Best Seafood Restaurants in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi's relationship with the sea runs deep. Long before the oil boom transformed the capital into a gleaming metropolis, the waters of the Arabian Gulf sustained generations of Emirati families through fishing, pearl diving, and maritime trade. That heritage lives on in the city's seafood restaurants, where the catch-of-the-day ethos is not a marketing gimmick but a way of life. From the chaotic, wonderful energy of the Al Mina fish market area to polished waterfront restaurants overlooking the Corniche, Abu Dhabi offers seafood experiences that rival any coastal city in the world. We visited dozens of restaurants, spoke with local food writers, and cross-referenced thousands of diner reviews to compile this list of the eight best seafood restaurants in the capital.

1. Gandofly Seafood Restaurant

Location: Tourist Club Area | Price Range: AED 80–200 | Best For: Consistently top-rated seafood at fair prices

Gandofly has earned a near-perfect reputation among Abu Dhabi diners, and for good reason. The fish kebabs here are exceptional, seasoned with a proprietary blend of Gulf spices and grilled over charcoal until the exterior develops a light char while the interior stays moist and flaky. The mixed seafood grill is another crowd favourite, arriving on a sizzling platter of hammour, shrimp, calamari, and snapper. What keeps regulars coming back is the honest pricing. A full seafood dinner for two rarely exceeds AED 200, which is remarkable given the quality. The staff treat every table like family, and the restaurant hums with a warm, communal energy from its 9 AM opening until the small hours of the morning.

View Gandofly Seafood Restaurant on GoProfiled →

2. Finz Restaurant

Location: Al Zahiyah (Beach Rotana) | Price Range: AED 250–600 | Best For: Upscale waterfront dining with Mediterranean flair

Perched on the terrace of the Beach Rotana hotel, Finz is where Abu Dhabi's seafood scene goes upscale without losing its soul. The kitchen bridges Mediterranean technique with Gulf ingredients, producing dishes like pan-seared hammour with saffron risotto, grilled lobster tail with burnt lemon butter, and a show-stopping seafood tower for two that features oysters, prawns, crab claws, and smoked salmon. The wine list is curated to complement the menu, and the waterfront terrace seating at sunset is genuinely one of the most beautiful dining settings in the capital. This is the restaurant you choose when you want to impress a guest or celebrate a milestone.

View Finz Restaurant on GoProfiled →

3. Dampa Seafood Grill Abu Dhabi

Location: Al Danah | Price Range: AED 100–250 | Best For: Hands-on communal seafood feasts

Dampa throws fine-dining etiquette out the window in the best possible way. Here, your table is covered in paper, buckets of prawns, crab, mussels, and corn are tossed in your chosen sauce, and then the whole lot is poured directly onto the table. You eat with your hands, you make a glorious mess, and you love every minute of it. The Cajun butter sauce is the most popular choice, though the garlic lemon and spicy sriracha options have fierce loyalists. A kilogram of prawns in Cajun sauce runs about AED 120, making it an affordable option for groups. The atmosphere is loud, joyful, and perfect for birthdays or any occasion that calls for fun over formality.

View Dampa Seafood Grill Abu Dhabi on GoProfiled →

4. Estacoza Seafood Restaurant

Location: Al Mina (New Fish Market) | Price Range: AED 80–200 | Best For: Market-fresh seafood prepared to order

Situated inside the New Fish Market at Zayed Port, Estacoza benefits from the shortest possible supply chain: the fish are quite literally metres away. You can browse the adjacent market stalls, select your own catch, and have Estacoza's chefs prepare it however you like, whether grilled with lemon and herbs, fried in a crispy batter, or cooked in a traditional Emirati spiced broth. The hammour sayadieh, a fragrant rice dish topped with spiced fish and caramelised onions, is a house specialty that draws knowing nods from local diners. The market setting is vibrant and authentic, a world away from the hotel restaurants, and the prices reflect the direct-from-source model.

View Estacoza Seafood Restaurant on GoProfiled →

5. Calicut Bluefin Restaurant

Location: Defense Road | Price Range: AED 40–120 | Best For: Kerala-style crab curry and budget seafood

Calicut Bluefin is the kind of place that food-obsessed locals whisper about. Opposite Al Wahdha Mall, this unassuming restaurant serves Kerala-inspired seafood that punches far above its modest price point. The crab curry is legendary: whole crabs simmered in a deeply spiced coconut gravy that demands to be mopped up with fluffy appam or parotta. The fish fry, coated in a fiery red masala and pan-fried to a shatteringly crisp finish, is another essential order. A full meal for two with crab curry, fish fry, rice, and drinks can come in under AED 100. Open from 6 AM, it is also one of the few places where you can get a proper seafood breakfast.

