Oysters
We import Finland’s largest selection of premium oysters — Fine de Claire, Tsarskaya, Gillardeau, Poesie, Carina and Black Pearl. Available year-round.
We focus on flavourful, well-balanced oysters — typically size 2–3 — chosen for their ideal combination of meatiness and texture. Our curated selection includes briny and mineral-rich oysters from France, Ireland, and Holland — ideal for both newcomers and connoisseurs.
We warmly invite you explore the full oyster list below, visit our restaurant by the sea in central Helsinki, pick up fresh oysters to go, or order online with overnight shipping across Finland.
Black Pearl
France – Normandy (Utah Beach) & Brittany (Bélon)
Taste – Bold brine, strong iodine presence, subtle mineral undertone
Shell & Texture – Dark, thick shell with black-edged mantle; very fleshy meat and a satisfyingly crunchy texture
Grown by the Cadoret family — fifth-generation oyster farmers since 1880 — Black Pearl oysters (Perle Noire) are raised in the tidal waters of Utah Beach in Normandy and then refined in the famed Bélon River of Brittany. This double-terroir process creates an oyster of extraordinary strength and structure.
Black Pearls are known for their power. The flavor is vivid and unapologetically marine — intensely salty at first, with a persistent iodine edge that lingers on the palate. Their dense, meaty texture makes them a favorite among seasoned oyster lovers.
Fine de Claire
France – Marennes-Oléron
Taste – Bright and fresh, classic sea flavor with a clean, brief finish
Shell & Texture – Shallow cup, lighter meat with ample liquor; silky, delicate texture
Fine de Claire oysters are refined in the tidal claires of Marennes-Oléron — shallow salt ponds that give these oysters their signature freshness and scent of the sea. Known for their light, briny liquor and refreshing salinity, they’re a French classic favored by purists.
At Finlandia Caviar, our Fine de Claires are specially selected for higher meat content than standard — offering more than oyster liquor. The result is a lean, crisp oyster with a delicate texture and a clean finish that evokes the Atlantic breeze.
Gillardeau
Spéciale de Claire – France – Marennes-Oléron
Taste – Sweet, creamy, moderate brine, long mineral finish
Shell & Texture – Deep-cupped shell, plump firm flesh
Grown by the Gillardeau family for over four generations, this Spéciale de Claire oyster is often called the “Rolls-Royce of oysters” for its flawless quality. The oysters are raised in the cold Atlantic waters off Ireland, then refined in France’s Marennes-Oléron basin using traditional claire methods.
Each Gillardeau is filled to over 80% with structured meat — a rare density that contributes to its signature texture: tender at first, then slightly crisp and full. The flavor builds from a silky opening to notes of cream, salinity, subtle minerals, and a long, buttery finish.
Tsarskaya
France – Brittany (Cancale)
Taste – Iodine brine, creamy-sweet mid-palate, almond-like finish
Shell & Texture – Sturdy, rounded shell; plump crisp flesh reminiscent of a firm steak in texture
Favored by the Russian tsars, Tsarskaya oysters originate from Cancale — one of France’s most historic oyster-growing regions on the Brittany coast. They are cultivated in nutrient-rich Atlantic waters, where strong tides and mineral-rich seabeds shape their distinct character.
Tsarskaya delivers a bold first impression: a clean surge of iodine-rich salinity followed by a creamy, almond-toned sweetness. Its flesh is unusually dense and crisp — some customers compare the texture to rare steak. The result is a complex, long-finishing oyster with layered depth and refined power.
Poésie
France – Normandy
Taste – Delicate brine, soft hazelnut and gentle sweetness, refined lasting finish
Shell & Texture – Elegantly cupped shell; tender plump meat with a smooth, refined texture
Cultivated on the northern coast of France, Poésie — meaning “poetry” — is known for its elegance and balance. This award-winning variété, a gold medalist at the Concours Général Agricole de Paris 2025, is recognized for its harmonious shell shape and refined taste profile — a mark of exceptional French quality and flavour.
With a gentle brininess, a hint of sweetness, and a lingering clean finish, at our restaurant we often hear Poésie oysters often described as an elevated alternative to Fine de Claires. Their delicacy and clarity make them a favorite among those who seek finesse while maintaining the classic character of Crassostrea gigas.
Carina
Ireland – Atlantic Coast
Taste – High salinity, robust oceanic flavor, hint of mineral sweetness
Shell & Texture – Deep-cupped, rugged shell; firm, meaty oyster
Our newest addition, the Carina oyster is cultivated in the cold waters off the Irish Atlantic coast — a region long respected for producing oysters of exceptional quality. Carina offers a bold, oceanic expression with a clean, mineral-rich edge.
It’s a full-bodied oyster with firm, meaty texture and a burst of bright salinity up front. A subtle mineral sweetness follows, rounding out a long, invigorating finish that makes it a standout among modern European oyster selections.
Seasonal varieties
Belon
France – Brittany (Bélon River)
Taste – Mild salinity, delicate seaweed notes, hint of peppery bitterness, rich hazelnut finish
Shell & Texture – Flat, round pale shell; firm, pale-hued flesh with a crisp, substantial chew
The official oyster of the World Oyster Opening Championship, the Bélon is France’s most famous flat oyster — a wild European species with deep roots in Brittany. After several years growing at sea, it is finished in the Bélon River, where salty Atlantic water meets fresh river flow.
Bélon oysters are known for their clean ocean flavor, firm texture, and distinctive hazelnut aftertaste. A notable iodine presence — almost metallic in tone — adds to their intensity and complexity, making them a favorite among connoisseurs.
Ostra Regal
Ireland – Atlantic Coast
Taste – Delicate brine, buttery texture, mineral-rich finish
Shell & Texture – Deep-cupped shell; firm, meaty flesh with crisp, structured bite
Wait, why weren’t my previous oysters coated in gold flakes?
Raised in Ireland’s pristine Atlantic waters and refined by the esteemed French Boutrais family, Ostra Regal offers a silky texture, delicate brine, and a lingering mineral finish that echoes the cold tides and wild coastlines where it begins. Each shell is wood-branded by hand — a quiet signature of craftsmanship.
The Boutrais family has turned oyster cultivation into an art — blending French precision with Irish terroir. After growing in the open sea, each oyster is matured in controlled conditions to achieve its signature flavour. The result is a rich, buttery mouthfeel with just enough bite to satisfy purists. Rivaling Gillardeau in both consistency and elegance, Ostra Regal is a true showpiece for those who seek depth, balance, and quiet decadence.
As with all natural seafood, flavour varies by season. In Europe, where water temperatures shift significantly between seasons, oysters naturally reflect these changes. Colder months bring brinier oysters with a stronger scent of the sea. Warmer summer waters develop sweeter tones and a softer texture.
