Best Seafood Restaurants in The Triangle (17 Tasty Options near Raleigh)

Raleigh might be a good 2.5 hours’ drive from the ocean, but don’t let geography fool you into thinking it’s a city prone to poor seafood establishments. In fact, we have many wonderful seafood restaurants in Raleigh and the surrounding areas, it’s high tide we shared some of our favorites with you.

We reached out to our Raleigh community to find the best seafood in the Triangle, from oyster bars to crackshacks to traditional seafood joints, and our community came through. Whether you want something fine dining or wrapped in greasy paper and prepared to eat curbside, these are the best seafood places in the Triangle to check out.

Backfins Crabhouse, Wake Forest

• Address: 1009 Stadium Dr, Wake Forest
• Website: backfinscrabhouse.com

For authentic Maryland crab cakes, Backfins Crabhouse in Wake Forest has been dubbed the closest in North Carolina by members of our community. They steam their crabs rather than boil them, in true Maryland fashion. The Maryland cream crab soup, crab cakes, and snow crab legs get rave reviews for being expertly seasoned and generous with the meat. They also have steamed blue crabs, ordered by the dozen or as part of a full-on “crab feast,” bacon-wrapped scallops, chargrilled oysters, and generous platters of shrimp and flounder.

They also have daily specials, such as kids dining free on select days, and a kids’ menu, making it an affordable and family-friendly place to get top-quality seafood. Backfins also has a rustic, beachside tavern vibe about it. Think brown paper tablecloths, mallets at the ready, and zero concern for keeping your hands clean. We also love the blue paneling on the walls, which gives off that Atlantic coast aesthetic. There’s also an outdoor patio for those who prefer to eat al fresco.

Cape Fear Seafood Company

• Address: 2018 Clark Ave, Raleigh
• Website: capefearseafoodcompany.com

Cape Fear Seafood Company is always highly recommended. This locally loved restaurant brings a taste of North Carolina’s Cape Fear shoreline to Raleigh in an easygoing and unfussy environment that’s suited to everyone from families to date-night couples. (They have two locations in Raleigh, and one in Apex and Wake Forest.)

The menu offers a diverse array of regional classics, from Calabash-style fried platters to the signature shrimp and grits. Standout dishes that former guests rave about are the Figure 8 stuffed flounder and Bald Head Island crab cakes. If you’re not sure what to order, you can’t go wrong with the catch of the day. The vibe is relaxed and welcoming, like a casual dining room with a full bar humming in the background, and it also has the option of outdoor seating, takeout, delivery, and free parking is always a bonus.

Our followers also voted them as having some of the best shrimp & grits in Raleigh.

Saltbox Seafood Joint

• Address: 2637 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. Durham
• /Website; saltboxseafoodjoint.com

If you’re talking about best seafood in the Triangle, you cannot overlook the black-owned Saltbox Seafood joint, inspired from classic American fish camps and waterside seafood shacks. Since 2012, Chef Ricky Moore has been celebrating local, fresh seafood within his flavorful dishes. So flavorful that he received a James Beard award Best Chef in the southeast. Since Ricky relies on fresh seasonal NC seafood, the menu changes day based on availability. Everything is made fresh, and prepared simple and straightforward – how it should be!

Shuckin Shack Oyster Bar

• Address: 2340 Bale St #100, Raleigh
• Website: theshuckinshack.com

We first heard of Shuckin Shack in Wilmington, which is famous for its oysters, so when we heard that there was one in Raleigh, we had to check it out. Shuckin Shack Oyster Bar offers fresh oysters and a laid-back good time. It’s a great seafood pick precisely because it doesn’t overcomplicate things, focusing on quality over quantity on its menu.

The crab ball appetizer is the perfect way to kick things off, paired with the signature sauce, and for the entree, you must choose the oysters, either steamed or grilled. If you’re visiting with a group, the sampler platters and “peck” portions are a good option. The vibe is relaxed and sociable; it’s part sports bar, part seafood joint, and has TVs flickering in the background. It also has specials which change daily. On Mondays, you can get $1 steamed oysters, and on Fridays, you get a lobster dinner at the market price. 

Shuckers Oyster Bar and Grill, Wake Forest

• Address: 3309 Rogers Rd, Wake Forest
• Website: shuckersgrill.com

For a family-friendly seafood joint, head to the locally owned Shuckers in Wake Forest, which has some of the best hush puppies in the Triangle (the perfect Southern side dish with seafood), and one of our Raleigh community members said the bourbon-glazed salmon is the best anywhere!

A long-time local favorite that’s been serving fresh seafood for over 23 years, this easygoing oyster bar feels more like a neighborhood gathering spot than a dining destination. With bar seating and a lively patio area, it’s the kind of place where you can eat and make new friends dining next to you at the same time. Although people rave about the hush puppies, it’s the oysters that steal the show here, which can either be served raw on the half shell or piled high in platters. With welcoming service and dependable quality, there is a good reason why locals keep coming back.

