With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, oysters are a great option for seafood-loving couples. From cute picnic-style eateries to fine dining experiences, dive into all things oyster.
Unabara Lobster & Oyster Bar in Melbourne is a great option for a sizeable selection of oysters. Sustainable catches and freshness is the name of the game here as well as a generous wine selection to be paired with your fresh fish. With two locations, each has its own qualities that set it apart. Enjoy the New York and French influences on Australian seafood favourites at the Emporium location, or the Japanese-inspired plates at the Central Branch location.
Down the street from Unabara is Pinchy’s Lobster & Champagne Bar. This aesthetic establishment boasts experimentation and exploration with their smaller fares. Oysters are at the top of the menu and there are plenty of plant-based seafood options as well. Pinchy’s has a set menu option for this Valentine’s Day with eight courses of mouthwatering, sustainably sourced seafood dishes and ending with a refreshing sorbet. Weekends also have lots to offer here, with Oyster Happy Hour from 4-6pm Friday to Sunday alongside Bottomless Brunch, 50% off late-night cocktails, and live music.
Nautical-inspired decor is paired with fine dining at Pearl Diver Cocktails and Oysters. With a menu divided fittingly into categories of “oysters” and “not oysters,” customers can enjoy their oyster experience several ways. Customers can also indulge in the Tour Hour Special, which includes their Pearl Diver Tower dish of 18 oysters alongside 2 glasses of sparkling wine every day from 5-6pm, or the Martini & Oyster Flight – a special martini coupled with a flight of four fresh oysters.
The Pearl Chablis and Oyster Bar is an intimate venue that sustainably sources oysters from the oyster farmers along the Sapphire Coast, also known as the “Oyster Coast,” back to their dining room in Melbourne. Alongside other French-inspired, high-end bites are their oysters of the day which pair well with the multiple wines they have available. Whether you experience the monthly wine flight or stick to water when you book your table, this elegant bar can’t be missed.
Whether you’re in the restaurant, at the oyster bar, or getting takeaway, Wheeler’s is a great place to get a taste of fresh oysters. Located on Merimbula Lake in NSW, customers can dine overlooking the waters that source the oysters on their plates. Wheeler’s has a three-course set menu for Valentine’s Day this year that can include their Merimbula Lake oysters, so book your table before it’s too late!
Walk into the bar or reserve a table for freshly shucked oysters at The Rover in Surry Hills, NSW. This charming, British bistro-inspired bar and restaurant boasts many fresh seafood options alongside the oysters, as well as a wide array of wines and cocktails. They also have a pre-theatre set menu available to book to ensure customers can taste their fresh favourites with time to get to the Capitol Theatre for your show four minutes down the road.
Float on the Hawkesbury River with The Floating Oyster Wine Bar for a romantic evening of high-end fare. Alongside an extensive list of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, tuck into oysters prepared multiple ways. This luxury dining and oyster experience based in Brooklyn, NSW is sure to please and provide the opulence you may be looking for in your night out this Valentine’s Day.
Over in Paddington, NSW stop into Saint Peter for fresh seafood plates from internationally recognised Australian chef, Josh Niland. Whether to enjoy oysters for lunch or if you plan to relax into the seven-course tasting menu for dinner, this Oxford Street venue has plenty of fresh seafood to offer. Don’t miss the daily rotation of the selection on the lunch and dinner menus at this setting.
Check out Louca’s Seafood Restaurant down in Adelaide for fresh seasonal seafood options. This family owned restaurant offers oysters and other seafood and high-end meats to explore. With a Mediterranean-influenced menu and a wide selection of drinks to compliment the meal, this bright restaurant will fulfil your seafood cravings this Valentine’s Day.
Another family owned and operated restaurant is Psari Bar and Grill in Mooloolaba, QLD. Sourcing their seafood from local farmers markets, Psari offers a wide array of oysters served several ways. They also have a set menu for Valentine’s Day this year with oysters as an entrée option.
Experience simplicity on the Swan River in Swansea, TAS at Melshell Oyster Shack. Whether slurping oysters or cooking your own seafood kabob, enjoy a more casual lunch while overlooking the river. With local beer and wine available and a view of the oyster farm at work, a more low-key lunch date would be perfect here.
Another casual oyster spot is the oyster bar at Get Shucked in North Bruny, TAS. Enjoy fresh oysters at the bar connected to the farm or on the go with the oyster drive-through. Paired with wine, beer, cider, or other drinks available, this wide array of fresh oysters straight from the bay is sure to please for a simple lunch date.
For other Valentine’s Day ideas just for you, check out this article.
