Where to find the top seafood restaurants in Melbourne’s CBD

As the name suggests, this French-inspired Japanese seafood bar specialises in fresh local lobsters and Australian Pacific oysters that are guaranteed to please your taste buds. Whether you’re in the mood for freshly shucked oysters, an indulgent lobster eggs benedict or the signature lobster ramen, you can’t go wrong with Unabara Lobster and Oyster Bar.

If it’s a seafood platter you’re after, you’ll find everything from a small oyster and prawn plate right up to an epic platter that will serve four. Whatever you do, don’t miss the Western Australia rock lobster served with avocado and chilled yuzu soba! Delicious!

Dish Cult’s top pick: Chilled half Western Australia rock lobster ($52.90)

Calling all lobster roll lovers – Pinchy’s is the place for you! Far more than just a gram-worthy rooftop bar destination, this is the place to indulge in a glass of champagne and delicious seafood dishes smack bang in the middle of the CBD.

It’s not just lobster rolls either, there’s a menu full of fishy delights such as kingfish ceviche, king crab taco, and ocean trout cornette as well as a “made frendlier” menu which includes vegan and gluten free dishes like jasmine silken tofu and smoked capsicum cappuccino.

Pinchy’s has recently introduced a bottomless brunch on the weekend too, again with killer vegan options, so what are you waiting for?

Dish Cult’s top pick: Pinchy’s lobster roll ($20)

Situated inside Crown, you can expect a first class seafood dining experience at The Atlantic.

Enjoy a relaxing lunch with waterfront views of the Yarra in the modern-classic restaurant, or opt for a more intimate private dining area for your next social celebration. Whatever the occasion, The Atlantic’s ocean to plate philosophy creates dining experiences to remember.

Indulge in dishes such as woodfired Humpty Doo barramundi with cauliflower cous cous and macadamia romesco, or pan roasted Hiramasa kingfish with salted sugarloaf, finger lime and citrus beurre blanc. If you really want to push the boat out order The Atlantic seafood platter. Sure, it’s not cheap, but as it’s laden with Moreton Bay bug, Skull Island prawns, Portarlington mussels, Cloudy Bay diamond clams, as well as Pacific and rock oysters, it’s more than worth it!

Dish Cult’s top pick: The Atlantic seafood platter ($248)

Hidden amongst the hustle and bustle of Hardware Lane, Claypots Barbarossa is a homely Mediterranean seafood restaurant that’s loved by Melburnians. With locations in St Kilda and South Melbourne, the city outpost is a perfect location for a quick tasty lunch or an intimate dinner date.

But what to eat? We loved the stingray baked in sambal sauce with rice and the Moroccan claypot which features cous cous and seafood baked in a eggplant sauce. There’s also a few meat options and plenty of vegetarian ones if you’re dining with those less enamoured with the bounty of the sea.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Claypots Barbarossa’s classic spaghetti marinara bianca ($26/$48)

Put on your gloves, grab your bib, and get stuck into this finger-licking seafood party. Krabby’s Crab Boil is where you head when you don’t mind getting messy and you want delicious seafood, cooked to perfection in a flavour-bursting sauce of your choice.

Whether you’re feeling Alaskan king crabs, Boston lobsters, green mussels or tiger prawns (the list goes on), there’s something for everyone here.

Whatever you do, don’t miss the seafood bucket. It’s basically a bucket of your choice of seafood and fish, boiled with your choice of veggies like corn and potatoes, and with your choice of sauce. There’s set ones, such as the lobster combo for two or the Darwin mud crab or you can customise your own from a wide variety of fish, seafood, sides and sauces.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Classic combo seafood bucket ($45)