For years Oyster Boy was our favourite restaurant. Last night we were back in Toronto and dined there with friends. All the main courses were decent portions except the scallop dish, which consisted of 4 medium sized scallops and some sauce. We spoke with the owner as this appeared to be an appetizer not a main, and crazy overpriced at $34.00. The owner/founder gave us attitude and he basically told us that he could care less and we should suck it up. He said we should be happy to eat in a place that cares for their employees. What he failed to grasp is that customer satisfaction is extremely important, especially in the competitive restaurant business - - - without customers you have no restaurant. This used to be a great restaurant but no longer is. I highly recommend to go elsewhere for an enjoyable seafood dinner. Rodney's Oyster House here we come! His parting comment to our table was " Have a good life " read more

Overall: 4.5/5 Best oysters in town! Mains also hold up and customer service is top notch. A solid place to visit if you're in the area and feeling up for seafood. Taste: 4/5 Came here for the oysters - we ended up getting 2 dozen and asked the staff to surprise us with the selection. Everything he chose was AWESOME! Top quality, fresh oysters...who can say no to that? Oysters are served alongside 3 different sauces and I enjoyed the wine flavour one the most. We also ordered a few other items off the menu - crab and scallop pasta, lobster mac and cheese, fish tacos, fries with jalapeño lime mayo, and a seafood chowder. I was initially really skeptical about the menu items at first and honestly thought that everything would be super basic but WHAM! I was wrong. I love when I'm pleasantly surprised by things :) Mains definitely hold up - I really enjoyed my fish tacos! Lobster mac and cheese had a good portion of lobster in it, worth the $$. Service: 4.5/5 Oyster Boy embodies what excellent service looks like! Staff were extremely personable, taking the time to chat and joke with our group. Service was quick and efficient. My friend liked the oyster crackers that the soup came with and the server gave us a couple more packets of these to-go. Tips - I heard it gets packed quite quickly so be sure to call and RSVP - You can order oysters (shucked!) to go. I overheard someone call in for 5 dozen oysters! - Their Caesar is pretty bomb read more

See all

All the food is very good. They decidedly not chose the potato as the root vegetables to accompany their excellent fare. Sat at the hightop tables which are a crowded but happy lineup. Make a reservation for a lower table. People keep coming back because they are excellent. $5 Cannonball cans of beer were delicious. read more

My go to oyster place ! Been visiting this restaurant over the years. I only come here for oysters. Their oysters are always fresh. But i've also tried their desserts before. Their desserts are okay but nothing special. My average spending per night is about $200. That's how much I love oysters. Oysters are always a hit. The service is a hit or a miss. The owners not particularly friendly though. Nice place for oysters. There's parking conveniently located along the road sides in front of the restaurant. read more

See all

I'll be honest, I'm not a fan of oysters. In fact, this was my last official non-vegetarian meal before going full vegan. So why this place? I didn't feel like eating meat, this is my sister's favourite restaurant, and if I'm gonna have seafood for my 'last meal' I'm gonna enjoy it at the Best seafood joint in town. As a former server, I have to say, the service was impeccable. Our server was attentive, genuine, and very willing to answer my questions ... and I had a LOT of 'em. Even the chef stopped by our table to answer a question I had about the chow chow (see below). I was in a celebratory mood so we ordered a lot more than I normally would and my sis and I shared. BEVY It was our luck that they just added sake to their menu. I'm not a big drinker but it was recommended that we try the sake and I have to say this was the best sake I've ever had - Kimoto Junmai Sake. APPIES 2 types of oysters: St Simone from Shippagan, NB and Beach Angels from Quadra Island, BC. Both super fresh and quite tasty considering I generally don't eat oysters (it has more to do with the way they look than the way they taste). My sis eats them without the sauces and I tried all 3, which were all yummy. Ceviche with sturgeon - a wonderful texture, crisp flavour and I enjoyed the presentation. Crab cakes - I've tried a lot of crab cakes in the past couple years and these are hands down the freshest and tastiest ones I've ever had. The blend of flavours and accompanying chow chow (housemade relish) & slaw could have made this almost a mini-meal in itself... if i wasn't so hungry. After all those appies, we decided to go with one main to share so that we could have room for their perfectly crispy shoestring fries with chipotle mayo. The Bouillabaisse came with the freshest halibut, clams, mussels and juicy jumbo shrimp. The broth was so tasty we had to order more bread for dipping. We were fortunate to get there right at opening (5pm) cuz as we were leaving, the place started to fill up very quickly. I'd highly recommend making a reservation - it's no wonder this place gets packed. Definitely a memorable visit and since I'm no longer eating seafood I'll have to live vicariously through all the other Oyster Boy lovers out there. read more