View Calicut Bluefin Restaurant on GoProfiled →

6. Al Shader Restaurant

Location: Al Mina (Fish Market) | Price Range: AED 70–180 | Best For: Trendy fish market dining with excellent shrimp

Al Shader has brought a contemporary edge to Abu Dhabi's historic Mina Fish Market. The restaurant manages to feel both modern and rooted, with a sleek interior that stands in pleasant contrast to the bustling market outside. The shrimp dishes are the stars here. The garlic butter shrimp arrives on a sizzling hot plate, the jumbo prawns are grilled with just the right amount of smoky char, and the shrimp machboos pairs tender shellfish with fragrant spiced rice. The grilled catch of the day, selected from the morning's freshest arrivals, is always a safe bet. Staff are well-informed about the daily selection and genuinely enthusiastic about guiding your choices.

View Al Shader Restaurant on GoProfiled →

7. Sea House Restaurant and Grills

Location: Al Mina (Zayed Port) | Price Range: AED 60–180 | Best For: Waterfront grilled seafood platters and sunrise meals

Sea House commands one of the best waterfront positions among Al Mina's cluster of seafood restaurants. The grilled prawns are the signature, arriving butterflied and basted in a house marinade that balances garlic, herbs, and a whisper of chilli. The mixed seafood platter for two is the way to sample the kitchen's range, featuring grilled hammour, prawns, calamari rings, and a whole snapper alongside rice, salad, and dipping sauces. What truly sets Sea House apart is its remarkable hours, opening at 5 AM to serve fishermen and early risers. A dawn meal of grilled fish overlooking the port, with fishing boats heading out for the day's catch, is one of Abu Dhabi's most authentic experiences.

View Sea House Restaurant and Grills on GoProfiled →

8. Off The Hook Seafood Restaurant

Location: Al Manhal | Price Range: AED 80–200 | Best For: Tiger prawns and generous sharing platters

Off The Hook lives up to its playful name with seafood that consistently exceeds expectations. The grilled tiger prawns are the dish that built the restaurant's reputation: plump, expertly seasoned, and cooked to that precise moment when the shell just begins to pull away from the flesh. The seafood platter is designed for sharing and features a generous assortment of grilled, fried, and steamed preparations that showcase the kitchen's versatility. Located on Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street in Al Manhal, it draws diners from across Abu Dhabi who have heard the word-of-mouth recommendations. The staff are passionate and attentive, treating each plate as though their reputation depends on it, because in Abu Dhabi's competitive seafood scene, it does.

View Off The Hook Seafood Restaurant on GoProfiled →

How to Choose the Right Seafood Restaurant in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi's seafood scene spans a wide spectrum, from paper-on-the-table market eateries to polished hotel restaurants, so choosing comes down to what kind of experience you want. For the freshest-possible fish with the most authentic atmosphere, head to the Al Mina area around the New Fish Market, where restaurants like Estacoza, Al Shader, and Sea House source their catches from literally next door. If you want a refined evening out with wine pairings and waterfront views, Finz at the Beach Rotana is the clear choice. For value, Calicut Bluefin and Gandofly deliver extraordinary quality at prices that seem almost too fair. And for a fun group outing where the experience matters as much as the food, Dampa's hands-on communal style is unbeatable. Whatever your budget or mood, Abu Dhabi's seafood scene has a restaurant waiting for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best area for seafood in Abu Dhabi?

Al Mina, particularly the area around the New Fish Market at Zayed Port, has the highest concentration of quality seafood restaurants. Estacoza, Al Shader, and Sea House are all located here and benefit from direct access to the freshest catches. The market atmosphere adds an authentic dimension to the dining experience.

Are Abu Dhabi seafood restaurants expensive?

Abu Dhabi offers seafood at every price point. Budget-friendly options like Calicut Bluefin serve a full meal for two under AED 100, while mid-range restaurants like Gandofly and Estacoza typically range from AED 80 to 200 per person. Upscale options like Finz can run AED 250 to 600 for a full dinner with drinks.

Which Abu Dhabi restaurant has the best crab?

Calicut Bluefin is widely regarded as having the best crab dishes in Abu Dhabi. Their Kerala-style crab curry, with whole crabs simmered in a richly spiced coconut gravy, is the dish that earns the restaurant its devoted following. Dampa is another excellent option if you prefer a more hands-on, communal crab experience.

Can I buy fish at the market and have it cooked at a restaurant?

Yes, this is a popular practice at Al Mina's fish market restaurants. Estacoza and several neighbouring restaurants offer a cook-your-catch service where you select fish from the adjacent market stalls and the kitchen prepares it to your specifications. Cooking fees are typically AED 20 to 40 per kilogram depending on the preparation style.

What is the freshest fish in Abu Dhabi?

Hammour (orange-spotted grouper) and shari (emperor fish) are the most prized local catches from the Arabian Gulf. Shrimp from the Gulf are also outstanding, particularly during the cooler months from October to March when catches are at their peak. Restaurants near the fish market offer the freshest options since they source directly from the morning's haul.

Explore More Dining Options on GoProfiled

Abu Dhabi's seafood scene is just one chapter in the UAE's remarkable culinary story. Whether you are searching for the perfect waterfront dinner or a hidden gem in the fish market, GoProfiled helps you discover and compare the best dining options across the Emirates. Browse our full restaurant directory to find your next memorable meal.