Wendy Hargreaves’ 5 top spots for seafood in Melbourne
Is there anything better than chomping into fresh seafood on a hot summer night? Forget slaving over a hot stove this summer and take the easy option – freshly-shucked oysters on ice, a huge pile of prawns and whole fresh fish cooked to perfection.
Click PLAY to hear the segment
RICHMOND OYSTERS
437 Church Street, Richmond, 03 9428 5121 + 66 Portman St, Oakleigh, 03 9568 4755
Check out the day’s catch in the seafood cabinet for take-away, or pull up a pew in the restaurant. Either way, you’re getting the freshest of the fresh local seafood, sourced whole from the wholesale markets Monday to Saturday. They also shuck live oysters to order, and have truly gargantuan seafood platters.
CLAYPOTS EVENING STAR
Shop 101, South Melbourne Market, corner Cecil and York streets, South Melbourne, 03 9645 5779
Grab a stool, order a cold beer and let the aroma of freshly grilled seafood wash over you while you listen to live music. Choose from the market’s daily catch on Claypot’s ever-changing chalk board, all cooked to perfection in unpretentious style. Claypots is all about the seafood. Open every day from 11am to 11pm.
SEBASTIAN BEACH GRILL + BAR
26 Esplanade, Williamstown, 03 9088 8989
Proud Melbourne westie and 3AW foodie Kate Stevenson can’t go past Sebastian’s fried mussels, light as a feather in a light tempura. Kate also recommends the octopus, calamari, ceviche and Spanish rice with cloudy bay clams. And if it’s too busy at Sebastian (which is likely), Kate recommends a cute kiosk at the other end of Williamstown beach, where the owners of a local Italian restaurant serve up excellent fish and chips or calamari and chips.
THE ATLANTIC
Riverfront at Crown, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank, 03 9698 8888.
Chef Nick Mahlook does amazing things with seafood. Every morning, he hand picks wild and sustainable fish, along with unique oyster varieties and pristine shellfish. It’s not cheap, but if you love seafood, it’s worth the expense. Nick grew up in the fishing town of Lakes Entrance and has great respect for local seafood.
RUBIRA’S
192 Station St, Port Melbourne, (03) 9646 2746
Fish monger and restaurateur John Rubira has been batting up some of Melbourne’s best seafood for decades, all matched to a superb wine list. John gets first pick of the best seafood at the fish markets every morning.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
MISS KATIE’S CRAB SHACK
325 Smith St, Fitzroy, (03) 9995 4903
Southern-style seafood including boils (giant pans of seafood) bursting with fresh clams, prawns and mussels. The crab cakes are also delicious. Remember to use the bib. It can get messy.
RST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
Cnr Rae St and Alexander Pde, North Fitzroy, 03 9489 1974
Home of the original Rubira’s, this unassuming venue serves up great value seafood. Chilli prawn and crab bruscetta are a highlight.