20 States Where Seafood Is Always Worth Ordering

Seafood tastes better when it’s tied closely to place, and certain states have built their food identity around what comes out of the water.

In these areas, ordering seafood isn’t a gamble. It’s a safe bet shaped by local knowledge, long traditions, and generations of people who know exactly how it should taste.

Menus reflect confidence rather than trends, and freshness shows up without needing explanation.

Disclaimer: All selections and descriptions are based on taste impressions, cultural reputation, and general culinary opinion rather than any objective or absolute standard.

1. Maine

Lobster heaven exists, and it’s called Maine.

This northeastern gem pulls in more lobster than any other state, making it the ultimate destination for crustacean lovers.

The iconic lobster roll – whether served warm with butter or cold with mayo – tastes like summer wrapped in a toasted bun.

Local clam shacks dot the coastline, offering steamers and chowder so creamy it’ll ruin you for life.

Maine’s cold Atlantic waters produce sweet, tender lobster meat that melts in your mouth with every bite.

2. Massachusetts

Boston knows its chowder, and that’s putting it mildly.

Walk into any proper Massachusetts seafood joint and you’ll find clam chowder so thick your spoon stands up straight.

Beyond the famous soup, this state serves incredible fried clams, fresh scallops, and oysters that taste like the ocean itself.

Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard offer seaside dining experiences where the catch literally goes from boat to plate.

The seafood culture here runs deeper than the harbor, with generations perfecting recipes passed down through fishing families.

3. Maryland

If you haven’t cracked open a Maryland blue crab, you’re missing out big time.

The Chesapeake Bay produces some of the sweetest crab meat on Earth, and locals take their Old Bay seasoning very seriously.

Crab cakes here are legendary – crispy outside, packed with jumbo lump meat inside, barely held together with filler.

Summer means crab feasts where tables get covered with newspaper and everyone grabs a mallet.

4. Louisiana

Crawfish season in Louisiana feels like a statewide celebration.

These mudbugs get boiled with potatoes, corn, and enough Cajun spices to make your lips tingle for days.

But Louisiana’s seafood game goes way beyond crawfish – think blackened redfish, fried catfish, and shrimp étouffée that’ll make you weep with joy.

New Orleans restaurants serve up seafood gumbo so rich and complex you’ll want to lick the bowl clean.

5. Alaska

Alaska’s waters are so pristine, the seafood practically tastes like it’s still swimming.

King salmon here grows massive and fatty, perfect for grilling or smoking over alder wood.

Halibut the size of small cars get pulled from icy depths, yielding firm white meat that’s incredibly versatile.

Don’t even get started on the king crab – those legs are thick as your wrist and sweeter than candy.

Commercial fishing boats brave brutal conditions to bring in catches that supply restaurants nationwide, but eating it fresh in Alaska hits different.

6. Washington

Seattle’s Pike Place Fish Market is famous for a reason – they literally throw fish at customers.

Washington’s cold Pacific waters produce some of the plumpest, briniest oysters you’ll ever slurp down.

Dungeness crab season brings locals and tourists together for crab feeds that last all afternoon.

The state’s salmon runs are legendary, with Chinook and Coho varieties gracing dinner tables from fancy restaurants to backyard barbecues.

7. Oregon

Oregon’s coastline hides some seriously underrated seafood treasures.

Dungeness crab reigns supreme here, with meat so sweet it needs nothing but melted butter for dipping.

The state’s rocky shores produce incredible mussels and clams that local chefs turn into amazing pasta dishes and chowders.

Small coastal towns like Newport and Astoria serve fish and chips that could rival anything you’d find across the pond.

8. California

From San Diego to San Francisco, California serves seafood with serious style.

Fish tacos were basically perfected in SoCal, where grilled mahi-mahi meets crunchy cabbage and tangy crema in a warm tortilla.

The state’s long coastline means incredible variety – spot prawns in the north, sea urchin in the south, and everything in between.

Fisherman’s Wharf offers tourist-friendly Dungeness crab while hidden gems in Malibu serve the freshest catches with ocean views.

9. Florida

Stone crab season in Florida is basically a holiday for seafood lovers.

Those claws crack open to reveal sweet, firm meat that pairs perfectly with tangy mustard sauce.

