New York
The Best Seafood Restaurants in New York
These seafood spots are a must-try for anyone visiting New York.
When you think of New York food, the first thing that might come to mind is pizzas, hot dogs and pastrami sandwiches. But the city has much more to offer than that, and is especially known for its spectacular seafood dining scene. If you're scouting for the best seafood restaurants in New York, then sit back as we take you on a gastronomic tour through the five borroughs. Explore places such as Llama San, a Peruvian joint praised for its life-changing ceviche, and the iconic Le Pavillon, reinventing New York's culinary legacy with its emphasis on seafood and vegetable-based dishes.
The insights we share are based on recommendations from World of Mouth experts like Mimi Lan, Joshua David Stein, and Junghyun Park. So prepared to be wowed as you dive into New York's best seafood restaurants.
Llama San is a restaurant specializing in Peruvian fusion cuisine, known for its flavorful dishes and particularly its ceviche, which is highly recommended by customers. It's a spot often underrated, yet consistently delivers on taste and quality. They are open for dinner seven days a week from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM, and for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Recommended by
This little place has big taste! Peruvian fusion dishes done well.
Le Bernardin is a renowned French seafood restaurant, established in 1986, with Chef Eric Ripert at its helm. This three-star Michelin establishment offers a menu that combines French techniques with global influences, primarily focusing on seafood. Known for its superb dishes, extraordinary sauces, and excellent wine pairings, Le Bernardin provides a calm and lovely dining space that contrasts with the bustling streets outside.
Recommended by
One of the most celebrated fine-dining restaurants in NYC.This three-star Michelin restaurant offers a French and globally influenced menu with a focus on seafood. With Chef Eric Ripert at the helm for over two decades, the restaurant has become world-renowned for its exceptional hospitality and expertly executed dishes. If you're looking for an outstanding classic fine-dining experience in New York, Le Bernardin should be high up on your list.
Le Pavillon, located near Grand Central Station, is the latest culinary venture by renowned chef Daniel Boulud. The restaurant has a strong focus on seafood and vegetable-forward dishes, utilizing the richness of Northeast fishermen and farmers to create an innovative menu. With its lively bar and elegant dining room, Le Pavillon offers a delightful atmosphere for both serious diners and those looking to enjoy a sophisticated night out.
Recommended by
Daniel Boulud's glorious new restaurant reimagines New York's most hallowed institutions.Daniel Boulud's second floor restaurant in the vertigo-inducing One Vanderbilt is a seafood-forward showcase of the master's fine dining technique. The "mer et terre" menu features tender scallops with cauliflowr (mer) and a wonderfully comforting roasted chicken (terre).
Marea is an Italian seafood restaurant known for its housemade pastas and vibrant Central Park setting. The eatery is recognized for its excellent food, particularly the golden uovo and rib eye, along with top-notch, friendly service. With its award-winning culinary reputation, Marea offers a blend of authentic coastal Italian flavors and a modern New York dining atmosphere.
Recommended by
The food is excellent. Top notch, friendly and intuitive service.Happy to see that Marea NYC lives up to its sterling reputation. The bustling dining room is elegant without being overly fussy, boasting a well-curated soundtrack that is eventually drowned out by the hearty discussions being had at the tables around us as the evening wears on. The food is excellent - we really can’t fault the dishes we tried, from the golden uovo to the rib eye. We were lucky enough to catch the end of corn season - if you’re a corn lover, order everything corn related on the menu, you won’t be disappointed. Above all else, however, the service is what stands out. Truly top notch, friendly and intuitive - and no doubt the reason why Marea has plenty of regulars. A slice of the finer life in NYC.
Balthazar is a renowned all-day brasserie serving traditional French cuisine seven days a week. Known for its bustling atmosphere and charming interiors, it offers a casual bistro menu with an American twist, including fresh seafood, shellfish, and pastries baked daily. With a reputation as an iconic institution in SoHo, it's advisable to book well in advance due to its popularity.
Recommended by
Iconic bistro of SoHoBaltazar has been my favourite in SoHo for almost 20 years, and in the full restaurant you may think everybody else thinks the same. It is always totally fully booked, A French bistro with an American twist, it is an extremely charming place. You can also sit outside but inside is the true charm of bubbling, almost noisy discussion. Famous for its oysters and typical French casual bistro menu. A classic institution - a must in SoHo. Book well in advance.