See all

3.5 stars! We walked in on a sat without reservations at 7:30pm and got a seat at the bar after 30 mins of waiting. People that came after us got turned away so reservations are recommended. I liked sitting at the bar. I was right in front of the shucker. He was very helpful in recommending types of oysters to us. He even gave us a lesson in shucking and how to tell healthy oysters from unhealthy ones based on the shell. Very informative. He was also the only shucker and worked really quickly to shuck orders. We ordered: 1.5 dozen of raw oysters. Cuscumpec oysters were my fave! Fresh and sweet! Second were the St. simon. It's salty to taste, but ends with a sweetness after taste. Coville bay were my least fave, but my partner really liked that one. It had a meatier texture. 1/2 dozen of baked oysters. My fave were the royale and rockerfeller. I didn't like the rustico because it was spicy and the flavours didn't mix well in my opinion. PEI clams: these were ok. A bit overcooked so it tasted rubbery. The garlic and wine sauce was a bit too salty for my liking. They gave bread to dip in the sauce. Brussel sprout were in honey sauce. I loved it! In speaking to the shucker, he actually offers classes to teach how to shuck oysters. Oyster boy also sells oysters to the public! I'll definitely be back to get me some cuscumpecs for our shucking parties! Service was good. It was a bit slow at the end as we ordered a second plate of oysters and had to wait. The shucker was working really fast, but there were a lot of orders. In my opinion, I think it would be good to have two shuckers on busy weekends. The shucker mentioned someone didn't show up to work. The servers were all really friendly. The cost is comparable to other oyster joints, but there were some oysters that you can only get at oyster boy. read more

See all

Brilliant from start to finish! Silly me forgot to make reservations for my birthday, but they had plenty of space to accommodate my party of 3 at the bar. Turned out that's the best place to sit, because we met Chris aka OG (Oyster Guy) extraordinaire! Not knowing much about Oysters, he was amazing at breaking down the flavour profiles of the different varieties. I'm not an Oyster aficionado, so I resigned myself to his expertise and was so glad that I did! I started with some Caraquettes and transitioned into some Honeysuckles, and beauties from BC. A mild home brewed hot sauce, Mignonette, and Cocktail Sauce accompanied the platters along with a lovely mound of FRESH grated Horseradish. Holy heck does fresh make a difference! Soooo good! They were incredibly accommodating of my gluten free diet, and were quick to point out the things they could modify. My mom had the Seafood Chowder, and the smell was intoxicating. She said that she wished I could eat gluten, because this was the best chowder she'd had anywhere! For a split second, I was considering it! They also enjoyed the baked Oysters which came topped with cheese, white sauce, and breadcrumbs. The Bouillabaise was phenomenal. Deep, rich seafoody flavour accompanied by a plethora of shellfish, mollusks, and a filet of seared salmon. Just beautifully done! My dad had the Halibut Fish and Chips and he was a happy camper. The winner of the night was the Halibut accompanied by a Sweet Potato and Bacon hash. Lord have mercy, that hash was to die for. They had these cubes of bacon that were perfectly crisped, and just melted in your mouth #NOM! The fish was beautifully grilled, and succulent. One of the best dishes I've had in Toronto within the last year hands down! I am so glad to have discovered Oyster Boy on my birthday. It easily tops my list as one of my favourite restaurants in the city, and I can't wait to return over and over and over again! Oh, and did I mention that they presented me with an Oyster Girl shirt at the end of our meal because it was my birthday? Ya, see that, it's the little things that count, and they were totally owning it! Special shout out to Kendall and Chris aka OG for making this such a special evening :D read more

See all

If you sit by the bar you get to hear some pretty interesting conversations between the charming, well informed staff and shy, "I'm not sure I actually like oysters" friend of someone that LOVES oysters and dragged shellfish newbie out to this charming restaurant. If you arrive early (before 7) it is easy to get a seat. After that reservations recommended. You can even walk in off the street and order a platter for take-away. But I'd call ahead during peak hours. Oysters. Lots of them. They have three house made sauces. But these oysters are so fresh they barely need a dash of lemon. I had 6 Black Point large and and 6 St. Simon choice. Just amazing. And if they have them available, get some Barnstable. You won't be disappointed. Also good chowder. read more

