Matt The Thresher (Pembroke Street Lower, Dublin 2)
Formerly the old Pembroke pub on Dublin’s Pembroke Street Lower (just off Baggot Street and Fitzwilliam Square), this place has been transformed over the past decade, or so, from a good-but-quiet bar into a bona fide pull for seafood lovers. A wide variety of choice – including a great chowder – the menu also includes a nod to meat lovers, with a more than decent steak. But, enough of that…what about the oysters? Well, as well as the overall menu, Matt’s has its own oyster menu! Connemara Oysters, Carlingford Oysters, Grilled Louet Feisser Oysters, oysters as part of a wider seafood platter….you COULD say, the world is your, umm…oyster!
Findlaters (Howth, Co Dublin)
If you want oysters – or, indeed, ANY seafood – you literally cannot beat Howth; Dublin’s (and one of Ireland’s) seafood meccas. Findlaters is very conveniently located just opposite Howth Dart station, so you can easily fall onto a train after your feed if visiting for the day. The oysters are to die for and the Guinness is excellent, and the restaurant – with its red brick facade – literally calls to you like a beacon.
SOLE Seafood & Grill (South William Street, Dublin 2)
Oysters and seafood in the city centre?! It may not be Howth, but the food is fresh and direct from the boats there. SOLE Seafood & Grill is one of the newest and hippest eateries in central Dublin, located on the uber-cool South William Street. The restaurant opened its doors in 2018 and has quickly established itself as one of the must-eat places for those wanting a taste of the sea. You can drink a Guinness in the nearby Grogan’s pub, but you can’t get oysters there…so, why not do both at SOLE?!
Stoop Your Head, Skerries, Co Dublin
Along with Malahide, Clontarf and Howth, Skerries is one of North Co Dublin’s gems. And big into seafood and fishing, too. A sunny afternoon gobbling seafood and drinking Guinness and you’ll feel you’re in some idyllic French fishing village. So good that they need to change the name to BOW Your Head!
