Cherish the oyster | The best places to find tasty oysters

Oysters, you either love them or you don't. Luckily, you don't have to travel far to spot them on a menu, since  the Netherlands has a wide range of restaurants serving the delicacies. Preferably accompanied by a good glass of wine or bubbles. But what are the best places to enjoy this flavourful dish? We tasted them in three different cities.

Toujours, Haarlem

Right in between all the terraces, you can find a hidden pearl. In the centre of Haarlem lies restaurant Toujours. At first glance, this restaurant doesn’t seem to be that big, but the opposite is true. As soon as you walk in, the restaurant gives you a warm welcome with its burgundy-coloured furniture that immediately grabs your attention. As you walk a little further into the restaurant, the bar is the eye-catcher of the room. Countless drinks are on display and there’s a long bar you can sit at. Want to make sure your fish is freshly made? In Toujours, the fish is prepared right in front of you. So are the oysters you order! If you like things a bit spicier, you can order the Asian oysters. If you prefer oysters the traditional way, this is also the place to be. Plenty of choices for oyster lovers!

Website: Toujours

Carmel Market, Utrecht

When you step into Carmel Market in Utrecht, it feels as if you’ve  stepped into another country. With its Mediterranean atmospheres, the restaurant takes you from the East to the West and makes sure you get that holiday feeling. As such, its name derives from Tel Aviv's largest market. At this restaurant, the oyster is served in gin tonic foam. That sounds like a delicious cocktail in a shell, doesn't it? In summer, Carmel Market is the perfect place to take a seat in the garden, where you can enjoy the fresh oysters in the beaming sun. With their high ceiling, imposing furniture, and unique details on the walls and ceilings, it’s the perfect picture.

Website: Carmel Market

Ayla, Rotterdam

Did someone say tequila? Yes! Because at Ayla you can get oysters with tequila tabasco. Or opt for the oyster tasting, in which case you get three more flavours, such as chilli passion fruit. This restaurant gives you the perfect opportunity to try out different flavours of oysters with your friends. Sounds like a plan, right? If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a while, this is highly recommended. Close to the railway station, you can find this shared dining restaurant. The moment you step inside, it feels like you have left the chaos of the city behind, while you still find yourself in the atmospheres of industrial Rotterdam. But with its own colourful touch. You can also check out their website to see if they have a fun event coming up that you can go to with your friends. Last year, for instance, they had an oyster-to-go event.

Website: Ayla