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What it is
Dover sole is a firm white flatfish with a fine, dense flake and a sweet flavour. We prepare it to order at the counter, whole and trimmed and skinned on both sides for cooking on the bone, or filleted. Priced by weight, trimmed, skinned and filleted by hand at no charge.
Why choose it
Dover sole is the flatfish to cook when you want something special with restraint. It holds its shape on the bone, its flavour is delicate and sweet, and it asks for little more than butter and lemon. Cooking it whole keeps it moist and makes it easy to lift the fillets off at the table.
How it tastes
Sweet, delicate and clean, with a firm dense flake that holds together far better than plaice or lemon sole. The flesh has a fine texture and a gentle flavour that butter carries rather than covers. On the bone it stays moist and pulls away in neat fillets.
How to cook it
Cook it whole on the bone, pan-fried in butter for a classic meuniere, grilled with butter and lemon, or baked at 190C. Dust a whole fish in seasoned flour, fry it in foaming butter, then finish with lemon and parsley. Fillets need only a minute or two a side.
What goes with it
Brown butter, lemon, capers and parsley. New potatoes, spinach and samphire. A dry white wine and very little else.
How long it takes
A whole Dover sole pan-fries in 3 to 4 minutes a side, grills in 6 to 8 minutes, and bakes in 10 to 12 minutes. Fillets take 1 to 2 minutes a side. Times vary with size.
Nutrition
Dover sole is high in protein and very lean, with little fat. A typical portion carries around 18 to 20 grams of protein. It is a good source of B vitamins and a gentle, easily digested fish.
Sustainability
Ask at the counter for the day's sourcing. We can advise on responsibly sourced Dover sole and on size and season, and suggest an alternative like lemon sole or plaice if you want one.
Where to buy it
At the counter at 18 Barnes High Street, cut to order, or delivered across south west London and shipped across the UK.
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Common questions
What is the difference between Dover sole and lemon sole?
Dover sole is firmer, sweeter and denser, and holds its shape on the bone, which is why it is prized for cooking whole. Lemon sole is softer and milder and usually costs less. Both are flatfish.
Should I cook Dover sole on the bone or filleted?
On the bone keeps it moist and gives you neat fillets to lift at the table. Filleted is quicker and easier to serve. We will prepare it either way at the counter.
How do I cook Dover sole meuniere?
Dust a trimmed whole fish in seasoned flour, fry it in foaming butter for 3 to 4 minutes a side, then finish with a squeeze of lemon and chopped parsley off the heat.
Can I freeze Dover sole?
Yes, though it is a fish worth eating fresh. If you freeze it, wrap it tightly, freeze it quickly and defrost in the fridge overnight. The texture is firmest fresh.
How do I know Dover sole is fresh?
It smells clean and of the sea, the flesh is firm and springs back, and a whole fish holds its shape. We trim and skin it to order at the counter so you can see it.
Is Dover sole high in protein?
Yes. A typical portion carries around 18 to 20 grams of protein and very little fat, which makes it a lean, gentle high-protein choice.
Common questions
What is the difference between Dover sole and lemon sole?
Dover sole is firmer, sweeter and denser, and holds its shape on the bone, which is why it is prized for cooking whole. Lemon sole is softer and milder and usually costs less. Both are flatfish.
Should I cook Dover sole on the bone or filleted?
On the bone keeps it moist and gives you neat fillets to lift at the table. Filleted is quicker and easier to serve. We will prepare it either way at the counter.
How do I cook Dover sole meuniere?
Dust a trimmed whole fish in seasoned flour, fry it in foaming butter for 3 to 4 minutes a side, then finish with a squeeze of lemon and chopped parsley off the heat.
Can I freeze Dover sole?
Yes, though it is a fish worth eating fresh. If you freeze it, wrap it tightly, freeze it quickly and defrost in the fridge overnight. The texture is firmest fresh.
How do I know Dover sole is fresh?
It smells clean and of the sea, the flesh is firm and springs back, and a whole fish holds its shape. We trim and skin it to order at the counter so you can see it.
Is Dover sole high in protein?
Yes. A typical portion carries around 18 to 20 grams of protein and very little fat, which makes it a lean, gentle high-protein choice.
