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Where to Get the Freshest Seafood in Tampa

If you’re looking to find out for yourself why Florida is known for the best seafood in the world, then you’re going to want to start in a place like Tampa Bay. 

friends eating seafood at a restaurant

Tampa is one of those places where you can enjoy a fresh-caught filet of grouper and feel the crisp sea breeze blow through your hair while never even setting foot on a boat. 

With everything from a gigantic king crab claw drenched in butter to a perfectly-seared swordfish steak, amazing seafood in Tampa is as bountiful as the ocean itself.


Jackson’s Bistro, Bar, and Sushi

601 S Harbour Island Blvd, Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: 813-277-0112
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Take in a picturesque view of the Downtown Tampa skyline from your waterfront table here at Jackson’s Bistro, Bar, and Grill.

Jackson’s offers both lunch and dinner Monday-Saturday with a sprawling brunch buffet on Sundays that you don’t want to miss. 

The lunch here at Jackson’s is what truly steals the show, however, with delightful New England clam chowder to appetize you and a traditional Maine lobster roll to put your hunger away. 


Watervue Grill

700 Harbour Post Dr, Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: 813-642-7980
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Downtown Tampa has got to be one of our favorite places to explore and eat while soaking up the beautiful sights of southwest Florida, especially at Watervue Grill. 

Start with a char-grilled octopus salad or the mussel hotpot to get you ready for the main course. For that, we recommend the macadamia-crusted mahi with Watervue’s divine lemon beurre blanc. 

Watervue is a nighttime necessity when downtown, but don’t plan on going for lunch or brunch since they don’t open until 5:00pm. 


Big Ray’s Fish Camp

6116 Interbay Blvd, Tampa, FL 33611
Phone: 813-605-3615
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Big Ray’s Fish Camp is the only place to go when you’re in the mood for a seafood sandwich of any kind.

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Get a classic grouper sandwich grilled, blackened, or fried, or try their own unique grouper reuben on rye. For the ultimate treat though, the grouper cheeks are the absolute best. 

Big Ray’s is located in the Sun Bay South neighborhood just north of Skyview Park, off of Interbay Boulevard. 


Oystercatchers

2900 Bayport Dr, Tampa, FL 33607
Phone: 813-207-6815
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Just a short stroll through the mangrove forest from the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, Oystercatchers is the ideal upscale dinner spot for both locals and visitors alike who want to truly treat themselves. 

You can eat lunch or dinner while enjoying a view that could be on a postcard when you come to Oystercatchers, maybe even cast a line out into Fish Creek since you’re so close to the water here!


Miguel’s Mexican Seafood and Grill

3035 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33609
Phone: 813-876-2587
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If Miguel’s award-winning margaritas aren’t enough to entice you into a visit, then their incredible seafood chimichangas should do it. 

Miguel’s serves lunch and dinner, as well as brunch every saturday and sunday from 11:00am-3:00pm where you can choose from 3 flavors of mimosa, including orange, watermelon, or cantaloupe.


Blue Sea Seafood Market and Restaurant

7110 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa, FL 33604
Phone: 813-234-5085
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Blue Sea Seafood Market and Restaurant is a haven for anyone craving some fried fish. This place offers everything from entire boxes of fried clam strips to a delectable fried mullet family dinner.

You’ll love Blue Sea’s seafood so much you’ll want to take it home with you, and you can! The market side of this restaurant sells whole fish like grouper, catfish, and trout for you to cook up on your own.

Enjoy a fresh seafood lunch or dinner just a mile east from the elephants and giraffes in Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park.


Rusty Pelican

2425 N Rocky Point Dr, Tampa, FL 33607
Phone: 813-281-1943
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Carved right into the wild mangroves of the Courtney Campbell Causeway, Rusty Pelican is upscale fare with a gorgeous waterfront view with some of Tampa’s finest seafood dishes.

Come for dinner during the week and on the weekends try their brunch from 10:30am-2:00pm for some bottomless mimosas and crab benedict! Sounds like the perfect start to the day if you ask us.

