Looking for the best seafood restaurants in Chicago? Well, you’re in the right place!
Despite not being located in close proximity to an ocean (don’t let the vastness of Lake Michigan fool you!) Chicago’s restaurants offer some of the absolute best seafood creations you can find.
From the freshest salmon to plump shrimp to juicy crab legs, the seafood selection here is extensive.
These best seafood Chicago restaurants bring to you the most amazing treasures of the sea!
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1. RPM Seafood
Overlooking the Chicago Riverwalk, RPM Seafood is an exciting multi-level restaurant serving the best fish and seafood you could expect.
This seafood fine-dining restaurant is chic and fashionable, with patio seating, which, of course, is the most preferred dining area.
The menu features a lot of exciting varieties, including seafood towers, signature pastas, and other globally-inspired preparations.
When a seafood place is popular for its seafood tower, it only makes sense that you try it!
Get yourself a Petite or Grand Seafood Tower, and prepare to be mind blown! With prawns, Alaskan king crab legs, Maine lobster, and East & West Coast oysters in their freshest best, you’ll find yourself trying hard to resist digging in for more!
The RPM Crab Cake will make you go WOW! It is crispy on the outside and juicy inside, with chunks of crab meat for you to savor.
The zippy lime soy glaze served on the side makes the perfect dipping sauce.
The Miso Black Cod from RPM’s Globally-Inspired menu is silky, buttery, and slightly sweet from the soy glaze.
Squeeze a bit of lemon over the fish, and add a little wasabi to each bite for a more pronounced flavor.
The Banana Cream Napoleon is everything you expect from a dessert – crunchy phyllo pastry, sweet cream, and salty, sweet, and warm salted caramel.
What to order: Seafood Tower, RPM Crab Cake, Miso Black Cod, Banana Cream Napoleon
Address: 317 N Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654
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2. Lawrence’s Fish & Shrimp
With a history that goes all the way back to the 40s, Lawrence’s Fish & Shrimp is an old-school seafood shack on the Chicago riverbank.
Widely considered the city’s favorite shrimp house, this humble spot, with a low-key setting, serves amazing battered, deep-fried seafood, and is a must-visit spot for locals and tourists alike.
Of course, Lawrence’s is all about deep-fried seafood goodness. But, the most special and popular item here is their Large Fried Shrimp.
These are fresh wild-caught shrimp, brined and breaded following a family recipe, which is delivered to your table as a crunchy, crispy, golden, and juicy batch of jumbo shrimp, best enjoyed hot.
Note: Lawrence’s classic Large Fried Shrimp comes with thick/heavy breading. If you prefer your shrimp with light breading, you can choose Lightly Breaded Shrimp – the same yumminess but with a little less breading.
Feeling adventurous? Try some Frog Legs! Yes, you also get deep-fried frog legs at Lawrence’s Fish & Shrimp.
One of their signature dishes, these are farm-raised frog legs that are breaded and fried to crispy and tender using their secret recipe.
Remember, no matter what you order, get their popular Hot Sauce involved.
What to order: Large Fried Shrimp, Lightly Breaded Shrimp, Frog Legs, Fried Oysters, Catfish Strips
Address: 2120 S Canal Street, Chicago, IL 60616
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3. Fisk & Co
Located in Chicago’s Kimpton Hotel Monaco, Fisk & Co is a Belgian bistro-inspired seafood place that also serves comfort classics.
The vibe here is casual, lively, and welcoming, and the interior is bright and warm, serving as a perfect hangout spot.
From their mouthwatering seafood menu, two items you should order are mussels and frites. Available in different flavor variations, these are Fisk & Co’s specialties, and have a ton of following!
While the Classic Mussels are pure perfection, the Coconut Curry ones are ideal for a cold winter night! It’s rich, fragrant, creamy, and absolutely wonderful.
Their handcut Frites are hot, crispy, and just excellent. Served with three different dips – garlic aioli, remoulade, and curry ketchup, these golden-fried beauties make you crave more almost instantly.
The warm and buttery Lobster Roll, with fresh and juicy lobster chunks, along with garlic aioli is a damn good classic.
Served with the restaurant’s popular frites, this is one solid plate of food.
