The Oystermen pop-up opens permanent site with former Café Murano chef

From founders Rob Hampton and Matt Lovell, the 26-cover restaurant and oyster bar will have Alex Povall as head chef, formerly of Angela Hartnett’s Café Murano and Merchant’s Tavern.

The menu will serve a range of oysters from across the UK, including Dorset, Cornwall, Kent, Essex, North Wales and Scotland.

Other options will include crab doughnuts with house-pickled cucumber, creamy mackerel and horseradish pate, and new menu items such as crispy cayenne mussels with a lime mayonnaise; South Coast curried clam chowder; and Scottish mussels with Herefordshire cider and bacon.

There will also be a seasonal selection of daily-delivered fish.

The drinks menu will focus on craft beer, including The Oystermen’s own variety – the Everyday Oyster Stout ‒ created in collaboration with South London brewers Canopy Beer Co.

There will also be the ‘Bubbles 'n' Oysters Happy Hour’ £10 deal, seen at the group’s previous pop-ups, from 3-5pm every day. This will include six freshly-shucked oysters and a glass of French sparkling wine Crémant de Bourgogne Domaine la Croix Montjoie.

In a nod to the site’s Theatreland location, there will be a set lunch and pre-theatre menu available seven days a week.

The group first opened as a pop-up extended residency at The Sampler restaurant and wine bar in South Kensington, and has also appeared at various special events.

“Since its inception, The Oystermen has always been committed to finding a permanent home from which to bring our friendly and fresh seafood concept to the wider London audience,” says co-founder Lovell. “We are incredibly excited to be making that home Covent Garden, the heart of the West End and an increasingly vibrant foodie location.”

Head chef Povall adds: “This is a fantastic opportunity to work with Matt [Lovell] and Rob [Hampton], two people with whom I share the same passion for fantastic seafood and great service.”