Perhaps because of its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay, the Philadelphia area has a large number of great seafood restaurants. In addition to the top seafood restaurants in Philadelphia, we have included several in neighboring counties in Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey. If you have your own list of favorites, drop me a note.
1500 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA, 19102. Phone: 732-4444. The concensus pick for the best seafood restaurant in Philadelphia with a four star rating from the Mobile Travel Guide. Featured in the film "The Sixth Sense." Fresh seafood is the speciality. Prices are very high, but the food and service is top notch.
600 Catharine St., Philadelphia, PA, 19147. Phone: (215) 413-3464. A hidden gem among restaurants in the Philadelphia area, this small, 24 seat, BYOB neighborhood restaurant has received Philadelphia Magazine "Best of Philly" awards for "best service" and "best first date." What makes it even better is the food is fantastic.
207 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA, 19106. Phone: (215) 625-8605. Within easy walking distance of Independence National Park and the waterfront, this restaurant is on almost everyone's list for best seafood in Philly. Chef owner Kevin Meeker has established a creative alliance with Hawaiian chef Sam Choy, bringing Pacific Rim fish to Philadelphia. That's just one part of the extensive menu.
1516 Sansom St., Philadelphia, PA, 19102. Phone: (215) 567-7683. While they like to call themselves "one of Philadelphia's best kept secrets," the secret was long ago revealed. For fresh fish every day, and especially for oyster lovers, this is the place to go for lunch or dinner. Reasonable prices attract a lunchtime business crowd and evening theater goers.
312 Race St., Philadelphia, PA, 19106. Phone: (215) 925-5115. Don't be fooled by the name, although other items are available, this restaurant exists for one food only: Gulf Coast hard-shell crabs. These fresh steamers come coated in spicy sea salt with a side of vinegary dipping sauce. A side of coleslaw and pepper-dusted fries complete the meal.
6. Ritz Seafood
910 Haddonfield-Berlin Rd., Voorhees, NJ, 08043. Phone: (856) 566-6650. Located in the Ritz Center, this restaurant is the perfect place for a meal before or after a movie, especially if you don't relish the idea of driving into the city. chef Daniel Hover offers a creative pan-Asian menu in a nicely decorated Japanese-theme interior which includes a carp pond and tranquil stone waterfall.Rte. 70 E., Cherry Hill, NJ, 08034. Phone: (856) 616-9192. Emerald Fish features moderately priced seafood, pasta and lobster. The restaurant is highly rated by Zagat, earned the 1999 Best of Philly award for soft shell crabs, and is rated four stars by Ed Hitzel of the Courier Post. As Craig LaBan from the Philadelphia Inquirer stated, it's "worth crossing the Ben Franklin bridge" to visit.
225 S. 18th St., Philadelphia, PA, 19103. Phone: (215) 546-5940. Formerly Houlihan's (also owned by the same parent company) the Devon Seafood Grill offers well prepared standards served by a proficient wait staff. Best bets are the Maryland crab cakes, pan-roasted Alaskan halibut, Block Island swordfish and fresh Maine lobster.
499 N. Gulph Rd., King of Prussia, PA, 19406. Phone: (610) 265-2550. Located near the huge malls at King of Prussia, Creed's is the perfect place for lunch or dinner during a busy shopping day. Creed's has received an excellent rating on Zagat.com.
9-31 E. Gay St., West Chester, PA, 19380. Phone: (610) 738-8844. Not only the best seafood restaurant in West Chester, but the best in the Philly suburbs. Spence Cafe specializes in gourmet seafood and elegant dining in a casual atmosphere.
