Seafood enthusiasts, take heed America’s oceanic cravings are in full bloom. From coast to coast, consumers are flocking to buttery lobster rolls, spicy boils, briny oysters, and fresh poke bowls. According to the most recent data from Yelp, seafood dining has seen increased interest. Seafood restaurant searches increased by 34% in 2024 alone, setting off a coast-to-coast wave of cravings for everything from scallops grilled to ceviche.
More telling is the increase in particular favorites:
- Seafood boils recorded an 81% search boost
- Oyster bars increased by 23%
- Lobster bisque received a 16% boost
- Fish tacos rose by 15%
- Ceviche rose by 10%
Clearly, the trend is not just about consuming fish it’s about flavor-led, varied dishes prepared with love. Yelp’s review analysis pinpointed three central tendencies defining the contemporary seafood experience:
- Boils Are Booming: Patrons adore the interactive, hand-on entertainment of snapping crab legs and shedding shrimp directly from a seasoned, steamy bag. It’s delicious, messy, and celebratory.
- Markets Equal Freshness: Numerous higher-rated restaurants are also seafood markets, providing customers with just-caught seafood and shellfish, frequently handled in front of their very eyes.
- Fine-Casual Is Taking Center Stage: Gourmet seafood is now appearing in casual environments. Counter-service restaurants with plates of Michelin quality are on the rise, providing convenience and high quality.
To feature this transformation of American seafood eating, Yelp featured five standout locations one from each of five different states and each demonstrating how local taste, fresh ingredients, and innovative technique unite to result in unforgettable meals.
1. The Depot – Auburn, Alabama
Situated in a rehabilitated train station, The Depot combines vintage charm and gastronomic acumen. Yelpers often rave about its oysters cooked over wood, hot crab dip, and just-grilled scallops. Executive chef Scott Simpson imports an international point of view to a menu that never fails to impress.
Winner of the James Beard Foundation’s Smart Catch Leader Award, The Depot also excels at sustainability. Critics praise the welcoming hospitality and creative plating, making it perfect for everything from date night to special occasion dinners.
2. Inferno Seafood Boil – Anchorage, Alaska
When you arrive at Inferno, the aroma of garlic butter hits you in the parking lot. A local favorite in Anchorage, Inferno allows visitors to personalize their seafood boil with 11 catch varieties and six house-made sauces.
The “Fiyah” signature blend, which includes garlic and lemongrass, is a go-to for frequent visitors. Seafood Garlic Noodles and the 14-pound Denali Feast, with all its shellfish, are must-order items. Reservations are a good idea for this trendy spot.
3. Chula Seafood – Scottsdale, Arizona
Chula gold-standards freshness. They receive their daily catch from a family-owned harpoon boat to guarantee boat-to-table quality that’s hard to beat.
Yelpers adore the “hearty” clam chowder, succulent shrimp, and highlight sandwiches such as the green chile tuna melt and the lobster roll. The vibe is relaxed, but the quality is high, providing a relaxed destination where locals and tourists too are immediately at ease.
4. Blu Fresh Fish Marketplace – Bentonville, Arkansas
Blu operates as a restaurant, raw bar, and seafood counter, receiving daily fresh fish flown in.
Finger foods such as crispy fish and chips, peel-and-eat shrimp buckets, and blackened fish tacos attract consistent crowds. The signature Shrimp Alfredo is particularly renowned for its succulent crustaceans and rich butteriness. Diners suggest getting a patio seat for the full effect.
5. Holbox – Los Angeles, California
Chef Gilberto Cetina’s Holbox has earned both a Michelin star and the top spot on Yelp’s 2025 list. It’s a standout example of fine-casual dining done right.
Locally sourced fish is kept at ideal temperature and humidity for peak quality. Popular dishes include citrusy ceviches, Baja-style fish tacos, and tostadas topped with smoked kanpachi or yellowtail.
Despite the counter-service format, Holbox delivers a five-star dining experience praised by seafood lovers nationwide.
6. Fish N Beer – Denver, Colorado
This humble Denver restaurant delivers big-time gourmet flavor. Yelpers rave over the perfectly grilled scallops, mussels in a rich broth, and grilled oysters with garlic or spicy “devil butter.”
