Seafood Restaurants in Philadelphia

If you’re chasing fresh seafood in Philadelphia, you’re in luck. The city’s seafood scene is full of spots where locals love to eat, and you won’t always find them on the usual tourist lists. For example, in South Philly, spots like Oyster House make you feel like you’re right on the coast, even though the beach is hours away. The oysters? Seriously some of the best I’ve tried outside of a coastal trip.

But this city isn’t just about oysters. Classic places like the Old City BYOBs serve up crab cakes packed with jumbo lump crabmeat that you’ll still be dreaming about days later. And if you’re downtown, don’t miss out on a visit to the Reading Terminal Market,there’s a stall there where the crab fries are legendary amongst locals and worth every greasy bite.

Quick tip: Philadelphia’s seafood shines freshest in late spring through early fall when local markets really ramp up their supplies. Also, ask for the catch of the day,it changes often, and it’s usually your best bet for something special. Being a local, I swear by asking servers for their favorites instead of just ordering blindly. Trust me on that one,it makes all the difference.