What to order: Classic Mussels, Coconut Curry Mussels, Frites, Lobster Roll
Address: 225 N Wabash, Chicago, IL 60602
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4. Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab
With outlets in Chicago, Las Vegas, and Washington D.C., Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab is a legendary restaurant with its origin in Miami.
Even 100 years later, Joe’s continues to be a widely recognized restaurant worldwide and is popular for many of its signature dishes.
One of the main reasons people visit Joe’s is for their popular Stone Crab Claws. Available in limited quantities and in different portion sizes, these crab claws are sweet, juicy, and AMAZING!
Make sure to get the King Crab too. Served chilled with butter, they’re equally as good as the Stone Crab.
The Colossal Lump Crab Cake, as its name suggests, is COLOSSAL, indeed!
You can feel and taste huge chunks of crab in every bite, and there’s just the right amount of breading to hold it together.
The Grilled Seafood Platter comes with jumbo shrimp, scallops, and lobster tail – all things delicious from the menu!
The plate is plentiful, and everything comes beautifully cooked and presented, in a way that’s easy for you to just pick up and eat.
Filleted at your table, the Dover Sole with brown butter sauce is a dish you should try at least once when you visit Joe’s.
And when you’re at Joe’s, you cannot miss their incredible Key Lime Pie. This house specialty would be the perfect ending to your seafood meal.
What to order: Stone Crab Claws, King Crab, Colossal Lump Crab Cake, Grilled Seafood Platter, Dover Sole, Key Lime Pie
Address: 60E Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611
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5. OMAKASE YUME
West Loop‘s MICHELIN one star, Omakase Yume, brings Japan to your plate with its fresh and high-quality dishes.
Offering a traditional, quiet Japanese omakase experience, you’ll technically be dating your food here. This is one of the best sushi spots in the city!
On the menu, you’ll find a one-of-a-kind 16-course omakase tasting created by Chef SangTae Park.
From meticulously crafted appetizers to daily sushi handpicked by the chef himself, and even delectable desserts to end your meal – every dish is made with exceptional care and only the finest ingredients.
Omakase Yume ensures that each culinary experience is unique, with new flavors and combinations featured daily that reflect the chef’s ever-changing repertoire.
Although the menu may be different daily, you may be extra lucky to enter when the Grilled Miso Black Cod is served. It is perfectly grilled and seasoned, with each piece bursting with god-like flavors.
The fish flawlessly flaked off, adding texture to the dish.
What to order: Chef’s Omakase tasting
Address: 651 W Washington Blvd Suite #101, Chicago, IL 60661
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6. Half Shell
Half Shell is Chi Town’s longest-running pub and oyster bar that has gained a loyal and dedicated following since its launch in 1968.
Apart from the fresh seafood, what allures customers to the restaurant is its fun and family-friendly environment.
The most popular dish here is King Crab Legs. Available in two variations – with mustard sauce and lemon, and with garlic butter and lemon, these legs are huge and succulent.
We like them more with the garlic butter, and they come served on a bed of fries.
The Fried Jumbo Shrimp comes lightly fried and tastes marvelous with the sweet & sour sauce. Served with a house cocktail, this appetizer will make your taste buds sing!
If you’re not a huge fan of fresh oysters, you should try Half Shell’s Fried Oysters. Served with a house cocktail and tartar, the oysters come done just right.
If you’re dining as a group, order the Thirty Two Pointer for your table. This is a generous combo platter that contains all beautifully fried goodness from the menu – fried shrimp, frog legs, ocean perch, clams, and smelts.
Before you contemplate, frog legs taste like chicken!
What to order: King Crab Legs, Fried Jumbo Shrimp, Fried Oysters, Thirty Two Pointer
Address: 676 W Diversey Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60614
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7. Shaw’s Crab House
Open since 1984, Shaw’s Crab House is a Chicago seafood institution where you can find the freshest catches converted into comfort classics.
With leather booths, white table linens, and sharply dressed staff, this place is ideal for date nights as well as other gatherings.
The menu here, at Shaw’s, is constant, making it the kind of place you can visit knowing exactly what you’ll get and that you’ll be extremely satisfied with the same.
Start with the Lobster Bisque. Loaded with chunks of lobster, this is a delectably creamy bisque filled with a beautiful seafood flavor.
