The Best Places For Seafood In Abu Dhabi

FINZ

BEACH ROTANA

Enjoy 20% off with BB+

Love seafood? This might just be the best place in Abu Dhabi to enjoy it - Finz is definitely one of the best high end seafood restaurants in Abu Dhabi!

If you had to explain the experience of dining at Finz in a couple of words, coastal luxury would set you on the right path - it’s right on the water, putting you right in the zone.  Be sure to get the seared sea scallops and the tuna foie rolls, where the balance of flavours is definitely worth a second helping. The Fin de Claire hand-shucked oysters with pink pepper mignonette are excellent and the grilled baby calamari and chorizo is a perfect intersection amidst the starters: the veal chorizo filling and thin medallion of potato grounds the dish.

The star of the show, and almost too pretty to eat … give it up for the lobster Thermidor! In true seafood restaurant fashion, chef German Heurta rolls out weekly and monthly specials, subject to seasonality, catch and quality. Encased in a butterflied lobster shell, the creamy wine sauce and tender lobster meat accomplishes a rarity for us: silence. All chatter stops and the lobster is demolished - a resounding success!

The made tableside ceviche is a well-balanced dish of Scottish salmon, local red snapper, and plump poached shrimps tossed in an exquisitely zesty aji-amarillo sauce is a must-try

The salt-baked whole seabass provides quite the spectacle and the melt-in-your-mouth fish has delicate citrus notes, and paired with the vadouvan rice, caramelized vegetables, and lemon parsley sauce, each forkful is a delight.

To add to the excellence of Finz, drinks are expertly prepared, perfect for an afternoon in the sun, or an evening by the water. Sip on mojitos and virgin pina coladas, though the bar menu is extensive and a separate show all on its own.

For us, regardless of how good the food is, service can make or break a meal. The food at Finz is clearly incredible, but the service is also impeccable – knowledgeable, attentive, and friendly, but not over the top. 

An upmarket offering in the city with views to match, Finz provides an outstanding seafood restaurant experience from beginning to end. If you live on-island, it’s a great option for a seafood restaurant near you, but it’s worth making the trip for, wherever you live!

Timings: 12PM - 12AM (last food orders at 11.15PM) | daily

Booking: 02 697 9000

‍

‍

‍

MINA FISH MARKET

MINA PORT

For the freshest seafood in Abu Dhabi and an amazing option for fish restaurants, a trip to Mina Fish Market is a must. Either buy the fish yourself in this clean, well run market, or head to one of the little restaurants attached to the market for amazing seafood - some even let you buy from the market and will cook the seafood or fish for you, adding their own touches.  These restaurants aren’t expensive and are often the best place to buy fish in Abu Dhabi. 

To have an amazing experience at Mina Fish Market ...

Be adventurous and try new kinds of fish – we'd never tried parrot fish, but it ended up being one of our favourites.

Weekends are busy so either go early or go on a weekday. ·     

Check to see that your fish is super fresh: look out for clear eyes (in a whole fish), firm flesh that springs back when pressed, and a fresh mild scent. Gills should be bright.

Get your fish cleaned where you buy it - it’ll save you money but does take a bit of time

Find out which restaurants are the best here

Timings: 8AM - 9PM (Monday to Thursday) 8AM - 10PM (Friday to Sunday)

Contact: 800 72625

‍

CATCH AT THE ST REGIS

ST REGIS ABU DHABI

Catch At The St Regis is unequivocally Abu Dhabi's best seafood restaurant. What gets it there? Innovative dishes made with quality ingredients and executed to perfection, a relaxed and chic ambiance and outstanding staff who are passionate about their work and make guests feel genuinely welcome.

The menu is nothing short of impressive. While obviously seafood heavy, it also has some outstanding dishes that are great for lovers of more turf than surf, making it easy to  bring someone who might not be as keen on fish and seafood as you! There really is something for everyone, and we believe our meal at Catch At The St Regis to be one of the best seafood experiences we’ve had in Abu Dhabi. For a date night, a celebration or if you're just in need of some undeniably great food, Catch At The St Regis needs to go on your list.

Timings: 12PM - 12AM | daily

Contact: 02 694 4615

‍

FISHMARKET

INTERCONTINENTAL ABU DHABI

With its unique situation overlooking the marina, Fishmarket in InterContinental Abu Dhabi is the ultimate seafood destination with a unique create-your-own dish concept, perfect for seafood lovers. Just choose your favourites from the huge market display of fresh seafood and vegetables and have Chef Sawai and his team prepare it exactly the way you want it. We felt completely in love with our choice of lobster, which we requested to  be served Thai style and our glorious sea bass, very simply prepared with fresh vegetables, giving us the best seafood experience possible. 

This is a great option for anyone who lives on island looking for a seafood restaurant nearby, but also for those who love a seafood restaurant in Abu Dhabi with a view and great food.

