The best oysters in London: 14 shucking-ly good restaurants

Oysters – you either love ‘em or hate ‘em. They're like the Marmite of seafood, dividing the crowd massively. Some people simply adore the way this morsel-sized snack, nestled in their rough shells, literally taste like the sea when you swallow them whole. Dress them with a few drops of Tabasco or perhaps some sharp and acidic pickled onion or a squeeze of lemon, and they're even better.

Others cannot stand oysters, claiming their slimy consistency and wobbly appearance are too much to handle. Seeing as you're reading this, you likely fall into the former camp, and if you’re on the hunt for some good-quality variants, then you've come to the right place. We’ve given the city a good scouring to come up with a decent amount of options, so that wherever you fancy eating out you should be able to find one of our top picks close by. From Casa Seabird in Southwark – which is home to London’s longest oyster list and an incredible rooftop space – to Bentley’s in Mayfair, the best oysters in London don’t discriminate by postcode thankfully, and can be found in all corners of the capital.

And yes, the old saying does go that you should only eat oysters in the months whose names contain an ‘r’. While that might be true for native oysters, which spawn over the summer months and are at their best when the water is at its coldest, you can eat rock oysters all year round - thankfully. So, whether you’re a native aficionado in search of the best bivalves to knock back raw, or you’re dipping your toe in the water with a cooked rock oyster, you're bound to find something to tickle your fancy. These are the restaurants serving the best oysters in London, ranging from high-end establishments, to more egalitarian alternatives. Read on for our guide to the pearls of London’s oyster scene.

Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill, Mayfair

What: Seafood specialists Bentley’s have been serving up oysters for over 100 years, so you know you’re in safe hands here. Oysters are expertly shucked by long-serving staff who have a genuine passion for what they’re serving at this Richard Corrigan restaurant which, in peak season, sees the staff shuck up to 1,000 oysters daily. Expect to see the likes of expertly sourced Galway natives alongside rock oysters, with options to be baked with garlic or served with a chilli and honey dressing.
Where: 11-15 Swallow Street, W1B 4DG
Book Now: Bentley's Oyster Bar & Grill

Manzi's, Soho

What: Seafood aficionados Manzi’s really embrace that aquatic feel with its plush teal dining rooms and mermaid sculptures that adorn the bar. Menus are, unsurprisingly, full of fish but the real star of the show are the oysters. Forget happy hour, Manzi’s offers an oyster hour - giving diners the option to enjoy six Rossmore Irish oysters for just £9, between 5.30-6.30pm on weekday evenings. You can also add a glass of Champagne for just £10, making it a pretty suave, and excellent value, evening.  
Where: 1-8 Bateman's Buildings, W1D 3EN
Book now: Manzi's

Pearly Queen, Shoreditch

What: As the name might suggest, Pearly Queen embraces oysters in every element of this restaurant. Chef Tom Brown has really gone the extra mile from the oyster memorabilia that dons the wall to the inventive menu that serves these shellfish in new and original ways. You can still enjoy oysters in all their traditional glory, or tuck into something a tad more creative such as crispy buffalo oysters with a ranch dressing, grilled oysters served with a smoked hollandaise sauce and even lettuce served with an oyster ‘caesar’ dressing.  
Where: 44 Commercial Street, E1 6LT
Book now: Pearly Queen 

Wiltons, St James’s

What: Wiltons received its first Royal Warrant to supply Queen Victoria with oysters in 1868 – and if it’s good enough for the royal family, it’s good enough for us. The site’s oyster bar draws you in as you enter the main dining room, piled-high with all the goods and offering eight seats at the bar if you really want to be a part of the action. Wiltons even host an oyster masterclass on the first Friday of the month, running throughout oyster season.
Where: 55 Jermyn Street, SW1Y 6LX
Book Now: Wiltons

Casa Seabird, Hoxton

What: Boasting London’s largest oyster list, Casa Seabird is the perfect restaurant for enjoying a little shellfish variation (and variety - they do say - is the spice of life). Options change with the seasons but you can expect plump, salty oysters with choices ranging from delights like Jersey oysters from the Channel Islands to Gillardeau shells from Île d’Oléron in France. All the usual trimmings are available, and to top it all off there are some seriously Instagrammable interiors to help keep your feed fresh. If dining in summer make sure to ask for a rooftop spot, or in the cooler months bag a comfy sofa seat along the side of the room.
Where: 40 Blackfriars Road, SE1 8NY
Book now: Casa Seabird

Randall & Aubin, Soho

What: Established in 1996, Brewer Street’s seafood mainstay, Randall & Aubin, is classic Soho: cool, relaxed, a tad cramped and buzzing with life. Seafood fans will appreciate the overflowing displays of shellfish on ice, while a dedicated oyster menu sees options available for platters of up to 24 if you’re looking for a real indulgence. Randall & Aubin even offer its own Champagne as the perfect accompaniment. 
Where: 16 Brewer Street, W1F 0SG
Book Now: Randall & Aubin

