Fish Shack Cafe - Dublin

Fish shack was one of my favourite local spots. However, my experience today was hugely disappointing. Two of us ordered the fish and chips, both of us experienced in cooking and knowing what fish should taste like. Our fish was borderline inedible. It was totally over cooked; the batter was burnt, chewy and dense. Batter should be light, fluffy and crisp. The fish was rubbery, rough, dry and rigid. It should be soft, flakey and moist. I tried both pieces and couldn’t eat it. When asked by the waitress I said it was very over cooked. She apologised and offered a replacement but I was in a rush and frankly not bothered to order something else as all the different fish orders on our table were over cooked as well. When the bill came, l said I wouldn’t pay for the fish as it really was terrible. Even worse was the waiters attitude; she brought my barely touched fish back to the kitchen and the chefs refused to accept the fact that it was obviously over cooked. The waiter argued with me for about 5 mins. She said “how long have you been chefs?”, and said “sometimes it’s the customer” that’s the problem, she said I was being really unfair and that she hopes I’m happy very sarcastically. Our reply to this comment regarding our knowledge of cooking fish, we said that one of us has a family restaurant with their parents. She replied with “why don’t you bring them down here to let them see”. It was a horrible experience that left me really anxious and shaky. I won’t be returning here, instead I will go down the road to bubba’s in dalkey. Far more friendly staff and better fish.

I have eaten at Fish Shack in Dun Laoghaire at least 4 -5 times this summer. I usually order from the app. We are very happy that the fish and prawn tacos come with corn tortilllas, fresh pico de gallo and a guacamole fish tacos) and mango pico de gallo for the prawn tacos. The batter can be very salty, do please go easy on the salt in the batter. I recently discovered that Fish Shack also exists in Malahide so I decided to try it out there also. To my lovely surprise there is outdoor serving, so when the weather is good it is a lovely spot. I then decided to over for a meal in the Malahide restaurant and booked in person in a restaurant after having a light dinner there. I agreed with the manager Jamie where I wanted to sit with my family. He even took my phone number. So I arrive on the day and time but sadly, my two tables that I had reserved had been given to other people. Jamie then tells me it was booked for 12 people. My family and I are then given another two tables that hadn't even been prepared in the furthest corner in the outdoor area. I then see my two tables become free. The 12 people party comes in, a bunch of young women. But there's only 8 of them.How did this happen Fish Shack Jamie? I am bringing a party of 8 people and order generously from your menu as it is a family celebration. But I am afraid your service and mess up with my reservation soured my evening. Anyway the dishes are very average, nothing to write home about so I will be taken my custom elsewhere. Goodbye Fish Shack. I hope you get a new recipe for your fishbatter.

Great place to order your fish and chips. Nice and fresh, didn't wait to long. Highly recommended this restaurant!

Myself and my partner have been to Fish Shack quite a lot over the past number of years. If you have read any of my other reviews, you will know how important it is to me to receive simple, tasty, well cooked food and Fish Shack always gives us this reliability. We usually like to come here on Friday nights though I should add we have not been since before Lockdown so I cannot comment on the safety measures. The restaurant varies in busy ness, sometimes it is heaving and has a fabulous atmosphere and others it is quiet but still cosy. The decor always helps the atmosphere as the wood interiors always make it feel warm and cosy. We usually share a couple of dishes when we come here and the Fish Shack platter which changes regularly is usually our go to though there is often calamari on the platter, we will usually get a platter of calamari too. It is definitely the best calamari I have had in this city. Always crispy and the squid is tender it is served with a chilli jam and is a fabulous combo. We will usually get muscles and chips as well and a garlic mayo all of which are always gorgeous. The chips are thick cut think chipper chips but super fresh and crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The muscles are always absolutely delicious. There was one occasion when we had the muscles and they tasted slightly strange this has happened to me a number of times in different restaurants across the country, and I am still yet to figure out the issue but we let the lovely staff member know and she changed it right away and the manager came to apologise and mentioned they had changed the batch of muscles. It was just really well handled and the second portion was perfect! The desserts in Fish Shack are always top notch and you can tell they are made in house they usually have things like oreo or baileys cheesecake and key lime pie and they are served in ramekins so look lovely and are always tasty. The price is always super affordable for us, with the platter, a portion of calamari, chips, muscles, a dessert, a beer and a soft drink we would usually pay about €25 30 each.

The fish burger from this restaurant is one of the best takeout burgers I've ever tried. It's the perfect meal to enjoy during the current lockdown and restrictions.