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Where to Get the Freshest Seafood in St. Louis

Most people don’t think of the Midwest when it comes to world-class seafood, but St. Louis offers some of the finest seafood dining experiences in the US.

delicious shrimp dish at St Louis seafood restaurants

I visited the best seafood restaurants in St. Louis to help you decide where to go after a long day of visiting world-class museums in Mound City.


Red Lobster

Multiple locations
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Let’s get this out of the way. Red Lobster will do if you’re in a pinch with a craving for seafood. It features Americanized fusion seafood dishes like kung pao shrimp noodles and crispy cod filet sandwiches.

If you’re going for a casual cheddar bay biscuit, you might consider the Parrot Isle Jumbo Coconut Shrimp or Walt’s Favorite Shrimp. Who is Walt, and why are these his favorite shrimp?

Walt’s Favorite Shrimp is popcorn shrimp. Red Lobster chef Walt Boronczyk is credited with introducing popcorn shrimp to the American palette in the 70s.

If you’re visiting from abroad, maybe stop by Red Lobster to experience a slice of Americana.


Broadway Oyster Bar

736 S Broadway St, St. Louis, MO 63102
Phone: 314-621-8811
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Broadway Oyster Bar is located next to the main freeway interchange right outside Downtown St. Louis. While the overall location could be improved, the exterior of the restaurant is charming.

Inside the restaurant, you’ll find an overwhelming amount of decor together with the occasional New Orleans motif, hinting at the restaurant’s culinary influences.

Broadway Oyster Bar serves what you might guess from its name but also serves southern classics like jambalaya.

I recommend a shrimp po’boy, Uncle Charlie’s Creole Jambalaya, or a fried fish dish because the south does fried fish best.

There are also a variety of fish plates and sandwiches if you have a sensitive stomach.


Peacemaker Lobster & Crab

1831 Sidney St, St. Louis, MO 63104
Phone: 314-772-8858
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Peacemaker Lobster & Crab is a rustic restaurant that focuses on the quality of its ingredients.

The restaurant invites patrons to come as they are and enjoy the seasonal offerings of the Atlantic Ocean in a relaxed environment.

The restaurant is located on Sidney St. at Lemp Avenue in Benton Park near the I-55. Peacemaker Lobster & Crab offers exactly what their fishermen catch, and the restaurant is proud of that; it features photos of all the fishermen that supply the restaurant.

So, while you’re sucking down oysters, remember to toast the men that make it all possible. I recommend asking the wait staff about what was received in-house that day because the freshest fish is usually the best.


Landry’s Seafood House

1820 Market St, St. Louis, MO 63103
Phone: 314-231-4040
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Landry’s Seafood House is located in Downtown West near Aloe Plaza. You’ll be able to find the usual suspects like lobster, crab legs, and steaks served up to perfection at Landry’s Seafood House.

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Although it is a white tablecloth restaurant, the ambiance is laid-back. For dinner, I recommend going big with a Snapper’s Hemingway or a filet mignon and shrimp scampi plate.

The Snapper’s Hemingway comes with Parmesan encrusted crab meat and seasonal “accompaniments,” which is a word choice I don’t think Hemingway’s terse vocabulary would have cared for.

But, hey, I don’t think he would have cared much after a cocktail or two from Landry’s.


Bait

4239 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108
Phone: 314-405-2797
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Bait is located on Lindell Boulevard between Whittier Street and N. Boyle Avenue near the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis.

The dining experience at Bait is elevated and modern with hand and foot service. Because of the popularity of this restaurant, I recommend making a reservation.

The food and wine pairings here are excellent. Speak with your waiter or waitress about pairings for a decadent dining experience.

I recommend the seafood boil because I am a regional purist when it comes to sampling dishes from a particular state.

Other good options at Bait are the Caribbean Red Snapper if you’re feeling spendy or the alligator tacos if you’re feeling adventurous.


Krab Kingz Seafood

Multiple locations
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Don’t let the “Z” used in place of an “S” fool you. This place is all class. The owner is down to earth, and the staff is personable.

Add on a casual atmosphere that is food-centric, and you have a southern classic. Krab Kingz is the spot if you’re looking for rich cajun-style seafood at a competitive price.

All of the seafood at Krab Kingz comes heavily seasoned. Be sure to order the different flavored butters with your meal; they kick the flavors up another notch.

I recommend the lemon pepper butter for the shrimp and the cajun butter for the crab legs.


801 Fish

172 Carondelet Plaza, Clayton, MO 63105
Phone: 314-875-9636
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801 Fish is located in Downtown Clayton (a suburb of St. Louis) near the Ritz-Carlton St. Louis on Carondelet Plaza.

801 Fish is an upscale restaurant with a fine dining ambiance. Although the dining experience is chic, it is still personable.

The restaurant features a large bar where parties of friends can enjoy Chef Michael Sullivan’s meticulously prepared creations. 801 Fish offers a breadth of fresh finned fish and crustaceans from all over the world.

Unlike other seafood restaurants in St. Louis, 801 Fish boasts an impressive global network of fishermen that can provide regionally exclusive seafood.

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I recommend the live Maine lobster if they have it or the Alaskan halibut.


BLK MKT Eats

9 S Vandeventer Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108
Phone: 314-391-5100
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BLK MKT Eats is an Asian fusion seafood restaurant located near St. Louis University. The proximity to the university may be partially responsible for BLK MKT Eats progressive food options (and naming conventions).

It’s a casual dining spot for quick seafood in the form of poke bowls and giant sushi rolls. BLK MKT Eats is a great place to stop for seafood if you’re touring the university campus or biking through the neighborhood.

