Oyster Shack & Seafood Bar

If you go down to the woods today… you’ll find one of London’s best spots for seafood. OK, technically Oyster Shack is in Essex, deep in Epping Forest, but it’s within the M25. The setup is basic, with a terrace seating area surrounding the hut-cum-kitchen, and caff-like in atmosphere. Groups of bikers drop in, families crowd round tables outside, and those who’ve travelled from central London fuel up on seafood feasts after a walk in their too-clean wellies. There are platters of fat Carlingford oysters, sweet and meaty curried prawns, juicy lobster tails, and polystyrene cups of whelks. If you order one thing, make it the scallop and bacon butty—it hits the sweet, salty spot, and the thickly buttered roll soaks up the juices from the surf and turf. A pint of Guinness, which you can bring in from the pub next door, is the perfect accompaniment.