Made with chopped clams and potatoes, their New England Clam Chowder is also so good, you cannot stop with just one cup!
The Lobster Tacos make a unique appetizer. Filled in crispy wonton shells are beautifully cooked lobster, guacamole, tomato, and yuzu, resulting in an amazing combination of textures and flavors.
Containing flavor-packed garlic shrimp, sea scallops, and Maryland-style crab cake, with some rice and a sauce, Shaw’s Seafood Platter has a little bit of everything, and is a platter you’ll be happy you ordered.
From their Sides menu, do not miss the Lobster Mac & Cheese.
What to order: Lobster Bisque, New England Clam Chowder, Lobster Tacos, Shaw’s Seafood Platter, Lobster Mac & Cheese
Address: 21 E Hubbard Street, Chicago, IL 60611
8. Wentworth Seafood House
Located in the heart of Chicago’s Chinatown, Wentworth Seafood House is home to authentic Cantonese cuisine, along with live seafood, and an extensive variety of bubble tea.
The space is relatively small and is almost always packed. When you’re at Wentworth, you get to enjoy memorably delicious food in a welcoming setting.
A dish that embodies Wentworth’s Cantonese flavors in a seafood preparation is the Wentworth Seafood Stir-fried Special.
This includes a combination of seafood along with veggies, Chinese ham and sausage, and tastes extremely good.
Available from 9 am to 4 pm, their Shrimp Dumpling and Shrimp Crepe are two drool-worthy dishes.
The dumpling has a generous amount of filling inside, is super juicy, and gets a little bit of natural sweetness from the shrimp.
The crepe is thin, soft, and silky, and just melts in the mouth.
The Golden Egg Yolk Shrimp is crispy, crunchy, rich, and really tasty. These are jumbo shrimp with no shell, and come fried to a perfect golden brown colour and crispy on the outside while the shrimp remains succulent inside.
What to order: Wentworth Seafood Stir-fried Special, Shrimp Dumpling, Shrimp Crepe, Golden Egg Yolk Shrimp
Address: 2229 S Wentworth Avenue, Chicago, IL 60616
9. Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House
Located in the heart of Chicago’s Gold Coast, Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House, as its name reveals, is hugely popular for its frog legs and finest seafood.
The restaurant draws a huge crowd on a daily basis with its extraordinary food, generous portions, and relaxed setting.
The Crab Cake – jumbo, with huge chunks of crab meat – is skillfully prepared, with minimal breading, allowing the crab’s natural flavor and sweetness to shine.
The hot pink mayo on the side is the perfect dipping sauce for the mildly flavored crab cake.
Sauteed Frog Legs are a specialty of Hugo’s; so, why not try them?! The frog legs come very well prepared, and are juicy, tender, and taste very much like chicken.
While we also love the traditional New England Clam Chowder, which came with oyster crackers, the star of the show, however, is the Whole Grilled Snapper.
Prepared Greek-style with oregano, lemon, and olive oil, the fish is absolutely fresh, and so tender and moist, it melts away in the mouth.
Another worthy addition to your table would be the Lump Crab Mac & Cheese.
What to order: Crab Cake, Sauteed Frog Legs, New England Clam Chowder, Whole Grilled Snapper, Lump Crab Mac & Cheese
Address: 1024 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
10. Eddie V’s Prime Seafood
Featuring nightly live music, Eddie V’s Prime Seafood is the place to be if you’re looking for a seafood restaurant offering a fine dining experience.
Additionally, you also get to enjoy hand-carved steaks and an award-winning wine list in a stylish, sophisticated, and relaxed atmosphere.
Almost all seafood restaurants that we’ve reviewed in Chicago offer great crab cakes, and the Jumbo Lump Crab Cake at Eddie V’s is no exception. Sauteed to golden perfection, the crab cake has loads of crab meat, and is a perfect balance of crispiness and flavor.
The creamy and spicy chive remoulade is a welcome addition.
The Chilean Sea Bass here is perfection on a plate! The fish is steamed to perfection, and is flaky, buttery, and just falls apart with just a touch of the fork; the light soy broth at the bottom bursts with flavor, and adds a nice savouriness to the fish.