I love oysters -- raw, baked, deep-fried, and even in congee! It only made sense I give Oyster Boy a try since I was in the area last night. Considering it was a Wednesday night, my friend and I were quickly seated without a reservation. My initial thoughts: mellow atmosphere with rustic, oyster-themed decor and great service. I checked Oyster Boy's menu on their website ahead of time, but when I sat down, I noticed the Bouillabaisse is no longer offered (as with a couple other items). The server told us that mussels are not in season and they are a part of this dish, so they temporarily removed it from the menu. Ah, I was really looking forward to it! I am not sure if all seafood restaurants do this, but it is nice to know that this restaurant does not offer something they know may not be good. We started off with half a dozen of Cascumpec Bay oysters, as recommended by our server. I do not dress my raw oysters any more than a squeeze of lemon and a little bit of cocktail sauce, but I did try a bit of the horseradish with the vinaigrette and the gingery sauce, which were not bad. We also ordered half a dozen of baked oysters, and we got to try Rockefeller, Rustico, and Royale. My favourite, by far, is the Royale because of the tasty crab meat and the creamy Béchamel sauce. Mmm... Next would be the Rustico, then the Rockefeller because it only reminded me of McCain's thin crust spinach and provolone pizza. =P Next up, we tried the Crispy Crab Cakes. These were deep-fried to perfection. I'm not a big fan of lemongrass, and the flavour of lemongrass was strong in these crab cakes, but they tasted all right. The slaw was nothing special, but their house-made relish, known as "chow chow", was great. I definitely do want to return to try their Bouillabaisse when mussels are back in season, and perhaps I'll give their deep-fried oysters a try too! Their Fish Tacos and BC Dungeness Crab & Bay Scallop Pasta sound delicious, too. read more

See all

Just had a very nice experience here today. I'd been craving lobster and decided to come here based on the reviews. Unfortunately, they only had 2 pound lobsters, which were too big for me, especially since I was planning to have me some baked oysters. When I have a lobster all to myself, my sweet spot is 1.5-1.75 pounds. So I ended up having the grilled halibut instead. I came in about an hour or so after they opened and was greeted by (who I think was) the Oyster Boy himself. The service was kind and attentive without being too chatty. He gave me some good recommendations - he helped me choose the halibut over the pasta because I was already having half a dozen oysters. That was a good call because otherwise I would have been uncomfortably full! Now, about those oysters! To be honest - and I may get my Asian card revoked because of this - I prefer my oysters cooked. So I ordered half a dozen, two each of the flavours available. When they came they smelled diviiine - cheesy and baked and rich. They were also beautifully presented on a bed of salt, I think. They were super delicious though the oysters were slightly smaller than I expected. The Rockefeller were probably my favourite - tho spinach had soaked all the delicious juices, and the tiny bit of fennel really enhanced the dish, and made the flavour profile more complex. The Royale was good too - nice flakes of crab meat soaked in their delicious bechamel, which was gorgeous. I think it had white wine or something - it was savoury and seasoned perfectly. My last favourite was the Rustico, which was actually quite good too. The gruyere was delicious but there was a kick to it and I don't usually gravitate towards spicy seafood. The halibut took a while but it was worth the wait! It was thick and flaky and smoky from the grill. I liked how they let the flavour speak for itself and didn't mess with too much herbs and stuff. The bed of hash it came on was one of the most delicious things I've had recently! Everything was uniformly diced, the thick sticks of bacon were crispy and juicy, and the spinach soaked all the flavours up. This was also flavoured perfectly - I wouldn't add or take anything away. Can't wait to come back, with friends next time! read more

Oyster Boy - Baked oysters - 2 Rockefeller, 2 Royale, 2 Rustico. They smelled UNREAL and tasted just as good! *sigh* - Seafood Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

See all

I find the service to be horrendous. The gentleman behind the bar didn't know price and WAS IMPATIENT AND ...TO MY STANDARDS RUDE. whether the venue is packed or not ....service is on the menu. ...oh and answer your phone!!! We called and couldn't get through ...we're now sitting here and the phone is ringing off the hook... Hello .... Ok...just finished eating ....I truly enjoyed the oysters and rhetoric muscles ....phenomenal ...makes up for the grumpy service I had earlier ...keep the old guy behind the bar and preferably NOT talking ...everyone else was super friendly !!!! read more

Oyster Boy - Seafood Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Legit the ONLY restaurant to eat oysters in the GTA!!! Adam the owner and staff are always amazing & attentive. They have taught my hubby & I SO much over the years, it's our most favorite restaurant to go to. If you get the chance, take a seat at the bar and watch all the action upfront and close! We have never ever had a less than perfect meal, everything is super fresh and tastes amazing! As always, I can't wait to go back! read more

Been here twice now, and both times were wonderful! It's a small restaurant, and you are welcomed by a nice fishy smell, friendly staff and interesting seafood themed decor! Lots of oyster options to choose from, and if you don't know what you want, ask the oyster shucker or server and they will guide you through it and even offer a sample plate! The seafood chowder and deep fried oysters are also super yummy and in good sized portions! Tonight they had honey glazed Brussels sprouts on their special menu and they were to die for! I wish the place was a bit bigger though, because I do feel squished sometimes, especially when you need some space to eat shellfish! Even between tables, it's very narrow and two people can't walk through side by side at the same time. Come here early or make reservations as this place gets packed! read more

