An oyster clamp comprising a base element having an indentation for receiving an oyster to be opened. A lip coupled to the base element hangs over and impinges upon an edge of a work surface on which the oyster clamp is placed, and a plurality of rubber feet are coupled to the underside of the base element. A backstop is affixed to the base element to prevent the oyster from exiting the back of the oyster clamp when in use. An oyster clamping element is operatively coupled to a handle and to the base element, such that operating the handle causes the clamping element to push the oyster down against the base element.