Whitstable Oyster Company

Fresh, tasty, well thought out menu in a charming seafront setting. We were fitted in on a Saturday evening despite not having a booking and received a lovely welcome and great service. Enjoyed a grilled oyster starter and the pan fried hake as a main course, everything tasted fresh and was presented beautifully, it's always a pleasure when the chef lets the great ingredients do the talking. Nothing was over complicated and we left feeling full but not bloated which is always good. Will definitely return but with a booking, as we only sat in the 'bar' and the main restaurant had more atmosphere.

Glad we booked here, we had an amazing meal. My partner had her first oyster here and she loves it. We had the three cheese crab gratin to start and we almost ordered another one, instant success. For main the skate wing was delicious, perfectly cooked and great sauce which made every bite worth savouring. We were very happy ! Shout out to the staff, great service.

We were lucky to have lunch at this lovely restaurant. Even though we hadn’t booked, the staff kindly found us a table. The welcome and service were warm and friendly throughout. The oysters were absolutely superb and incredibly fresh and full of flavour. We also had a deep-fried local slip sole, which was perfectly cooked: crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. To finish, we enjoyed a homemade hazelnut ice cream and a delicate elderflower sorbet, both delicious and refreshing. A real culinary gem in a charming setting. I’ll definitely be back!

Today we had lunch at the Whitstable Oyster Company, and while the food was good, the overall experience didn’t quite justify the high price tag. The oysters were fresh and enjoyable, but at the prices a little bit higher, I expected something exceptional. The mussels were decent, and the desserts were also pleasant but not particularly memorable. At £220 for a lunch, the cost felt excessive for what we received. Unfortunately, the terrace was closed, which meant we missed out on the seaside views that would have elevated the experience. Additionally, the food arrived late, which was disappointing. On the plus side, I did appreciate the restaurant’s decor, which had a charming and well-thought-out aesthetic. Overall, while the food quality was good, the high prices, service delays, and lack of outdoor seating made it a less-than-ideal experience. I would recommend it for oyster lovers willing to splurge, but if you’re looking for value for money, there are likely better options in the area.

The Whitstable Oyster Company is definitely my favourite lunch spot in Whitstable! It’s the perfect place for a family feast on a special occasion or an indulgent Sunday lunch by the sea. While it’s not the most economical spot in town, it’s absolutely worth the money if you’re looking to treat yourself. The seafood here is incredibly fresh, and thanks to their long-standing relationships with local suppliers, you can try unique dishes that are hard to find elsewhere. A standout for me is their buttery ray wing dish, which I’ve ordered countless times—it’s that good! For those looking to enjoy a fantastic meal without breaking the bank, I’d recommend their delicious fish and chips or the mussels. The only reason I’m giving four stars instead of five is because of the portion size of the chips that came with my main course. They were noticeably smaller than if I’d ordered them separately, which made me feel a bit like a second-tier customer. That said, it’s a minor gripe in an otherwise fantastic experience. I’ll definitely be back—this place is a gem!

Right by the beach. Felt like I was on holiday away from the UK. It was so pleasant. Best staff in the world as they were so attentive and courteous. Shame a nearby table was loud and obnoxious saying how they were bored of the place… they were very drunk and rude which ruined the experience a little (not the fault of the restaurant). Sunny, breezy and the food was just right. A little on the expensive side but we knew that going in.

A little light lunch with a friend turned into a full blown three course meal. The food was so very good. Mussels, sea bass, haddock and an Eton mess! Just amazing. Had been walking past manyba time, nut thus time we took the plunge. Expensive but I must say worth every penny. Would definitely not walk past again. Light and airy atmosphere. Staff attentive but not in your face.

Amazing ambiance and perfect food to match. This was the best fish and chips I have ever had. Light crispy batter with a meaty fish. Paired with slightly minty mushy peas and homemade tartare sauce with lots of cornichon in it. We also got the grilled oysters with truffle and champagne butter. I couldn’t really taste the truffle so a bit more would be nice but was delicious still. Would come back for a special occasion and enjoy wonderful food in this beautiful setting Book in advance

Went here with a bunch of friends for dinner. The weather was pretty dull in Whitstable but the atmosphere inside was great. Our server was attentive and patiently persevered the bad jokes that my friend Tony was cracking. Everything on the menu is seafood, so don't come here looking for steak...but the seafood is fresh and well cooked. The sea bass was delicious...although Tony wanted more potatoes...but the others who had it were content...Tony's a bit of a complainer. I had the sea bream and it was excellent. Recommend this to anyone lucky enough to be in Whitstable for the weekend. PS Tony asked me to point out that he did bring his Sonos speaker with him for the weekend so we could listen to music, and he felt the review above didn't really communicate the value he was bringing to the weekend.

Oysters served several delicious ways! I tried the Rockefeller with spinach and cheese and Casino with bacon, Parmesan and a little spice...excellent! The grilled scallops with a pint of Oyster Stout (staying with the theme ) were perfect, as were the cabbage and bacon and heirloom tomato and onion sides. Right on the beach I look forward to coming back during a sunny day.

Excellent oysters and the atmosphere is true coastal excitement. Their own beer selection is pretty tasty as well.

This review applies to the mobile beach stall of The Whitstable Oyster Company! Apart from the restaurant proper, at the eastern end of Whitstable Harbour you will find a mobile food stall (I suppose it's the same company!), which looks very modest indeed but offers fresh sea food (from oysters to fish and chips) at a competitive price. Here, you will pay just UKP 9 for better than decent fish & chips (I hate oysters!) - whereas a few hundred yards away the same quality might cost you UKP 17. There are several beers from the Whitstable Bay Brewery available on tap (or from keg), of which I recommend the Oyster Stout, which is a perfect fit with sea food. Friendly, quick service. My fish and chips were well above average, with both cod and chips crunchier than usual, and even a small salad garnish attached. Recommended for a quick fix!

We had a lovely dinner there last night. The staff was incredibly helpful. The moules mariniere were stellar! My daughters mackerel was delicious and perfectly cooked. The only way to improve the experience would be to make the menus (hand-written) legible. It took us at least 30 minutes and loads of questions to decipher it.