David Jones Oyster Bar

The oysters here are fresh and the prices are very reasonable. I felt the waiter was very knowledgeable and very friendly. Loved it.

But of a disappointment. Not a place to go if you want the ceremony of shucking, or if you like oysters au naturel.
The David Jones Food Hall is a great place to wander and spend beyond your means. Off to the side are a large wine bar, a dumpling/​noodle bar and an oyster bar. It made sense to me that a place that sells such nice food to take home would also sell nice food to eat. Wrong!
I stepped up to the oyster bar and ordered half dozen smoky bay oysters and a glass of white wine. Sourdough was brought out along with some portion control Anchor butter. Could have been a tad classier! A handful of mesculin salad in an overly tart dressing was plonked down as well.
I was looking forward to seeing the barman shuck my main course in front of me — instead, he pulled a platter from the fridge, peeled off the limp glad wrap and removed 7 oysters (from the heavy dozen) leaving my six. Some seedy lemon wedges were unceremoniously plonked on the side.
Oysters were still fresh and tasty, but were dry to touch and had that ‘fridgey’ taste. These babies needed to be bathed in a strong sauce or disguised under a good kilpatrick-​ing (not a real word!)

Once again you only live one. You need a little bit of moola to come here, and do not be emotionally attached to this money, otherwise you can forget about a great seafood platter picnic of luxe.
Good to come here after doing a bit of shopping, although quite personally I find it awesome to come here at around 11:45am — 12:30pm before the crowds kick in, and before I get some shopping done. That way I will be in a better frame of mind come shopping time, and especially when the sales are on.
A seafood platter (mixed plate) with natural oysters (3), king prawns (3), crab meat, smoked salmon (a generous serve) with salad and seafood sauce ($ 34.95) is utterly delicious, fresh, cool and flavoursome. That with a Moet and Chandon flute ($ 24.95) and you’re in heaven for a moment. Great staff, quite mature. Alice (one of the hostesses) is just lovely. If you don’t mind a $ 50+ lunch in a while, live it up in Harrod’s like style!

So you’ve been shopping your heart out and worked up an appetite. Whether you’re flying solo, with a mate, or a significant other, the Oyster Bar is the prime pick for a quick seafood snack and a sneaky champers on the go. Free bread on arrival whets the appetite and Moet probably isn’t exactly essential consumption, but you only live once right? It’s hard to go past the prawn and avocado plate… ‘fresh as’ kingies with flawless avocado and lashings of seafood sauce is simple, and oh so good. If you’re with a mate, share some oysters, and go the lot natural, kilpatrick and mornay… they grill them to crispy perfection till they’re just on the verge of burning… This place is all about quick turnaround so everything happens fast. Great if you’re on a time budget, but not amazing if you’re on a $$ budget, cuz it’s not cheap as chips. But lush king prawns and Moet never have been, so if you’re willing to part with a few bucks, this is your spot.