The Shell

4.2

91 Reviews

£25 and under

Seafood

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 11, 2025

7:00 PM

Good for business meals
Good for groups
Good for special occasions

This was a project born out of passion, by a few shellfish seafood lovers who wanted to bring with them that feeling of fulfillment you get from seafood restaurants from Continental Europe. Here at The Shell, we aim to bring you, the freshest and highest quality products straight from the producers and fishing boats for a very reasonable price to fulfill you seafood dreams.

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
£25 and under
Cuisines
Seafood, Shellfish, Grill
Hours of operation
Daily 12:00 pm–11:00 pm
Phone number
020 8075 7500
Website
https://www.theshellseafood.com/
Payment options
Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress

Location
124 Southampton Row, London, WC1B 5AA
Neighborhood
Holborn
Parking details
None
Public transit
5 min walk from Russel Square Station (Piccadilly Line) & Holborn Station (Piccadily & Central Line)
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Seafood Cream£5.90
Seafood rice£5.90
Vegetable Soup£4.90
Lobster Soup£23.90
Garlic King Prawns£9.90
King prawns cooked in garlic butter
Cold Boiled Prawns£9.90
Boiled & chilled king prawns
Shell off King Prawns£12.90
Grilled Tiger Prawns£24.90
2 Tiger Prawns
Cocktail Shrimps£12.90
Octopus salad£19.90
Dressed crab£22.90
Crab meat dressed in homemade sauce served with bread
Scalops£24.90
Garlic White Wine Mussels£12.90
Mussels cooked in garlic white wine & coriander
Mix Seafood Starter£24.90
Oysters, Whelks, Chilled King Prawns, Arctic Shrimps
Gratin Oyster£17.90
5 Oysters grilled with cheese
6 x Oysters£18.90
Served with red wine shallot Vinegar
12 x Oysters£35.90
Served with red wine shallot Vinegar
24 x Oysters£69.90
Served with red wine shallot Vinegar

Fruit de Mer

Fruit de Mer for 1£26.90
2 Oysters, Dressed Crab, King Prawns, Whelks, Fries, 1 Sauce
Fruit de Mer for 2£52.90
4 Oysters, Dressed Crab, King Prawns, Whelks, Fries, 2 Sauces
Lobster Fruit de Mer for 1£49.90
Half Lobster, 1 Oysters, Dressed Crab, King Prawns, Whelks, Fries, 1 Sauce
Lobster Fruit de Mer for 2£89.90
One Lobster, 2 Oysters, Dressed Crab, King Prawns, Whelks, Fries, 2 Sauces
The Big (For 1)£42.90
4 oysters, prawns, 1 boiled crab, arctic shrimps, grey shrimps, whelks, winkles, red wine vinegar & chipotle mayo
The Big (For 2)£74.90
8 oysters, prawns, 1 boiled crab, arctic shrimps, grey shrimps, whelks winkles, langoustines, red wine vinegar & chipotle mayo
The Huge (For 1)£52.90
Half lobster, 1 boiled crab, 1 oysters, prawns, arctic shrimp, whelks, winkles, red wine vinegar & chipotle mayo
The Huge (For 2)£89.90
1 lobsters, 1 boiled crab, 2 oysters, prawns, arctic shrimps, whelks, winkles, red wine vinegar & chipotle mayo
The Shell (For 2)£139.90
2 lobster, 1 boiled crabs, 2 oysters, whelks, winkles, prawns, arctic shrimps, grey shrimps, red wine vinegar & chipotle mayo
The Shell (For 3)£209.90
3 lobsters, 1 boiled crabs, whelks, winkles, prawns, arctic shrimps, grey shrimp, langoustines, red wine vinegar & chipotle mayo
Lobster Salad£25.90
Half lobster, mixed leaf salad, red onions, cherry tomatoes, avocado, prawns with house dressing
Snow Crab for One£39.90
Snow Crab Legs, 1 x Langoustines, King Prawns (or Arctic Shrimps), Mussels with 2 sauces
Snow Crab for 2£69.90
Snow crab legs, 2 x Langoustines, King Prawns (or Arctic shrimps), Mussels with 4 sauces

