A must-go for oyster lovers: Oesterij in Yerseke
Slurping real Zeeland oysters, eating richly filled fruit de mers platters and sipping a delicious glass of matching white wine: that’s what you do at Oesterij in Zeeland. For anyone who loves everything delicious from the sea and is curious about how oysters are farmed, this is an absolute must-go!
At Oesterij in Zeeland, you eat shellfish and crustaceans at their freshest, tastiest and finest in the country. The oyster farm, located in Yerseke (also known as the oyster capital of the Netherlands), has been around since 1906 and has therefore been farming oysters for many years. And successfully so: by now, the fourth generation is at the helm, and different types of oysters are still farmed year-round in various farming areas, including the Oosterschelde.
The very best oysters
The quality of the oysters I ate here… Oh boy, I had never eaten them like this before. The shells, filled with meaty and incredibly flavourful oysters—I still dream about them. It’s no coincidence that star chefs Sergio Herman and Syrco Bakker prefer to source their oysters here. At the restaurant, you can taste different varieties such as the ‘Dutch Imperial’ and ‘Oesterij Special’. But perhaps my favourite: the Natural, with Oriental dressing, au gratin, or steamed with hollandaise sauce. Believe me, you really want to try this!
Fruit de mers platter XL
The atmosphere here is wonderfully relaxed, by the way. No fancy fuss with white linen on the tables, just a cosy setting at picnic tables overlooking the farm and the water. Besides oysters, Oesterij also serves fresh lobster, mussels and incredibly delicious steamed fruit de mers platters filled with prawns, periwinkles, North Sea crab, langoustines and Oosterschelde lobster. Be sure to have a glass (or bottle) of Chablis with it. Because this wine, made from 100% Chardonnay, pairs beautifully with fish thanks to its delicate acidity!
Delicious, fun and educational
You can also take a walk around the farm and see where the oysters are kept. Be sure to walk past the various rooms where the farming process is explained in detail from start to finish—interesting! Would you like to take a box of oysters home with you? You can, because the accompanying shop sells various types of oysters, as well as other Zeeland delicacies such as seaweed mayonnaise and seaweed sea salt.
Oyster festival
The weekend of 17–19 September is especially fun. That’s when they celebrate the Oyster Festival here: a three-day festival dedicated to the start of the Zeeland oyster season. After the official opening of the Zeeland oyster season, Oesterij has added a festive weekend to the occasion. Immerse yourself in Zeeland delicacies—I can’t think of a tastier way to end the summer!
Read also:
- Corona-proof outing: harvest your own oysters
- Why oysters aren’t actually as healthy as you think
- Recipe: Zeeland oysters with Tequila
