There’s something magical about seafood when it’s caught, cooked, and served right where the ocean meets the shore. Every coastal region has its own flavor—from buttery lobster rolls in the Northeast to fiery Creole shrimp down South.
Over the years, I’ve eaten my way across fish markets, roadside shacks, and dockside dives, always chasing that perfect bite of ocean-sweet freshness. These 15 states? They know what they’re doing.
1. Maine
Lobster is a way of life here—not a luxury. I’ll never forget eating my first roll in Bar Harbor: tender chunks of claw and tail meat barely dressed in mayo, tucked into a buttery, top-split bun.
You’ll find fresh-caught scallops and steamers too, but it’s the lobster that rules.
2. Louisiana
Spice and soul run deep in every dish. Crawfish boils, blackened catfish, gumbo, shrimp étouffée, each one rich with layers of flavor and a long, proud history.
The seafood here doesn’t whisper; it sings with cayenne, garlic, and sass. No one throws a seafood party like Louisiana.
3. Alaska
Cold waters mean sweet, clean-tasting seafood, and Alaska knows how to show it off. Wild salmon, halibut, king crab—you’ll find it all, fresh off the boat.
I once had grilled salmon on a driftwood fire outside Homer and it changed the way I taste fish forever.
4. Massachusetts
You haven’t really eaten clam chowder until you’ve had it in Boston. Creamy, briny, packed with tender clams and bits of salt pork, it’s a bowl of New England comfort.
Fried clams, lobster rolls, and day-boat scallops round out the offerings in this seafood-obsessed state.
5. Florida
From stone crab claws in Miami to grouper sandwiches in Tampa, Florida’s seafood game is bold and bright. The flavors lean tropical: lime, mango, garlic butter, and a splash of sunshine in every bite.
Don’t skip the key lime-marinated ceviche—it’s a revelation.
6. Washington
The Pacific Northwest brings a cooler, misty kind of seafood experience. Think fresh oysters slurped straight from the shell, smoked salmon on bagels, or Dungeness crab caught off the coast.
Pike Place Market alone could feed a seafood-loving soul for a lifetime.
7. California
Fish tacos, cioppino, grilled calamari—California’s seafood scene is as varied as its landscape. Coastal towns from San Diego to Mendocino boast catches like rockfish, sea urchin, and abalone.
And don’t sleep on the sushi: LA and SF have some of the best outside Japan.
8. Maryland
Blue crab is king here, whether it’s steamed with Old Bay, piled into a crab cake, or stirred into a rich soup. I once cracked crabs on a newspaper-covered table in Baltimore, fingers messy and heart happy.
There’s a reason Marylanders are crab snobs—and they’ve earned it.
9. Oregon
The seafood here tastes like the forest met the sea—clean, briny, and rugged. Chinook salmon, bay shrimp, and razor clams make frequent menu appearances.
Pair it with local Pinot or microbrews and you’ve got a coastal meal that feels earthy and elegant all at once.
10. South Carolina
Lowcountry boils, shrimp and grits, oyster roasts—this is Southern seafood with deep roots. I’ve had shrimp so fresh it was still warm from the dock.
The flavors lean smoky, buttery, and soulful, often with a touch of sweet heat.
11. Texas
You might not think of seafood first in Texas, but the Gulf delivers. Crispy fish tacos in Corpus Christi, grilled red snapper in Galveston, or spicy shrimp broils down in Port Aransas.
There’s serious flavor here. Expect Tex-Mex flair and bold, bright seasoning.
12. Rhode Island
They may be small, but they’re mighty with clams. I’m talking clam cakes, clam chowder (clear broth here, not creamy!), and stuffies—clams mixed with breadcrumbs and herbs, baked in the shell.
Seafood shacks dot the coast and serve it all with hushpuppies and charm.
13. North Carolina
Fresh catch meets Southern comfort in this stretch of coastline. Flounder, mahi-mahi, shrimp and oysters all show up in simple, buttery dishes that let the ingredients shine.
Calabash-style frying—light and golden—is the local signature, and it’s worth seeking out.
14. New York
Beyond bagels and lox, New York’s seafood scene is wildly diverse. Chinatown fish markets, Long Island clam bars, upscale oyster houses—they all bring their A-game.
You can go from Jamaican jerk snapper in Queens to buttery lobster risotto in Manhattan, all in a single day.
15. Hawaii
Every bite feels like a postcard here. Poke bowls loaded with raw ahi, grilled opah with pineapple glaze, or buttery mahi-mahi tacos—Hawaiian seafood blends native flavors with Japanese, Filipino, and American influences.
Even the gas station sushi is better than you’d expect.