Where To Go For The Best Oysters in London
September brings with it plenty to look forward to. The first hint of autumn, a renewed appetite for long lunches and, most importantly for seafood lovers, the return of native oyster season.
Oysters have been part of British food culture for centuries, enjoyed everywhere from London’s bustling streets and markets to grand dining rooms. And while today a freshly shucked oyster with a glass of something cold might feel like one of life’s finer indulgences, oysters were once an everyday food for Londoners.
At Cubitt House, we think they belong somewhere comfortably between the two. A little luxurious, certainly, but just as good perched at the bar with a friend as they are at the beginning of a long dinner.
So, with native oyster season upon us, here’s where to find some of the best oysters in London.
When Is Native Oyster Season in the UK?
You may have heard the old rule about only eating oysters in months containing the letter ‘r’. There is some sense behind the saying when it comes to wild native oysters.
The European native oyster, Ostrea edulis, traditionally has its spawning period during the warmer summer months. Fisheries can therefore have closed seasons spanning parts of May to August, giving oyster populations time to reproduce. As September arrives, native oyster season traditionally returns and continues through the cooler months.
It makes September something of a new year for oyster lovers. Native oysters are back on the menu and autumn provides a very good excuse to order half a dozen.
British native oysters are also quite different from the more widely available Pacific oyster. Sometimes known as European flat oysters, natives have a flatter, rounder shell and are prized for their distinctive flavour and character.
For the full experience, there are few better places to start than The Princess Royal in Notting Hill.
The Raw Bar at The Princess Royal: Oysters in Notting Hill
For seafood lovers searching for the best oysters in London, The Raw Bar at The Princess Royal should be firmly on the list.
Tucked inside The Princess Royal on Hereford Road, the dedicated Raw Bar is our little corner of the Mediterranean in Notting Hill, devoted to gloriously fresh seafood and the rather civilised ritual of an oyster or two.
Seafood arrives daily from Wright Brothers, with the Raw Bar serving a changing selection that can include Jersey, Achill, Lindisfarne, Cumbria and Carlingford oysters as well as those much-awaited natives. Alongside them, expect seafood favourites and daily specials which might range from Scallop Crudo and Lobster Salad to Razor Clams, Langoustines and Spider Crab.
It is the sort of place where plans have a habit of becoming longer than intended. Take a stool at the bar for a weekday lunch, stop by for oysters and something sparkling before dinner or settle in and work your way through the seafood.
At The Princess Royal, Seasonal Oysters with Mignonette are currently served individually or by the half dozen – simple, fresh and requiring very little interference.
When booking The Raw Bar, select ‘bar’ and choose one of the drinks and oyster options or make a standard bar booking.
What To Drink With Oysters
The obvious answer might be Champagne, and we certainly wouldn’t argue with that.
The freshness and salinity of an oyster works particularly well with wines that bring plenty of acidity and minerality. A cold glass of Champagne, English sparkling wine or a crisp white makes an excellent companion. Equally, there is something wonderfully unfussy about oysters with a pint at the bar.
The important thing is not to overthink it. Half a dozen oysters, something properly cold to drink and good company have been doing the job rather well for centuries.
Where Else To Eat Oysters in London
The Princess Royal may be our seafood destination, but the oyster trail doesn’t end in Notting Hill. Seasonal oysters can be found across several Cubitt House pubs, giving you plenty of opportunities to celebrate the season around London.
Oysters in Belgravia
The Orange on Pimlico Road and The Thomas Cubitt on Elizabeth Street each serve their Seasonal Oysters with Shallot Mignonette, with the option of ordering individually or settling the matter properly with half a dozen.
Then there is The Alfred Tennyson, where oysters are particularly at home alongside a glass of fizz. Choose your oysters with Pickled Cucumber, Apple & Dill or Shallot Mignonette, then find something sparkling to go alongside.
Oysters in Marylebone
Over in Marylebone, The Coach Makers Arms serves Seasonal Oysters with Shallot Mignonette, an excellent prospect whether you’re beginning dinner upstairs or simply calling in for a drink and a plate at the bar.
Oysters in Mayfair
At The Barley Mow, oysters receive a little more choice in the condiment department. Seasonal Oysters can be enjoyed with Mignonette, Sherry Apple Vinaigrette or Hot Sauce.
It is proof, if any were needed, that there is more than one way to dress an oyster.
Celebrate Oyster Season at Cubitt House
Whether it’s your first oyster or your fiftieth, there’s something rather special about the ritual. A squeeze of lemon, a slurp, something properly cold alongside and you’re away.
Native oyster season only comes around once a year, which seems reason enough to order half a dozen. September has its perks.
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