The Maine Lobster Tacos are made with fresh, house-made tortillas, and come with huge chunks of succulent lobster; the grilled sweet corn pico de gallo adds freshness and a slight sweetness to the tacos.
If your taste buds are craving something different, try the Kung Pao Calamari.
Finished with roasted cashews, there is a kick to the sauce, and the calamari is beautifully cooked.
What to order: Jumbo Lump Crab Cake, Chilean Sea Bass, Maine Lobster Tacos, Kung Pao Calamari
Address: 521 N Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
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11. Kyōten
Kyoten in Logan Square serves Omakase meals in an almost Zen-like interior with perfect lighting and top-notch service.
Pay a visit and you’ll fall for not only the front-row view of Chef Otto Phan masterfully slicing fish but also the finest, freshest ingredients that are served!
You’ll be experiencing a 20-course Omakase meal, which involves a lot of delicious nigiri, creative small plates, and some surprising desserts.
If you’re lucky enough, you’ll get the chance to try their premium delicacies like Osetra caviar and fatty toro.
But overall, each dish is a gem, and you won’t be disappointed trying them!
Don’t skip on their wine lists, which are personally curated by the chef and of course, they perfectly complement the meal!
Plus, reservation is a must as they have six seats only.
What to order: Omakase Meal
Address: 2507 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
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12. Catch 35
Catch 35, an exemplary seafood restaurant located in the city’s theater district, offers an extensive menu highlighting the bountiful fresh seafood of the country.
The restaurant’s interior is cozy and inviting, and the dining room gives you glimpses of the graceful Chicago River.
The Crispy Crab Cakes are as gigantic as you can get, with loads of sweet and delicious crab meat, panko-crusted crispy exterior, and served with the traditional creamy and spicy remoulade sauce.
For a proper surf and turf main, order the Maine Lobster Tail & Filet Mignon.
Served with thick, rich, and flavor-packed demi-glace, both the lobster and the steak come cooked just right, a preparation that allows their natural flavors to sing.
The Smoked Shrimp Pasta combined plump jumbo shrimp with al-dente fettuccine tossed in an ultra-rich, zingy, and smoky parmesan cajun cream sauce.
If you’ve got space for dessert, the Flourless Chocolate Lava Cake will surely satisfy you and end off your meal on a good note!
What to order: Crispy Crab Cakes, Maine Lobster Tail & Filet Mignon, Smoked Shrimp Pasta, Flourless Chocolate Lava Cake
Address: 35 W Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60601
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13. The Fish Keg
A staple of the neighborhood since 1950, The Fish Keg is a family-owned and -operated seafood restaurant, committed to offering the freshest and most flavorful seafood creations.
With everything hand-breaded and made-to-order, it is this handmade quality that still keeps the place a community favorite.
A staple on the menu since the restaurant’s inception, the Fried Shrimp here is the real deal.
These large white shrimps are coated with their homemade batter, hand-breaded in fresh bread crumbs, and fried to reach golden, crunchy, and crispy perfection. It tastes amazing with hot sauce.
The Cajun Catchfish is bite-size pieces of catfish cooked covered in their new cajun batter.
The batter gives them a nice crisp, and the flavor is too good.
Even their Clam Strips will make you drool, not just when you try them but also in the foreseeable future!
These are thin cut clam strips covered in a light batter and taste exceptional with their cocktail sauce.
What to order: Fried Shrimp, Cajun Catchfish, Clam Strips
Address: 2233 W Howard Street, Chicago, IL 60645
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14. Lowcountry South Loop
The concept of Lowcountry revolves around the culture of seafood boil, welcoming social gatherings, and bringing back childhood memories.
With picnic tables and fun playlists, when you plan to visit this casual seafood place, be prepared to get your hands dirty and eat messy.
Unlike other seafood restaurants in Chicago, there’s no specific menu at Lowcountry.
All you need to do is build a bag by choosing your protein, sauce, heat level, and sides.
Once you place your order, it will be served piping hot, in a bag, on your table.
For your protein, we strongly suggest that you get the Snow Crab. The Everythang sauce is garlicky, lemony, peppery, and flavor-packed, and if you have average heat tolerance, go with the number 2 heat level (Hot).
