Oyster Boy — Restaurant in Toronto

3.5 stars... the oysters were so good. Come for those oysters! Just choose the other dishes than what we picked and perhaps you'll have a great dinner.

For oysters, you only have a few spots that specialize it and I've heard how Oyster Boy is able to get a lot of fresh varieties around the world. This spot next to Trinity Bellwoods is not very big ... maybe 12 tables at most with a few bar seating. Definitely call for seating and don't expect to get a table for more than 4 people on the weekends. It's a rustic space... kinda like a shack by the bay somewhere. Lots of wood accents and tons of interesting nautical knick knacks. It's clean but sparse.

After being seated quickly, I have to say service here is attentive and polite. We were constantly being checked on till we got our order straight. I have to say their menu is pretty extensive with a lot of variety. They also have a daily specials menu PLUS their oyster menu. I have to admit that I was impressed to see 2 European oysters in addition to the West Coast and East Coast varieties. They had at least 12 different oyster types for you to try.

With both oysters, we were given 3 sauces to add to the oysters. You have a red wine vinaigrette that has a strong sour taste to it. A cocktail sauce that is sweet and mild. Then you had a spicy one that had a good medium kick to it... the only problem with this one was that it could overwhelm the flavour of the oyster because it's so strong.

Cascumpec Bay oysters - I liked these ones. They're meaty for their medium sized shells. It's a clean flavour that was balanced... not too mineral or metallic or salty. It's a great one to start off. These were shucked beautifully. No broken shells and the meat just sitting pretty. 4/5

Beach Angel oysters - These are a bit smaller than the Cascumpec but I found these to be a bolder flavour. More briney with a touch of a light vegetable creamy finish. I kinda like these more more than the Cascumpec. I'm a bit partial to West coast and these helped confirm that. Like the Cascumpec, these were shucked very well... the oysters were just gorgeous in the shells. No broken parts or shells. 4.5/5

Seafood chowder - A large bowl arrived to the table and it was very hot. Though it had the traditional creamy texture and chunks of potatoes, I was kinda disappointed I didnt see any seafood in it. Perhaps it was blended into it but there was no mussels, clams, fish, or shrimp... all I found was carrot and potato pieces. It wasn't bad but certainly not a chowder worth $13. 2/5

Tuna tostada - A special we grabbed and it was a nice light dish. Impressive looking as we got a fair bit of tuna on the crispy corn tortilla on the bottom. It had a lot of creamy avocado with a bit of chillis thrown in. I would have loved to have more of a flavour other than the occasional chilli. Some lemon or something... it was quite mild in flavour with avocado being the prominent mild taste. Still a generous portion ... maybe not the easiest to share though! 3.5/5

Buffalo fried calamari - These were not the sauced up versions I was expecting. Fried crispy but the buffalo sauce was incorporated into the breading so it was just crispy and not as flavourful as I would have expected. A touch more salt would have been helpful. Also, the breading fell apart quite a bit and was a bit heavy ... in the sense that it absorbed a lot of oily. Though served hot, it wasn't a bad starter. Just one that I wouldn't grab again. 3.5/5

I think we ordered wrong here... we didnt have enough to go after the large seafood mix grill and I think the large dish of mussels would have been better. We saw a few tables down order this and it looked really good. I think it's safe to say stick with the oysters and mussels... things with a shell really and you'll...

If you’re an oyster lover—or even just oyster-curious—Oyster Boy is a must-visit spot in Toronto. I’ve been a few times now and each experience has been consistently excellent. The quality of the oysters here is top-notch. You can tell they take great care in sourcing fresh, flavourful selections, and the staff really knows their stuff. They’ll walk you through the different types and recommend options depending on your taste—whether you prefer something briny, buttery, or sweet.

Beyond oysters, the rest of the menu holds its own. The clam chowder is rich and comforting, and their small plates (like the scallop ceviche and crab cakes) are crafted with great attention to detail. Everything tastes like it came straight from the ocean to your plate—fresh, clean, and well-seasoned.

The vibe inside is casual but cozy. It’s not a flashy place, which I actually love. It has that “hidden gem” energy—intimate and unpretentious, with an old-school seafood bar charm. Perfect for a low-key date night, catching up with friends, or just sitting solo at the bar with a cold drink and a dozen oysters.

And here’s the kicker—they have a happy hour! This makes the experience even more enjoyable. Great oysters at a great price in a relaxed setting? Yes, please. It’s the kind of place you want to return to over and over again.

Service is also consistently friendly and knowledgeable. They’re welcoming without being pushy, and they give you space to enjoy your food and company.

Highly recommend for anyone who appreciates high-quality seafood, a chill atmosphere, and great value—especially during happy hour. Oyster Boy is one of those places that lives up...

Dear Oyster Boy Team,

I am compelled to share my recent experience at your restaurant, which regrettably falls short of the expectations we had harboured for a long-anticipated visit.

My mother and I, both big enthusiasts of oysters and seafood, looked forward to dining at your establishment, a place that had held a spot on her bucket list for many years. This particular dinner held significant meaning for us, being the first special occasion since her car accident, which resulted in numerous health complications.

While the food was undeniably delightful, our overall experience was marred by the discourteous behaviour of our server. Despite multiple attempts to reach out via calls, we have received no response, prompting me to share our disappointment here.

To provide context, I settled the bill after an enjoyable meal, including a generous $80 tip paid in cash. Much to my dismay, our server, in what I can only describe as an act of dishonesty, pocketed the cash without acknowledging it.

Adding to the distress, as we were leaving, my mother, unaware of my earlier tip due to her memory loss, left an additional $40 tip. It was disheartening to witness such behavior, as it appeared the server deliberately ignored the fact that we had already tipped.

As a fellow business owner, I firmly believe in upholding the highest standards of customer service and am disheartened when faced with mistreatment, which I neither stand nor tolerate in my own business.

I sincerely hope that this feedback prompts a review of your service practices to ensure that others do not encounter a similar unfortunate experience.

Best...