La Mercerie is a French concept restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, offering a delightful balance of classical and avant-garde practices in its cuisine. The restaurant, located within the Roman and Williams Guild, is known for its elegant and inviting atmosphere, making it an ideal stopping point after a stroll through Soho. With a variety of dishes that range from oysters and champagne to bread with seaweed, La Mercerie offers a thoughtful reimagination of everyday French cooking.
Recommended by
Chic place to relax after and long walk through Soho.This place is elegant, inviting and delicious. French concept that serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner. Great spot to have your Sunday breakfast, mimosas on the speed button. Oysters champagne, bread with seaweed and plenty more. It’s an ideal place for a stop by after a long walk through Soho.
Holywater is a Tribeca-based restaurant that skillfully merges the culinary worlds of New York and New Orleans. Specializing in seafood and oysters, the establishment also offers a variety of cocktails inspired by both cities. Run by the Pincus brothers, Holywater is not just a restaurant, but a landlocked tribute to their history of rejuvenating old boats into bars, providing a cozy, art-filled ambiance for its patrons.
Recommended by
Subterranean seafaring bar with a New York-New Orleans spirit The Pincus brothers -- Miles and Alex -- have made a career of bringing old boats back to life as bars. This Tribeca restaurant and cocktail lounge is their first landlocked effort. In cozy art-filled subterranean quarters, the brothers Pincus proffer New Orleans-styled cocktails, a few New York classics, trays of oysters, lobster frites and more.
Holiday Bar, a high-energy spot, offers a seafood-centric menu with an international influence, crafted by Chefs Marc Howard and Dina Fan. Some must-try dishes include selections from the raw section, tuna tostada, and jerk chicken. The restaurant operates from Tuesday to Saturday, serving dinner from 5:30PM to 11PM, and the bar stays open until late.
Recommended by
Holiday Bar from Chefs Marc Howard and Dina Fan have devised a seafood centric menu of international influences. Holiday Bar Is the New Restaurant Matching the High Octane Energy of the Moment. Highlights on the menu: anything from the raw sections, tuna tostada and the jerk chicken is a MUST!
Astoria Seafood offers a unique seafood experience where customers handpick their meal from a fresh seafood market located within the restaurant. The chosen seafood is then cooked as per the customer's preference, either grilled or fried, and served with a generous dressing of lemon, oil, and garlic. The restaurant encourages a BYOW (Bring Your Own Wine) policy and is known for its Greek salad and house garlic bread.
Recommended by
Amazing fresh seafood cooked to your liking.Don’t go here for the service but if you don’t mind a slightly chaotic restaurant experience once in a while, you will be rewarded with truly delicious seafood. You first pick out your dinner from the fish market in the back of the restaurant, then you bring it to the counter where you’ll pay and specify what you’d like grilled and what you’d like fried. A little (or longer) while later you’ll be seated and outcomes all that seafood you chose, but now it's cooked and smothered in lemon, oil and garlic. Don’t forget to bring your own wine and always order the Greek salad. Sop it all up with the house garlic bread and you are in for a real treat.
Cervo's is a casual yet refined spot known for its Spanish-inspired seafood dishes, ideal for sharing. The restaurant's popular dishes include shrimps a la plancha and clams cooked in vinho verde, with extra bread recommended for soaking up the delightful sauces. Along with the food, Cervo's also offers a range of drinks, with vermouth spritz being a favored choice.
Recommended by
Casual but refined Spanish seafood and drinks If you’re a lover of seafood and you are looking for some truly simple yet Spanish-leaning delicious food in an unpretentious space, look no further than Cervo’s. Just steps from the East Broadway F train, Cervo’s is my go-to for date night and friend hangs because the unfussy dishes are designed for for sharing. The shrimps a la plancha and clams cooked in vinho verde are a must. Just make sure you order extra bread for soaking up the delicious sauces and everything goes better with a vermouth spritz or two.
Shion 69 Leonard Street is a Michelin-starred sushi restaurant known for its traditional Edomae-style sushi. It's headed by Tokyo-trained Executive Chef Shion Uino, who is renowned for his uni tastings, featuring 3-4 different types of sea urchins sourced from Japan, Maine, or the West coast depending on the season. The restaurant offers an intimate dining experience with seating times at 6pm and 8:30pm from Monday to Saturday.
