
The Oyster Shack
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Quick info
About The Oyster Shack
The Oyster Shack is a seafood restaurant at Milburn Orchard Farm in Bigbury, Devon, and has been serving seafood since 1989. The kitchen barbecues fish fresh to order, and the seating is covered. The menu includes oysters, among them one dressed with truffle and hazelnut, and sea bass is served as a main. A catch of the day board by the entrance lists the fish on offer. Dogs are welcome at the table, which suits guests who bring a pet along. Reservations are required. Parking can be an issue at the farm, so allow extra time for your arrival.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree parking lot · Paid parking lot · Parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair: parking lot, restroom, seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs · Kids' menu
- DietaryVegetarian options
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention oysters, sea bass, scallops and catch of the day.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention oysters, sea bass, scallops and catch of the day.
Customer Review Summary
Diners most often return for the sea bass, described as cooked to perfection by several, alongside oysters that some praise for a truffle and hazelnut dressing. Close behind are scallops, mussels, monkfish, crab and the catch of the day, with one reviewer enjoying the truffle slaw and another getting a dairy free mussels order with no fuss. Reviewers repeatedly call the staff friendly, and many highlight that dogs and kids were well looked after, with one dog getting its own meal. Several mention the outdoor covered seating and freshly barbecued fish. Some say it is expensive, though most felt the food justified it. The sharpest criticism came from one diner who found the coleslaw soggy and raisin-filled, the romesco lacking nuts or smoke, and the oysters poorly shucked and full of shell, with only one oyster choice offered. One reviewer found the marmalade pudding just a normal steamed pudding, though still tasty. Several suggest booking ahead, noting weekends and bank holidays fill up, and one found a Saturday table anyway.
Customer Review Summary
Diners most often return for the sea bass, described as cooked to perfection by several, alongside oysters that some praise for a truffle and hazelnut dressing. Close behind are scallops, mussels, monkfish, crab and the catch of the day, with one reviewer enjoying the truffle slaw and another getting a dairy free mussels order with no fuss. Reviewers repeatedly call the staff friendly, and many highlight that dogs and kids were well looked after, with one dog getting its own meal. Several mention the outdoor covered seating and freshly barbecued fish. Some say it is expensive, though most felt the food justified it. The sharpest criticism came from one diner who found the coleslaw soggy and raisin-filled, the romesco lacking nuts or smoke, and the oysters poorly shucked and full of shell, with only one oyster choice offered. One reviewer found the marmalade pudding just a normal steamed pudding, though still tasty. Several suggest booking ahead, noting weekends and bank holidays fill up, and one found a Saturday table anyway.
Featured reviews
- Charles Hughes
“Just perfect! Great atmosphere, food excellent and staff great. We had a range of oysters, sea bream, sea bass, crab and burgers and it was all well prepared and beautifully presented. The staff looked after the kids really well too!”
- Chloe Hunt
“Had high hopes and took a detour in order to come here, however it was unfortunately not worth it. The service was nice, and they kindly accommodated us ahead of our booking, but the food was just very poorly done, overpriced, uninspired in some parts, inedible in others. Coleslaw with fish can be ok if very crunchy and fresh, but this was a soggy, raisin-filled, tasteless mound, and ‘romesco’ without a hint of nuts or smoke. And this was basically the only option. £36 for a piece of fish with this sides and not even chips. The fish was cooked ok, slightly under, but no butter, garlic, herbs, or anything to make it unctuous or delicious The oysters were very poorly shucked, not separated, and full of shell. Not a very delicious oyster anyway, and the sauce options were extremely bland. The highlight was the dressed crab, and the pickled shellfish snack, both perfectly fine. Just very disappointing. I don’t mind paying high prices if the food is done well, but this was a lot of money for a very poor product. And also… for a place called The Oyster Shack, there was only one choice of oyster… where was the variety/ types of oyster? … And where were the deep fried, Rockafella, smoked… just saying!”
- Kris Bradbury
“We were in the area recently and looking for something to eat. Having been disappointed with our selected eating spot the previous night and wishing we went to the Oyster Shack we decided to drop by and see what all the fuss was about. Even though it was a Saturday they still managed to find us a spot. The food was amazing, the Sea bass cooked to perfection and my kids loved their meals so much they kept swapping with each other. The atmosphere was awesome as well. It was expensive but when the food is this good then its worth it!!We loved it and will definitely go back!”
- MrsR KGB
“Staying in the area for a week’s holiday, group of 4 with 2 dogs, midweek visit which didn’t disappoint. Oysters for starters which were delicious! Scallops, mussels, sea bass and lobster for mains. Fabulous. The service was excellent and the tranquil setting made it a very enjoyable evening.”
- Rav Singh
“We were staying at Ayrmer Path in Ringmore, just outside Bigbury-on-Sea. We’ve visited the area several times over the years but had somehow never managed to make it to The Oyster Shack until this trip. Safe to say it was worth the wait. There were five of us for lunch, plus our dog, Balin. The staff were friendly throughout, and it was genuinely dog-friendly rather than just dog-tolerant – Balin even had his own dog meal, which was a lovely touch. The seafood was exactly what you’d hope for: fresh, well cooked and full of flavour. Every dish that came to the table was enjoyed, and there wasn’t anything we’d hesitate to order again. The bill came to around £267 for the five of us, including drinks and Doug’s meal. It isn’t somewhere you’d call cheap, but the quality of the food, service and overall experience made it feel like good value. We’ll definitely make sure it becomes part of our next visit to this part of Devon.”
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- Closed
- Thursday
- ,
- Friday
- ,
- Saturday
- ,
- Sunday
- Closed
Highlights
“Serving Devon's finest seafood, in sumptuous style since 1989. Fresh seafood, sustainably caught local produce served with a smile.”
- Fireplace
- Great beer selection
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
- Live music
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Dine-in
Show more amenities
- Family-friendly
- Vegetarian options
- Bar onsite
- Cozy
- Onsite services
- Beer
- Offerings· 8
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Late-night food
- Small plates
- Wine
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Family-friendly· 3
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
- Dining options· 6
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Atmosphere· 3
- Casual
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Planning· 3
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Reservations required
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Highlights· 6
- Fireplace
- Great beer selection
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
- Live music
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
- Parking· 3
- Free parking lot
- Paid parking lot
- Parking
- Pet-friendly· 2
- Dogs allowed inside
- Dogs allowed outside
Location
Seafood restaurants near The Oyster Shack
- Crab Shed Salcombe4.79185.9 mi away£20–60
crabby fries, whole crab, lobster
- The Winking Prawn4.21,6676.2 mi away£10–20
crab sandwich, prawn cocktail, seafood boil
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Oyster Shack | 4.6874 | — | £30–70 | oysters, sea bass, scallops |
| Crab Shed Salcombe | 4.7918 | 5.9 mi away | £20–60 | crabby fries, whole crab, lobster |
| The Winking Prawn | 4.21,667 | 6.2 mi away | £10–20 | crab sandwich, prawn cocktail, seafood boil |
The 2 nearest seafood restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.