Whitstable Oyster Company

The story

Whitstable Oyster Company: A Historic Seafood Restaurant in Whitstable, Kent

A Heritage of Oysters

The Whitstable Oyster Company is rooted in history. Its origins stretch back to the 1400s, making it one of the oldest continuous businesses in Europe. The restaurant’s story is inseparable from the sea: the Romans prized Whitstable’s native oysters nearly two thousand years ago, shipping them live to Rome. By the 1850s, the company was sending 80 million oysters a year to Billingsgate Market. Decades of decline followed, but in 1978 Barrie Green and John Knight revived the near-defunct business. Their sons, Richard and James Green, later opened the fish restaurant in the old oyster stores, and today the family-run operation is widely hailed as one of the country’s finest seafood restaurants.

The Restaurant Today

Housed in the Royal Native Oyster Stores on the Horsebridge, the restaurant is a place of simple, salt-tinged elegance. The menu changes daily, reflecting the freshest seafood available. While the à la carte offerings shift, the focus remains on the sea: oysters, of course, and a broad range of sustainably sourced fish and shellfish. The attached Oyster Stores Bar offers a more casual space for drinks and lighter bites, with outdoor seating for those who want to watch the tide come in.

Sustainability is at the heart of the operation. The company has invested heavily in its oyster beds, creating methods that guarantee future harvests. In 1997, the beds received Protected Geographical Status from the European Union, a recognition of the unique quality of the Royal Whitstable Native Oyster. This commitment to the environment and to tradition has earned the restaurant a Michelin Recommended award, cementing its status as a destination for discerning seafood lovers.

What to Expect

The atmosphere is unhurried and welcoming. The daily menu might feature grilled fish, classic shellfish platters, or seasonal specials, always prepared with restraint so the ingredients speak for themselves. Whether you come for a long lunch, a private party, or a quiet dinner, the Whitstable Oyster Company offers a genuine taste of the Kent coast. It is a place where history and hospitality meet, and where the seafood is as fresh as it gets.