Sumptuous Seafood at Sydney Cove Oyster Bar

Circular Quay is a treasure trove of restaurants, so when I’m in the area I always like to try somewhere new. My craving for good seafood last night saw me making a stop at Sydney Cove Oyster Bar.

While the entrees looked delicious, sadly my husband and I were running a little short on time. We settled on our mains and wine by the glass and soaked up the atmosphere while waiting for our meals. The Oyster Bar is big on that. I rarely dine alfresco, put off as I am by the smokers that tend to abound, but there were none of those here. Instead we were left to enjoy the fresh Sydney air and the slightly crisp weather of this autumn night. Even though the place was busy the candles flickering on the table added the right amount of romance.

Our meals were delivered promptly, although at first mine was the wrong one. I’d ordered bugs and prawns, but what arrived was bugs and crab. Thankfully the prawns didn’t need any cooking so the problem was quickly rectified. I picked at my husband’s steak, cooked slightly too long although not inedible, while I waited for my meal to return. I think I got the better end of the bargain. My bugs, grilled with herbs, were perhaps the best I’ve ever eaten. My prawns were a little fiddly, particularly without any good light to see what I was doing, but worth the effort. And the cumin salted chips we ordered as a side were some of the best chips I’ve had in some time.

As it turned out, I’m glad we were running short on time. Our mains left me pleasantly full, and I’m sure eating more would have been a mistake. While the meals were on the expensive side, as is typical of circular Quay, mine at least was worth every cent.

Location: Sydney Cove Oyster Bar
Address: No.1, East Circular Quay
Public transport: The restaurant is a short walk from Circular Quay train station and ferry wharf
Parking: There is metered parking in the surrounding streets
Cost: Entrees from $21, mains from $35
Website: http://www.sydneycoveoysterbar.com/