The 7 Best Seafood Restaurants In Paris

Craving some fresh fish after one too many helpings of steak frites or Cassoulet? You’ll be happy to learn that there are dozens of fantastic seafood restaurants in Paris when you fancy trying another side of French cuisine.

It took me years of visits to Paris to truly appreciate the quality of the city’s seafood eateries. Now, when I return back, I’m equally as likely to seek out some scallops or mussels after a trip to the Eiffel Tower as a freshly baked baguette or pastry!

I’ve listed our Eating Europe recommendations for the top seafood restaurants in Paris right here, some of which you may even get to stop by on our Paris food tours

Clamato

Photo credit: Clamato

Sainte Marguerite is among the hippest neighborhoods in Paris, so it’s fitting that the super-trendy seafood restaurant Clamato is located here.

I’d heard quite a lot of hype about Clamato, so I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to test it out when I was in the area. I instantly fell in love with the rustic decor and green and cream color scheme, but the menu was even more impressive.

The team here operates using a tapas concept, so I ordered a couple of different small plates. My two favorites were the whelks and the pollock ceviche. They also have a lengthy selection of natural wines, which I’d be eager to try next time I visit.

First up were the whelks. It was my first time trying sea snails, but they were briny and meaty and worked a treat with the creamy garlic aioli. Next was the pollock ceviche. Though pollock is incredibly mild, the zingy citrus notes and pungent onions made this dish bright and flavorful.

Clamato (€€€) – 80 Rue de Charonne, 75011 Paris, France – Open every day from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm

La Cagouille

Photo credit: La Cagouille

La Cagouille lies along the edge of Montparnasse. Despite being relatively familiar with the area, it wasn’t up until recently that I discovered this stylish bistro.

The interior is sophisticated and chic, yet it has an old-school nautical vibe. As gorgeous as it was, I was keen to enjoy the sunshine and dine al fresco, so the waitress offered me a table in the spacious patio area.

While the menu had a plethora of excellent seafood options, the crustaceans, otherwise known as shellfish, dishes were what caught my eye. After a lot of deliberating, my friend and I decided to share oysters and cockles.

As the oysters came from David Hervé, an acclaimed oyster farm in western France, my expectations were already sky-high. They certainly lived up to their reputation, boasting the most succulent, fleshy consistency and a lightly sweet flavor.

Equally as tasty were the cockles. These arrived shortly after and had a refreshingly clean, salty taste and a firm texture.

La Cagouille (€€) – 10 place Constantin-Brancusi, 75014 Paris, France – Open every day from 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm and 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm

Restaurant Divellec

Photo credit: Restaurant Divellec

Restaurant Divellec is a Michelin-star seafood restaurant in Paris’ 7th arrondissement near the Hôtel des Invalides. It’s one of the fancier establishments on this list, so it’s worth saving for a special occasion.

Inside, Restaurant Divellec pays homage to its seafood-based menu with seaside-influenced touches like wicker seating and subtle blue and green upholstery. As upmarket as it is, these touches make it feel laid-back.

The service was impeccable, and the waiter thoroughly explained the menu and wine list. I started with the Italian-style seabass carpaccio. This had a delectable blend of delicate seabass and bold flavors from the sour apple jelly and tart lemon caviar.

For my main course, I chose turbot, a fish I hadn’t spotted on a menu in some time. With its rich but somehow gentle taste, the turbot complimented the fruity notes from the chanterelle mushrooms and was doused in a zesty citrus broth.

Restaurant Divellec (€€€€) – 18 Rue Fabert, 75007 Paris, France – Open every day from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm and 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm

Sur Mer

Photo credit: Sur Mer

Between the scenic districts of Le Marais and Canal Saint-Martin is Chef Olive Davoux’s Sur Mer. It’s among the best seafood restaurants in the city for groups, as the menu consists of various sharing plates.

Simple and traditional, the dining room is compact with monochrome tiles and Mediterranean-style prints. Eager to see the chefs in action, we took a seat on the bar stools in front of the open kitchen.

