16 Standout Seafood Restaurants in Houston

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Thanks to its proximity to the Gulf Coast and the discerning palates of the diners who inhabit it, Houston is a true seafood destination. In addition to top-quality Gulf Coast classics, like char-grilled oysters and shrimp en brochette, the city’s best seafood restaurants import fresh fish, crab, lobster, and more fruits of the sea from across the globe.

As such, Houston’s best seafood restaurants can satisfy pretty much any craving. The options are vast, which means it’s sometimes good to switch up the go-tos. As a result, this list has been updated, removing Liberty Kitchen, but making way for Truluck’s flagship and James Beard Award-nominated seafood haven, Pier 6.

Whether in search of a laid-back spot for slurping freshly shucked oysters or a luxurious dinner of crab, uni, and lobster, these 16 establishments will definitely fit the bill.

Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

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With three locations in the Houston area, this beloved seafood spot is a favorite among seafood obsessives who want to dig into well-priced and perfectly shucked Gulf oysters, stuffed crab, and deep-fried shrimp. The micheladas, served in massive mugs and made with the beer of your choice, are essential. 

This chic seafood spot in the Heights serves a wide-ranging menu that includes East Coast oysters, Gulf fish, and Spanish octopus. Start with a selection of crab, crudos, and oysters from the raw bar or salt and pepper lobster in Indonesian sweet soy sauce. Then, dig into the grilled or crispy skin red snapper — both served with a grilled lemon and beurre monte.

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At this Downtown Houston seafood stalwart, ceviche, pan-seared pompano in butter-lime sauce, and sweet corn tamales with bacon and shrimp await, along with top-notch margaritas and plenty of cold beer.

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A seafood splurge if there ever was one, Willie G’s is the place to ball out with an over-the-top feast. Start with Gulf or East Coast oysters, served freshly shucked or grilled with Thai chili and coconut milk (among other options), then feast on hamachi crudo, sushi rolls, and lavish seafood towers piled high with king crab, lobster, oysters, and cocktail shrimp. As far as the entrees are concerned, crawfish etouffee and West African salt prawns served with fried rice are solid options.

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With seafood classics like shrimp en brochette, tasso-topped oysters, and redfish stuffed with blue crab, this restaurant formerly known as Danton’s Gulf Coast Seafood is better than ever. Kick off the evening with oyster shooters, laced with Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce or lime and cilantro.

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A seafood feast packed with coastal Mexican flavors awaits at chef Hugo Ortega’s seafood-focused restaurant. Start dinner with red snapper ceviche served with pineapple, coconut, and habanero, then dig into heartier offerings like fire-roasted lobster served with beans and rice, and pan-seared scallops, served in a creamy chipotle tomatillo with wild mushrooms and roasted cauliflower.

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An offshoot of New Orleans legend Commander’s Palace that’s been open in Houston for more than 40 years, Brennan’s is the definition of a local icon. Try the famed snapping turtle soup, shrimp remoulade, and filé gumbo.

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One of the city’s finest spots to slurp oysters, State of Grace is a haven for seafood lovers. In addition to the stellar selection of bivalves and starters like the blue crab hushpuppies, consider hearth-roasted octopus in Thai curry vinaigrette, redfish on the half-shell, or diver scallops served with lobster veloute, okra, and eggplant.

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Known for its meaty, pre-cracked crab claws, Truluck’s flagship captures the elegance of seafood. Start with a cold course, like the claws or the shrimp cocktail at its bar with the musings of a live piano performance before moving to the dining area for dishes like the rich, soul-warming lobster bisque or jumbo lump crab cake. You can’t go wrong with entrees like the miso-glazed seabass, served with crab fried rice, or the sesame seared tuna. Be sure to cement the night with a slice of its moist carrot cake.

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Open for more than 100 years, Christie’s is a legendary name in Houston’s seafood scene. The menu is extensive, with everything from oysters Thermidor to boiled Gulf shrimp and blackened catch-of-the-day. The oyster stew, a creamy bowl full of tender oysters that was reportedly President George H.W, Bush’s favorite, is a must on the starters menu.

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Thanks to top-quality proteins ranging from fresh red snapper to uni imported from Hokkaido, Kata Robata reigns as one of the city’s top sushi restaurants. Order the octopus crudo, and super-fresh sashimi options like seared bluefin toro and madai garnished with Kaluga caviar. And if you can’t get enough of shellfish, order the lobster and crab ramen or the comforting miso lobster and crab mac and cheese.

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An ode to the bounty of the Gulf Coast, Goode Company’s seafood dishes span a wide range of culinary influences. From creamy smoked redfish dip and red fish beignets to Mexican-style shrimp cocktail, Mesquite-grilled oysters, and catfish po’ boys, there’s something on the menu here that will satisfy any seafood craving.

With a truly extensive menu of Vietnamese-inflected seafood dishes that change with the seasons, Hai Cang is the definition of a seafood destination. Try surf clams in XO sauce, tamarind king lobster, or kung pao squid, and keep an eye out for seasonal favorites like geoduck sashimi and curry-sauced crabs.

Arguably the most iconic establishment in Houston’s thriving Viet-Cajun crawfish scene, the mudbugs are always buttery and spicy at this James Beard Award-nominated seafood spot off of Bellaire Boulevard. The crawfish is stellar, of course, but look deeper into the menu for stunners like tamarind crab, Cajun-style clams, and Vietnamese classics like pho, fried rice, and hotpot.

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With four locations across the Houston area, Lotus Seafood is always around when a seafood craving strikes. It’s impossible to go wrong with the fried shrimp, oysters, or catfish, and the market-priced snow crab and crawfish are solid. Add a couple of sides of Louisiana fried rice for a true Houston experience.

Overlooking the Gulf, Pier 6 offers fresh catches with a remarkable view. Guests can munch on lobster rolls or fried oyster tacos at brunch, and enjoy wood-grilled filets, lobster cob salad, gumbo, fried po’ boys, and more for lunch. Dinner offers an even greater selection, with starters like crawfish empanadas, and main courses like chili-marinated shrimp with turmeric rice and crispy red snapper served with etouffee.

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