Our guide to the best spots for eating oysters in our region

Words by: Odette Tonkin

In Newcastle, we're lucky to be in close proximity to some of the best fresh seafood that the east coast has to offer, including oysters. Plenty of local restaurants are serving up these salty, oceanic gems au naturale or with an array of delicious dressings and toppings.

Are you an oyster fan? Keep reading for our guide to the best spots for eating oysters in Newcastle, Port Stephens, the Hunter Valley, and the Central Coast.

Newcastle & Lake Macquarie

When it comes to oysters, Newcastle has some of NSW’s top waterfront restaurants, serving up the best coastal dining in NSW.  

8 at Trinity

While the menu at 8 at Trinity is huge and comprehensive, the seafood offering is a highlight. Craving oysters? 8 at Trinity serves them natural, with a mignonette, and with pickled cucumber, salmon caviar, and chardonnay vinegar.
Where: 81 Trinity Point Dr, Morisset Park

Bistro Penny

Combining French bistro charm with the dynamic flavours of woodfire cooking, you can even get your hands on Merimbula rock oysters with bay leaf mignonette at this inner-city dining spot.
Where: 8-10 Bolton St, Newcastle

Dawson’s Oyster Supplies

While you can’t eat oysters in Dawson’s retail space in Warners Bay, you can certainly buy as many as your heart desires to take away and eat as you please. Sourced primarily from local oyster farmers, all of Dawson’s oysters are shucked on site, so they’re as fresh as can be.
Where: 67 King St, Warners Bay

Earp Distilling Co.

Gin tends to go quite well with oysters, so luckily Earp Distilling Co. serves up both. Sip a gin and tonic made with Earp gin while you enjoy Sydney rock oysters by Dawson's served with pepperberry mignonette.
Where: 41 Darling St, Carrington

Emerson's on the Lake

Situated within the Toronto Royal Motor Yacht Club, Emerson's on the Lake has one of the best views of Lake Macquarie – pair this with oysters mornay, Kilpatrick, or with a pickled ginger and shallot dressing, you've got yourself a delightful summer afternoon.
Where: 6 Arnott Ave, Toronto

Flotilla

Although their toppings are typically changed when Flotilla switches up its menu seasonally, you can often find oysters as an option at Flotilla. This summer, try Appellation oysters with hot sauce.
Where: 9 Albert St, Wickham

FRENCHIE

Carrington's French restaurant serves up $6 oysters served with champagne mignonette and eschallots.
Where: 81 Bourke St, Carrington

Harrison's Food & Wine

Did someone say $5 hand-shucked oysters? That's right, start your meal with $5 hand-shucked oysters at Hamilton's Harrison's Food & Wine.
Where: 108 Tudor St, Hamilton

Jana Restaurant & Bar

Served in a gorgeous bowl atop smooth pebbles, Stella Maris oysters served natural with lime mignonette at Jana Restaurant & Bar are a perfect way to start an indulgent dinner.
Where: 185 Hunter St, Newcastle

Larrie’s

Grab a dozen oysters for $44 at Larrie’s, squeeze some lemon over them, and eat them as the sun sets over Merewether Beach. It doesn’t get much better than that!
Where: 99 Frederick St, Merewether

Light Years Asian Diner

Darby Street's go-to Asian eatery serves up fresh oysters either natural or with a spicy alternative – jalapeno, lime, and coriander.
Where: 7 Darby St, Newcastle

Martha

Eating seafood right on the water at Lake Macquarie is an ideal way to while away an afternoon or evening – at Martha, order your oysters natural, with a gin, mint, and cucumber granita, or with wood roast, lardo, apple, aged sherry vinegar, and pork crackle.
Where: Level 1 Belmont 16s, The Parade, Belmont

Maru Hi-Fi

Maru Hi-Fi is a Jazz Kissa, a Japanese-style café and bar devoted to the quiet, focused appreciation of recorded jazz, and its menu is every bit as considered as its sound, with oysters a steady fixture.
Where: 10 Union St, Newcastle West