Fishworks, Piccadilly Circus

What: The Fishworks family boasts several spots across the city, serving up the works from fruits de mer platters to their South Coast scallops and, of course, oysters. At the Swallow Street outpost of this fishmonger-cum-seafood restaurant, oysters are rather reasonably priced with options to grab them individually or as part of a dozen, or half a dozen. Here, they're served alongside shallot vinegar and Tabasco, perfect for those who like to keep things classic.
Where: 7-9 Swallow Street, W1B 4DE
Book Now: Fishworks

J Sheekey Atlantic Bar, Covent Garden

What: Arguably London’s most famed fish restaurant, J Sheekey is a reliable joint to see the city's most famous faces from the West End stage. It also makes for a pretty swanky spot to sit back with a glass of fizz and enjoy six, or even a dozen, oysters amongst the backdrop of its vibrant red interiors. If you’re not convinced that oysters are the thing for you, then a mixed plate accompanied by spicy sausage makes for a pretty good introduction. 
Where: 33-34 St Martin’s Court, WC2N 4AL
Book Now: J Sheekey

The Oystermen Seafood Bar & Kitchen, Covent Garden

What: This oyster and seafood specialist has proved such a hit since opening in 2017 that it doubled in size by expanding into the premises next door. Delicious duos of cooked oysters makes The Oystermen a great place to try the molluscs without having to eat them raw. Enjoy creative variations on the shellfish such as tempura oysters with Champagne aioli and smoked herring caviar or Kilpatrick oysters with bacon, spiced Worcestershire sauce and cream.
Where: 32 Henrietta Street, WC2E 8NA
Book Now: The Oystermen Seafood Bar & Kitchen

Wright Brothers, Borough Market

What: Now with three sites across the capital, The Wright Brothers have really solidified themselves as oyster experts, offering monthly masterclasses alongside a pretty hefty menu of raw, or cooked and dressed oysters at its restaurants. But it’s the original spot that's caught our attention. If you head down to Borough Market on a Monday-Wednesday, between 3-6pm, you’ll find the famous ‘pound a pop’ deal, where oysters are available for just a quid each.
Where: 11 Stoney Street, SE1 9AD
Book now: Wright Brothers

Darby’s, Nine Elms

What: Touting itself as an oyster bar (amongst other things), Darby’s founders, wife and husband-duo Sarah and Robin Gill, have made oysters a focus at their Nine Elms restaurant. The central bar, filled to the brim with a selection of oysters, is a prime example of it – so is the Wednesday-Saturday happy hour of a pint of Guinness and six oysters for £15, available between 5-7pm. You’ll find Gallagher, Cooley Gold and Carlingford oysters all on offer, served in the true classic style.
Where: 3 Viaduct Gardens Road, SW11 7AY
Book Now: Darby's

Bibendum Oyster Bar, Fulham

What: Bibendum (named after the Michelin tyre company’s mascot) is a prime spot for oysters, especially in its ground-floor oyster and Champagne bar, where Colcester, Cumbrae, Kelly Native and Gillardeau oysters are often up for grabs, served with shallot vinegar. Wash them all down with heaps of Champagne for a truly lavish experience, and even take a seat on one of the street side tables for a bit of al fresco dining.
Where: 81 Fulham Road, SW3 6RD
Book Now: Bibendum

Scott’s, Mayfair

What: A sparkling crustacea bar glistening with fresh produce forms the seafood altar at the centre of celebrity hangout Scott’s. Something of an institution, Scotts has been serving seafood for over 150 years, offering a sophisticated backdrop to enjoy a selection of oysters. Choose between either six or a dozen, offering everything from English Jersey Rocks to French-coast Gillardeau options. Feeling adventurous? How about a tempura fried oyster with ponzu aioli and pickled fennel?
Where: 20 Mount Street, W1K 2HE
Book Now: Scott's

The Guinea Grill, Mayfair

What: This old-school Mayfair restaurant hides behind a pub façade, a slight mis-match with everything from its menus to its decor. The type of place where you can enjoy steak and kidney pies on white-clothed tables served by waistcoat-clad waiters. But The Guinea Grill has also made a bit of a name for itself in the oyster department, having served this shellfish daily for more than 50 years. Tuck into half a dozen rock oysters served with a shallot mignonette, and why not add a glass of fizz whilst you're at it?
Where: 30 Bruton Place, W1J 6NL
Book Now: The Guinea Grill

For more pearls of wisdom, be sure to check out our round-up of the top seafood restaurants in London.