It would be easy to forget how lucky we are in UK to have some of the finest fish around right on our doorstep. The British coasts are home to a vast array of different types of fish, meaning that restaurants are able to get hold of high quality, fresh seafood more easily than many other types of produce. It makes sense then that Britain is so well-known for its fish cookery. From fish restaurants from highly-regarded Michelin-starred chefs like Nathan Outlaw and Tom Brown to the charming chippies which can be found in pretty much every town in the country, there's great seafood at all levels in the UK.
The good news for us townies is that you don’t have to dine by the coast to experience a fabulous fish meal; the capital boasts some of the best fish restaurants in the country.With Billingsgate Market on the doorstep, offering the freshest and most fantastic range of seafood in the land, London chefs are spoilt for choice – it’s no surprise that the Capital is a veritable paradise for great fish restaurant. Take a look through our excellent guide to the best fish restaurants in London and discover a fine selection just waiting for you to work your way through.
Whether you fancy a stellar oyster bar, a seafood feast or a Michelin-starred fish-filled extravaganza, London’s best restaurants for fish are all here in one neat shoal. Whether you prefer traditional recipes or exciting and innovative dishes, there is certain to be something to suit your taste for marine life in our guide. Every one of the fish restaurants featured here have been tried and tested by our expert food critics and our own customers so that you know they’ve had a good grilling (if you’ll pardon the pun) before making their way to a coveted spot on this round up.
The Melusine
What: For those who like to feel transported to coast when indulging in seafood, The Melusine is as close as it gets in London. On a nice day in St Katharine Docks, the lapping water and tinkle of boat rigging could lull you into feeling like you’re somewhere on the Med. Add in a glass of white wine and a few plates of The Melusine’s wonderfully fresh seafood and you’re practically there.
Where: Unit K, Ivory House, E1W 1AT
Parsons
What: If there was one word to describe Covent Garden’s Parsons, it would be unassuming. It would be easy to miss the small seafood joint, owned by the team behind The 10 Cases over the road, but venture inside and you’ll be treated to some delightful cookery. Setting the scene with green and white fishmonger-style tiles, Parsons has a jolly persona. We’d particularly recommend giving the potted shrimp croquettes and salt cod fritters a try.
Where: 39 Endell Street, WC2H 9BA
Sweetings
What: Traditionalist rejoice, Sweetings’ time-warp feel will transport you to days gone by. This old-timer is based in Mansion House and has a distinctly pubby look to it. Don’t be fooled though, the food is anything but pub grub. Expect everything from luxurious plates of oysters and crab for starters to mains of grilled, poached or fried fish, with options a plenty.
Where: 39 Queen Victoria Street, EC4N 4SA
Behind
What: After winning a Michelin star in 2021 having been open for just 20 days, Hackney’s Behind has quickly become regarded as one of London’s finest seafood spots. The chef’s table restaurant is headed up by Jason Atherton’s ex development chef, Andy Beynon, and serves an eight-course tasting menu focused around sustainably sourced seafood. Make sure to book a while in advance though as there are only 18 seats at the table and they fill up quickly.
Where: 20 Sidworth Street, E8 3SD
Westerns Laundry
What: Sister restaurant to the Insta-famous Jolene, Westerns Laundry’s fashionably stark interiors and a daily-changing menu attract a trendy crowd. Seafood is certainly the focus at this small North London restaurant, which sees daily dishes written up on a blackboard in the dining room. Don’t miss the fideuà if it’s on the menu, an irresistible Andalusian one-pot pasta with succulent baked seafood.
Where: 34 Drayton Park, N5 1PB
Fishworks
What: All three outposts of London’s Fishworks (Marylebone, Soho and Covent Garden) manage to seamlessly blend the maritime charm of the English coastline with the sophistication of central London’s dining scene. The biggest selling point at Fishworks is its onsite fishmongers which allow you to choose from the catches of the day. Dishes on the menu range from seafood and samphire linguini to a whole steamed lobster.