Recommended by
My favorite sushi spot in NYC, chef Shion Uino's place is like a typical Japanese sushiya. Love the sea urchin tasting.New York has been known for a lot of expensive high end sushi, including Sushi Noz, Masa and Yoshino. But my personal favorite sushi spot in New York is Shion 69 Leonard Street. It has the style of a typical Japanese sushiya and is run by chef Shion Uino. One of his specialties is uni tastings, where he, depending on the season, serves 3-4 different types of sea urchins that he’s sourcing from Japan or from Maine or the West coast. The tasting is amazing.
Llama San is a restaurant specializing in Peruvian fusion cuisine, known for its flavorful dishes and particularly its ceviche, which is highly recommended by customers. It's a spot often underrated, yet consistently delivers on taste and quality. They are open for dinner seven days a week from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM, and for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Le Bernardin is a renowned French seafood restaurant, established in 1986, with Chef Eric Ripert at its helm. This three-star Michelin establishment offers a menu that combines French techniques with global influences, primarily focusing on seafood. Known for its superb dishes, extraordinary sauces, and excellent wine pairings, Le Bernardin provides a calm and lovely dining space that contrasts with the bustling streets outside.
Recommended by
One of the most celebrated fine-dining restaurants in NYC.This three-star Michelin restaurant offers a French and globally influenced menu with a focus on seafood. With Chef Eric Ripert at the helm for over two decades, the restaurant has become world-renowned for its exceptional hospitality and expertly executed dishes. If you're looking for an outstanding classic fine-dining experience in New York, Le Bernardin should be high up on your list.
Le Pavillon, located near Grand Central Station, is the latest culinary venture by renowned chef Daniel Boulud. The restaurant has a strong focus on seafood and vegetable-forward dishes, utilizing the richness of Northeast fishermen and farmers to create an innovative menu. With its lively bar and elegant dining room, Le Pavillon offers a delightful atmosphere for both serious diners and those looking to enjoy a sophisticated night out.
Recommended by
Daniel Boulud's glorious new restaurant reimagines New York's most hallowed institutions.Daniel Boulud's second floor restaurant in the vertigo-inducing One Vanderbilt is a seafood-forward showcase of the master's fine dining technique. The "mer et terre" menu features tender scallops with cauliflowr (mer) and a wonderfully comforting roasted chicken (terre).
Marea is an Italian seafood restaurant known for its housemade pastas and vibrant Central Park setting. The eatery is recognized for its excellent food, particularly the golden uovo and rib eye, along with top-notch, friendly service. With its award-winning culinary reputation, Marea offers a blend of authentic coastal Italian flavors and a modern New York dining atmosphere.
Recommended by
The food is excellent. Top notch, friendly and intuitive service.Happy to see that Marea NYC lives up to its sterling reputation. The bustling dining room is elegant without being overly fussy, boasting a well-curated soundtrack that is eventually drowned out by the hearty discussions being had at the tables around us as the evening wears on. The food is excellent - we really can’t fault the dishes we tried, from the golden uovo to the rib eye. We were lucky enough to catch the end of corn season - if you’re a corn lover, order everything corn related on the menu, you won’t be disappointed. Above all else, however, the service is what stands out. Truly top notch, friendly and intuitive - and no doubt the reason why Marea has plenty of regulars. A slice of the finer life in NYC.
Balthazar is a renowned all-day brasserie serving traditional French cuisine seven days a week. Known for its bustling atmosphere and charming interiors, it offers a casual bistro menu with an American twist, including fresh seafood, shellfish, and pastries baked daily. With a reputation as an iconic institution in SoHo, it's advisable to book well in advance due to its popularity.
Recommended by
Iconic bistro of SoHoBaltazar has been my favourite in SoHo for almost 20 years, and in the full restaurant you may think everybody else thinks the same. It is always totally fully booked, A French bistro with an American twist, it is an extremely charming place. You can also sit outside but inside is the true charm of bubbling, almost noisy discussion. Famous for its oysters and typical French casual bistro menu. A classic institution - a must in SoHo. Book well in advance.
La Mercerie is a French concept restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, offering a delightful balance of classical and avant-garde practices in its cuisine. The restaurant, located within the Roman and Williams Guild, is known for its elegant and inviting atmosphere, making it an ideal stopping point after a stroll through Soho. With a variety of dishes that range from oysters and champagne to bread with seaweed, La Mercerie offers a thoughtful reimagination of everyday French cooking.
