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The Oyster Tavern, Cork, Co. Cork

The Oyster Tavern

4.0
4
423 reviews
€31 to €50
Irish
Top tags:
Welcome to the Oyster Tavern! We were delighted to have restored and reopened this historic venue in August 2017.
The venue now comprises two floors, with a relaxed traditional feel bar on the ground floor, and a beautifully designed upstairs Restaurant& Bar, perfect for dining and social sips.
We are located at the Market Lane entrance to the world-famous English Market.
Our kitchen team walks through the English Market on a daily basis sourcing ingredients for our casual dining menu.
A 10% Discretionary service charge will be added to parties of 6 or more.

We can’t wait to welcome you soon!

Make a booking

2 people
19:00

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    €31 to €50
  • Cuisines
    Irish, Seafood
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Fri 4:00 pm–12:00 am Sat 12:00 pm–2:00 am Sun 12:00 pm–11:30 pm
  • Phone number
    083 029 3197
  • Website
    http://www.oystertavern.ie/
  • Payment Options
    Contactless Payment
  • Dress Code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Chris Curtin
  • Private party facilities
    Please enquire about private events, larger parties, weddings etc at the Oyster Tavern. We would be delighted to discuss your requirements and find a way to make your event come to life.
  • Location
    4 Market Lane, St Patrick's St., Cork, Co. Cork T12 NP29
  • Area
    Cork City
  • Cross Street
    Market Lane is off Patrick Street, beside Lifestyle Sports
  • Parking Details
    Pay by hour off street parking nearby
  • Public Transit
    Served well by all bus routes in city
  • Additional
    Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan

What 423 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.0
4 based on recent ratings
  • 4.1Food
  • 4.1Service
  • 4.1Ambience
  • 3.9Value

Noise • Moderate

Diners' Choice Awards

  • Munster

    Great for brunch

  • Munster

    Good for business meals

  • Munster

    Good for business meals

  • Munster

    Innovative

  • Munster

    Good for groups

  • Munster

    Great for creative cocktails

  • Munster

    Great for fine wines

  • Munster

    Romantic

  • Munster

    Lively

  • Munster

    Most Booked

423 Reviews

  1. OpenTable Diner

    Munster

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Toilets need more attention- constantly tissues and toilet paper on floor and shelves - very untidy also stairs to upper floor need attention

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  2. OpenTable Diner

    Munster

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    It was very noisy, with unnecessary live music at lunchtime. Service poor. Water used for tea/coffee was not sufficiently hot. Replacements were the same. The service, though friendly, were not efficient. Overall very disappointing.

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  3. sandrac

    Cork

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 1 December 2023

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Staff are lovely, very busy so waiting along time for main course. We found the restaurant to be very cold we had to keep on our coats.. so wear warm clothes

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  4. Alexo

    Munster

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 26 November 2023

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    The oyster tavern is a beautiful venue, there was live trad musicians which we enjoyed immensely. The servers we encountered were extremely pleasant but unfortunately, they only sat us, took our order and that was it. It was quite busy, perhaps they were understaffed and under pressure which is understandable they were very pleasant when sitting us and taking our order. Unfortunately the food was disappointing. I had been for dinner the previous week, ordered the same dish and it was served completely different. I had the mushroom Wellington which came previously with roast potatoes and Yorkshire pudding as well as a small pot of gravey, mashed potatoes carrots and a pea sauce on the plate. Last night there was no Yorkshire, not roast potatoes and no gravey. I tried to get a servers attention to ask if it was correct but they were very busy and no one came to check our food after it was served or to take an additional drink order until we were just about to leave. My partner's steak which he had asked to be medium was well done, a small part of the centre of the steak was medium. However he could not fault the plate as he said it was delicious regardless. Overall we had a pleasant experience, I was just a little disappointed in the difference in my meal in comparison to the one I had the week before.

