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15 Best Seafood Restaurants in Charlotte

shrimp and oyster platter at charlotte seafood restaurants

Charlotte is a city that knows how to savor the taste of the sea, and in our quest for the finest maritime flavors, we’ve curated a list of the Best Seafood Restaurants in town. From succulent crab legs to perfectly seared scallops, these eateries promise a delectable seafood experience that will transport your taste buds straight to the coast. Whether you’re a seafood connoisseur or simply craving a taste of oceanic delights, this culinary journey through Charlotte’s seafood scene has something for everyone. Join us as we explore the flavors of the deep blue and discover the top establishments where seafood reigns supreme.


Fin & Fino

135 Levine Avenue of the Arts #100, Charlotte, NC 28202
704-800-5680
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Fin & Fino Charlotte
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Fin & Fino is a seafood restaurant known for its wide variety of fresh oysters. You can find this up-scale eatery on the corner of w 1st street and s Church St in the Third Ward of Charlotte, and it is within walking distance from the NASCAR Hall of Fame and Bank of America Stadium. In addition to their incredible selection of fresh oysters, I highly recommend the tasting menu. It is an excellent opinion if you are not sure what you want to eat or like sharing food with your friends. Your server and the chef will take your dietary restrictions and create a tour of their menu to try all the fresh seafood options.


ROCKSALT – Charlotte

512 Brandywine Rd Ste 500, Charlotte, NC 28209
704-503-9945
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ROCKSALT - Charlotte
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ROCKSALT – Charlotte is a local seafood restaurant in Charlotte, NC. This restaurant is known for its fresh and locally sourced seafood. The menu changes seasonally, so there is always something new and exciting on the menu. In the Montford neighborhood, you can find ROCKSALT on the corner of Brandywine Rd and E Woodlawn Rd. The restaurant is on Little Sugar Creek, only several blocks from the Myers Park Country Club. I highly recommend the crab cakes and the scallops. The crab cakes are some of the best I’ve ever had. They are made with fresh lump crab meat and served with a remoulade sauce.


Sea Level NC

129 E 5th St, Charlotte, NC 28202
704-412-2616
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Sea Level NC Charlotte
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Sea Level NC is a seafood restaurant in Uptown, Charlotte. This restaurant is known for its fresh seafood, raw bar, and great city views. You can find Sea Level NC on the corner of E 5th St and S College St. The restaurant is in the heart of Uptown, only a few blocks from the Charlotte Convention Center and the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. I highly recommend either the Truist or the 5th Street Towers found on their raw bar. Each comes with cocktail shrimp, raw clams, mussels, and ceviche. On top of that, the 5th Street Tower also comes with 18, while the Truist tower also comes with 24 oysters, salmon poke, Maine Lobster, and black Sturgeon caviar. They are both a great way to sample a variety of the fresh seafood that Sea Level NC has to offer.

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The Waterman Fish Bar

2729 South Blvd suite d, Charlotte, NC 28209
704-275-5558
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The Waterman Fish Bar Charlotte
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The Waterman Fish Bar is a seafood restaurant in Charlotte, NC. This restaurant is known for its fresh seafood, comfort food, and cocktails. In addition to serving up fabulous seafood, the bar seating is extensive and inviting. You can find The Waterman on the corner of S Blvd and Elmhurst Rd in Charlotte’s Southside Park neighborhood. This restaurant is close to several of Charlotte’s best breweries, including Triple C Brewing Company and Sugar Creek Brewing Company. I highly recommend the shrimp and grits, the scallion pancake, and the fondue. They make the shrimp and grits with fresh shrimp, andouille sausage, and creamy stone-ground grits.


Eddie V’s Prime Seafood

101 S Tryon St Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28280
704-333-5262
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Eddie V's Prime Seafood Charlotte
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Eddie V’s is a seafood restaurant in Charlotte, NC. This upscale restaurant is known for its seafood and steak menu and a cocktail lounge with live jazz. You can find Eddie V’s on the corner of S Tryon St and W Trade St in Uptown Charlotte. The restaurant is in the heart of Uptown, only a few blocks from the Charlotte Convention Center and the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. I highly recommend the crab cakes, the filet mignon, and the lobster mashed potatoes. If you are looking for something more exotic, try the Chilean sea bass.


