Fresh ocean-trawled oysters served raw on ice and classically accompanied with some lemony spice or vinaigrette almost seems like a gift from the heavens. Truly, nothing quite compares to the first divine slurp the moment you detach the icy oyster from its shell. Like the myriad other blessings of globalization we must be thankful for, Singapore boasts restaurants offering arguably the best oysters internationally available.
In random order, have a look at these oyster-offering restaurants and their amazing happy hour promotions (if any):
1. The Black Swan
Indulge in European bistro classics, cocktails, and not least oysters at urbane The Black Swan, which features a haute Jazz Age makeover replete with attentive service and choice. Four types of oysters from USA and France (Gillardeau oysters for example) are offered at around S$6 a piece, and each order presents you with some champagne mignonette as sauce.
Happy hour, when one can get S$2 oyster orders along S$9 house pours and wines, is from 5pm – 8pm from Monday to Friday.
The Black Swan: 19 Cecil Street, Singapore 049704 | Opening Hours: 5pm – 1am (Mon to Thurs), 5pm – 2am (Fri & Sat), Closed on Sun | Website
2. Greenwood Fish Market
Tuesday is the day you want to visit Greenwood Fish Market, a market-cum-bistro occupying two lots on Greenwood Avenue.
On Oyster Tuesdays, get S$1.95 house oysters or 35% off unlimited fresh oysters on a seasonal rotation from USA, Canada, New Zealand, Holland, and France. On other days, you can expect to be paying from S$3.95 to S$8.95 a piece.
Greenwood’s collection of the freshest crabs, fish, shrimp, and lobster will also enrapture seafood lovers.
ChopeDeals: Save 10% at Greenwood Fish Market >
Greenwood Fish Market: 34 & 38 Greenwood Avenue, Singapore 289236 | Opening Hours: 12pm – 10pm (Daily) | Website
3. Luke’s Oyster Bar & Chophouse
Authentic American dishes such as crab cakes and ribeye are Luke’s Oyster Bar & Chophouse‘s lifeline. Its oysters (about S$7.50 per piece) are mainly sourced from New England, and occasionally Australia and New Zealand.
A detailed description of each seasonally available oyster, for instance, the crisp and delicate Marion Point oyster from Massachusetts or Kumamoto Oyster, is even proffered on the menu. Happy hour is from 4pm to 7pm every day, which also happens to be when all oysters are half the price!
Luke’s Oyster Bar: 20 Gemmill Lane, Singapore 069256 | Opening Hours: 12pm – 10.30pm (Mon to Wed), 12pm – 12am (Thurs to Sat), Closed on Sun | Website
Address 2: 260 Orchard Road, The Heeren, #03-02, Singapore 238855 | Opening Hours: 12pm – 10.30pm (Daily)
4. Southbridge
Once voted the best new rooftop bar by I-S Magazine, Southbridge uses the idyllic Boat Quay appeal to its fullest. While enjoying an alfresco Sex On The Quay cocktail, dig into some fresh oysters at S$24 for half a dozen (S$20 during happy hour from 5pm to 8pm daily) available in three dressings—the umami one with ponzu and yuzu is lovely.
Southbridge: 80 Boat Quay, Level 5, Singapore 049868 | Opening Hours: 5pm – 12am (Daily) | Website
5. Tanuki Raw
Tanuki Raw‘s popular Happy Hour (5pm to 8pm) sees its oysters from France, Canada, and Japan go for just S$2 each, though that discounted price is limited to six oysters per drink order. Outside Happy Hour, oysters are at S$5.80 per piece, and Salmon Sashimi the other crowd favourite at S$7 a serving.
We’ve heard other guests have mixed reviews though, but our experience was pretty good.
ChopeDeals: Save 10% at Tanuki Raw (National Design Centre)>
Tanuki Raw: 181 Orchard Road, Orchard Central, #02-03, Singapore 238896 | Opening Hours: 11.30am – 10.30pm (Daily) | Website
Address 2: 111 Middle Road, National Design Centre, #01-05, Singapore 188969 | Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Daily)
Address 3: 78 Airport Boulevard, Jewel Changi Airport, #05-202, Singapore 819666 | Opening Hours: 9am – 12am (Mon to Thurs), 9am – 1am (Fri & Sat), Closed on Sun
6. Humpback
There are four types of oysters at Humpback. No matter what kind, you are guaranteed that they are fresh and tasty to the bone.
The Shigoku and Far Bastards, hailing from Washington, USA, is firm and fleshy, with a clean taste of cucumber. The Kumamoto, from Washington too, is more petite in size and deep cupped, prized for its sweet fruity flavour. Lastly, the Totten Inlet, grown in algae-rich waters are rich and have notes of cantaloupe. Have a bit of everything to keep your oyster experience balanced.
Humpback: 20 Bukit Pasoh Road, Singapore 089834 | Tel:+65 9772 9896 | Opening Hours: 5pm – 12am (Mon to Sat), Closed on Sun | Website
While I cannot, in sound conscience, advocate an incessant and voracious consumption of oysters, I trust that the shark finning fiasco has taught the world enough. Eat ethically, dear friends.
Seafood—especially oysters—is very sensitive to freshness; if it isn’t fresh, you’re probably going to get a stomachache, or worse. For a test of freshness, try gently pushing the black vein on the freshly shucked oyster’s rim inwards towards the body. If it bounces back to its original shape, the oyster is still alive and definitely fresh to consume.
Do note that we didn’t include buffets as there’re just too many out there. Let us know your oyster hotspots!
