It’s not only the spots with neon signs or long waits that are worth it. Some places just have an old screen door and delicious servings to impress anyone who steps in. These joints have let the flavor do the talking. When craving something real, these 15 places are there for you.
Swan Oyster Depot: San Francisco, California
Since 1903, this counter-only landmark has been serving oysters so fresh they need no garnish. Its Sicilian sashimi—thinly sliced scallops drizzled with olive oil and capers—arrives straight from the boats that dock at dawn, which ensures peak flavor. Daily crowds gather for an unbeatable taste of the sea.
Broad Street Oyster Co.: Malibu, California
Broad Street Oyster Co. in Malibu evolved from a pop-up into a coastal favorite, steaming and shucking seafood under the sun by the PCH. Known for buttery lobster rolls, it also offers sea urchin with hot sauce—a bold twist that redefines what beachside dining can be.
Aunt Carrie’s: Narragansett, Rhode Island
Since 1920, Aunt Carrie’s has been serving up seafood favorites, with its golden-crusted clam cakes becoming a Rhode Island icon. From fresh clams to traditional fish and chips, the restaurant embraces coastal flavors that have stood the test of time. Through changing seasons, its seafood classics remain unchanged.
Calumet Fisheries: Chicago, Illinois
Calumet has stood beside a drawbridge since 1928, curing chubs and shrimp over red oak in a steel smokehouse and supplying bites with a rich and smoky flavor. The smoked trout is deeply tied to the region’s fishing heritage. Anthony Bourdain once visited, and you should, too.
Hudson’s Seafood House On The Docks: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
At Hudson’s, pelicans glide above as staff serve freshly caught shellfish straight from Port Royal Sound. By owning the pier and employing its seafood cutters, the restaurant ensures that fish are cleaned, prepared, and delivered to the table quickly. Come for the Hush Puppies and enjoy a Skull Creek sunset.
The Shipwright’s Daughter: Mystic, Connecticut
Slipper limpets, once overlooked, now take center stage at Chef David Standridge’s Connecticut restaurant, served grilled and bathed in lemon butter. Beyond limpets, the menu features sustainably sourced seafood, including fresh scallops and locally caught fish, all crafted into refined coastal dishes that celebrate responsible dining and regional flavors.
Bagaduce Lunch: Penobscot, Maine
Skiffs glide up to the dock as Bagaduce, resting at its river’s mouth since 1946, serves whole-belly clams and iconic lobster rolls. Chilly river currents enhance seafood’s texture and natural sweetness. With fresh air and waterfront views, it’s a must-visit for those craving authentic coastal flavors.
Star Fish Company: Cortez, Florida
Star Fish Company traces its origins to the 1920s, when it operated as a seafood packing shed in Cortez, Florida. Back then, fishermen delivered fresh Gulf catches straight to their docks, and over time, it evolved into the beloved dockside restaurant it is today and continues its legacy of serving Gulf seafood straight from the boats to the table.
Gracie’s Sea Hag: Depoe Bay, Oregon
At Gracie’s, seafood shines as the wind lashes the rocks outside and chowder stays spoon-straight thick inside. Anchored across from the world’s smallest harbor since 1963, the restaurant serves crab-stuffed halibut alongside a live piano and a singing bartender. It’s a dining experience where flavors and atmosphere leave a lasting impression.
The Yabby Hut: Denver, Colorado
Far from the coast, this Denver spot delivers a Louisiana-style seafood feast with steaming bags packed with crawfish, shrimp, and crab, all drenched in garlic-butter bliss. Corn and potatoes round out the boil while diners dig in with bibs. The spice level doesn’t hold back.
Leave a comment