Harden's survey result
Summary
A “great atmosphere” reigns at the first – and sole surviving – branch of a once-beloved, now-defunct chain: an oyster parlour and seafood bar, est. 1856 by Richard Leggy Wheeler, which also happens to be this town’s oldest restaurant. From scallops, mussels and crab cakes, to a tasting menu on weekend nights, it turns out some “exceptional cooking with refreshing zingy flavours”, all served by “very good, friendly staff”. BYO booze for a small corkage fee or make a pitstop at the literally titled ‘Offy’ just opposite.
Summary
Sole and much-loved survivor of a long-lost chain, the first ever Wheeler’s (est. 1856) is still going strong in these “tiny” and adorably quaint premises. They don’t just deliver “excellent oysters (some with a Japanese spin) but fabulous fish dishes” too, including those parlayed through the excellent tasting menu. Add in the reasonable prices (you can BYO for a small corkage fee, and there’s an offy – literally ‘The Offy’, opposite) and “booking is a must” – though if you can’t bag a table you can always take the mollusc party away with you to enjoy on the beach.
Summary
“Tiny but perfectly formed!” – The very first Wheelers (est. 1856, and the original and last branch of an increasingly forgotten chain that ceased trading in 2014) is a “quaint but charming” venue whose “magical qualities make it a memorable and special place”. “There is a counter at which you can order items to take away (to the nearby beach) or sit in the very bijoux parlour” – a “really lovely, family-run space where the attention to detail and freshness of the seafood is second to none”. “Exceptional oysters” are the headline attraction on a “wow of a tasting menu” that “is of course centred on fish”. “It’s made even more affordable by their BYO policy” – “just pop to the offy over the road for a great bottle of wine” (“there’s a small charge for corkage”). Top Tip – “book well in advance”.
Summary
“The best crab cakes in the UK and other great fresh seafood” – including oysters, obvs – win nothing but affection and acclaim for this “splendid” ancient venue (est. 1856): “a tiny back parlour that only seats 14-16”. “There’s no wine licence, but you can BYO”, which “makes it a very-good-value experience”. But despite consistently good feedback in recent times, the full-on raves of yesteryear were absent and a number of long-term fans now rate it as good rather than exceptional. Some regulars also suggest you “stick to the basic dishes: it doesn't work as well when they go more complicated or ambitious”.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Wheelers Oyster Bar?
8 High Street, Whitstable, CT5 1BQ
Restaurant details
Wheelers Oyster Bar Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Seems to haqve dropped the ball. Twice running there have been issues. The first the fish was overcooked & underseasoned. This time dishes were ill conceived & badly executed. Think burnt octopus with overpowering, spicy ragu"
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £20.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 10.00% |
8 High Street, Whitstable, CT5 1BQ
Opening hours
| Monday | 10 am‑5 pm |
| Tuesday | 10 am‑5 pm |
| Wednesday | CLOSED |
| Thursday | 10 am‑5 pm |
| Friday | 10 am‑8 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am‑8 pm |
| Sunday | 10 am‑5 pm |
Best Fish & seafood restaurants nearby
Fish & seafood restaurant in Whitstable
British, Modern restaurant in Seasalter
Fish & seafood restaurant in Margate
Best similarly priced restaurants nearby
British, Modern restaurant in Biddenden
French restaurant in Tunbridge Wells
Japanese restaurant in Canary Wharf
