Abu Dhabi’s coastline is home to some of the most exciting seafood restaurants in the UAE, offering everything from immersive fine-dining experiences and locally sourced catch to casual seafood buckets and market-style cooking. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or craving authentic flavours from the Emirati coast, the capital has something for every seafood lover, making it easy to find the best seafood restaurant in Abu Dhabi.
This guide categorises the top seafood restaurants in Abu Dhabi, from luxury destinations to local favourites and casual dining spots, based on the latest offerings and standout dishes.
- Luxury seafood restaurants in Abu Dhabi
- Authentic Emirati & local seafood
- Market-style and create-your-own seafood
- Mediterranean & international seafood
- Casual seafood & bucket-style dining
- Seafood restaurant tips
- Key takeaways
- FAQs
Luxury seafood restaurants in Abu Dhabi
These upscale restaurants combine fresh seafood with elegant settings, theatrical presentations, and premium ingredients, making them ideal for celebrations and memorable dining experiences.
Catch at St. Regis Abu Dhabi (Nation Riviera)
Catch offers an immersive seafood dining experience with Gulf views, an open kitchen, and refined presentation. Signature dishes include the multi-tiered Catch Tower and the whole roasted Mediterranean sea bass. The restaurant’s stylish setting and high-level service make it one of Abu Dhabi’s most notable upscale seafood venues.
Hours: Daily 12:00 pm to 12:00 am
Location
Nation Riviera Beach Club, Corniche Road, Al Khubeirah
Contact Information
Phone: +971 2 694 4615
Fishmarket – InterContinental Abu Dhabi
Fishmarket is known for its market-style concept, where diners select fresh seafood and vegetables before the chef prepares each dish to their preference. Influences range from Thai and Mediterranean to Emirati flavours. The beachfront setting and customisable dishes make it one of Abu Dhabi’s longest-running and most distinctive seafood experiences.
Hours: Daily 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Location
InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Al Bateen
Contact Information
Phone: +971 56 990 8317
Finz – Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi
Finz combines Mediterranean seafood with contemporary techniques, offering a refined waterfront dining experience. The restaurant is well known for its seafood platters, creative dishes, and stylish terrace overlooking the water. It remains a popular choice for brunch, celebrations, and elegant dinners.
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, and 6:00 pm to 12:00 am
Location
Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi, Al Zahiyah
Contact Information
Phone: +971 2 697 9000
Authentic Emirati & local seafood
For those who want to explore flavours rooted in the UAE’s culinary heritage, these restaurants showcase traditional coastal dishes made with the freshest local catch.
Mina Fish Market – Zayed Port
A true Abu Dhabi institution, Mina Fish Market offers an authentic local seafood experience. Visitors can buy fresh fish from the market and have it cooked at neighbouring eateries in traditional Emirati style. It’s the best place in the city to sample local catch at its freshest.
Hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 am–9:00 pm; Fri–Sun 8:00 am–10:00 pm
Location
159 Al Doum Street, Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi
Al Fanar Restaurant & Café – Yas Island
Known for its nostalgic Emirati setting, Al Fanar serves Arabic fish dishes such as shari, hammour, sea bass, and sea bream. Many recipes draw inspiration from the UAE’s coastal heritage, making it a great choice for families and visitors seeking an authentic Emirati dining experience.
Hours: Daily 09:00 am – 10:00 pm
Location
The Fountains, Yas Mall, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Contact Information
Phone: +971 2 877 2272
Ryba – Al Mina Souq
Ryba is a modern seafood restaurant that focuses on premium local catch, prepared with attention to freshness and flavour. With an upbeat ambiance and excellent service, it has earned recognition from the Michelin Guide and stands out as one of Abu Dhabi’s top contemporary seafood spots.
Hours: Daily 12:00 pm – 12:00 am
Location
31 Al Marabi‘ Street, Al Mina Souq, Zayed Port, Abu Dhabi
Contact Information
Phone: +971 2 584 5645
Market-style and create-your-own seafood
These restaurants offer interactive dining experiences where guests choose their seafood and customise its preparation.
Fish Story – Al Mina
Set near the waterfront, Fish Story is known for fresh, market-sourced seafood cooked to order. Grilled sea bass and locally caught fish are among its most popular dishes, each seasoned with simplicity to highlight natural flavours.
