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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.
You have heard of omakase for sushi, but what about omakase dedicated entirely to oysters? After Raw Bar No. 8 relocated to a bigger space in Sheung Wan, the cosy-casual speakeasy debuted with unprecedented oyster omakase menus (starting from $988) alongside an à la carte menu of premium oysters from all around the world, conveniently sorted by flavour profile (light, briny, or balanced), and with an additional award-winning section.
Oyster aficionados will no doubt find themselves drawn to the full oyster omakase ($1,288 per person), which includes eight raw and six cooked Gillardeau oysters, on top of a salad, soup, dessert, and three specially chosen wines, champagne, or sake to pair with the degustation experience.
Raw Bar No. 8, G/F, 52 Bonham Strand West, Sheung Wan | (+852) 9588 7988
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 25 to 30 different varieties 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!
For die-hard seafood lovers, opt for the acclaimed Sunday champagne brunch ($998), where you can indulge in unlimited oysters and free-flow bubbles to your heart’s content, and sample a bevvy of mouth-watering appetisers, juicy steaks, sushi, desserts, and more.
Oyster & Wine Bar, 18/F, Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel And Towers, 20 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | (+852) 2369 1111
Boston’s first-rate seafood scene is an open secret, and true to its name, Bostonian Seafood & Grill lives up to the high standard that customers rightly come to expect. Nestled inside The Langham, this well-appointed modern restaurant first beckons you in with its fanciful, dark-wood interiors, then follows through with an enticing menu of artisanal steaks and sustainable seafood specialities.
To ensure that the freshest and highest-quality oysters are delivered to your table, their selection constantly changes and are sourced from near and far, but prices are standardised at $345 for a platter of six or $585 for twelve. Pair with a glass of wine from their superb wine list and you‘re set for a memorable evening.
Bostonian Seafood & Grill, Lower Lobby, The Langham, 8 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | (+852) 2132 7898
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 their speciality is French oysters. Distinguishing themselves 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, their chef-curated oyster platters (starting from $798 for 24 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 bright blue-and-green colour palette, the restaurant vaguely evokes Bali vibes, inviting you to relax and tip back shell after shell of plump, savoury goodness.
Fish Bar has a rotating selection of freshly shucked oysters, which vary in price depending on the season. If you are a seafood fiend, definitely opt for the chilled seafood tower ($980)—a three-tiered extravaganza loaded with oysters, cherrystone clams, king crab legs, Boston lobster, pink prawns, mussels, and clams.
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 two dozen oyster varieties with masterly aplomb, including the awarding-winning L’etoile ($57) from Brittany, coveted for its pronounced mineral finish and sweet undertone that lingers on the palate, as well as the crowd-pleasing Gillardeau ($52), 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.
Try to catch them on Wednesdays or during weekday happy hours when all available oysters are 50 percent off, and seize the opportunity to fill up on some mighty fine molluscs without breaking the bank.
Dot Cod Seafood Restaurant, Level B4, The Landmark Prince, 10 Chater Road, Central | (+852) 2810 6988
A wanderer, chronic overthinker, and baking enthusiast, Beverly spent much of her childhood in the United States before moving to Hong Kong at age 11 and making the sparkling city her home. In her natural habitat, she can be found baking up a storm in her kitchen, journalling at a café, or scrolling through OpenRice deciding on her next meal.
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