The Oystermen Seafood Bar & Kitchen in City of London, Westminster

Sadly this is not what it was. Has it been sold on? Is it suffering from the owners' expansion and lackof attention? When it was the owners' only restaurant it was superb. Things have changed. I was here with 3 others in December '24, and 1 other in January '25, on both those visits all were disappointed. Some points from the January visit. The majority of oysters on the chalk board were NOT available - including all the ones we had decided to order having read the descriptions. Why have a chalkboard if you cannot be bothered to change it daily, or at least mark on it what's available that day? (A sign of the care & attention given now). The oysters we did have were good. The main course of skate wing was over-sauced in a strong salty dark brown sauce that smothered the taste of fresh fish (the menu did say with chicken jus) . Four differing people across my last two visits have tried this and agree that this recipe kills the fish . And...on the latest visit the skate wing had a litte 'wooliness' to the flesh, was it not as fresh as it could have been? (This was on a Thursday when fresh fish is available daily). The chips have a spicy coating, which they do tell you, but - that seems at odds with the way The Oystermen started - with wonderful fresh tastes to complement wonderful fresh fish. RIP my and my friends'relationship with this rerstaurant (now chain of?)

Just writing this review before leaving. Thoroughly enjoyed our time this evening and felt duty bound to wrote a review. Food was extremely fresh and tasty. Lovely ambience and right next to Covent Garden. Renae took our orders and talked us through all options. She was extremely helpful and made sure we didn’t actually over order!!! We had 3 courses of starters!! Very reasonably priced for Covent so all in all faultless. Would certainly recommend if you’re a fan of fish.

Cosy seafood bar and restaurant near Covent Garden market, a very attractive area. Basic interior, not really comfortable. Small tables, little privacy. Very noisy. Some menu options were no longer available and of the 6 oyster types presented only one was. These Jersey rock oysters were really nice. Other food was reasonable: the potted shrimps were melting, the bouillabaisse contained a generous fish portion, but the consistency (too thick) and taste (too sweet) of the soup itself was not as we appreciate it. Not sure whether it was homemade. The service was attentive and friendly. In our substantial bill was included already an optional service fee of 12,5%: we consider this too much for the total experience.

Fabulous evening as always, delicious food, great service and awesome atmosphere… if you love seafood and an intimate dining experience, then head to The Oysterman, you will not be disappointed 👍🏼

Plusieurs plats indisponibles ce soir là, dont le crabe et les moules, ce pourquoi on était venus à part les huîtres. Truite avariée et servie sans accompagnement. Pana cotta visiblement en réserve depuis plusieurs jours. Service peu sympathique, lieu étroit et bruyant. Assez bonnes huîtres mais seulement 3 variétés disponibles sur 7 annoncées. Facture finale de presque 280 Euros à trois sans vin malgré tous ces désagréments. Bref, un des pires restos que j'ai fait depuis des années malgré les excellents commentaires lus sur Internet. A fuir...

Realmente disfrutamos de nuestra comida. Las ostras eran espléndidas, el cangrejo excelente, los mejillones lo suficientemente agradable pero no especial. El negroni también es bueno.

Disculpas a Hank’s Oyster Bar, The Barrelhouse, Hog Island Oyster Company, The Waterbar, Pier Market y todos los otros maravillosos restaurantes de mariscos que visité durante mi reciente odisea en Estados Unidos. Por muy buenos que fueran, los Ostioneros los superan a todos. Siempre tengo el conjunto completo de ostras cocidas que son constantemente excelentes. El termidor de cangrejo picante también es fantástico y muy recomendable. El ala de patinaje otro plato de alta gama. Todo rematado por una cálida bienvenida y un excelente servicio atento de Jiffane. Estoy salivando mientras escribo esto y espero con ansias mi próxima visita ya.

Almorzamos aquí por primera vez. Elección de ostras, crudas o cocidas. Tenía 3 tipos diferentes. Todo excelente y fresco. También tenía 1 kg de cangrejo y lenguado de limón. Ambos maravillosos. Buen servicio, atento y conocedor. Mente cara, pero es el centro de Londres y se obtiene pescado de calidad. Volveré.

