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Mariscos 1133’s raw sampler puts oysters, shrimp, and its classic ceviche on ice.
Scott Suchman/Mariscos 1133

D.C.’s Essential Seafood Restaurants

Feast on crab cakes, clams, oysters, and more

by Missy Frederick and Tierney Plumb Updated
1 comment / new
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Mariscos 1133’s raw sampler puts oysters, shrimp, and its classic ceviche on ice.
| Scott Suchman/Mariscos 1133
by Missy Frederick and Tierney Plumb Updated
1 comment / new

Rockfish, crab cakes, oysters. D.C. really knows how to deliver when it comes to seafood.

While seafood restaurants with expense account prices dominate downtown, an increasing number of casual eateries and Chesapeake seafood shacks have popped up in recent years.

Here are 16 essential seafood restaurants in D.C., and for those specifically honing in on sushi, check out this map. For the best oyster happy hours around D.C., go here.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Crisfield

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Sliding behind the counter at this family-run restaurant since 1945 is like stepping into a time machine. While others have come and gone, this local fixture continues to provide seafood lovers with all manner of marine life including raw oysters, tangy shrimp salad, seasonal soft-shell sandwiches (which are still in stock), and other Norfolk-style selections baptized in butter. Like it spicy? Ask a server for some of the hot sauce bar staff mixes up from time to time.

8012 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 589-1306
(301) 589-1306

Horace and Dickies

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Though the original iconic carryout on H Street closed after a decades-old run, late owner Richard “Dickie” Shannon’s daughter operates a Horace and Dickie’s in Takoma with heaping boxes of cornmeal-crusted fried whiting.

6912 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20012
(202) 248-4265
(202) 248-4265

Also featured in:

Chef Skip 202

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Virginia Beach native Christopher Skipper serves up Cajun-spiced fried shrimp, fish, oysters, and crab cakes at this carryout kitchen near Howard University — and each to-go box includes a purple flower and a sweet secret sauce also known as mayonnaise-based aioli.

715 Euclid St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 481-2756
(202) 481-2756
A takeout box from Chef Skip combines a chicken Philly cheesesteak with Cajun shrimp and fries. Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Blacksalt

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This longtime Palisades restaurant serves as both a restaurant and a fish market for the neighborhood. Entrees from typically capitalize on what’s freshest that day. Dishes like fried clams and cream of crab soup appear alongside wood-grilled octopus, mussels, and red snapper. Blacks Restaurant Group’s Southern-leaning seafood sister Pearl Dive is also a prime place to stock up on chilled and broiled oysters, clam chowder, and more.

4883 MacArthur Blvd NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 342-9101
(202) 342-9101

Ivy City Smokehouse

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This neighborhood tavern is an extension of the smokehouse and production facility of local seafood company Profish, which means products here are never frozen. The smoked fish platter has already become an iconic appetizer around town, but Ivy City also offers one of the city’s best crabcakes.

1356 Okie St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 529-3300
(202) 529-3300

Also featured in:

Hank's Oyster Bar (Multiple locations)

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Homegrown chain Hank’s Oyster Bar from chef Jamie Leeds dishes out lobster rolls, mussels, and fried clams in a festive, casual atmosphere. They even have their own variety of oyster cultivated for them. There are Hank’s outposts in Dupont, the Wharf, and a newly-relocated Alexandria location.

1624 Q St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 462-4265
(202) 462-4265

Also featured in:

Mariscos 1133

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Mexico-born restaurateurs Alfredo and Jessica Solis (El Sol, Mezcalero, and Anafre) gave Logan Circle a color-soaked seafood spot last year that bounces all around Latin America. Mariscos, which means “seafood” in Spanish, offers a treasure trove of fresh fish, crustaceans, and bivalves prepared raw, fried, and grilled. Made-to-order citrusy ceviches, jicama slaw-topped oyster po’boys, and other Latin dishes harken back to Alfredo Solis’s days running downtown’s Ceiba for Passion Food Hospitality.

1133 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 836-4107
(202) 836-4107
A seafood gratin skillet comes with oysters, lobster, crab meat, and Cuban bread.
Scott Suchman/Mariscos 1133

Also featured in:

Fiola Mare

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There are two seafood-focused spots from chef Fabio Trabocchi: at the Wharf, Del Mar offers shellfish-studded, Spanish paella along the southwest waterfront, while Fiola Mare has been serving a stylish crowd at another waterfront (this one in Georgetown) since 2014. Both are splurge spots: here, consider a variety of crudo dishes, seafood brodetto, or the simply grilled seafood selection.

3050 K St NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 628-0065
(202) 628-0065

Also featured in:

Estuary

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CityCenterDC’s Estuary returned in spring 2022 after a long pandemic pause, sans opening celeb chefs and Maryland natives Bryan and Michael Voltaggio. Seafood is still a star at this luxe locavore restaurant, offering dishes like XO bucatini pasta with poached lobster and herb bread crumbs from chef de cusine Ria Montes and senior sous chef Sean Tew.

