Seafood restaurants in NYC serve ocean flavor with city flair: raw bars gleaming with oysters, lobster rolls dressed to impress, and skyline views just beyond the glass. It’s where I savor each bite like it’s the catch of the day—because it probably is.
I’ve got buttery scallops with a citrus glaze, a glass of crisp Sauvignon Blanc, and the hum of the city outside—right here in bold, ever-changing New York City. Who knew seafood could feel this refined and this fun?
"Sea spray vibes, towering cocktails, and briny perfection? This is NYC’s seafood scene—fresh, sleek, and unforgettable."
This is Why I Keep Coming Back for More:
Unique Seafood Restaurants in NYC:
1. Indulge in Coastal Elegance at Marea
Marea is an exquisite high-end Italian restaurant in upscale the Central Park South area serving seafood and fabulous house-made pastas in an elegant, quiet, and classy setting. Renowned chef Michael White offers a huge menu that ranges from the large list of crudo al taglio - sliced raw ¬fish and shellfi¬sh such as Shimaji Pacifi¬c striped mackerel with Meyer lemon, olives, and pistachio - to fantastic house pasta such as strozzapreti with jumbo lump crabs and sea urchin with basil, or simple whole branzino or sole in a sauce of your choice. The wine list is world class, but be prepared to pay for the pleasure. The lunch menu is equally impressive but much more affordable. Seafood does not get much better than at Marea, so enjoy the experience.
Marea, 240 Central Park S, New York, NY 10019, Phone: 212-582-5100
2. Taste the Mediterranean at Milos
Bright, elegant, and airy, with high ceilings, long breezy white curtains and crisp white tablecloths, the dining room at Milos is like a breath of fresh air on some distant Mediterranean island. As you enter, you will pass by what they call the "fish market" - iced fish you have probably never heard of, brought from Greece and other Mediterranean countries. If you are adventurous, be prepared to pay for it. You can have your barbouni, maridaki, emperor, gonos, lithrini or scorpina fried, grilled, or sashimi, but to truly enjoy the Greek cuisine, try it as kakavia or achnisto. It can get pricy, but the fixed price lunch menu is just as tempting and much more affordable.
Milos, 125 W 55th St, New York, NY 10019, Phone: 212-245-7400
3. Get Hooked on Heat at Fish Cheeks
Fish Cheeks NYC is a delicious Thai-style eatery in Manhattan's NoHo neighborhood, owned and operated by brothers and chefs Ohm and Chat Suansilphong. The restaurant draws on the brothers' experience working at their family restaurant in Thailand, serving up delicious Thai family-style dishes at its vibrant cafeteria-esque dining room. Authentic Thai favorites served up throughout the day include vegan green curry and crab fried rice, complemented by unique takes such as coconut crab curry, tiger prawn karee, and fried fish with sour orange curry. Diners can share plates of fried zabb chicken wings or enjoy a choice of chef's selection dining experiences, which are available for up to three guests served family-style. A selection of Thai-influenced cocktails is served up alongside draft beers and fine wines.
Fish Cheeks, 55 Bond St, New York, NY 10012, Phone: 212-677-2223
4. Feast Like a Local at Johnny’s Famous Reef Restaurant
People do not come to Johnny's Famous Reef Restaurant for its décor. It will remind you of a cafeteria, with a station for fried food, another for sodas, and so on. But people travel a long way to this legendary 45-year-old City Island eatery at the tip of the island for its fabulous fried lobster or flaky, juicy fish that goes so well with a cold and sweaty mug of beer. Families traditionally stop on their stroll along the boardwalk for a pile of fried clams, lobsters, shrimp, or oysters with an even larger pile of fries. Then they sit outside by the water to enjoy their meal while watching the boats sail along the Long Island Sound on their way to who knows where. You can find burgers and hot dogs on the menu too, as well as frog legs, but don't ask for wine, it is not that kind of place. The Bud, Corona, and Heineken are ice-cold and go well with the fried food.
Johnny's Famous Reef Restaurant , 2 City Island Ave, Bronx, NY 10464, Phone: 718-885-2086
Date Ideas:
5. Experience Perfection at Le Bernardin
Venerated and highly rated by everyone from Zagat and Michelin to The New York Times, Le Bernardin is a NYC midtown French seafood restaurant in its own class. The luxurious décor is well matched with the artistry and skills of Chef Eric Ripert, who manages to prepare fish and seafood in a deceptively simple way, barely cooked, but with such perfection that it will spoil you for other seafood places forever. Le Bernardin is the place for celebrations and special occasions, with a wine list to match the chef's exquisite menu. To truly understand what Le Bernardin is all about, go for the chef's tasting menu or Le Bernardin's tasting menu with a wine pairing.
Le Bernardin, 155 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019, Phone: 212-554-1515
6. Dive into Neighborhood Flavor at London Lennie’s
If you want the best clams in New York City, everyone says you have to go to London Lennie's . This Queens family-run seafood restaurant has been around for 50 years, so they must be doing something right. Far bigger than the fish-and-chips joint they used to be, London Lennie's has retained its character, its atmosphere, and the quality of its food. The son of the original London Lennie still goes to the fish market to pick up seafood for the daily menu, which is as diverse as their Queens clients, with many influences and something for everyone, offering fresh-caught fish, sushi, and a fabulous raw bar. The atmosphere has a bit of a London pub vibe: Cozy, loud, unpretentious, and fun. The menu is huge, and you can still find great fish and chips, but you can also find five spice rubbed tuna steak with soba noodle salad and bok choy, soaked in hoisin sauce. The extensive wine list from all over the world also has something for everyone.
London Lennie's, 63-88 Woodhaven Blvd, Rego Park, NY 11374, Phone: 718-894-8084
📔 I get asked this a lot so I decided to include it:
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What makes seafood restaurants in NYC special?
- They offer fresh oysters, amazing seafood, and a unique dining atmosphere.
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What types of seafood cuisines can visitors find?
- There are restaurants specializing in Japanese-style seafood.
- French and Greek seafood options are also available.
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What variety of seafood restaurants exist in NYC?
- NYC has both big, sprawling restaurants and tiny fish shacks.
- There are expensive and affordable options.
- Some restaurants are new and trendy, while others are long-established.
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What do all seafood restaurants in NYC have in common?
- They all serve seriously good fish and seafood.
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