As soon as your bag is cut, you’ll be captivated by the fantastic aroma of the seafood boil, and all you have to do is get ready with your bib and gloves, and start digging in.
The soft and warm Honey Butter Jalapeno Cornbread is pure bliss on its own.
And don’t forget to save room for dessert because the Deep Fried Oreos deserve your love!
What to order: Snow Crab, Shrimp, Honey Butter Jalapeno Cornbread, Deep Fried Oreos
Address: 1132 S Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL 60605
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15. Luke’s Lobster
Originally opened as a lobster roll shack in NYC, Luke’s is now an international brand offering the world’s best lobster, sourced directly from lobstermen.
This fast-casual seafood shack offers delicious seafood preparations in a friendly and casual setting.
Served Maine-style, the Lobster Roll at Luke’s is the most ordered item off the menu.
The roll comes with chilled Maine lobster, some mayo, lemon butter, and their secret seasoning. It’s fresh, succulent, flavorful, and thoroughly enjoyable.
Based on your preference, you could also order the Crab Roll or Shrimp Roll, which are as good in quality as the Lobster Roll, and taste fabulous too.
If you’re in a dilemma, go with Luke’s Trio, which is a chilled seafood sampler, containing all three rolls mentioned above.
Of the two soup varieties available on the menu, Lobster Bisque is the clear winner – smooth, creamy, and luscious!
What to order: Lobster Roll, Crab Roll, Shrimp Roll, Lobster Bisque
Address: 134 N La Salle Street, Chicago, IL 60602
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16. Sushi Suite 202
Sushi Suite 202 is a luxurious hotel room transformed into an elegant sushi bar with a speakeasy vibe.
Here is where modern meets traditional design, with high-end furniture, decors, and lighting manifesting a contemporary atmosphere, except that it maintains the vibe reserved exclusively for sushi bars.
They are an excellent sushi spot if you want to be as close to the chef as you marvel at how they prepare your dish.
Be mind blown at how the chefs showcase their talent and craft.
Sushi Suite 202 craves excellence, and in doing so, they make sure the texture, notes, freshness, and all sushi flavors are on par with the ones you get in Japan.
Get the 17 Course Omakase and the Sake pairing, where you can savor your classic favorites and signature items.
At the same time, you listen to the chef and bartender explain each dish and beverage in detail.
What to order: 17 Course Omakase
Address: 1816 N Clark St Hotel Lincoln Chicago, IL 60614
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17. Hagen’s Fish Market
A family-run Chicago fish market that is cherished and celebrated for more than 75 years, Hagen’s Fish Market will be your heaven, if you love seafood.
Fresh, fried, or smoked, there’s something for everyone here, and the small, old-school place never fails to make the people entering its doors happy.
Whether it’s a hot summer afternoon or a cold winter night, the Spicy Popcorn Shrimp from Hagen’s can make your day better.
Crispy on the outside and soft and succulent inside, the shrimp comes expertly cooked, and there’s an enjoyable kick to it in terms of spice level.
For something more filling, get the Shrimp Po’ Boy. The bread is soft, and the shrimp inside is lightly breaded and fried to become crispy while the inside is still tender.
The creamy sauce adds the most flavorful touch to the sandwich.
When you visit Hagen’s Fish Market, you cannot leave without getting at least one variety of smoked fish.
Our two favorites are the Salmon Candy and BBQ Salmon – both utterly delicious!
What to order: Spicy Popcorn Shrimp, Shrimp Po’ Boy, Salmon Candy, BBQ Salmon
Address: 5635 W Montrose Avenue, Chicago, IL 60634
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From wood-fired pizzas to handmade pastas and mouthwatering desserts, Chicago also hosts a number of unbelievably good Italian restaurants.
How We Create Our “Best” Lists
All Noms Magazine’s “best” lists are created using multiple factors and signals to help readers find the best restaurants, things to do, and places to stay at. Some of these factors and signs include personal experiences, correspondence with locals, and compiling experiences from review sites.
Each list is also created to be balanced (in terms of price, cuisine type, ambiance, and more) as possible. This means that the lists are not specifically created in ranking order. You should be comfortable picking from any of the spots on the list and generally have a good time. But of course, YMMV (your mileage may vary) and everyone may have different experiences/palates.