Grilled Seafood Platter

Grilled Seafood Platter for 1£29.90
1 Scallop, 1 Langoustine, King Prawns, Squid, Fries, 1 Sauce
Grilled Seafood Platter for 2£56.90
2 Scallop, 2 Langoustine, King Prawns, Squid, Fries, 2 Sauces
Lobster Grilled Seafood Platter for 1£44.90
Half Lobster, 1 Scallop, King Prawns, Squid, Fries, 1 Sauce
Lobster Grilled Seafood Platter for 2£84.90
One Lobster, 2 Scallop, King Prawns, Squid, Fries, 2 Sauces
Grilled Mixed Seafood£29.90
Seabass, Salmon, Squid, King Prawn, Fries & Tartar Sauce
Gratin Mix Platter (For 1)£32.90
Garlic wine mussels, grilled prawns, langoustines, 1 scallops, 1 gratin oysters
Gratin Mix Platter (For 2)£59.90
Garlic wine mussels, grilled prawns, langoustines, 2 scallops, 2 gratin oysters
Lobster Gratin Mix Platter (For 1)£49.90
Half gratin lobster, garlic wine mussels, grilled prawns, langoustines, 1 scallops, 1 gratin oysters
Lobster Gratin Mix Platter (For 2)£84.90
1 gratin lobster, garlic wine mussels, grilled prawns, langoustines, 2 scallops, 2 gratin oysters
Grill Rice for Two£89.90
1 grilled lobster, grilled prawns, grilled squid, mussels & seafood rice
Royal Rice (For 2)£129.90
2 grilled lobsters, 1 crab, grilled prawns, mussels & seafood rice
The Shell Royal (For 3)£209.90
3 grilled lobsters, 1 crab, grilled prawns, grilled squid, arctic prawns, mussels & seafood rice
Lobster Seafood Rice£57.90
1 whole lobster cooked in seafood rice
Shell off Mix Platter for One£32.90
Chargrilled Scallops, Squid, King Prawns, Shrimps, Garlic white wine Mussels & Bread (or Fries)
Shell off Mix Platter for Two£64.90
Chargrilled Scallops, Squid, King Prawns, Shrimps, Garlic white wine Mussels & Bread (or Fries)
Lobster Shell off Mix Platter for One£52.90
Half Chargrilled Lobster, Scallops, Squid, King Prawns, Shrimps, Garlic white wine Mussels & Bread (or Fries)
Lobster Shell off Mix Platter for Two£99.90
Chargrilled 1 Lobster, Scallops, Squid, King Prawns, Shrimps, Garlic white wine Mussels & Bread (or Fries)
Lobster Linguine£29.90
Half Lobster & Linguine cooked in homemade sauce
Mussel Casserole£19.90
White wine Mussels, Chargrilled King Prawns & Bread or Fries

Grilled Fish

Charcoal Grilled Seabass£24.90
Charcoal grilled seabass fillets served with sautée potatoes & broccoli
Charcoal Grilled Salmon£24.90
Charcoal grilled salmon fillet served with sautée potatoes & brocoli
Charcoal Grilled Octopus£29.90
Charcoal grilled octopus legs served with sautée potatoes & broccoli
Charcoal Grilled Squid & Prawns£26.90
Charcoal grilled squid & king prawns served with fries & mixed leaf salad

Grilled Meat

Sirloin Steak£19.90
8 oz Chargrilled Sirloin
Ribeye Steak£24.90
8 oz Chargrilled Ribeye
Fillet Steak£29.90
8 oz Chargrilled Fillet
Sirloin Lobster£34.90
8 oz Chargrilled Sirloin & half Lobster
Ribeye Lobster£39.90
8 oz Chargrilled Ribeye & half Lobster

Kids Menu

Kid's Steak with Salad & Fries£9.90
Grilled Chicken Burger with Salad & Fries£9.90

Vegetarian / Vegan

Vegetarian Burger£13.90
Avocado, mixed vegetables & egg served in buttered burger buns with salad & fries
Vegan Linguine£13.90
Linguine with Seasonal Vegetables

Sides

Fries£4.90
Sweet Potato Fries£4.90
Side Salad£4.90
Bread£3.50
Olives£2.00
Sautée Potatoes£4.90

Desserts

Crème Brûlée£6.90
Our homemade Crème brûlée
Chocolate Brownie£6.90
Our homemade Chocolate Brownie
Cheesecake£6.90
Tiramisu£6.90
Ice Cream (select 2 balls)£5.60
Vanilla / Rum Raisin / Matcha / Lemon Coffee / Strawberry / Chocolate

What 91 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.2

4.2 based on recent ratings

4.4Food
4.2Service
3.8Ambience
4Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

The Shell offers a delightful seafood experience with "great value for great seafood" and "fantastic service." Guests love the "fresh, tasty" dishes and "friendly service." While some reviews mention service delays, others highlight "the best seafood in London at the best price." A must-try for seafood enthusiasts.

