Overview
When it comes to eating out, many of us have more expensive taste than our bank account will allow. But while Melbourne is full of restaurants offering cheap grub (we're looking at you, $3 tacos and all-you-can-eat wings), if you delve a little deeper you'll find that you can also eat like a king all over town for nothing more than a gold coin. It turns out Melbourne is home to many a venue where you can pick up an oyster for less than the cost of your Myki fare to get there.
We've scoured the city for the best value-for-money oysters, so no matter what your income you can sit back and savour the finer things in life — every single day of the week. All you have to do is choose a venue and get shucking.
MONDAY
PHILIPPE, CBD
What's the deal? $2 all day, Monday to Friday, and from 5pm Saturdays
It's French, it's chic and, conveniently, it's also smack bang in the centre of town. Phillippe is shucking oysters to order and for almost all of the week, they're going cheap. At the bar here, you can score $2 oysters all day Monday to Friday, and from 5pm every Saturday. The perfect start to a fancy French feed?
TUESDAY
IMBUE, MARIBYRNONG
What's the deal? $1 from 5–9.30pm.
Tuesdays might usually be a bit on the quiet side, but at Maribyrnong wine bar Imbue, there's plenty to make a noise about. Every Tuesday, this cosy spot is shucking plump oysters, fresh from the waters of Hervey Bay, for only $1 each. They're available from opening time at 5pm until 9.30pm or sold out. Though this is one oyster feast you'll need to plan ahead — bookings are essential and those shellfish usually get snapped up pretty quickly.
WEDNESDAY
GALAH, WINDSOR
What's the deal? $1 from 5pm until sold out.
This Windsor bar's famed for its modern reworkings of classic Aussie flavours, but on Wednesdays, it's juicy, local molluscs that are the heroes. Come hump day, Galah is dishing up natural, freshly shucked oysters for just $1 a pop, from 5pm until close, or until they've all been snapped up. Best of all, there's no minimum order – you don't need limitations when it comes to seafood.
THE LOBSTER CAVE, BEAUMARIS
What's the deal? $2 from 5.30pm.
If some budget-friendly oysters sounds like your recipe for hump day success, consider yourself in excellent hands at dedicated seafood restaurant The Lobster Cave. Nestled in the bayside suburb of Beaumaris, this eatery's giving its inner-city counterparts a run for their money as far as tantalising seafood specials go. Most notably for shellfish-onados, the kitchen's shucking up a midweek storm, offering $2 Blackman Bay oysters every Wednesday, from open until sold out. You've even got a choice as to how they're done – natural, mignonette, mornay or kilpatrick. Bookings are a must.
THURSDAY
HIGHLANDER BAR, CBD
What's the deal? $1 from 5pm until sold out.
This cosy Scottish bar might be a favourite for its generous whisky selection, free weekly comedy and budget-friendly burger specials. But come Thursday, there's another choice offering that'll have you saying 'shucks'. We're talking about the Tassie oysters, flying out of the kitchen for just $1 each, from 5pm until sold out. The $5 happy hour drink specials (5–7pm) make for a pretty sweet accompaniment, too, especially if you're playing it frugal.
NAKED FOR SATAN, FITZROY
What's the deal? 90c from 12–8pm, Thursdays and Fridays
While other venues out there are rounding their oyster specials to the closest buck, this Brunswick Street bar's gone and done one better. At Naked For Satan, you can stretch those hard-earned dollars even further, slurping freshly shucked oysters for just 90 cents each. These sharply priced shellfish are up for grabs from noon till 8pm, on both Thursdays and Fridays. Knock back a few serves and wrap up that work week in style, without gnawing too deeply into your weekend budget.
FRIDAY
Brook James
THE BLEAKHOUSE HOTEL, ALBERT PARK
What's the deal? $1 all day.
If devouring oysters just metres from the shoreline sounds like bliss, make a beeline for Albert Park's beachside boozer The Bleakhouse Hotel. Especially if the sun's a-shining and that weekend is about to begin. This modern pub's slinging Friday specials aplenty, not least of which is the $1 oysters, available all day and all night long. Bring a mate and team the shells with a jug of Aperol spritz for full effect.
SATURDAY
PANAMA DINING ROOM, FITZROY
What's the deal? $1 between 6pm and 7pm.
Smith Street's loft-style hideaway is a haven for the after-work crowd and foodies alike. Excitingly, Mother Shucker's Oyster Hour happens every night of the week from 6–7pm, so you can gorge on $1 freshly shucked oysters as you gaze out the arched windows at the street below. Once you've had your fill, the trick is to head back down the two flights of stairs as gracefully as possible.
SUNDAY
MORRIS JONES, PRAHRAN
What's the deal? $2 from 4–7pm.
If Sunday's got you in the mood for slurping molluscs, there's likely to be a few cheeky weekend drinks on the cards as well. Luckily, bar and restaurant Morris Jones has you covered on both fronts, with its daily happy hour deals, running from 4–7pm. Along with a slew of cocktail, wine and beer specials — including $12 espresso martinis and $6 wines — you'll find fresh oysters priced at just $2 a pop. Yes, that's every. Single. Day.