Paramos aquí después de una mañana de turismo y no parecía demasiado turístico y de hecho no lo es! Lugar muy agradable y acogedor con un toque retro y un menú interesante: principalmente pescado, por supuesto. Para nosotros un montón de compartir: compartido 3 entrantes y 3 pequeños principales y una botella encantadora de vino blanco y por supuesto 3 ostras... . muy agradable de hecho. ¡Estaré feliz de pasar de nuevo!

Fui a probar ostras por primera vez. El personal era muy amable y servicial, sugiriendo qué probar y cómo disfrutar de ellos. Estaban realmente deliciosos - ¡recomiendo particularmente las ostras tempura! - y el ambiente era encantador.

The star rating forces me to choose between average and very good. Infact it was neither..better than average but not "very good". The staff were helpful in getting me accommodated at a table rather than the bar, as I had booked in error. They took our order promptly and all, at this point, was great. The taramasalata starter was good but the potted shrimps was odd...a (very) few rather tasteless, shrimps floating in a bath of melted butter rather than the more solid version I've usually eaten. The oysters, Irish, were great. Sadly the main and sides were a bit of a disaster. Not sure if the chef is a heavy smoker or has a tremor causing him to upset the salt pot but my skate wing (well cooked) was bathed in a brown fluid which resembled seawater in taste and salinity. This also applied to the sautéed greens...almost inedible with the saltiness. I raised this with the staff who tell me they will "mention it to the chef"....in a restaurant from the Michelin guide such a basic error should not happen. The puddings were fine.

Comida boa, local simples. Preferimos a entrada do que o prato principal. A especialidade é ostra. Se você está buscando comer peixe talvez seria melhor procurar outra opção.

Casual dining. Great oysters, crudo and more, and the best bread and butter we have had in London. Pancetta dessert also very good. Will definitely go back the next time we are in the area.

Back once again... Shirt and sweet... Loved it. They've changed the layout slightly, but kept the original character - brilliant. Good excellent as always, new service team, but as welcoming and charming as ever. Just love this place.

Had an amazing time celebrating my partners graduation. The oysters were amazing! Staff really looked after us and made my partner feel very special. Wine list is amazing also.

Second time in this lovely restaurant. Of course started with some nice local oysters. Then a starter with red shrimp. Then a mussel risotto. All cooked to perfection with a rich pallet of flavours. The meny also hold a good variety of wines in all price classes. Vey good value of money for this central restaurant, with some other tourist traps inaround Covent Garden.

Probably the best seafood restaurant in London - serving beautifully prepared fresh seafood with an excellent accompany ing wine list and great service. On a scorching day the sunshaded outdoor terrace was an oasis. Love this place!

We have been to this restaurant loads of times, it was a favourite and I have written some good reviews for it. Last night we had booked a table indoors as the weather to date has been poor. Yesterday, best day of the year so far so asked to be seated outside but couldn’t be accommodated. Was given a tiny table at the back of the restaurant. Immediately we could smell what I can only assume was the bins outside or poor plumbing, too off putting to want to eat. Asked to be moved as there were a number of spaces only to be told that the spaces were reserved for the owner in case his friends came in. Business must indeed be good that friends take priority over paying customers! We left.

We were celebrating our Pearl Wedding Anniversary, so it had to be oysters at The Oystermen - our favourite restaurant in London. Always a warm welcome from the staff who made the evening really special for us and the food, as ever was fabulous. Always lots of new, amazing flavours on the menu - would highly recommend.

Such a lovely meal! Tasty cocktails, fun atmosphere, friendly staff and beautiful food, which was out of this world. So tasty!

Another great evening at The Oystermen. Oriella and the team always very welcoming. Tried the new hake dish on the menu, which was delish. My favourite seafood restaurant,

What a sublime treat in every way – the food, the drinks, the staff, the ambience! Everything on the menu wnderfully sourced, zingingly fresh and packed with exquitite flavour. And our charming and enthusiastic servers doubled the pleasure with a perfect mix of warmth and professionalism. Can't wait to go back!

