Here Are 13 Places to Find Great Seafood in St. Louis

Mariscos el Gato
4561 Gravois Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63116

Mexican AND seafood under one roof? We’re so in. In true Nayarit style, Mariscos el Gato seriously has all the seafood eats including mammoth lobster (it’s as crazy as it sounds), fish, scallop and crab platters, stuffed whole fish and octopus cocktail. The plates are huge and the new location is cozier than ever.

Photo by Mabel Suen.

Cate Zone
8146 Olive Blvd
University City, MO 63130

If you’re in for some classic calamari dishes, try Cate Zone’s cumin-calamari fried rice; you can add Szechuan shrimp too. Located in U City, Cate Zone also serves an incredible “hot crisp fish” -- one of our critic’s favorite dishes in recent memory.

Photo by Mabel Suen.

Grace Meat + Three
4270 Manchester Ave
St. Louis, MO 63110

This place offers exactly what it describes and more -- the classic Southern-style meat and three menu. Seafood lovers should choose the cornmeal-fried Mississippi catfish plus their choice of sides (two come standard, but you can get a third for a little more). You can also get a variety of sandwiches and salads, including one featuring that delicious MIssissippi catfish.

Photo courtesy of Instagram / gracemeatthree

Peacemaker Lobster & Crab Co.
1831 Sidney Street
St Louis, MO 63104

Chef Kevin Nashan’s second restaurant in Benton Park (after the elegant Sidney Street Cafe, also on this list) is more casual, but no less impressive. Peacemaker is a riff on East Coast-style seafood shacks, although there’s nothing shack-like about the stylish digs or the terrific food on offer here. Get your lobster roll Connecticut style (hot butter) or Maine style (cold mayo) and remind yourself that just because it’s seafood doesn’t mean you’re sacrificing a thing.

Photo courtesy of Instagram / chicagotastetribe.

Herbie's
8100 Maryland Ave
Clayton, MO 63105

Another French inspired restaurant and bistro, Herbie’s has an extensive menu including brunch and vegetarian options. For dinner, feast on a soy caramel salmon and scallops or shrimp and grits. In the mood for a drink? The Clayton hotspot has a great bar menu, as well as music from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Photo by Mabel Suen.

L'Acadiane
1915 Park Ave
St. Louis, MO 63104

This newcomer’s French Acadian influence will have your mouth watering, with house gumbo and a huge variety of po’ boys. Instead of just a few fish options, L’Acadiane has it all - even fish stuffed into more fish with their crab-stuffed catfish. The elegant Lafayette Square eatery also serves crab cakes, jambalaya and shrimp n’ grits -- all with a terrific drink menu.

Photo by Kelly Glueck.

John D. McGurk’s
1200 Russell Blvd
St. Louis, MO 63104

Looking for that classic Dublin atmosphere? Perennially recognized as one of the best Irish pubs in town, McGurk’s is also a family-friendly restaurant that serves lunch and dinner seven days a week. Offerings include a top-notch fish and chips, a crab cake appetizer or a grilled tilapia sandwich.

RFT photo.

Oceano Bistro
44 N Brentwood Boulevard
Clayton, MO 63105

This bistro is a great catch. It has fresh local produce and flavor combos to adorn every plate -- you might even find yourself with a fresh catch you’ve never even heard of. The Clayton hotspot also offers creative and unique appetizers that start off the meal right like ahi tuna and ceviche.

RFT photo.

Scottish Arms
8 S Sarah St.
St. Louis, MO 63108

At this delightful Scottish pub in the Central West End, try classics such as a salmon omelette for brunch or one of the best classic fish and chips for lunch or dinner. More adventurous offerings are on the menu as well, with a menu based on quality ingredients from local sustainable farms interpreted with a special Scottish charm.

RFT photo.

BLK Mkt Eats
9 S Vandeventer Ave
St. Louis, MO 63108

Imagine your favorite sushi roll the size of a chipotle burrito. That’s BLK MKT Eats for you. And it is served up the same way, in an efficient assembly line. Not only that but you can get your protein, rice and veggies in a bowl or salad too, or even try your favorite sushi combo over nachos. There’s not much room to dine in, but for a to-go order, there’s nothing more delicious.

Photo by Sarah Fenske.

Sidney Street Cafe
2000 Sidney St.
St. Louis, MO 63104

This James Beard award-winning eatery may be best-known for its steak, but you can’t miss out with the tuna crudo, grilled loup de mer or roasted scallops. Chef Kevin Nashan is at the top of his game and cooking some of the best food in town, so save this for a special night out.

Photo by Jon Gitchoff.

Sister Cities Cajun
3550 S Broadway
St. Louis, MO 63118

Now located in a bigger and better new location on South Broadway, Sister Cities has the Cajun BBQ hookup. You’d practically think you were right there in New Orleans with these gumbo and catfish dishes. Try something interesting like the shrimp and grits or the special Friday-only dish crawfish etouffee.

Photo by Mabel Suen.

Vin de Set
2017 Chouteau Ave
St. Louis, MO 63103

If you want to treat yo’ self to some rooftop seafood, Vin de Set is the place for you. At this rooftop restaurant on the edge of Lafayette Square you can sample any number of seafood favorites with a French accent, including Provencal-style shrimp, moules frites and grilled salmon. Spicy crab beignets start the meal off right.

RFT photo.