See all

The Goods... I love seafood...which is why I love Oyster Boy! The oysters are always fresh and well presented. We order one dozen raw and one dozen baked. The oyster selection is amazing. I have also had the fish & chips and fish tacos. Very tasty! The Service... I hate making reservations because I can never commit to eating at a certain time. We always venture in and manage to get seated at the bar which is part of he experienced. The oyster shucking staff is always very knowledgeable and friendly. They always take the time to explain what you are eating and where it is from. I like trying the different variations of oysters that they carry. The staff is very attentive and my glass of wine is never empty for long The Ambiance.... The place is small but never feels crowded. Very cozy! read more

Oyster Boy - Seafood Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Oyster Boy lives up to it's rep. Best Oyster bar in Toronto. I used to think Rodney's was the best but Oyster Boy is more intimate and the staff is super friendly. Superb oysters. Good selection and great advice and knowledge of oysters. Cooked food: perfect clam chowder, sweet succulent clams and deep fried oysters are fried light and fluffy with panko coating. We were with a newborn and called ahead for a reservation letting them know we'd have a baby with us. They gave us a booth and were very welcoming. Service by all the wait staff and servers was attentive and friendly. We were there for two hours and didn't feel rushed despite it being decently busy. read more

Oyster Boy - Seafood Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

Oyster Boy...oh boy! Dining Experience: Dinner Specialty: Oysters Menu items: Oysters, Beer Battered Fish and Chips and Ceviche In the heart of downtown Toronto lays a place that offers one of the best food aphrodisiacs ever! Oysters is the specialty of this niche restaurant that came to my knowledge through a friend who swears by it. Not being a fan of oysters, I decided I needed to try them at least once to give this food group a chance. Little did I know I will become one the biggest fans of the little suckers (pun intended) and will become a regular here. The way the boy itself, Adam Colquhoun, treats this delicacy is what makes them good. To my enjoyment, and hopefully yours, oysters at Oyster Boy can be eaten raw, cooked, steamed or fried. My favourite kind are always and forever PEI's Malpeques. I usually order about a dozen of them and stick with my choice. Malpeques are actually recognized as one of the world's finest oysters with an unequalled taste, superior appearance and excellent keeping quality. So when I come to Oyster Boy, I know I am definitely in for a treat. Besides oysters, the boy offers a variety and limited amount of seafood dishes that will compliment your oyster-eating experience very nicely. Oyster Boy's Beer Battered Fish and Chips are no exception. Accompanied with the Oyster Boy tartar sauce and slaw, this dish is truly mouth-watering and one to check out when visiting the boy. I am not much of a heavy batter person, so I find the light texture of the deep-fried batter actually good. The fries are nothing special, but then again this is a seafood place. Other great choices at Oyster Boy include their "special of the day", which are usually menu items the chef wants to test and introduce. The Ceviche, was a great choice that night. Unlike traditional Peruvian Ceviche (which is the most popular kind), this Ceviche was fused with what tasted like Mote. Mote is husked white corn kernels that have been boiled with charcoal or firewood. The kernels tend to be big and have rather chewy texture with bland taste, however when combined with lime and salt, becomes quite the dish. The Ceviche topped with some fried octopus, gave it a nice crunchy feel, which brought the whole dish together. When visiting Oyster Boy, I would recommend you plan in advance and make a reservation. On weekends it tends to get quite busy and at times the place does not even take a walk-in given that all of its 25-30 spots might be booked for the night. Buen Provecho, Viviana. read more

See all

I really need to call in and make sure restaurants that serve my favorite oysters actually have them available on the night of my visit! Oyster Boy sadly only had few choices left when I came here for dinner last week... I missed out on the kunamotos again! We were seated by the bar since we had no reservation, which was fine because we received fast service... Or so I thought.. Our oyster came pretty fast however it took forever for our entrees to arrive. The bartender probably noticed my stomach grumbling so he offered us complimentary oysters. My tummy was making a racket.. The entrees (when they finally arrived) were delicious! The halibut was so fresh and tender and complemented very well with the bacon mash. The fish and chips were also delicious but the fish was a little tough. Don't be confused by the dark ambience - we thought they weren't even open! It's just another one of those dark restaurants, so don't be fooled! read more