The Oystermen is such a great restaurant - delicious seafood, wonderful service, and always fun. The buffalo oysters will cure any ailment!

Went here with some friends for dinner on a Thursday evening. The restaurant was full and we had a table for 6. The food in this restaurant is if a higher class than those in close proximity and you will not be disappointed with any choice you make. I went for the mackerel and the taste was sublime, my friends all had a variety of the mains and each one of them commented how fantastic the food was. If the quality of the food wasn’t enough, they also serve a fantastic array of wine and beer, which pairs nicely with the food. The staff are clearly all happy here and that vibe shines through and they couldn’t do more for you. Special praise has to go to the manager, she was absolutely attentive to the whole restaurant and made my first experience here feel special (I’ve since gone back). I’ve dined at some of the worlds best eateries with many Michelin star chefs, in many different countries and I’d put this right up there in terms of quality and flavour.

It it such a brilliant restaurant. The menu is always changing, staff are friendly and it has a great atmosphere. Staff always give great suggestions, if asked. I’ll continue to be a frequent visitor.

Always wonderful lunching at the Oystemen. Food excellent, coupled with great service. Also very convenient for Covent Garden.

We have been a few times but we decided to celebrate our wedding anniversary by having dinner before going to the theatre. We were greeted with a personal anniversary card and glasses of bubbly and it made us feel so special. The food here is excellent. Not a big menu but every dish we tried was excellent. Lovely waiting staff and such a wonderful atmosphere. love love love it!

Went to try it, booked a table at 8.45 but when we arrived the table wasn’t ready, no big deal we went for a walk and came back, we ordered food and beverages, waiter comes back saying that the bottle of white wine I had chosen they didn’t have it cold, again no big deal I choose another bottle, waiter comes back saying that they ran out of the second wine,ok i choose a third bottle and they bring it to the table warm!! i asked for some water and ice to cool it down. then after waiting nearly 45 mins waitress comes back saying that the fish i had choose for main was finished so i had to order another one and we had to wait again for a long time, so long that at a certain point another waitress seeing the table with no dishes came to ask if we wanted a dessert when we were still waiting for the main!! the food at the end was good but terrible experience for a romantic dinner.

Oysters to start, really nice, and filed hake with mushrooms for main! What a surprise! The sauce and tendernesses of the fish were amazing! Going there soon to try the starters

Amazing service, food and ambience, we love this restaurant, reasonable priced food for what I think is the best all round experience in Covent Garden. The oysters were amazing, so fresh, it’s as though they just plucked out of the water! We shared the brixham skate wing, very simply done but absolutely delicious with the capers, brown shrimp, tarragon and butter. You will not be disappointed!

Anytime of the day(but do book) this incredible diamond for seafood in Henrietta Street near Convent Garden gives you both delicious sea food of all description and top top Service. Excellent value for money in a quaint little restaurant, love the busyness of the place, but how the staff combines that with giving us the customers so much time I do not know! Always love it here and we will be back on our next London visit. As mentioned earlier do book as when sitting by the window, we saw so many disappointed faces when just popping in from the street! The staff do their best but it’s not a huge place! Thanks again The Oystermen, the anniversary card was a wonderful touch ;)

Can't recommend this highly enough. Our favourite spot in London and I didn't think I liked oysters until I tried them here and totally converted. And all the fish is fabulous too. Just such a great atmosphere with attention to detail and really friendly staff. Looking forward to the next visit.

Another excellent visit to The Oysterman. We called in to sample the dressed oysters and a couple of fresh oysters from Ireland and Scotland. We sat a the bar and our very professional server Emily looked after us throughout our visit. If you love seafood, particularly oysters, you will not be disappointed with a visit to The Oysterman. So whether dining all just sitting at the bar fro a glass of wine and a couple of oysters The Oysterman is the place to go.

A fabulous evening out. Great service and delicious food. A truly impressive restaurant more than happy to adapt to meet any special requests. We didn’t try the oysters - although everyone else seemed to be enjoying them - but the seafood we did have was delicious. Considering its location and the quality of the food, it’s good value for money - although not for everyday eating. I’m already looking for reasons to come back.

