"If you go down to the woods today… you’ll find one of London’s best spots for seafood. OK, technically Oyster Shack & Seafood Bar is in Essex, deep in Epping Forest, but it’s within the M25. It’s also under an hour’s walk away from Loughton tube station, through beautiful woodland. The setup is basic and caff-like in atmosphere. Groups of bikers drop in, families crowd round tables outside, and those who’ve travelled from central London fuel up on seafood feasts after a walk in their too-clean wellies. There are platters of fat Carlingford oysters, sweet and meaty curried prawns, and polystyrene cups of whelks. If you order one thing, make it the scallop and bacon butty. A pint of Guinness, which you can bring in from the pub next door, is the perfect accompaniment before you trudge back to the Central line." - rianne shlebak, daisy meager, sinead cranna, jake missing