East Quay Shellfish Bar
Located on the East Quay of Whitstable's historic harbour, our restaurant offers stunning sea views along with the freshest sea food that you will find in the town - all located within the original 19th century oyster grading house.
If it is seafood on the beach that you after then a trip to the East Quay Restaurant is a must where you will happily be sold your choice of lobster, crab, oysters and mussels to name but a few of the locally caught delights.
You can enjoy this self-service style restaurant gazing out of the windows or by taking your food (and selection of soft & alcoholic drinks) just outside onto the shingle beach to take in the ambience and views of our local seaside town.
The restaurant also plays host to an aquarium and a small museum for you to enjoy as part of your day at the seaside in Whitstable. In 2006 an addition of a seafront bar was added to the restaurant to enhance the views of the sea for our guests (see Whitstable Brewery Bar).
About the Whitstable Oysters
Whitstable has long been famous for its oysters as its brackish estuarine waters are excellent growing oysters. At its peak it was producing 20 million oysters per year, although due to the cold winters and disease these numbers started to decline. Following the introduction of the more resiliant Rock or Gigas oysters and careful management of the remaining Native stocsk, local oyster levels are rising and once again becoming popluar.
The Rock Oyster
The Whitstable Oyster Fishery Company buys half-ware oysters which are laid on our beds for 2-3 years before being dredged, graded and purified at our East Quay buildings. These are available all year round.
The Native Oyster
The Whitstable Oyster Fishery Company is currently reintroducing the Native Oyster back onto its famous freehold beds from wild stocks on the "Whitstable" free ground. The Native oyster will naturally spat in our waters, which in time will lead to the replenishemtn of our beds. These oysters are available from September to April.
