Best Seafood Restaurants in Chicago: Top Spots for Fresh Catches

Chicago may sit by Lake Michigan, but when it comes to seafood, the city offers delights from the ocean.
The top spots for seafood in the Windy City present a wide range of choices for every palate.
For those who enjoy smoked seafood, Calumet Fisheries in South Deering is a must-visit.
This place has been smoking seafood on-site since the days when the steel industry was booming. Their smoked shrimp and salmon are particular favorites.
If you prefer a high-end dining experience, RPM Seafood offers luxurious options like caviar and Alaskan king crab legs.
Known for its excellent service and stylish setting, RPM Seafood ensures a memorable meal.
For a more casual, hands-on experience, Half Shell and Lowcountry are excellent options.
These spots invite you to dig in with your hands, bibs on, while enjoying messy but delicious crab legs and other shellfish.
Sushi lovers can find some of the freshest varieties in Chicago’s top sushi joints. Meanwhile, fans of fried seafood should check out the city’s best seafood tacos for a flavorful twist.
Top seafood restaurants in Chicago
Chicago is well-known for its diverse food scene, and seafood lovers have plenty of choices.
From classic spots with decades of history to trendy, modern places, the city has something for everyone.
Here’s a look at some of the top seafood restaurants that Chicago has to offer.
Calumet Fisheries
Located at the base of the famous Blues Brothers bridge, this spot has been serving the community since the steel industry days.
Calumet Fisheries is a small place, but it’s huge on flavor. They specialize in smoked shrimp, trout, and sable. Many people enjoy their meals in their cars, adding to the unique experience.
Shaw’s Crab House
Shaw’s Crab House is a Chicago staple for seafood. Diners can choose between a formal dining room with white tablecloths or a more relaxed oyster bar.
The menu boasts a variety of options, including crab claws, lobster tails, and even a simple but fantastic lobster roll. Pair your meal with a local beer or classic martini.
Boston Fish Market
In the suburbs of Des Plaines and Wheeling, Boston Fish Market offers some of the freshest seafood in the area.
They are one of the Midwest’s largest processors of salmon and whitefish, and their restaurant menu is extensive. Options range from Chilean sea bass to Alaskan king crab legs. During the alfresco dining season, the patio is where you’ll want to be.
Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab
For a mix of seafood and steak, Joe’s is the place to go.
Start your meal with sweet stone crabs, sugar prawns, and a chopped salad. For the main course, options like bone-in ribeye or chilled Alaskan king crab legs won’t disappoint. Finish your meal with their famed key lime pie.
Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House
Sharing a kitchen with Gibson’s Steakhouse, Hugo’s offers an upscale seafood experience.
The dark wood and leather decor set the stage for enjoying Alaskan king crab legs and Australian lobster tails. Don’t miss the frog legs with lemon butter, an addictive classic.
Half Shell
This more than 50-year-old spot is known for its relaxed vibe and delicious fried seafood.
The deep-fried oysters and the “Thirty-Two Pointer,” a mix of smelts, perch, frog legs, clam strips, and shrimp, are must-tries. If you’re into crab, the massive king legs are a splurge you won’t regret.
Bob Chinn’s Crab House
This bustling spot serves up large quantities of crab, shrimp, lobster, and fish.
Start with their buttery garlic rolls, but don’t fill up because the menu has a lot more to offer. Enjoy king crab bites or tempura-fried shrimp with a sweet Mai Tai in hand.
Hagen’s Fish Market
A Northwest Side favorite since 1946, Hagen’s is one of the last old-school smokehouses in Chicago.
Their display case is always stocked with smoked salmon, shrimp, sable, and trout. The crispy pollock sandwich is a crowd favorite, and they even offer a service to smoke your own seafood.
Porto
Porto brings the flavors of Galicia and Portugal to Chicago’s West Town.
The seafood is sourced from family-owned businesses and highlighted in dishes like Galician uni toast. For a special experience, reserve a seat at the chef’s island and try the exclusive tasting menu.
Bar Mar
Opened by José Andrés and Gibsons Restaurant Group, Bar Mar features impressive decor, including a giant octopus sculpture.
The luxe menu includes items like caviar cones, mini bagels with smoked salmon, and a buttery lobster roll. It’s a feast for both the eyes and the taste buds.
mfk.
This intimate basement spot offers a simple but flavorful menu.
Dishes like boquerones with piperade and a seafood “fideos” cooked in saffron cream showcase the restaurant’s commitment to quality ingredients. mfk. has earned the Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand designation every year since 2014.
RPM Seafood
With stunning views of the Chicago River, RPM Seafood is perfect for a special meal.
The seafood tower is a great starter, featuring prawns, Maine lobster, and Alaskan king crab legs. For the main course, options like bone-in swordfish ribeye and charcoal-grilled black bass are available. The drinks menu focuses on tequila and mezcal cocktails, along with plenty of bubbly choices.
Lure Fishbar
At Lure Fishbar, guests don’t have to choose between oysters, sushi, or tuna tacos because the menu offers it all.
Their shellfish platters are perfect for sampling a variety of items. If you’re not in the mood for seafood, they also have steak, burgers, and pork chops.
Alegrias Seafood
Known for its generous portions and BYOB policy, Alegrias Seafood offers a fantastic value.
Diners start with complimentary ceviche tostadas while they browse the menu. There’s something for everyone, with options like king crab legs, stuffed lobsters, and whole fried fish.
Diego
Chef Stephen Sandoval made a name for himself with Sueños. He has continued his success with the opening of Diego in West Town. The Baja-inspired menu offers a fresh take on seafood, bringing a taste of the coast to Chicago.
1 Comment
some of these places are overrated been to half shell and it was just okay nothing special
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