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  5. MaryK

    Cork

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 25 November 2023

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    This was the worst experience I have ever had in a Cork restaurant, it was my husband’s birthday and our daughter was with us , our table was booked for 6.30 . We arrived and the 3 of us were put on a table for 2 even though there was tables for 4 empty, I asked if we could move but was told no even though when we left those tables were still empty, at 6.30 in the evening the toilets were filthy , no toilet paper except what was thrown all over the ground and the doors of 2 cubicles were broken off , we should have left then and spared ourselves the awful experience of terrible food, my starter deep fried Brie €10 was frozen in the middle , at this stage I gave up but because it was my husband’s birthday I did not want to create a fuss , but never again will I pay good hard earned money for awful surroundings and awful food and service, table management was deplorable

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  6. DavidH

    Munster

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 25 November 2023

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Pleasant staff, lovely food and drink, a nice atmosphere,

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  7. NelzS

    Munster

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 24 November 2023

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 2
    Disappointed that the sharing platters were not available and then when we opted for the chicken wings, we were told they were not available as well and 5 mins later another waiter said that they were. We all ordered the same and the wings were DELICIOUS and the cocktails were as well.☺ Music was a dull sound in the background and muffed up by the chattering noise from the large group that was gathering nearby. Really lacked some atmosphere☹ We did feel rushed as the one of the waiters kept clearing our table and removing some of glasses that had drinks and then decided against ordering deserts and left. The group did mention that if ever they were to come back it'd be for drinks and have dinned somewhere else.

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  8. Anonymous1977

    Munster

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 24 November 2023

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food but poor service in terms of taking drinks orders and the amount of time it took them to bring the drinks. Definitely had enough staffing but they just weren't fast enough.

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  9. Graham

    Munster

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 18 November 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Very good quality for a reasonable price. Would go again

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  10. Sharon

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 11 November 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was Devine, we got the hake and it was 10/10 for flavour…only slight suggestion is maybe but a small dollop of mash/champ with it as the portion was a tad on the small side. Overall it was Devine though, will defo be back and will just order a side portion of mash or chips.

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  11. Elisabeth

    Dublin

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 11 November 2023

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    Food was really bad, not to mentioned we waited for more than an hour for our mains…

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  12. Mihail

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 4 November 2023

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    One of the best oysters I've tried ever. Really recommended. I was a little disappointed because of the main dish. I ordered the fish of the day and after more than 30 min waiting I received a completely diferent dish. They said to me that it was over, but at least they could've asked if I want it.

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  13. JalalB

    Munster

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 4 November 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Quite slow service, took it on our advantage as we wanted to take our time as well to discuss and have great time, Very friendly staff and great ambience. We'll come back for sure!

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  14. Nicolamika

    N. Ireland

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 2 November 2023

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Food was cold when served. It was quite cold in there, didn’t take off my jacket the whole time being there. The service was really good and can tell it would be a nice evening in there other than those two things

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  15. LarryF

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 21 October 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Yeasterday was our first visit and will not be the last. It was a last minute decision to book as we had a baby and a toddler with us but it was most definitely a great choice. From the time we entered to the time we left everything was just perfect. The staff, the food, the setting and especially the Beamish were fantastic. Highly recommend the Oyster Tavern. A much appreciative customer.

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  16. OpenTable Diner

    Munster

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 20 October 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I booked for my daughter’s graduation, 7 of us in total.. everybody loved it .. food was lovely, cocktails gorgeous and prices were good too. Def recommend and will def return.

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  17. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 19 October 2023

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Was hoping to sit upstairs but it was closed so we sat in the pub. Nowhere near as nice of a space. Plus the grunge music was overpowering.

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  18. LPell

    Toronto

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 12 October 2023

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    We were hoping for more, but pretty disappointed with our experience. Didn't get much of a chance to get a feel for the ambiance because we were seated at the front door. Service started nice but after our beers and food were delivered, our server was nowhere to be found. Sat through second half of dinner with empty water and beer glasses. Hard time getting the bill at the end of our meal. Oysters were fresh and tasty (but did get a few pieces of shell), cheese plate was mostly crackers, but the cheese we did get was delicious. Beef sliders were good, but was a large beef sandwich - not what we were expecting. Overall, the service would deter me from coming back and the food was good but not exceptional.