Where: 89 Marylebone High Street, W1U 4QW; 7-9 Swallow Street, W1B 4DE; 2-4 Catherine Street, WC2B 5JY
Brat
What: Tomos Parry’s Michelin-starred Shoreditch spot may not exclusively serve seafood but there’s no doubt that its signature whole turbot headlines the menu. Arguably one of London’s best-known dishes, the turbot, like all the dishes at Brat (which is also a nickname for turbot), is cooked slowly on a wood-fired grill so as to impart maximum flavour. Don’t be put off by the hefty price either, as the large turbot will easily serve three or four.
Where: 64 Shoreditch High Street, Shoreditch, E1 6JJ
Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill
What: Owned by celebrated chef Richard Corrigan, Bentley’s is a special occasion seafood restaurant. Oysters are shucked with speed in front of diners in the more casual downstairs dining room, with everything from fish and chips to fish pie to a classic fish and chips on the menu. Meanwhile, upstairs is reserved for fine dining with things like bass carpaccio accompanied by langoustine, and dover sole meunière on offer.
Where: 11-15 Swallow Street, W1B 4DG
Kaspar's at the Savoy
What: Named after the Savoy’s famous black cat, Kaspar’s has long been one of Central London’s most celebrated seafood restaurants. In fact, Winston Churchill used to often dine at this very spot, and if it’s good enough for him it’s good enough for us. Luxurious ingredients are order of the day – expect lobster and indulgent seafood pies – while there’s plenty of theatre at Kaspar’s too, with the chefs coming into the dining room to serve and complete certain dishes.
Where: The Savoy Hotel, Strand, WC2R 0EZ
Chicama
What: This seafood-led take on Peruvian cuisine comes from the people behind successful South American joint Pachamama. Primely located on the King’s Road, Chicama benefits from a gorgeous outdoor area at the back, which is the perfect place to enjoy the coastal flavours during the summer. Head here for barbecued, flame-grilled fish with fresh accompaniments like ají panca salsa, while beautiful ceviches, of course, make an appearance on the menu.
Where: 383 King's Road, SW10 0LP
Estiatorio Milos
What: Founded by highly regarded Greek chef Costas Spiliadis, Estiatorio Milos is an internationally recognised chain known for its exquisite Mediterranean seafood. Its only UK outpost is found in a stunning Grade II-listed building in St James’ and attracts a well-heeled crowd. There’s a ‘market’ of fresh fish here which you can choose from and the raw bar is a solid option too. We’d particularly recommend giving the Greek ceviche a try.
Where: 1 Regent Street Saint James's, SW1Y 4NR
The Oystermen Seafood Bar & Kitchen
What: Uncomplicated, simple serves are the order of the day at The Oystermen, which started life as a pop up. The small kitchen at the Covent Garden restaurant produces delightful treats such as anchovies on toast, smoked cod roe with lavash bread, and, of course, oysters. However, it’s not just about the small plates here; more substantial fish dishes such as Scottish cod with chestnut purée also come expertly cooked.
Where: 32 Henrietta Street, WC2E 8NA
Wright Brothers
What: Wright Brothers has earnt such a name for itself in the Capital over the past few years that is now has no less than five outposts. Still renowned for serving up some of London’s best oysters, other top shouts at Wright Brothers include a smoky mackerel pate, buttery potted shrimps and sublimely handled turbot, or you can choose from a range of daily specials.
Where: Various locations
Randall & Aubin
What: Randall & Aubin has been a stalwart of the London seafood scene ever since it opened in 1996. This Soho haunt is decked out with marble counters for old world glamour while the food menu consists of a mixture of English and French seafood favourites. Choose from the beautiful shellfish-on-ice display or opt for a classic such as bouillabaisse or linguine vongole.
Where: 16 Brewer Street, W1F 0SQ
Hook Camden
What: Hook doesn’t put on any airs and graces, but instead offers up solid seafood cookery in tried and tested classics, with the odd contemporary twist. The go-to choice here is the classic fish and chips, which gave Hook its name, but we suggest giving the Cajun-style version a go; it comes battered in panko breadcrumbs and Cajun spices and is accompanied by seaweed-salted chips.
