Oysters. Food of the gods. Sloppy globules of joy. But, more often than not, pretty pricey. Which is why the oyster happy hour has long been a firm favourite, letting mere mortals feast on these salty treasures for a more reasonable price. We’ve got together a list of the various spots across London that will offer you the chance to dine like a king, despite having relatively empty pockets. Don’t forget that mignonette.
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Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.
Wright Brothers, Borough Market’s famous and fabulous oyster house, understands the merits of a good extended happy hour. During theirs, which takes place Monday–Wednesday between 3pm and 6pm, you can get oysters for £1 a pop. Bliss. Check out their other locations in South Ken (where the oyster offer takes place Mon-Fri 12-6pm and on Sunday 4-6pm) and at the Battersea Power Station development (Mon-Fri 3-6pm and Sunday 6-9pm).
Address: 11 Stoney Street, Borough Market, SE1 9AD
Tucked down a rather insalubrious Soho side street is Manzi’s, a revamped version of a legendary central London resto. Their deal is fancy fish with a cruise liner feel, and they have an oyster offer to match. Every day between 3-7pm and all day Sunday, Carlingford oysters are £2 each or £9 for six, and come with a lavish array of dressings; bloody mary, classic mignonette and tamarind, chilli and soy sauce. A glass of Champers is only £10 on top, or vinho verde is a snip at £6.
Address: 1-8 Bateman’s Buildings, Soho, W1D 3EN
Islington fishmonger-with-food Prawn on the Lawn offers a highly decent happy hour when it comes to oysters, with six of the good guys for just £10. Available Wednesday to Friday from 3–5.30pm, and Saturday from 12–2pm (apart from on Arsenal home game days, you maniacs).
Address: 292-294 St Paul’s Road, Highbury, N1 2LH
You'll get laidback, Californian vibes and enticing rooftop views at Seabird, which is on top of the Hoxton hotel in Southwark. Every day from 3-6pm you'll also get £3 oysters – Jersey No.3 from the Channel Isles or Cumbraes from Ayrshire – as well as £7 palomas. We can think of worse ways to spend an afternoon.
Address: 40 Blackfriars Road, Southwark, SE1 8PB
‘Escocesa’ is Spanish for ‘Scottish’ – a clue to the set-up at this Stoke Newington tapas bar, which uses super fresh Scots ingredients to create classic Spanish scran. Their oyster deal is great; half price oysters before 7pm Monday to Friday and all day on Sundays.
Address: 67 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0AR
Right in the shadow of the US Embassy and from Wednesday to Friday from 5pm until 7pm, and Saturday 3-6pm and 9-10.30pm, Darby’s brasserie offers up Jersey oysters for £2. The rest of the menu comes courtesy of Irish chef Robin Gill, with modern Euro small plates and grills.
Address: 5 Nine Elms Lane, SW8 5DA
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