See all

Firstly, don't think that you won't enjoy Oyster Boy if you don't dig on oysters. Myself, I feel that if you have to eat cold, slimy naturally-occurring-grey meat, oysters are the way to go. I think they're tasty but I can completely understand why some put them in the "Fear Factor" cuisine category. Cool. Oyster Boy has way more to offer. A smaller-sized restaurant and well decorated in non-cheesy maritime-based decorations, the staff are keen to greet you as soon as you enter. You can make reservations, but it's far from necessary. If you are left stranded waiting for a table, the bar is right there with a decent wine list and local small brew company drafts that pair nicely with most-to-all of the menu options. The seafood is truly good and reasonably priced for the amount and quality that you get. It's all seafood with a daily special that is usually so good it doesn't require the regular menu. Which is a shame because the regular menu rocks. This was my first trip there: Server: How's the fish and chips? Me: Fantastic. Server: Yeah, the fish is tilapia, eh? The signature obviously is the oysters and they have between three and six different varieties to choose from, every single one of them fresh. If you ask, they'll bring you a sample plate of a dozen across all the types they have available. One of the best vehicles for freshly shaved horseradish I've ever had. read more

Oyster Boy - Oyster Boy - Seafood Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

3.5 stars. I liked the service, it was friendly, fast, checking on us constantly, and the waitress changed our plates and cutlery after our first courses. I liked the set up and decoration: casual, cozy, with delicate open sea accents, and enough space in between the tables. If you attend during weekend try to make a reservation. We reached the last table, but I would like to seat on the bar, have a glass of wine while contemplating how they open, serve, and organize the oysters and seafood (free show). We started our late lunch/early dinner with some mussels, onion rings, and Rockefeller oysters. Those mussels were the best ones I've tried in Canada. Really meaty, fresh, with excellent seasoning and preparation. They gave us some bread to soak on their juices, and trust me, it was worth to do it. The onion rings were crunchy, perfectly shaped, but an unnecessary guilty pleasure when your main dish comes with fries... I liked the Rockefeller oysters as well; they had enough garlic and greens which helped to balance the cheesy-heavy flavor of the sauce. The only thing I think wasn't good in terms of price-quality-amount, was the seafood platter. Half of the platter was made of fries. It had 3 shrimps; 4 scallops with the shell that tasted kind of raw; 2 clams; one squid that was delicious and has the highlights of the whole meal, and a frozen leg of king crab which shell was bland and meat dry. Next time I'll follow the name's suggestion and ask for oysters. Ok, and mussels. Well I also hope with all my hearth that they start selling the grilled squid by itself. read more

See all

As you'd expect from a place named Oyster Boy, they have a really great offering. Their price list breaks it down by region (PEI, New Brunswick, BC, Nova Scotia, Pacific US) but make sure you take a look at their blackboard for their specials. What went in my belly: Kumamoto Oysters ($3.50 each/$21 for 6/$40 for a dozen) - These oysters are similar to Kusshi in size and texture and have a really clean flavour to them. Black Point Oysters ($2.75 each/$16 for 6/$30 for a dozen) from Nova Scotia - They don't have the same tenderness as the smaller Kumamoto's but were still quite tasty. Sustainable Seafood Chowder - shell and fin-fish, New England style ($10) - It had just the right amount of creaminess and overall it was a decent chowder but probably not something I'd order again. Over the weekend, I tried their ridiculously good corn chowder at Soupstock. Perhaps they should add that to their restaurant menu.. Steamed Clams - garlic, white wine and parsley ($13 small/$17 large). The clams were well cooked - not too chewy, and while the broth was a touch saltier than I would've liked, it was a classic clam dish done well. Oyster Boy Fries ($4.50) - I was surprised by how large the portion was. It came in a large bowl which was overflowing with addictive thin-cut fries. The fries here come with a choice of chipotle, lime jalapeno aioli or curry sauce. I went with the chipotle and had no regrets. So... Oyster Boy or Rodney's? I think Oyster Boy is my winner. read more

Oyster Boy - Kumamoto & Black Point oysters - Seafood Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

See all

Great food! Terrific oysters. We had a variety but my favourite was definitely the XL fanny bays. Lobster mac n cheese had generous portions of lobster, fish tacos were awesome. We had a side of fries... Shoestring, my fave! Coming back for sure read more

See all

This place is sooo amazing! The absolute best place to go for oysters! Wonderful atmosphere, the high top tables and fun music give this place a nice homey/beach front vibe. It was very comfortable and welcoming. Friendly servers, very attentive to all the customers. But the best was how knowledgeable they all were with the menu. Recommendations were spot on for both oysters and drinks. I didn't order anything else but the lobster and oysters, but the fish tacos looked delicious and several tables had empty mac n' cheese bowls. I had an incredible evening there and will definitely be back! read more

Oyster Boy - Nova Scotia Lobster - Seafood Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

