Whether you've waited in line for soft-shell crabs in the Chesapeake Bay or savored sushi in New York City, you know there's something special about finding the right spot to enjoy seafood. From ceviche to grilled salmon and towers of shellfish, the top-rated seafood restaurants in the United States serve up mouthwatering dishes across diverse cuisines like Japanese, Latin American, and Mediterranean to suit every palate.
Of course, certain areas of the country are known for particular delicacies. California's proximity to the Pacific Ocean, for example, makes it one of the best states for seafood. The Los Angeles area serves up everything from caviar to Santa Barbara spot prawns while San Francisco is a mecca for fish tacos, ceviche, and sushi. Further north, Seattle is legendary for its shellfish, showcased at the famed fish counter at Pike Place Market.
While Chicago may be best known as a pizza capital, many flock to the city for its king crab dishes; a bit further south and east, you have Miami and its sought-after stone crab season. Southern locales like New Orleans boast fresh crawfish from the Gulf of Mexico and the two noncontiguous states have their own signature offerings, too: Alaska is known for its pollock and salmon, while Hawai'i is known for its poke.
Dining at a seafood restaurant can be one of the most memorable parts of your trip to a new city or offer comfort food in your own hometown. To celebrate the best options near you, Stacker used insights from Yelp to compile a list of the highest-rated seafood restaurants in Asheville.
Businesses were selected using Yelp's ranking system, which calculates an adjusted rating value that takes into account the number of ratings as well as the rating score itself. Only restaurants with at least 10 reviews were considered. In an effort to highlight independent restaurants and local chains, those with more than five locations nationally, based on the Yelp data, were not included. Data is as of June 14, 2024.
Keep reading to discover your highest-rated local seafood restaurants for your next special meal out!
Note: The photos in this article are stock images and do not necessarily depict the specific restaurants listed or the dishes they serve.
Canva
#20. La Carreta
- Rating: 2.7/5 (42 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1435 Merrimon Ave. Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: mexican, seafood, breakfast & brunch
- Read more on Yelp
Canva
#19. Harbor Inn Seafood - Asheville
- Rating: 3.3/5 (102 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 880 Brevard Road Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: seafood
- Read more on Yelp
Canva
#18. The Fireplace Restaurant
- Rating: 3.5/5 (59 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 287 Weaverville Road Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: seafood, steakhouses, salad
- Read more on Yelp
Canva
#17. Sunset Terrace
- Rating: 3.6/5 (283 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 290 Macon Ave. Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: seafood, steakhouses
- Read more on Yelp
Canva
#16. Heiwa Shokudo
- Rating: 3.8/5 (169 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 87 North Lexington Ave. Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: japanese, sushi bars, seafood
- Read more on Yelp
Canva
#15. Blue Ridge Artisanal Buffet
- Rating: 3.9/5 (144 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 290 Macon Ave. Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: breakfast & brunch, seafood, buffets
- Read more on Yelp
Canva
#14. Mela Indian Restaurant
- Rating: 3.9/5 (574 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 70 North Lexington Ave. Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: indian, desserts, seafood
- Read more on Yelp
Canva
#13. Village Social On Biltmore Estate
- Rating: 3.9/5 (202 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 207 Dairy Road Antler Hill Village Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: new american, seafood, breakfast & brunch
- Read more on Yelp
Canva
#12. Cornerstone
- Rating: 4.0/5 (402 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 102 Tunnel Road Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: american, seafood, steakhouses
- Read more on Yelp
Canva
#11. Crab Du Jour
- Rating: 4.1/5 (71 reviews)
- Address: 115 Tunnel Road Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: seafood, cajun/creole, chicken wings
- Read more on Yelp
Canva
#10. Little Pearl
- Rating: 4.1/5 (87 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 15 Peaks Center Lane Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: seafood, burgers, barbeque
- Read more on Yelp
Canva
#9. Bull And Beggar
- Rating: 4.1/5 (359 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 37 Paynes Way Ste 007 Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: seafood, cocktail bars, new american
- Read more on Yelp
Canva
#8. Woodfire Bar & Grille
- Rating: 4.2/5 (51 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1450 Tunnel Road Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: american, bars, seafood
- Read more on Yelp
Canva
#7. 131 Main Restaurant
- Rating: 4.2/5 (371 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 308 Thetford St. Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: american, seafood, steakhouses
- Read more on Yelp
Canva
#6. The Lobster Trap
- Rating: 4.2/5 (682 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 35 Patton Ave. Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: seafood
- Read more on Yelp
Canva
#5. Laila
- Rating: 4.3/5 (23 reviews)
- Address: 77 Biltmore Ave. Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: seafood, indian
- Read more on Yelp
Canva
#4. Jettie Rae's Oyster House
- Rating: 4.3/5 (187 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 143 Charlotte St. Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: seafood, cocktail bars
- Read more on Yelp
Canva
#3. Mountain Madre Mexican Kitchen and Agave Bar
- Rating: 4.3/5 (430 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 13 West Walnut St. Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: cocktail bars, mexican, seafood
- Read more on Yelp
Canva
#2. Good Hot Fish
- Rating: 4.4/5 (21 reviews)
- Address: 10 Buxton Ave. Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: fish & chips, seafood, beer bar
- Read more on Yelp
Canva
#1. Fig
- Rating: 4.4/5 (314 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 18 Brook St. Asheville, North Carolina
- Categories: french, seafood, mediterranean
- Read more on Yelp
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Zeynep Guler Tuck, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 282 metros.
