The Best Spots For Seafood In DC
Lifestyle
The sun may have set on Memorial Day weekend, but not to fear: With the (unofficial) start to summer now in full swing, the prospects for fun on your horizon are brighter than ever.
One of the best things about summer in DC? The seasonal selection of seafood that’s just waiting to be sampled.
So — from rockfish to crab cakes, oysters, and more, here’s where you’ll find the freshest seafood in and around DC!
#1 Chef Skip 202: Virginia Beach native Christopher Skipper serves up Cajun-spiced fried shrimp, fish, oysters, and crab cakes at this carryout kitchen near Howard University — and each to-go box includes a purple flower and a sweet secret sauce that’s more commonly known as mayonnaise-based aioli.
➤ Learn more about Chef Skip 202 right here.
#2 Pop’s Seabar: Memories of his time spent on the Jersey Shore first led chef John Manolato to open this Adams Morgan restaurant that’s now a DC mainstay. Here, the team serves peel-and-eat shrimp, catfish, and crab cakes, alongside a few non-fish items — including Jersey staple Taylor pork roll. Diners wash down the Old Bay-spiked dishes with grapefruit and orange crushes.
➤ Learn more about Pop’s Seabar right here.
➤ Interested in more local places to visit? You might also like:
#3 Blacksalt: This longtime Palisades restaurant serves as both a restaurant and a fish market for the neighborhood. Entrees from typically capitalize on what’s freshest that day. Dishes like fried clams and cream of crab soup appear alongside wood-grilled octopus, mussels, and red snapper. Blacks Restaurant Group’s Southern-leaning seafood sister Pearl Dive is also a prime place to stock up on chilled and broiled oysters, clam chowder, and more.
➤ Learn more about Blacksalt right here.
#4 Hank’s Oyster Bar: Homegrown chain Hank’s Oyster Bar from chef Jamie Leeds dishes out lobster rolls, mussels, and fried clams in a festive, casual atmosphere. They even have their own variety of oyster cultivated just for them! To date, there are Hank’s outposts in Dupont, the Wharf, and a newly-relocated Alexandria location.
➤ Learn more about Hank’s Oyster Bar right here.
#5 Fiola Mare: There are two seafood-focused spots from chef Fabio Trabocchi, but Fiola Mare has been serving a stylish crowd at Georgetown since 2014. Come for the sophisticated Italian seafood; stay for the luxe, modern setting punctuated by river views.
➤ Learn more about Fiola Mare right here.
#6 Joe’s Seafood: Years ago, this Miami favorite made its way to DC, where it cemented itself as a power restaurant near the White House. From stone crab claws to high-end fish and shellfish options, this high-end destination continues to cater to its loyal downtown Washington crowd.
➤ Learn more about Joe’s Seafood right here.
➤ Interested in more local places to visit? You might also like:
#7 Salt Line: Chef Kyle Bailey oversees this Navy Yard eatery, which draws in large crowds on game days (and not) thanks to its spacious outdoor bar that spins out raw oysters, summery drinks, and fried clams. The restaurant draws its influences from New England, with a menu of clam chowder, oysters, and crispy skin rockfish that aims to please.
➤ Learn more about Salt Line right here.
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