We were tucking into our razor-clam tartare and grilled octopus in no time. The tartare was exquisite, and the artistic presentation was almost as good as the sharp, tangy clams. Combined with nutty Jerusalem artichokes and crispy, earthy sorrel, I couldn’t fault this dish.

Another medley of robust flavors followed when the octopus arrived. Because the slightly chewy meat was so mellow in taste, it took on the heat from the chilis, the herby notes from the capers, and the fennel’s licorice-like tones.

Sur Mer (€€) – 53 Rue de Lancry, 75010 Paris, France – Open every Monday from 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm, closed Tuesday and Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm, and every Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 pm to 10:30 pm

Prunier Victor Hugo par Yannick Alléno

Photo credit: Prunier Victor Hugo par Yannick Alléno

Prunier Victor Hugo is just a stone’s throw from the Arc de Triomphe, and you can’t miss it thanks to its eye-catching blue exterior and ocean-like design.

This art deco eatery might just be the slickest spot in the city. Its polished furnishings and gold finishes juxtapose the tapestry-inspired wallpaper, and admiring the thoughtful decor was an experience in itself.

I’d visited one or two of the English Prunier stores in London, so I was determined to sample this caviar in the brand’s only restaurant. The server went into detail about each variety they offer, and the baeri caviar appealed to me the most.

Served in sparkling gold tin, the caviar had a deep color and a remarkably intense flavor. As the salty flavors and notes of hazelnut lingered in my mouth, so did the feeling of the silky-smooth texture of the melting grains.

Prunier Victor Hugo par Yannick Alléno (€€€€) – 16 Av. Victor Hugo, 75116 Paris, France – Open every Monday to Saturday from 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm and 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm and Sunday from 11:00 am to 2:30 pm

Le Crabe Marteau

Le Crabe Marteau in the 17th arrondissement is one of two branches the team behind this seafood brasserie runs, but it’s the only one in Paris.

I was pleasantly surprised that Le Crabe Marteau felt much more relaxed than many other sought-after seafood restaurants in Paris. The thick sailing ropes and rescue buoys lining the walls made it feel like I’d set foot on a pirate ship.

This casual haunt is well-regarded for its langoustines and crab, and, much like every customer, I was provided with a hammer to deshell my meal by hand! After arriving famished, I went all out and ordered half a crab with langoustines for my entrée.

You can never go wrong with langoustines, but these were some of the juiciest, most tender I’d ever had, with a lovely clean finish. Not to be outdone by its counterpart, the crab was sublime with its flaky meat and a hint of fishiness.

Le Crabe Marteau (€€) – 16 Rue des Acacias, 75017 Paris, France – Open every Monday to Saturday from 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm and closed every Sunday

Langousta

Photo credit: Langousta

In the heart of the 16th arrondissement is Langousta, an understated spot serving up top-notch oceanic fare.

I’d walked past this place a bunch of times last time I was in Paris and jumped at the chance to try it when I saw an empty table on the patio. Inside and outside are super modern, with cool-toned colors and marble-esque tables.

There was a group of us, so we decided to share a seafood platter packed with prawns, lobster, and violets. It was absolutely huge, so I’d advise against ordering unless you’re rather peckish!

Though the prawns were delicious with a subtle sweetness, and the lobster was delightfully buttery, the violets stole the show for me. Because of their high iodine content, I was a little skeptical, but I’ve been dreaming about their luscious texture and potent, umami flavors.

Langousta (€€) – 20 Rue Singer, 75016 Paris, France – Open every Monday and Sunday from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm and Tuesday to Saturday from 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm and 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Conclusion

Paris may not sit along the seafront, but you could be easily fooled when you tuck into its seafood offerings!

The Parisian foodie culture is a melting pot of flavors and cuisines, and its line-up of seafood restaurants perfectly showcases this. Between upscale bistros and low-key brasseries, quality seafood is nestled among the streets of every arrondissement.