Amazing food with top quality service. It is so good to dine in an independent restaurant with a unique menu rather than one of the chains.

Dropped into the Oystermen last night for a quick oyster snack en route to a Carol service at St Paul’s Church Covent Garden. Friends were very impressed with the fresh and tasty selection. Great service from Luca.

Great for oysters. Their selection is good and service friendly. And my Manhattan was the best I’ve had, and I love manhattan’s.

Off the cuff, last minute recommendation by a friend. They don’t take bookings. Apparently you have to turn up give your name and wait till they come out and get you. Came round towards the end of lunch and pleaded politely for a table early...

We took Katrina’s suggestions for the oysters, raw, dressed and cooked, which were all with distinct flavors. The Spicy Crab Thermidor was also great but slightly too heavy for our taste. Finished with a crab. All were very tasty. Atmosphere was very enjoyable. Stairs going...

Awesome restaurant in the heart of Covent Garden and have returned several times since my first visit. Great selection of fresh oysters (with spot on tasting notes - my first for oysters) and a great take on some dressed ones. Staff super friendly and knowledgeable....

Came here as a virgin oyster taster oh boy was it good…I can’t fault this restaurant from the staff, ambience,menu and choice of drinks, nothing was too much from them definitely gave the personal touch… highly recommend….. if you love oysters or never tried them...

“Great food and service. Always reliable. Fantastic value for central London and such high quality produce. We will be back again.”

The food was as good as on previous visits. But the size of tables leaves one feeling cramped. The service was very informal and more akin to a takeaway than a restaurant. Perhaps becoming a little overconfident and just relying on the quality of the...

I am in London a couple of times a year and always eat at Oystermen at least twice each time. The food and service are always top quality. Every entree I have had there is very fresh and prepared with thought and care. My favorite...

Another visit to the Oystermen - gets better every time! Loch Fyne oysters are to die for, washed down with a nice glass of French white. Anchovies on toast - delicious. Will return again and again!!

WOW! Once again, the staff, the food (the FOOD!), the atmosphere and the wine all lead to a fabulous night with family! There were 6 of us again, and we had multiple starters and sharables that were ALL delicious; then we had our mains, all...

Had a lovely table in the window and got exceptional service from the manager and other staff. Mango n chilli oysters are a must so I’ll be going back for more. Occasion - Catching up with a friend. Thank you so much

This is a great spot for dinner! The staff is so friendly and the oysters and champagne were fresh and festive. It was the perfect evening with a dear friend who was visiting. We were not rushed and it was not loud, it was casual...

Been yesterday for Birthday celebration! Relaxing and very cozy atmosphere! Went for several types of Oysters and some starters to share! Went for almost all the starters in the menu! Everything was deliciously fresh and tasty Staff very friendly and helpful! Amazing experience! Must a...

One of my top 10 places to eat in London, my wife and I have been going since it first opened. Generally we go on a Sunday lunchtime, sit in the window, people watch and eat delicious food. Everything is incredible but the whole fresh...

The Oystermen is such a welcoming and delicious gem in Convent Garden. The staff is incredibly kind and attentive and the food is fresh, creative, and made with love. Don't leave without fighting over the last bite of tiramisu!

This little London gem sparkles with fresh seafood. The oysters (from Ireland, Scotland and Jersey) were freshly shucked and varied. We enjoyed the hearty and chunky chowder, with fresh sourdough. And our mains were super: black ink risotto and sea bass. All impeccably plated and...

Fantastic selection of fresh oysters. By dinner a couple varieties were already sold out. Unfortunate on one hand, but on the other it means the oysters are fresh. In addition to raw oysters, we liked the Buffalo sauce and pickle back oysters. Service had some...

Been here a few times now and it never fails to be brilliant! Great selection of oysters. Attentive but not over fussy service and a great atmosphere. The anchovy toast is fantastic. If you like your seafood you will love it here!

If I lived in London I would dine here several times a week. The food is always excellent—on this occasion a full house of cooked and dressed oysters followed by crab thermidor. Superb wines as always along with a glass of Hattingley as an aperitif...

