9 Best and Most Sensational Seafood Restaurants in Atlanta (2024)

Atlanta is a landlocked city settled nearly 1,000 feet above sea level in the Piedmont region of Georgia. Since it is nowhere close to the Atlantic or any other major southern water bodies, people find it difficult to associate Atlanta with seafood. However, the reality of this city is far different. Atlanta is home to a surprising number of sensational seafood restaurants. The city may have just landed all around, but the variety and diversity of seafood restaurants here are known to no end. From a bustling seafood market to a steakhouse or fine dining, continental options here are truly many.

Finding the best seafood restaurants in Atlanta is very easy and breezy. From getting a lot of them at the amazing downtown market to exploring the nooks and corners of the city, a seafood trip in Atlanta will take you to different doors. So why wait? If you, too, are a fan of seafood and are looking to try some great varieties, it’s time to begin. Join us for Atlanta’s sensational seafood tour with the best options below. Have a look:

9 Best and Most Sensational Seafood Restaurants in Atlanta

1. Atlanta Fish Market

A perfect place to serve your seafood craving, Atlanta Fish Market is where you must begin. It is basically an institution of seafood that serves the widest selection of fresh fish in the Southeast. The market has a towering steel structure of a trout/salmon hybrid on the front and is quite popular amongst locals and in the neighbourhood. Their gourmet options include over 100 varieties of fresh fish, which are brought here daily. Some of the common and most popular include crusted salmon trout filet, cedar plank salmon, pecan, Georges Bank Sea Scallops, and much more. Individuals can either buy the freshly brought fish or try the mouth-watering seafood prepared on-site. The market includes a restaurant serving some delicious fish, sea urchin nigiri, octopus, tuna hamachi rolls, a variety of sushi, crab Ocean Garden, etc. Visiting here and trying things from their large seafood menu is totally advisable.

2. C & S Seafood & Oyster Bar

C & S Seafood & Oyster Bar is undoubtedly the most sensational seafood restaurant in Atlanta. This upscale fine dining place is owned by Rich Clark and Jon Schwenk and is known for its classy approach. As you walk inside, the old-school-style interiors featuring wood and leather finishes with low lights will leave you impressed. Further, their food menu featuring dishes from certified organic and locally sourced and grown ingredients will await your praise. Not only as you read it, but every single bite of their extravagant seafood will leave you amazed. Sautéed Red Snapper, lump crab cake served with grain mustard butter, steamed sea bass, and gumbo are some of the must-try. C & S also features a raw bar that serves oysters and clams, as well as a great wine selection.

3. Chops Lobster Bar

Chops Lobster Bar is another upscale fine dining steak restaurant in Atlanta. It is basically a steakhouse and cocktail bar that specializes in offering freshly caught and cooked seafood. Since they are a lobster bar, their finest option begins with Maine lobster bisque au cognac, a must-try. Other specialties from their selection include South African lobster tails, diver scallops, petite salmon filet, ahi tuna tartare, colossal lump crab, and Thai chilli Rhode Island calamari. Having all of these while sitting in their dark-wood dining interior is an experience of its own. The Lobster Bar also features a hip mosaic-tiled bar with award-winning wines on its menu. And not just that, but to take the evening a notch higher, live music adds into as some brownie points.

4. The Optimist

One of the best restaurants in Atlanta, the Optimist transports visitors to a seaside resort. With a soothing nautical interior, the experience here feels no less than divine. Their stunning seafood menu revolves around a wood-fired hearth, high-quality dishes, and ingredients from all around the country. Some of the best from their menu include lane snapper, crispy whole New England haddock, duck-fat-poached swordfish, super-stuffed lobster rolls, and hickory-hearth-roasted fish. The added flavours of Thai herbs, ginger, and lemongrass in their dishes are what add that extra flavour. For accompanying the food, Optimist also offers a range of hand-crafted cocktails. A few must-try drinks here are WhistlePig barrel-aged grade-A dark maple syrup, East of Eden, Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky, and decanter bitters. Individuals can also try their hands at seafood-friendly wine selection.

5. Six Feet Under

For individuals who are very particular about the location they are dining at, there isn’t a better place than the Six Feet Under in Atlanta. This casual roof-top restaurant is within locations of Grant Park (overlooking historic Oakland Cemetery) and Westside. The former offers alfresco dining on the patio outside, along with a relaxed pub vibe inside. Their food menu is extensive and consists of options like steamed shellfish, platters, appetizers, sandwiches (catfish po’boy), and baskets (fish and chips). Their fried fish baskets and hearty sandwiches pair are some of the must-tries. On their drink menu, Six Feet under offers about thirty beers on tap inside their full cocktail bar. The place is also awarded in the list of 30 Best Outdoor Bars in America.

6. Ray’s in the City

Ray’s in the City is located in downtown Atlanta, two blocks from the famous Centennial Olympic Park. It is by far one of the most popular seafood restaurants in Atlanta and thus is a must-visit. This culinary landmark has been a favourite spot for traditional fine dining for over 4 decades now. Everything on their menu is prepared from freshly flown-in seafood that comes in several times during the day. Some of the must-try dishes here include horseradish-encrusted black grouper, Canadian cold water lobster tail, North Atlantic ginger-glazed yellowfin tuna, and salsa cruda-topped trout. And to pair with that, Ray’s have various local craft brews options, handmade cocktail along with soups, signature salads, entrées, and desserts.

7. Fontaine’s Oyster House

Fontaine’s Oyster House is just another sensational seafood restaurant in Atlanta. The place features a lovely outdoor patio and in-house dining space along with an extensive raw bar. The giant old-school chandeliers, exposed brick walls, seaport light fixtures, and cozy booths infuse a very warm vibe even in this old-fashioned public space. Their menu, though, is casual, for it includes about seven different varieties of oysters at any given time. Their seafood affair includes lobster bisque, huge spicy jambalayas, Creole crab balls, sandwiches, burgers, and Southern-style plates. Shrimp tacos and crab legs are the must-try from their menu. And to pair with that, Fontaine has a nice selection of fine wine, craft beers, Bloody Marys, and hush puppies. The best time to visit them is during great Sunday specials, Thursdays (half-price appetizers), and Oyster Tuesdays.

8. Steamhouse Lounge

Operating successfully for over a decade, the Steamhouse Lounge is definitely one of the best seafood restaurants in Atlanta. Its laidback atmosphere spread over two floors on the corner of 11th Street & West Peachtree Street makes it a locals’ favourite. It might look very old school from the outside, but the outdoor deck seating and inviting outdoor patio are extremely inviting. Besides that, their award-winning lobster bisque is what one cannot stay away from. This signature dish lets the crab cake melt with swiss cheese inside the mouth and with such amazing flavours. And to pair with that, they have a variety of ice-cold bottled beers and Goombay Smash, their delicious signature drink. For kids and picky eaters, they also have fish fingers, chicken tenders, burgers, grilled cheeses, and more such options on their menu.

9. The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill

Atlanta’s beach house-style restaurant, the Big Ketch Saltwater Grill, is another must-try for seafood lovers. Located in the heart of Atlanta, this place is all about the coastal-inspired fare and hand-crafted cocktails. The giant outdoor patio here is always live with music and the evening here are of special flavour. Some of the best from their menu include fresh catch-of-the-day fish, basil Blue Moon Mussels and clams, crab and shrimp cake, classic hot buttered lobster egg rolls, and freshly shucked oysters. And to complement that, they have a large variety of champagne, beer, hand-crafted cocktails, easy-drinking wines, and mocktails on their drink menu. From a mini celebration to a get-together, Big Ketch Saltwater Grill is one fine place to visit for them all.