Last updated on August 5th, 2022 at 08:44 pm
As an island perched in the Atlantic Ocean, Ireland unsurprisingly has an abundance of fresh fish, crustaceans, and other fruits of the sea to enjoy. Although far from the turbulent Atlantic waters of the West coast, Dublin is no slouch when it comes to the availability of quality seafood. There are a number of excellent fishing operators that work tirelessly to supply Dublin seafood restaurants with fresh fish from the Irish Sea and beyond.
Covering all bases, from the classic choices of salmon and cod, to more exotic delicacies such as fine Irish oysters, the restaurants on our list are the places to go for seafood in the capital.
In this post we share the best seafood restaurants in Dublin.
Map of Restaurants
The following map shows the location of every seafood restaurant highlighted in this post:
Sole Seafood & Grill
Sole Seafood and Grill is a restaurant that wows from the moment you walk in the door. The rich, warm interior of muted bronze and grey tones and the sweeping curved bar provide the perfect backdrop to enjoy the numerous delicacies on offer.
With a strong emphasis on using traceable produce from local suppliers, it’s no surprise that Sole is known far and wide for the quality of its seafood. Freshly harvested Irish oysters and smoked salmon from Howth are just a sample of the local gems to be enjoyed.
The restaurant’s menu changes from season to season to make the most of the produce on offer, with a special Christmas lunch menu in late November and December.
Location: 18-19 South William Street, Dublin
Website: https://www.sole.ie
Matt The Thresher
Situated in the heart of Georgian Dublin, Matt The Thresher is almost unparalleled among all Dublin restaurants. This fine, bright and expansive restaurant has a strong speciality in fresh seafood, but also serves up a range of other dishes to suit all tastes.
The restaurant generally has a choice of five or six different freshly caught fish to choose from, along with a medley of oceanic delights such as oysters, scallops, prawns, and mussels.
The restaurant is home to a fully licensed bar serving up a range of beers, wines, and cocktails.
Location: 31-32 Pembroke Street Lower, Dublin
Website: https://matts.ie
The Seafood Cafe
Located in Temple Bar in the heart of the city, The Seafood Cafe is one of several seafood restaurants in Dublin run by Irish chef and entrepreneur Niall Sabongi. You would be hard pressed to find a more welcoming, unassuming, and relaxed restaurant in all of Dublin.
Shellfish are the name of the game here, and The Seafood Cafe does not disappoint, serving up a dizzying array of oysters, lobster, mussels, and wild clams. The menu also encompasses fresh fish dishes such as whole grilled seabass, classic fish and chips, and snack sized treats such as salt cod croquettes.
For fine seafood delights in a chill, laid-back environment, look no further than The Seafood Cafe.
Bookings can be made here.
Location: 11 Sprangers Yard, Temple Bar, Dublin
Klaw
Niall Sabongi’s original seafood restaurant in Dublin, Klaw is a casual joy of a spot. This cosy, informal restaurant in the heart of Temple Bar invites patrons in with its menu boards proudly displaying the fish of the day on offer. Once inside, the nautical theme with an urban twist provides the perfect backdrop to devour some succulent shellfish.
Alongside the ever present shellfish on offer, Klaw also serves up some excellent fish classics, including a smoked salmon plate and Dublin Bay prawns, as well as some innovative delights such as crab mac and cheese.
Location: 5A Crown Alley, Temple Bar, Dublin
Website: http://klaw.ie
The Lobster Pot
Hidden away in the leafy South Dublin suburb of Ballsbridge is The Lobster Pot, a charming and elegant ‘old world’ restaurant. As the name suggest, the restaurant has an emphasis on fresh fish and seafood, but also serves up fine cuts of beef, poultry, and other meat.
Warmed by the glow of a real fire, the immaculately laid out dining room is a throwback to a more sophisticated and genial time, when dinner was an occasion in itself. The friendly, knowledgeable staff are more than happy to talk you through the menu and even display the catch of the day before it is expertly cooked to perfection.
The extensive menu has a good balance of classic dishes and contemporary items, including a wide range of seafood entrees. Black dover sole, grilled halibut, baked wild seabass and Coquille St. Jacques are just some of the fresh seafood on offer. Of course, fresh lobster is always available here!
Now run by second generation restauranteurs, you’re in good hands at The Lobster Pot.
Location: 9 Ballsbridge Terrace, Ballsbridge, Dublin
Website: https://www.thelobsterpot.ie
Octopussy’s
For something out of the ordinary, be sure to try out Octopussy’s tapas twist on Irish seafood. Perfectly located on the west pier of Howth harbour, the restaurant can boast of the freshest fish in the city, supplied by a fishmongers right next door.
In keeping with the tapas theme, the dishes are not segregated by starter or main course, and orders are served the second they are ready. The full range of seafood delights are available, including relative rarities such as squid, calamari, octopus, and lobster.
Location: West Pier, Howth, Dublin
Website: https://octopussy.ie
Catch 22
The seafood restaurant Catch 22 is part of the Bru Brewery family, comprised of a craft brewery, pubs, and restaurants across Dublin and Meath. Located above the Bar Rua pub, Catch 22 has a focus on great, fresh seafood cooked quickly and simply.
If you’re looking for tasty and filling seafood dishes, look no further. The menu includes beer battered cod and chips, golden scampi, and a mouthwatering prawn and crayfish roll.
If you appreciate a good craft beer and seafood, this is the place to be.
More information is available here.
Location: 32 Clarendon Street, Dublin
