Try Oyster ice cream in Melbourne, or shooters. Then head to the market for your own dozen on a tray.

Stop Whining Oysters

This eccentric little place is really popular with Tokyo visitors for its quirky menu.

You can’t book here, at 161 Little Bourke Street (in the city) but walking in, is well worth it.

It’s open from 1.00pm to 9.30pm and 10.00pm on weekends and the best place in Melbourne to try any one of 16 different kinds of oyster. Pick a bottle from the fridge and lunch is set.

The oysters are stored in sea water to keep them fresh and are displayed in the front window on Little Bourke Street in all their glory.

Oyster Ice Cream

They famously serve oyster ice-cream at Stop Whining. Sea urchin ice cream, too. It’s – fishy.

This little restaurant is a short walk from the centre of town, but one single grilled scallop ($12) is your reward if you can make it up Little Bourke Street. If you’re feeling flush, they have controversial caviar. Iranian Beluga is $288 or Russian Ossetra is $198.

We really liked the Sake tasting sets. They also sell Asahi and Kirin beer. They also give their oysters admiring names.

An Oyster Called Miss Helen

The oysters are named according to their source. Miss Helen comes from Tasmania and we assume, St. Helen’s.

You can also try Mr. Australia or The Bachelor. Half a dozen of these for lunch or dinner, is $58.

If you want to spend far less, grab your own wine and dine in at your Melbourne Air BnB or holiday apartment, there’s not far to go.

Shop 36, Queen Victoria Market

In their blue aprons and gumboots, they serve to please. The people at Shop 36, Queen Victoria Market have competition (the entire stretch of the market is devoted to oysters and other seafood and fish).

George the Fishmonger will sell you a dozen Tasmanian oysters for $34. We know these genuinely are from St. Helens and they are freshly shucked every morning.

You can shop online and collect or head to the market (allow half a day if you’ve never been before, it’s overwhelming) and bring a large bag.

Take a Tour

The place is so legendary, that if it’s your first time, you may want to take a tour. Until then, there are always the oysters. The market also has an excellent variety of wine to take back to your apartment. Remember – it shuts at 3.00pm and is closed on Monday and Wednesday.

Tip: Be early for the best oysters and other seafood, it opens from 6.00am and you can buy coffee or breakfast along with the traders nearby.