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West Fortune Street Fish Market

1926 W Main St, Tampa, FL 33607
Phone: 813-254-1741
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When you step inside West Fortune Street Fish Market, it’s as though you’ve been transported all the way to New England with more shellfish than you’ve ever seen before.

West Fortune Street is really less of a restaurant and more of a market, but you can still order fresh-cooked seafood to-go, even a lobster tail!

This is arguably Tampa’s best spot for blue crab, so come grab a dozen of the extra-large with some Old Bay for a perfect lunch.


Happy Fish

4046 Fiesta Plaza, Tampa, FL 33607
Phone: 813-871-6953
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Happy Fish is Northwest Tampa’s shining jewel of Peruvian-fusion seafood that will allow you to experience flavors of ancient Incan recipes that thrive within their cuisine. 

The Choros a la Chalaca is a must-have appetizer for all mussel lovers out there like us. After that, we’re ready to dive into a bowl of their amazing Chinese-Peruvian fusion seafood lo mein.

Happy Fish is extremely unique in the best way possible, and if you’re looking to switch things up, then this is where to go. 


Charley’s Steakhouse and Market Fresh Fish

4444 W Cypress St, Tampa, FL 33607
Phone: 813-353-9706
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Charley’s is well-known in Tampa as one of the best steakhouses, however, their seafood is equally as impressive and often overlooked. 

Everything at Charley’s from the center cut of sushi-grade yellowfin ahi tuna to the whole grilled snapper is market fresh, straight from the sea, and just as delicious as the day it was caught. 


Élevage SoHo Kitchen and Bar

1207 S Howard Ave, Tampa, FL 33606
Phone: 813-999-8726
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Hidden away in Tampa’s peaceful Bayshore Gardens, Élevage SoHo Kitchen and Bar is a jewel of an eatery that serves their own bold twists on classic cuisine. 

Itching to try something a little different than usual? Branch out and order their delectable grilled octopus with fermented black garlic, or even a king crab salad with pickled beets and arugula. 

This is the perfect place to try something new, so bring your sense of adventure!


Council Oak Steaks and Seafood

5223 Orient Rd, Tampa, FL 33610
Phone: 813-627-7600
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Council Oak is located inside the world-famous Hard Rock Hotel and Casino which makes it perfect for a bit of food and fun together. 

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Everything at Council Oak is simply astounding, from their expansive raw bar with gourmet Osetra Russian caviar to the pan-seared sea bass cioppino.

Make it the perfect day by heading here to hit the slots, have a bite, and catch a show all in one place!


Anchor and Brine

505 Water St, Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: 813-204-6391
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Head to the heart of Downtown Tampa for this next spot! Anchor and Brine is a gorgeously modern seafood restaurant with a luxurious, spacious outdoor dining terrace complete with a full bar. 

Bright and elegant, Anchor and Brine is perfect for either a romantic night out, or even a formal business dinner that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

We recommend going for the fried calamari and the grouper sandwich!


Shrimp and Co. Restaurant

2202 E 7th Ave, Ybor City, FL 33605
Phone: 813-374-0192
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Take a little trip over to Tampa’s well-known Ybor City for one of its famous cigars to puff on after an unbeatable seafood dinner at Shrimp and Co. Restaurant.

Shrimp and Co. is Tampa’s own taste of New Orleans Cajun and Caribbean flavor complete with gargantuan steam pots filled to the brim with crawfish and blue crab, and don’t forget all of the flaky fried fish and bayou oysters. 

They also serve both lunch and dinner here, so you can get your po’boy fix almost anytime you want.


Salt Shack on the Bay

5415 W Tyson Ave, Tampa, FL 33611
Phone: 813-444-4569
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As the name suggests, Salt Shack on the Bay is nestled right onto its own little slice of Tampa Bay shoreline to provide guests with an unparalleled view to enjoy with their meal.

With all of the tropical cocktails and different catch-of-the-day menu every day, you’re sure to think you’ve jetted off to the caribbean for an exotic getaway on the beach.

Are you a shellfish lover? Prince Edward Island mussels and Cedar Key middleneck clams are just some of the delicacies offered at Salt Shack on the Bay.

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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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