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Where to Go for the Freshest Seafood in Ann Arbor

Our favorite destinations in the city to enjoy the bounty of the sea.

Are you looking to take a vacation in Michigan or potentially move to Ann Arbor? This city has many exciting sites, including the Arbor Opera Theater, the Ann Arbor Civic Ballet, and the Ann-Arbor Hands-On Museum.

chef preparing fresh shrimps at ann arbor seafood restaurant

In addition, the University of Michigan is located in the city of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it includes several different performing arts groups.

People also come to visit this pleasant location due to numerous annual events like the Ann Arbor Art Fairs and the Ann Arbor Film Festival.

Once you’ve roamed through the museum, attended a play, and checked out the film festival, you’re likely to get hungry.

This list will outline the best seafood restaurants in Ann Arbor, Michigan. That’s right! Get ready to talk about shrimp, salmon, sushi, crabs, lobster, and cod.

Best Seafood Restaurants in Ann Arbor

  1. Black Pearl
  2. Gandy Dancer
  3. Real Seafood Company
  4. Monahan’s Seafood Market
  5. The Chop House
  6. JJ Crab House
  7. The West End Grill
  8. Weber’s Restaurant

Personally, what I love most about seafood restaurants are the elegance and tasty yet light fare. Are you ready to get started? Check out my list of the best seafood restaurants in Ann Arbor below!


Black Pearl

302 S Main St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Phone: 734-222-0400
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When I spent some time in Ann Arbor, Michigan, I had a great meal at the Black Pearl restaurant.

Here, I enjoyed the Alaskan Misoyaki Salmon with its smashed fingerling potatoes and leeks. I also loved trying the coconut shrimp with its honey-lime chipotle sauce.

The cranberry apple crumble was a perfect dessert to end the meal. This restaurant is located in the ideal place for book lovers.

Nearby, you can spend some time at the local library, check out a bookstore, or even buy a comic at the nearby comic book store.

You can make a reservation for Black Pearl or even host a private event here.


Gandy Dancer

401 Depot St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Phone: 734-769-0592
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If you’re looking for a fine dining experience, you won’t have a better time than at the Gandy Dancer restaurant. It is known as an architectural landmark in Ann Arbor.

When I came here with my spouse, I tried the crab cake with the lobster bisque and the dynamite Mahi Mahi.

The crab cake melted in my mouth, while the Mahi Mahi had a soft and sweet flavor. Several churches are located near the Gandy Dancer, as well as a park and the Huron River. This upscale restaurant has the fine dining and seafood you will love.


Real Seafood Company

341 S Main St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Phone: 888-456-3463
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The Real Seafood Company is the perfect place to visit whenever you crave crab or a shrimp cocktail.

When I visited the Ann Arbor location, I really enjoyed splitting the fried calamari with my friends and trying the spice-rubbed fish tacos.

This place has a feel of some Mexican seafood and a general laid-back atmosphere of simple fare.

In this general area, you can find lodging at the Burnt Toast Inn, along with a church and a hamburger joint. The neighborhood has a suburban feel.

I finished my meal at the Real Seafood Company with a delicious chocolate brandy mousse made with chocolate shavings and delicious whipped cream.


Monahan’s Seafood Market

407 N 5th Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Phone: 734-662-5118
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Monahan’s Seafood Market is a casual place to grab lunch and enjoy some Cajun-style or fried seafood.

While I smacked my lips after eating a Cajun shrimp sandwich with Cajun fries, my family munched on fried jumbo shrimp and platters of fish and chips.

Monahan’s is located inside the Kerrytown Market & Shops. You can also visit the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum here and get some lunch at Monahan’s Seafood Market.

And if you love a good farmer’s market, you can find one right around the corner from this eatery. Enjoy your fried fish or shrimp!


The Chop House

322 S Main St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Phone: 734-669-9977
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The Chop House is another excellent restaurant for a superior fine dining experience. If you want an exquisite seafood meal, try ordering the North Atlantic Salmon. I absolutely loved having the lobster bites for an appetizer.

Yet, this is a Chop House and is popular for its steaks. My friend wanted a bit of seafood and steak, so he tried the Surf and Turf, which featured a butter-poached Maine lobster tail and a 6-ounce steak filet.

This restaurant is surrounded by an ice cream place, a gift shop, several churches, and a library. So, get some surf and turf here before going out to get ice cream for dessert.


JJ Crab House

2871 Carpenter Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Phone: 734-222-1111
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If you want an Asian-style seafood dining experience, you should definitely check out the JJ Crab House. Here, you can choose from a variety of lunch or dinner bento boxes as well as hibachi meals.

If you’re not interested in that Asian style, you can also get seafood boils of crawfish, shrimp, snow crab, and more.

Personally, I got to taste a delicious hibachi meal of chicken and shrimp with vegetable fried rice.

This seafood place is located near a nails salon and several banks. It’s also close to a grocery store and several department stores.

You can do your shopping and banking before grabbing a lunch bento box at the JJ Crab House.


The West End Grill

120 W Liberty St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Phone: 734-747-6260
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The West End Grill is relatively upscale and provides a fine-dining feel for those in need of a date night.

I really loved the food and wine here and ordered the tasty crab cakes and potato-encrusted halibut.

For wine, I split a bottle of the Leelanau Peninsula sparkling rosѐ with my loved ones. You can find the West End Grill in a district full of cafes and eateries, as well as the Ann Arbor YMCA and several lodging options. Make a reservation at this excellent eatery and enjoy a night out.


Weber’s Restaurant

3050 Jackson Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Phone: 734-665-3636
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Weber’s Restaurant has a unique and trendy feel when you walk inside. I absolutely loved the ambiance with its gorgeous stained glass windows and plants towering overhead.

The food here is divine as well. I loved the tasty calamari and the delicious seafood linguine, which included salmon, scallops, and shrimp.

You can find this restaurant inside Weber’s Boutique Hotel. Even if you’re not staying at the hotel, you can enjoy a meal at Weber’s Restaurant. I finished my delicious meal with some German Riesling wine and chocolate cake.


Final Thoughts

These excellent restaurants are perfect for enjoying a great seafood meal in Ann Arbor. You’ll love the ambiance whether you choose a trendy and upscale place or a more casual location. The variety of salmon, shrimp, oysters, crab, and lobster will satisfy your seafood cravings.

If you want to try more than just seafood during your time in Ann Arbor, check out these awesome places to eat as well!

Is there a seafood restaurant in Ann Arbor that we haven’t mentioned? Let us know about your fave Ann Arbor seafood places in the comments below!

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Written by Brian Nagele

Brian has over 20 years experience in the restaurant and hospitality 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.