See all

Shared a whole bunch of oysters with some friends here last night. They do have great selection, also a variety of sizes in their oysters. Price range for a dozen was approx $25-40 depending on size, and they even have sizes like cocktail or choice (which are smaller than small. They serve them with lemon, fresh grated horseradish and some other nice accompaniments like red wine shallot vinegar (my personal fav!). The place was hopping and it is small so it gets really loud, really fast. Our table also had: - their house french fries (really good - comes with aioli mayo) - fish tacos (looked great and comes with avocado) - their special was a whitefish with crispy skin on lobster and corn chowder (this was tres fab!) - good wine list -- lots of local options and reasonably priced -- all picked to go well with oysters What to love about the place? - the food - the food - the food Downsides? - when it gets busy it is so loud that at a table for 7 I could not even hear people at my own table speaking, even someone next to me if they were turned away from me talking - servers are hopping so you will wait a bit to get their attention - do they have air/con -- sure didn't feel like it last night -- ugghhhh was hot-hot-hot! Otherwise -- I do like the place and we'll be back. Just maybe not in the summer. read more

Favourite place for Oysters! Fresh amazing quality oysters. Amazing. That's all I can say. Every other oyster place has not levelled up to this place yet. It's great. Only thing is reservations! Keep in mind this place does get packed! I recommend the baked oysters!! read more

Oyster Boy - Seafood Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

See all

Went here for my bf's birthday on a very busy Saturday night. We were late for our reservation by 30 minutes. They had given our table away (understandable), but was quick to find a new spot for us at the bar area instead. Even though it was so busy, their service is fast (especially with the oysters) and the staff maintained their friendliness throughout the night. The oysters were fresh, and they had a good selection to choose from. Ordered a grill red snapper ($45) and didn't expect a whole fish to come out. Takes 2-4 people to finish depending on appetite. Will definitely return for those oysters again though! read more

Oyster Boy - Fresh Raw Oysters - Seafood Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

See all

Overall, this place was pretty good. The sauces for the oysters are nice, and the staff was friendly. However, there were a few things. First of all, my friend specifically told the waitress that she was allergic to many fruits and vegetables and asked what was in the salad. After deciding she could eat it, she ordered it, and I got the crab cakes. Our food took a really long time to get to our table, and people that ordered and came in after us got their food first. When we finally got it, there were things in the salad (cucumbers and tomatoes) that hadn't been mentioned so my friend had to get hers remade. The crab cakes were okay, I ate all of it but started to feel sick by the end. They're heavy, but they were pretty good. We also ordered the buffalo fried calamari which was awesome. Later, it started to get really busy and it took me an hour to get three oysters. Then, I asked for the sauces and the waitress forgot about them so I had to ask again about 5-10 minutes later. The food was good but I don't recommend going if you're in a rush. Also, it's very pricey - which is understandable - but don't go if you're looking to eat somewhere cheap. read more

This is second time with take outs. Very good crab cakes, cold slaw, fish and chips and kale Caesar salad. All good but a general comment is that they can cut down the amount of salt in the crab cakes, salad and the chips. read more

Just had the worst dining experience at Oyster Boy that I wanted to share particularly with women who don't want to be patronized, bullied, berated and degraded. I was there this evening and sat at the bar with a friend. Bartender/ shucker was talking to an older couple of men beside us about whiskies. Unsolicited, pointing at my friend, he goes "yeah, he's the type that like shitty whiskies like Maker's Mark." To which my friend shrugged and told him it's fine. Weird, rude but whatever- people have their "off" days. Then, maybe two minutes into my meal, I told my server there was a long piece of blond hair in my food. At this point, I had only taken two bites. The hair was blond- I made sure of it because in the past when it happened, I would always be paranoid that it's my own so I wouldn't say anything. The shucker, again unsolicited, yells "you sent the food back? oh man I'm always so embarrassed to send food back because it's probably my own!" At this point I've been really annoyed with his comments. I told him "The hair is blond. My hair is black." He scoffed and shook his head and laughed to himself. He implied I'm cheap and wanted to have another dish. My server sent back the dish and offered to bring another plate. So I'm pretty shook at this point, people sitting at the bar are a bit baffled at this shucker and gave me a sympathetic, understanding look. While we're waiting, my friend asked if he could sample a different beer from which he was drinking. The shucker immediately roared in laughter and wagged his finger saying "I know your type man, I know your type! You just wanna sample all the fucking beer and get drunk without paying! I know you man!" At this point I'm fuming. I didn't ask to be berated and patronized at dinner. The food came and I asked my friend if we can leave. My friend was cool with it so I asked the food to be packed up- calmly, nicely. I made sure of that. Just "may I please pack this up to go?" To which he looked over, alarmingly agitated, slowly and rising in volume said "what... the... FUCK" to me. I told him that I'd just like to leave. He said "is there a problem with the food THIS TIME AGAIN?" with his head bobbing side to side patronizingly. I took a deep breath. How dare him! I was trying to go without making a scene. I told him the food has been excellent, so has been our server. I told him the problem I have is with him degrading, berating and patronizing us the whole time. None of it was solicited and I listed out the three things that I had a problem with. He gave the classic "oh my god calm down... what the fuck... I'm sorry YOU feel that way. That I RUINED your night." All while scoffing and glaring at me. The server shooed him away while he's still heard cussing us out and throwing his hands up in the air. I took out my card to pay, visibly upset but quiet. The server told us we won't need to pay for this given his service but I insisted. She insisted back and he's heard going "WHY! We already talked about it it's fine! CHARGE THEM!" The server gave him a look and we left. The server and food were great. But nothing positive from that experience will never make it OK for me to go through that humiliation again. Needless to say my friends and I will never return to this establishment. Bullying is never okay. read more