Merewether Surfhouse

Head upstairs to the main restaurant and take in those iconic Merewether Beach views as you tuck into some South Coast Sydney rock oysters served with pink grapefruit granita.
Where: 5 Henderson Pde, Merewether

Mrs Jones Oyster Bar

A casual eatery setting perfect for this lazy summer afternoons, Mrs Jones Oyster Bar serves up a range of seafood with oysters the venue's specialty. Whether you prefer them natural, dressed in zesty mignonette, or baked to perfection, there's a grand selection here.
Where: 91 Young St, Carrington

Nagisa

Nagisa’s menu changes up every so often, but you’ll always find Sydney rock oysters on offer. At the moment, try them with a cucumber and pickled ginger mignonette.
Where: 1 Honeysuckle Dr, Newcastle

Oceane Hotel

Honeysuckle's newest addition, Oceane Hotel, is the idyllic spot to enjoy a natural oyster for $3.50 overlooking Newcastle's harbour.
Where: 29 Honeysuckle Dr, Newcastle

Peregrin

Situated on the upper level of Merewether's The Beach Hotel sits Peregrin – an elevated restaurant and bar. Order singular Salamander Bay rock oysters for $6.50 or a half dozen for $34.

Scottie’s

Sitting outside at Scottie’s on a balmy summer’s evening is a quintessential Newcastle dining experience. Best paired with a dozen oysters, natural wine, and friends.
Where: 36 Scott St, Newcastle East

Scratchleys

A stalwart of the Newcastle dining scene, Scratchleys is beloved for its seafood offering. Enjoy your oysters natural, Kilpatrick, or with pickled cucumber and wakame with wasabi mirin dressing.
Where: 200 Wharf Rd, Newcastle

The Kingfish

At The Kingfish, order your oysters to enjoy on their own or as part of a seafood platter. Choose from fresh with a house-made vinaigrette, Kilpatrick, or Mornay.
Where: Unit 19/15-17 Honeysuckle Dr, Newcastle

The Oak Tighes Hill

The Oak Tighes Hill is no ordinary pub. While you'll find typical pub dishes like a chicken schnitzel, cheeseburger, and steak, there's also a snacks menu more akin to something you'd find at a trendy inner city wine bar. Grab some oysters and ask the team about a wine pairing from the list curated by Vera Wine.
Where: 207 Maitland Rd, Tighes Hill

TINTA

Pull up a rug on the lawn or sit up on the deck and dig into Dawson's Sydney rock oysters at this waterside Lake Macquarie eatery. Enjoy your oysters natural or with a cucumber and elderflower mignonette.
Where: 690 Pacific Hwy, Belmont

Port Stephens

Surrounded by stunning coastline and waterways, indulging in oysters at Port Stephens is a must. 

Holberts Oyster Supplies

The leading oyster grower and processor in Port Stephens, Holberts Oyster Supplies have been in the oyster industry for more than five generations. Head into its Diemars Road location to eat fresh oysters outside overlooking Cromarty Bay.
Where: Lot 52 Diemars Rd, Salamander Bay

Little Beach Boathouse

With four toppings available on fresh, local Holberts oysters, Little Beach Boathouse is an ideal spot to enjoy this Port Stephens staple. Eat them upstairs in the restaurant or downstairs – Below Deck – for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Where: 4 Victoria Pde, Nelson Bay

Restaurant 2317

Pair Restaurant 2317’s excellent location on the water at Soldiers Point with a dozen oysters, and you’ve got yourself a classic Port Stephens afternoon.
Where: 2D Sunset Blvd, Soldiers Point

Rick Stein at Bannisters

Rick Stein at Bannisters is all about fresh, local seafood, and it doesn’t get much fresher, or more local, than freshly-shucked Stella Maris oysters on ice. There’s also the option to add hot, spicy charentaise sausage – eat an oyster, take a bite of the sausage, and follow it with white wine.
Where: 147 Soldiers Point Rd, Soldiers Point

The Poyer’s

Located in Lemon Tree Passage, The Poyer's is a family-owned cafe and restaurant serving up some of the most interesting seafood in Port Stephens.
Where: 42 Cook Pde, Lemon Tree Passage

Hunter Valley

While the Hunter Valley is well known for its wine tastings, why not add some oyster tastings to your Hunter Valley dining experience.

