The Oystermen Seafood Bar & Kitchen
British seafood without the formality
About The Oystermen Seafood Bar & Kitchen
The Oystermen Seafood Bar and Kitchen is a small, well-regarded seafood restaurant on Henrietta Street, a short walk from the Piazza, opened in July 2017 by friends and restaurateurs Matt Lovell and Rob Hampton. Tightly packed and informal, it set out to serve modern British seafood without the white-tablecloth formality that often comes with fish restaurants, and has built a strong reputation for oysters and simply cooked fish.
The founders met when Matt interviewed Rob for a job and bonded over seafood and old-fashioned hospitality. The Oystermen began as a pop-up oyster bar at weddings, festivals and street food markets before the restaurant opened, and the business still runs on three pillars: provenance, sustainability and old school hospitality. Matt and Rob also own Bedford Street Wines nearby, a good spot for a drink before dinner.
Oyster bar and seafood restaurant in Covent Garden
The ever-changing menu is centred on ethically sourced seafood from all corners of the British Isles, and it can change weekly depending on what the suppliers land. Oysters by the half-dozen, whole crab, mussels, langoustines and daily specials sit alongside a well-chosen list of wines by the glass. Giles Coren in The Times described it as small and cosy, plainly lit, with oyster and crab prices scribbled on blackboards like a Covent Garden fish restaurant of old.
What to expect on a visit
The restaurant opens from midday every day, serving until 11pm from Tuesday to Saturday and until 9pm on Sunday and Monday, with last orders at 8pm on those days. Reservations are strongly recommended because the room is small and you sit close to the kitchen and your neighbours. It is one of the most characterful of Covent Garden's fine dining restaurants, and for a second fish-led evening, Parsons on Endell Street shares the same unfussy spirit. For British seafood in Covent Garden without ceremony, this is the place.
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Reviews
Oystermen is one of my favourite seafood restaurants. The service was amazing, and the staff were very attentive and welcoming. The seafood was incredibly fresh the crab was sweet and delicious. The oysters were good, although a little on the small side. The sticky toffee pudding was excellent, with a rich, indulgent sauce that was the perfect way to finish the meal. The location is great, and I would recommend booking a table in advance as it can get busy. Overall, a fantastic dining experience, and I will definitely be coming back. Highly recommended!
On a glorious London afternoon, we took a table for two outside at The Oystermen in Covent Garden, which proved the right choice. The passing crowds created a lively backdrop, giving the meal a real sense of place and energy. Service was one of the strongest parts of the visit. Attentive, efficient, and well judged. We never once needed to look around for assistance, as the staff remained alert and present throughout without becoming intrusive. I began with the grilled octopus. Sadly, this dish fell short. It lacked the char and smokiness you hope for from proper grilling, and the texture leaned too soft. More importantly, the flavour never truly arrived, leaving it forgettable rather than satisfying. My colleague chose the cooked oysters and rated them highly, describing them as terrific. A far stronger start. For the main course, I ordered monkfish. The fish itself was cooked well, moist, firm, and generously portioned. However, the accompanying curry sauce let the plate down. It was thin in texture and lacked depth. Worse, its generic curry profile overwhelmed the monkfish rather than supporting it, masking the quality of the seafood. My colleague’s John Dory was a success. While naturally not the meatiest fish, it was prepared beautifully and full of flavour. Both mains came with chips that deserve special mention. Crisp, golden, and deeply satisfying. Easily among the best fried chips I have had in London. The Oystermen is a restaurant I would happily return to. T
Had a lovely family lunch for my son's birthday. He really wanted to eat good quality oysters. We had 2 types and they did not disappoint. Seabas was amazing, dressed crab was meaty and sweet just as it should be. My skate wing was mych amaller than Ive neen used to in other places but I was satisfied. Black ink risotto was a bit on the bland side. The Australian waiter was lovely and informative. Great location. I do recommend.