About us

Hooked is more than just a seafood restaurant and fish market,  it’s a celebration of family, tradition, and the bounty of the sea.

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Our identity is rooted in authenticity, blending the warmth of family gatherings with the sophistication of premium dining experiences and fresh food.

We strive to make each guest feel welcome and enjoy a truly unique experience, within a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Our story begins in 1981

Iranian born Ali Jalilvand moved to Ireland in 1981 only to find work on fishing trawlers in Galway.

After gaining invaluable experience he saw a gap in the market and opened his first business a prawn peeling factory, called Pisces.

The business was a success, and with that he sold the company to a customer in France. Through his friendships with fishermen all around the coast, he gained an enhanced understanding of the fishing industry and international business

Ali then set up our wholesale company Four Leaf Clover in 1993, which supplies fish to hotels and restaurants in the West of Ireland.

Mermaid Fish Mongers - the humble beginning of Hooked Galway!
Ali's Fish Market provides fresh seafood for wholesale and retail

Mermaids fish shop on Henry street

Branching out to provide the general public with the freshest seafood Ali opened his first fish mongers, Mermaids fish shop on Henry street, which is now named Alis Fish Market.

Through the success of Four Leaf Clover and Mermaids fish shop, Ali was able to open another fish mongers in Barna village in 2010.

Ali's Fish Market provides fresh seafood for wholesale and retail

In 2014 Ali's love of the sea, brought him to his next venture.

Through the help of his daughter Nuisin, Ali took a leap of faith and decided to open his first seafood restaurant, otherwise known as Hooked. The focus of the food is on fresh produce, from wild seafood, to organic veggies and homegrown herbs. The menus are created with the whole family in mind, whether you come for a quick bite, or a full course meal, from traditional fish and chips to its ever-changing daily specials there is something for everyone.

An innovative mindset : incorporating a restaurant to the fish shop

Hooked went from strength to strength with its recently extended premises in Barna, by incorporating a restaurant to the fish shop creating a special seafood experience. Hooked brings together all of the best elements of seafood cookery using the freshest of local seafood and shellfish.
Hooked on Henry Street netted national acclaim from Georgina Campbell by winning Irish Seafood Restaurant of the year 2018 at the Ireland Guide Awards.
The restaurant in Barna closed in 2024.

In 2014 Ali's love of the sea, brought him to his next venture.

Through the help of his daughter Nuisin, Ali took a leap of faith and decided to open his first seafood restaurant, otherwise known as Hooked. The focus of the food is on fresh produce, from wild seafood, to organic veggies and homegrown herbs. The menus are created with the whole family in mind, whether you come for a quick bite, or a full course meal, from traditional fish and chips to its ever-changing daily specials there is something for everyone.

An innovative mindset : incorporating a restaurant to the fish shop

Hooked went from strength to strength with its recently extended premises in Barna, by incorporating a restaurant to the fish shop creating a special seafood experience. Hooked brings together all of the best elements of seafood cookery using the freshest of local seafood and shellfish.
Hooked on Henry Street netted national acclaim from Georgina Campbell by winning Irish Seafood Restaurant of the year 2018 at the Ireland Guide Awards.
The restaurant in Barna closed in 2024.

Hooked at home

Ali’s dreams did not stop there, homing in on the need to make meal times less stressful for busy working families, he developed our Hooked at Home products. Alis dreams continue to steer the business through stormy weather with the fish market, Hooked takeaway and Hooked at Home.

Our values

Quality

We are committed to sourcing the freshest, highest-quality ingredients, ensuring every dish reflects the purity and flavours of the sea.

Quality

We are committed to sourcing the freshest, highest-quality ingredients, ensuring every dish reflects the purity and flavours of the sea.

Authenticity

We honour tradition while embracing innovation, staying true to our roots while constantly evolving to meet the needs and desires of our guests.

Hospitality

Every guest is a cherished member of our Hooked family, deserving of genuine warmth, respect, and attentive service.

Community

We believe in the power of food bringing people together, fostering connections and creating shared experiences that enrich lives and strengthen communities.

Sustainability

We are stewards of the sea, supporting responsible fishing practices and environmental conservation efforts to preserve our oceans for future generations.

Join the Team

At Hooked Restaurant, we consider all of our crew to be part of our family. If you are enthusiastic, creative and passionate about delivering a top notch experience, consider joining the Hooked family. New crew are hired with the expectation that their skills will be developed for future promotion and career advancement.

Current employment openings are posted to this page as they become available, so check back often!

To read full job description click on the position you’re interested in

Currently Hiring:

To apply, please go to our contact page and send us a resume and cover letter via our contact form.