Best Seafood at the Jersey Shore
From dock-to-table freshness to legendary crab houses, the Jersey Shore serves some of the East Coast's finest seafood.
Types of Seafood Spots
Raw Bars
Fresh oysters, clams, and shrimp on ice
Try: Dock's, Lobster House, Washington Inn
Crab Houses
Steamed blue crabs, crab cakes, and crab feasts
Try: Crab Trap, Crab House Cafe, Mud City
Lobster Shacks
Lobster rolls, bisque, and whole lobster dinners
Try: Lobster House, Steve & Cookie's, The Clam Bar
Fish Markets
Pick your fish, have it cooked to order
Try: Klein's, Mike's Seafood, Viking Fresh
Seasonal Seafood Guide
The best seafood is always what's in season. Here's what to order throughout the year.
Spring (Apr-May)
- Flounder
- Striped Bass
- Soft Shell Crab
- Shad
Soft shell season is short - get them while you can!
Summer (Jun-Aug)
- Lobster
- Blue Crab
- Tuna
- Mahi-Mahi
- Fluke
Peak season for everything. Lobster prices drop in July.
Fall (Sep-Nov)
- Scallops
- Oysters
- Striped Bass
- Black Sea Bass
Oyster season starts September. Best quality of the year.
Winter (Dec-Mar)
- Oysters
- Clams
- Cod
- Monkfish
- Skate
Off-season means less crowded restaurants and great deals.
Top Seafood Restaurants
Lobster House
Cape May • Lobster, Raw Bar
Upscale Casual
Legendary waterfront institution since 1954. Fleet of boats bring fresh catches daily. Stunning harbor views and their own fish market.
Must Try: Lobster Bisque, Raw Bar Platter
Dock's Oyster House
Atlantic City • Oysters, Classic Seafood
Fine Dining
Family-owned since 1897. Atlantic City institution with impeccable service and the freshest oysters. Old-school elegance.
Must Try: Oysters Rockefeller, Lobster Thermidor
Klein's Fish Market
Belmar • Fresh-off-the-boat Seafood
Casual Waterfront
Marina-side restaurant where fishing boats unload right behind the kitchen. BYOB keeps prices reasonable.
Must Try: Whatever came in today, Fried Clam Strips
Mike's Seafood
Sea Isle City • Seafood Market & Restaurant
Casual Family
Family-run for generations. Pick your fish from the market and have it cooked to order. Legendary lobster bisque.
Must Try: Lobster Bisque, Stuffed Flounder
The Crab Trap
Somers Point • Crabs, Waterfront Dining
Casual Waterfront
Bayfront crab house with outdoor decks. Steamed crabs by the dozen, casual atmosphere, and stunning sunsets.
Must Try: Steamed Blue Crabs, Crab Cakes
Red Store
Cape May Point • Gourmet Seafood
Fine Dining
Upscale farm-to-table in a converted general store. Creative seafood preparations with local ingredients.
Must Try: Daily Fish Special, Oysters
Wally's on the Pier
Barnegat Light • Fresh Local Catch
Super Casual
Right on the docks of Barnegat Light. Watch the charter boats come in while you eat what they caught.
Must Try: Fish Sandwich, Clam Chowder
Knife & Fork Inn
Atlantic City • Classic Seafood & Steaks
Fine Dining
Historic restaurant dating to 1912. Where presidents and celebrities have dined. Impeccable Dover Sole.
Must Try: Dover Sole, Stone Crab Claws
Local Legend: The Lobster House
No Jersey Shore seafood guide would be complete without The Lobster House in Cape May. Since 1954, this waterfront institution has been serving fresh catches from its own fleet of fishing boats. The raw bar is legendary, the lobster bisque is a must, and the harbor views are unmatched.
Pro tip: Skip the often long wait for the main dining room and grab a seat at the raw bar or on the schooner deck instead.
Explore Cape May DiningSeafood Dining Tips
Ask About the Catch
Daily specials at fish markets and waterfront restaurants are usually the freshest. Ask what came in today.
Go Early or Late
Popular spots like Lobster House can have 2+ hour waits on summer weekends. Early dinner (4-5pm) or late (after 8pm) avoids crowds.
BYOB Saves Money
Many shore seafood spots are BYOB (like Klein's). Bring a nice bottle of white wine and save on the markup.
Buy It Fresh
Many restaurants have fish markets attached. Take fresh seafood home and cook it yourself for a fraction of the price.
Explore All Dining Options
Seafood, BYOB, boardwalk classics, and more at every shore town.