The Best Seafood Restaurant in Every State
Catch of the Day
There are people out there who don't eat seafood, and that's really a bummer for them. Life is a lot less wonderful without the ocean's bounty.
If you're a seafood lover, however, this country has a bounty of underwater delicacies to enjoy. Even in the most landlocked of states, you'll find restaurants cooking incredible seafood. Check out some of the best seafood restaurants in the U.S.
Alabama: The Original Oyster House
Spanish Fort
Since the '80s, this seafood destination has been a celebration of Gulf cuisine. Come with a group and run as much of the menu as you can.
Alaska: Deckhand Dave’s Fish Tacos
Juneau
The Juneau food truck is known for its locally-sourced fish tacos, but it's equally beloved for its commitment to sustainable Alaskan farming.
Arizona: Chula Seafood
Scottsdale
Offering plenty of raw options along with the rest of its high-quality dishes, the family-run Chula Seafood is just about the best fish market you can find in the middle of the desert.
Arkansas: Flying Fish
Little Rock
Little Rock's culinary scene is nothing to scoff at, and this local legend is the proof. Grab some catfish and enjoy soul food heaven.
California: Found Oyster
Los Angeles
Inspired by the seafood of New England and shaped by the flavors of the west coast, Found Oyster is a raw bar beyond compare, and that means something in a city brimming with some of the best seafood in the world. Go big: We're talking scallop tostadas, uni service, and a wedge salad to write home about.
Colorado: Blue Island Oyster Bar and Seafood
Denver
There are a lot of routes to take at Blue Island Oyster, one of Denver's hottest seafood spots: You can keep it simple with oysters and clams, or you can go mid-level by splitting some Thai curry mussels or fried calamari with friends. The best idea, though? Throw the Cheapism handbook out the window and go for pure luxury with the golden Osetra caviar service.
Connecticut: Shell & Bones Oyster Bar & Grill
New Haven
Grab a seat at Shell & Bones along the New Haven waterfront, and you'll be smitten already. The local seafood, especially octopus and lobster, only make it better.
Delaware: Henlopen City Oyster House
Rehoboth Beach
The extensive craft beer selection at this Rehoboth Beach raw bar is impressive, but the food menu blows it out of the water. With fried, seared, and raw fish options to spare, Henlopen is a place to settle down and spend some time.
Florida: La Camaronera Seafood Joint and Fish Market
Miami
La Camaronera has been around for 50 years, but at any given time it’s probably still less busy than tourist-mecca Joe’s Stone Crab. Plus, the Latin-leaning menu showcases exactly what dining in Miami is all about.
Georgia: The Optimist
Atlanta
Coastal seafood and wood-fired American fare is the name of the game at The Optimist, which is continually referred to as one of the best restaurants in Atlanta.
Hawaii: Haleiwa Joe's
Haleiwa
There's no shortage of fresh seafood in Hawaii, and if the locals are doing their job, we will never find out what the actual best seafood in Hawaii is. In the meantime? Haleiwa Joe's is just as famous for its poke and crab as it is for prime rib. And that's to say, very famous.
Idaho: Real Foods Fish Market
Boise
Fish tacos? Clam chowder? Sushi rolls? Whatever you're grabbing, Real Foods is doing landlocked Idaho quite a favor with its massive selection of fishy fare.
Illinois: The Publican
Chicago
A former warehouse district, Fulton Market is now home to some of Chicago's best shopping and dining. Included in that is The Publican, a seafood-focused restaurant that feels not so different from a beer hall — in a good way.
Indiana: Caplinger’s Fresh Catch
Indianapolis
Seafood Phillys, crab melts, and even gator (that's seafood, right?) po' boys await you at Caplinger's.
Iowa: Splash Seafood Bar & Grill
Des Moines
Top-notch seafood isn't the easiest thing to come by in Iowa, but Splash Seafood makes it a lot easier. Lobster mac and cheese is a beautiful thing.
Kansas: Jarocho Authentic Mexican Seafood
Kansas City
Mexican seafood is alive in Kansas City at Jarocho, where fried fish, shrimp cocktails, and grilled octopus are celebrated with big, vibrant flavors.
