The Seafood Bar London

Located on Dean Street’s ever-vibrant thoroughfare, The Seafood Bar is a Soho jewel that delivers the kind of clean, precise seafood cooking we dream of but so rarely find.

A sleek Dutch import with roots in Amsterdam and Utrecht, The Seafood Bar opened in Soho in 2021 and has successfully cast its net over London’s discerning diners.

The Seafood Bar lives by the Dutch ‘Lekkerbek’ philosophy (what might seem simple on the outside is complicated on the inside). Seafood dishes that look effortlessly simple are, in fact, the result of quiet mastery – a kitchen that lets pristine fish and shellfish do all the talking, no faff, no frills, just elegant execution.

This is seafood for purists – for those who revel in the briny kiss of an oyster, the buttery flake of seabass, the sweet succulence of crab. Couples linger over platters piled high with glistening shellfish, while glasses of Grüner Veltliner and flutes of Ruinart Champagne clink in easy celebration.

Drinks at The Seafood Bar

Pre-dinner, the Amaretto Sour was a dream – nutty, silky with egg white, and just tart enough to whet the appetite. The Cranberry & Ginger Cooler, non-alcoholic but far from dull, balanced crisp & tart cranberry with the fiery fizz of ginger beer and the mouth-puckering acidity of lime – a grown-up mocktail with depth.

Starters at The Seafood Bar

We began with Japanese-dressed Oysters, topped with salmon roe – plump and cold, the oysters delivered that unmistakable ocean hit, offset by the gentle pop and saline sweetness of the roe. They disappeared in two satisfying slurps, leaving the palate bright and wanting more.

The Crab Cakes, refreshingly free of potato filler, were all meat – sweet, moist and lightly crisped, paired with a citrus mayo that zinged with lemon and lifted every bite.

These weren’t patties – they were celebrations of shellfish. Come in for a closer look at the luscious interior of the Crab Cakes.

Tuna Tataki followed, elegantly pink within, gently seared without. The flesh was rich and clean, meaty like beef carpaccio but silkier.

The glaze of soy, ginger and sesame seeds lent just enough umami depth to keep the dish dancing.

Fish & Crustaceans at The Seafood Bar

To experience what The Seafood Bar does best, we went for the showstopping combination of Fruits de Mer ‘Seafood Bar’ and the Mixed Grill.

The Mixed Grill was a masterclass in hot seafood cookery. The shell-on king prawn was meaty and slightly charred, its juices captured in every bite. The shrimp skewer offered two soft, juicy shrimps brushed with a subtle glaze that didn’t compete with the natural sweetness. The squid was tender, not rubbery – grilled just right with a slight smokiness and satisfying snap.

The plaice was delicate and flaky, a gentle white fish that soaked up flavour from the accompanying sauce. The salmon was rich and oily, with its natural fattiness offset by crisp skin, while the seabass was clean and silky, falling into perfect pearlescent flakes. Finally, the mussels, served warm in a tomato sauce, brought a welcome boldness – the sauce tangy and bright, ideal for mopping with crusty bread.

Let’s now deep dive into the star of the show – the Fruits de Mer ‘Seafood Bar’.

The Seafood Salad was a retro delight of minced crabsticks in mayo – pleasingly cool and nostalgic.

The Smoked Salmon was velvety – its gentle oakiness balanced by a subtle cure

The Mussels were not as plump and meaty as they could have been but this was made up for by their exceptional flavour – a taste of the sea.

The Whelks offered an earthier bite – chewy and robust, for those who like their shellfish with attitude. The Devon Brown Crab, dense and flavoursome, brought a nutty richness that spoke of British waters at their best.

The Crevettes were fat and firm, their gentle sweetness shining when dipped in the accompanying seafood sauce.

The Oysters were fresh and flinty with a jolt of oceanic clarity, while the Langoustines were delicately sweet – their translucent flesh melting on the tongue.

The ½ Lobster was tender and delicate, its flesh pulling easily from the shell – a balance of natural sweetness and briny minerality – while the Clams were soft and salty, each mouthful delivering a mellow chew and seaside whisper.

Finally, the Smoked Mackerel Rillettes brought a smoky, creamy wallop that played beautifully against slices of crusty bread.

Side Dishes at The Seafood Bar

Side dishes include a range of crowd pleasing favourites including chips, boiled potatoes with butter & chives, mixed salad, and broccoli with sunflower seeds. However our personal recommendation is to try the Truffled Parmesan Chips. Thick and proudly British, they have been triple-cooked to a crunch outside and fluff within, elevated with truffle oil and sharp parmesan.

The Lobster Mac ‘n’ Cheese was sinfully indulgent – creamy and cheesy with nuggets of lobster lurking beneath a golden brown gratin crust.

Dessert at The Seafood Bar

If you’ve saved room for dessert, you will be greeted by a short but perfectly formed menu of sweet treats that include freshly baked Apple Tarte Tatin, a rich Chocolate Mousse and a tropical Rum Poached Pineapple with Sorbet. For a twist on the classic French dessert, try the Citrus Crème Brûlée – the top shattering with a satisfying crack, revealing a zingy, silky custard beneath – sweet and sharp, it was the perfect palate cleanser..

The Verdict

The Seafood Bar is a masterclass in letting top-tier seafood speak for themselves. From pristine oysters and perfectly grilled lobster to delectable crab and juicy crevettes, every dish is an ode to the ocean’s finest offerings. Elegant, unpretentious and utterly delicious – The Seafood Bar is a must-visit London restaurant for seafood lovers in the capital.