If you have a trip to Dublin lined up, you’ve likely heard all about hearty local favorites like stews, pies, and the revered Irish breakfast, many of which feature on my Dublin food tours. While I suggest you sample each of these dishes during your stay, don’t miss out on Dublin’s enviable seafood offerings.
Quality seafood in Dublin is available year-round, with the likes of prawns, oysters, mussels, and lobsters being among the most sought-after catches. Below, I’ve compiled a list of the best spots to tuck in these and a host of other seafood delights while in Dublin!
Top Seafood Restaurants in Dublin
Sole
Photo credit: Sole
Sole is one of the city center’s prime seafood restaurant locations, with a stunning neutral-toned interior and a vast selection of oceanic fare on display. One of the highlights of the meal was the platter my friends and I shared as an appetizer, which featured briny rock oysters, buttery mussels, and a host of other delicacies.
Sole – Dublin 2, D02 KV76 – Open every Monday to Friday from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm and every Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
The Seafood Cafe
Photo credit: The Seafood Cafe
Chef Niall Sabongi is the man behind the chic and airy The Seafood Cafe, hailed by many as the best seafood restaurant in the city for fresh, sustainably sourced catches. I didn’t want anything too heavy, so I went for the lobster roll. Thesucculent meat and lemony sauce were stuffed inside fluffy brioche bread.
The Seafood Cafe – Dublin 2, D02 EC60 – Open every Monday to Wednesday and Sunday from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm and every Friday to Saturday from 12:00 pm to 9:30 pm.
Matt The Thresher
Photo credit: Matt The Thresher
After reading dozens of customer reviews and recommendations for delectable seafood in Dublin, I knew I had to visit Matt The Thresher. I had a good feeling about this place as soon as I sat down in their sophisticated dining area, and the fresh and fragrant scampi linguine proved my instincts were correct!
Matt The Thresher – Dublin 2, D02 Y523 – Open every Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to 9:45 pm, Saturday from 12:00 pm to 9:45 pm, and every Sunday from 12:30 pm to 8:45 pm.
King Sitric
Photo credit: King Sitric
King Sitric was a particularly memorable eatery in Howth, a coastal neighborhood known for its seafood offerings. I was fortunate enough to secure a window seat in their warm and inviting dining room, and this was the perfect place to feast on some delicately sweet crab claws and a side of warm soda bread.
King Sitric – Dublin 13, D13 F5C6 – Open every day from 12:30 pm to 9:00 pm.
Octopussy
Photo credit: Octopussy
Another must-try haunt for seafood in Dublin’s Howth area is Octopussy. This restaurant has traditional wooden features and modern, tapas-style offerings, which is a rather unique combination. I ordered a handful of dishes, and I especially liked the spicy and sizzling prawns pil pil, served with a thick slice of rustic bread.
Octopussy – Dublin 13, D13 DN02 – Open every Monday to Thursday and Sunday from 12:00 pm to 8:30 pm and every Friday and Saturday from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Beshoff Bros
Photo credit: Beshoff Bros
Beshoff Bros wasn’t initially on my must-visit list for seafood in Dublin, but I was advised to come to this old-school takeaway joint by so many locals. After skimming over their specialties and menu highlights, I knew I had to try the fish and chips. Crispy batter, flaky cod, and vinegar-soaked fries may seem quite simple, but the flavors were sublime.
Beshoff Bros – Dublin 4, D04 T8N7 – Open every day from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
Signature Irish Seafood Dishes to Try
You can’t go too far wrong with any seafood dish in Dublin, but there are some that you simply have to try during your visit!
Oysters: Select pockets of Ireland, namely Galway and Carlingford, are famed for their oysters, which are often served with fresh lemon or tangy mignonette sauce.
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons licensed under Attribution 3.0 Unported
Seafood Chowder: On a cold winter’s day, a nourishing bowl of chowder made from white fish, shellfish, potatoes, and vegetables is a staple for those living near the coast.
Grilled Seafood: Cod, salmon, seabass, hake, and lobster are just some of the seafood varieties found in Irish waters that are typically often grilled and teamed with tasty sides.
Mussels: Mussels are a firm favorite in Ireland and are usually paired with a fragrant white wine sauce and crusty bread.
Seafood Platters: Opt for a platter to sample an array of seafood classics and seasonal catches.
Where to Enjoy Seafood with a View
Those of you who want to soak up the waterfront views while savoring fresh seafood are sure to fall in love with seaside spots like Howth, Malahide, Dun Laoghaire, Sandycove, and Skerries.
These areas are synonymous with premium seafood and boast a slew of eateries with outdoor dining spaces or sweeping sea views. What’s more, these suburbs are served by the DART, Dublin’s coastal train line, meaning you can enjoy a scenic ride from the city center to the neighborhood of your choice.
Is Dublin’s Seafood Sustainable?
In recent years, efforts have increased to ensure seafood in Dublin is locally sourced and sustainable practices are implemented.
Sustainable Seafood Ireland is one of the organizations spearheading this shift toward a more eco-conscious approach to fishing and harvesting. Over time, more and more chefs have gotten involved with this initiative, which has enhanced the quality and sustainability of the seafood served in Irish restaurants.
Many eateries, such as The Seafood Cafe and King Sitric Seafood Bar, also provide background information about how they acquire their seafood to enhance transparency.
Final Thoughts: Dublin is a Seafood Lover’s Dream
I totally underestimated how incredible the seafood in Dublin would be. Between seafront no-frills takeaway spots and inner-city upscale restaurants, I’ve been blown away by the mouthwatering servings of mussels, prawns, salmon, and everything in between. After these experiences, I’m confident you will be, too!
Sources:
Eating Europe. (n.d.). Dublin food tours. Retrieved April 24, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/dublin/
SOLE Seafood & Grill. (n.d.). SOLE Seafood & Grill. Retrieved April 24, 2025, from https://www.sole.ie/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=organic
The Seafood Café. (n.d.). The Seafood Café by Niall Sabongi. Retrieved April 24, 2025, from https://theseafoodcafe.ie/
Matt The Thresher. (n.d.). Matt The Thresher Seafood Bar & Grill. Retrieved April 24, 2025, from https://matts.ie/
King Sitric. (n.d.). The Seafood Bar at King Sitric. Retrieved April 24, 2025, from https://www.kingsitric.ie/seafoodbar
Octopussy’s Seafood Tapas. (n.d.). Octopussy’s Seafood Tapas Bar. Retrieved April 24, 2025, from https://octopussy.ie/
Beshoff Bros. (n.d.). Beshoff Bros Traditional Fish & Chips. Retrieved April 24, 2025, from https://beshoffbros.clients.bossit.cloud/
BIM. (n.d.). Sustainable Seafood Ireland. Retrieved April 24, 2025, from https://sustainableseafood.ie/
