North London may be nowhere near the coast, but it has its fair share of top notch seafood restaurants and takeaways. Charlotte Veryard picks out 10 of the best
1 Angler
The Angler restaurant is located on top of South Place Hotel on the seventh floor (pictured above). The wide full length windows looking out onto the City of London and the mirrored ceiling create a bright airy and modern feel. The sophisticated seafood restaurant uses only sustainable seafood from the British coast. The restaurant is known for its selection of seafood dishes on the menu such as shellfish ravioli, monkfish tail and steamed wild sea bass, and also caters for vegetarians and has a range of meat options too.
South Place Hotel, 3 South Place EC2M 2AF; 020 3215 1260; anglerrestaurant.com
2 Vintage Salt
This restaurant is the perfect place for a seafood feast with rock oysters, shrimp burgers and roasted squid just some of the delights featuring on the menu. Not only does Vintage Salt sell a range of fish dishes, it also sells a variety of cocktails that are even more satisfying with the introduction of their happy hour from 5-7pm every Monday-Friday. Des McDonald, former Head Chef of the Ivy and CEO of Caprice Holdings, is the man behind this upmarket chippy.
198 Upper Street N1 IRQ; 020 3227 0979; vintagesalt.co.uk
3 Prawn on the Lawn
A real gem that takes the idea of a traditional fishmonger and mixes it up with a modern seafood bar. Located in Islington, the fish restaurant is quaint and simple with only four tables downstairs, and bar stools on the ground floor provides a great relaxed atmosphere. With a range of ethical and sustainably sourced fish this is the perfect place to try something new. The menu changes daily, but in the past Prawn on the Lawn has offered great seafood dishes such as seared tuna with chilli, monkfish and chorizo stew and a lobster cocktail. The restaurant is currently closed, but will re-open on 2September.
220 St Pauls Road N1 2LL; 020 3302 8668; prawnonthelawn.com
4 Simply Fish
This seafood restaurant located by BoxPark in Shoreditch uses fresh and sustainable fish, caught and delivered daily from their merchants in Cornwall. Simply Fish has a simple and modern ordering style where you pick your fish how you want it to be cooked, the type of sauce you want with it and which accompaniments you would like. The restaurant in Shoreditch is modern and has a great atmosphere with their busy outside eating area.
Bethnal Green RoadE1 6JU; 020 7613 4440; simplyfish.com
5 100 Hoxton
With bare brick walls and concrete floors, 100 Hoxton reflects the aesthetic of the former council flat that used to sit in its place. The restaurant has a cool and laid back vibe with a range of cocktails and food to choose from. The two chefs at 100 Hoxton specialise in Thai and Mediterranean cuisine, which explains the range of dishes and flavours the restaurant provides. From cuttlefish and grapefruit salad to Thai bream in banana leaf, the restaurant offers a whole host of tantalising fish dish concoctions.
100 Hoxton StreetN1 6SG; 020 7729 1444; 100hoxton.com
6 Bonnie Gull
With a white and blue interior, wooden stools and rope decorating the restaurant, Bonnie Gull brings you right to the sea side as soon as you step in the door. Offering a range of oysters, crab, hake and haddock, there are plenty of dishes for you to choose from. The restaurant also has a raw bar inside for you to experiment with fresh shellfish directly caught from the British coast.
55 Exmouth Market EC1R 4QL; 020 3122 0047; bonniegullseafoodcafe.com
7 Wet Fish
This restaurant in West Hampstead was a fishmongers for the majority of the 20th century and is now a smart and intimate café and brasserie. The original Art Deco tiles throughout the shop bring a vintage and welcoming feel to the restaurant. The restaurant offers a range of fish, with haddock, salmon and sea bass all on the menu. Despite the name and the heritage of Wet Fish, seafood is not the only option on the menu; you can also choose pasta dishes, steak and chicken.
242 West End LaneNW6 1LG; 020 7443 9222; thewetfishcafe.co.uk
8 LochFyne
A taste of the West Coast of Scotland is located in the City of London. The stunning restaurant is decorated with wooden stools and wooden cladding, and also has a bar with a selection of beers and wines to choose from. Loch Fyne is open all day so is perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner or even just for a drink, but is only currently open throughout the week and is closed on the weekends.
77-78 Gracechurch StreetEC3V 0AS; 020 7929 8380; lochfyneseafoodandgrill.co.uk
9 Toff’s
This award-winning fish and chip shop has been providing the people of North London some of the best seafood since it was established in 1968. Toff’s is a restaurant and takeaway in Muswell Hill and have everything from haddock, plaice, cod and rock to steak fish too. All fish is responsibly sourced and the restaurant is a member of the N.F.F.F (National Federation of Fish Fryers).
38 Muswell Hill Broadway N10 3RT; 020 8883 8656; toffsfish.co.uk
10 Oliver’s Fish and Chips
Oliver’s is a mix of traditional British fish and chips in a modern and Mediterranean style setting. The restaurant provides a range of classic fish and chip dishes and even a deep fried mars bar for dessert! If you are looking for a relaxed night at home, Oliver’s also delivers their delicious meals straight to your house.
95 Haverstock Hill NW3 4RL; 020 7586 9945; oliversfishandchips.com
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here