The 11 Best Local Seafood Restaurants In Austin (For 2024!)

By Kelsey Kennedy | March 22, 2023

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Let’s get to it: does Austin even have good seafood? That depends on who you’re asking. If you look at the quality, variety, and availability of fresh seafood restaurants in Austin, especially compared to what was available in this city just 10 years ago, you’ve got to admit: Austin is a pretty good city for seafood, especially considering it’s landlocked.

But of course, if you were to ask a local New Englander to rate our seafood restaurants, she’d probably give them a passing grade but not be too impressed. (Probably the way a Texan would rate the local smoked brisket BBQ in Utah.) You simply can’t beat dining on seafood right next to the sea! And (news flash...) there's no ocean in Austin, Texas. But...

What we do have, though, are chefs who care about sustainability and sourcing the freshest fish possible. And we also have restaurants with the most fun and festive dining ambiance!

We’re talking about big, oak-shaded patios with twinkle lights, old-school Austin institutions with linoleum floors but really great food, and big shareable picnic tables with customizable seafood boils.

Turns out there are a lot of really delicious seafood restaurants in Austin. Let’s get to it.

11 Best Local Seafood Restaurants In Austin

1. Salt Traders Coastal Cooking

Salt Traders, from the team behind Jack Allen’s Kitchen, is a vibrant coastal kitchen with a family-friendly ambiance, a central bar (with a great happy hour!), and a focus on sustainably sourcing seafood found mostly in the Texas gulf.

They have a raw bar, incredibly fun starters and sides (try those Chowda Fries!!), and sandwiches and grilled specials daily.

Two locations: Zilker and Round Rock.

WEBSITE | 1101 S MoPac Expy, Austin, TX 78746

2. Clark’s Oyster Bar

Little sister restaurants to Perla’s (#3 on this list), Clark’s is a vibe. It’s a tiny, sophisticated restaurant in Clarksville with a bar area (those bar stools are one of the most fun places to eat in the restaurant), a few indoor tables, and patio dining underneath a HUGE century-old live oak tree that shades the entire building.

You must start with a martini and a dozen of their fresh raw oysters, and maybe some caviar. And if you decide to dine here for dinner, the lobster roll, crispy snapper, and the catch of the day are all fantastic options. Clark's is one of the most popular seafood restaurants in Austin, so make a reservation or plan on getting there for an early dinner, especially if it's a beautiful day. Everyone loves those outdoor seats!

WEBSITE | 1200 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78703

3. Perlas

This is from the same restaurant group as Clark’s Oyster Bar, so you’ll find some similarities: they each have exceptional staff members, a gorgeous interior, a fun patio, and a beautifully branded restaurant story. But Perlas, located on South Congress, is a much larger restaurant, and it focuses on coastal seafood.

The patio here is really exceptional, so try to dine there if it’s a nice evening. Perlas has fresh fish and oysters flown in daily from both coasts, but they focus on sourcing from the gulf as much as possible. {Photo: Perlas}

WEBSITE | 1400 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704

4. Garbo’s Lobsters

If you love lobster rolls, you simply can’t beat Garbo’s. They’ve served over 50,000 lobster rolls in Austin, Texas, since they opened in 2015.

Garbo’s serves authentic Maine lobster rolls, made with chilled Maine lobster, mayo, celery, and lots of fresh lemon and scallions on a fluffy New England split-top bun. These are the best lobster rolls in Austin.

But since this is a guide to the best seafood in Austin, let’s talk about their other options. Did you know Garbo’s also has a raw bar? It changes based on what they’re able to fly in fresh from Island Creek Oyster Company. They also have weekly specials, like fish and chips, and some delicious soup options, like clam chowder and lobster bisque. {Photos: Garbos/Facebook}

WEBSITE | 823 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701

5. Quality Seafood

If you love checking out old, classic Austin restaurants, you need to go to Quality Seafood. They’ve been on Airport Blvd since 1938, and they’re still one of the best places in Austin to get seafood.

