Bayview Seafood House — Restaurant in Saint Julian's

My family and I were looking for a cozy restaurant that serves seafood and discovered Bayview Seafood House. From the moment we stepped in, we were warmly welcomed by a friendly waiter. Even without a reservation, we were lucky enough to get a table for four.

The waiter guided us through the food and drinks menu and shared the house specials with us. Our first impression at the table was already exceptional! One unique aspect that stood out was the open kitchen concept – we could watch the chefs prepare the dishes live, which added to the overall experience.

The menu was incredibly diverse, featuring a wide range of seafood dishes as well as steak and other options. For starters, we ordered the salmon poke bowl, garlic mushrooms, and spaghetti frutti di mare. Of course, we couldn’t miss the highlight of the house – the seafood platter for two (€79), which we also ordered.

Seated on the upper right side above the kitchen, we had a great view of the action. Every dish was freshly and lovingly prepared. Although we had to wait a little longer for the main courses, it was completely understandable as the restaurant was fully booked and very lively. During the wait, we were served fresh pizza bread from the kitchen – a thoughtful gesture that we truly appreciated.

All the starters were delicious, as were the linguine with tenderloin filet, the spaghetti frutti di mare, and the spaghetti vongole. The seafood platter was the true highlight – featuring a variety of seafood: half a lobster, octopus, seabass, two tuna steaks, shrimp, two scallops, and mini corn cobs. Everything was perfectly cooked and full of flavor. If I had to offer one small critique, it would be that the seafood on the platter could use a touch more seasoning to enhance the flavor – but other than that, it was an outstanding dish.

The restaurant itself is tastefully decorated. If you book early enough, you’re likely to enjoy a wonderful sea view with your meal. The entire team – both waitstaff and chefs – were highly professional and well-trained. Hospitality clearly plays a big role here. Even the head chef, Faruk, personally came out to say goodbye as we left – a rare and appreciated touch.

Although this is an upscale restaurant, the prices are absolutely fair. Including wine, our total for four people came to €204.

Thank you for the fantastic experience and excellent service!

If you’re looking to treat yourself to exceptional food and warm hospitality, this place is a must. Highly...

This restaurant has a stylish, attractive décor although, not having a terrace, the view of the bay is rather restricted and, even then, only really the three or four tables nearest the large window at the front will be able to see it.

When we arrived for our reservation at 7.30pm the restaurant was already pretty busy and this, in my opinion, was its downfall. Quite simply the kitchen and, to a lesser extent waiting staff were unable to keep up with the number of covers booked for similar times.

It was nearly twenty-five minutes before our order for starters and wine was taken. Then a mix up between the waiter and the kitchen meant that the wrong starter was served to my wife and, at her insistence, I ended up having to eat my hot starter before the correct order for her was delivered.

There was then another long wait for our main course (an hour and ten minutes from when we first sat at our table) and this time my wife’s choice was brought out on its own. There then followed another quite long wait, whilst other tables were served, before mine and the side dishes we had ordered were brought to the table.

The Head Waiter was very apologetic and did his best to get things back onto track but, quite frankly, appeared to be fighting a losing battle, given the numbers (including a party of eight) that they were trying to serve all at once.

It’s a shame that the poor service rather spoiled our experience as the food was pretty good, although the side dishes were quite expensive for the portion size. My sea bream was cooked to perfection and neatly filleted for me at the table. My wife’s Tempura fish and seafood selection was also very good although it was a shame that the coating was more like Panko...

“The Best Fresh Seafood and Grill in the City (According to the Website)”

Bay View Seafood House describes itself as “the best fresh seafood and grill in the city.” It’s certainly an ambitious claim — and one I imagine is easier to write than to deliver.

Cocktails, for instance, arrived after a thoughtful 20-minute pause, though perhaps the wait was part of the experience. One glass even came chipped, which I suppose could be interpreted as a rustic touch — and possibly a good aid to digestion.

The food itself continued the theme. The seafood tempura was more a celebration of oil than of seafood, while the ribs seemed to have missed the grill entirely, leaning more toward being boiled or steamed. Barbecue sauce was present in spirit, if not in flavour. I cannot recall the last time I left ribs unfinished; Bay View managed to give me that first.

The dining room atmosphere was lively, thanks largely to the staff, who were more occupied in offering quips to one another than attending to guests. For some, that might add character; for others, it makes the absence of professional management a little too visible.

When we asked for the bill, a 20% discount was offered, which was gracious. Less gracious was the chef’s reaction to hearing that we hadn’t enjoyed what left his kitchen. Still, it was at least consistent with the rest of the evening.

What Bay View truly needs is not more adjectives on the website, but a manager who can align front of house and kitchen, and ensure that “unforgettable” refers to the meal rather than the frustrations.

And since I see responses to Google reviews are given — I’d suggest this time, simply...