‍Timings: Daily 12PM - 11PM

Price: Approximately AED100-200pp depending on what you choose

Bookings: 056 990 8317

‍

OFF THE HOOK

DEERFIELDS MALL, YAS MALL, AIRPORT ROAD, THE GALLERIA AL MARYAH CENTRAL KITCHENS

We love a bit of Off the Hook for a casual seafood dine, especially if we want to entertain friends or family with something, well, a little bit off the hook!

The concept is simple: choose whatever combination of seafood, sauce and spice you’d like and watch it arrive in a steamed bag with the sauce already mixed in, giving out the best aromas you can imagine. 

We love the option that includes mussels, crabs and prawns with rice and corn on the cob as well as well as soda, for a really great place - this is definitely a good option for affordable seafood in Abu Dhabi! 

And the taste? Amazing! We think the  prawns are always a highlight as well as the garlic butter sauce - and while we go for medium spice, if you love a bit more, they’ll blow your head off! 

We love the messiness of Off The Hook - it’s a "put on gloves and get stuck in" kind of situation and we’re here for it. It’s perfect for a weeknight seafood night and is considered one of the best seafood restaurants in Abu Dhabi for casual,  delicious dining. The best thing about it is that, with a few locations around town, you’re sure to find this fun, casual seafood restaurant near you! 

‍

Timings: 11AM - 11:15PM | daily

Contact: 800 684

‍

SHRIMP POT

MARSANA AL HUDAYRIAT, NAHYAN CAMP

We're messy and we know it! Don’t bother coming in if you aren’t ready to roll up your sleeves and tuck in - they dress you in gloves and aprons for a reason! The menu is fully customisable, which is great, and it’s a really fun way to eat. The seafood buckets come in three sizes, overflowing with mussels, shrimp, octopus, lobster and corn, poured satisfyingly onto a bed of rice. The staff will happily guide you when ordering, so don’t be intimidated if you haven’t eaten a bucket full of seafood straight off the table in front of you before!

‍

The restaurant is fun - look out for themed murals, on-brand lighting and portholes into the kitchen - and you’ll leave satisfied. What’s better than seafood by the sea? Not much, if you ask us. 

For more options at Marsana, Hudayriat, check out our take on the best places to dine

‍

Timings: daily | 12PM - 11PM | Friday - Sunday until 12AM

Contact: 02 441 1842

‍

DAMPA SEAFOOD GRILL

AL DANAH

We're pretty sure every Filipino in Abu Dhabi jumped for joy when Dampa hit the streets of the capital, all ready to get their fix of the famous Dampa seafood, without having to trek up the road to Dubai. Yes, it's that good and is pretty much considered the OG of all the similar concepts in Abu Dhabi.

What to expect at Dampa? 

It’s a boodle fight! Get your gloves and apron on, dump the rice and the absolutely delicious combination of seafood and rice on top (and always corn cobs!) and away you go!

But it doesn’t stop there: we love the giant fried shrimp, which is actually prepared Cajun style, dripped in butter and spice and tasting absolutely divine. The cheesy baked mussels are a must try, and if you’re feeling decadent, get the lobster.

It’s fun, it’s clean and always busy … definitely a great option for a cheap seafood restaurant in Abu Dhabi!

Timings: 12PM - 11:30PM | daily

Contact: 02 622 0096

‍

BUTAFISH

KHALIFA CITY A, AL BATEEN, AL MIRFA

Butafish boasts the title of the first seafood restaurant in the UAE - the OG is in Abu Dhabi but there are also now branches in Dubai and Al Ain.  We’re lucky enough in Abu Dhabi to have two of the best fish restaurants, one in Al Bateen and the other in Khalifa City, an amazing option for off-islanders looking for a fish restaurant nearby, as well as a new outlet in Mugheirah Bay, Mirfa. 

Butafish serves seafood in what appears to be a million different ways: Arabic or Italian, with spaghetti or with noodles, grilled or fried, poached or steamed - however you like it, there’s a dish for you.  Butafish is a favourite amongst Arabic speakers for it’s broad range of options and the quality of the product and the freshness. 

And there are bargains to be had!: at lunchtimes on weekdays (and lunchtime means any time between 12PM and 6PM!), you can get a main course, salad and rice and a soft drink for only AED79, making it one of the most affordable seafood restaurants in Abu Dhabi. 

Butafish is definitely worth a try if you’re on a discovery voyage for the best fish restaurant in Abu Dhabi. 

‍

Timing: 1PM - 11:30PM | daily

Contact: 02 666 6108

‍

SEAFOOD EXPRESS

NAHYAN CAMP

This popular seafood restaurant is another great option for lunch or dinner if you live near Nahyan Camp and want a seafood restaurant nearby.   The menu is broad, offering both a seafood bucket (starting around AED100), boodle fight kind of experience as well as plates and trays with fish and chips and breaded and fried options, perfect for satisfying that seafood and fish craving. No need to worry about getting your kandoura mucky, they provide bibs and gloves - don’t mess about, you need them! - perfect for you to really enjoy the food without worrying. 

This is a great option for a seafood restaurant in Abu Dhabi. 

Timings: 12PM - 12AM | daily

Contact: 02 565 6707

‍

‍

Check out the best seafood in Dubai too!