Whether you're in New England or the Gulf Coast, seafood is a staple of so many amazing restaurants in the USA. From brioche rolls crammed with sweet and buttery lobster to creamy clam chowder served in bread bowls, or perfectly cooked fish served just steps from where it was caught that morning, there are so many iconic dishes to try. Here we've ranked the country's finest seafood restaurants, from rustic hole-in-the-wall spots to fine dining institutions – all of which are worthy of a place on your bucket list.
Click or scroll through our gallery to discover the top seafood spots in the US, counting down to the best in all of America.
Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards, and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our well-traveled (and well-fed) team. They're also regularly checked and updated.
For full New England feels, this upscale seafood shack is hard to beat. The restaurant’s classic seafood menu includes native littlenecks, stuffed hard shell lobsters, hearty chowders, and pan-roasted fish. Charred swordfish, classic fish and chips, and scampi are also a real hit with repeat diners, who can enjoy waterfront views of Mount Hope Bay and Sakonnet River from pretty much any seat in the house. Book a table around sunset for a magical experience.
Flounder, steamed shrimp, fried calamari, and snow crab legs are among the delicacies that keep pulling people back to this local beauty spot, where the family-run kitchen combines the local catch with Southern flavors. Perched on a tiny sliver of land off the coast of North Carolina, Miller's Waterfront Restaurant is as close to the water as you can get, so diners are treated to beautiful coastal views.
The Gulf has a regularly changing menu based on the local catch in the waters that give this joint its name. One mainstay, however, is the grouper sandwich – the best you'll find anywhere, according to fans – while the menu also offers poke bowls and Southern seafood favorites like fried shrimp rolls and a seafood boil. The shipping containers that form the restaurant are part of the relaxed vibe – kick back on the white sands of Orange Beach with the joint's finest daily catch and you're winning at life.
When it comes to easy seaside living, Boathouse on the Bay pulls out all the stops. The attentive service and nightly live music sessions make for an inviting atmosphere, and then there's the food. Some Cal-Mex twists make for fresh and zingy sushi and Baja tacos, while the raw bar's iced seafood towers are spectacular for a celebration. If you're heading along, book a table on the patio to get within a stone's throw of the ocean waves.
The Chimneys' porch, with its white linen–topped tables and excellent service, is a great place to dine on classic Southern seafood. Here you can feast on buttery crab claws, a classic gumbo, the signature crab cakes, and plenty besides. Cajun flavors rule supreme with blackened redfish, Gulf shrimp, and fried oysters all on offer. The old-school charm and gorgeous coastal views win plenty of repeat business and it's easy to see why.
Born from a family fish market in 1950, the Legal Sea Foods restaurant chain serves world-class New England seafood in Boston and way beyond. For the best experience we recommend eating amid the Boston skyline in Legal Harborside, in the Seaport area. Order the freshest soft shell clams with drawn butter, the signature lump crab cakes, or the generously proportioned lobster rolls – a favorite with regulars. And, of course, it’s only right to finish off with a slice of Boston’s signature cream pie.
French Creole classics are always on the menu at Dauphin's, where the house specialty is seafood with rich Southern flavors. Gulf shrimp features big, and with the restaurant perched on the 34th floor in downtown Mobile, diners get panoramic views of Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico where their seafood is fished. If you're feeling adventurous the menu has real bite – more unusual dishes include fried gator with buttermilk ranch dressing.
Before you dive into M.C. Perkins' extensive seafood menu, kick off with one of its much-loved Martinis. The restaurant has a wide array of seafood dishes, but the Maine steamed lobster is a must-try. Grilled swordfish, lobster mac ’n’ cheese, and the shellfish towers are also divine. Best of all, diners can enjoy all of this while gazing out of the huge windows, which frame incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Head to Wequassett Resort on the Cape Cod Peninsula and you’ll find critically acclaimed Twenty-Eight Atlantic, formerly the home of an 18th-century sea captain. The stunning views will hold your attention, right up until your food arrives, that is. The prix fixe and seven-course tasting menus are both crammed with hero fish – including cod and halibut, plus local oysters, grilled octopus, and lobster. Expect Japanese fusion flavors, Italian flair, and great American classics in the beautiful dining room.
