The selections range from food trucks with excellent seafood sandwiches, to casual seafood restaurants, to upscale fine dining establishments. Fish tacos, fried catfish, crawfish, shellfish, as well as fresh bass, salmon, halibut, and gulf red snapper are among the choices.
Of course, if you want sushi and sashimi, that’s available here too, as described in the Japanese restaurants section.
Below are some of the local favorite seafood restaurants.
Our Favorites
Turf N' Surf Po Boy
207 Congress Ave., Austin TX 78701
(512) 276-2763
map
Large, tasty seafood Po Boys (sub sandwiches). Blackened fish tacos, fried shrimp Po Boys, and crawfish etouffee Po Boys are good. They also have other types of sandwiches. A little pricey for a food trailer but definitely high quality. Good place to get a quick meal while walking around downtown. An unusual food trailer in that they actually bring the food out to you (instead of your having to go back and get it).
Eddie V's Prime Seafood
301 E. 5th St., Austin TX 78701
(512) 472-1860
map
website
9400 Arboretum Blvd. Ste. B, Austin TX 78759
(512) 342-2642
map
website
Top-notch food, service, and atmosphere. Eddie V’s serves excellent seafood, as well as steaks and other dishes. Portions are large and you’re not likely to leave hungry. The fresh fish includes roasted Chilean sea bass, lemon sole in parmesan crust, as well as salmon and halibut. Their crab cakes are among the best around. The fried shrimp are huge and the calamari appetizers are definitely worth a taste. We understand they also have good oysters on the half shell. Professional service with a romantic, nicely appointed atmosphere round out the package. Fine dining at its finest, and expect to pay accordingly. But a good choice for special occasions.
Perry's Steakhouse & Grille
114 W. 7th St. Ste. 110, Austin TX 78701
(512) 474-6300
map
website
Another fine dining establishment with fine food and atmosphere (and prices to match). Everything from the appetizers to dessert is first rate. The bacon wrapped scallops or calamari are good appetizer choices. The lobster bisque is also good way to start – rich and creamy, but you can taste the lobster. Crab cakes are well made, tasty, and full of crab instead of filler. Fish choices include salmon which is thick and meaty, There are also some unusual dishes such as chicken fried lobster. Although it’s not seafood, we must mention the Friday pork chop special. Huge, moist, tender, and perfectly seasoned.Service is impeccable and the ambiance is impressive, with high ceilings, elegant decor, and romantic lighting.
Truluck's Seafood, Steak, and Crab House
400 Colorado St., Austin TX 78701
(512) 482-9000
map
website
10225 Research Blvd. Suite 4000, Austin TX 78759
(512) 794-8300
map
website
Good, fresh seafood, especially the fish, South African lobster tails, king crab, and dungeness crab. Crab and corn chowder is a good soup choice. For appetizers, the calamari, crab cakes, and shrimp are good, and of course their signature stone crab claws. Romantic atmosphere and impeccable service. Pricey but good for special occasions. Live piano music.
Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
6319 N. I-35, Austin TX 78752
(512) 452-9363
map
website
Good place for Cajun seafood dishes, such as boiled or fried crawfish, crawfish etouffe, fried alligator, and blackened catfish. The fried appetizer trio is quite large and tasty. Also recommended is the fried calamari appetizer. Jumbo shrimp brochette with bacon, cheese, and jalapeno pepper is good. Some also suggest the fried soft shell crab which is very flavorful. Oysters on the half shell are also said to be a good choice. Service is consistently excellent.
Parkside
301 E. 6th St., Austin TX 78701
(512) 474-9898
map
website
Good place in downtown Austin for seafood, steak, and more exotic dishes (like steak tartar and hill country rabbit). Menu changes daily. As far as seafood, the crab fritters, fried oysters, and seared scallops are good choices. So is the fish, including grilled salmon with artichokes and olives. They’re famous for their raw bar, which offers oysters, tuna, fluke, bass, and ceviche. Service is knowledgeable and efficient. Good atmosphere.
Quality Seafood Market
5621 Airport Blvd., Austin TX 78751
(512) 454-5827
map
website
Great place for fresh seafood of all types. Best known for their Tuesday special fish tacos, which can be customized with different meats, tortillas, and salsas. Good taco choices are fried catfish on flour with creme verde sauce, grilled shrimp with avocado or mango salsa, or blackened mahi mahi on corn with mango salsa. They also have fish: swordfish, blue marlin, steelhead, and fresh shrimp. Small place, nondescript from the outside but warm and inviting atmosphere inside. The staff is friendly and efficient. As the name suggests, they’re also a seafood market and sell by the pound to take home.
Need more choices?
View the map below for other seafood restaurant choices around town.
Click here for a list and map of Austin seafood restaurants (opens in a new tab).
Austin Seafood News
New seafood restaurant to serve fresh Gulf seafood
Monger's Market and Kitchen is opening soon in Austin's east side. A pairing of celebrity seafood purveyor Roberto San Miguel and chef Shane Stark, Monger's will sell fresh fish selections at its market and also serve daily seafood specials at its restaurant.
Do you have a favorite seafood restaurant in Austin? Or do you have a story about such a restaurant, maybe one of the restaurants listed on this page? Tell us about your favorite restaurant, or share your story here.