The best seafood restaurants in Soho

Randall & Aubin is a sophisticated Anglo-French seafood restaurant in Soho, established in 1996 by renowned chef Ed Baines, and beloved for its fresh, sustainable ingredients and elegant yet lively atmosphere. The menu highlights high-quality seafood, including oysters, lobster bisque, and mixed shellfish platters, with daily specials showcasing seasonal produce. Complementing the dining experience, the restaurant offers a well-curated selection of martinis and fine wines.

The Seafood Bar, a family-run restaurant that began in the Netherlands, has brought its commitment to fresh, sustainable seafood to Soho. With a stylish yet inviting interior featuring neon crustacean signs and fresh seafood on display, the menu offers everything from oysters and Nordic Blu salmon to classic fish and chips and mixed seafood grills, with a few non-seafood options available as well.

Chinese restaurant Orient London brings classic elegance to Soho with its sophisticated dark wood decor and gold accents, offering a refined setting for traditional Cantonese and Sichuan cuisine. The extensive menu emphasises dim sum and seafood specialities, though classic Chinese choices such as roast meats, hot pots, and noodle dishes are available as well. Seafood highlights include high-end options such as braised abalone, dover sole fillet, and lobster with ginger.

Reviving the legacy of a famous former Soho fish restaurant, Manzi's occupies two floors in Bateman's Buildings. It upholds the tradition of quality seafood with a menu centred on the freshest daily catch, premium shellfish, and signature creations like monkfish Wellington, alongside timeless classics such as lobster thermidor. Designed with a nautical flair, the venue also features a charming terrace and an exclusive private dining space.

The Soho outpost of this well-loved US seafood chain delivers a feast of indulgence. Diners can dive into heaped servings of shrimp, lobster, and the signature crab, all cooked, seasoned, and served directly on the table as part of their signature Cajun seafood boils, priced by weight. With customisable options for seafood, sauces, and spice levels, it's an immersive and hands-on dining experience.

Noting how the finest Scottish seafood usually ends up exported all the way to Spain, the founder of Maresco decided to, well, hijack it enroute. Instead of Spain, Scottish seafood delicacies such as Shetland mussels, Isle of Barra clams, and Hebridean langoustines are served in a relaxed Soho seafood restaurant. The menu still draws inspiration from the Iberian Peninsula, however, with all sorts of tapas to choose from.

One of the hottest spots in London, The Devonshire has gotten a lot of attention not just for its prowess in pouring the perfect pint of Guinness but also its culinary excellence. Powered by a wood ember grill, the upstairs dining room at this Soho gastropub serves fresh day boat fish, lobster, hand-dived scallops, and other seafood delicacies from Devon. The in-house butcher and bakery make sure the non-oceanic offerings are up to snuff as well.

Burger & Lobster, an international restaurant chain that started in London in 2011, keeps things simple with a menu centred around two signature offerings – premium beef and fresh lobster. Set in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere, diners can enjoy their choice of a burger, lobster, or a combo featuring both for the best of both worlds. The group operates two locations in Soho.

Just next to Leicester Square you'll find J Sheekey, a legendary West End seafood restaurant dating back to the 19th century. Behind its iconic red façade, the elegant wood-panelled dining room offers everything from oysters and caviar to extravagant seafood platters. If you're having trouble deciding what to choose, the signature fish pie is always a reliable choice.