This is one of my favorite restaurants when visiting London. We love their oyster toast, and the tempura oysters were very nice. The Scottish salmon, unfortunately, was slightly overcooked. We were somewhat surprised by that since this is a seafood specialty restaurant. I would recommend...

Booked well in advance for this restaurant so extremely disappointed when given the worst possible table at the back of the restaurant next to the drafty stairs The food was a let down, basic and expensive Sadly not a good experience

Extremely disappointing, over priced and basic A letdown from previous visits (and there have been many ) Desperately in need of a long overdue makeover

A small venue with a massive seafood selection. We sat at the bar where we chatted to the chef preparing the oysters and crab both of which were beautifully prepared and delicious. Such a great place

A small and cosy exceptional seafood restaurant offering daily fresh seafood and fish. It is obvious by the standard of food we were served on our visit why the establishment has been recommended in the Michelin guide. The staff were so friendly, helpful and knowledgeable...

Really friendly staff and always great food!! would recommend getting starters to share especially the crab thermidor

This was a friend's tip for eating before going to the opera. The food was absolutely delicious even if the tables were tiny -- and it was good value for Covent Garden. It will certainly be one of my regular pre-opera haunts from now on.

This restaurant was a great little find, the staff are super friendly and helpful, the food was amazing. We really couldn't fault the place. Definitely recommend!

Came here for oysters and fizz for my daughter's 21st! It was amazing! The staff were lovely and the oysters were out of this world. Literally the perfect experience. Definitely coming back to try everything else on the menu.

Even though I don't live in London anymore, whenever I visit, I always book a meal at the Oystermen. I have been coming, ever since I discovered it by accident few years ago. I always have the dressed oysters to start with, both raw and...

I had a fantastic late lunch at The Oystermen Seafood Bar & Kitchen, and it exceeded all expectations. The restaurant's charming nautical-themed ambiance and friendly staff created a welcoming atmosphere. The service was exceptional, with attentive and knowledgeable staff who added to the overall enjoyment...

The 4 off us thought we’d grab lunch at short notice wanted something lite and fresh, preferably seafood. A quick search landed us the Oystermen. Walked in, having not booked and fortunately they were able to accommodate us. There was a bit of confusion to...

This was our first time at The Oystermen. What a wonderful experience. It was our wedding anniversary and we were welcomed with a card and a glass of sparkling wine. All the food was tasty and beautifully presented. The staff were brilliant and very attentive....

The Oystermen is my all time favourite restaurant in London and I go every single time I travel up from the South West. The staff are incredibly welcoming and attentive and the food really is second to none.. Best oysters I've ever had and the...

We have been visiting this restaurant for years, always our number 1 stop in London. Today we visited for the first time in a while and what a difference we noticed. The staff where absolutely clueless with what oysters they where serving us…strange considering.. the...

Oystermen never fails. Again we got a great experience with fresh oysters and excellent brown crab. And personel was as helpfull as always. Thank you!

Back again... Still rocking it. The lobster risotto was brimming with lobster and I was so glad to see the anchovy toast still on. Oysters here are the best, most plump, freshest ones anywhere... And I eat a lot of them around the world!

Have dined here on numerous occasions and enjoyed the experience and looked forward with anticipation to the next visit. This time? Disappointed. We sat outside and the main waiter we had didn’t bother writing our order down and so had to come back a couple...

I love seafood and when the chance permits I don't miss the opportunity. Walking around Covent Garden, Me and my girlfriend stumbled across this place. No need to book we were taken to our table outside by the waiter. The menu had good seasonal dishes...

Absolutely Superb. The food, the drinks, the staff were all spot on. Location also brilliant and real care for each customer - will certainly be coming back, thanks for the special experience.

This place is a hidden gem. Have been in a couple of times now. There's not much I can really say but if you like Oysters then you will love this place. They are perfect. I think Loch Fyne Oysters are officially my favourite food...

My partner and I try and visit The Oystermen every time we go to London for the day. Love popping in for some fresh orders and a glass of bubbles, watching London go by. The Loch Fyne oysters are absolutely delicious. Best oysters I’ve ever...