But Florida’s seafood scene goes way deeper – grouper sandwiches, Key West pink shrimp, and conch fritters keep menus interesting year-round.

The Gulf side offers different flavors than the Atlantic, giving you two distinct seafood experiences in one state.

10. South Carolina

Shrimp and grits isn’t just breakfast in South Carolina – it’s a way of life.

Lowcountry cooking combines fresh-caught shrimp with creamy stone-ground grits, creating comfort food that’s somehow fancy and humble at the same time.

Charleston’s seafood restaurants have turned local catches into award-winning dishes that food critics travel across the country to taste.

She-crab soup, rich with roe and sherry, warms you from the inside out on chilly coastal evenings.

11. North Carolina

The Outer Banks serve up seafood with serious beach town charm.

Soft-shell crab season brings out the best in North Carolina chefs, who fry these delicacies to crispy perfection.

Local shrimp boats unload their catches daily, ensuring restaurants serve the freshest possible seafood.

Calabash-style fried seafood – lightly breaded and perfectly golden – originated here and remains a coastal staple.

12. Texas

Everything’s bigger in Texas, including the shrimp hauls from the Gulf Coast.

Houston and Galveston restaurants serve up platters piled high with boiled, fried, or grilled shrimp that taste like the ocean with a Texan twist.

Redfish gets blackened with bold spices that would make Paul Prudhomme proud.

The state’s Vietnamese community has created an incredible fusion food scene, turning Gulf seafood into amazing pho and spring rolls.

13. Mississippi

Mississippi knows how to fry catfish better than just about anyone.

Cornmeal-crusted fillets come out golden and crispy, served alongside hush puppies that are somehow both savory and slightly sweet.

The Gulf Coast provides incredible shrimp and oysters that local restaurants prepare with Southern hospitality and serious skill.

Biloxi’s seafood scene has bounced back stronger than ever, offering everything from casual dockside eateries to upscale dining experiences.

14. Alabama

Mobile Bay oysters grow fat and happy in brackish waters, developing complex flavors that oyster enthusiasts travel specifically to taste.

Royal red shrimp, caught in deep waters off the coast, are sweeter and more tender than their shallow-water cousins.

Orange Beach and Gulf Shores restaurants serve these local specialties with pride, often with recipes passed down through generations of fishing families.

15. Hawaii

Poke bowls originated in Hawaii, and they still do it best.

Fresh ahi tuna gets cubed and marinated with soy sauce, sesame oil, and green onions, creating a dish that’s both simple and incredibly satisfying.

The islands’ location in the Pacific means access to fish species you won’t find on the mainland.

Mahi-mahi, ono, and opakapaka grace restaurant menus with names as beautiful as their flavors.

16. Rhode Island

Calamari – often served with hot cherry peppers – is practically the state appetizer, appearing on nearly every restaurant menu.

Stuffies (stuffed quahogs) combine clams with breadcrumbs and spices in a way that’s uniquely Rhode Island.

The state’s coastline packs incredible variety into a small space, from Narragansett Bay oysters to Block Island swordfish.

17. New Jersey

The Jersey Shore isn’t just about boardwalks and beaches – it’s serious seafood territory.

Blue claw crabs from Barnegat Bay rival anything Maryland produces, though locals might argue they’re even better.

Down the shore, as locals say, you’ll find family restaurants that have been serving the same excellent seafood for decades.

Fresh catches get turned into Italian-American classics like linguine with clams that showcase the state’s diverse culinary influences beautifully.

18. New York

Grand Central Oyster Bar has been shucking bivalves since 1913, serving commuters and tourists alike with old-school elegance.

Long Island’s East End produces some of the finest oysters in the country, with names like Blue Points recognized worldwide.

From Chinatown’s live fish tanks to upscale Manhattan restaurants serving pristine sashimi, the city offers every possible seafood experience.

19. Virginia

Virginia’s oyster game is incredibly strong, with different regions producing distinct flavors.

Rappahannock oysters have become famous nationwide, but local varieties from different tributaries each offer unique taste profiles.

The Chesapeake Bay provides blue crabs that Virginians prepare with slightly different seasonings than their Maryland neighbors, sparking friendly regional rivalries.

Virginia Beach restaurants serve rockfish (striped bass) that’s been a local favorite for generations.