On The Up: Award-winning oyster burger puts Paihia’s Tipsy Oyster on foodie map

The Tipsy Oyster chef Amila Sanjay and co-owner Micky Dewan are stoked to have won a major competition for their seafood burger. Photo / Jenny Ling

Staff and owners at a Northland eatery, The Tipsy Oyster Tapas and Bar, are “beyond stoked” to have won a top foodie award for its famous seafood burger.

The Paihia venue was among more than 300 competitors in this year’s Burger Nation, a month-long quest to find the best burgers in the country.

The Tipsy Oyster won the seafood category, which was announced on April 1.

Co-owners, chef Micky Dewan and Aditya Gupta, said winning the award, which was via a public voting system, was “amazing”.

“It was great for the team and good to showcase what we do,” Dewan said.

“We’ve won a few awards before so there were high expectations.

“This one means a lot to us, because our oyster burger isn’t just a dish, it’s a story of where we come from and what we love.”

Dewan and Gupta, who also own Bad Habits in Paihia and the Nauti Penguin in Russell with businessman Todd Ewers, established the Tipsy Oyster in 2019.

Their seafood creation, called The Oyster Goes To..??, has “been on the menu from day one”, Dewan said.

The burger comprises a fat tempura oyster, crispy onion bhaji, McClure’s pickle and chipotle mayo, crab tartare mousse and ginger lime slaw.

Dewan said the burger’s success lies in “super-fresh ingredients”.

The oysters, sourced straight from the sea, are clean, briny and full of character.

The Tipsy Oyster’s signature batter is made with Tuatara Hazy beer and a splash of Bad Habits award-winning gin, which helps the batter crisp up.

“From there, it’s all about balance,” he said.

“McClure’s pickles bring the crunch and tang, tamarind chutney adds that sweet-sour zing, and our onion bhaji layers in warmth and spice.

“That’s finished with confit garlic and brushed with butter on a soft bun.”

Gupta said the oyster burger was “the crown jewel of the menu”.

“We’re known for our fresh oysters.

“It’s all about harmony; you taste the ocean, the earth, and everything in between.

“It’s a must-try option.”

The Tipsy Oyster Tapas and Bar in Paihia won the seafood category for its unique burger in the Burger Nation competition.

Now in its third year, Burger Nation celebrates burger joints, food trucks, bars, cafes and restaurants nationwide from February 25 to March 29.

Diners scored burgers on taste, appearance and feels by scanning the QR code at each venue.

Smashie’s, a food truck in Pukekohe, Auckland, won the supreme prize this year with its classic smashie double burger.

Other category winners were:

• Best chicken burger: The Offering in Greytown.
• Best plant burger: Urbanaut/Burgernaut in Auckland.
• Best meat burger: Smashies in Auckland.

Burger Nation co-founder Becs Caughey said the competition was about more than finding the best burger.

“Yes, we’re on the hunt for New Zealand’s best burger, but more importantly we’re creating visibility, foot traffic and positivity for an industry that works incredibly hard and sits at the heart of our communities.”

Each of the winners received a trophy, the glory of being the best at burgers in the country, a year’s supply of McClure’s Pickles, and a selection of sponsors’ products.

Jenny Ling is a senior journalist at the Northern Advocate. She has a special interest in covering human interest stories, along with finance, roading, and social issues.