The combination of seafood and beer is not happenstance the restaurant has a certified beer expert on hand to assist in pairing the brews with the menu items. Customers particularly appreciate the relaxed atmosphere combined with high-end flavor.
7. Supreme Seafood Restaurant – North Branford, Connecticut
A New England institution for more than 35 years, this casual restaurant remains a winner under new ownership.
Highlights include crispy fried platters, rich clam chowder, and lobster rolls stuffed with claw meat. Another crowd pleaser is the Calamari Supreme, topped with cherry peppers and parmesan.
People can dine on their feast indoors or outdoors at picnic tables for a genuine New England seafood shack atmosphere.
8. Henlopen City Oyster House – Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
This busy place has lines for its extensive oyster offerings and sophisticated variations on seafood staples.
Raw oyster samplers, lobster rolls made New England-style, and fried Virginia oysters are the stars of the show. Patrons enjoy the cozy dining room and bar stools where they can see oysters opened live.
9. Georgetown Seafood – Washington, D.C.
Crab aficionados rejoice Georgetown Seafood is famous for its crab cakes that contain virtually all jumbo lump meat.
Shrimp po’ boys and lobster grilled cheese sandwiches also receive rave reviews, frequently accompanied by golden hushpuppies. The upstairs dining area provides a pleasant retreat from the surrounding bustle, making this location both lively and laid-back.
10. Happy Snapper Seafood – Orlando, Florida
This Orlando gem found in a humble strip mall serves up some of the city’s finest seafood.
The signature snapper is lauded for its seasoning and flaky texture, served sandwich-style or as a full platter. Crab cakes, clam chowder, and the dill potatoes perennial favorite complete the menu.
Friendly service and overflowing portions bring locals and visitors back again and again.
11. Mr. Shuck’s Seafood – Brunswick, Georgia
Irresistible garlic-butter sauce (available by the half-gallon) is what Mr. Shuck’s is all about: bold flavor.
In-house-made hush puppies and fresh blue crab, combined with a comfortable atmosphere, bring this strip mall restaurant to destination dining. Visitors appreciate the considerate touch of a hand-washing bowl following their sloppy but wonderful repast.
12. Ono Seafood – Honolulu, Hawaii
This unassuming poke stand attracts lines with its extremely fresh ahi tuna and tako (octopus) and accompaniments that respect rather than overpower the fish.
No matter if you order the wasabi, Hawaiian-style, or spicy options, Ono is a flavor-filled experience. Several people like to eat their meals at nearby Waikiki Bay and enjoy an al fresco experience.
13. Pollos y Mariscos El Guero – Nampa, Idaho
The small, informal restaurant introduces Idaho to coastal Mexican seafood. Some popular offerings include several types of ceviche, jalapenos stuffed with shrimp, and the “Medusa” platter, which includes shrimp and giant octopus tentacles in spicy sauce.
Yelpers repeatedly note the excellent hospitality and exceptional value, and it’s a neighborhood staple.
14. Lowcountry Lakeview – Chicago, Illinois
New Orleans-style boil inspiration drives Lowcountry Lakeview to serve up a messy, delish affair.
Seafood boils arrive heaping with shrimp, snow crab, lobster tails, and more, all smothered in garlicky, buttery sauces. Inexpensive weekday combos and cozy nautical atmosphere are just part of the draw, along with warm service and prompt delivery of piping-hot meals.
15. Slapfish – Indianapolis, Indiana
This fast-casual restaurant serves up easy-to-love seafood staples with a twist. Think fish tacos, shrimp burritos, and “clobster” cakes (crab + lobster).
The lobster roll is praised for its East Coast flavor, while the Power Bowl loaded with salmon, shrimp, and Mahi Mahi is both affordable and tasty.
Slapfish’s tidy atmosphere and flexible menu make it a destination for both everyday lunches and special evening outings.
Ready for Your Next Seafood Adventure?
This cross-country trip solidifies that great seafood doesn’t have to be reserved for the coast. From upscale-casual treasures to market-driven counters and dirty boils worth each napkin, these restaurants are reinventing the seafood experience one dish at a time.
So whether you’re searching for smoky kanpachi, garlicky crabs, or a perfect poke bowl, there’s a Yelp-loved destination waiting for you. Dig in, explore, and maybe even help your local favorite earn a spot on next year’s list!
