The Oyster Tavern — Restaurant in Cork

I recently dined at the Oyster Tavern for my birthday and had a horrible experience.

My friend booked the Bottomless Brunch over two months ago. When we arrived we were informed that bottomless brunch was no longer available as the prosecco had been used up earlier in the day. After explaining we had it booked, it took over an hour of requesting the prosecco several times for us to be served. As we weren't served until 3pm, it came as a shock to us when we were refused a top up at 3:50pm. After having to request a top-up (this happened multiple times) and then be told that our time was up, we were all frustrated that we had to explain the issue again in order to be served.

Additionally, two people at the table ordered 'Smashed Avocado Toast' off of the menu. One of them was made vegan and one was regular. It came as a surprise when the plates came with no avocado on them. Instead, the vegan avocado toast was a slice of brown toast with sautéed onions and peppers on top. The regular version was the same but accompanied by the poached egg and hollandaise sauce. We were not informed of any of these alternations. When we informed the server that there was no avocado on the avocado toast, she said she would go and speak to the chef. As she never returned, I spoke to another server, who appeared to be a manager, and she told me the chef assured her it was the equivalent of avocado toast. Objectively its a different dish and the cost in ingredients is a fraction of an avocado toast.

After expressing these issues with management, there was no effort on their side to apologise or compensate for this...

We had a Christmas dinner there. Their Christmas set menu has V next to some dishes not specifying if that's vegan or vegetarian. As I'm vegetarian and intolerant to dairy, this info would be helpful. Waiter had no clue when I asked about that what I was asking. Also there was one allergen listed next to some dishes (no.9), but they didn't explain what it was. I've ordered soup risking that there is cream in it, hoping I'll be ok. Of course it was creamy soup. Bread that came with it came without butter or spread. As main I've ordered vegetarian mushrooms wellington. This came with gravy. I asked what the gravy is made of, as I was suspicious, because it looked the same as the gravy my colleagues got with chicken or beef. Of course they put meat roast gravy with the vegetarian mushrooms wellington. They took it away from my plate, but never replaced it with any vegetarian option. So I had very dry wellington without any gravy or sauce, and it's needed for that kind of dish. Some deserts came to some of us and but no spoons, so we had to ask. Not the best experience. I'm definitely not going back there. They don't care about people's allergies or choices so much, that they don't even care if they poison you. Honestly this was my worst eating experience since I became vegetarian. The other places are at least trying, this place didn't...

Promised so much delivered so little Firstly, I’ll say the staff are friendly enough and deserve some praise. However, that’s where the praise ends. Our table ordered a mixtures if starters including the oysters which were tasty enough but not particularly plump. Chicken wings were on the small size. Main meals were a bit of a let down as well. I ordered the calamari which were tough and also a starter portion in size. The cook does not understand cooking of calamari. It has to be quick and hot. Batter was underwhelming and calamari chewy. A colleague ordered a main salad. Again disappointing and just a load of greens. Veg stack ordered by a couple of other colleagues also uninspired. All in all the highlight of the meal were the chips. Thin cut and relatively tasty. Mmm maybe I should have eaten next door at Burger King at a quarter of the price... Service (although friendly) was incredibly slow. Food was lacking in inspiration and taste and significantly on the small size. Would not recommend. Edit: review was left prior to receiving my desert. Currently Im still waiting (20min) for the kitchen staff to cut a slice of (pre)cooked chocolate cake and a scoop of ice cream. Maybe they’re making a fresh...