Where To Go For Seafood In Charlotte

It tastes spectacular grilled, deep-fried, wrapped in a taco, or smothered in Cajun spices. Here’s where to find the best seafood in Charlotte. 

SEA GRILL

210 E. Trade St., Ste. B120

Walk through the first-floor dining room, and you’ll see seafood towers, gold tins of caviar, and colorful cocktails garnished with lavender, mint leaves, and rose petals. If you came for dinner and a show, the Salt-Baked Branzino is the move. It’s portioned for two and includes a tableside flambé presentation. Watch as your server sets it aflame, then hammers off the salt crust and de-bones the fish before serving.

SEA LEVEL

129 E. 5th St.

Feast on classics like Maine Lobster Rolls or East Coast Shrimp & Grits, or try an unexpected dish like the Catfish Reuben. 

HELLO, SAILOR

20210 Henderson Road, Cornelius

Enjoy Blue Crab Claws or Jerk Spiced North Carolina Catfish in a midcentury modern dining room with sweeping views of Lake Norman. 

EDDIE’S ON LAKE NORMAN

643 Williamson Road, Mooresville

Feast on oysters and crab legs in the dining room or on the patio, and don’t miss the Sunday brunch. 

Fin & Fino’s Seafood Tower, Photo by Plaid Penguin

FIN & FINO

Multiple locations

The raw bar serves a variety of oysters, but as a “social seafood house,” its sweet spot is shareable plates like Crab Dip and Fried Calamari. 

CAROLINE’S OYSTER BAR

600 S. College St.

Head to the second level of uptown’s 22-story JW Marriott hotel to sip a cocktail and enjoy fresh daily selections from the raw bar. 

PRIME FISH

11212 Providence Road W, Ste. B

Chef Robin Anthony is a certified sake adviser who pairs the Japanese rice drink with fish the same way a sommelier pairs wine with food. 

MIZU

3100 Apex Drive

Grab a seat at the chef’s counter to see the Robata grill sizzle with lobster, shrimp, and charred vegetables, or enjoy a lineup of maki rolls and chilled and raw seafood in the dining room. 

SOUTHERN PECAN

6706 Phillips Place Court, Ste. C

The team behind Café Monte serves Gulf Coast-inspired cuisine like Pecan Fried Catfish, Louisiana Barbecue Shrimp, and Fried Oyster Po’Boys.

CABO FISH TACO

Multiple locations

This “Baja seagrill” serves up the title dish as well as quesadillas, burritos, and salads in a fun, surf-themed atmosphere. 

SKRIMP SHACK

3718 Central Ave., Ste. A

Charlotte got its first “fast-casual fish camp” when the popular seafood chain opened in east Charlotte, and entrées like the Big Cat & Skrimp Po Boy taste just right. 

FRESHWATERS

516 N. Graham St.

Owners Sharon and Cliff Freshwater—yes, that’s really their name—serve crab cakes, cornbread, and their popular Blackened Cajun Catfish. 

LIMANI

6902 Phillips Place Court

This upscale Mediterranean restaurant has an extensive seafood-focused menu and an elegantly styled space.

CAJUN QUEEN

1800 E. 7th St. 

A jazz band plays upstairs every night, and the entrée menu has Creole favorites like Shrimp Étouffée and Crawfish Diane, which you can order as spicy or mild as you want. 

THE WATERMAN FISH BAR

2729 South Blvd., Ste. D

This South End oyster bar has all the essentials: lobster rolls, fried fish sandwiches, and oysters four ways. 

EDDIE V’S PRIME SEAFOOD

101 S. Tryon St.

Enjoy a night out in uptown with consistently good seafood and steak, plus a cocktail lounge with live jazz.