NC Seafood Restaurant, NC State Farmers Market

• Address: 1201 Agriculture St, Raleigh
• Website: ncseafood.com

You won’t get fresher than dining at the market, that’s for sure! NC Seafood Restaurant, NC State Farmers Market, has always been consistently good since it opened in 1991. It specializes in Calabash-style seafood, and the portions are so generous that you get enough to have lunch and dinner.

Most of the menu is supplied with North Carolina catch, but due to shortages, they may have to use produce from out of state but always prioritizing freshness. The great thing about classic Calabash-style frying is that it’s fast and is perfect for finger eating. Think lightly battered shrimp, flounder, or oysters piled high. The vibe is cafeteria-style ordering, with communal picnic benches, both inside and outside, to sit down on. We love eating whilst watching the hum of market-goers passing through. 

Blind Pelican Seafood House, Holly Springs 

• Address: 120 Bass Lake Rd, Holly Springs
• Website: blindpelicanseafood.com

Another seafood restaurant worth the trip out of Raleigh is The Blind Pelican Seafood House in Holly Springs, which is one of the most popular seafood restaurants in the Triangle — it doesn’t have reservations, but it has call-ahead seating, which I highly recommend you do, as you may have to wait otherwise. It offers East Coast–sourced seafood that has been noted for its freshness (deliveries arrive daily). It has a diverse menu of seafood offerings, as well as specials on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Some standout dishes are the Maryland crab cakes, the lobster rolls, and the crab dip. But the real star of the show is the over-the-top “loaded” Bloody Marys — stacked with everything from crab legs, snow crab clusters, fish filets, shrimp, grilled cheese, bacon, and so much more. They have become something of a signature. Inside, the vibe is breezy and industriously nautical, with reclaimed wood and coastal décor. It would make a lovely setting for a date night or meal out with friends.

St Roch Fine Oyster & Bar 

• Address: 223 S Wilmington St, Raleigh
• Website: strochraleigh.com

An oyster bar in Downtown Raleigh well worth a visit is St Roch Fine Oyster & Bar, which brings a spirited slice of New Orleans to the Piedmont. As soon as you walk through the door, you are met with Creole warmth. It looks almost like stepping into the French Quarter, with dark wood benches, polished floors, and a long open bar where you can see fresh oysters on ice. It’s a great seafood destination for those looking for a raw bar. They treat oysters less like an appetizer and more as a way of life.

Oysters are either served raw, roasted, or fried. Alternatively, the barbecue shrimp and grits and Carolina-style calabash seafood platters get standout reviews, too. Finish, as many do, with sugar-dusted beignets… I mean, when in New Orleans? With indoor and outdoor seating, a happy hour menu, and a lively energy, it’s perfect for any occasion. St Roch is also one of the few Michelin recommended restaurants in Raleigh!

Jack’s Seafood & Soul Food Restaurant

• Address: 1516 New Bern Ave, Raleigh
• Website: jacksseafoodandsoulfood.com

Although it looks rundown and like a no-frills hole-in-the wall type restaurant, black-owned Jack’s Seafood & Soul Food is one of the most beloved local restaurants. It has been serving fried seafood and soul food to happy locals and visitors for years.

They specialize in delicious and reasonably priced fried seafood and good old Southern country cooking. They have a simple menu but to the point.  All their food is made-to-order with large portions and good prices. You can also call in your order for expedited service. The fried catfish plate has people traveling in for miles to enjoy! Others love their shrimp burger. Best to pair it with some fried okra and then finish with sweet potato pie! A true southern seafood joint

The Crispy Cod

• Address: 411 West Morgan Street, Raleigh
• Website: morganfoodhall.com

Not a restaurant but absolutely worthy of a spot on this list. The Crispy Cod is a vendor inside Morgan Street Food Hall, and if you’ve ever had proper fish and chips in England or Ireland, you’ll know exactly what we mean when we say this is the real deal.

The fish is hand-battered, golden, and has that satisfying crunch on the outside with flaky, fresh fish inside. The chips are crispy and seasoned just right. And honestly? The smell alone as you walk up is enough to transport you straight to a seaside chippie somewhere across the Atlantic. It’s that authentic. Add malt vinegar and you’re done. That’s the move.

It’s simple, unpretentious, and really well executed — the kind of food that doesn’t need to try hard because it’s just good. Morgan Street Food Hall is a fun spot to begin with, and The Crispy Cod is one of the standout vendors in there. If you’re craving something hearty, comforting, and a little bit nostalgic, this one delivers every time.

Barcelona Wine Bar

• Address: 430 W Martin St, Raleigh
• Website: barcelonawinebar.com

Not a seafood restaurant per se, but Barcelona Wine Bar has been noted for having a delicious seafood paella! This Spanish restaurant in downtown Raleigh is known for its tapas and is the place to go for finesse rather than the best. 

It excels at seafood in shareable form. Standout tapas options like the Mussels and Gambas al Ajillo (scallops) are ideal for those wanting something light, or for something hearty, the paella mariscos is a seafood lover’s dream— it comes with mussels, shrimp, clams, calamari, and salmorreta. The vibe is warm, stylish, and contemporary. The dim lighting, buzzing bar, and tightly packed tables are designed for connection, making it an ideal date night spot. We have not had the paella here but have loved other tapas we’ve eaten and their wine. It’s a quality wine bar.

