Got a hankering for seafood? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top seafood outlets in Charlotte, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best spots to satisfy your cravings.
1. The Capital Grille
Topping the list is The Capital Grille, a national chain that specializes in steak and seafood. Located uptown at 201 N. Tryon St., the upscale restaurant and wine bar is the highest rated spot for seafood in Charlotte, boasting 4.5 stars out of 376 reviews on Yelp.
Notable menu items include seared tenderloin with butter poached lobster tails; roasted swordfish and lump crab with toasted breadcrumbs; and sushi-grade seared tuna with sesame and gingered rice. The restaurant also features over 325 wines, and valet parking is available starting at 6 p.m. weekdays and at 5 p.m. on weekends.
2. Dressler's
Next up is Dilworth's Dressler's, situated at 1100 Metropolitan Ave., Suite 125 E. With 4.5 stars out of 314 reviews on Yelp, the steakhouse and wine bar, which offers seafood and more, has proven to be a local favorite.
Helmed by chef Scott Hollingsworth, whose career includes 20 years at other eateries like Fusion Bistro in Cornelius and South Charlotte's Upstream, this restaurant offers an upscale dining experience. Seafood menu items include Thai peanut calamari, New Orleans-style shrimp, fried oysters, sautéed salmon and much more. Check out more menu options here.
3. Cajun Queen
Elizabeth's Cajun Queen, located at 1800 E. Seventh St., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the Cajun spot, which offers live music and seafood, four stars out of 658 reviews. Established in 1985, live jazz still occurs daily.
This joint specializes in Cajun-style boiled crawfish and Creole fare like fried alligator and seafood jambalaya. Look for menu items like crawfish scampi sautéed with garlic, white wine, scallions and parsley; blackened shrimp and grits with andouille sausage; and fried catfish strips. Click here for a full menu.
4. Deep Sea Seafood Market
Deep Sea Seafood Market is another much-loved go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 154 Yelp reviews. Head over to 10020 Monroe Road to see for yourself. The market sources its fish from all over the world, including salmon from Scotland, halibut from Alaska, scallops from Massachusetts and shrimp from the Gulf of Mexico.
Buy fresh fish in bulk, or stop by for ever-changing lunch or dinner fare. Standout menu options include a seared tuna and bacon sandwich; an alligator sausage po'boy with Creole sauce; and prosciutto-wrapped jumbo scallops with cauliflower puree.
5. New Zealand Cafe
Over in East Forest, check out New Zealand Cafe, which has earned four stars out of 444 reviews on Yelp. You can find the sushi bar and Asian fusion spot at 1717 N. Sardis Road, Suite 6A.
The establishment fuses New Zealand and Asian cooking techniques to create specialty rolls like the Dancing Eel, a California roll draped with eel avocado and eel sauce, and the Lobster Roll with crispy crunch, avocado and scallions. Ready to turn up the heat? Try the Dynamite roll: spicy yellowtail, avocado and crab served with smelt roe.
