20 Seafood Shacks in America Worth Traveling For

Seafood lovers, rejoice! If you’re always on the hunt for the freshest catch served right by the water, this list is your new travel guide. From quaint New England towns with historic wharfs to sun-soaked Pacific locales, where are the best places to indulge in seafood straight from the sea?

1. Bar Harbor, Maine

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Mihai_Andritoiu

Bar Harbor isn’t just about picturesque views and lighthouses; it’s a haven for lobster rolls and clam chowder. Walk along the harbor and choose from countless seafood shacks offering the day’s freshest catches.

2. Newport, Rhode Island

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Jim Schubert

Newport combines maritime history with culinary delight. Here, seafood shacks serve up Rhode Island’s famous clam cakes and chowder amidst a stunning coastal backdrop.

3. Charleston, South Carolina

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Sean Pavone

Charleston is synonymous with southern charm and shrimp ‘n grits. Seafood shacks here add a touch of Lowcountry cuisine to every dish, making them irresistibly unique.

4. Savannah, Georgia

Image Credit: Shutterstock / ESB Professional

Savannah offers a blend of history and flavors, where seafood shacks often double as gateways to exploring Georgia’s beautiful coastal islands. Don’t miss the crab stew.

5. Seattle, Washington

Image Credit: Shutterstock / TinaImages

Known for its vibrant Pike Place Market, Seattle boasts some of the Pacific Northwest’s best seafood shacks, specializing in salmon and oysters fresh from Puget Sound.

6. San Diego, California

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Sean Pavone

In San Diego, seafood shacks line the beaches, offering everything from Baja-style fish tacos to freshly caught sea urchin, reflecting the city’s Mexican influences.

7. Key West, Florida

Image Credit: Shutterstock / ventdusud

Key West is as famous for its laid-back attitude as it is for its conch fritters and stone crab claws. Here, seafood is always served with a side of island vibes.

8. Astoria, Oregon

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Jess Kraft

In Astoria, the mouth of the Columbia River provides an abundance of fresh catches that local shacks turn into mouthwatering dishes, like Dungeness crab.

9. Gloucester, Massachusetts

Image Credit: Pexels / Mohan Nannapaneni

As one of America’s oldest fishing communities, Gloucester offers historic seafood shacks where the clam chowder and lobster rolls are as authentic as they come.

10. Mobile, Alabama

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Sean Pavone

Mobile’s seafood shacks are all about Gulf favorites, from fried catfish to oyster po’ boys, served with a hearty dose of Southern hospitality.

11. Monterey, California

Image Credit: Pexels / Malcolm Hill

Monterey’s seafood shacks offer a taste of California’s coast with spectacular views and dishes like calamari and sand dabs caught straight from the Pacific.

12. Chesapeake Bay, Maryland

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Sean Pavone

No list would be complete without mentioning the crab shacks of Chesapeake Bay, where blue crabs reign supreme in every form, from steamed to crab cakes.

13. Gulf Shores, Alabama

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Mark Winfrey

Gulf Shores is a gem for seafood enthusiasts, with beachside shacks serving up everything from shrimp baskets to royal red prawns.

14. Apalachicola, Florida

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Fomo Photography

This quaint town is famed for its oysters, harvested right from the bay and served up raw, steamed, or fried in the local shacks.

15. Bodega Bay, California

Image Credit: Shutterstock / ddub3429

Best known for its role in “The Birds,” Bodega Bay also offers fantastic seafood shacks, with clam chowder and fish and chips as menu staples.

16. Rockport, Texas

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Jacob Boomsma

Rockport’s seafood shacks specialize in Texan-sized portions of grilled redfish and blackened flounder, offering a unique twist on traditional seaside fare.

17. Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Sean Pavone

Portsmouth’s seafood shacks are nestled along historic docks, serving local favorites like fried clams alongside craft beers from local breweries.

18. Kodiak, Alaska

Image Credit: Pexels / Jan Tang

For those venturing farther north, Kodiak’s seafood shacks offer fresh salmon and halibut in breathtaking settings, perfect for wildlife watching while you eat.

19. Cape May, New Jersey

Image Credit: Shutterstock / George Wirt

Cape May’s Victorian setting is the perfect backdrop for enjoying fresh scallops and seafood chowders at its numerous oceanfront shacks.

20. Wilmington, North Carolina

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Paul Brady Photography

In Wilmington, enjoy southern-style seafood with a view of the Cape Fear River, where the seafood is as fresh as the ocean breeze.

Wrap-Up

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Santorines

Whether you’re planning a coastal road trip or just dreaming of your next weekend getaway, these 20 towns offer some of the best seafood shacks you could hope to discover. Dive into the flavors of the sea and enjoy the local charm each of these places has to offer. Your taste buds (and your wallet) will thank you!

20 Foods You Should Never Put on Your Plate

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Monkey Business Images

Listen up—these foods might seem harmless, but they’re secretly sabotaging your health. They look innocent in your kitchen, but trust me, they’re trouble. Here’s a quick rundown of 20 foods that aren’t as friendly as they seem. Consider this your heads-up! 20 Foods You Should Never Put on Your Plate

Taco Bell’s Biggest Value Meal Ever Hits the Market

Image Credit: Shutterstock / JHVEPhoto

America’s most popular Mexican-American fast food chain has joined the so-called “fast food wars,” offering new meal deals to bring customers through their doors. Taco Bell’s Biggest Value Meal Ever Hits the Market

Cut These 20 Ultra-Processed Foods from Your Diet

Image Credit: Pexels / Taryn Elliott

American supermarket shelves may dazzle with convenience and flavor, but beneath the flashy packaging lurks a world of ultra-processed foods. Can you decipher labels to make healthier choices for your well-being? Cut These 20 Ultra-Processed Foods from Your Diet

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Kzenon.

The content of this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute or replace professional advice.

The images used are for illustrative purposes only and may not represent the actual people or places mentioned in the article.

For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.

Recent Posts