Finding the best oyster bar in Melbourne is no easy task, that’s why we're shelling out the details on the city’s best.
With their slippery, sometimes creamy texture, the mollusc in question could be considered an acquired taste, however, rest assured that when plucked from the ocean fresh, or paired with all the right dressings and components, they make for a cracking dinner precursor or afternoon snack if you so choose.
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Melbourne’s best oyster bars, everybody:
Maison Bâtard
23 Bourke Street, Melbourne CBD
Image: Maison Bâtard | Pete Dillon
With up to 10 oysters on the menu at peak season, Maison Bâtard’s shucking game is next level. Those keen on their seafood can pick from the oyster bar, seeing what’s freshest and in season and enjoy on La Terrasse or in the restaurant proper. We recommend some bubbles, or for those more inclined to a bolder drink, the venue’s namesake martini, a Dirty Bâtard.
Pinchy’s Seafood Restaurant & Champagne Bar
Level 1/200 Bourke Street, Melbourne CBD
While Pinchy’s is renowned for its crunchy lobster rolls, it is by no means lacking in oyster options, serving up crowd-favourite fresh Sydney Rock oysters and Wapengo Rock Organic oysters straight from the southern NSW coast which are known for their deep, rich and enduring sweetness. So before winter sets in, head over to this seaside oasis rooftop located right in the heart of Melbourne, and pair those oysters with a glass of NV Champagne de Saint Gall or Chablis.
Noir
175 Swan Street, Richmond
With its Pacific oysters from Coffin Bay, shucked to order with a Champagne granita, Noir Restaurant, which was inspired by some of the bustling bistros in the south of France, is reputed to serve some of the best French-influenced oysters in Melbourne. Enjoy a glass of wine and some fresh oysters from their extensive drinks menu while dining in a contemporary French setting.
Pearl Chablis & Oyster Bar
108/200 Bourke Street, Melbourne CBD
Image: Pearl Chablis & Oyster Bar | Supplied
This refined oyster bar provides an experience like no other, freshly shucking its oysters on demand from its glass display cabinet that lays beneath a collection of Chablis. With a wide selection of French wine, premium quality Moonlight Flat oysters plucked from Batemans Bay and an intimate ambience, Pearl Chablis and Oyster Bar makes for the perfect date night destination.
Pearl Diver Oyster Bar & Bistro
56 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne CBD
Image: Pearl Diver | Supplied
With the freshest oysters from all around Australia dished up in a full spectrum of ways, from oysters dressed in creme fraiche, salmon caviar, green tomato, and fennel to oysters with granita, Pearl Diver Bar is one of the best oyster bars Melbourne has to offer. Between 5 pm and 6 pm, Pearl Diver (which also features in our best bars in Melbourne) is shucking up a good time with its oyster tower that’s accompanied by two glasses of sparkling wine.
Society
80 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD
Society, one of Melbourne’s slickest restaurants, offers not only a contemporary dining experience with its elegant interior that features a large crystal chandelier, but the finest Pacific oysters. Go au naturale, or sample with a touch of seasonal dressing. This big and bold restaurant also features on our best restaurants in Melbourne.
Lillian Brasserie
80 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD
Image: Lillian Brasserie | Supplied
Society's sibling restaurant, Lillian Brasserie offers a more relaxed affair comparatively, while not forgetting about the modern sensibilities required to appease Melbourne's dining scene. Here, you can njoy unlimited oysters with lime and rice-wine vinegar on Lillian's autumn menu—served 12pm to 3pm daily.
Poodle Bar & Bistro
81-83 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
Poodle, a European-inspired bistro, does not take its oyster menu lightly, serving up not only fresh and baked oysters à la Poodle but also Syndey Rock Oysters with rich dressings from finger lime mignonette and mandarin oil to tomato, chilli and smoked fish dressing.
Unabara Lobster & Oyster Bar
Melbourne Central, L01/211 La Trobe St, Melbourne
Melbourne’s oyster bar, Unabara has an incredibly extensive Japanese-inspired oyster menu, you can expect to see Coffin Bay Pacific, Sydney Rock and Blackman Bay Oysters among other types, all of which are seasonal and freshly shucked to order. Take your pick — fresh oysters served with spicy ponzu or wasabi mayo sauce or branch out of your comfort zone with grilled oysters with sake ponzu, yuzu butter or garlic butter.
Il Bacaro Cucina E Bar
168-170 Little Collins Street, Melbourne CBD
If you are after Italian- style oysters, look no further than Il Baraco, a Venetian restaurant that will transport you to the city’s canals with its simple yet elegant interior and oysters ‘al naturale,’ which are served with a classic mignonette — white wine vinegar and shallots.
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