My Top 10 Seafood Restaurants for National Seafood Day
Happy National Seafood Day!
And yes, it just so happens to fall right in the middle of Seafood Month. Serendipity? I think so.
This list has been a true labour of love, borderline obsession, really. I spent nearly four hours pulling it together, rewriting, reshuffling, questioning whether I should lead with the restaurant, the dish, or the experience. At one point, I was convinced my brain was going to implode. (For the record, the idea even started as an Instagram caption… until I realised it was far too long and deserved an article instead.)
What you’ll find here isn’t a definitive “best of” list. It’s not about the single greatest restaurant or the single most perfect dish. It’s about experiences, meals where one dish alone stopped me in my tracks, and others where the entire package, from the cooking to the service to the atmosphere, struck that rare, harmonious chord.
And before the obvious question comes up, no, the Sydney Fish Market isn’t here. Why? Because it’s simply too far ahead of the competition. So far, in fact, it’s in a league of its own… which means it doesn’t even count.
1. Saint Peter, Paddington
https://www.saintpeter.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/saintpeterpaddo/
Saint Peter isn’t the kind of restaurant you visit for a plate of your favourite seafood classics. It’s not about comfort, it’s about discovery. Dining here is an experience, watching seafood prodigy (or perhaps whisperer) Mr Josh Niland showcase his philosophy of letting nothing go to waste.
Not every dish will be to everyone’s taste. Take, for example, a crème caramel made with cod liver fat. Challenging? Absolutely. But that’s the point. Saint Peter isn’t here to pander; it’s here to push boundaries and show seafood in forms most of us have never imagined.
The pictured dish is a perfect example: Shark Bay Goldband Snapper Liver and Parsley on Toast. Bold, textural, and unapologetically marine, it captures the very essence of what makes Saint Peter unique.
2. The Deck on Parkyn, Mooloolaba
https://mooloolahfish.com.au/the-deck-on-parkyn-cafe
https://www.instagram.com/thedeckonparkyn/
Probably my favourite seafood restaurant, and it’s as no-frills as they come. Tucked away in Mooloolaba, it’s the kind of place I insist on visiting with Azza and Kym whenever I’m in Queensland. Their chowder is nothing short of worship-worthy, rich, comforting, and the kind of dish that calls you back.
The venue itself is always buzzing, which means service can feel a little rushed at times. And yes, I’ll admit, they did once manage to infuriate me by refusing to add a fourth item to a three-piece dish (paid for, mind you) so the entire table could share. Their solution? “You’ll have to buy two dishes.” Not my favourite moment.
But here’s the thing: I still love it. Because despite the quirks, when the food lands on the table, it wins you over every single time.
3. Brae, Birregurra, Vic
https://www.braerestaurant.com/
https://www.instagram.com/braerestaurant/
Hands down, my favourite restaurant in Australia, tucked away in Victoria. These chefs are absolute wizards with whatever they touch, transforming seafood into plates that are as surprising as they are sublime.
And honestly, anyone bold enough to put Oyster Ice Cream on the menu deserves respect. Hahaha. It’s daring, it’s different, and it perfectly sums up why this place stands apart: fearless creativity backed by flawless execution.
4. Rick Stein Bannisters, Mollymook
https://www.instagram.com/ricksteinatbannisters/
I mean, yes, it’s Rick Stein. But thanks to friends who live nearby, I’ve been lucky enough to visit a few times, and it never fails to impress.
I’m not usually a fan of whole fish, but the steamed whole snapper with ginger, soy, sesame oil, and crispy shallots completely won me over. It didn’t taste like pretentious, fancy fish, it reminded me of home cooking, executed brilliantly. Comfort and finesse, all on one plate.
5. Berowra Waters Inn, Berowra Waters (water access only, they have boats)
https://www.berowrawatersinn.com/
https://www.instagram.com/berowrawatersinn/
Berowra Waters Inn is not just a meal, it’s an entire experience. We did it in style, hiring a boat for over a week, cruising the Hawkesbury, and mooring off the restaurant. They collect you, and what follows is one of the best degustations of my life: five hours of pure indulgence, legs dangling, enjoying what I can confidently call the finest food on the Hawkesbury, and the wine pairing was nothing short of spectacular.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a true adventure without a little chaos. After days on the boat, Lachlan ended up sick on land, and as soon as we returned, I succumbed to seasickness. But honestly, none of that mattered once the dining began. The food, the setting, the service, it was marvellous, unforgettable, and a memory I’ll treasure forever.
6. Cuisine Restaurant at Lake Crackenback Resort
https://www.oakshotels.com/en/oaks-lake-crackenback-resort/cuisine-restaurant
This one served what I can only describe as the single best fish dish I have ever eaten. A whole, locally caught trout that completely blew me away. And for someone who usually hates whole fish, this was a revelation; the meat literally fell off the bones, delicate and perfectly cooked.
It was our first day of a week-long Christmas holiday in Thredbo, and I had never tasted anything like it. (Yes, the photo isn’t my best, but trust me, the dish spoke for itself.)
The devastating part? The following year, as the country was still recovering from Covid, I desperately tried to book my table again for Christmas… only to find they weren’t opening at all. My heart shattered. Some fish, and some meals, leave a mark that never fades.
7. Attica
https://www.attica.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/atticamelbourne/
**𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐧 – pure heaven.**
Attica was divine, yes, but the marron? On another level entirely. This wasn’t just a dish, it was a full culinary experience.
They served the meat separated from the body, leaving the head for you to explore however you liked. The staff encouraged everyone to get their hands in, noting that there are countless ways to enjoy the head, but, of course, each person approaches it differently. It’s playful, interactive, and utterly unforgettable.
8. The Oaks
https://www.instagram.com/theoaksneutralbay/
The Oaks earns its spot on my list for a single, unmissable dish: the grilled whole lemon sole with rocket, cherry tomato & olive salad, lemon, sage butter, and fries.
It’s the one dish I eat on every single visit. Honestly, if they ever take it off the menu, I will riot. Hahaha. Simple, perfectly executed, and utterly addictive, this is comfort and finesse on a plate.
9. love.fish
https://www.instagram.com/lovefishbarangaroo/
love.fish holds a special place in my heart because it was the first place I ever ate uni, and I fell completely in love. I went with my mate Jimmy, who wisely explained, “good sea urchin should taste like the ocean.” Let me tell you, this was like tasting the finest ocean imaginable.
NSW Hand-Dived Live Sea Urchin – served simply with bread, salt, and radish – because when something is culinary royalty, it doesn’t need embellishment.
I still dream about this dish. Pure, briny perfection.
10. Becketts Glebe (now closed and relocated with different owners to Chippendale)
Beckett’s takes 10th place for serving the best oysters I have ever eaten: Tasmanian Belons.
For clarity, Tasmanian “Belon” oysters are actually a specific native species – the Angasi oyster – closely related to the famed French Belon. They’re hand-harvested from remote bays in northeastern Tasmania, a process that’s as dangerous as it sounds. But the reward? Absolutely heavenly flavour.
If you ever see these on a menu, GRAB THEM. Seriously. Life-changing oysters.
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