If you’re after views, Little River Inn is the place to come. The hotel and restaurant overlook the Pacific Ocean, making the Whale Watch Bar a great spot to see some of the spectacular local wildlife. There's plenty of great seafood while you wait for a glimpse; small plates like calamari and clam chowder are followed by local rock cod, seafood stew, or a classic pub fish and chips. It's enough to make you forget about the whale watching!
If you want to feel the sand beneath your feet while dining on some classic American seafood, then Marker 88 is for you. Diners are seated on a sandy cove, making it a major attraction for those traveling through the Florida Keys. The menu makes the most of a great location; choose from the raw bar, sushi, some out-of-this-world appetizers, or the showstopping Key lime-infused seafood – shrimp, lobster, and crab.
From sea urchin to razor clams, squid ink risotto to lobster tacos, Neptune Oyster offers a taste of the unexpected. The oyster bar is everything you'd want, sourcing from specialist farms across Maine and neighboring coastal states, but you'll also find crab claws, littleneck and cherrystone clams, and those spectacular-looking urchins. Eating here is an exhilarating aesthetic experience, too – the marble bar, beds of ice, and cozy banquettes are all part of the charm of this jewel box of a restaurant. A table is well worth the wait.
If you like to dine in the lap of luxury with breathtaking views of the ocean, COAST is the place. A jewel within the Ocean House resort (essentially a mansion overlooking the sands), the fine dining restaurant goes all out to impress with the finest caviar and Champagne, Rhode Island's freshest seasonal seafood, and fabulous service. Large windows frame views of the Atlantic, creating an unforgettable experience. Try the jazz brunch for something a little different.
Like to know the name of the fisherman who landed your mahi mahi? You'll love Mama's Fish House, where every lobster and ahi (local tuna) comes with a story that sings of the incredible Pacific waters. Each day fishing crews bring in the catch of the day, which the family-run restaurant uses as the base for its fabulous menu. It’s also practically essential to pair your food with one of the joint's acclaimed Polynesian cocktails – try the Mai Tai Roa Ae, which translates as 'the very best.'
In the 1930s Mignonette was a gas station – now it’s a key Miami pitstop for anyone looking for upscale seafood that really hits the spot. Diners can expect a daily changing menu featuring beautiful crudo, chowder bisque, gumbo, and whole fish served with Old Bay potato chips. The oysters are also something of a signature here, so if you’re after a coastal view, order yours to go and enjoy them from Margaret Pace Park on the nearby shoreline.
Pilot scores full points for theatricality. The Brooklyn restaurant is housed in an early 20th-century wooden schooner anchored on the Hudson River, with fabulous views of New York’s skyline. Beyond the novelty of the venue, Pilot’s oyster-centric menu definitely lives up to the hype. Highlights include the Grand Banks oyster selection – two dozen freshly-shucked from farms across the USA – and the lobster roll is a real crowd-pleaser.
Accessible only via a quick shuttle boat from a marina on the mainland to the idyllic Sunset Keys, Latitudes is a picture-perfect place to taste island life. The fine dining menu serves up an exciting roll call of seafood classics, while fan favorites include everything from peppery lobster rolls and poached shrimp to delicate Key West 'pinks' (a local shrimp) and the house tuna poke. Linger long enough to catch one of the Florida Keys' best orange sunsets.
Many restaurants on our list are local institutions but Shaw's particularly looks the part; stepping inside is like entering a time capsule. The brown leather seating, checkerboard flooring, and old-fashioned calligraphy contribute to its classic charm, but the seafood beats them all. Besides the epic crab dishes (expect some jaw-dropping Norwegian red king crab) you'll also find lobster, oysters, sushi, clam chowder, and a signature seafood platter. Choose from the chilled oyster bar or the more formal dining room – if you know a pretty way to devour those buttery crab legs that is!
