The 10 Best Seafood Restaurants in NYC (2026)

1. Grand Central Oyster Bar — Midtown East (Grand Central), Manhattan

A New York landmark since 1913, under the tiled vaults of Grand Central Terminal.

The Grand Central Oyster Bar sits beneath the terminal's main concourse under a vaulted ceiling of Guastavino tiles. Its daily oyster list is one of the longest in the country, and the creamy oyster pan roast, made to order at the counter, is a classic.

Sit at the long counters for quick service, or the dining room for a full meal.

Good to know: Outside the entrance, stand in opposite corners of the tiled 'Whispering Gallery' and whisper — your voice carries across the arch.

89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017

Google Maps Website

2. Marea — Central Park South, Manhattan

Upscale Italian coastal cooking — crudo, seafood pastas and whole fish.

Marea is an elegant Italian seafood restaurant on Central Park South, known for its crudo, oysters and seafood pastas. The signature fusilli with red wine-braised octopus and bone marrow is one of New York's most famous pasta dishes.

It's a polished room suited to business lunches and celebrations.

Good to know: Lunch is easier to book than dinner and the fusilli is on both menus.

240 Central Park S, New York, NY 10019

Google Maps Website

3. Penny — East Village, Manhattan

A modern seafood counter famous for its raw-bar 'ice box.'

Penny, upstairs from the wine bar Claud, is a small room built around a long marble counter where raw and simply cooked seafood is displayed on ice. Most tables order the seafood ice box, a platter of raw-bar items, then move on to cooked fish and shellfish.

Most of the fish is local, and the wine list is excellent.

Good to know: The room is small and in high demand — book ahead or come right at opening for a counter seat.

90 E 10th St, New York, NY 10003

Google Maps

4. Lure Fishbar — SoHo, Manhattan

A yacht-like SoHo basement with a raw bar, sushi and grilled fish.

Lure Fishbar is a lively, nautical-themed restaurant below street level in SoHo, with a raw bar, a sushi menu and grilled and roasted fish. It's a reliable crowd-pleaser for groups and brunch.

The burger is good too, for anyone in the party who doesn't want fish.

Good to know: Start with a raw-bar tower for the table, then share sushi rolls and a whole fish.

142 Mercer St, New York, NY 10012

Google Maps Website

5. Cull & Pistol — Chelsea Market, Manhattan

An oyster bar inside Chelsea Market, sister to the Lobster Place fish market.

Cull & Pistol is a buzzy oyster bar and seafood restaurant tucked inside Chelsea Market, connected to the Lobster Place seafood market next door. Expect a long oyster list, lobster rolls, seafood boils and crudo.

It's a perfect stop before or after walking the High Line.

Good to know: Ask about the oyster happy hour on weekday afternoons.

75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Google Maps Website

6. Crave Fishbar — Upper West Side, Manhattan

Creative, sustainably sourced seafood on the Upper West Side.

Crave Fishbar focuses on sustainably sourced fish and shellfish, with a raw bar, inventive small plates and seasonal mains. The Upper West Side location on Amsterdam Avenue is a neighborhood favorite, and there's a second on the Upper East Side.

Its oyster happy hour is one of the best deals uptown.

Good to know: Go early for happy-hour oysters, then stay for dinner.

428 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024

Google Maps Website

7. Greenpoint Fish & Lobster Co. — Greenpoint, Brooklyn

A fishmonger with a counter serving fish tacos, lobster rolls and crudo.

Greenpoint Fish & Lobster Co. is a working fish market with a casual restaurant counter, so the seafood on your plate comes straight from the case. The menu covers fish tacos, lobster rolls, raw oysters, crudo and fried fish.

It's relaxed and reasonably priced for the quality.

Good to know: Order the fish tacos and a lobster roll, then pick up fish to cook at home on the way out.

114 Nassau Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222

Google Maps Website

8. Randazzo's Clam Bar — Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn

Old-school fried calamari and clams on Sheepshead Bay's waterfront.

Randazzo's is a classic Italian-American clam bar facing the fishing boats on Emmons Avenue in Sheepshead Bay. The fried calamari with the house spicy red sauce is the order, along with clams on the half shell and baked clams.

It's casual and loud in the best way, with a neighborhood crowd.

Good to know: Ask for the sauce 'hot' and grab a seat at the counter; take the B or Q train to Sheepshead Bay.

2017 Emmons Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11235

Google Maps Website

9. Taverna Kyclades — Astoria, Queens

Astoria's beloved Greek taverna for grilled fish and seafood.

Taverna Kyclades is a lively Greek taverna on Ditmars Boulevard in Astoria, serving charcoal-grilled whole fish, octopus, shrimp and crab-stuffed clams with Greek spreads and salads. Portions are generous and prices fair.

Expect a wait at peak times; there's also a second location in Bayside.

Good to know: Start with the trio of spreads and grilled octopus; take the N/W to Astoria–Ditmars Blvd.

Website

10. Johnny's Reef Restaurant — City Island, The Bronx

Fried seafood on picnic tables at the very tip of City Island.

Johnny's Reef sits at the southern end of City Island, a small fishing village inside the Bronx, with open-air tables looking out over Long Island Sound. Order fried shrimp, clams, scallops and fish at the counter and carry the trays outside.

It's a summer tradition for New Yorkers; Sammy's Fish Box nearby offers a sit-down alternative.

Good to know: It's seasonal, so check opening dates before going in the colder months; watch out for the gulls.

2 City Island Ave, Bronx, NY 10464

Google Maps Website