91 Reviews

C
Chris
London2 reviews
3.0
Dined on February 17, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
The waiter was lovely - the only problem was that the hot starter arrived almost at the same time as the oysters we ordered, so sat there getting cold… and then exactly the same thing happened with the main 🙁
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D
David
London170 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 8, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
We were there maybe over a year ago. The food is excellent and service quite outstanding, special mention for Mery who was attentive but not intrusive. Everything was served at appropriate and timely fashioned. Thank you "The Shell". The only negative is that they have not updated the food and drinks menu on opentable.
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J
Jeffrey
London1 review
5.0
Dined on January 18, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Anywhere lovely place traveled from S Wales well impressed with everything lovely staff amazing food will be happy to visit again soon when I'm back in London With Thanks Jeff & Felicity
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M
Mathew
Orlando2 reviews
4.0
Dined on October 31, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
It was quiet , service was good and food was tasty
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F
Frederic VIP
London224 reviews
5.0
Dined on September 28, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Great lunch at The Shell pre a visit to the British Museum nearby. We went for the large cold seafood platter and it was fabulous. Very varied, fresh and good value. Lovely service. Recommended!
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K
Konstantin
London1 review
2.0
Dined on September 8, 2024
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 2
The food is subpar, oysters were ok, but the stake - probably the worst I’ve had at a restaurant. Crab legs - tasteless and water from being frozen. Lobster was ok-ish. Service was good. Won’t come back
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OT
OpenTable Diner
London1 review
4.0
Dined on July 26, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Very good Will go again Seafood all fresh Waiters are friendly indeed
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OT
OpenTable Diner
London4 reviews
4.0
Dined on April 14, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Great food. Friendly service. Good value.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
London1 review
5.0
Dined on February 15, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Exceeded expectations. Food and service were great. I've already recommended the restaurant to friends and will absolutely be back.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
London1 review
2.0
Dined on February 14, 2024
1. Overall 2
2. Food 1
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
The food quality this time was disappointing compared to our visit seven months ago, when everything was much better.
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FAQs

The Shell does offer delivery in partnership with Deliveroo and Just Eat.

The Shell is rated 4.2 stars by 91 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 11, 2025

7:00 PM

Order delivery or takeout

124 Southampton Row, London, WC1B 5AA

Additional information

Neighborhood
Holborn
Hours of operation
Daily 12:00 pm–11:00 pm
Price
£25 and under
Cuisines
Seafood, Shellfish, Grill
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
None
Public transit
5 min walk from Russel Square Station (Piccadilly Line) & Holborn Station (Piccadily & Central Line)
Payment options
Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
https://www.theshellseafood.com/
Phone number
020 8075 7500

The Shell

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Additional information

Starters

Seafood Cream£5.90

Seafood rice£5.90

Vegetable Soup£4.90

Lobster Soup£23.90

Garlic King Prawns£9.90

Cold Boiled Prawns£9.90

Shell off King Prawns£12.90

Grilled Tiger Prawns£24.90

Cocktail Shrimps£12.90

Octopus salad£19.90

Dressed crab£22.90

Scalops£24.90

Garlic White Wine Mussels£12.90

Mix Seafood Starter£24.90

Gratin Oyster£17.90

6 x Oysters£18.90

12 x Oysters£35.90

24 x Oysters£69.90

Fruit de Mer

Fruit de Mer for 1£26.90

Fruit de Mer for 2£52.90

Lobster Fruit de Mer for 1£49.90

Lobster Fruit de Mer for 2£89.90

The Big (For 1)£42.90

The Big (For 2)£74.90

The Huge (For 1)£52.90

The Huge (For 2)£89.90

The Shell (For 2)£139.90

The Shell (For 3)£209.90

Lobster Salad£25.90

Snow Crab for One£39.90

Snow Crab for 2£69.90

Grilled Seafood Platter

Grilled Seafood Platter for 1£29.90

Grilled Seafood Platter for 2£56.90

Lobster Grilled Seafood Platter for 1£44.90

Lobster Grilled Seafood Platter for 2£84.90

Grilled Mixed Seafood£29.90

Gratin Mix Platter (For 1)£32.90

Gratin Mix Platter (For 2)£59.90

Lobster Gratin Mix Platter (For 1)£49.90

Lobster Gratin Mix Platter (For 2)£84.90

Grill Rice for Two£89.90

Royal Rice (For 2)£129.90

The Shell Royal (For 3)£209.90

Lobster Seafood Rice£57.90

Shell off Mix Platter for One£32.90

Shell off Mix Platter for Two£64.90

Lobster Shell off Mix Platter for One£52.90

Lobster Shell off Mix Platter for Two£99.90

Lobster Linguine£29.90

Mussel Casserole£19.90

Grilled Fish

Charcoal Grilled Seabass£24.90

Charcoal Grilled Salmon£24.90

Charcoal Grilled Octopus£29.90

Charcoal Grilled Squid & Prawns£26.90

Grilled Meat

Sirloin Steak£19.90

Ribeye Steak£24.90

Fillet Steak£29.90

Sirloin Lobster£34.90

Ribeye Lobster£39.90

Kids Menu

Kid's Steak with Salad & Fries£9.90

Grilled Chicken Burger with Salad & Fries£9.90

Vegetarian / Vegan

Vegetarian Burger£13.90

Vegan Linguine£13.90

Sides

Fries£4.90

Sweet Potato Fries£4.90

Side Salad£4.90

Bread£3.50