Kentucky: Mitchell's Fish Market
Louisville
Mitchell’s may be a chain, but it’s a chain with quality behind it. They’ve got oysters. They’ve got crab rice. They’ve got it all.
Louisiana: Middendorf’s
Akers and Slidell
Since 1934, Middendorf’s has been serving Gulf seafood to both locals and celebrities (like the Manning family and the Prince of Monaco). Catfish is a must.
Maine: Eventide Oyster Co.
Portland
The picturesque shores of Portland, Maine, have no shortage of incredible seafood, but for bright, fun, and modern versions of all your favorite classics, hit Eventide Oyster Co. The brown butter lobster rolls are famous for a reason.
Maryland: Thames Street Oyster House
Baltimore
For a refined, traditional Atlantic seafood experience, Thames Street is where you want to be. Think Portuguese rock octopus, lobster polenta, and cast iron crab cakes. And don’t worry, the non-seafood dishes are great, too.
Massachusetts: Woodman’s of Essex
Essex
“Chubby” Woodman’s fried clam strips are the stuff of legend, and they started right here at this shack in Essex. Don’t leave without them.
Michigan: The Sardine Room
Plymouth
Oysters and mussels are always expected at a seafood joint, but it’s stuff like the spicy tuna bowl and the Portuguese sardines that really take Plymouth’s The Sardine Room to the next level. Don’t ignore the call of the Platter Royale.
Minnesota: Smack Shack
Minneapolis
East Coast-style seafood is the star of the show at Smack Shack, which has three locations in Minneapolis. Think lobster rolls and seafood boils, but don’t sleep on that lobster poutine during brunch.
Mississippi: Blow Fly Bar and Grill
Gulfport
Southern-style seafood and a very chill atmosphere set the stage for Blow Fly Bar and Grill, which specializes in local Gulfport seafood. The waterfront views only make everything better.
Missouri: Broadway Oyster Bar
St. Louis
Half-oyster bar and half-music venue, there are lots of good times to be had at Broadway Oyster Bar. Crab cakes, gator tacos, and fried oysters are all on the menu.
Montana: The Keep
Missoula
The castle-esque restaurant may be known for its rack of lamb, but the seafood dishes here are just as refined and complex as the red meat dishes. And yet, it’s the stunning views that may steal the whole show.
Nebraska: Plank Provisions
Omaha
Plank has two other locations in Texas, but in Omaha, the quality is unmatched. If you leave without any sushi or the miso chopped salad, you're doing it wrong.
Nevada: King’s Fish House
Henderson
It turns out, there's luck to be had in Nevada away from the Vegas strip; eating fish tacos and oysters from King's Fish House is quite the lucky experience itself.
New Hampshire: The Old Salt Restaurant at Lamie’s Inn
Hampton
Lamie's over-the-top New England charm is irresistible, though not as much as the haddock chowder and bacon-wrapped scallops.
New Jersey: Dock’s Oyster House
Atlantic City
Since 1987, Dock's has been part of the heart and soul of Atlantic City, serving up fresh, refined seafood. It might as well be on the Monopoly board.
New Mexico: Mariscos la Playa
Albuquerque
Albuquerque is rich with Mexican food, but since it's so far from the water it can be hard to find the good stuff. Luckily, Mariscos La Playa is rich in its own way: Rich with ceviches, rich with cócteles, and rich with aguachiles.
New York: Le Bernardin
New York City
Eric Ripert's Midtown seafood temple is deeply worshipped by just about every chef alive, and for a good reason. From the service to the food, it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
North Carolina: Good Hot Fish
Asheville
"Top Chef" alum Ashleigh Shanti is doing incredibly special things at Good Hot Fish, a modern fish camp in Asheville. Her warm, soulful Black Appalachian cuisine is a marvelous breath of fresh air in a city that could really use flavors like these. You won't find more delicate, perfectly-fried fish for miles. Maybe anywhere.
North Dakota: Mezzaluna
Fargo
Italian fine dining may be sparse in Fargo, but Mezzaluna isn't playing around. The menu's big focus is seafood, offering decadent goodies like seafood risotto and seared scallops.
