The best seafood restaurants in America

What is it? Inside a luxuriously updated Back Bay townhouse, this petite raw bar and restaurant from chef-partner Michael Serpa—formerly of the North End’s iconic Neptune Oyster—makes seafood a special occasion.

Why we love it: Using Mediterranean influences, Serpa takes local catch to the next level. From deftly-composed crudo like the yellowtail hamachi with passionfruit, crispy ginger, cucumber and radish to a whole roasted “taverna style” sea bream, the menu celebrates seafood with bright, memorable flavors. The wine list takes things up another notch, with a list that shines with orange wines and seafood-friendly sparkling rosé. 

Time Out tip: When the good weather hits, grab a spot on the cozy outdoor patio in the back.

Address: 50 Gloucester St, Boston, MA 02115

Opening hours: Sun–Thu 11:30am–9:30pm; Fri, Sat 11:30am–10:30pm

What is it? Joe’s is probably South Florida’s most famous restaurant, and it offers an experience that’s as memorable as the food.

Why we love it: This place is buzzing, with waiters in crisp uniforms flitting around multiple dining areas—all packed with patrons. Here you’ll obviously enjoy the best stone crabs in Miami, but the menu also includes seafood classics ranging from New England clam chowder and stuffies to a chilled seafood tower, blackened sea scallops and king crab claws. Joe’s doesn’t take reservations, so be prepared for a long wait, but the mesmerizing scene in the convivial bar and waiting area will keep you entertained until you’re seated.

Time Out tip: If someone in your party doesn’t like seafood, there’s always the fried chicken, a hidden gem. It’s insanely good, and insanely inexpensive. 

Address: 11 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Opening hours: Mon-Tue 5-10pm; Wed-Thu, Sun 11:30am-2:30pm, 5-10pm; Fri-Sat 11:30am-2:30pm, 5-11pm

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What is it? This elegant waterfront seafood spot on the Georgetown Harbor serves sophisticated Italian seafood dishes and has some of the best views in the city.

Why we love it: Fiola Mare is a love letter to coastal Italy, starring exceptionally fresh, visually stunning seafood dishes. An assortment of clams shines atop housemade pasta and delicate lobster bursts forth from handmade ravioli. A signature cart featuring the day’s freshest selections is brought tableside, and your choice—it could be tiger prawns, tuna or whole lobster depending on the day—is then grilled to perfection. Service is immaculate, the wine list is unbeatable and nearly every table has a view of the Potomac.

Time Out tip: Go for Sunday brunch. The seafood platters, paired with bottomless mimosas and a front-row view of the water, make it one of the most luxurious brunch options in D.C.

Address: 3100 K St NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

Opening hours: Tue-Thu 11:30 am-10pm, Fri 11:30am-10:30pm, Sat 11am-10:30pm, Sun 11am-9:30pm, Mon 5-9:30pm

What is it? A no-frills seafood counter that’s been shucking oysters and serving ultra-fresh seafood since 1912, Swan’s is still going strong after all these years.

Why we love it: This spot is a San Francisco institution. There’s always a line, always chatter and always someone raving about the crab backs or smoked salmon. The beauty of this old-school favorite is in the simplicity. There are no tables, and the walls are lined with ragtag photos and posters documenting the years. Everything comes straight from the ocean, so you know it’s as fresh as possible. Add a squeeze of lemon and a splash of charm (plus a cold beer) and you’ve got an iconic San Francisco seafood experience. 

Time Out tip: Get there before they open to secure a counter seat. Order the combo seafood salad and watch the city’s most old-school seafood ballet unfold.

Address: 1517 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 8am–2:30pm

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What is it? Housed in a beautifully restored 1920s bank building, this raw bar and seafood hall offers an elegant yet convivial dining experience.

Why we love it: James Beard Award-winner Mike Lata brings Lowcountry seafood into fine-dining territory without losing its soul. The towering seafood platters and creative, fish-forward, frequently-changing entrees have garnered well-deserved praise, and the cocktails (many of which place rum in the spotlight) are equally inventive. Both grand and grounded, The Ordinary is clearly extraordinary, but with all the unassuming charm and hospitality you expect in Charleston. 

Time Out tip: Reservations are often in demand, but the bar and patio areas are first-come, first-served, and a lovely way to enjoy the experience.

Address: 544 King St, Charleston, SC 29403

Opening hours: Sun-Mon, Wed-Thu 5-10pm; Fri, Sat 5-10:30pm

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What is it? Bright and modern, Eventide redefines Maine seafood with bold flavors and polished yet casual vibes.