World-renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten is the culinary mind behind The Fulton, a long-standing institution just steps away from the fish market he opened in 2022. A passion for the Seaport area's maritime heritage shows in the menu here: expect the finest of everything from caviar and crudo to sashimi, steamed lobster, and whole roasted fish. Jean-Georges' signature whole black bass baked in bread is a true showstopper best enjoyed on the patio for views to match.
If you fancy a bit of whale and dolphin watching over a bite to eat, then Geoffrey's is the restaurant for you. Its terrace has astonishing views of the Pacific Ocean and is gorgeously illuminated on hot summer nights. The menu changes seasonally based on what’s fresh and available, but diners can expect grilled Pacific swordfish, day boat scallops, and a sensational house paella. Be sure to try the signature surf 'n' turf or the lump crab cakes.
If you’re looking for a tucked away spot offering excellent but unfussy seafood, look no further than The Walrus and The Carpenter. It was founded by three friends in 2009 with the intention of being a cozy neighborhood haunt, and that's exactly what it's become. Oysters are an obvious choice here, but diners also rave about the grilled sardines, caviar, and crudo. With a relaxed atmosphere you'll remember, this place has nailed contemporary hospitality.
You may have spotted that the finest seafood joints serve the local catch as ceviche, crudo, or oysters in the half shell and Tom Ham's is no exception. The restaurant, which has a functioning lighthouse, also lets you build your own platter from clams, scallops, mussels, shrimp, and lobster and the quality of the seafood really speaks for itself. Big appetites will love to follow this with whole roasted market fish, complemented by first-class views of the bay and Coronado Bridge.
Part of the Fairmont Orchid hotel on the Big Island, Brown's Beach House fuses excellent local seafood and Hawaii's unmistakable culinary heritage with the finest flavors from around the Pacific. Alongside spicy poke, curried lobster bisques, miso-seasoned clams, and a macadamia-crusted catch of the day, the restaurant's exciting menu celebrates both land and sea. With panoramic views of the palm-fringed ocean, prepare to have one of the best meals of your life.
Salt Shack On The Bay gets five stars all around for its vibrant, flavor-packed coastal cuisine. Diners can expect to tuck into fish tacos, grilled shrimp, and gator tail, all washed down with iconic cocktails. The restaurant overlooks Old Tampa Bay and clocks up rave reviews for the chilled-out beach vibes and brilliant service – all creating an idyllic atmosphere that makes it the place to watch the sun go down.
As its name suggests, Dry Dock Waterfront Grill is right by the edge of the very scenic Sarasota Bay, making alfresco dining its selling point. This – combined with its much-raved-about atmosphere and supremely fresh seafood dishes – makes reservations a must. Local grouper is a real star on the menu, but diners also particularly enjoy the lobster rolls, blackened salmon, and oysters Rockefeller. If you're lucky you may even glimpse dolphins leaping while you enjoy your meal!
Sometimes the best seafood is the simplest. At the iconic Tracy's, diners delight in big buckets of huge king crab legs: juicy, tender, and perfect with butter and bread rolls. Snow and Dungeness crabs are served up daily too, and with crab cakes, sliders, bisque, and battered shrimp also on the menu, there's something for everyone. The shack sprawls around a street corner in the docks area of Juneau, making it the perfect spot for some messy feasting.
When chef Fabio Trabocchi sets to work with the finest seafood, it's the flavors of Sicily's coast he's conjuring. Nestled in Washington Harbor's Georgetown waterfront, Fiola Mare aims for exquisite execution of dishes with real flair, so prepare to be impressed. A selection of caviars, a grill menu of the globe's finest fish, and the signature shellfish tower all dazzle the senses. This is seriously elevated seafood for anyone prepared to push the boat out.