We booked a table for two on Saturday 8th July for dinner for my birthday. We had dined for lunch on two previous occasions and loved the food. It was my birthday and had had a wonderful day at Wimbledon so we were very excited...

I booked a table here months ago for our wedding anniversary. Upon arrival we were offered a table which was cm's away from another couple (I was basically a 4 person table pulled apart) or a window bench looking out into the busy street. So...

This is the first review that I have written since the Corona pandemic, and it's time to get back to it. I am prompted by a delicious lunch at The Oystermen. Eating oysters is always going to be a relatively expensive activity, so one has...

We enjoyed a great lunch with some wonderful food and really nice service and wonderful choices, we will be back

Wonderful experience. My friend said her lemon sole was the best fish she'd ever tasted. And she loved the oyster selection as a starter.

We visited for the first time on Saturday night and we were not disappointed ! Really was some of the best seafood we’ve ever had! Service was excellent - it was my partners birthday and the team had got a card and some complimentary drinks....

Excellent food, good vibe, good service. Great oysters and seafood, simply done. Great find in central London near Covent Garden.

Great place!! The oysters are so fresh you could just eat them all day. Tried also a few of the appetizers and mains. All of them are really good. Fresh ingredients and balance in taste. We were on vacation and tried it for the first...

We felt very rushed. The courtyard tables were uncomfortable and cramped. Overall this made for an unpleasant dining experience.

A must visit if you get a chance but do go/book early because they do have to turn people away! The gentleman who worked there was lovely and accommodated us. We had sourdough and seafood butter, anchovy toast (if you order these too, I recommend...

We visited Oystermen after taking in Six. Henrietta street is convenient after a show. The food was fresh and delicious. The oysters were phenomenal and we ordered more. We also enjoyed the sea bream ceviche and the spicy crab thermidor for starters and hake for...

The food overall was delicious (tried tuna tartar, ceviche and trout) and drinks awesome (house bloody mary). I took additionally bread (very tasty but at a price) because trout was too salty to eat on its own - I would suggest serving it with something...

Excellent pre theatre dinner. 4 oysters which were plump and tasty. Sourdough and wonderful butter, anchovies on toast which was the stand out dish so good we ordered another one, peppers and tuna tartare. So good can’t wait to return!

We were in Covent Garden for lunch on Sunday, we asked to be seated outside and promptly the Italian maitre d was happy to make a table for us. We were celebrating the graduation of my son, was a special day for us and the...

such a good place in Covent Garden. the food and The service was excellent, thanks to our waiter Eugenio for the good advice! we will be back!

Absolutely superb seafood and excellent service. Cocktails and wine very well presented. Everything from appetizers to bread to drinks to dessert was perfect.

Booked table only to be phoned back by restaurant to cancel reservation as they wanted to sell the table to a larger group. Not the first time having issues booking. I’ll avoid in future and suggest others do likewise.

Next door to our hotel, further evidence that Henrietta Street is a unique single block of delights. From first seating till last wash of wine, it was perhaps one of the best seafood meals I have ever had. I do not feel like describing the...

What a great Saturday night we had, glad we booked as the place was full. We sat at the Oyster bar - nice and informal. All the staff were welcoming and helpful. Our server took us through the oyster selection explaining the differences and matched...

This place has a great feel, you get lost in the fact you are in Covent Garden with the amazing selection of fresh seafood. We had a fab time with a selection of dishes and some very crisp white wine.

Wonderful anniversary dinner yesterday at The Oystermen. A big thank you to the wonderful staff who wrote us a card and served up some of the best oysters we've ever had (sorry Write Bros!) we particularly liked the wasabi dressed variety and our usual Loch...

Hadn’t booked but the found us a space for lunch, oysters we were asked our preference on flavours and ordered 2 of each, so fresh and delicious, chatted with chef as we tried them, washed down with good wine and then tried the scallops gratin,...

My second time here in six months. It was as good - if not better than - the last. We three enjoyed some wonderfully rich, unctuous, langoustine risottos and crab thermidor bakes, the latter with delicious crusty bread. A bright, chilled muscadet accompanied both. A...