most heartening experience, where chains and disappointment proliferate. That’s what makes the Oystermen so good; it’s a pleasingly perfunctory, prosaically-decorated spot where all of the focus falls on the seafood, immaculately sourced and served up with little fanfare.
But why would you need a brassy tune playing when the oysters are this fresh? Order a dozen ‘daily fresh’ ones off the chalkboard menu before moving onto the more inventive selection of dressed and cooked guys. We’re very much into the restaurant’s buffalo oysters, piquant from a tawny buffalo sauce that complements rather than overwhelms the main event. For a taste of real luxury, tempura oysters – served in the half shell – come with an indulgent champagne aioli and smoked herring caviar.
Yep, this place is the real deal, and appealing in its celebration of oyster in many different forms, rather than placing a somewhat excessive reverence on the raw version, as some restaurants are occasionally guilty of doing.
Address: 32 Henrietta St, London WC2E 8NA
Website: oystermen.co.uk
Wiltons, St. James’s
Ideal for oysters dressed with history…
Wiltons, boasting a history that dates back to 1742 and a UKIP-adjacent tagline of being a ‘bastion of Britishness’, is one of the oldest restaurants in London.
Decked out in Royal Red and British Racing Green, and with suited-and-booted waitstaff carving, fileting and (most importantly) shucking tableside, the restaurant is steeped in a sense of salty tradition.
Available from September through to April, the oysters at Wiltons are some of the finest and freshest in the city, with a rundown that includes Helford and Colchester natives, as well as Jersey Rocks,.
Wiltons also offer a 90-minute ‘Oyster Masterclass‘ where they debunk the myths surrounding opening and eating oysters before raising the curtain on some darn fine eating (is it really ‘eating’ with oysters? We do realise we’ve said ‘slurp’ far too much in this article).
Anyway, for £125 you get a dozen oysters, a glass of champagne, two glasses of paired white wine, and hopefully the knowledge of being able to tell a Native from a Pacific, whether you should you should chew or swallow whole, and the all important answer to whether oysters are vegan or not!
Address: 55 Jermyn St, St. James’s, London SW1Y 6LX
Website: wiltons.co.uk
Scott’s, Mayfair
Ideal for London’s most luxurious oyster experience…
A Mayfair seafood stalwart if ever there was one, Scott’s has a long, illustrious history of being a destination for luxury dining. With a champagne and oyster bar that’s been delighting diners since the mid 19th century when the restaurant was known as ‘Scott’s Oyster Rooms’, diners can still watch the skilled shuckers at work from the prime vantage point around the central marble bar, as it always has been.
There’s a sense of decadence and occasion here, with a comprehensive oyster selection to match which includes Jersey Pearls, Dooncastle Rocks, Lindisfarne Rocks, Ostra Régal, and the esteemed Gillardeau.
In the summer, take a seat (or, perhaps book one!) on the terrace in front of the restaurant, pull on some comically large shades, and indulge in some people watching.
Address: 20 Mount St, London W1K 2HE
Website: scotts-mayfair.com
Richard Haward’s Oysters at Borough Market
Ideal for the freshest oysters straight from Mersea Island…
For something a little different and a lot more laid back, head to Richard Haward’s Oysters in Borough Market, where you can enjoy some of the freshest oysters straight from Mersea Island. Here, rock oysters are praised for their delicate saline, silky plumpness.
A simple stall with a few upright tables to gather round, this family-run business takes pride in their sustainably farmed oysters, available in small, medium or large, which you can enjoy on the spot or take away. Accoutrements are straightforward and to the point; eighths of lemon, Tabasco, and shallot vinegar is all you need here to send you on your way.
The market’s always-on atmosphere adds to the experience, making it a perfect stop for a quick oyster fix while exploring London’s iconic food market. You can even order a ‘Native Oyster Taster Box‘ here, which includes a range of different types and sizes of oysters to collect from the market and take home to enjoy.
Address: 35 Stoney St, London SE1 9AA
Website: richardhawardsoysters.shop
The Sea, The Sea, Chelsea
Ideal for a refined, rarefied oyster tasting…
Though Portuguese powerhouse chef Leandro Carreira’s temple to all things seafood has expanded its vision over in Hackney with a 14-seat, £100 per person chef’s table, if you’re pining for the poetic simplicity of half a dozen oysters, then it’s to the original The Sea, The Sea in Chelsea that you should head.
A chef-led fish shop, deli and seafood bar by day that transforms into an intimate dining experience by night, it’s six rocks for £26 here, the chef’s perfectly poised beetroot vinaigrette bringing that point of difference you’re looking for by this stage in an article about a single ingredient.
Address: 174 Pavilion Rd, London SW1X 0AW
Website: theseathesea.net
Bob Bob Ricard, Soho
Ideal for oyster opulence turned all the way up…
Bob Bob Ricard in Soho is known for its opulent decor and the ‘Press for Champagne’ button at every table. Alongside its luxurious ambiance, the restaurant serves a selection of fine oysters, naturally.
Here you’ll get Jersey Rock oysters served the old fashioned way, au natural with lemon and Tabasco, with the restaurant itself bringing the garnish and frippery. It’s the ideal spot for those looking to celebrate a seriously special occasion where you pretend you’re richer than you are.
Address: bobbobricard.com
Website: 1 Upper James St, London W1F 9DF
Angler, Moorgate
Ideal for a Michelin-starred oyster tasting…
Perched atop the South Place Hotel in Moorgate, Angler is a Michelin-starred restaurant with a seafood-focused menu that boasts a terrace with views of the London skyline.
Whilst you could, of course, settle in for the full tasting menu experience here, priced at £155 a head, if you’re after oysters (you are; that’s why you’re here) then you should instead pitch up at the bar, where creamy and buttery Porthillys are served up with a selection of inventive cocktails. Ours is a Negrotto, if you’re asking. We think we might stay here a while, actually…
Address: South Place Hotel, 3 South Pl, London EC2M 2AF
Website: anglerrestaurant.com
The Bottom Line
London’s oyster scene can feel like you’re shucking a small piece of its history and slurping on all sorts of the city’s most indulgent traditions. And whilst the restaurants on our list’s central oyster bars are always abuzz with salty spritzes and sensual exhalation, the central conceit of this concluding paragraph isn’t quite working. So, we’re off. Enjoy your oysters!
