Ryan F.
Rochester is adjacent to Lake Ontario in New York. The Genesee River cuts through the city and lines with aging industrial buildings. The city is home to numerous colleges, like the University of Rochester. About 200,000 people live in Rochester, and many visitors come and go annually.
Because Rochester runs on both a lake and a river, and the state is adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean, seafood is prevalent. If you are looking for where to get seafood in the city, check out this comprehensive review of the seven best seafood restaurants in Rochester.
Bernard’s Grove
187 Long Pond Rd, Rochester, NY 14612
Phone: 585-227-6405
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The Bernard family opened the restaurant in 1995. Bernard’s Grove is inside a beautiful location near Long Pond on Lake Ontario. The wine list is robust and pairs well with the various delectable entrees on the menu. The restaurant is open from Tuesday through Saturday from 4:30 pm to 9:00 pm.
My favorite appetizers were the Edamame and Goat Cheese Ravioli with browned butter and shiitake mushroom sauce and the Panko Crusted Blue Crab Cakes with a mango-jalapeno chutney and creole remoulade.
Try Bernard’s Bouillabaisse, a seafood stew with lobster tail, clams, mussels, shrimp, squid, in a tomato-leek broth for an entree. The Orange-soy Glazed Atlantic Salmon and the Blackened Atlantic Salmon Salad are also incredible!
Shamrock Jack’s Irish Pub
4554 Culver Rd, Rochester, NY 14622
Phone: 585-323-9310
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Shamrock Jack’s Irish Pub is north of Rochester in Sea Breeze, situated along the shore of Lake Ontario. The Petzing family opened and refurbished the restaurant to include three dining rooms, a unique and large wine rack, and a front patio and porch. The pub is open for lunch and dinner from Wednesday through Monday.
The seafood at Shamrock Jack’s Irish Pub is fantastic! The salmon with herbed butter and mashed potatoes is very satisfying. Try the crab stuffed shrimp appetizer! I enjoyed the clam strips with the firecracker dipping sauce. All-day on Fridays, the restaurant hosts a fish fry!
Black & Blue Steak and Crab
3349 Monroe Ave, Rochester, NY 14618,
Phone: 585-421-8111
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Black & Blue Steak and Crab prides itself on being boat to plate. Guests know where and when fishers caught the seafood in their dish. The restaurant is open daily for dinner and accepts online reservations. It is operating in the neighborhood near Nazareth College.
Try the tuna tartare with diced yellowfin tuna, avocado, sesame seed, pickled ginger, and sticky coconut rice from the raw bar. The crab & lobster fondue is a popular menu item with sweet blue crab, Maine lobster, and parmigiano reggiano fondue. The red snapper and sea scallops are delicious entrees.
If you’re more interested in steak, check out the our favorite Rochester steakhouses.
Captain Jim’s Fish Market
2329 E Main St, Rochester, NY 14609
Phone: 585-482-3640
Since 1990 Captain Jim’s Fish Market has been selling fresh, cooked, and frozen types of seafood. The market does a fish fry Friday where guests can place orders and pick up delicious fried fish throughout the day. The market is located in the Browncroft neighborhood and is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.
When I visited, I tried the fish sandwich with a side of macaroni salad, and it was a great lunch! The menu offers various kinds of seafood fried by the pound and dinner plates with shrimp, scallop, fried clam, and more. The plates include your choice of coleslaw, macaroni salad, fries, or potato salad, but for a dollar more, you can try the onion rings!
Juicy Seafood
3020 S Winton Rd, Rochester, NY 14623
Phone: 585-622-9468
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Juicy Seafood offers a cajun crab boil experience. The restaurant is open every day for lunch and dinner. Juicy Seafood is located near the Mall at Greece Ridge Center in Rochester, so adding a visit to the restaurant after a day of shopping is a fun and exciting way to enjoy a meal.
The fried green beans are a delicious appetizer. For the boil, guests choose between shrimp, mussels, crawfish, and more. After selecting the type of seafood you’d like, you add flavor and spice, choosing between cajun, Lemon Pepper, Garlic Butter, or the Juicy Special. All choices come with potatoes and corn.
Grappa Italian Nouveau
30 Celebration Dr, Rochester, NY 14620
Phone: 585-445-5770
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Grappa Italian Nouveau is a contemporary restaurant serving traditional Italian cuisine. The vibes are ideal for a date night, an exciting dinner with friends, or a quick bite during your busy day. In 2019, the restaurant was an OpenTable Diner’s Choice selection. Grappa is close to the University of Rochester and the Golisano Children’s Hospital.
The seafood on the menu is outstanding. Try the crispy calamari or the scampi forno for an appetizer. Entrees include a cedar grilled salmon with lemon agave nectar and grilled broccolini and a sun-dried tomato linguini served with jumbo gulf prawns, baby spinach, artichokes, and black garlic butter.
Davies Seafood
395 Stone Rd, Rochester, NY 14616
Phone: 585-663-7573
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Davies Seafood has one of the best fish fries in Rochester! Davies Seafood Market has been selling high-quality seafood for more than eighty years. Primarily a grab-and-go shop, it is an exciting market for an edible adventure.
Ordering a cup of lobster bisque is a necessity – it is velvety, creamy, and perfect! Also, try the Jumbo Haddock Fish Fry with fries and coleslaw and the Golden Fried Clam Strips. For a classic done well, try the fish sandwich, and for a creative twist on a favorite, order the salmon burger with onion rings.