Why we love it: The brown-butter lobster roll put this spot on the map, earning fans far and wide. Served on a pillowly bao-style bun, it’s warm, silky and most definitely not your average lobster roll. The coastal menu is anything but old-fashioned, with an extensive list of super-fresh oysters, delicate crudo, Asian-inspired buns and creative hot dishes ranging from Maine lobster stew with green curry to scallop “waffle-yaki.” Even the traditional New England clam bake gets an innovative twist with drawn butter and nori vinaigrette.

Time Out tip: Try stopping by mid-afternoon to (hopefully) avoid a line. A half-dozen oysters, a lobster roll and one of their frozen cocktails is a perfect Maine pit stop.

Address: 86 Middle St, Portland, ME 04101

Opening hours: Daily 11am-11pm

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What is it? This chic, contemporary seafood restaurant from the team behind Little’s Wood Grill focuses on Gulf Coast fare and polished presentation.

Why we love it: Little’s is Houston’s proof that world-class seafood doesn’t need an ocean view. The menu celebrates the bounty of the Gulf of Mexico, with snapper crudo, buttery scallops and oysters rivaling anything you’ll find on the East Coast. Shrimp and andouille gumbo, jumbo lump crab salad and Texas redfish shine a light on fresh catch. The vibe is stylish without being stuffy, and it brings a bit of energy and lightness to any meal.

Time Out tip: Grab a seat at the raw bar for a chat with the friendly, knowledgeable shuckers who always offer spot-on oyster picks

Address: 3001 S Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77098

Opening hours: Tue-Thu 5-9pm, Fri-Sat 5-10pm

What is it? This casual eatery is Michelin-starred yet offers one of L.A.’s best Mexican seafood experiences at a fairly reasonable price. 

Why we love it: Housed inside food hall Mercado La Paloma, Gilberto Cetina Jr.’s Yucatecan-style mariscos counter is a celebration of spice, citrus and smoke. Crowds come in for staples like deep-fried fish tacos and coctel mixto as well as more out-of-the-ordinary dishes like kanpachi and uni tostadas, baja blood clams on the half shell or fried rockfish collars. The line can be long, especially on the weekends, but the buzz of the food hall and the reward at the end of the line make it well worth the wait.

Time Out tip: Holbox's experimental eight-course tasting menu on Wednesday and Thursday evenings (note: not available this November) is the most delicious, inexpensive way to enjoy the Holbox ethos. Reservations drop on the first of the month for the following month.

Address: 3655 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90007

Opening hours: Tue–Sun 11:30am–9pm

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What is it? This bustling oyster bar in the Ballard neighborhood helped kickstart Seattle’s modern seafood movement—and chef Renee Erickson’s empire.

Why we love it: With its lively farmhouse vibe, The Walrus and The Carpenter is a chill spot to sample pristine oysters and fresh seafood. The marble bar is packed with oysters from all over Washington, and there’s a perfect wine ready to pair with each. The inspired menu of small plates changes daily, reflecting the seasons and the freshest catch. From a garden-fresh salad with bottarga to crudo, grilled sardines, salmon with leche de tigre or Hama Hama clams, seafood is the star. The goal is to be a neighborhood spot, and the team has cultivated a friendly place where every night is a party.

Time Out tip: They don’t take reservations, so come right at opening in the late afternoon to snag a spot. Plus, the space is even more enchanting when flooded with natural light.

Address: 4743 Ballard Ave NW #300, Seattle, WA 98107

Opening hours: Sun-Thu 4-9pm, Fri-Sat 4-10pm

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What is it? Family-owned since 1973, this legendary Maui restaurant serves seafood so fresh and local that the menu includes the names of the fishermen who caught each fish.

Why we love it: Mama’s combines old-school Hawaiian hospitality with fine-dining finesse. Every plate is a celebration of the bounty of the surrounding waters. The menu changes daily, featuring local catch like uku, mahi-mahi, ahi and kampachi prepared with Hawaiian ingredients like Maui onions, Waihee tomatoes, Hana bananas and ti leaves. Topped with ocean breezes and Polynesian influences, this is the best of Hawaiian seafood, and a culinary experience you won’t soon forget.

Time Out tip: Go at sunset (be sure to make a reservation weeks in advance) for a magical backdrop of crashing waves as you sip your cocktails.

