Fishmarket

Fishmarket is the seafood restaurant at the InterContinental Abu Dhabi, a long-established address that has held its place as one of the city's premier seafood dining experiences for decades. The format is distinctive: there is no printed menu. Instead, guests browse a vivid display of fresh fish and produce, choose their ingredients alongside the chef, select a cooking method and sauce, and the kitchen transforms the selection while drinks are prepared. It is dining as collaboration. The fish quality is the foundation and rarely disappoints - sea bass, red mullet, king crab, lobster, prawns, soft shell crab, and calamari rotate through the display depending on the day's catch. The cooking is precise and lets the ingredients lead. Sauces and marinades are well-matched and the chef offers confident pairing guidance. Side dishes are generous - large enough that one per two diners is sufficient. The beachside setting adds a natural backdrop that suits the seafood register. The operation has been refined over thirty-plus years, and the experience benefits from that maturity. Service is professional, informed, and welcoming, with the head chef maintaining a personal relationship with returning guests that extends across years of visits. The restaurant could benefit from updated decor and lighting, but the food and service more than compensate.