Harbor Inn Seafood Charlotte

8805 University E Dr, Charlotte, NC 28213
704-494-8901
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Harbor Inn Seafood Charlotte
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Harbor Inn Seafood is a seafood restaurant in Charlotte, NC. This casual seafood spot is known for its fresh seafood and down-home cooking. You can find Harbor Inn on the corner of University E Dr and EW.T. Harris Blvd. in Charlotte’s College Downs neighborhood. This restaurant is close to the University of North Carolina in Charlotte. I highly recommend the fried catfish and the hush puppies. The fried catfish is fresh, local catfish, and the hush puppies are homemade. They also have weekly specials, so you can try something fun depending on the day you visit. For example, I went on a Wednesday and got to try the Fried Perch and Baby shrimp. I loved the fried perch, which had a fluffy interior and a crispy outside.


McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks

Multiple locations
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McCormick & Schmick's Seafood & Steaks Charlotte
Source: Instagram

McCormick & Schmick’s is a seafood restaurant in the United States. This upscale chain is known for its vibe and happy hour. In Charlotte, you can find McCormick & Schmick’s in the Barclay Downs neighborhood on the corner of Barclay Downs Dr and Carnegie Blvd. This restaurant is close to South Park Mall and the Charlotte Country Club. I highly recommend the lobster bisque and the happy hour specials. The lobster bisque comes with fresh Maine lobster and the happy hour specials are a great way to sample a variety of menu items.

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Cabo Fish Taco

Multiple locations
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Cabo Fish Taco Charlotte
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Cabo Fish Taco is a seafood restaurant chain located all over North Carolina and Virginia. This casual chain is known for its fish tacos and margaritas. There are two locations in Charlotte, so you are never far away from these banging fish tacos. In addition to fish tacos, the crab dip and the blackened swordfish are out of this world. During my visit, I tried the Honey Soy Glazed Salmon Tacos and the Soy Ginger Shrimp Tacos. The salmon tacos were delicious, and I loved the sweet and spicy taste of the honey soy glaze. The soy ginger sauce on the beer-battered shrimp played well with the cabbage’s crunch and the guacamole taste inside the soft taco shell.


Cajun Queen

1800 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28204
704-377-9017
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Cajun Queen Charlotte
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Cajun Queen is a seafood restaurant in Charlotte, NC. This casual spot is known for its Louisiana-style cooking and live music. You can find Cajun Queen on the corner of E 7th St and Park Dr in the Elizabeth neighborhood of Charlotte. This restaurant is close to Uptown Charlotte, the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, and the Mint Museum. I highly recommend the gumbo, the jambalaya, and the beignets. The gumbo has fresh shrimp, andouille sausage, and chicken.


Caroline’s Oyster Bar

120 E Brooklyn Vlg Ave, Charlotte, NC 28202
704-499-6633
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Caroline's Oyster Bar Charlotte
Source: Instagram

Caroline’s Oyster Bar is one of the best seafood restaurants in Charlotte. This casual spot is known for its oysters and raw bar. You can find Caroline’s Oyster Bar on E Brooklyn Vlg Ave and S College St in Uptown Charlotte. This restaurant is close to the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the Spectrum Center. I highly recommend the raw bar. It is one of the best in Charlotte. I also love the tuna tartare, which comes with avocado, crispy rice cakes, and a delicious yuzu ponzu sauce. The lobster roll was also a hit, with tender shrimp and lobster in a fluffy bun.


Crackin’ Crawfish

440 E McCullough Dr #230, Charlotte, NC 28262
704-900-6603
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Crackin' Crawfish Charlotte
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Crackin’ Crawfish is a seafood spot specializing in seasonal shellfish, and you guessed it, crawfish. Crackin’ Crawfish also sources its seafood, so this restaurant is about the product. Crackin’ Crawfish is a no-frills restaurant. You can find Crackin’ Crawfish on the corner of E McCullough Dr and Ken Hoffman Dr in Charlotte’s University Place neighborhood. This spot is close to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. I highly recommend the crawfish, and if you come for anything other than a seafood boil, you are missing out.