Don’t expect any frills, though! The linoleum floor is weathered, and the ceilings are low.

You can, however, expect friendly service and some of the best fish in Austin, available to enjoy in the restaurant or to purchase from the seafood counter to bring home and prepare in your own kitchen.

WEBSITE | 5621 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78751

6. Este

New to the Austin dining scene, this Coastal Seafood restaurant from the team behind Suerte is an elegant place to dine on raw oysters (half off during happy hour), delicious cocktails, aguachile and ceviche, and delicious tacos, tostadas, and grilled seafood from the coast.

Este celebrates “fresh seafood, Mexican cuisine, and charcoal cooking.” If you’re looking for a seafood restaurant with Mexican influences, incredible masa, and lots of flavor, head to Este.

WEBSITE | 2113 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722

7. TLC

TLC is one of the best seafood restaurants in Austin that can easily host a big group of people, It’s a fantastic comfort-food coastal restaurant that’s perfect for families, large groups, or just a few friends who want a casual place to sip on cocktails and enjoy a seafood boil. They have a bunch of big picnic tables, both indoor and outdoor, making this an excellent place to dine with your family in Austin.

Try one of the 30 Texas beers on tap, some crazy-good shareable plates like raw oysters, bacon-wrapped shrimp, and kennebec fries, and (of course) their iconic seafood boil.

Customize your boil by choosing a CATCH (Dungeness crab, Maine lobster, P.E.I. Mussels, and more), a FLAVOR (pan-Asian, citrus pepper and smoked garlic are all fantastic), and a SAUCE (you can’t beat that classic lemon butter sauce.) Boils are priced by the ½ pound and come with Texas corn and red potatoes.

WEBSITE | 1100 S Lamar Blvd Ste. #1150, Austin, TX 78704

8. Seareina’s

If you love Mexican seafood and a party, Seareina’s needs to be the next seafood restaurant in Austin you try! From the Gabriela's Group (Gabriela’s Downtown, Taquero Mucho), Seareina’s serves sushi, signature cocktails, and Mexican-style seafood.

Every weekend you can enjoy a live Banda, so come ready to drink, dance, and indulge.

WEBSITE | 6607 N Interstate Hwy 35, Austin, TX 78752

9. Krab Kingz Seafood

Krab clusters, lobster tails, shrimp, sausage, potatoes, and complimentary dipping butter? DELICIOUS. Krab Kingz Cajun seafood restaurant has been a favorite in the Austin area for years, starting as a food truck in the Fort Hood/Killen area and expanding to a brick-and-mortar in Pflugerville (just north of Austin) and a food truck in Austin.

Be sure to try some of that gumbo if it’s available, and order a plate of the boudin balls and krab cakes. {Photo: Krab Kingz/Facebook}

WEBSITE | 1311 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704

10. Mongers Market + Kitchen

Mongers are more than just a restaurant: it’s a neighborhood eatery, a raw bar, and a market tucked into a small shop on Guadalupe in central Austin. You can dine in and enjoy fresh seafood in their beautiful restaurant or get seafood from the market and bring it home.

With a focus on coastal seafood, Monger’s offers a full cocktail bar, a raw bar with oysters and ceviche, and crudos, and a rotating menu based on availability. This means that every time you dine at Moonger’s, you’ll be treated to something different, knowing it’s the freshest option available. {Photo: Mongers/Facebook}

WEBSITE | 4119 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78751,

11. Deckhand Oyster Bar and Seafood

A casual, comfortable spot with coastal seafood and fried fish, Deckhand is a must-try if you love menu items like gumbo, boudin boys, fried catfish, whole flounder,

And while the location is a bit lackluster (tucked into a strip center next to a Target location), Deckhand truly does have some of the best raw oysters in Austin. {Photo: Deckhand/Facebook}

WEBSITE | 4211 S Lamar Blvd C-1, Austin, TX 78704

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