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  19. AnnemarieH

    Ireland

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on 7 October 2023

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 3
    The food is decent but the service is terrible. Our drinks order was forgotten about and when we asked after 30 mins we were told that the table service had finished, nobody had told us this when we made the order. We were told our drinks would still come, took another 15 mins. So it ended up taking 45 minutes to get a drink. The desserts were bad also. Don’t think I’ll go back.

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  20. MaryT

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 7 October 2023

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Food was delicious, staff were great & the setting was very nice. We increased our reservation number from 6 to 7 at the last minute & they were very helpful, setting us up with a more suitable table immediately. We were sat very close to the live singer & guitar singer & their sound system at the start & had to request a manager to reduce the volume as we could not hear each other. While the manager was very responsive to the request, we would still question whether the music added anything to the venue & ambiance of the restaurant (albeit that the both musicians were very good)? Perhaps removing the amplification entirely or locating them somewhere further away from the diners would work better. Finally, & I want to be clear that this in NO way impacted our enjoyment of the afternoon & our meal, management need do something about the really terrible smell is their stairwell. We used the lift to access the restaurant, so did not initially notice it. But when leaving, the group was too large for the lift so we opted for the stairs. Initially we thought that maybe we had taken an incorrect exit. The smell was disgusting. And had we entered the restaurant via the same route, I think it would have been very off-putting.

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  21. JorgeR

    Munster

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 30 September 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The dishes have excessive ingredients… more simplicity and better engage will be amazing.. Mussels to many ingredients and you loose the perspective of the mussels. The Atlantic tacos does not match with spicy coleslaw.. a simple guacamole will be nicer

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  22. Walsh123

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 23 September 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our server was so lovely. Food was great and good atmosphere.

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  23. AineW

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 22 September 2023

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Really good meal, we ordered a few options from the bites menu and it was so tasty. Lovely server and just a really good vibe there.

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  24. Jasper2023

    Dublin

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 20 September 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was outstanding, service of staff amazing. Will definitely be back.

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  25. DollyC

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 13 September 2023

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Great service side door was open we had to ask one of the servers to close it

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  26. AWal

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on 9 September 2023

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    Terrible service. Took 25 mins to get a bottle of wine and a pint of beer. Then took another 30 mins to get a round of cocktails which came at different times.

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  27. EPxx

    Munster

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 8 September 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was really good and the atmosphere lovely. The staff were very nice. The timing for checks was not always appropriate and it took us a while to get attention for water refill.

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  28. HappyishCustomer

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 2 September 2023

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    Food was good but service was quite slow! The portion of chicken wings was small for €14 & we were over charged for them (€16) on the bill (later resolved), the portion size of chips also on the small side for €6 per portion. Food quality very good and we did enjoy it but worth sharing some constructive feedback!

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  29. ValerieT

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 2 September 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had the most amazing host for our evening out. The manager Fabiana was outstanding for the evening with her professional service. She went beyond herself and we had the best night. Thank you so much Valerie Twomey

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  30. KasparsA

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 2 September 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Very nice place , high standards,staff lovely , recommand highly to ffoenfs and family

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  31. KatieD

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 31 August 2023

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    Got wings to share for 6 people for starter and no side plates or hand wipes. 2 people got the fish of the day mains and the mash potato was cold and a side of sweet potato fries. Sent back the 2 dishes and the sweet potato fries which they said would only be 5 minutes and it actually took atleast 15minutes for the fish and the potato fries came out after everyone was finished their food.

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  32. OpenTable Diner

    Nashville

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 31 August 2023

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 5
    Food took FOREVER. specialty drink was very sweet. I appreciated the live music but it was too loud to have a conversation at dinner.

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  33. EMILYM

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 30 August 2023

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Food was good but venue was just a pub with food; it felt like it wasn’t sure what it should be- pub or restaurant. The areas should be separate for dining and if a restaurant then more substantial meals should be on offer

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  34. OpenTable Diner

    Dublin

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 26 August 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a great time and the service was excellent. Your staff makes the restaurant!

