Dubai is one of the world’s leading destinations for top-tier seafood.

Whether it’s fresh-from-the-tank displays, oysters on ice, lobster linguine, or Levantine-style grilled fish, the city’s best seafood spots are too good to miss.

These are the best seafood restaurants in Dubai, as recognised by the Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards 2025.

cred: time out dubai

The best seafood restaurants in Dubai 2025

WINNER

Ibn AlBahr

Credit: Ibn AlBahr

One of the most charming seafood restaurants in Dubai, and consistently one of the best – this spot at Club Vista Mare is run by Lebanese fishermen. If you like your catch fresh as can be, you’re in the right place.

Take a seat on the terrace or sit on the beach for a toes-in-the-sand dining experience. Dig into a selection of mezze to start before opting for your seafood prepared in a style of your choosing. We say keep in simple and enjoy grilled fish with a view of the sea.

Licensed. Club Vista Mare, Palm Jumeirah, ibnalbahr.me (04 553 9575).

Check out our full Ibn AlBahr review here

Highly commended

Alici

Credit: Alici

This charming spot overlooks the Arabian Gulf and JBR, meaning it’s ideal for holidaymakers, while those who live in Dubai will also enjoy the vacation feel. Focusing on flavours from Southern Italy and the Amalfi Coast, the cute blues and whites give a fresh feeling, while the menu stars Italian seafood dishes.

From raw plates to the specialty ingredient anchovies (Alici means anchovy), there’s plenty to try for seafood-lovers. The lobster pasta is artfully presented, served table-side and comes with tender shellfish in an unctuous tomato sauce.

Licensed. Bluewaters Dubai, alici.com (04 275 2577).

Check out our full Alici review here

Lucia’s Mare

Credit: Lucia’s Mare

If you’re after an excellent seafood dining experience, generally it’s a good idea to head to a venue by the sea. You can’t get much closer than Lucia Mare at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, which sits on the sand at the foot of Burj Al Arab.

The stunning location is matched by exquisite coastal cuisine from Capri, with a collection of delicate raw seafood dishes, salads, hot starters, pasta, risotto, pizza and mains like grilled sea bream and an Italian seafood stew.

Designed for sharing, the huge portion of paccheri all’astice – whole lobster with gragnano paccheri pasta, bisque, cherry tomatoes and basil ­­– is a show-stopper.

Licensed. Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Umm Suqeim, luciasdubai.com (04 422 4321).

Check out our full Lucia’s Mare review here

Shortlisted

Azeema Seafood Restaurant

Credit: Azeema Seafood Restaurant

This low-key spot in Jumeirah Fishing Harbour 2 is one of the best seafood restaurants in Dubai for those in the know. A chilled-out, pocket-friendly place, the fresh catch here comes at affordable prices and is cooked simply, but expertly.

From crab soup and seafood salad to grilled sheri, tuna, mullet or sea bass, you can also go for seafood pasta or a chef’s selection platter if you want to try a selection.

Unlicensed. Jumeirah Fishing Harbour 2 (055 525 5253).

Bordo Mavi

Credit: Bordo Mavi

This cute, prettily decorated eatery in Jumeirah Fishing Harbour 1 comes from the team behind 3 Fils and Brix. Having opened in 2023, it’s rapidly becoming known as one of the most popular seafood restaurants in Dubai thanks to its fresh, delicious dishes and cool vibe.

The set-up is lovely, both inside and from the terrace overlooking the Arabian Gulf. The menu comes from Turkish fishmonger Ersan Yılmaz who draws inspiration from coastal fishing village traditions and modern-day preparations and features 200-year-old recipes that have been passed down through generations.

Expect dishes such as clam casserole and grilled octopus. Go before the secret is out – this is the best seafood restaurant in Dubai right now.

Unlicensed. Jumeirah Fishing Harbour 1, bordomavidubai.com (056 508 5002).

Check out our full Bordo Mavi review here

Dampa Seafood Grill

Nothing could dampen (ahem) the passion Dampa has for delivering its legendary Filipino seafood to the masses. After a fire caused the Deira restaurant to close in 2023, it reopened in February 2024 and quickly re-established its vibrant energy.

With a menu crammed with all manner of catch, from whole grilled squid to baked mussels, your best bet is to try it all with the signature seafest dump.

At just Dhs176 and enough for three people, watch as the freshest haul is pretty much chucked on the table in front of you, sauce and all (top tip: go for the Cajun). Tuck in with your hands and devour the lot. The more mess the better. 

Unlicensed. Baniyas Road, Port Saeed @dampaseafoodgrill (04 299 0884).

Check out our full Dampa Seafood Grill review here

Fish Gourmet Seafood Restaurant

Credit: Instagram @‌fishgourmetuae

Another, casual, unlicensed and wallet-friendly seafood restaurant in Dubai’s Jumeirah Fishing Harbour, Fish Gourmet is a chilled out spot with a simple, delicious menu.

With a wide variety of seafood soups and salads to start, move onto grilled mussels, shrimp koftas, sayadeya seafood rice, seafood pasta, grills and more for a tasty, filling meal with family and friends.

Unlicensed. Jumeirah Fishing Harbour 1, @‌fishgourmetuae (050 302 6060).

Long Teng Seafood Restaurant

Credit: Long Teng Seafood Restaurant

A Chinese restaurant that specialises in seafood, this low-key unlicensed spot is a popular option for those who like their Chinese food authentic and packed full of flavour.

You can opt for the live seafood selection to pick your catch – from mud crab to Boston lobster, oysters and more and have it prepared in a sauce of your choosing. As well as tasty stir-fries, the dim sum is top-notch here, especially the crystal prawn dumplings.

Unlicensed. U-Bora Business Tower, Business Bay, @‌longtengseafood (04 241 1666).

Check out our full Long Teng Seafood Restaurant here

Rockfish

Credit: Rockfish

Headed by Italian chef Andrea Brugnetti, beautiful restaurant Rockfish is dedicated to elevating seafood dishes in a premium setting. It’s the place to go for a cold seafood tower (cameras at the ready), along with a selection of oysters and caviar.

A hamachi and langoustine tartar with caviar sets the tone, lobster ravioli is rich and moreish and there are irresistible sharing portions of seabass with salt crust, Dover sole and turbot on the menu. It’s at the pricier end of the spectrum, but the process behind every plate, from sourcing to presentation, is worth it. 

Licensed. Jumeirah Al Naseem, Umm Suqeim, Jumeirah.com (800 323232).

Seafood Street Food

Credit: Seafood Street Food

This bright seafood diner in Motor City flips everything we thought about seafood restaurants on its head. With a desire to bring fresh seafood to more people, there’s everything from fish burger and dynamite fish to fish shawarma and fish taco served here. The highlight though is the central fish display, from which you can choose your catch, the cooking method (grilled butterfly style every time) and the sauce.

Fisherman’s Pots are packed with both fish and flavour, so order a couple to share. It might be a casual eatery, with prices you won’t quite be able to believe, but this is seafood you simply must try.

Unlicensed. Joud Boulevard West, Motor City, seafoodstreetfood.me (04 558 3592).