West Whelks / Whitstable Harbour Oyster Store — Restaurant in Canterbury

Absolutely appalled by the service here. Low quality fish. Apparently sourced locally and fresh yet completely tasteless and rubbery as if it's been in the freezer for months at least. Slow service too. There are 3 tables available outside which were all absolutely filthy. Not maintained at all and full of rubbish. The children wanted to sit with the food so had to clean them off ourselves. We only took up one table and there was another free for seating others. Yet because my 1.5 year old was eating her own sandwich on the table we were asked to leave by the owner of this pit. We spent over £40 on fish here which was an absolute waste as it was but then to be told to leave so someone else could sit to eat is appalling. We had only been there 5 mins and still had the fish we had purchased from them being eaten on the table. Cannot support such a place as this. Shame the other one burnt down it was an amazing place. Whitstable lost its appeal to us now. We used to travel just for the other fish market. . Let's add in response to their reply that we did not have alcohol so where is this coming from. We had children eating a sandwich with the fish we purchased here! Also clearly not a personal 150 years of cooking. A chef no matter who they are should not priorities customers of any sort. Also with the amount of tables free around us. Water is not alcohol. Clearly a load of rubbish from someone very defensive. Shows what type of people you would be supporting along with how defensive they have to be from the amount of negative reviews. A rating of only just over 3 stars...

A really disappointing experience. I ordered the oysters (£18 per dozen, about £1.50 each) and they were not fresh at all — limp, flavourless, and honestly quite off-putting. Ironically, I’ve had far fresher oysters in London, even at £1 oyster deals in reputable restaurants — much better quality and better value.

It only got worse with the lobster tail and calamari. It was fake with just dyed flour and starch made to look like seafood. Completely fake, cheap, and misleading. It felt like a straight scam.

If you’re after real seafood, skip West Whelks. Save your money and go somewhere that actually serves what they advertise — even London has better options at a fraction...

Tried my very first oyster here and it was such a fun experience! The Whitstable Harbour Oyster Shack is right by the harbour near the yacht club, and it’s the perfect little spot to soak up the atmosphere. The staff were friendly and happy to explain how to enjoy oysters, and you can really taste how fresh they are — straight from the sea. I’ll definitely remember this as the place where my oyster...