We're rapidly hitting the final days of summer, which means we only have about a month left to seek out and slurp Perth’s seafood snack de jour: the creamy, dreamy, Leeuwin Coast Albany Rock Oysters.
Plucked straight out of the nutrient-rich waters of Albany’s Oyster Harbour, these sustainably-grown shellfish are only available from roughly December to March, and each year Perth’s best chefs jump at the chance to showcase one of WA’s finest seasonal seafood.
Drizzled with zesty lemon, splashed with tabasco, served with a bright mignonette or jazzed up with a more elaborate dressing, you’ll find Leeuwin Coast Albany Rock Oysters and their countless accompaniments on the menu at many venues across Perth until early Autumn.
But time is of the essence, so we’ve rounded up the hottest summer spots across town to enjoy them. Here’s where to get Albany’s little luxuries before the season is over for another year.
Good Company
Karrinyup
Shop ‘til you drop and then slam with the fam at Karrinyup Shopping Centre. Their polished pub Good Company is dishing up freshly shucked Albany Rock Oysters with a wedge of lemon, mignonette or DIY Tabasco. Best enjoyed alongside a glass of bubbles, these tasty little morsels are the ideal remedy for shopping fatigue. Take a seat on the sundeck and sip away the afternoon with some grown-up finger food. Delightful.
Manuka Woodfire Kitchen
Fremantle
At this firm Freo favourite, Head Chef Billy Taylor is not afraid to play with fire. Cooking exclusively over open flames and in the woodfire oven, his oysters receive the same treatment. For the ultimate indulgence, sip on a glass of Great Southern Riesling and knock back the Woodfired Albany Oyster Mornay: creamy, cheesy, oozing oysters cooked in the wood oven until blistered to perfection. But it’s not all smoke and mirrors at Manuka. If you prefer to keep it cold, go for the freshly shucked oysters served with the choice of three toppings: fresh watermelon and rosewater granita; cucumber, honeydew and mirin; or a classic mignonette.
Yiamas
Subiaco
Yiamas Executive Chef Justin Scarvaci knows that before oysters were Champagne’s trusty sidekick, they were the Ancient Greek’s seafood snack of choice. It’s his long-standing respect for seafood that pushed him to keep Albany Rock Oysters simple on the menu at Subi’s contemporary Greek taverna. Served natural with a slice of lemon, enjoy alongside a dry Greek drop like the Dafinios Vidiano 2022 from Douloufakis Winery in Crete.
The Reveley
Elizabeth Quay
If sky-high seafood and waterside wines sound like a good time, roll up to The Reveley’s rooftop cocktail bar, where the only thing better than the views are the Albany Rock Oysters. Piled with a chunky cucumber and mint mignonette, these decadent shellfish come perched on a plate of crushed ice for optimum freshness. Double down on the brine-based delicacies and slurp alongside one of Henry’s dirty martinis.
Miss Chow’s
South Perth
Need to spice up your life? Pay a visit to South Perth and get stuck into Miss Chow’s famous, fresh, fiery oysters. A perfect balance of citrus and spice, Miss Chow plates up her oysters with yuzu and chilli pickled to perfection. Pair with an Arancia Spritz to help beat the heat, or stick to a WA classic like the Pierro LTC Sauvignon Blanc Semillon.
Lygon Lane
Claremont
Fearlessly combining Asian and Italian cuisines, some seriously delicious dishes on Lygon Lane’s menu make no sense on paper but somehow just work (Nonna—if you’re reading this, stay with me). Think miso salmon crudo with limoncello; chicken kung pao arancini; and crispy five-spice duck dumplings with truffle mayo & furikake. But when it comes to oysters, sometimes simple is best. Here, you’ll find Albany Rock Oysters served natural with a house-made mignonette—letting the bright, balanced flavours of one of WA’s very best shellfish shine through.
Bib & Tucker
North Fremantle
Eating oysters by the sea is truly one of life’s great pleasures, and you’ll be pushed to find a better place to indulge than Bib & Tucker. Exec Chef Scott Bridger has a whole lot of love for WA’s bountiful produce, and a whole lot of skill for making native ingredients sing. Their oysters are no exception—served with finger lime and rosella mignonette, the bright pops of pink mimic the imminent sunset over the ocean. Paired with the delicate fruit flavours of citrus, red berries and baked apple in a Howard Park Petit Jeté, you’re in for an absolute treat.
Treat your tastebuds to a Leeuwin Coast Rock Oyster by hitting up one of these venues while you still can. Or, make the most of shucking season from home with a fresh dozen from The Good Grocer.
Editor's note: this article was produced in partnership with Leeuwin Coast. Thank you for supporting the partners who make Urban List possible. To read our editorial policy, click here.
Image Credit: Leeuwin Coast