Better yet, order a sushi burrito and split it with a friend on a university lawn during spring or summer. BLK MKT Eats does a great job of combining all flavor profiles into a single dish. I enjoyed their classic OG Fire wrap.


Bonefish Grill

8780 Eager Rd, Brentwood, MO 63144
Phone: 314-918-1649
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Bonefish Grill is a chain restaurant located south of the St. Louis Galleria in the quaint suburb of Brentwood.

Bonefish Grill offers contemporary takes on classic American seafood dishes like popcorn shrimp and Baja California-style fish tacos.

Since Bonefish Grill is a chain, the decor is bland without much unique ambiance. However, the food is good, reasonably priced, and consistent across locations.

To start your dining experience, I recommend a glass of sauvignon blanc paired with Bonefishgrill’s signature Bang Bang Shrimp.

For the main course, I recommend the Cold Water Lobster Tails, which are economically priced and cooked to perfection.

If shrimp and lobster is too decadent a combo for you, Bonefish also offers steak entrees. Try the filet mignon with garlic mashed potatoes and coleslaw.


Bristol Seafood Grill

11801 Olive Blvd, Creve Coeur, MO 63141
Phone: 123-456-7890
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Bristol Seafood Grill is located on Olive Boulevard in the suburb of Creve Coeur. The restaurant is upscale with contemporary decor that is warm and intimate.

However, the dining experience at Bristol Seafood Grill does not require formal attire. You can expect to find classic dishes like lobster bisque and surf and turf plates.

Bristol Seafood Grill has fresh fish flown in daily. Because of the fresh ingredients available at Bristol Seafood Grill, I went with the Shellfish Cioppino.

The dish is a great way to sample the variety of seafood available at the grill and includes shrimp, scallops, fresh fish, and mussels in a spicy red sauce.


Gulf Shores Restaurant & Grill

12528 Olive Blvd, Creve Coeur, MO 63141
Phone: 314-878-3306
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Gulf Shores Restaurant & Grill is a casual, cajun-inspired seafood restaurant specializing in Louisana-style dishes.

It is located east of the Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital on Olive Boulevard in the suburb of Creve Coeur. I recommend stopping in for a boozy brunch on the weekends or dinner.

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You should also consider starting with the fried alligator bites for an authentic taste of the Gulf. The bites are tossed in a blend of cajun spices and help set the tone for a southern-inspired meal.

For the main course, I had the Dump Dinner: a traditional creole seafood boil with shrimp, crab legs, mussels, and Andouille sausage.


Kobe Steakhouse of Japan

645 W Port Plaza Dr, St. Louis, MO 63146
Phone: 314-469-3900
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The Kobe Steakhouse of Japan is a contemporary steakhouse with a minimal, sharp aesthetic. This restaurant is steak-forward, with several premium beef entrées worth your dollar.

In addition to premium cuts of beef, Kobe Steakhouse of Japan offers a healthy selection of seafood, notably shrimp, lobster, and ahi tuna.

I appreciated the straightforward menu at Kobe Steakhouse of Japan. Many of the restaurant’s dishes are surf and turf and feature a USDA striploin steak with a seafood pairing.

I love Calamari, so I ordered the Steak and Calamari plate. The crunch of the Calamari paired well with the buttery texture of the steak.


Oceano Bistro

44 N Brentwood Blvd, Clayton, MO 63105
Phone: 314-721-9400
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Oceano Bistro is located northeast of Shaw Park in the suburb of North Clayton.

Amer Abouwardah founded Oceano Bistro to offer residents of the greater St. Louis area access to fresh seafood paired with fine wines.

Oceano Bistro is an elevated dining experience best enjoyed in semi-formal to formal attire. It has a strict 48-hour time limit from boat to table—an impressive feat considering most of the menu features dishes from the east and west coasts.

I had the Spiced South Pacific Bigeye Tuna. The tuna had a buttery texture that paired perfectly with the forward flavor profiles the innovative chefs at Oceano are pushing.


Storming Crab – Kirkwood

1242 S Kirkwood Rd, Kirkwood, MO 63122
Phone: 314-821-9888
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Storming Crab in the suburb of Kirkwood is a casual seafood diner offering seafood by the pound, half a pound, and combo plates.

Storming Crab’s casual atmosphere makes it great for kids, and their assortment of fried seafood options means the kiddos will have no trouble finding something they like.

I appreciate that Storming Crab’s menu lists how many people each dinner combo will feed. I can’t think of a better option than the medium-sized dinner combos from Storming Crab for a small family looking to treat themselves to seafood.


Surf & Sirloin

13090 Manchester Rd, Des Peres, MO 63131
Phone: 314-822-3637
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Surf & Sirloin might be the best seafood dining option on this list. Located on the historic route 66 in the Des Peres suburb, Surf & Sirloin is a family-owned restaurant serving traditional surf and turf options in a comfortable atmosphere.

There is something so charming about a restaurant that knows what it does well. Surf & Sirloin serves no-frills, fresh surf and turf cooked to perfection.

I had the Maine dry-packed scallops with garlic butter, and they were delicious. I recommend going with more than one person since Surf & Sirloin doesn’t offer combo plates.



One Comment

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  1. I like that you said that when it comes to top-notch seafood, most people don’t think of the Midwest, but St. Louis has some of the best seafood restaurants in the country. My boyfriend and I are going to celebrate our anniversary in a Southern Style Seafood Restaurant and that’s why I found your article. I’ll make sure to add the seafood restaurants that were mentioned here to our list, thank you so much!

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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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