On this last day of summer 2018 we happened onto Oyster Boy as we continued our oyster-capade through Toronto. While we have focused on the buck a shuck offering which more times than not serves malpeques, it was a very refreshing experience at Oyster Boy to have a variety from which to choose (not buck a shuck but still very affordable, malpeques at $2.25 and premium at $2.50). Bit of a wait (45 minutes) as we did not have reservations. Cozy but lively is what I'd describe this place as. Being new to oystering I was very happy that our server was very knowledgeable and willing to share her knowledge to ensure that we had a great experience. Great experience, lovely environment and man oh man delicious oysters. They were the freshest and tastiest we've had all summer. Served with 3 sauces none of which overpower the oyster. Can't wait to do this again! read more

Had a great meal here. Was packed and we sat at the bar. We had oysters and crab cakes. Delish!! Service was engaging.

This place is not like your typical oyster place where it reeks of fish and seafood. It's definitely more hipster than those joints, but still fresh. It's a charming place for a date! The mussels also have a great sauce/soup fit for dipping your fries! I believe you can also learn how to shuck here! read more

The oyesters were pretty good. Not an expert shucker by any means, but did enjoy them. However, the Fish and Chips really stole the show. The halibut was the best I have ever had! Will definitely come back for the Fish and Chips. read more

4.5 I've been here 3 times so I may as well write a review. Pretty tasty and good oysters. I hear they supply other restaurants with the oysters...not sure. It all depends on what is your favorite and if they are in season. They shuck em right in front of you. I like the light malpeque and my bf the colville bay. Both are great. They are pretty knowledgeable about them as well, though, what do I know? Friendly staff, one in particular is pretty abrupt but I guess that is just his personality. Too bad they don't have buck a shuck nights because it can get pretty pricey. So when you order a bunch of large vs small make sure there arent any small that snuck on to the platter ha. Their food is pretty darned good too... Helloo fish tacos! So delicious (reflected in the price though) And their extra gigantic crunchy onion rigs! All very yum. A good go to! read more

Like sun, soil,rain, and location make the best wine Oyster Boy knows that water salinity, tidal action, food availability, and location make the best oysters and it shows with there selection and quality. The best dozen oysters I've ever had coast to coast was at Oyster Boy paired perfectly with my drink. I have a great memory I'll never forget it was such a good time. I also send all my family and friend there for the must have experience. If your in Toronto for whatever reason you have to have some of the best oysters in the world at Oyster Boy. read more

Absolutely beautiful date night tonight, we ordered oysters, crab cakes, crab legs, Brussels and a Lobster Roll. We felt like we were in a fine dining restaurant. Brought us into a different realm. Working from home is tough you get into bad habits having a lovely meal like this to look forward to and lay some candles out was satisfying read more

I've always wanted to come here. So when we saved up for our next dose of pricey seafood, we made sure this was the place! Crispy friend onion rings $3.95, giant onion rings that are bigger than your palm. Love them! (and I usually don't like onion rings) The oysters were so amazing, so fresh. No idea what we had... but we had fun! There were no more tables so we sat at the bar, where the waiter opened the oysters in front of us. It's a very small place, cottage-like. Cozy and loved that we came here on a winter night. Glad we came! read more

We were going to an art show just down the street so Oyster Boy seemed like a logical dinner choice. Also, the large smiling oyster wearing a hat was calling my name. (I just checked out the website. The "boy" himself does not have an oyster-shaped head. Same smile though.) We could barely fit in the door. Not because we were too big or the door was too small, but because the place was packed. I was ready to give up even before asking for a table when we were offered two spots at the bar, right away. We'll take it! It turns out I like the side-by-side seating at a bar for conversation. It only works when you're a party of 2, but it sure beats sitting across a table gazing awkwardly into each other's eyes and it's much easier to exchange words. Oyster Boy was fairly noisy so I'm not sure I would have bothered to make conversation had we been sitting elsewhere. Not an extensive menu. They do what they do well (seafood) and don't mess with anything else. I had trouble deciding what to order and I think the waiter was getting impatient so he recommended the fish and chips. I couldn't NOT order oysters... we're at Oyster Boy! Luckily, my date offered to share his oysters with me. (I hear they're an aphrodisiac...) I was extremely satisfied with both the oysters and my fish and chips. The fish and chips portion was huge. I was very impressed with the level of service, especially considering how busy they were. Being at the bar it's hard for the waiter to not be in your face, but we weren't bothered too often and had no trouble getting his attention when required. If you can snag a seat here, I highly recommend you take it. read more

