Best Oysters in Sydney
No one sits on the fence when it comes to oysters: either you can’t get enough of them or you wouldn’t eat them if you were stranded on an island. If you’re in the former group, this is the guide for you. Sydney is one of the best places in the world to eat oysters. Few cities have oysters named after them, and fewer still have a variety that tastes as good as the Sydney rock oyster. It's an enormous smack of flavour concentrated across a smaller surface compared with other types, such as the Pacific oyster. Sydney rock oysters are featured accordingly on the menus of these places. Some renditions are familiar, and others get more experimental.
Restaurant
Saint Peter at the Grand National Hotel
Saint Peter is one of Sydney’s best seafood restaurants. The oyster selection changes often – as does the menu with the seasons – but you can usually find an excellent selection here.
Shop
Sydney Fish Markets
Sydney’s home of seafood can’t be beaten on freshness. There’s around 40 retailers here – it’s worth visiting for the theatre of seeing one of the masters shuck your oyster in a split second. Or try one of the nearby restaurants to find oysters all sorts of ways.
Restaurant
Rockpool Bar & Grill
With all the steak on the menu, it's easy to forget that Rockpool is just as much a seafood restaurant as it is a steakhouse. Kick off proceedings with Sydney rock oysters in a simple mignonette from the cold bar.
Restaurant
Morrison’s Oyster Bar & Grill
Oysters here come natural in a mignonette with lemon – and optional caviar. If you prefer, get them kilpatrick or fried in a crispy beer batter.
Restaurant
Bennelong
Sydney rock oysters with a lemon pepper granita, served under the Sydney Opera House sails and enjoyed by the water. It’s about as Sydney as it gets, and it’s certainly a good time. Find them on Bennelong’s bar menu.
Bar
The Bat and Ball Hotel
One of Sydney’s stalwart pubs has been revamped by an exciting hospo team – now it’s a place with killer cocktails, natty wines on tap and, on Saturdays, $1 oysters until sold out.
Restaurant
Catalina
The Sydney rock oysters here are shucked to order and come a number of ways. Enjoy them natural, with a lime ceviche, in a tempura batter or topped with caviar.
Restaurant
Poly
This Surry Hills wine bar serves up natural oysters finished with a finger lime. Get one or two to start your meal, or by the dozen or half dozen.
Restaurant
Public Dining Room
This Balmoral favourite serves a daily selection of seasonal oysters natural, with finger lime or a caviar vinaigrette dressing – shucked to order. Or you can opt for Merimbula rock oysters.
Restaurant
The Butler
Oysters at The Butler come garnished with a hibiscus and shiso mignonette. Get them by the dozen or half dozen, or as part of the huge crudo platter for two.
Restaurant
The Gantry
Enjoy your oysters with a stunning view of the Sydney Harbour. Rock oysters here come with finger lime and an aged cider vinegar. You can’t beat eating them right by the water.
Restaurant
Mosman Rowers
This relaxed bar and restaurant is right on the water, making it a perfect spot for a glass of wine and an oyster or 12. Served with a simple mignonette.
Restaurant
Otto Ristorante
This breezy Italian diner keeps things simple. Natural rock oysters finished with a squeeze of lemon, or Venetian: with salmon roe, cucumber and chardonnay vinegar.
