With less fish restaurants than you might expect operating in the seaside locations of Dublin’s south city, the 2015 opening of the Fish Shack Café in Sandycove was very well received. It had operated as the (more shed-like) Fish Shack on Dun Laoghaire’s East Pier and was hugely popular with folks out taking the sea air and looking to fuel up on some top-notch fish and chips and piping hot scampi, so opening in a bricks-and-mortar venue was a very welcome move.
As owners of the well known Ouzos steak and seafood restaurants in Dalkey and Blackrock, the folks behind the Fish Shack know what they are about and they take their fish sourcing very seriously - so much so that they operate their own boat, which fishes out of Dalkey, as well as sourcing from a number of local fishermen.
At the Sandycove outpost, which looks out over Scotsman’s Bay, they’ve got the tone just right to hit that unfussy but friendly, casual but cosy vibe. They don’t take bookings, so you may well have to wait for a table but the animated and attentive staff (almost all under 25) will make sure you’re looked after with a drink while you do. Tables outside are sheltered by umbrellas and come with cosy blankets (offering a very pleasant spot for that al fresco aperitif) while inside, chunky wooden tables and padded benches are the name of the game. The décor displays plenty of nautical touches (think netting and marine paraphernalia) but it’s done with subtlety and taste.
The casual, one-sheet menu does away with starter, mains etc and simply offers smaller bites in the form of ‘snacks’ and then a variety of fish-focused ‘salads’, ‘sandwiches’ or plates from the ‘grilled/fried’ section. Added to this, there are a few ‘specials’ to include the fresh catch of the day and the option of choosing your own lobster from the tank (about €6 per kg), served grilled with lemon butter. Wine-wise the offering is equally concise with a choice of house wines (in a variety of styles) offered by the glass or carafe (about €15). And ‘Fish Shack’ beer, supplied by the excellent Cork-based 8 Degrees brewing company, is offered similarly as glass or pitcher (around €11) – keeping the price of a meal here attractively keen.
You may be lucky enouhto find fresh oysters on offer, followed by light and crispy calamari and maybe a platter of grilled garlicy gambas. Grilled monkfish tails with a bowl of chunky fries (skin on) and a perfectly dressed side salad will sate the hungriest of appetites. The shrimp nachos, a generous mound of crisp tortilla chips piled high with Boston shrimp, chorizo, and cheese topped with peppers and a creamy Tabasco dressing, are especially popular.
There is no dessert listed on the menu, but the restaurant boasts its own ice cream counter, stocked with some of Ireland’s finest – made by Paul and Simon Cooper from Featherbed Farm in Olyegate Co. Wexford - which is a huge hit with the kids. This is a brilliant place for a laid-back but lively meal out with family or to finish off a nice bracing walk on the seafront.
They also have two sister Fish Shack Cafés, on Parliament Street in Dublin 2 and Malahide, Co Dublin.
