Dive into the world of fantastic seafood…

Fish is something that when done right, can be the most amazing meal. And in Dubai, there’s no shortage of delicious restaurants serving top quality seafood. From cosy shacks on the beach, to fine-dining restaurants overlooking the Arabian Gulf, we’ve rounded up the city’s best seafood restaurants.

101

You’ll struggle to find a restaurant in a more beautiful setting than 101. This gorgeous restaurant is probably one of the most romantic spots in Dubai and serves up a fine dining menu to match. If you can take your eyes off the Dubai Marina views, you’ll see a menu featuring fresh squid ink pasta with sea urchins, whole tourteau and king crab josper.

101, One&Only The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Mon to Sat 11.30am to 2am, closed Sun. Tel: (04) 440 1030. oneandonlyresorts.com

Alici

Amalfi coast-inspired restaurant Alici is located on the waterfront of Bluewaters island, and walking inside feels like stepping into a cosy family-run trattoria on the Italian coast. The menu is extensive but not overbearing, food is flawless, service is engaging without being obtrusive, and while dishes aren’t cheap – they’re not overly expensive either.

Alici, Bluewaters, off JBR, Dubai Marina, daily noon to 3.30pm and 7pm to 11.30pm. Tel: (04) 2752577. alici.com

Al Mahara

Al Mahara is the high-end seafood restaurant in Burj Al Arab. Ideal for a special occasion or an important dinner, Al Mahara has a range of wallet-squeezing dishes on the menu. The restaurant recently welcomed a new head chef, Chef Kasper, who is no doubt cooking up some exciting fine-dining fish concepts.

Al Mahara, Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah, Sat to Wed 6.30pm to 10.30pm, Thur and Fri 6.30pm to 11pm. Tel: (04) 301 7600. jumeirah.com

Aprons & Hammers

Prepare to get messy at this What’s On award-winning beachfront restaurant. Aprons, hammers and even gloves are provided to ensure you get as stuck-in to your meal as possible. Buckets of prawns and crab are delivered to the table, leaving you to fight over who gets the last piece.

Aprons & Hammers, The Beach, JBR, Sun to Weds 12.30pm to 12.30am, Thur to Sat 12.30pm to 1.30am. Tel: (04) 456 7888. apronsandhammers.com

As You Fish

Opposite the grand stature of the seven star Burj Al Arab hotel, you’ll find a white washed villa serving wholesome fresh fish. As You Fish has vibrant and colourful interiors, inviting seafood-lovers from all walks of life to take a seat and enjoy fresh fish with friends.

As You Fish, Umm Sequeim, Jumeirah, daily, noon to midnight. Tel: (04) 323 1919. asyoufish.ae

Beach Bar & Grill

Set on the stunning beach of One&Only Royal Mirage, The Beach Bar & Grill serves up grilled seafood, paired with Mediterranean dishes and freshly shucked oysters. Pick a private table on the sand and listen to the waves crashing up against the shore for a truly romantic experience.

Beach Bar & Grill, One&Only Royal Mirage, Al Sufouh, Dubai Marina, daily, noon to 3.30pm and 7pm to 11.30pm. Tel: (04) 399 9999. oneandonlyresorts.com

Catch 22

Catch 22 is a retro beach shack, found on The Beach at JBR. There’s American-style decor, with aluminium and neon signs all over the wall. The extensive menu covers soups, appetisers, burgers, salad, sushi, mains and some of the craziest milkshakes in town.

Catch 22, The Beach, JBR, daily, 8am to 2.30am. Tel: (04) 424 3057. catch22.ae

Crab Market

Within DIFC’s Emirates Financial Towers you’ll find Crab Market. It’s high-end interiors are a match to the menu as there’s nothing but quality seafood on offer. There’s a big focus (unsurprisingly) on crab, with soft shell, mud crab, brown crab and live kamchatka all on offer.

Crab Market, Emirates Financial Towers, DIFC, Sun to Thurs noon to midnight, Fri 1pm to midnight, Sat 7pm to midnight. Tel: (04) 564 5525. crabmarket.com

Fish Beach Taverna

With its beachfront location, whitewashed fit-out and twinkly lights, it’s not hard to see why Fish has become one of the city’s most romantic spots. As well as tables in the garden, there is seating right on the beach, so you can enjoy the restaurant’s Turkish, Greek and Mediterranean fusion dishes with your toes in the sand. Open for both lunch and dinner, it’s a sharing concept that invites guests to sample a variety of hot and cold plates. The focus for main course is grills and casseroles, and guests can have fresh fish grilled to order in front of them by Fish’s chefs. Through the summer, it goes undercover so you can enjoy their tasty dishes year-round.

Fish Beach Taverna, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, daily 12pm to 11pm. Tel: (04) 511 7139. fish-dubai.com

Geales

In the mood for fish ‘n’ chips like the ones you’d find on Brighton Pier? This is where you’ll find them. The fish is as fresh as it comes and lightly battered with the perfect crunch. Served with a side of fluffy, chunky chips and a dollop of mushy peas – yum.

Geales, Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Spa, JBR, Sun to Fri 7pm to 11.30pm, Saturday closed. Tel: (04) 316 5550. geales-dubai.com

Hook & Cook

Described as a ‘hub for seafood lovers’, Hook & Cook is found on the first floor of The Pointe and serves up fresh seafood in nautical-inspired interiors, sea views and shisha every day. You’ll find some creative dishes on the menu, including salmon lasagna, fish biryani and scampi pasta.

