Whether you're in New England or on the Gulf Coast, seafood is a staple of so many amazing restaurants in the USA. Iconic ocean-fresh dishes include everything from brioche rolls crammed with sweet and buttery lobster to creamy clam chowder served in bread bowls. Here we've ranked the country's finest seafood restaurants, from rustic hole-in-the-wall spots to fine dining institutions – all 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.
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.
For full New England feels, this upscale seafood restaurant is hard to beat. The 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.
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 such as 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 ideal 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 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 the spot's seafood is fished. If you're feeling adventurous, the menu has real bite – more unusual dishes include fried gator with buttermilk ranch dressing.
If you like ceviche, then there's no way you're skipping a restaurant called Ceviche Ceviche. You won't be disappointed, either, as Ceviche Ceviche serves some of the best (you guessed it) ceviche in Texas. The joint is such an institution in South Padre Island that in early 2025, it celebrated its 10th anniversary of serving customizable ceviche to lucky locals. It has two other outlets around the Lone Star State, too.
Dive into M.C. Perkins' extensive seafood menu for an evening of culinary delights. The restaurant has a wide array of seafood dishes, but the Maine steamed lobster is a must-try. The grilled swordfish, lobster mac ’n’ cheese, and 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.
If you want 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!
Head to Wequassett Resort on the Cape Cod Peninsula, and you’ll find the 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. The à la carte and seven-course tasting menus are crammed with hero fish – including cod, halibut, local oysters, grilled octopus, and lobster. Expect Japanese fusion flavors, Italian flair, and great American classics in the beautiful dining room.
From sea urchins 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 seafood from specialist farms across Maine and neighboring coastal states – and you'll find crab claws and littleneck and cherrystone clams here, too. Eating here is an exhilarating aesthetic experience; 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 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 the spot a major attraction for those traveling through the Florida Keys. The menu makes the most of a great location. Choose between dishes from the raw bar, sushi, out-of-this-world appetizers, or the showstopping Key lime–infused shrimp, lobster, and crab.
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), this fine dining restaurant goes all out to impress with the finest caviar, 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.
In the 1930s, Mignonette was a gas station – but now, it’s a key Miami pit stop 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 oysters, freshly shucked from farms across the USA – and the lobster roll is a real crowd-pleaser.
There's nothing particularly special about the outside of Florida's Happy Snapper Seafood Restaurant. It is, after all, one of many strip mall cafés found throughout the country. But as soon as you step inside, a hidden treasure trove of seriously good seafood is revealed. It seems silly to visit the joint without ordering the eponymous snapper but, if you're in the mood for something different, foodies also love the restaurant's blue crab bisque.
Accessible only via a quick shuttle boat from a marina on the mainland, 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 of 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. Vongerichten's signature whole black bass baked in bread is a true showstopper that's best enjoyed on the patio for views to match.
If you feel like 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 to be 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 it up 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. Prepare to have one of the best meals of your life, complete with panoramic views of the palm-fringed ocean.
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 its chilled-out beach vibes and brilliant service – all creating an idyllic atmosphere that makes it the place to watch the sun go down.
For seafood served with Mexican flair, there can be few places better than Tucson's La Frida Mexican Grill & Seafood. The seafood is fresh, and the flavors are steeped in authentic Mexican heritage, whether you're enjoying zesty ceviche or stunning shrimp tacos. The restaurant has charmed Yelpers so much that it landed a coveted spot on Yelp’s Top 100 US Restaurants list 2025
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!
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.
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.
Great restaurants come and go, but Le Bernadin, opened by Parisian siblings in 1986, has been a must-visit for seafood fans these past four decades. Its three Michelin stars are a testament to the truly memorable meals 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 relaxed 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 the big menu of steamers (shrimp, clams, oysters, mussels), chowders, sandwiches, and fancy entrées 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.
Regulars will hate us for sharing their secret (and making the wait for a parking spot longer), but this place is too good not to include. At Dockside Seafood Restaurant, the experience is built around the fryers, which turn out perfectly crisp clam strips, scallops, basa, shrimp, and crab cakes. For the full experience, also order fried gator tail and a soft-shell crab po' boy – but be careful. Fill up too soon, and you'll have no space for a dessert to enjoy as you soak up the bay views.
Chef Charles Thain has been serving the freshest local seafood to Virginians for over a decade, and they sure are grateful. The restaurant earns rave reviews from diners, and its 60 seats are 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!
Reasonably priced sushi isn't something you hear about every day, but that's exactly the idea behind Lawrence Fish Market. Its fish is imported from Japan, with sushi chefs inspecting every cut for quality and consistency before serving up delicious sushi, maki, and sashimi to hungry customers. The joint has been knocking it out of the park in Chicago for over 40 years, and it's still going strong.
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 shrimp. 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 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 super-fresh flavors are your bag, you'll want to hit this Vegas joint. The menu sings with great Baja cuisine transported to the desert, and fans rave about the ceviche, the shrimp tacos, seafood-smothered elote, and citrussy fish tostadas. The Puchi family opened the first outlet in 2017, and it's since got a second branch in the city. Go for the signature spicy octopus taco and stay for the drinks – the house-made aguas frescas are the perfect accompaniment to the excellent eats.
Yelp users are so taken with Georgetown Seafood in Washington DC that the humble joint was ranked 16th in Yelp’s Top 100 US Restaurants 2025. Foodies particularly enjoy the amazing service and the incredibly fresh food, including lobster rolls, shrimp baskets, and fish and chips. It's the perfect hidden gem to discover next time you're in the area.
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 (and each can be spiked with caviar), but there's so much more to explore here. 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.
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Last updated by Luke Paton.