There are some people that just plain don’t care for seafood. Either they don’t like the taste, or they might be allergic. Many others love the taste of delicious seafood, especially if it is freshly caught. With two coasts to choose from, many of the coastal states can catch and serve fresh seafood quickly and conveniently. Where would you like to go? To the coast of Maine for fresh lobster? How about California for some fresh fish? The options are endless. If you find yourself in the U.S., try one of these best places to eat seafood and enjoy your dinner!
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Hogfish Bar and Grill – Florida
The Florida Keys are a great place to dine, watch amazing sunsets and have some great seafood and cold drinks, all right next to the ocean. This place is famous for its “pinks,” otherwise known as shrimp with a pink dot in the center of its shell and for its hogfish. Try the hogfish tacos, seared tuna tacos, stuffed pink shrimp with crab meat and served with rice and beans and many other delicious menu items steps from the water in beautiful Key West, Florida. Enjoy the live entertainment on the weekends from the best local musicians.
Mama’s Fish House – Maui
Established in 1973, Mama’s fish house is a staple on the island of Maui. The menus are printed every day because the food items are caught that day. They even have the fisherman’s names on the menu. The menu features many local catches such as Onaga (Long-Tail Red Snapper), Ono (Wahoo) and Opah (Moonfish). Some are served with a macadamia crust while others are marinated in lime juice or coconut milk. The restaurant is steps away from the beach and ocean and is a beautiful building with lovely ocean breezes. The fish are caught and processed within one day, so you are indeed getting fresh, wild caught fish from local fisherman. This place comes highly ranked with fantastic reviews!
Red Fish Grill – New Orleans
Located in the entertainment city of New Orleans, the Red Fish Grill is a family-friendly place with lots of interesting and unique décor. The restaurant’s motto is “casual New Orleans seafood,” and their extensive menu is sure to please. You can select your favorite fish from their list and then pick from 6 different specialty sauces. Oysters, Gulf shrimp, hush puppies, crab claws and more grace the menu. Experience the New Orleans flare to the seafood and be prepared for some spice.
The Walrus and the Carpenter – Seattle
If you love oysters, this is the place to be in Seattle, Washington. Fished from local waters, there are many different options of oysters including Hammersley and Samish Sweets. Oysters are served in metal baskets with horseradish and fresh lemon. Other options such as fried oysters, grilled sardines, and steamed clams can be found on the menu too. The restaurant is relatively new and is an old shipping factory. It is a new, hip place, not to mention delicious.
The Optimist – Atlanta
Head to downtown Atlanta for some excellent seafood dining. The restaurant has an oyster bar that serves ten different kinds of bivalves on the half shell and even has a courtyard that opens to a putt-putt course. Head for the main dining area if you want a full meal instead. There are some excellent fish options here such as Mahi Mahi, Haddock, Swordfish and many others. There is dinner, lunch, dessert, beer and cocktail menus available at this elegant restaurant and the chef’s talent in the seafood menu will surprise and delight you.
The Clam Shack – Maine
Maine is famous for its seafood, and especially its lobster and the Clam Shack will not disappoint you. The shack is a small trailer, nothing fancy, but tourists and locals line the street to place and receive their order. The favorite is the lobster roll sandwich. The lobster roll is freshly cooked lobster meat on a toasted bun with a drizzle of butter or mayonnaise. The shack may be small, but the food is phenomenal. It has been in business for years, and the lobster is caught and cooked fresh.
Straight Warf Restaurant – Maine
This restaurant has been open for 40 years and dedicates itself to the culture of Nantucket Island and by serving some of the freshest and best seafood around. Their menu changes with the seasons. Currently, there are some fantastic specials such as the dinner item consisting of the local swordfish with summer squash and eggplant chermoula. Try the day boat scallops with roasted zucchini, snow peas, and corn for the perfect meal. This restaurant had an elegant dining atmosphere and made the 2012 list from Travel & Leisure’s top seafood restaurants in America.
Reef – Houston, Texas
This favorite dining place in Houston features Gulf Coast, Asian and Mediterranean style flavors and dishes. Happy hour drink specials along with a few smaller servings of appetizers are held during the weekdays from 4 to 7 p.m. Try the fried oysters or the crawfish croquettes with your favorite drink. The dinner menu has a jumbo crab cake, a crispy thin snapper fish, and many more tasty seafood items from one of the best seafood chefs in the country, who made it in the top 10 best new chef list.
Swan Oyster Depot – San Francisco, California
Since 1912 the Swan Oyster line often runs down the block, and you need to get there early to grab one of the 19 bar stools at the counter. It has been serving up some of the best seafood in the area and is family owned and run. The menu features crab, Boston clam chowder, octopus salad, smoked trout and clams and oysters on the half shell; all served fresh and perfectly cooked. Be prepared to wait in line, but both locals and visitors say this is an item you have got to add to your visit.
Perfectly Seasoned Fresh Catches
With two coasts bordering the east and west coasts of the U.S., it is easy to find some of the best places to eat seafood along the coastlines. Fresh catch of the day paired with some of the top cooks and chefs in the country are delighting customers as they have some of the best food they have ever tried. Fresh fish of the day, clams, oysters, lobster, crab and many more items vary on which coast you go to. Maine on the east coast is famous for its lobster, while the west coast is more for its fish and oyster choices. What would you prefer? The restaurants can be either a small “shack” near the ocean for a laid-back atmosphere or an exceptional dining experience. Whatever you desire there is one guarantee, which the food will be delicious.