Read more: The best International Restaurants in Raleigh

Rey’s Steakhouse

• Address: 1130 Buck Jones Rd, Raleigh
• Website: reysrestaurant.com

In Raleigh, you can get a decent plate of seafood at your ordinary steakhouse; you don’t have to travel to the coast to get it. Rey’s is a case in point. It has a delicious Grouper Lafayette entree, which comes topped with crab meat, and the soft shell crabmeat cocktail appetizer is also said to be delicious. 

Rey’s is a polished throwback steakhouse that has a touch of New Orleans swagger. It offers Cajun flair paired with white-tablecloth dining, leather booths, and soft lighting. After dinner, head to the lively Voodoo Lounge next door for cocktails. It has a real special-occasion atmosphere and is perfect for those who want seafood but are dining with those who like to have other options.

Vinnie’s Steakhouse and Tavern

• Address: 7440 Six Forks Rd, Raleigh
• Website: vinniessteakhouse.com

Another steakhouse that is noted for having delicious seafood on its menu is Vinnie’s, which has gained a reputation for having delicious lobster tails and crab dip. The presentation, for a casual steakhouse, is stunning. Vinnie’s is a Raleigh institution and has an old-school, polished vibe. Think wood paneling and white tablecloths on the inside and heated patios on the outside. It was even featured in Raleigh Magazine’s 25 Best Restaurants list.

Of the seafood options, it has Fried Jumbo NC Shrimp, grilled salmon or mahi mahi, sesame-crusted ahi tuna, and seared Outer Banks Sea Scallops to choose from. For a special occasion, Vinnie’s is a good choice. Not only for the exceptional food, but also because it has private dining rooms, a full bar, an impressive wine cellar, and attentive table service.

Rosewater Kitchen & Bar

• Address: 110 Park at North Hills St.,Raleigh
• Website: www.rosewaterraleigh.com

Not a seafood restaurant, but Rosewater Kitchen and Bar is one of the top North Hills restaurants and doing some of the most exciting seafood in Raleigh right now. The menu leans Mediterranean, and that influence shows up beautifully in the way they handle fish and shellfish — bold flavors, quality ingredients, nothing overcomplicated.

If you order nothing else, get the whole Branzino. Served with salsa verde, charred lemon, Calabrian chili, and zest, it is the best fish I have had in North Carolina. Full stop. It’s the kind of dish that makes you slow down mid-bite and just appreciate it. The octopus starter is equally impressive — butter beans, chorizo, lemon, fresno chile, chives, and white wine — it hits every note you want from a Mediterranean-inspired small plate.

The patio is gorgeous and genuinely adds to the experience. There’s something about sitting outside here that feels a little like you’ve landed somewhere coastal, which is exactly the right mood for the food. Rosewater is the kind of place where the seafood options could easily anchor your whole meal. Come hungry, order generously, and save room to linger.

Read More: Where to Go for Mediterranean Food in Raleigh

Captain Stanley’s Seafood Restaurant

• Address: 3333 S Wilmington St, Raleigh
• Website: captainstanleysseafood.com

Another long-running Raleigh staple is Captain Stanley’s Seafood Restaurant, which offers unfussy, family-forward dining. It’s a great seafood choice for having straightforward, Calabash-style cooking. Dishes are crispy, generous in size, and comfortingly familiar. The menu is firmly traditional. Standout options include the fried flounder, which is noted for being light and flaky beneath a golden crust, as well as fried oysters, scallops, catfish, and trout, which are paired nicely with some classic hushpuppies.

The vibe is casual and welcoming, with simple seating and the reassuring hum of chatter that you find in a place that knows its regulars. It’s a reliably satisfying, no-frills experience, if that’s what you’re looking for.

Skippers Seafood & Smokehouse

• Address: 1001 E Williams St, Apex
• Website: skippersfish.com

Home of the famous GIANT fish sandwich, Skippers Seafood & Smokehouse is a family-owned business and casual spot for seafood, plus really good BBQ brisket, pulled pork, ribs, chicken & turkey breast. It’s a local favorite restaurant in Apex.

At Skipper’s the food is homemade from our own special recipes. Your seafood is cooked fresh for you seconds after you order it. They’re famous for their fried cod or flounder sandwich, large shrimp platter, and fish tacos stuffed with tempura battered cod. Craig can validate that their fish sandwich is indeed huge and of tasty value!

Cuya Cocina Latina

• Address: 413 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh
• Website: cuyaraleigh.com/ 

Lastly, in Raleigh’s buzzing Glenwood South district, Cuya Cocina Latina has an almost entirely gluten-free menu (yay for us!) that’s bursting with Latin flavors. Part Latin American kitchen, part cocktail bar, it’s a great seafood stop for those heading out on a night out in Raleigh. The seafood standouts include Ceviche Del Dia for an appetizer, and Baja Style Fish Tacos for an entree, which is made with cornmeal-battered Catch of the Day.

The vibe is energetic and lively, and effortlessly modern. It is currently being remodeled in Spring 2026 (closed March 30 – April 30), introducing an outdoor cafe on its patio, so it’s one of the freshest places to get seafood in the City of Oaks.