The best seafood restaurants in Atlanta for fresh catch

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Head to Vinings or Sandy Springs for pristine raw bar offerings and sea-to-table specialties that feature locally-sourced ingredients. The two locations of this top seafood spot are both upscale, with a classy interior and dim lighting, perfect for diving into signature selections like steamed sea bass, lump crab cakes, pan-seared red snapper, Maine lobster, and king crab. An excellent selection of fine wines for pairing makes this one of the best seafood meals around.

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This Madison Yards hotspot has quickly become a buzzy destination for Asian fusion cuisine focusing on Vietnamese seafood dishes. From the chef-owner of Char Korean Bar & Grill, the restaurant specializes in fresh seafood prepared with the flavors of Southeast Asia and Cajun cuisine. Enjoy seafood boils by the pound, flavorful seafood bowls and sandwiches (like a Thai-spiced shrimp tempura bowl or banh mi), fresh oysters, shareable party platters, and well-made cocktails. Non-seafood options are available too.

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Cajun-style takeout is the name of the game here. Seafood combo platters feature fried shrimp, crab legs, fish, and more, with sides of corn and potatoes or fries. You can get a Po-boy (fried shrimp, oyster, catfish) or a boiled shellfish platter plus side orders like fried gator, andouille sausage, hushpuppies, and okra. Health-conscious patrons can go for steamed seafood or salads but give in to temptation and indulge in the Cajun-fried goodness of their signature offerings.

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Fontaine’s Oyster House has everything you want in a neighborhood seafood joint. This longtime Virginia-Highland favorite is a pub-style space with an outdoor patio, and the menu features casual seafood fare, from crab cakes and seafood baskets to boiled shrimp, shrimp tacos, crab legs, and jambalaya. There’s an extensive raw bar, weekly oyster specials, and other specials throughout the week. The bar offers an extensive range of craft beers, wines, cocktails, and tasty bloody marys.

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For fresh seafood — everything from fish to shrimp to oysters — to take home, this Poncey-Highland seafood market is the buzziest place to stock up. The market also includes a cafe highlighting the available catch with a tight, tasty menu of dishes like a grouper sandwich, Gulf shrimp salad roll, shrimp Louie and a tuna melt. At night, enjoy shrimp cocktail, crudo plates, and raw oysters. 

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Designed to look like a fish house, Lure creates a relaxed environment elevated by a touch of elegance. The menu is inspired by coastal cuisine from around the world, resulting in dishes like Georges Bank sea scallops with rice porridge, fritto misto with shrimp and calamari, grilled cobia collars with smoked onions, and seafood cassoulet with shrimp, crawfish and smoked swordfish belly. Stop by for weekend brunch to indulge in the likes of fried North Carolina catfish or rainbow trout with slow-cooked eggs and greens.

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You’ll feel like you’ve escaped to a seaside resort when you step into this nautically-designed spot on Howell Mill Road. The modern interior features a designated raw bar and a dining room that feels anything but landlocked. Start with tuna crudo or smoked fish dip with a round of handcrafted cocktails, then choose from the ocean-fresh menu featuring whole roasted fish, lobster rolls, Spanish octopus, poached swordfish, and more seaworthy delights. A bottle of seafood-friendly wine is a must.

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This urban fish camp at Ponce City Market comes from the Star Provisions team. The casual menu features fresh seafood from the South, from po' boys and crab cakes to oysters and one of the best lobster rolls (a buttered Parker House roll stuffed with lobster meat mixed with mayo celery and tarragon). There is a raw bar too, and a drinks menu featuring light, seafood-friendly options. Seafood enthusiasts can shop for sea-inspired home decor and tools for preparing seafood at home.

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Take classic Louisiana seafood dishes, add a Vietnamese flair, and pair them with stiff cocktails, and you get Bon Ton. This Midtown spot, located across from Mary Mac’s, offers plenty of fried and boiled seafood options and unique offerings like smoked snow crab, charbroiled crab claws, a Cajun shrimp burger, and a banh mi with fried shrimp or blackened catfish. Raw oysters, bright salads (like the spicy jicama and papaya salad), and “fancy Fixin's” like smoked gouda mac & cheese with crawfish round out the memorable menu.

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Cajun-style seafood is the star at this Buford Highway spot. Po’boys, boiled or fried seafood, and oysters are not to be missed, so if you can’t decide what to choose on the menu, go with a Shack-Tastic Platter. These platters come with pretty much everything — Cajun boiled or steamed crawfish, crab, shrimp, mussels, corn, potatoes, and andouille sausage. There are Fried-tastic Platters too, overflowing with fresh fried seafood and hush puppies.

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Atlanta Fish Market’s towering steel fish sculpture out front lets you know that seafood is king inside. The variety of choices on the menu — from fresh oysters and impeccable sushi to lobster rolls and expertly prepared entrees — is matched only by the variety of fresh fish — more than 100 — flown in every day. Pick up fresh fish at the onsite market if you’re not dining in for classic dishes that highlight the flavors of the fresh seafood.

No-frills Ikhlas in Eastpoint has been a community staple for more than 40 years. This seafood joint, located in a strip mall, serves seafood dinners, plates of fried shrimp, fried fish sandwiches, catfish nuggets, and more comfort faves. There’s fried chicken too, plus family platters that include ten pieces of whiting, a half pound of jumbo shrimp, fries, and hushpuppies. And the “Pastries” part? Don’t miss the pies, biscuits, and other homemade treats.