What started off as Dublin’s tiniest seafood restaurant, Klaw by Niall Sabongi is now known as one of the city’s best places to get your fish fix.
A new-ish Poké bar launched on Capel Street at the start of the year, selling Hawaiian-style Poké bowls that sold out the first weekend.
And now Klaw has expanded yet again, with a new place in Temple Bar – The Seafood Cafe
So, what is it that makes Klaw so goddamn popular? Their idea is simple, super fresh seafood in a relaxed atmosphere where people can just “get their Fish on”.
I popped in last week to chat to Niall Sabongi about his latest seafood venture, getting a sneak peek at The Seafood Cafe, and even in its raw form the place looked class.
While the smaller shack-style Klaw in Crown Alley is known for its blowtorched native oysters and rustic lobster rolls, this new Seafood Cafe will focus on bringing seafood to the masses.
That means hearty, comforting dishes such as Fish Pies, Soft Shell Crab Tacos, a Smoked Haddock and Cockle Chowder, and a Grilled Seafood Platter.
The menu is simple, but features high quality ingredients cooked the way they should be
Poké bowls will be sold throughout the day until about 4pm, and a full breakfast and brunch menu will also be on offer (think Eggs Benedict with Lobster!)
Coffee to go and homebaked Portuguese tarts means there’s no way you’ll be able to resist popping in here at all stages of the day.
And the interior is bright and fresh, with ocean colours throughout
A pretty blue mosaic lines the bar, with green foliage and leaves peeping out from above. A Japanese wood-burning grill will be put to use for deliciously chargrilled lobster and crab, while fresh juices will also be available.
While outdoors will have wraparound seating and cosy heaters
Almost all seafood served in all three Klaw premises self-sourced from Niall’s other business, Sustainable Seafood Ireland, which supplies seafood to Dublin’s biggest and best restaurants.
Klaw has slowly but surely been changing how Dubliners eat seafood, and we’ve no doubt The Seafood Cafe will be a welcome addition to Temple Bar.
The Seafood Cafe opens from tomorrow lunchtime, and will be open seven days a week, 8am-10pm at 11 Sprangers Yard, Fownes Street.