Best Seafood in Orlando

The protocol at Boston's Fish House comes straight out of the region from which its chef prevails. Step up to the counter to order, then head for a table and patiently await the arrival of salt-water morsels that include fried shrimp, succulent steamers and creamy, generously stuffed lobster rolls. Most of Boston's Fish House's devotees come for the menu's many deep-fried delicacies, but don't let the grease scare you off. There are plenty of broiled, steamed and salad-y options if you really mean business with that diet. Portions are hearty, the dress is casual and kid-friendly is most definitely its middle name.

Long lauded a Dr. Phillips-area favorite for steak- and seafood-related special-occasion splurges, Orlando's Ocean Prime outpost (there are several throughout the country) knows how to handle groups â€" even the largest of them. Its two private rooms accommodate up to 32 and 64 diners with ease, but smaller parties will enjoy stellar service, as well as some phenomenal 10-layer carrot cake if they are so inclined. Watch for weekly specials such as Half-Off-The-Shell on Wednesday evenings when fresh oysters are half-price in the bar. Sunday brings with it Family Dinner night, featuring a three-course menu where crab-stuffed half lobsters or center-cut filets go for $39/per person.

This is Southern fish-camp cookin'. A bit fancied up, to be sure, plated to perfection, but solid, succulent seafood that tastes somehow traditional, whether your grandpa's fishing trips culminated in Low Country boils spilled out on a hastily covered picnic table or a big, steamy, serving dish downloaded with garlicky, buttery clams over linguine. Reel Fish will feel a tad familiar to fans of the Ravenous Pig, which abandoned this, it's original location, for more expansive digs up the street. It's a tad beachier now, and they pile the fries high alongside the okra and tomatoes that go with the whole fried fish.

This post should kick off telling readers about the heaping bowls of semi-DIY poke they're slinging at this Winter Springs outpost. (Or not so DIY, because some folks, like this 10Best contributor, enjoy leaning hard on the in-house expertise of BK's poke pros when crafting their island experience.) But it won't. Because East Orlandoans, or really anyone closer to this part of town than Disney, have a new go-to spot when they're craving the Dole Whip. Yes, real Dole Whip. And yes, they do pineapple floats.) Whew. Okay. Now that that's out of the way: seafood. Yes. We actually did mention it first, and that's apt, because the fish, like the ahi tuna and yellowtail, for example, is tender and fresh. The ceviche is tangy. The toppings are plenty. The servings are filling. And the price is definitely right.

The Boathouse boasts it has the largest selection of oysters in Florida, including its own lucky dux oysters grown and harvested specially for the Boathouse. Pull up a seat at the restaurant's dock for a waterfront experience overlooking Village Lake. Inside, you'll find nautical décor including a table located inside a boat. The menu has everything from classics like main lobster tail, shrimp boil and jumbo lump crab cake to the freshest fish around including ahi tuna, salmon, Gulf of Mexico red grouper and Gulf of Maine salmon. The seafood theme carries through all the way to the kids meals, which come in the cutest, little boats. salmon.

Lee & Rick's opened in 1950 and was the first restaurant of its kind in Orlando. Save a couple of seafood-heavy, Louisiana-style joints around town, it could be argued that it's still the only one. Whether you're a fan or not (the place has MANY fans) few would disagree it's in a class by itself. Lee & Rick's famous shucking bar â€" an 80-foot slab of concrete where customers belly up for the show as mountains of fresh oysters are opened, served, slurped and swallowed, their shells often tossed unceremoniously into a trough behind the bar â€" is where the action is. Why? Where else can you can get a massive bucket of bivalves and a beer for under $25? Reviews on the rest of the menu, the loud, rock-laden jukebox and the overall appearance of the place are often mixed, but for the oyster lovers, little else matters.

Described as a coastal inspired gastropub, The Aardvark focuses on quality and freshness. In fact, its motto is "Seasonal, Fresh and From Scratch." Everything is made in house and as much as possible is sourced locally. Dishes include everything from shrimp, ahi tuna, Mahi Rueben and plenty more. Every week there is a new octopus special. Guests also have the option of a prix-fix ($30) three-course meal. If the name of this place is familiar, it's because the establishment has been around for decades. It started as a convenience store, then transitioned into a coffee shop in 2017. New owners took over The Aardvark in 2020 and redesigned it to today's concept.

Suck the head and pinch the tail at this small family-run operation off Colonial. They do brisk take-out business here â€" and it's no surprise considering the expertly seasoned troughs of seafood they're slinging. Do you want bayou flavor? This is the place. Order crawfish, clams, crab legs - mild, medium or spicy. And if you opt to enjoy their cozy operation, grab a bib and make use of the paper towel rolls as you eat your way through a veritable marine biology class full of tasty creatures. Bonus points for giving diners the option of leaving the shrimp heads on, as eye contact makes for such intimate dining. Grab French bread side ($1) to sop up the goodness that lies beneath. For those less inclined to tear through their meals like a raccoon, neater selections abound in the form of seafood platters, po' boys and the like. Save room for beignets!

The iconic building that houses Paddlefish has been a Disney staple for decades dating back to Downtown Disney days. The three-story paddlewheel is home to some of the best seafood in all of central Florida. Executive Chef Steve Richard, a Massachusetts native who says seafood is part of his DNA, takes great pride in the culinary masterpieces served. Even something as simple as a Caesar salad topped with salmon is a dish that will leave you craving more. If you're yearning for king or snow crab while at Disney Springs, this is the only place you'll find them. Sit on the top deck for an outstanding view of all Disney Springs has to offer. This is the place to escape the hustle and bustle, have good eats and fantastic drinks. Be sure to save room for dessert. The key lime pie is a must to end any good seafood meal.

This family-owned business has been feeding Central Florida for more than a decade. For years customers, including restaurants, shopped in the Lighthouse Seafood Market where you can find the freshest of fresh seafood (we're talking caught-that-day fresh). The market owners listened to their customers and in 2020 opened a restaurant. This is where you'll find dishes they grew up with and make in their own homes. Fresh fish is served flame broiled, blackened, grilled or sautéed. Options include grouper, salmon, snapper, seabass and plenty more. You can also get steamed clamed, snow crab, Florida or Maine lobster. If fried is more your thing, go for the Fisherman's Platter, which has mahi, shrimp, scallops and a crab cake.