Ohio: Pier W
Lakewood
Lakeside dining, oysters, and a slew of fresh fish (fried, roasted, and pan-seared, oh my!) are why you've come to Pier W. Soak up those Erie views.
Oklahoma: Pearl’s Oyster Bar
Oklahoma City
They're cooking up seafood with Southern-style flair at Pearl's in Oklahoma City. With Cajun and Creole dishes a-plenty, the Cheesecake Factory-esque menu is comically large. There's something for everybody at Pearl's.
Oregon: Dan & Louis Oyster Bar
Portland
For over 100 years, Dan & Louis has been a Portland icon. It's both timeless and modern at the same time, and the food never disappoints. Don't miss it if you're in Portland.
Pennsylvania: Devon Seafood Grill
Philadelphia
Philly is a booming food town, and while it's not easy to pick just one "best" restaurant, Devon Seafood Grill is beyond worth a visit. You've got classic seafood options and East Coast-style preparations, but there's plenty of Asian influence going on here, too. Be sure to order the bang bang rock shrimp.
Rhode Island: Matunuck Oyster Bar
Kingstown
In a town of quahogs, oysters still manage to knock people's socks off at Matunuck. The food you're eating comes right out of the water you're looking at, probably from that very morning.
South Carolina: 167 Raw
Charleston
In a town famous for Southern seafood, both 167 Raw Bar and its sister restaurant, 167 Sushi Bar, manage to stay in their own league. Creative, ever-changing specials, terrific staff, and some of the freshest and most delicious seafood in the Lowcountry make these restaurants mandatory visits.
South Dakota: Minerva’s Restaurant
Sioux Falls
People may flock to Minerva's for the steak, but you'll leave with memories of the chardonnay mussels and the coconut shrimp. OK, and maybe the ribeye, too.
Tennessee: The Southern Steak & Oyster
Nashville
It's all in the name at the Southern Steak & Oyster, where chef Matt Farley is cooking up thick crawfish gumbo, aromatic BBQ shrimp, and homestyle fish n' grits.
Texas: Este
Austin
The Pacificos are cold at Este, but the guajillo salsa-dressed clams are colder. Chef Fermín Núñez already opened Austin’s heart to his soulful Mexican cooking with his first restaurant, Suerte, but at his newest venture, he's gone seafood-focused. Here, everything is absolutely immaculate, from the mariscos to the service. You'd be a lunatic to skip a meal here.
Utah: Takashi
Salt Lake City
Utah isn't known for sushi, but a meal at Takashi might change your opinion. With a huge list of sake and fresh, Japanese fish, this is a celebration-worthy restaurant.
Vermont: Hen of the Wood
Burlington
If you're going to eat a farm-to-table meal near in the woods, there are few better places to do it than Burlington, Vermont. Rustic American cooking feels special at a place like Hen of the Wood, which features an oyster hour along with some phenomenal fish dishes.
Virginia: Croaker’s Spot
Richmond
Beloved in Richmond, Croaker's fried catfish and shrimp are in the hearts of so many Richmond locals. It's soul food of the sea.
Washington: The Walrus and the Carpenter
Seattle
There's a reason The Walrus and the Carpenter is one of Seattle's most popular restaurants. The wine list is huge, the atmosphere is lively, the oysters are fresh, and the cooking sings with the creativity of West Coast flavors.
Washington, D.C.: Hank’s Oyster Bar
Washington, D.C.
In a city where conversation can be its own sport, it's nice to take a break at an oyster bar. Hank's is casual, fun, and, best of all, has bloody mary oyster shooters all day long.
West Virginia: Just In Time Seafood
Martinsburg
Need some West Virginia seafood? Head to Martinsburg, where crab cakes, fish tacos, and (drumroll) incredible soft-shell crab await you at Just in Time Seafood.
Wisconsin: Harbor House
Harbor House
The Milwaukee legend offers nutso views of Lake Michigan free of charge, alongside snacks as simple as oysters to classics as decadent as South African lobster tails.
Wyoming: The Kitchen
Jackson
Like most new American restaurants of its age, The Kitchen is focused on seasonal ingredients and local products. The raw bar is absolutely stacked, and at happy hour, it's even better.
This article was originally published on Cheapism