I truly appreciate fresh seafood. Nothing can be fresher than a raw, uncooked oyster. It should taste like the sea, salty and briney. This was my experience at Oyster Boy. Strolling in after a dinner at the County General, I craved oysters! I made the mistake of ordering 6 fried oysters- forgot which kind. The coating was too thick, corn mealy and took away from the fresh oyster inside. 85% coating, 15% oyster. I will order raw oysters next time. My buddy had baked oysters with cheese and spinach, they tasted much better than the fried. Service was good, nice people that had the passion for serving fresh seafood. I wasn't able to try more of the menu since full, but everything looked and sounded appetizing. Overall, a tavern feeling restaurant. Good seafood, best served non-fried and with a bit of lemon! Prices are O.K. a bit more expensive than other places but cheaper than other more popular stops. read more

Nice, pleasant experience but probably wouldn't go back. I had way more delicious oysters at Geraldine just a week prior, and the oysters that the waitress suggested for me fell flat compared to what I described (I like a big, meaty oyster). The slider trio was pretty pedestrian, which was sad -- the bun was all wrong, the sauces boring. I almost want to give it two stars, just because it really wasn't anything at all special or unique, but it does have a certain "je ne sais pas" that I can't deny. read more

Update: July 19th 2013 I had to update my review, after writing this review Adam the owner of Oyster Boy contacted me personally. What surprised me the most was that he actually took the effort to find out what the issue was and what happened according to my review, indicating that he really cares about his business being well and finding issues that comes up. He offered us a change and improvement to the issues the next time we return to the restaurant. I told my friends who who vowed not to return after the previous disappointing service and persuaded them to return with me again. We had a BRILLIANT time on a Thursday night and they saw a few of the servers that they knew from regularly going to oyster boy before. Oysters that we had were amazing, very knowledgable sever whom served us. She kept answering our questions about the oysters when the free of us were confused with the different choices. The shucker name Tyler was really friendly, made us amazing oyster shots and kept checking on us when we ordered the raw clams (they were amazingly sweet and flavourful btw!) The shellfish salad is my favourite, really worth it for the price! It comes with a bit of everything. Sturgeon ceviche was a little too citrusy, veryyyy appetizing. Steam calms were amazing, every time I order it the taste and flavour is consistent. None of the clams had anyyy sand in it, which makes me a very happy eater!!! Really want to thank Adam and his team for how they dealt with the whole situation. And also for the wonderful meal. My friends will definitely return again and I am very happy for that!! ----------------------------- Busy night. Horrible service by both our server and the guy that shucked the oysters. Amazing service by a guy that was not our server, he was polite and very caring. Great mains too. My friend tried to talk to the guy that shucked the oysters for recommendation (Our server barely gave us any answers to the taste profile of the oysters, besides saying everything is amazing). The guy that shucks the oysters was talking to two ladies sitting at the bar, he kept telling my friend to order from our waiter when my friend told him we were just asking for recommendations. This is the first time at oyster boy or any seafood restaurant, but the server actually served our mains before the oysters and told us our oysters are coming soon. We waited a while for the oyster and was a little surprised so we didn't say anything. The mains were amazing, the pasta was very flavourful and just the right amount of sauce. The steak fritz were very marinated well, but tough to chew. Bouillabaisse was really delicious, clams and mussels were cooked just right! In the middle of our main the server dropped our oysters. The oysters were badly shucked, they were all a bit sandy and almost every one of them had flakes of shell in it. I guess the server noticed we weren't very happy and barely came to our table, another server took over our table instead. He was our server previous times we were there (apparently he works Tuesdays a lot). He asked us how our food was when he noticed we didn't finished our oysters and recognized my friends as regulars. We told them about our situation with the oysters and how it came after the main. He was very nice and instead of our server, he apologized to us of what happened. Our server never came back to our table, so we asked the nicer server for the bill. Lesson learned.... -don't go there durning weekends -don't go there when they look busy... -basically go there only when they are dead or weekday. -sit at the bar the guy that shucks the oysters will be nicer -only have the skinny server with dirty blonde hair (sorry I forgot his name) -have the mains, maybe except the steak read more