Best Seafood in Chicago (2026)
98 places ranked using live data from Google, Yelp, Uber Eats & many other platforms
Top Rated Seafood in Chicago
Showing 10 of 98 restaurants · Ranked by FoodIndex score
Playas Nayaritas
Mexican SeafoodAuthentic Nayarit-style mariscos and coastal Mexican seafood in Belmont Cragin.
6000 W Grand Ave · Belmont Cragin
Captain B's Shrimp House
Shrimp HouseA neighborhood shrimp house serving fried and boiled shrimp on Roosevelt Road in Cicero.
5641 W Roosevelt Rd · Cicero
JJ Fish and Chicken
Soul Food & SeafoodA classic Chicago neighborhood fish and chicken institution in the Back of the Yards.
5401 S Wentworth Ave #4W · Back of the Yards
Red Lobster
American Seafood ChainRed Lobster's classic American seafood at the Lincolnwood Town Center.
MALL, 3301 W Touhy Ave · Lincolnwood
The Fish Guy
Seafood MarketA beloved neighborhood seafood market and fish counter on Elston Avenue in Irving Park.
4423 N Elston Ave · Irving Park
Captain Shrimp
Shrimp HouseA neighborhood shrimp house and Chicago classic on Irving Park Road in North Center.
1901 W Irving Park Rd · North Center
Shrimp Stop
Shrimp HouseA neighborhood shrimp and seafood stop in East Garfield Park on West Madison Street.
3849 W Madison St · East Garfield Park
JM Seafood
Chinese SeafoodAuthentic Chinese seafood and dim sum in Chicago's Bridgeport on South Halsted.
3312 S Halsted St · Bridgeport
Seafood Restaurant
SeafoodA neighborhood seafood restaurant serving the North Center and Avondale communities.
Chicago, IL 60618 · North Center / Avondale
About Chicago Seafood
Chicago is not a coastal city, but that has never been the honest objection to its seafood. The best seafood restaurants in Chicago have built their reputations on sourcing discipline and consistency, and the River North corridor competes with coastal cities on quality in a way that the city doesn't always get credit for. Joe's Seafood in River North holds #1 on this list, and RPM Seafood at #2, both in the same neighborhood, puts River North at the center of Chicago's fine dining seafood conversation. Shaw's Crab House at #4 has been running in River North long enough that its review scores reflect generational loyalty alongside current diner data.
Brown Bag Seafood Co. is the most multi-location performer in this category, appearing five times across Roscoe Village (#3), Lincoln Park (#10), The Loop (#15), Gold Coast (#18), and River North (#21). That kind of geographic consistency tells you something about what a review-driven ranking rewards: a product that doesn't vary by address. Luke's Lobster in the Loop and Ocean Prime in the Loop fill out the downtown cluster. Hugo's Frog Bar and Fish House on the Near North Side is one of the most enduring names in Chicago seafood and holds its position through current scores rather than nostalgia. For outdoor dining and restaurants on the river in Chicago, the Riverwalk-adjacent entries are the relevant ones for the warmer months.
The outer entries on this list tell a different story about Chicago seafood. Troha's Chicken and Shrimp House in Little Village is a south side institution with deep community roots. Goose Island Shrimp House in Noble Square, Crab King Cajun Boil and Bar in Lakeview, and Hon Kee BBQ and Seafood in Uptown are three completely different approaches to the category, and all three earn their placement on real review volume. Mariscos Y Taqueria Chemas in Logan Square brings Mexican coastal seafood cooking to the northwest side, where the tradition is less visible but the product is the real thing. Old Town restaurants Chicago, brunch spots in Chicago that lean seafood, best restaurants in the West Loop: the neighborhood filter at the top of this page handles all of those searches directly.
How FoodIndex Scores Restaurants
Every venue earns a single 0–100 FoodIndex score by combining signals from major platforms—stars, review volume, recency, and consistency—so you can compare places fairly at a glance.
Google Reviews
Aggregate star ratings and review volume from Google Maps.
Yelp Ratings
Weighted scores from Yelp’s review community and elite reviewers.
Uber Eats Data
Delivery ratings, order frequency, and customer satisfaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Joe's Seafood, RPM Seafood, and Brown Bag Seafood are considered some of the best seafood restaurants in Chicago based on FoodIndex data. Rankings use signals like rating quality, review volume, recency, and consistency across public platforms, so the top spots reflect places with strong customer feedback.
FoodIndex gives each place a 0–100 score based on public ratings, review counts, recent activity, and consistency across platforms. Places with strong reviews, steady customer feedback, and enough review volume usually rank higher.
No. FoodIndex rankings are not paid placements. The order is based on data signals, not ads, sponsorships, or restaurant promotions.
Use the restaurant list, neighborhood filters, and address details on this page to find seafood near you in Chicago. You can also open each restaurant profile to compare ratings, review counts, menu links, and ordering options.
Yes. Ratings, reviews, menus, and restaurant details can change, so FoodIndex rankings may shift as new data comes in. Check back before you choose a place, especially if you are planning a visit, pickup, or delivery.
More in Chicago
Best Burgers in Chicago
Shake Shack serves up ShackBurgers right in the heart of Wrigleyville.
Classic, no-frills burgers for the Hermosa community on Chicago's Northwest Side.
Crispy fried chicken and smash burgers in Chicago's Humboldt Park.
Creative smash burgers with a fun, modern twist in Morton Grove.
Gordon Ramsay's acclaimed premium burger concept comes to Chicago's River North.
Best Sushi in Chicago
Creative, chef-driven sushi and Japanese street food on Grand Avenue in River North.
A specialty sushi bar on Madison Street in the heart of The Loop.
Sushi-san's Tokyo-inspired street sushi and Japanese snacks in Lincoln Park.
Fresh sushi and rich ramen brought to Chicago's quiet North Shore in Northfield.
A unique sushi and fresh fruit smoothie combination on Michigan Avenue in The Loop.
Best Coffee in Chicago
A thoughtfully crafted specialty coffee shop in Chicago's Pilsen.
A community-rooted coffeehouse serving the Back of the Yards neighborhood.
A casual, welcoming neighborhood café on Irving Park Road in North Center.
A cozy neighborhood coffee shop in Logan Square.
A mental health–focused café in Logan Square where every cup supports suicide prevention.