Oysters are considered a luxurious treat in many parts of the world and they are highly prized by shellfish connoisseurs because of the decrease in supply in recent years. This saltwater delicacy comes in hundreds of varieties and each one of them carries their own unique taste and identity.

Oysters are bivalve molluscs that can be eaten raw, roasted or cooked, and most people prefer pairing them with luxurious wines. As with most premium seafood, oysters have their own categorisation—from grade 0 to grade 5—and prices are highly dependent on their respective grades. That means you can find both affordably priced oysters, as well as top-grade oysters that come with heavier price tags.

Our guide to 14 Best Places To Eat Oysters In Singapore gives you an overview of restaurants that offer the finest oysters so you can teleport yourself to oyster heaven.

Photo credit: Angie’s Oyster Bar

ANGIE’S OYSTER BAR

Begin your oyster hunt at Angie’s Oyster Bar, a French-inspired penthouse restaurant situated on the 45th level of Fifty Raffles Place.

Offering a rotating selection of seasonal oysters at affordable market rates on their menu, pair the premium oysters with champagne for the ultimate indulgence. Aside from that, Angie’s Oyster Bar has an amazing deal for their oysters from 6pm to 8pm. Each oyster will only cost you S$1 and the oyster special will be available whilst stocks last.

50 Raffles Place
#45-01 Singapore Land Tower
Singapore 048623
Tel: +65 6221 9555
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 11pm
Sat: 6pm – 11pm
(Closed on Sunday)
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

ASH & ELM

A vibrant European brasserie that comprises 3 signature charcuterie and cheese room, wood-fired oven and an open charcoal-grill kitchen, indulge in a selection of a la carte options, sharing platters and Michelin Guide-recommended premium meats.

Look forward to S$2 oysters every Thursday from 6pm to 10.30pm or enjoy freshly shucked oysters (S$36 for half a dozen) that come mainly from Canada and France. Don’t forget your bubbles, too!

80 Middle Road
InterContinental Singapore
Singapore 188966
Tel: +65 6338 7600
Daily: 6am – 10.30am, 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Bugis

Photo Credit: Marina Bay Sands

DB BISTRO & OYSTER BAR

Chef Daniel Boulud’s db Bistro & Oyster Bar is one of our all-time favourite restaurants for a simple reason: the food is always consistently good. Treat yourself to a seafood feast and the spread includes oysters from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, lobsters, crab legs and more.

Check out their Oyster Hour Specials where diners enjoy 50% off oysters and also 1-for-1 Menabrea draft beer at the bar from 3pm to 6pm on weekdays. Round off your meal with a recommended wine list comprising McGuigan wines.

2 Bayfront Avenue
#B1-48 Galleria Level
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
Singapore 018956
Tel: +65 6688 8525
Mon: 12pm – 10pm
Tue to Fri: 12pm – 11pm
Sat: 11am – 11pm
Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bayfront

EDGE

Boasting a whopping seven live food theatres and over a hundred dishes to choose from, it is safe to say that Edge is one buffet restaurant that goes above and beyond every measure of the word epic.

Their range of fresh seafood offerings may not be vast but for what they lack in variety, they sure make up for in quality. Expect to slurp up some of the freshest seasonal oysters that are sourced from various countries.

7 Raffles Boulevard
Pan Pacific Singapore Level 3
Singapore 039595
Tel: +65 6826 8240
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Sun: 12pm – 4pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: City Hall/Promenade

GREENWOOD FISH MARKET & BISTRO

On Tuesdays, head on down to Greenwood Fish Market & Bistro at Quayside Isle to enjoy their Oyster Tuesdays promotion. Diners can order Freshly Shucked Oysters at 35% off each or S$1.95++ for House Oysters that are unlimited for all available oysters with every main course ordered per person.

Otherwise, the seafood restaurant also organises many buffet events throughout the year where you pay a fixed price for all-you-can-eat oysters and other types of seafood. Time to gather all your friends for an oyster feast!

31 Ocean Way
#01-04/05 Quayside Isle Sentosa Cove
Singapore 098375
Tel: +65 6262 0450
Mon*: 5pm – 10pm
Tue to Fri: 12pm – 10pm
Sat, Sun and PH: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

*Do note that Greenwood Fish Market & Bistro is closed on the first Monday of Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct and Dec.

HILTON SINGAPORE

The luxurious spread at Hilton Singapore’s Champagne Brunch Buffet fulfilled all our wishes with its huge variety.

The oysters alone are worth coming to the brunch, with several varieties to choose from, including the popular sweet Fine De Claire oysters and the meaty Irish Oysters.

