Oysters in Kent - Whitstable recommendation ?
Discussion
Having a few days in Kent next week, and was pondering a trip to Whistable for some oysters midweek lunchtime. And Fish and Chips for our 8 year old who thinks oysters are snot in a turtle shell 
Reviews of the Royal Native Oyster Stores seem awful, is it that bad ? Not sure we will get a table at Wheelers. Maybe Crab and Winkle ?
Or ... sod it, too full of tourists, head somewhere else ?
Ta.
Reviews of the Royal Native Oyster Stores seem awful, is it that bad ? Not sure we will get a table at Wheelers. Maybe Crab and Winkle ?
Or ... sod it, too full of tourists, head somewhere else ?
Ta.
If its sunny, The Bubble will be busy! Lots and lots of Londoners buying holiday homes meaning local first time buyers are priced out. Whoops, O/T rant!
So the Whitstable Oyster Co - I've been four times and thought it was excellent every time. Fish is often local, they do a great pilsner on tap, lovely atmosphere, great views and nice food.
So the Whitstable Oyster Co - I've been four times and thought it was excellent every time. Fish is often local, they do a great pilsner on tap, lovely atmosphere, great views and nice food.
Does it need to be Whitstable? There are plenty of other places in Kent, http://www.rocksaltfolkestone.co.uk/menus for a start
JFReturns said:
If its sunny, The Bubble will be busy! Lots and lots of Londoners buying holiday homes meaning local first time buyers are priced out. Whoops, O/T rant!
So the Whitstable Oyster Co - I've been four times and thought it was excellent every time. Fish is often local, they do a great pilsner on tap, lovely atmosphere, great views and nice food.
I'm not a massive fan of Whitstable, I remember it when it was a sSo the Whitstable Oyster Co - I've been four times and thought it was excellent every time. Fish is often local, they do a great pilsner on tap, lovely atmosphere, great views and nice food.
t hole and I'm not that old. There are far better sea side towns in Kent: Broadstairs, Ramsgate and parts of Margate, especially with kids. No one tells you in the tourist information that it doesn't really have a beach and there is an asphalt plant in the middle of the quaint harbor. If you want trendy and tourist with overpriced cafes and shops selling "antique" rubbish head there but for a "day at the seaside" you can do better.
Type R Tom said:
Does it need to be Whitstable? There are plenty of other places in Kent, http://www.rocksaltfolkestone.co.uk/menus for a start
No, it really doesn't. And we are staying in Deal, so it is a bit of a way. I just wanted somewhere with reliable seafood that isn't a fish and chip shop (not that I don't love fish and chips!).We were in Deal, so Folkestone too far.
So.....went to Whitstable. On a sunny Thursday. When the only moderately sized car park was taken up by what looked liked a tatty market. And every other place to park was full to overflowing.
So gave up and went to the Oyster Peal in Seasalter. Which is in the middle of a static caravan park, so it didn't look like it would offer much (other than parking). But had some really great oysters, and a dover sole. Pretty reasonable cost too.
I must say, Whitstable wasn't quite what I had imagined. Always wanted to visit, but not rushing to go back
So.....went to Whitstable. On a sunny Thursday. When the only moderately sized car park was taken up by what looked liked a tatty market. And every other place to park was full to overflowing.
So gave up and went to the Oyster Peal in Seasalter. Which is in the middle of a static caravan park, so it didn't look like it would offer much (other than parking). But had some really great oysters, and a dover sole. Pretty reasonable cost too.
I must say, Whitstable wasn't quite what I had imagined. Always wanted to visit, but not rushing to go back
PurpleMeanie said:
We were in Deal, so Folkestone too far.
So.....went to Whitstable. On a sunny Thursday. When the only moderately sized car park was taken up by what looked liked a tatty market. And every other place to park was full to overflowing.
So gave up and went to the Oyster Peal in Seasalter. Which is in the middle of a static caravan park, so it didn't look like it would offer much (other than parking). But had some really great oysters, and a dover sole. Pretty reasonable cost too.
I must say, Whitstable wasn't quite what I had imagined. Always wanted to visit, but not rushing to go back
I like the Oyster Pearl, it was on the tastecard for a while so went quite a bit. So.....went to Whitstable. On a sunny Thursday. When the only moderately sized car park was taken up by what looked liked a tatty market. And every other place to park was full to overflowing.
So gave up and went to the Oyster Peal in Seasalter. Which is in the middle of a static caravan park, so it didn't look like it would offer much (other than parking). But had some really great oysters, and a dover sole. Pretty reasonable cost too.
I must say, Whitstable wasn't quite what I had imagined. Always wanted to visit, but not rushing to go back
I used to live in Whitstabubble.
There's fantastic food to be had locally but I used to steer clear of town on the horrifically busy sunny days.
Personally I would have knocked up some shallot vinegar, bought a hat-full of freshly-shucked oysters from the fish market in the harbour, a nice loaf of brown bread and a bottle of ale/cold Muscadet before finding a quiet spot on the beach below the Tankerton slopes and watching the sun go down, (small fire for warmth optional).
I'd agree that as a town it's been hyped-up by trendy media and is probably best enjoyed out of season.
There's fantastic food to be had locally but I used to steer clear of town on the horrifically busy sunny days.
Personally I would have knocked up some shallot vinegar, bought a hat-full of freshly-shucked oysters from the fish market in the harbour, a nice loaf of brown bread and a bottle of ale/cold Muscadet before finding a quiet spot on the beach below the Tankerton slopes and watching the sun go down, (small fire for warmth optional).
I'd agree that as a town it's been hyped-up by trendy media and is probably best enjoyed out of season.
I went the other weekend, its alright, nothing that special, I went to most of the 'places' that people eat in when there, Wheelers, Samphire, Sportsman, Crab and Winkle etc etc. I don't eat oysters but my mrs said the wheelers ones were great, and even the 60 pence ones from the fish market were good!
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