It lives on the sandy or muddy seabed of the northern Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea where it often partially immerses itself in the substrate.

The common sole, just like all other flatfishes, hatches as an "ordinary" fish with one eye on each side of the body.

[2] It is found in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean, from the south of Norway to Senegal, and in almost all of the Mediterranean Sea.

[1] The Dover sole reaches maturity at 3–5 years old, at which point they can begin to reproduce.

[3] Chefs prize Dover sole for its mild, buttery, sweet flavour and versatility, and for its ease of filleting.

"[5][6] Because of its prestige, the name "Dover sole" was borrowed to name the eastern Pacific species Microstomus pacificus, a quite distinct species with different culinary properties: the Pacific sole has thinner, less firm fillets and sells for a lower price.