Where: 65 Parkway Road, NW1 7PP
J Sheekey
What: West End regulars will have undoubtably walked past the bright red façade of J Sheekey on many occasions before but if you haven’t ventured inside before, it’s a great spot for a pre-show meal. Diners come to J Sheekey for its inimitable fish cookery which courts all the classics with a light touch. Tuck into rich fish pie, potted shrimps or fruits de mer for a satisfyingly retro meal.
Where: 28-32 St Martin's Court, WC2N 4AL
Angler
What: Stunning views come as standard at this Michelin starred seafood restaurant in the City, which is located the seventh floor of South Place Hotel. The precise cooking on show at Angler elevates beautiful ingredients to dizzying heights. Dishes on the regularly changing a la carte menu might include John Dory with bacon and sardines, and roast monkfish served with parsnip cream, while there’s also the option to go all-out and opt for the lengthy tasting menu.
Where: South Place Hotel, 3 South Place, EC2M 2AF
Beast
What: Beast is the kind of pricy restaurant only people with serious money frequent. Vast wooden tables, which stretch the length of the dining room, ensure that any meal at Beast feels like a banquet. Steaks are the main draw but don’t overlook the seafood. Plump scallops and mammoth king crabs, priced by the kilo, are grilled until smoky over coals.
Where: 3 Chapel Place, Oxford Circus, W1G 0BG
Cornerstone
What: Having trained under Nathan Outlaw before heading up his London restaurant, it wasn’t a surprise that Tom Brown’s Cornerstone was an instant hit when it first opened. Since then, it’s gone on to be awarded a Michelin star for its tapas-style menu of fish dishes. Expect playful plates at Cornerstone such as a buttery shrimp crumpet, and a hake Kiev with wild mushroom butter.
Where: 3 Prince Edward Road, Hackney, E9 5LX
Trishna
What: While seafood tends to make an appearance on the menu of most half-decent Indian restaurants, it’s rare to see an Indian restaurant where it’s the main focus of the menu. However, that’s exactly what Michelin-starred Marylebone restaurant Trishna is all about - spectacular seafood which comes expertly spiced. Go for fat tandoori mustard prawns, warming seafood biryani or the moreish brown crab with curry leaves, pepper and garlic.
Where: 15-17 Blandford Street, W1U 3DG
Lyon’s seafood and wine bar
What: Based in the heart of Crouch End, Lyon’s Seafood & Wine Bar is all about championing sustainable seafood. The brainchild of front-of-house aficionado Anthony Lyon, the restaurant also adopts a fin-to-tail approach to seafood cookery, meaning that you’ll often find some less glamourous, but just as beautifully cooked, parts of the fish on the regularly changing menu.
Where: 1 Park Road, N8 8TE
Chamberlain’s of London
What: There is something captivating about dining in a market, and Chamberlain’s position in the atmospheric labyrinth of Leadenhall is no different. The longstanding restaurant, which has been open since 1947, serves a menu of impeccable fish dishes, all of which come beautifully presented. Opt for classic combinations such as Orkney scallops with lardo or treat yourself to the most indulgent of dinners and order the turbot with truffle.
Where: 23-25 Leadenhall Market, EC3V 1LR
Scott’s
What: Owned by the people behind The Ivy, Scott’s has earned its place as a London institution and rightly so. Come here for service that will make you feel like a VIP and, decadent seafood dishes, and Champagne by the magnum. Once you’ve made the decision to go to Scott’s it would seem wrong to order anything other than a whole lobster, or at minimum a whole fish on the bone to share.
Where: 20 Mount Street, Mayfair, W1K 2HE
Wiltons
What: Wiltons is jacket and tie-style dining through and through, which will transport you to another world. Having originally opened as a shellfish-mongers in 1742, many regard Wiltons as London’s oldest restaurant (although you might find that Rules have something to say about that!). The kitchen serves up some of London’s best oysters, starters like dressed crabs and classic mains such as buttery Dover sole meunière.
Where: 55 Jermyn Street, SW1Y 6LX
More of a fan of meat than seafood? Check out our guide to the best steak restaurants in London