The seafood lover’s guide to Dublin’s best fish restaurants
With the proximity of the Irish Sea, and seafood’s growth in popularity, Dublin is now teeming with restaurants that have put fish at their core. From the classic dinner experience in award-winning eateries to a maritime lunch fix in small hidden gems, here is our list of the best fish restaurants in Ireland’s capital:
Catch 22
Located on Clarendon Street, this restaurant prides itself on using fish from the seas off the East, West and Southern coasts of Ireland. Prepared in a traditional way and available to go (in 100% bio-degradable packaging!), this place is perfect for the classic seafood fan. Among their specialties, we recommend you try their fish burger and choose from their selection of cider on tap to drink!
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SOLE Seafood and Grill
If you are looking for a more formal dining experience head straight to SOLE Seafood and Grill in South William Street. Open since 2018, this restaurant has been named this year as the best seafood restaurant in Europe. It offers perfectly cooked gourmet fish dishes in a sophisticated atmosphere. The restaurant has been designed to look like the inside of a big ship, so it is certainly an interesting dining experience. If you are on a budget you can go for their early evening menu available at weekends from 3 to 6pm.
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Octopussy’s Seafood Tapas
For a more casual dinner and an evening walk on the pier, pay a visit to Octopussy’s Seafood Tapas restaurant in Howth. This local favourite gives a taste of Mediterranean life with views over the Irish Sea. Their seafood is directly supplied by their own fish shop next door which buys it from fishing boats operating just out of Howth!
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Fish Shack Café
Located just outside the main Temple Bar area, Fish Shack Café offers fresh seafood cooked the way it should be! Don’t be fooled by its small size; the place has a cosy atmosphere and is perfect for a sit down lunch. Amongst others, we recommend their fried calamari, grilled scallop and fish and chips. There is only one thing left to say – yummy yummy in my tummy.
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Klaw Seafood Café
Also located in Temple Bar, Klaw Seafood Café is another small place that fills up quickly, where fish is taken seriously. Cool décor and a simple menu await along with fresh juice and coffee.
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Fish Shop
From a converted shed in Blackrock Market, Fish Shop’s delicious fish and chips can now be found in Dublin 7, on Benburb Street and Queen Street. The small restaurant has an extensive wine list to accompany your seafood and has won Best Seafood Experience in Ireland’s Irish Restaurant awards in 2019.
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Rosa Madre
For a warm welcome and its menu, we have to add Rosa Madre to this list. This authentic Italian seafood restaurant will complement a nice evening in the heart of the city, with delicious seafood. The house speciality is fresh Calamari and Gamberi served with spicy spinach, and for pasta lovers, why not give the Ravioli Al Tartufo or the Lobster Tonnareli a try?
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As an island, Ireland has access to some of the best seafood in the world and as you can see, Dublin city boasts many high-quality seafood eateries. For those who want to get out of the city centre, the coastal town of Howth and Malahide treasure some really good seafood restaurants too, with amazing walking trails to make a day out of it. So there you have it, the perfect list of seafood places to explore!
Come to Dublin and explore these restaurants and much more and take a look at The Davenport Dublin luxury hotel for your stay.
