Seafood in Northern Ireland

Scotland gets a lot of credit in foodie circles for its amazing seafood, but Northern Ireland tends to fly under the radar.

To those in the know that’s a bit strange, seeing as the two share the same sea with the same currents. Now, it looks like Northern Irish seafood is getting some of the recognition it deserves.

As celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli said, it’s the depth of the sea and the cold water that gives Northern Ireland some of the best seafood around. This means the produce grows very slowly, giving it an incredible flavor.

Alongside fish and shellfish, Northern Ireland also has a long history of using seaweed to feed coastal communities. A reddish-purple seaweed called dulse has been used for sustenance for more than 1,000 years, and now it’s become a favorite with health-conscious consumers. Look out for dulse on the menus of the many seafood restaurants in Belfast and elsewhere in Northern Ireland.

There are so many to choose from you will be spoiled for choice. One of the most famous is Mourne Seafood Bar, which has one location in Belfast and another in Newcastle. Stop in for a few quick oysters or settle down for a longer meal to sample the best seafood from Northern Ireland’s waters.