By Petra Food & Drinks 24 September 2026

The Salty Mermaid: Fish, Oysters and Plenty of Good Vibes in Arnhem

On a Saturday evening, we arrive at The Salty Mermaid, a fish shop and fish bar in Arnhem. Of course, I had already checked Google Maps to see where the place was, but I still did a quick double-check to make sure I had got it right.

The Salty Mermaid is located next to Montessori College at Utrechtseweg 170. Yes, really. In a garage that has been transformed into a pop-up restaurant.

A Garage, But Make It Cosy

You could definitely describe the style of the place as industrial, but it is absolutely cosy and inviting! The walls are covered with colourful images of tough-looking fishermen, octopuses and fish, created by graffiti artist Don Slizerone. It gives the place a seriously cool urban vibe.

Reservations at The Salty Mermaid are not possible if you are coming with fewer than six people. But honestly, it is hardly a punishment to grab a seat at the bar with a drink and an oyster. So don’t let the lack of reservations put you off. It might actually be a great way to enjoy the delicious food for a little longer.

We choose a spot at the back, at a long table with benches. This gives us a good opportunity to look around. The place is already pretty busy. The good reputation of the “Fish-brothers” Wiebe and Luuk means regular customers are often queuing up at the door. Even when that door happens to belong to an old garage!

A Team with a Passion for Fish

But Wiebe and Luuk don’t do it alone. One thing that really stands out is that there is a team here with a genuine passion for everything that comes with running a fish shop and fish bar.

Quality products – you can taste it.
A warm welcome.
Great service.

We really aren’t missing a thing. And not once do we get the feeling that our ‘table host’, Floris, has forgotten about us – something that does happen in other restaurants from time to time (the familiar “Could we maybe order something else? Hello??”).

Before long, a lovely fresh white wine arrives at our table: Picpoul de Pinet. It turns out to be an excellent match for the oysters that follow: a tasting of three different varieties. Each one more delicious than the last.

The vinaigrette isn’t even really necessary, because the oysters are already packed with flavour. They taste like a mermaid’s French kiss – or at least that’s what I imagine it would taste like. I obviously have no idea what that actually tastes like. 😉

Another starter we try is salmon sashimi, served with a little soy sauce, ginger, seaweed and wasabi.

What I really appreciate is that the front-of-house team is allowed to do their own thing. They come over for a chat, give great advice and explain the different dishes and drinks. It makes the atmosphere at The Salty Mermaid relaxed and welcoming.

That is actually what tends to happen whenever this team works together. The Salty Mermaid – and previously De Zilte Zeemeermin – has become something of a household name in Arnhem.

You can also come across the team at events where they shuck oysters, and they regularly collaborate with other Arnhem restaurants for a ‘crossover’. How cool is that?

Okay, Back to the Food!

One of the things I will almost always order when I see it on a menu (apart from oysters – those are a must) is ceviche.

And lucky me: this dish of raw sea bass, ‘cooked’ in a fresh and tangy citrus marinade, is also on the menu at The Salty Mermaid.

It was absolutely delicious!

We happily devour it while Luuk comes over for a chat and Floris checks whether we are ready for the next course.

We are.

Before long, Floris is back at our table with a lukewarm tuna steak and a whole sea bream. Both dishes come with homemade piccalilli and salsa, and the flavours work incredibly well with the fish.

To drink, we choose – on Floris’s recommendation – a Chardonnay from 2025.

Another Drink, Then?

We are enjoying all the delicious food and admiring how smoothly the place is running when Floris comes over with a bottle of limoncello and three small glasses.

A perfect moment to raise a glass to this wonderful place and a lovely evening.

Cor also comes over to say hello and offers us another drink.

Well… alright then. 😜

Another Fish Dish?

Do we still have room for another fish dish?

Umm… just about!

And there we go: the next delicious fish dishes arrive at our table – sardines and grilled swordfish. Not something I am used to eating, but definitely something I would happily have again!

After that, there really isn’t room for anything else. We turn down the offered dessert (a Cornetto or an ice lolly).

Fancy a Fish Dinner at The Salty Mermaid?

Are you thinking: “Oh, I want to grab a bite of fish at The Salty Mermaid too!”? You can!

But… don’t wait too long, because it’s a pop-up restaurant! Hopefully, The Salty Mermaid will stay open until 1 January – that hasn’t been confirmed yet, but what we do know for sure is that it will be open until 31 October. Whether a new location will be found after that, you’ll have to wait and see. Follow The Salty Mermaid on social media to stay up to date!