The Oyster Bar (O)

Rucked up in the northeastern corner of Adelaide city centre, on the corner of East Terrace and Rundle Street, is a haven for lovers of the simple mollusk pleasures of oysters. And we’re serious when we say lovers – everyone knows that these little shellfish pack an aphrodisiacal punch and nowhere is this more firmly celebrated at The Oyster Bar, offering a simple menu of fresh oysters chilled and grilled, backed by a well-stocked bar to boot.

The Oyster Bar is as specialist a merchant as its name would suggest. The bar at this Venusian spot up on East Terrace in Adelaide’s city centre is palatial, stocked with premium spirits that make it into creative cocktails, beers and, most importantly, plenty of fine rose and white wine sourced from Australia and New Zealand (with the Clare Valley and McLaren Vale figuring prominently), bubbles in the form of the house Brut NV, moscato, Tasmanian cuvee and highly poppable bottles of Moet & Chandon for those special celebrations. Indeed, The Oyster Bar is a popular spot to host birthdays, engagement parties, functions and more.

As for the stars of the show, the little mollusks beloved by lovers and seafood freaks, there are few places in Adelaide’s city centre or elsewhere that could compete with The Oyster Bar in terms of inventive ways to dress and present the hallowed shellfish. Chilled and natural, or chilled with caviar, smoked Atlantic salmon, Thai-style or salsa’d up, grilled Kilpatrick, or with chilli and cheese, pesto, or go ‘Errol Flynn’ and mix up four styles of your own. There’s more yet on offer at this bar and restaurant, with grilled prawn skewers and smoked salmon maintaining the seafood theme, and a cheeseboard featuring local and imported cheese served with greens, dried fruits and nuts.