Recommended by
Chic place to relax after and long walk through Soho.This place is elegant, inviting and delicious. French concept that serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner. Great spot to have your Sunday breakfast, mimosas on the speed button. Oysters champagne, bread with seaweed and plenty more. It’s an ideal place for a stop by after a long walk through Soho.
Holywater is a Tribeca-based restaurant that skillfully merges the culinary worlds of New York and New Orleans. Specializing in seafood and oysters, the establishment also offers a variety of cocktails inspired by both cities. Run by the Pincus brothers, Holywater is not just a restaurant, but a landlocked tribute to their history of rejuvenating old boats into bars, providing a cozy, art-filled ambiance for its patrons.
Recommended by
Subterranean seafaring bar with a New York-New Orleans spirit The Pincus brothers -- Miles and Alex -- have made a career of bringing old boats back to life as bars. This Tribeca restaurant and cocktail lounge is their first landlocked effort. In cozy art-filled subterranean quarters, the brothers Pincus proffer New Orleans-styled cocktails, a few New York classics, trays of oysters, lobster frites and more.
Holiday Bar, a high-energy spot, offers a seafood-centric menu with an international influence, crafted by Chefs Marc Howard and Dina Fan. Some must-try dishes include selections from the raw section, tuna tostada, and jerk chicken. The restaurant operates from Tuesday to Saturday, serving dinner from 5:30PM to 11PM, and the bar stays open until late.
Recommended by
Holiday Bar from Chefs Marc Howard and Dina Fan have devised a seafood centric menu of international influences. Holiday Bar Is the New Restaurant Matching the High Octane Energy of the Moment. Highlights on the menu: anything from the raw sections, tuna tostada and the jerk chicken is a MUST!
Astoria Seafood offers a unique seafood experience where customers handpick their meal from a fresh seafood market located within the restaurant. The chosen seafood is then cooked as per the customer's preference, either grilled or fried, and served with a generous dressing of lemon, oil, and garlic. The restaurant encourages a BYOW (Bring Your Own Wine) policy and is known for its Greek salad and house garlic bread.
Recommended by
Amazing fresh seafood cooked to your liking.Don’t go here for the service but if you don’t mind a slightly chaotic restaurant experience once in a while, you will be rewarded with truly delicious seafood. You first pick out your dinner from the fish market in the back of the restaurant, then you bring it to the counter where you’ll pay and specify what you’d like grilled and what you’d like fried. A little (or longer) while later you’ll be seated and outcomes all that seafood you chose, but now it's cooked and smothered in lemon, oil and garlic. Don’t forget to bring your own wine and always order the Greek salad. Sop it all up with the house garlic bread and you are in for a real treat.
Cervo's is a casual yet refined spot known for its Spanish-inspired seafood dishes, ideal for sharing. The restaurant's popular dishes include shrimps a la plancha and clams cooked in vinho verde, with extra bread recommended for soaking up the delightful sauces. Along with the food, Cervo's also offers a range of drinks, with vermouth spritz being a favored choice.
Recommended by
Casual but refined Spanish seafood and drinks If you’re a lover of seafood and you are looking for some truly simple yet Spanish-leaning delicious food in an unpretentious space, look no further than Cervo’s. Just steps from the East Broadway F train, Cervo’s is my go-to for date night and friend hangs because the unfussy dishes are designed for for sharing. The shrimps a la plancha and clams cooked in vinho verde are a must. Just make sure you order extra bread for soaking up the delicious sauces and everything goes better with a vermouth spritz or two.
Shion 69 Leonard Street is a Michelin-starred sushi restaurant known for its traditional Edomae-style sushi. It's headed by Tokyo-trained Executive Chef Shion Uino, who is renowned for his uni tastings, featuring 3-4 different types of sea urchins sourced from Japan, Maine, or the West coast depending on the season. The restaurant offers an intimate dining experience with seating times at 6pm and 8:30pm from Monday to Saturday.
Recommended by
My favorite sushi spot in NYC, chef Shion Uino's place is like a typical Japanese sushiya. Love the sea urchin tasting.New York has been known for a lot of expensive high end sushi, including Sushi Noz, Masa and Yoshino. But my personal favorite sushi spot in New York is Shion 69 Leonard Street. It has the style of a typical Japanese sushiya and is run by chef Shion Uino. One of his specialties is uni tastings, where he, depending on the season, serves 3-4 different types of sea urchins that he’s sourcing from Japan or from Maine or the West coast. The tasting is amazing.
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