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Header image courtesy of Cruise Restaurant and Bar
There is no dispute that oysters are considered seafood royalty. From its delicate, sweet-briny flavour and aphrodisiac properties to the splendid presentation over a bed of ice, the experience of savouring freshly shucked oysters is hard to top.
Although the local oyster harvesting business is well past its heyday, our city is still as seafood-crazed as ever and has continued to breed some fantastic oyster bars in the area. To make your search a little easier, we have done the groundwork and tracked down the best oyster bars in Hong Kong to get your fill of juicy, plump bivalves.
With commanding views overlooking the Victoria Harbour and electric-blue lighting, this classy top-floor restaurant at Sheraton Hotel conjures the aquatic seas, tempting your appetite for underwater bounties as soon as you step inside. Doing right by its name, Oyster & Wine Bar offers a wide variety of jet-fresh oysters, harvested from the richest waters of the season. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the sheer choice, just ask the oyster specialists and they’ll be happy to make recommendations for you!
Oyster & Wine Bar, 18/F, Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel and Towers, 20 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | (+852) 2369 1111
Casa Sophia Loren, and the entire Sophia Loren House, took Hong Kong by surprise when it took over the Woo Cheong Pawn Shop heritage building and opened four new venues, from chic dining to live entertainment. An Italian restaurant with a knack for great seafood, Casa Sophia Loren serves up a beautiful Riviera weekend brunch with unlimited oysters and an Oysteria weekday dinner served fresh from its seafood bar. From Monday to Friday, with just eight seats available nightly, the Oysteria menu involves a two-hour free-flow of David Hervé N3 oysters, and the Riviera weekend brunch a three-hour oyster free-flow! If you’re not feeling like wolfing down dozens of oysters, you can also order à la carte from the selection of Marennes Oléron N4, David Hervé N3, and Gillardeau N4.
Casa Sophia Loren, 60–66 Johnston Road, Wan Chai | (+852) 3594 6199
Oysters don’t have to be enjoyed in a lavish setting to be good: this friendly neighbourhood oyster bar is a case in point. Matching black-and-white checkered flooring with charmingly cluttered walls, Oyster Cove exudes an intimate, vintage vibe that nicely complements casual get-togethers and celebrations.
You’ll find the menu populated with over 20 types of oysters from all over the map, but the speciality is French oysters. Distinguishing itself from most other places, Oyster Cove gives you free rein to build your own seafood platter, so you can easily try a bit of everything. Otherwise, the chef-curated oyster platters (from 12 to 48 pieces) are a popular choice if you don’t know where to start. Keeping things classic, the juicy bivalves are served simply on a bed of ice with lemon wedges and a spicy cocktail sauce.
Dreaming of a tropical vacation? JW Marriott’s Fish Bar is the next best thing! Between the paradisaic poolside view, the semi-outdoor and shack-like setting, and the earthy, woody interior design, the restaurant vaguely evokes Bali vibes, inviting you to relax and tip back shell after shell of plump, savoury goodness. What’s more, the alfresco restaurant is also an advocate for sustainable dining, from eco-conscious food sourcing to reducing waste.
Fish Bar has a rotating selection of freshly shucked oysters, which vary in price depending on the season—check out the blackboard for the daily selection. If you are a seafood fiend, opt for the chilled seafood tower, a three-tiered extravaganza loaded with oysters, cherrystone clams, king crab legs, Boston lobster, French blue prawns, mussels, and clams. In partnership with The Nature Conservancy, the oyster shells are repurposed as new reef support!
Fish Bar, 7/F, JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty | (+852) 2810 8366
Head to this rustic, wood-panelled gem of a restaurant to soak up the convivial atmosphere and slurp up some of the finest oysters in town! Located just a stone’s throw away from the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Open Oyster handles over 20 oyster varieties with masterly aplomb, including the awarding-winning L’etoile from Brittany, coveted for its pronounced mineral finish and sweet undertone that lingers on the palate, as well as the crowd-pleasing Gillardeau, which is known for its exceptionally soft and creamy flesh.
Good wine is an oyster’s best friend, so uncorking a thoughtfully chosen bottle is highly recommended for the full experience. Enjoy discounts on oysters upon a minimum order of two glasses of wine per guest.
Open Oyster, South Seas Centre, Shop 56, 75 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | (+852) 2366 3808
One of the few sustainability-focused seafood restaurants in the city, Dot Cod has been dishing out consciously-sourced delicacies from under the sea since 2000. Boasting a refined yet unpretentious space, the food similarly reflects the interiors, with an emphasis on simplicity and freshness. Its ever-changing selection of oysters may be on the smaller side, but you are always guaranteed what’s best and fresh from the sea.
Go on Wednesdays or during weekday happy hours when all available oysters are $20 a piece, and seize the opportunity to fill up on some mighty fine molluscs without breaking the bank.
Dot Cod Seafood Restaurant and Oyster Bar, Level B4, The Landmark Prince, 10 Chater Road, Central | (+852) 2810 6988
A staple alfresco dining spot in Hong Kong, Cruise Restaurant and Bar’s M.O. is modern Asian cuisine. Although it’s not an oyster bar in itself, Cruise’s large seafood selection keeps the restaurant on the map of crustacean lovers. Seasonal oysters can always be found on the à la carte menu, but we recommend you visit Hyatt Centric’s rooftop destination on a Monday night, a.k.a Oyster Celebratrion night. Every Monday from 5 pm to 11 pm, enjoy all-you-can-eat fresh oysters for 90 minutes, with starters and a main course included in the offer.
Cruise Restaurant and Bar, 23/F, West Tower, Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour, 1 North Point Estate Lane, North Point | (+852) 3896 9898
First published on 25 June 2021. Written by Beverly Ngai. Last updated by Lily Valette.
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