Hello, Sailor

20210 Henderson Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031
704-997-5365
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Hello, Sailor Charlotte
Source: Instagram

Hello, Sailor is a Southern-style seafood restaurant in Cornelius, NC. This casual spot is known for its waterfront views and inviting atmosphere. Hello, Sailor is on the shores of Lake Norman in Cornelius. This restaurant is close to Birkdale Village and Walter Henderson Park. The menu covers every southern seafood dish imaginable, so it quickly became one of my favorite places to eat in the whole city. I highly recommend the crab Louie and the crab claws. The crab Louie has fresh lump crab meat, and they boil the crab claws in Old Bay seasoning.


Pearlz Oyster Bar

7804 Rea Rd A, Charlotte, NC 28277
980-498-7247
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Pearlz Oyster Bar Charlotte
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Pearlz Oyster Bar is a relaxed and spacious seafood joint that serves classic seafood, raw dishes, and burgers. You can find this incredible seafood restaurant near the corner of Rea Rd and Piper Station Dr in the Piper Glen neighborhood. I highly recommend coming for happy hour. The cocktail menu is extensive, and the bartenders are excellent. Additionally, you can get great deals on several appetizers during happy hour.


Phillips Seafood

5501 Josh Birmingham Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28208
704-359-4663
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Phillips Seafood Charlotte
Source: Instagram

Phillips Seafood is a chain with locations all over the East Coast of the United States. It is known for its Maryland-style seafood. You can find this delicious regional restaurant in Charlotte airport. It is a great restaurant to grab one last seafood meal before you head back from your adventure in Charlotte. I ordered the crab cake sandwich and the lobster bisque. The crab cake sandwich was huge and stuffed with fresh lump crab meat. The lobster bisque was creamy and had chunks of lobster meat in it. I love both dishes.


Skrimp Shack

Multiple locations
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Skrimp Shack Charlotte
Source: Instagram

Skrimp Shack is a chain with locations all over the Charlotte area. This fast casual seafood spot specializes in, you guessed it, shrimp dishes. I highly recommend the shrimp po’boy and the shrimp basket. The shrimp po’boy has a ton of fresh, succulent shrimp, and the shrimp basket is heavenly. Don’t forget to order one of the killer sides, either. I love the mac and cheese, okra, and collards. The sides are the perfect accompaniment to the delicious shrimp dishes.

Why Trust Us?

When it comes to local restaurant recommendations, we pride ourselves on being a reliable and trustworthy resource. Our suggestions are not just based on our personal experiences, ensuring a more authentic and well-rounded perspective, but also on extensive online research. We diligently searched the internet and reviewed 6 credible sites and blogs, including Tripadvisor.com and Opentable.com. 

We compiled all the findings in one location and sorted them by the frequency of mentions to ensure you receive top-notch recommendations. We strive to present you with a curated list of establishments that truly stand out, allowing you to enjoy the best dining experiences possible. 

Interested in the sources we consulted? Check out the list of all 6 sites we referenced below this paragraph, offering transparency and an opportunity for our readers to explore further. Our commitment is to deliver trustworthy and unparalleled recommendations, helping you make informed decisions on your culinary journeys.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g49022-c33-Charlotte_North_Carolina.html
https://www.opentable.com/cuisine/best-seafood-restaurants-charlotte-nc
https://foursquare.com/top-places/charlotte/best-places-seafood
https://charlotte.axios.com/170002/best-seafood-restaurants-in-charlotte-and-what-to-order-from-menu/
https://www.birchrestaurant.com/seafood-restaurants-in-charlotte-nc/
https://wanderlog.com/list/geoCategory/82171/best-seafood-restaurants-in-charlotte

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Written by Brian Nagele

Brian attended West Virginia University, then started his career in the IT industry before following his passion for marketing and hospitality. He has over 20 years experience in the restaurant and bar industry.

As a former restaurant owner, he knows about running a food business and loves to eat and enjoy cocktails on a regular basis. He constantly travels to new cities tasting and reviewing the most popular spots.

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