10 Chains With The Highest Quality Seafood, According To Reviews

There’s no shortage of seafood chains in the U.S., and you don’t have to be close to the coast to enjoy the fruits of the sea. Many well-known restaurants with locations across the country have been highly-rated for the quality of their food and constantly impress customers by churning out fresh, flavorful dishes. Whether crispy fried shrimp is your go-to, or perhaps you’re more tempted by a plate of delicate, flaky fish, these chains offer plenty of delicious options for seafood lovers.

With so many chains competing for a place on the seafood scene, it can be hard to know which ones are worth visiting. Identifying the very best picks takes some digging, but we’ve done the hard work for you. We rounded up the chains that customers say serve some of the best-quality seafood around. These chains are clear standouts, offering dishes that are incredibly well-reviewed by diners. So, next time you’re craving seafood, give one of these fan favorites a try.

It didn’t take us long to find an abundance of glowing reviews for Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen. This restaurant has been delighting diners since 1986, when it opened its first location in Houston, Texas. Today, Pappadeaux has 38 locations across eight states, and it’s earned itself a strong reputation for serving consistently high-quality seafood.

The Pappadeaux menu is wonderfully varied, with dishes ranging from jumbo shrimp cocktail and grilled salmon, trout, and snapper, to an array of fried seafood, including oysters, stuffed crab, and catfish. There are platters that come with a mixture of fried delights, too, which are perfect for sharing (or big appetites).

One customer took to Reddit to share their enthusiasm for the restaurant, writing, “If you have a [Pappadeux] near by… [go]!”. They highlighted the grilled octopus, describing the dish as “tender (but not rubbery), juicy, sweet and crispy”, and a commenter said that they frequently make the one-hour journey to their nearest restaurant. In another discussion, the seafood gumbo and crawfish trio also received plenty of praise. One Reddit user, who was allegedly a chef at a fine dining restaurant, called Pappadeaux “consistent and delicious”, adding, “The crab cake they do is f***ing delicious. And 97% all crab meat. No filler.”

Eddie V’s Prime Seafood is another popular spot for those looking for a top-tier seafood meal. With locations in 15 states, the restaurant has achieved impressive growth since opening in 2000. The Eddie V’s experience is all about excellence, which the chain itself says is its “key ingredient.” The fish is flown in fresh daily, and there’s attention to detail in every step of the food’s preparation.

A standout on the menu here is The Big Eddie — a show-stopping tower of shrimp, oysters, crab, and lobster, served with a trio of spicy, tangy sauces. One diner who was lucky enough to sample this decadent dish left a glowing Yelp review. “Getting a seafood tower is an experience, but getting a seafood tower at Eddie V’s is an experience on another planet,” they wrote, adding, “Presentation, sauces and the freshness of the seafood was [amazing] and out of this world.”

Another first-time visitor shared their thoughts on Reddit. “A bit pricey but [damn good]!”, was the verdict. They shared that they’d tried the ahi tuna, crab fried rice, and fresh oysters, which had all been impressively tasty. Others agree that the food at Eddie V’s is worth the slightly higher price tag, with comments in another discussion including “the food is phenomenal” and “the seafood I’ve had is always spectacular.”

Another seafood spot with an undeniably upscale feel is Ocean Prime. This chain has restaurants in some notoriously glitzy locations, such as Beverly Hills and Las Vegas, and it’s long been renowned for offering an exceptional dining experience. A number of Ocean Prime restaurants have won prestigious awards for their food and service, and a sea of rave reviews from customers confirms the chain’s excellent reputation.

You’ll find everything from silky lobster bisque to teriyaki salmon and tender sea scallops on the menu at Ocean Prime. The steaks are also a specialty here, and these easily rival the seafood. Some locations even have a dedicated Surf & Turf menu, available on Sunday evenings. Diners can choose from a selection of appetizers and sides, then select a decadent topping for their 8-ounce filet, including shrimp scampi, blue crab, or lobster tail.