Jimmy Joans

With a super spacious interior and outdoor area, Jimmy Joans is ideal for a relaxed meal in wine country. If you're heading in for dinner, try half a dozen Sydney rock oysters with a finger lime vinaigrette for a super fresh take on a classic oyster dressing.
Where: 84 Wilderness Rd, Lovedale

Muse Restaurant

Two-hatted Muse Restaurant is known for its creative takes on contemporary Australian cuisine, and oysters are no exception. Start your meal off with freshly-shucked Stella Maris freshly shucked Port Stephens oysters, either natural with lemon; topped with ginger, cucumber, and wakame; or woodfired with katsuobushi butter.
Where: 2450 Broke Rd, Pokolbin

Restaurant Cuvee

Bubbles and oysters are a match made in heaven, so it’s no wonder Restaurant Cuvee at Peterson House, renowned for its premium sparkling wines, serves up oysters Kilpatrick.
Where: Cnr Broke Rd & Wine Country Dr, Pokolbin

Salt, Chilli and Lime

Salt, Chilli and Lime is a restaurant and bar, although it has the heart of a classic fish and chip shop. Slurp your oysters fresh with a lemon and shallot mignonette while you sip cocktails and enjoy this unique East Maitland joint.
Where: 80 Melbourne St, East Maitland

The Wood Restaurant

Located at the acclaimed Brokenwood Wines, The Wood Restaurant features oysters either natural or with a finger lime mignonette dressing. Pair them with a Brokenwood Semillon and you can’t go wrong.
Where: Brokenwood Wines, 401-427 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin

Central Coast

Hugging the Pacific Ocean, oyster farms on the Central Coast offer the freshest, highest quality oysters around. 

Avoca Beach House

Located just a few steps from Avoca Beach, Avoca Beach House is all about fresh seafood in a relaxed space. Breathe in the sea air as you enjoy natural oysters or Kilpatrick. 
Where: 3/85 Avoca Dr, Avoca Beach

Hawkesbury River Oyster Shed

Hawkesbury River Oyster Shed has to be one of the most idyllic spots to eat oysters on the Central Coast. Sit outside and eat oysters straight from the source, with plenty of toppings to choose from and even the option to BYO wine and beer.
Where: 6 Kowan St, Mooney Mooney

Kefi

Serving up a blend of traditional and modern Greek dishes, Kefi offers seafood aplenty, including freshly-shucked Sydney rock oysters with pickled cucumber mignonette.
Where: Koolewong Marina, 19 Brisbane Water Dr, Koolewong

Skinner’s Seafood

Serving fresh oysters and prawns plus the catch of the day, Skinner’s Seafood in Ettalong Beach does it all from a no frills, hole-in-the-wall location. Note – it’s cash only!
Where: Picnic Pde, Ettalong Beach

Sydney Oyster Farm Tours

Touring a working oyster farm and learning how to shuck these little gems might just be the ultimate way to enjoy oysters. Sydney Oyster Farm Tours takes you out onto the Hawkesbury River, and don’t worry – there’s plenty of time for eating fresh oysters.
Where: 1420 Pacific Hwy, Brooklyn

Woy Woy Fishermen’s Wharf

Woy Woy Fishermen’s Wharf is both a seafood market and restaurant, with the restaurant serving up the best of the day’s catch. Keep it simple with Sydney rock oysters or Pacific oysters – au naturale.
Where: The Boulevarde, Woy Woy

Oysters For Everyone 

From oyster bars in Newcastle to farm tours on the Central Coast, our guide showcases the best oyster experiences in NSW. So why not dive in and enjoy the best oysters on the coast.

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