Address: 799 Poho Pl, Paia, HI 96779

Opening hours: Daily 11am-8:30pm

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What is it: Chef Donald Link’s seafood-centric destination features fresh, local fish and a flaming wood-fired grill.

Why we love it: Pêche’s fire-driven approach makes it a seafood standout, as the grill gives everything a smoky depth. There’s whole grilled fish with crispy skin; jumbo shrimp with greens, coconut and sticky rice; and a smoked tuna dip that’s become legendary. The menu lends itself to sharing—try fish sticks with beer batter (from locally-made Urban South) or shrimp toast with pickles. It’s boisterous and loud inside, but this is New Orleans, where seafood and fun are par for the course.

Time Out tip: Don’t miss the inventive cocktails: the regularly-changing menu features the likes of the Ponchatoula Smash with bourbon, local strawberries and basil or the Charred Catalan with gin, blanco vermouth and smoked olive.

Address: 800 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Opening hours: Daily 11am-10pm

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What is it? This buzzy raw bar and seafood restaurant reps East Coast seafood and sensibilities down in the South.

Why we love it: 167 Raw is a dream for raw bar lovers, obviously, with oysters, clams, shrimp and caviar at the ready. But the New England-inspired menu is equally impressive, and legit—the owners hail from Nantucket. Clam chowder, tuna burgers and pastrami’d swordfish taste like they’re flown straight from up north, and small plates and tacos feature plenty of crab and lobster. (To many regulars, the highlight is the lobster roll, a true taste of New England.) The wine list leans in on the crisp white selections, alongside plenty of reds, beers and frozen drinks. It’s a stylish spot where you can settle in and relax for a while.

Time Out tip: For more of this kind of seafood magic, you can swing by the newer 167 Sushi Bar for a Japanese take on the theme.

Address: 193 King St, Charleston, SC 29401

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11am-11pm

What is it? Not only does this French Quarter fine dining establishment serve super-fresh seafood, it’s also on the cutting edge of innovative preparations.

Why we love it: Entrées change daily to reflect the best catch, and Chef Michael Nelson works with trusted local purveyors, including spearfish divers, to source his seafood. Whatever the preparation—wood-grilled, parmesan-crusted, blackened—the flavors of the fish shine through. Appetizers like lobster dumplings and New Orleans-style barbecue shrimp are constants. The “Scalibut”—a unique halibut/scallop combo—is a favorite recurring special. There are no wrong answers on the menu, just try to avoid filling up on the delectable biscuits.

Time Out tip: Fans of dry-aged steak should definitely try the dry-aged cuts of tuna or swordfish when available. It might make you look at seafood in a whole new way.

Address: 808 Bienville St, New Orleans, LA 70112

Opening hours: Sun-Thu 5-9:30pm, Fri-Sat 5-10pm

What is it? This Chicago institution is a go-to spot for seafood downtown, whether for a celebration or a casual bite.

Why we love it: Shaw's Crab House has been a Chicago classic since opening in 1984. You can go for a traditional white-tablecloth meal in the dining room or sidle up to the lively oyster bar for fresh bivalves, crab and lobster. Despite its location far from New England, the lobster roll is pretty terrific—it’s got just a hint of mayo, but plenty of flavor. There’s also fresh sushi and sashimi. This is a seafood spot with options, and you can’t go wrong with any of them.

Time Out tip: The old-school oyster bar offers a more casual experience, but it doesn’t take reservations so go early to grab a spot. 

Address: 21 E Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60611

Opening hours: Mon-Thu, Sun 11:30am-9pm; Fri, Sat 11:30am-10pm

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What is it? A quintessential seafood shack, Bob’s has been serving up fried clams and lobster in Maine since 1956.

Why we love it: If you’re driving along Route 1 (and if you’re not, take a detour), this is the place to stop for coastal Maine comfort fare and a good dose of nostalgia. It’s unpretentious, focusing on nothing but fresh seafood and friendly service. Order the famous crispy fried clams, a basket of fried seafood or a cold, creamy seafood roll and set up at an inside table to enjoy the chatter and commotion or at a picnic table in the parking lot. This is a Maine institution that delivers on roadside charm without scrimping on quality.

Time Out tip: Order the “Lillian style” fried clams, dipped twice for extra crunch, and eat outside. It’s a summer must, no matter the weather.

Address: 315 U.S. Rte 1, Kittery, ME 03904

Opening hours: Daily 11am-7pm