London has always loved oysters . They’ve been front and centre at the likes of Bentley’s, Sweetings and J Sheekey for more than 100 years, and are treasured in newer additions to town such as Robin Gill’s south London restaurant Darby’s and the Audley in Mayfair. Robin Hancock, co-founder of seafood merchants and restaurant group Wright Brothers, told the Standard not so long ago that demand for oysters has been growing in recent years and said Londoners are searching for a broader variety, too, across Britain, Ireland and France.
“Undoubtedly, we are seeing more of a demand in our own restaurants for our wide range of oysters,” he said. From century-old bars to modern venues, here are some of the best places to shuck and slurp in the capital. Over its 103-year history, this Mayfair oyster bar has shucked shellfish for the likes of Charlie Chaplin and Oscar Wilde.
Arguably the most famous establishment of its kind in the city, Bentley’s has been in the hands of Irish chef Richard Corrigan for years; he knows his way better than most around British and Irish seafood. The restaurant serves rock oysters sourced from Carlingford, Dorset, Jersey and Menai, with a seasonal native selection including Ireland’s coveted Galway oysters. 11-15 Swallow Street, W1B 4DG , bentleys.
org Robin Gill’s Nine Elms restaurant has oysters at its heart, both literally and figuratively. The chef installed an oyster bar in the centre of Darby's , which is inspired by Gill’s late f.