The Ultimate Guide to The Most Incredible Seafood Restaurants in Tampa
The next time you’re in Tampa, you can make your trip complete by checking out some of the quality seafood restaurants featuring an exciting range of seafood dishes. Florida is known for its delicious under-the-sea offerings, so if you’ve got a hankering for lobster, shrimp, or fish, these seafood restaurants in Tampa will provide a memorable meal to satisfy your cravings!
1. Big Ray’s Fish Camp
6116 Interbay Blvd, Tampa, FL 33611
(813) 605-3615
This South Tampa restaurant is the ideal place to visit if you want delicious and fresh seafood in a laid-back atmosphere. The deviled crab is one of the restaurant’s most popular appetizers, and Big Ray’s serves one of the best grouper sandwiches in Tampa. This is also the place to go when you want to indulge in deep-fried goodness, whether you crave fried seafood, fried oysters or want crispy onion rings to go with your sandwich.
2. Catch Twenty Three
10103 Montague St, Tampa, FL 33626
(813) 920-0045
Catch Twenty Three is located in the Westchase area of Tampa and serves dishes with a Latin and Caribbean twist. The whole yellowtail snapper is a satisfying meal, and this seafood restaurant is popular for its tasty appetizers as well, like deep-fried calamari marinated in Red Stripe beer. Catch Twenty Three has an extensive sushi menu as well, and on the weekends, you can dine on the patio and enjoy live Caribbean music.
3. Charley’s Steakhouse and Market Fresh Fish
4444 W Cypress St, Tampa, FL 33607
(813) 353-9706
This sophisticated restaurant is in the airport area. Even though Charley’s is known in the area, the eatery serves some of the best seafood in Tampa. You can order from seafood options like a fresh lobster tail served with flavorful garlic butter sauce, as well as a variety of shrimp and crab dishes. This eatery is also home to quality surf and turf dishes, as well as an extensive wine list.
4. Eddie V’s Prime Seafood
4400 W Boy Scout Blvd, Tampa, FL 33607
(813) 877-7290
Eddie V’s is both sophisticated and casual and offers a variety of tasty fish entrees like Florida Grouper, Chilean Sea Bass, and Icelandic Cod. The restaurant also has an impressive bar and you can listen to live jazz music while you enjoy your cocktail. Eddie V’s also offers prime steaks, so you can add your favorite seafood to a perfectly cooked steak entree for surf and turf that will make your trip to Tampa one to remember.
5. Happy Fish
(813) 871-6953
Happy Fish is a cozy and laidback eatery serving up authentic and absolutely delicious Peruvian dishes. Their menu offers extensive seafood entrees like the Chaufa de Mariscos, a seafood fried rice dish, and the Pescado a Lo Macho, a fried fish dish with octopus, squid, and shrimp in a seafood broth. For dessert, order the Peruvian donuts with ice cream for the ultimate savory experience.
6. Harpoon Harry’s Crab House
225 S Franklin St, Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 321-4040
This downtown-area eatery is one of the best seafood restaurants in Tampa and offers quality steaks and chicken dishes as well. Harpoon Harry’s is ideal for hosting celebrations, but there are plenty of intimate dining rooms in the restaurant to enjoy the delicious food. The seafood restaurant is known for its crab pots, crab cakes (featuring Gulf blue crab) and the blue crab quesadilla is a favorite as well. You may also want to try the truffle mac and cheese or grouper nuggets served with rice pilaf.
7. Mr and Mrs Crab
(813) 515-5828
For a fun lunch or dinner head down to Mr and Mrs Crab. The beachy atmosphere and the fresh seafood make this restaurant a favorite in the Tampa area. This cajun boil spot has an extensive menu featuring all the seafood you could ever want. For that boiled seafood craving, this is certainly the place you’d want to check out, just be ready to get your hands dirty!
8. Ocean Prime
2205 N Westshore Blvd, Tampa, FL 33607
(813) 490-5288
Whether you prefer surf and turf or an entree that is filled with seafood delicacies, Ocean Prime is the place to go. This eatery is also one of the most appealing bars in Tampa, so you can enjoy a craft cocktail with your seafood meal. Delicious dinner options to excite taste buds include shrimp cocktail, oysters on the half shell, and sea scallops with English peas, parmesan risotto, and citrus vinaigrette. The Chilean sea bass is also a great choice and is served with whipped potatoes and a champagne truffle sauce. Signature cocktails include the Pine Fin Martini with pineapple-infused vodka or the Prime Manhattan, served with rosemary grapefruit peppercorn bitters.
9. Oystercatchers
2900 Bayport Dr Tampa, FL 33607
(813) 207-6815
Oystercatchers has been serving up top-notch seafood and stunning bayside views since 1986. They’re most famous, however, for their Sunday Brunch, which is frequently touted as the best in Tampa. Order anything from the menu and you’ll soon see why. The Grand Seafood Tower lives up to its name, piled sky-high with poached and chilled whole lobster, seasonal crab, oysters on the half shell, and jumbo gulf shrimp. The Lobster Omelet is loaded with herbs, boursin cheese, chunks of fresh lobster, and topped with Old Bay aioli. Oh, and have we mentioned that every entree comes with two mimosas or Bloody Marys AND a mini dessert plate? Trust us, you’ll be leaving Oystercatchers with a full stomach and a perfect morning buzz.