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  35. OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 26 August 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Best meal of the trip! A must go. Service was best we have had in Ireland as well. Fish tacos…chefs kiss!

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  36. LaurenceK

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 26 August 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Had a reservation for a birthday and really enjoyed it, the food was very, very good but I really have to commend the staff, they were so brilliant without being at all intrusive or anything. Fab!

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  37. KaitlynT

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 25 August 2023

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 1
    The staff was very kind, but the service was slow. Which would have been fine if the food was delish, it was not. Mediocre at best. Dare I say I've had better food on an airplane? I think so. The oyster tavern was indeed out of oysters. That was the only item unavailable, but I wish the mezze shareable platter was. I'd wager that it was prepared in bulk before open and wrapped in plastic until ordered. You'd think a mezze platter, the main feature being hummus, would include some form of bread to dip? Certainly not here. Lastly, the atmosphere looks nice on surface. But upon closer inspection you'll notice dust, spiderwebs, and stains on the sofa cushions. I wouldn't recommend, unless for a semi hip cocktail.

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  38. Chris

    Munster

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 24 August 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Such a lovely place to visit, food and drinks were outstanding, and the staff are super friendly

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  39. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 19 August 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The team at the Oyster Tavern did a great job this weekend. My husband and I are visiting from the US and really enjoyed the food (absolutely incredible chicken and chorizo pie), as well as their attentiveness to my husbands severe peanut allergy. Would definitely recommend this place to anyone visiting Cork and looking for a nice bite to eat while downtown!

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  40. SimonC

    London

    19 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on 12 August 2023

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 2
    Nice impression and warmly greeted by front of house, but quickly downhill from there, introduced to waitresses who never returned, then waited for menus, when arrived totally different to website in food and format! Another waitress arrived who didn’t know menu and forgot to ask for drinks, then came back and took drinks, finally a third waiter arrived who didn’t know food or menu format, had we not had drinks by now we would have left. Ordered two dishes, tempura prawns, which we’re basically just breaded prawns with a load of salad, and fish tacos which had tiny fish and a ton of mayonnaise nice we left. Eventually a manager came to apologise about the menu changes, some lame excuse about Dublin head office, and then was disappointed we complained about food, the tacos she agreed were poor and took off the bill. Around us were a smattering of other people getting similar food and service levels, despite being a lot of staff, manager told us all were new, so basically her fault for not having them trained. We then asked for bill and waited and waited, eventually the original waitress came with it, ironically, and then left, after a long wait we went to front of house to take bill to pay as none of the wait staff or manager reappeared, indeed the manager then conspicuously avoided us until we left, instead of taking ownership and comping the food bill as she should have done after such an awful experience. To summarise, awful service, awful food and over-priced, worse still is the management attitude, looks nice but avoid at all costs!

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitising

    • Surfaces sanitised between seatings
    • Sealed or wrapped utensils used
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitiser or wipes provided for customers
    • Contactless payment available

FAQs

The Oyster Tavern is rated 4 stars by 423 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Google Map for The Oyster Tavern

4 Market Lane, St Patrick's St., Cork, Co. Cork T12 NP29

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Market Lane is off Patrick Street, beside Lifestyle Sports
  • Area
    Cork City
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Fri 4:00 pm–12:00 am Sat 12:00 pm–2:00 am Sun 12:00 pm–11:30 pm
  • Price
    €31 to €50
  • Cuisines
    Irish, Seafood
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress Code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking Details
    Pay by hour off street parking nearby
  • Public Transit
    Served well by all bus routes in city
  • Payment Options
    Contactless Payment
  • Executive Chef
    Chris Curtin
  • Additional
    Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan
  • Website
    http://www.oystertavern.ie/
  • Phone number
    083 029 3197
  • Private party facilities
    Please enquire about private events, larger parties, weddings etc at the Oyster Tavern. We would be delighted to discuss your requirements and find a way to make your event come to life.
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