The Best Seafood Restaurants In New York City

In New York City, home to one of the world’s most creative culinary scenes, plain fish and shellfish are transformed into innovative dishes like shrimp corndogs and a mussels and sausage boil. Those with more traditional palates can find classic seafood pastas and tacos, among other recipes. Here are the best seafood restaurants in New York City.

1. Astoria Seafood

Restaurant, Seafood, Greek

Seafood fans from all over New York City make the pilgrimage to this Queens eatery. A restaurant and fish market in one, Astoria Seafood allows patrons to pick their own products (lobster tails, octopus, and whole fish are among the options) and their preferred cooking method, such as grilled or fried. Enjoy create-your-own spreads alongside Greek salad and lemon potatoes plus drinks at this BYOB hotspot.

2. Upstate

Restaurant, American, Seafood

© Courtesy of upstate craft beer & oyster bar

Based on seasonal availability, the tightly-curated menu at Upstate is constantly changing and always fresh. The East Village eatery known for its happy hour (of both the craft beer and oyster varieties) offers classics, such as the “house favorite” fettuccine with clams, and contemporary plates, including uni with salmon roe and raw egg, alike. The slice of Upstate’s famous whiskey cake delivered with each check is a nice touch.

3. Seamore's

Restaurant, Seafood, American

Boasting several New York locations (the Nolita address is a fan-favorite), Seamore’s is the city’s premier seafood chain. Crowd-pleasing plates of seared and crispy fish tacos on corn tortillas and Maine-style lobster rolls, plus a weekday Oyster Happy Hour, continue to reel in customers.

5. Taverna Kyclades

Restaurant, Greek

The most popular restaurant on Astoria’s Taverna Row happens to specialize in seafood. Taverna Kyclades attracts customers from across the five boroughs with its popular (1,900 reviews and counting) plates of grilled octopus, crabmeat-stuffed clams, and whole branzino. Tip: salads aren’t a second thought at this taverna, where a popular Peasant Salad features chunks of tomato, cucumbers, olives, and feta.

6. Greenpoint Fish & Lobster Co.

Restaurant, Seafood, American

For diners hungry for responsibly-sourced seafood, Greenpoint Fish & Lobster Co. hits the spot. Every catch at this Brooklyn restaurant is sustainable and seasonal, and some are even local. Its crudo made with fresh market fish, fish collar, and lobster roll with handpicked meat taste as good as consuming consciously feels.

7. Aquagrill

Restaurant, Seafood

As its name implies, Aquagrill is as much for diners as it is for drinkers. The seafood dishes—including 25 daily oyster varieties, spicy tuna tartare, and truffle-crusted cod—pair perfectly with the restaurant’s extensive selection of white and red wines, champagne, sake, and cocktails.

8. The Mermaid Inn

Restaurant, Seafood, American

Like its beer-battered fish tacos, escargot-style lobster knuckles, and other contemporary American fare, diners can’t go wrong with The Mermaid Inn. The mini-chain’s three understated branches are great for first dates, family dinners, and work outings alike. Observe all three at the Inn’s popular happy hour, featuring discounted oysters, shrimp and avocado sliders, and shrimp corndogs.

9. Red Hook Lobster Pound

Restaurant, Seafood, American

Patrons of Red Hook Lobster Pound come for one thing and one thing only. The namesake catch appears in everything from Maine and Connecticut-style lobster rolls to lobster mac and cheese to New England-style boils. Non-lobster dishes include shrimp, mussels, and sausage boil with corn and potatoes and a creamy old-fashioned New England clam chowder.

10. Russ and Daughters Cafe

Restaurant, Seafood

In New York City, smoked salmon is considered a seafood staple. Few places make the Jewish dish as well as the 1914-established Russ and Daughters Cafe. The Manhattan appetizing store and café particularly specializes in Nova smoked salmon along with pastrami-cured salmon, herring, caviar, and much more.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.