Ocean Prime has received countless five-star reviews on Tripadvisor. “The lobster was delicious and succulent”, wrote one happy customer, while another reviewer declared, “the lump crab cocktail was the best I’ve ever had.” Over on Reddit, another fan of the chain shared, “Their seafood is awesome and super fresh. Also one of the few places I’ll go for oysters.”

California Fish Grill uses 100% sustainable seafood to craft its array of vibrant dishes. This multi-state chain is known for its poke-style protein bowls, refreshing salad plates, and hearty tacos. You can also order simple grilled filets of fish, such as barramundi, tilapia, and swai, with various sides, as well as classics like lobster rolls and fried calamari. It’s a restaurant that stands out for its customizable, health-conscious approach, and has therefore built a loyal following.

One Reddit post about the restaurant was especially complimentary. The diner, who had ordered the Everything Bowl and Coconut Shrimp, wrote, “I’m just blown away by how good this food tastes and I need to let people know.” They continued to gush about their meal, adding, “Holy snaps. Their food is insanely good, not expensive, and the bowl I had packed fifty six grams of protein,” before finishing their accolade with “Ten out of ten would recommend. I’d honestly eat this every day.” Another fan, who admitted to being a seafood newbie, spoke highly of the classic battered fish and chips, noting that the dish had been the first of its kind that they’d truly enjoyed.

Head to Bonefish Grill, and you’ll be met with a mouthwatering selection of grilled, fried, and sushi-style seafood. Each of the chain’s restaurants boasts a vibrant atmosphere and top-notch service, while the food is simple yet elegant and made with only the finest-quality seafood. Seasonal and local dishes form a significant part of the menu, and customers frequently praise the overall dining experience.

The most iconic dish at Bonefish Grill is undoubtedly the Bang Bang Shrimp. This sees jumbo shrimp coated in a light batter and deep-fried until perfectly golden and crisp. It’s served with the chain’s signature, creamy, spicy sauce. Tasters have praised the tender texture of the shrimp and the batter, which they say is just thin enough. They say the sauce adds the perfect degree of creaminess and heat, balancing both the seafood and the crispy coating.

The chain also offers a Simply Grilled range, which includes seafood favorites like sea bass, salmon, and scallops that are cooked over a wood-burning grill for the ultimate deep, smoky taste and succulent, flaky finish. Or, you could enjoy a plate of creamy, cheese-stuffed Cod Imperial, which one reviewer dubbed a “do not miss plate” for its generous portion size and rich flavor.

It’s hard to be disappointed by Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.’s hearty, satisfying seafood offerings. As the restaurant’s name would suggest, shrimp is a big deal here, and the chain serves this popular protein in an array of different formats. There’s shrimp mac and cheese, shrimp steamed in beer, shrimp scampi pasta, and of course, the beloved fried shrimp, which has become something of a Bubba Gump classic. 

The Bubba Gump fried shrimp has won over plenty of diners. One New York food reviewer recommended the dish in an Instagram post, calling the shrimp “perfectly crispy, well-seasoned, and impossible to stop eating.” Other dishes have also made a strong impression. The stuffed shrimp, for example, has also received a ton of positive feedback, with one Tripadvisor review referring to the dish as “soul-deep good.” And, if you’re in the mood for something a little different, you can also order salmon, crab, or even non-seafood options like chicken and steak.

The Boiling Crab, which serves a wide variety of Cajun-style seafood, is a much-loved chain with a casual, playful vibe, centered around messy, hands-on feasting. The menu takes a simple approach with a three-step system. First, you choose your catch (options include shrimp, clams, mussels, and crab). Next comes the sauce. There are four options to pick from, but the spicy, garlicky, and citrusy “The Whole Sha-Bang!” is always a great shout. Finally, you’ll select the spice level, which ranges from non-spicy to XXX. And you can always throw in some extras, such as corn on the cob, potatoes, or sausage.

Everything is boiled or steamed in a bag, ready to be tipped out onto the table and tucked into by hand. Enjoyed as is or with one of the chain’s hearty sides (think rice, fries, or onion rings), this makes for a fantastically fun and flavorful eating experience. And the customer reviews certainly seem to back this up. “The food was absolutely delicious — every dish was full of flavor and beautifully presented,” shared one reviewer. In a Reddit discussion about the chain, one user commented, “It’s super delicious. The prices are reasonable for the cost of seafood at the moment,” and others highlighted the bold, aromatic taste of The Boiling Crab’s signature sauce.

