NYC's Best Seafood Restaurants: Crave Fishbar, John Dory Oyster Bar, More
People can experience the flavors of the ocean throughout Manhattan without traveling to the coastline. From Mediterranean-inspired dishes to the classic lobster rolls and a crab shack, here are some of the city's best seafood restaurants.
City Crab Shack
10 East 16 Street
New York, NY 10003
212-529-3800
www.CityCrabShack.com
A nautical wonderland awaits diners once they walk through the doors of City Crab Shack. Blending together classic Chesapeake Bay crab shack style and décor, this restaurant serves up some of the city's freshest daily seafood in a casual and relaxed atmosphere. With their signature dishes -- including Aunt Rae's Maryland crab soup and the New Orleans French Quarter blue crab beignets with creole mustard aioli, City Crab Shack is ideal for families and friends. Their whimsical decor bring the sailor out in everyone -- including brightly colored bouys hanging from the ceiling, and oars and fisherman's spears adorning the walls.
North River Lobster Company
Pier 81 West 41stand 12th Avenue
New York, NY 10036
212-630-8831
www.NorthRiverLobsterCo.com
More: NYC's Best Lobster Rolls
New York City's first floating lobster shack has become one of the most popular summer seafood spots for locals and tourists alike. Located on the Hudson River on Pier 81, the tri-level restaurant offers an array of seafood dishes and summer cocktails to enjoy. From a raw bar to entrees and lobsters rolls, seafood lovers will be in lobster heaven -- especially with The New Yorker Lobster Roll, made with Northern Atlantic Lobster, onion, celery and whole grain mustard aioli.
Limani
45 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10111
212-858-9200
www.limani.com
More: NYC's Best Greek Restaurants
Meaning "seaport" in Greek, Limani brings the Mediterranean Sea to Rockefeller Plaza. The expansive, sleek and chic restaurant has a dramatic infinity pool in the middle of the dining room. From octopus to scallops and mussels, the restaurant sources its seafood from North American waters to the Mediterranean Sea. For diners looking for a dish that transports them to the Greek isles, they can order the Kakavia Soup -- a Greek fisherman's soup made with grouper, scorpion and monkfish.
The John Dory Oyster Bar
1196 Broadway
New York, NY 10001
646-214-5764
www.TheJohnDory.com
More: Best Oyster Bars In NYC
Whimsical and vibrant colors blend with modern décor at April Bloomfield's The John Dory Oyster Bar. People should not be surprised to find more than oysters being offered at this popular spot, but a wide selection of various types of bites. Raw bar lovers can enjoy Maya Prawns or cold poached lobster while others can order the octopus with mushrooms, sucrose and sunflower seeds or the chorizo stuffed squid.
Blue Water Grill
31 Union Square West
New York, NY 10003
212-675-9500
www.BlueWaterGrillNYC.com
For 20 years, Blue Water Grill has been a popular seafood restaurant in Union Square and is currently going through a major renovation. Reopening in the beginning of autumn 2016, Blue Water Grill will have a new look and Chris Meenan will lead the kitchen as the new Executive Chef. While the menu will feature new dishes, previous favorite dishes include the Porcini Crusted Halibut with smoked eggplant caviar, peas and truffle emulsion.
Crave Fishbar
Multiple locations
646-895-9585
www.CraveFishbar.com
More: NYC's Best Farm-To-Table Restaurants
With countless seafood restaurants throughout New York, Crave Fishbar is among the few that stand out not only for their signature dishes, but for the environment. As an eco-conscious restaurant, it uses locally-grown ingredients and work with fisherman on Long Island.