Hook & Cook, The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, 12pm to 12am Sunday to Wednesday, 12pm to 1am, Thursday to Saturday. Tel: (04) 2443214. hookandcook.ae

Moana

Set next to the outdoor pool of Sofitel The Palm, authentic seafood restaurant, Moana, serves up a feast of fresh seafood prepared using pan-Asian recipes. Enjoy shrimp cocktail, pan-seared scallops, grilled king prawns, soft-shell crab and much more.

Moana, Sofitel The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, daily 6.30pm to 11.30pm. Tel: (04) 455 5656. sofitel-dubai-thepalm.com

Ossiano

Ever wondered what dining at the bottom of the ocean might look like? Well, dine at Ossiano and you can experience just that. Ossiano is an underwater bar and restaurant with floor to ceiling glass panels, located at Atlantis, the Palm that offers stunning views of the Ambassador Lagoon which holds more than 65,000 fish. Tuck into a variety of seafood at this award-winning restaurant as stingrays glide on by your table-side.

Ossiano, Atlantis the Palm, Sunday to Friday 6.30pm to 10pm, Saturdays 1pm to 3pm and 7pm to 10.30pm, Bar daily 6.30pm to midnight. Tel: (04) 426 2000 atlantisthepalm.com

Pierchic

Pierchic is one of the best seafood restaurants in Dubai for so many reasons. Sustainability is a big priority for the restaurant which is one of the factors that makes their menu so reputable. Prices for a meal tend to be within the ‘bucket list category’, but the quality lives up to it. Portions are generous and the freshness of the fish is undeniable. We recommend checking out the Friday or Saturday brunches to experience a breadth of dishes.

Pierchic, Jumeirah Al Qasr, Madinat Jumeirah, daily noon to 11pm. Tel: (800) 666 353. facebook.com/pierchicdubai

Rockfish

Rockfish, the Mediterranean seafood restaurant in Jumeirah Al Naseem recently appointed a new executive chef, Marco Garfagnini. Inspired by traditional Italian comfort food, diners can expect tasty dishes including roasted langoustine with lentil puree or a tuna tartare with crispy saffron rice to start, followed by a 36-hour slow cooked goat or a line-caught seabass with artichoke and lemon emulsion.

Rockfish, Jumeirah Al Naseem, Jumeirah, daily 12.30pm to 3.30pm and 6.30pm to 11.30pm. Tel: (04) 432 3232. jumeirah.com

Seafood Kitchen

The second serving of Seafood Kitchen has opened its doors on The Pointe. As well as serving up an array of fresh European seafood dishes, it runs some brilliant mid-week deals such as an mussels deal on a Tuesday, oyster night on a Wednesday, ladies’ night on a Thursday and a Friday brunch.

Seafood Kitchen, The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, daily 12pm to 12am. Tel: (054) 3094520. Facebook.com/SeafoodKitchenDXB

Sea Fu

This Asian-influenced seafood restaurant is open for lunch, dinner and bar bites throughout the day, as well as offering 50 per cent off selected beverages between 5pm to 7pm – a perfect time for enjoying the sunset. It’s got a relaxed feel thanks to its brilliant beachfront location, but it’s smaller than most, giving it a romantic, intimate vibe.

Sea Fu, Four Seasons Jumeirah, Jumeirah, daily 12.30pm to 11pm. Tel: (04) 270 7777. fourseasons.com

Seagrill Bistro

Seagrill Bistro is the chic seafood restaurant overlooking Fairmont The Palm’s private beachfront and Dubai Marina in the distance. The restaurant is vibrant, with tall floor to ceiling windows, white stencilled walls clashed with mock-bamboo pillars, artistic chandelier and bright soft furnishings. The seafood platter is a winner, providing two levels of fresh mussels, oysters, salmon sashimi, a whole crab and a serving of smoking dry ice to tick the Instagram box right from the get-go.

Seagrill Bistro, Fairmont the Palm, Palm Jumeirah, daily, noon to 11.30pm. Tel: (04) 457 3457. palmdining.com

Seaview

This humble seafood restaurant located in Jumeirah’s fishing harbour ticks so many boxes. Firstly the view is stunning; be sure to make it for sunset to watch the sun descend behind the cute fishing boats. The food is also a winner, with (probably) the freshest seafood in Dubai and an extensive menu of fishy delights. It’s also wallet-friendly, choosing not to hike up its prices to Dubai standards but instead offering wholesome, home-cooked, affordable meals.

Seaview Restaurant, Umm Suqeim 1, Fishing Harbour, Off Jumeirah Road, daily noon to midnight. Tel: (04) 333 5552. seaviewrestaurant.ae

The Fish House

Chic restaurant The Fish House offers a more premium selection when it comes to seafood. From breaded sea bream burgers to tandoori spiced swordfish skewers, the menu offers an innovative twist on classic fishy dishes.

The Fish House, Festival Bay Promenade, Intercontinental Festival City, Sat to Thurs noon to 3pm, 6pm to 11pm, Fri noon to 11pm. Tel: (04) 701 1127. thefishhousedubai.com

The Maine Oyster Bar & Grill

A go-to eatery for so many reasons, but seafood is one of the main(e) ones. The oysters are, of course, a highlight on the menu, as it’s one of the restaurants signatures but you shouldn’t stop there. The seabass is always a winner, with crispy skin and a creamy texture on the inside.

The Maine Oyster Bar & Grill, DoubleTree by Hilton, JBR, Sat to Tues noon to 11.30pm, Weds to Fri noon to 12.30am. Tel: (04) 457 6719. themaine.ae

— For the best of Dubai straight to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter.

Images: Facebook