581 Orchard Road
Hilton Singapore
Singapore 238883
Tel: +65 6730 3390
Sun: 12pm – 3pm
Nearest Station: Orchard Road

HUMPBACK

Humpback began its humble origins from a visit to the Hama Hama oyster farm in the Pacific Northwest where it also drew inspiration for its breezy Seattle-style concept restaurant. Their ever-evolving menu features oyster varieties such as Hama Hama, Disco Hama, Eld Inlet, Totten Inlet and Coromandel—coming all the way from USA, Canada and New Zealand.

On Monday and Sunday, Humpback has an all-day Happy Hour oyster promotion from 5pm to 8pm where you can grab some freshly shucked oysters for S$3++ each.

18-20 Bukit Pasoh Road
Singapore 089834
Tel: +65 9772 9896
Mon to Thu: 5pm – 11pm
Fri and Sat: 12pm – 11pm
Sun: 11am – 3pm
Nearest Station: Outram Park

J65

Fridays and Saturdays are meant for indulgence and you can get that at J65’s Seafood Madness Buffet which comes with free-flow seasonal oysters! Imagine slurping up freshly shucked oysters all night long—it is a dream come true for all oyster lovers.

1A Cuscaden Road
Hotel Jen Tanglin Singapore by Shangri-La
Singapore 249716
Tel: +65 6831 4374
Daily: 6:00pm – 9:30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

LUKE’S OYSTER BAR & CHOPHOUSE

If you are looking to have a fine meal in the heart of town to impress your date or business associate, Luke’s Oyster Bar & Chophouse is your answer. Paying tribute to big names such as Grand Central in New York and Swan’s Oyster Depot in San Francisco, Luke’s Orchard is where guests enjoy fine dining in a contemporary setting.

Their seafood and oysters are sourced along the Eastern Seaboard of America and they include Wellfleet, Katama Bay, Onset and Duxbury among others. Choose half a dozen for S$48++ or a full dozen for S$96++.

260 Orchard Road
#03-02 The Heeren
Singapore 238855
Tel: +65 6733 4813
Daily: 12pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

22 Gemmill Lane
Singapore 069257
Tel: +65 6221 4468
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 12am
(Closed on Sunday)
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

MELT CAFÉ

Melt Café’s seafood counter is a dream come true for all oyster fans. The restaurant sources for oysters from different parts of the world and depending on seasonality, you get to slurp up varieties such as Taylor Pacific, Fine de Claire and Creuses de Bretagne.

5 Raffles Avenue
Mandarin Oriental Singapore
Singapore 039797
Tel: +65 6885 3500
Daily: 6.30am – 10.30am, 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Promenade

OYSTER CO

Fancy slurping down cold, freshly shucked oysters for only S$1.99 at any time of the day? Yes, you can actually get a plate full of Canadian oysters without burning a hole in your pocket at Oyster Co, an American Bar at Clarke Quay.

Freshly shucked upon order, the moderately salty and robust flavours of the grade 3 Canadian oysters won our hearts. As the menu is on a rotational basis, the owner also sources oysters from other regions such as Ireland and France as well.

1 Magazine Road
#01-06 Central Mall
Singapore 059567
Tel: +65 9025 2524
Daily: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

Photo Credit: Tanuki Bar

TANUKI RAW

Although Tanuki Raw is predominantly known for their excellent donburi and sushi selection, many patrons visit them for their succulent oysters that are brought in from France, Canada and Japan.

This classy and modern dining establishment has an ongoing S$2 oyster Happy Hour promotion. At the Orchard Central outlet, Happy Hour is from 5pm to 8pm daily while at their Kapok outlet, Happy Hour is from 5pm to 8pm on weekdays and all day on weekends. Paired with S$10 martini or cocktails during happy hour, there is nowhere better to end a long day of work!

Tanuki Raw at Kapok
111 Middle Road
#01-05 National Design Centre
Singapore 188969
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bras Basah / Bugis

Tanuki Raw at Orchard Central
181 Orchard Road
#04-01 Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6636 5949
Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

THE PELICAN

For folks like us who will always be down for seafood in a heartbeat, The Pelican at One Fullerton is a top-of-mind restaurant whenever we crave quality, reasonable price point and ambience all in one.

And this is one place we can always trust for fresh, plump and juicy oysters. On Tuesday and Thursday, The Pelican offers a sweet S$10 deal for 3 oysters from 6pm to 9pm. Or choose to have it as part of the Oyster and Prawn platter if you feel like splurging or have them as an a la carte (minimum 3 pieces per order).