Long John Silver’s might seem like a controversial addition to this lineup, but according to customers the fast food giant really doesn’t deserve all the hate it gets. This chain, which has over 400 locations, serves budget-friendly, crowd-pleasing seafood with a focus on battered and fried fish and classic sides like coleslaw and hushpuppies. While Long John Silver’s has been subjected to some serious scrutiny over the years, it also has a devoted fan base, and we found some surprisingly enthusiastic customer feedback online.

“Honestly never understood all the [Long John Silver’s] hate. Every time I’ve personally eaten there the fish was hot, crispy, and flavorful,” argued one user on Reddit. They weren’t alone in their opinion; the comment received nearly 200 upvotes at the time of writing. In another discussion, a second fan wrote, “Their fish and chicken are absolutely top-notch. Never been a hater here.” This was backed up by a wave of other positive comments, including one diner who claimed they were “yet to find a single casual dining place that has comparable battered fish”.

Over on Facebook, the praise continued. When a user shared a post asking for order recommendations, Long John Silver’s regulars were quick to chime in with their favorites. Popular picks included the fried clams and the fish and chicken combo meal, which one happy customer advised ordering with “extra crunchies and tons of tartar sauce.”

Massachusetts chain Legal Sea Foods prides itself on the quality and responsible sourcing of its ingredients. The restaurant’s slogan, “If it isn’t fresh, it isn’t Legal!” shines through in every dish, and countless diners have echoed this sentiment in their reviews.

Menu highlights include an array of crispy fried goodies, like shrimp, scallops, and clams, as well as hearty seafood sandwiches, steamed lobster, and grilled swordfish. The sides are equally tempting, with options like truffle fries, street corn, and whipped potatoes serving as delightful accompaniments to the seafood mains. 

When Legal Sea Foods shared a photo of its famous Fried Fisherman’s Platter on its Facebook page, a customer commented, “Nobody makes a seafood platter like Legal’s!!!” In a separate review, another satisfied patron reported, “Nothing was disappointing here, everything tasted fresh and delicious.” It’s also worth noting that all of the crispy fried items on the menu are gluten-free, making this an excellent choice for those with certain dietary restrictions.

While Culver’s is perhaps better known for its iconic ButterBurgers, its fish and shrimp dishes have also become a standout part of the menu. The regional fast-casual chain has four core seafood options on its menu: the North Atlantic Cod Dinner, North Atlantic Cod Sandwich, Butterfly Jumbo Shrimp, and Butterfly Jumbo Shrimp Dinner. The dinners come with two sides, two sauces, plus a warm dinner roll as standard, so it’s easy to turn your order into a complete, satisfying meal.

Customers are particularly complimentary of the cod meal, which includes freshly battered fish that’s fried to order. “It is really one of the best fish and chips around,” a Redditor said, and many others agreed, with comments like, “better than most sit down restaurants” and “Culver’s fish is excellent quality” adding to the hype. One Culver’s fan reported that the walleye (a seasonal item typically available during lent) “slaps incredibly hard”, while another added, “their fried shrimp is really good, too.” The cod sandwich was also mentioned in a separate discussion, with the Reddit user noting, “You can absolutely tell that it’s hand breaded and not just a frozen chunk of fish.” 

Despite its vast stretches of landlocked territory, America’s seafood scene is thriving, and we had plenty of options to consider when compiling this lineup. To identify the very best chains in the country, we focused primarily on reviews from real customers, with platforms like Reddit, Facebook, Yelp, and Tripadvisor providing valuable insights into the overall dining experience. 

We looked for reviews that attested to freshness, flavor, and quality of the seafood and singled out the chains that had received the most consistent praise. Information on ingredient sourcing (often found on the chain’s own websites) was also taken into account, and we considered the opinions of other reputable food reviewers, too.