- Bob Chinn’s Crab House
393 S Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling, IL 60090
(847) 520-3633
Seafood lovers flock to this massive crab house in the northern ‘burbs for an extensive selection of crab legs, lobster, fish, shrimp, and more. The complimentary garlic rolls and the famous Mai Tai are must-try too.
- Boston Fish Market
1649 Oakton Pl, Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 803-4009
Head out to Des Plaines for a trove of fresh seafood. The (surprise, surprise) fish market also doubles as a restaurant to offer Greek- and Cajun-style preparations of shrimp, scallops, octopus, Chilean sea bass, red snapper, and more.
- Calumet Fisheries
3259 E 95th St, Chicago, IL 60617
(773) 933-9855
This longtime Eater 38 spot is a Chicago landmark that dates back to 1948. Take a trip down to the far South Side for seafood that’s smoked on site in a roadside shack. There’s limited seating so prepare to eat outside or in the car. But it’s a small price to pay to try the James Beard-recognized selection of shrimp, sable, salmon, herring, trout, and whitefish.
- Fish Bar
2956 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 687-8177
Michael Kornick and DMK Restaurants bring the ocean to Lakeview with casual chef-driven bites. Fish Bar reels in customers with lobster rolls, fish tacos, raw oysters, and bisques and chowders in a nautical-themed space.
- Glenn’s Diner & Seafood House
1820 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 506-1720
This popular Ravenswood eatery integrates greasy spoon favorites with seafood to create home-style dishes like lobster fettuccini Alfredo, crustacean pot pie, and curry shrimp and rice. Weekly all-you-can-eat specials include king crab legs, peel-and-eat shrimp, and lake perch.
- GT Fish & Oyster
531 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 929-3501
Post up at the bar and watch the crew expertly shuck bivalves while enjoying elevated bites of fried oyster po’ boy sliders and creamy lobster mac and cheese. For big spenders, there are fully-customizable seafood towers and luxurious caviar service.
- Lawrence’s Fish & Shrimp
2120 S Canal St, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 225-2113
Satisfy those late-night munchies with fried seafood at this 24-hour spot. Lawrence Fish and Shrimp has been at it since 1971 with a menu full of crispy shrimp, fish, oysters, scallops, clam strips, and more. The restaurant also delivers and has a dock behind the building for easy access from the Chicago River.
- Lowcountry
3343 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 996-9997
Guests order shrimp, snow crab, mussels, clams, crawfish, or lobster by the pound, which are cooked in a bag with different sauces and add-ons like corn and sausage. It’s served directly onto the table for a communal experience.
- Mariscos El Veneno
6651 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60629
(773) 582-5576
This West Lawn mainstay serves up seafood-inspired dishes that best represent the Gulf. Bring a six-pack of beer to enjoy with the Nayarit-style cuisine, which includes grilled snapper, crabs, lobster, and shrimp.
- mfk.
432 W Diversey Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 857-2540
This tiny subterranean restaurant is certainly a nice consolation. It captures the essence of seaside eating through coastal delights like crunchy prawn heads, boquerones, seafood fideos, and Basque cake.
- Seafood Harbor
2131 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 225-1888
This seafood-centric spot from the partners of Phoenix Restaurant serves a variety of Cantonese-style delicacies. The dining room is lined with tanks full of live products and the menu has options like lobster, Alaskan king crab, largemouth bass, baby clams, and much more.
- Wellfleet
4423 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60630
(773) 283-8400
Guests can pick up some fresh seafood before grabbing a seat at the counter for lobster rolls, clamwiches, and crab cakes.
- Fahlstrom’s Fresh Fish Market
1258 W Belmont Ave., Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 281-6000
Owner Glenn Fhalstrom, who also co-founded Glenn’s Diner, delivers 16-18 pieces of fresh fish daily alongside a selection of oils, spices, and sauces. On Tuesdays, bring an appetite for all-you-can-eat Alaskan king crab legs.
- Half Shell
676 W Diversey Pkwy., Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 549-1773
The Lakeview oyster bar has been in operation since 1968, providing folks with bivalves, king crab legs, soft shell crabs, deep fried frog legs, and more. During summertime, the front patio is a popular attraction. Bring some bills because it’s cash only.
- Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House
1024 N Rush St., Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 640-0999
Oysters are flown in daily and are available during happy hour for $1. The rest of the menu features classics like jumbo lump crab cakes, Shrimp DeJonghe, king crab legs, and pan-seared halibut.
- Santorini
800 W Adams St., Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 829-8820
A Greektown staple for more than two decades, Santorini is the closest Chicagoans will get to the Aegean Sea without hopping on a plane. Try charcoal-grilled octopus, wild sea bass, red snapper, swordfish, and more inside a warm and cozy dining area.
- La Palapa
2000 W 34th St, Chicago, IL 60608
(773) 376-9620
Mexican mariscos are served on a beach-themed patio, complete with thatch umbrellas and fake palm trees. House specialties include shrimp empanadas, langoustines over rice, and filete relleno (tilapia stuffed with shrimp, octopus, crab, onions, tomato, cilantro, and cheese). Alcohol is BYOB.