1 Fullerton Road
#01-01 One Fullerton
Singapore 049213
Tel: +65 6438 0400
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Sat: 12pm – 4pm, 6pm – 11pm
Sun: 12pm – 4pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

TSUKIJI FISH MARKET

Tsukiji Fish Market Restaurant takes pride in providing diners with a variety of fresh seasonal fish and sashimi and you’d be happy to know that most of their seafood products are all air-flown from Tokyo’s famous Tsukiji Fish Market twice a week.

Of course, what is a trip there without ordering yourself a couple of fresh oysters? Presented on a bed of ice, slurp on freshly-shucked oysters that glide down the throat with ease.

181 Orchard Road
#12-02 Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Tel: +65 6634 2803
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sat and Sun: 12pm – 2.30pm, 3pm – 5pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Somerset

Fresh from the sea, these hard-shelled wonders taste like heaven. Savouring a fresh whole oyster is bliss. Oysters from different parts of the world carry with them their own unique taste and there are hundreds of one-of-a-kind oyster varieties all over.

Oysters have slowly but surely become a food of choice for many, oftentimes recommended to be paired with some of the most luxurious wines.

Also known for being an aphrodisiac, oysters are high in zinc and are frequently referred to as the most romantic food to have on a date because of its containment of amino acids that scientists have proven to trigger production of sex hormones.

Oysters are just so versatile. But how much do we actually know about them? Today, we explore the different types and how to eat them. But because it is such a big topic that we can go on talking about for days, this is but the tip fo the ice berg—nothing too overwhelming for beginners.

Here is a fun fact: oysters do not have central nervous system; hence like plants, they may not feel any pain at all. Because of this, some have even suggested that oysters are in fact, vegan. Shocking?

COMMON TYPES OF OYSTERS

There are five major oyster species—Crassostrea gigas, Crassostrea sikamea, Crassostrea virginicas, Ostrea edulis and Ostrea lurida.

To put it in simpler terms, they are Pacific oysters, Kumamoto oysters, Atlantic oysters, European flats and Olympia oysters.

“Good food and good eating are about risk. Every once in a while an oyster, for instance, will make you sick to your stomach. Does this mean you should stop eating oysters? No way. The more exotic the food, the more adventurous the serious eater, the higher the likelihood of later discomfort.” – Anthony Bourdain, Kitchen Confidential (2000).

Pacific Oysters
Pacific (or Japanese) oysters tend to be meatier and creamier. Some popular types include Kusshi and Marin Miyagi.

Kumamoto Oysters
Kumamto oysters are more deeply cupped with smaller meats inside. However, these meats are usually a lot sweeter and easier to consume, even for beginners. It is also known as the ‘Chardonnay of oysters’.

Atlantic Oysters
Atlantic oysters are usually a lot bigger and they are most commonly found in North America. Their taste come with a slight metallic finish.

European Flats
Native to Europe, as per its apt name, the European Flat oyster is usually large and quite rare compared to other commercial types. They have their own unique taste that differs greatly from the rest—rich and extremely flavourful.

Olympia Oysters
The Olympia oysters are tiny and are almost extinct right now, hence it is the least common type of oyster found in this day and age.

HOW TO EAT OYSTERS

Oysters are meant to be slurped whole. However, do you know what the tiny fork given is for? A part of the oyster is attached to the shell, and the purpose of the tiny fork is to release it from the grip so that you can eat your oysters with ease.

To really taste how amazing your oyster is, skip any extra ingredients completely. However, if you must, add a dash of lemon, cocktail sauce, vinaigrette or horseradish just to amplify and complement the oyster, without completely masking its natural taste.

Also, a tip for beginners is to not chew the oyster so much; in fact, you can swallow them after one or two bites.

WHAT THEY ARE BEST PAIRED WITH

Some popular pairings are with Chablis, Dry Champagne, Muscadet and other crisp, dry white wines such as Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, or Guinness and other stouts.

Dry wines or champagne are usually recommended for raw oysters and for the latter, the bubbling of the drink complements the oysters really well.

“The first man gets the oyster, the second man gets the shell.” – Andrew Carnegie.

However, if you are consuming cooked oysters, go for some sparkling wine or Chardonnay. Also, if you are a fan of stout, a pint of Guinness goes seriously well with fresh, unseasoned oysters, freshly-shucked.

BENEFITS OF OYSTERS

Besides the obvious sexual health benefits, oysters are actually great because they have 16 grams of protein per 170g serving, are rich in vitamins C and B-12 and they are also loaded with zinc, selenium, and iron.

Oysters are also a huge source of beneficial cholesterol, antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and water. This can boost your body’s overall health.

About the writer:
Cheryl is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She loves a good steak and an even better cuppa. She eats just about anything and everything. In her free time, she regularly starts on sci-fi or fantasy movie marathons.