Hours:
Mon, Tue, Wed: 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Thu: 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Fri–Sun: 12:00 pm – 12:00 am
Location
Souq – New Iranian Market, Zayed Port, Abu Dhabi
Contact Information
Phone: 052 111 0454
Mediterranean & international seafood
Abu Dhabi’s culinary scene includes stylish restaurants that blend Mediterranean seafood with global techniques, from paella to grilled lobster.
Mermaid Restaurant
Mermaid offers a refined Mediterranean seafood experience with dishes such as paella, crab, and lobster served in an elegant beachfront setting. Known for its intimate ambience and romantic atmosphere, it is a popular choice for date nights and special occasions at Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island.
Hours: Daily 7:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Location
Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi
Contact Information
Phone: +971 2 249 2222
Turtle Bay Bar & Grill
Turtle Bay Bar & Grill serves refined grilled seafood with Mediterranean influences in a relaxed, upscale beachfront setting. Guests can enjoy dishes like lobster, sea bass, and signature grilled platters on the open-air terrace, making it a popular choice for sunset dinners and special gatherings at Saadiyat Rotana.
Hours: Daily 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Location
Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas, Abu Dhabi
Contact Information
Phone: +971 2 697 0000
Casual seafood & bucket-style dining
For relaxed evenings and shareable meals with friends, these casual restaurants offer fun, flavourful seafood at accessible prices.
Butafish
One of the UAE’s first seafood restaurants, Butafish has expanded across Abu Dhabi with branches in Al Bateen, Khalifa City, and Mirfa. The menu offers both traditional and modern seafood dishes, making it popular among locals and expats.
Hours: Daily 10:00 am – 1:00 am
Location
Al Bateen, W35, Abu Dhabi
Contact Information
Phone: +971 2 666 6108
Seafood Express – Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi
Seafood Express is a favourite for casual, bucket-style seafood dining in Abu Dhabi. The restaurant is known for its generous seafood mixes, bold sauces, and lively atmosphere. It’s especially popular for group meals, as diners dig into prawns, mussels, crab, and fish served directly on the table for a fun, hands-on experience.
Hours: Daily 12:00 pm – 12:00 am
Location
Al Abtal Street, Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi
Contact Information
Phone: +971 2 565 6707
Dampa Seafood Grill
Dampa is one of Abu Dhabi’s most popular spots for lively, communal seafood dining. Guests gather around large tables as signature “seafood dumps” of prawns, crab, mussels, and corn are poured directly onto the table for a shared, hands-on feast. Known for its bold sauces and fun atmosphere, it’s especially loved by Filipino diners and anyone looking for a casual, energetic meal.
Hours: Daily 12:00 pm to 11:30 pm
Location
Al Danah, Zone 1 (inside Al Mariah Mall), Abu Dhabi
Contact Information
Phone: +971 2 622 0096
Seafood restaurant tips
- Reserve ahead when visiting high-end spots like Catch at St. Regis and Fishmarket, especially on weekends.
- Visit Mina Fish Market for an authentic local experience and have your seafood cooked at one of the nearby grillers.
- Check weekly specials or seasonal menus, particularly at Fish Story and Ryba.
- Choose Seafood Express or Butafish for quick, casual, and budget-friendly seafood meals.
- Most restaurants offer non-seafood and vegetarian options, making them suitable for mixed groups.
Key takeaways
Abu Dhabi offers a diverse seafood dining landscape, from luxury beachfront restaurants to traditional Emirati spots and lively, casual eateries. Catch at St. Regis and Fishmarket lead the high-end category with refined presentations and premium ingredients, while Mina Fish Market remains the city’s most authentic destination for fresh local catch. Ryba and Al Fanar highlight Emirati coastal flavours, and casual venues like Seafood Express, Butafish, and Dampa deliver fun, accessible seafood meals perfect for groups.
Whether you enjoy elegant dishes or simple, market-fresh plates, Abu Dhabi has seafood options for every palette and occasion.
FAQs
Catch at St. Regis (Nation Riviera) is considered one of the city’s top luxury seafood restaurants, known for its refined dishes, Gulf views, and elevated dining experience.
Mina Fish Market in Zayed Port is the best place to buy fresh local seafood and have it cooked at nearby restaurants in traditional styles.
Yes. Seafood Express, Butafish, and Dampa Seafood Grill are among the most popular casual spots offering bucket-style and family-friendly seafood meals.
Most seafood restaurants offer vegetarian and non-seafood alternatives, making them suitable for groups with mixed preferences.
Reservations are strongly recommended for high-end venues such as Catch at St. Regis and Fishmarket, especially on weekends or during peak dining hours.