Great restaurants come and go but Le Bernadin, opened by Parisian siblings in 1986, has been a mecca for seafood fans these past four decades. Its three Michelin stars are testament to the truly memorable meal diners receive, and the chef's tasting menu is sometimes described as a whirlwind (should that be typhoon?) of excellence. Every touch, from the in-house fish butcher to the knowledgeable staff, makes the very most of the impeccable fish, shellfish, and roe that form the core of each dish.
Don't be fooled by its laid-back vibes; this popular spot takes the freshness and quality of its seafood incredibly seriously. The brilliant bar will serve you natural wines, draft beers, and esoteric cocktails, but it's the big menu of steamers (shrimp, clams, oysters, mussels), chowders, sandwiches, and fancy entrées that gets our pulses racing. This place gets a lot of love for its lobster rolls, soft shell crab, and fried oysters, so go early to beat the no-reservation policy.
Chef Charles Thain has been serving up the freshest local seafood to Virginians for over a decade, and they sure are grateful! Earning rave reviews from diners, the restaurant sees its 60 seats in hot demand, so book early to enjoy Eastern Shore oysters, crab cakes, jumbo shrimp, and more. The local catch is broiled, fried, or blackened to your taste – enjoy!
Regulars will hate us for sharing their secret (and making the wait for a parking spot even longer) but this place is too good not to include. The experience is built around the fryers, which turn out perfectly crisp clam strips, scallops, basa, shrimp, and crab cakes. For the full experience add fried gator tail and a soft shell crab po' boy, but be careful – fill up too soon and you'll have no space left for dessert.
Although predominantly a seafood restaurant (special mention for the New England clam chowder), Coast Guard House's broad menu is ideal for anyone eating with a fussy friend. However, the stand-out offering is its raw bar – a popular go-to for diners. Try the Anchor Platter to taste the very best of the eatery’s oysters, littleneck clams, and shrimps. Coast Guard House has a rich history, too. Diners get a real taste of the region's maritime past as the restaurant building is an official US Coast Guard station that dates back to the early 1800s.
If authentic Southern seafood is your passion, prepare to get obsessed with the work of Mr Shucks. This joint is tucked away in a tiny mall, but the outsize platters and homey vibes keep pulling in new fans and return customers. Expect blue crab, jumbo snow crab, crawfish, and shrimp in buttery mounds. Besides the quality of the shellfish, this family-run restaurant also has a reputation for generosity and great value, so go hungry!
If slap-in-the-face-fresh flavors are your bag, you'll want to hit this Vegas joint. Fans rave about the ceviche, the shrimp tacos, seafood-smothered elote, and citrussy fish tostadas – the menu sings with great Baja cuisine transported to the desert. The Puchi family opened the first outlet in 2017, and it has since got a second branch in the city. Go for the signature spicy octopus taco and stay for the drinks – the homemade aguas frescas are the perfect accompaniment to the excellent eats.
Some like it hot... but the raw bar at this New England–style spot in downtown Charleston sells the dream of ice-cold seafood so well. Briny oysters listed by location, size, and salinity are, of course, excellent (each can be pimped with caviar) but there's so much more to explore here. Seared scallops, lobster rolls, small plates of ceviche, and roasted shellfish. Be warned, 167 doesn't take reservations, but the line is a rite of passage. This place is the real deal.
Get in line for some of the hottest seafood around: this newly Michelin-starred seafood counter is attracting a real buzz. The good news? The chow at this food hall stand is worth waiting for. Holbox (pronounced 'hole-bosh', for the Mayan-named Yucatán island) is the brainchild of chef Gilbert Cetina, who serves an eight-course tasting menu of fresh shellfish aguachiles, urchin and scallop ceviche, and giant surf clams. It's a real feast for the senses that doesn't disappoint.
Hungry for more? Discover the most charming restaurant in every state