10. Rusty Pelican
2425 N Rocky Point Dr, Tampa, FL 33607
(813) 281-1943
This popular eatery is located along Tampa Bay and serves tasty steak and seafood entrees. If you’re not in the mood for steak, you can try the Rocky Point grouper with asparagus, or the Beggar’s Salmon, which is similar to a salmon Wellington. The shrimp scampi at Rusty Pelican is pretty impressive as well.
11. Skipper’s Smokehouse
910 Skipper Rd, Tampa, FL 33613
(813) 971-0666
If you like your seafood with a little live music, Skipper’s Smokehouse is the place to be the next time you’re in Tampa. This rustic Florida restaurant is known for delectable entrees like the blackened grouper Rueben sandwich, and you can also try the smoked fish dip, fresh clams and oysters, and conch fritters. The outdoor area is reserved for concerts and is known by the locals as the Skipperdome.
12. Stones Throw
304 W 7th Ave, Tampa, FL 33602
Stones Throw is a nice, laid back open concept restaurant serving some delicious seafood options. It is also in such a great location surrounded by other restaurants, shopping, and is right along the water. The atmosphere is so beautiful and relaxing you’ll want to sit there all afternoon. Although they always offer delicious items like grilled oysters, fried shrimp, their yummy fish spread, and fish and chicken sandwiches, Tuesday is the day to check out Stones Throw. Taco Tuesday is a big deal around here and you don’t want to miss it. They’re serving $3 tacos and $5 drinks all day long. Try the buffalo shrimp or the chicken birria taco with a margarita and you’re in for a cheap, tasty date night!
13. Taste of Boston
5314 Interbay Blvd, Tampa, FL 33611
(813) 831-2112
If you want to enjoy a meal while you take in the beauty of Tampa Bay and the city’s downtown area, check out Taste of Boston. This casual restaurant offers some of the best fried shrimp and clam in the area. You can also enjoy seafood specialities like tasty scallops and oysters or indulge in a bowl of New England-style clam chowder. Taste of Boston is a family-friendly eatery that is near several of the city’s attractions, so it’s the perfect spot to grab a bite to eat while you’re exploring Tampa.
14. Ulele
1810 N Highland Ave, Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 999-4952
Ulele sits on Tampa’s Riverwalk and offers native-inspired food. This restaurant is quite hyped up in the Tampa Bay area but for all the right reasons. Ulele truly has it all: an energetic atmosphere, a beautiful waterfront setting, an extensive wine and beer list, and most importantly, exceptional food. For those seafood cravings, the menu offers fresh and tasty options such as the crab mac and cheese, blackened redfish, charbroiled oysters, alligator hushpuppies, and alligator tail. For an exceptional dining experience and extraordinary seafood, this is certainly the spot you’d want to check out.
15. Watervue Grille
700 Harbour Post Dr, Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 642-7980
Watervue Grille sits right on the water and is the perfect place to take your loved one for dinner or to go out and celebrate a birthday. The menu is fairly small but you can count on everything being extremely fresh and tasty. If you join for lunch, you’ll have several different sandwich options along with fish and chips, flatbreads, and appetizers like calamari and fresh mozzarella. If you come in for dinner, there are entree options from the shellfish combo and shi-sho pesto marinated mahi to lobster carbonara ravioli and grilled pork chops. This whole menu is mouth watering and can be enjoyed with one of their delicious cocktails or a chilled glass of wine. Between the atmosphere, views, and flavor of each dish, this is a spot you’ll want to try out.
For more recommendations on where to eat and drink around Tampa, check out our Tampa city page.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on February 14, 2021 and last updated on July 14, 2023. Please refer to restaurant websites and social media pages for the most up-to-date information.
Featured Blog Posts
The Best Black Owned Restaurants in Tampa, FL
Black-owned restaurants in Tampa have somewhat of a cult following when it comes to regulars–the Sunday brunch crowd is well-versed in where to get the best shrimp and grits, red velvet waffles or perfect baked macaroni and cheese. Visit some of Tampa’s best black-owned restaurants for a taste experience you won’t soon forget.
Can’t Miss Wine Bars in Tampa, FL
Enjoying a glass of wine with friends is our guilty pleasure, and when we are craving a night out in Tampa we love to find a relaxing wine bar. Check out this article with some of our favorite spots that offer wine tastings, flights and even some delicious snacks to round out an already fantastic outing.
9 Healthy (But Delicious!) Restaurants in Tampa
Eating healthy isn’t always about salads and vegetables. Tampa has become quite the foodie scene, and healthy restaurants are filled with flavor and finesse. We’ve found some exciting options regardless of whether you want low-calorie entrees, vegan and vegetarian dishes, or something else with a healthy spin. Check out this article with some of our favorite spots to grab a healthy and delicious meal in Tampa.
7 Restaurants Worth the Splurge in Tampa, FL
When we are craving a fantastic meal that is sure to make a dent in the budget, we want to go somewhere that will be worth every penny. The spectacular views that many Tampa restaurants offer can make even the most budget-friendly dinner feel fancy, but this southern Florida city has no shortage of gorgeous high-end restaurants that are totally worth the splurge. When we are searching for a restaurant that checks all of the boxes, we make a reservation at one of these Tampa restaurants that are in fact worth the splurge.