5 Places For Fab Fish

Lizzie Gore-Grimes urges you to embrace the brine and feast on fish in these top Dublin spots:

KLAW
Niall Sabongi, the man behind Rock Lobster in Dundrum, has just opened a new seafood bar on Crown Alley in Temple Bar. KLAW offers oysters, lobster rolls, chowder, crab, prawns and more, to eat in or take away. The tiny 12-seater bar is cosy and casual and fits the ?crab shack? bill perfectly. We love it. You’ll find lots of clever little touches on the menu such as the yuzu aioli paired with Lambay crab claws and their own version of brandy-spiked ?Mary Rose? sauce served with the – pint of Atlantic prawns. If you’re an oyster lover, don’t miss Happy Hour from 4-6pm every day (#shucknsuck) with all oysters €1, perfect when paired with a glass of Prosecco, for an early evening seafood snack.?Klaw, 5a Crown Alley, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 @DublinKlaw

Catch 22

Complete with a clever name, cool contemporary layout and a menu that starts with fish but doesn’t end with chips – we are impressed with this new piscatorial addition to Dublin’s dining scene. Catch 22 has just arrived on South Anne Street and is well worth checking out. Inside the d?cor is beach-fresh with lots of bleached wood, off-white tiles and blue leather banquette seating. We love the raised bar by the front window so you can watch the world go by as your enjoy your herb-crusted hake, shellfish pot, tuna nicoise salad or just good ol? fish and chips. The fish is delivered fresh everyday from the south, west and east coasts of Ireland and all their packaging is biodegradable which is a nice touch. A well-chosen selection of wine and craft beer is also on offer. 28 South Anne St, Dublin 2. (01) 613 9018; catch-22.ie

Super Miss Sue
If you’re looking to take things up a notch, head to the fish caf? at Super Miss Sue (SMS) for great food, knock-out cocktails and top-notch people watching. This sensational seafood spot offers up an elegant oyster bar and seafood caf? up front and posh fish?n?chip shop down the back. In the caf?, the shellfish platter to share (Alaskan king crab, lobster, crab claws, gambas, oysters, mussels, clams) is a brilliant way to kick things off if you’re with a gang. Although you don’t want to miss out on the saut?ed squid with garlic and chilli either so you better have both. For mains, the daily fish special is always good and there’s loads of choice for non-fish fans too (the ribeye tagliata is carnivore nirvana). Just don’t forget to order your side of Cervi fries. 2?3 Drury Street, Dublin 2. 01 679 9009; supermisssue.com.

The Cliff Townhouse
This is the perfect spot to spoil someone. The dining room, overlooking Stephen’s Green, is endlessly elegant with beautiful royal blue, studded leather chairs, cosy banquettes and an elevated Oyster and Champagne bar at the back. The menu offers oodles of delicious fresh fish options as well as plenty to keep meat-lovers happy. They’ve recently added a raw section which will appeal if you like to keep things light. Think: tuna ceviche with lemon, lime, and avocado ice cream or halibut gravadlax (with shaved fennel and bloody Mary sorbet). For something completely different pop in for Afternoon Sea where the usual carb-laden fancies are replaced with delicate seafood savouries (potted monkfish, poached lobster, crab claws, oysters). Ingenious. Nab the elevated round table at the back by the oyster bar and feel very VIP indeed. 22 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2. 01 638 3939; theclifftownhouse.com

The Fish Shack, Sandycove
Fans of the Fish Shack’s temporary set-up on Dun Laoghaire’s east pier will be excited to hear about their (relatively new) permanent home in Sandycove. The place is casual, with simple but tasteful seating inside, a small terrace out front and a nice view of Scotsman’s Bay. Tables operate on a first come, first served basis and it’s popular so you may need to put your name down and wait a bit. But it’s worth it for the super fresh fish and easy-going atmosphere. Shellfish fans will love the Lobster Loco (half grilled lobster with warm lemon butter), the more-ish shrimp nachos, and the simplicity of perfectly grilled sole on the bone. The chips are proper fat ones, little bowls of salad come beautifully dressed and the lemon butter is served in fresh oyster shells. Clever. 1 Martello Terrace, Sandycove, info@fishshack.ie, 01 2844555; @StreetFoodRevol