950 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 844-5895
(202) 844-5895
Estuary at Conrad Washington DC

Also featured in:

Brine

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This H Street NE hotspot offers an abundant seafood menu stocked with lobster rolls, East and West Coast oysters, peel-and-eat shrimp, and crab cakes. The 3-year-old nautical venture from Aaron McGovern and Arturas Vorobjovas puts a Cajun spin on oysters Rockefeller with broiled andouille sausage, red pepper corn succotash, parmesan, and corn bread crumble. Happy hour runs 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. A second Brine arrived in Dupont this year.

1359 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 591-1739
(202) 591-1739
Brine runs a whole lobster special on Wednesdays.
Brine/Facebook

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Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

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This Miami favorite made its way to D.C. where it cemented itself as a power restaurant near the White House. It serves stone crab claws and high-end fish and shellfish options to the downtown Washington crowd. Snacks are discounted at cocktail hour, but those deals aren’t as seafood-focused as the regular menu.

750 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 489-0140
(202) 489-0140

Rappahannock Oyster Bar (Wharf)

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This Virginia-based restaurant company restored a historic oyster shed at the Wharf complex for its flagship restaurant. Besides the signature oysters from the raw bar, order larger plates like oyster po’boy sandwiches, whole branzino, or seared scallops.

1150 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 484-0572
(202) 484-0572

Also featured in:

The Municipal Fish Market at The Wharf

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Around since 1805, this historic hub for fresh seafood (both cooked and raw) changed in recent years with the construction of the Wharf development, but vendors such as Jessie Taylor Seafood continue bringing the best of the sea to D.C. Find blue crabs, scallops, catch of the day deals, and more at the various stalls. (Long-running local purveyor Captain White’s Seafood City opened up at a new location in Oxon Hill after setting sail from the fish market.)

1100 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 484-2722
(202) 484-2722

Also featured in:

Salt Line

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Chef Kyle Bailey oversees this Navy Yard eatery, which draws in large crowds on game days at Nationals Park (a spacious outdoor bar that spins out raw oysters, summery drinks, and fried clams helps). The restaurant draws its influences from New England, with a menu of clam chowder, oysters, and crispy skin rockfish. The Salt Line expanded to Ballston in 2021, and a Bethesda location joined the fold this summer.

79 Potomac Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 506-2368
(202) 506-2368

Also featured in:

The Point D.C.

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Warm crab doughnuts are a hit menu item at The Point, a massive seafood showpiece in the developing Buzzard Point neighborhood with waterfront views and a patio that overlooks where the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers meet. A wood-burning grill and oven turns out grilled whole fish and wood-roasted Chesapeake oysters topped with blue crab-miso butter.

2100 2nd St SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 948-2522
(202) 948-2522
The point’s savory doughnuts are stuffed with crab dip and coated in Old Bay John Rorapaugh/Leading DC

Also featured in:

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Fish Market Restaurant

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Around since 1976, this Old Town stalwart keeps seafood lovers satisfied with peel-and-eat spicy shrimp, lobster bisque, premiere raw bar selection, and blackened mahi-mahi sandwiches. The splurge-worthy Admiral’s platter ($48.99) features shrimp, scallops, salmon, and a crab cake alongside seasonal veggies and potatoes. To celebrate its decades-long run thus far, its Anchor Bar offers “throwback” prices on oysters and clams from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

105 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 836-5676
(703) 836-5676

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Crisfield

8012 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Sliding behind the counter at this family-run restaurant since 1945 is like stepping into a time machine. While others have come and gone, this local fixture continues to provide seafood lovers with all manner of marine life including raw oysters, tangy shrimp salad, seasonal soft-shell sandwiches (which are still in stock), and other Norfolk-style selections baptized in butter. Like it spicy? Ask a server for some of the hot sauce bar staff mixes up from time to time.

8012 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 589-1306
(301) 589-1306

Horace and Dickies

6912 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20012

Though the original iconic carryout on H Street closed after a decades-old run, late owner Richard “Dickie” Shannon’s daughter operates a Horace and Dickie’s in Takoma with heaping boxes of cornmeal-crusted fried whiting.

6912 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20012
(202) 248-4265
(202) 248-4265

Chef Skip 202

715 Euclid St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Virginia Beach native Christopher Skipper serves up Cajun-spiced fried shrimp, fish, oysters, and crab cakes at this carryout kitchen near Howard University — and each to-go box includes a purple flower and a sweet secret sauce also known as mayonnaise-based aioli.

715 Euclid St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 481-2756
(202) 481-2756
A takeout box from Chef Skip combines a chicken Philly cheesesteak with Cajun shrimp and fries. Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Blacksalt

4883 MacArthur Blvd NW, Washington, DC 20007

This longtime Palisades restaurant serves as both a restaurant and a fish market for the neighborhood. Entrees from typically capitalize on what’s freshest that day. Dishes like fried clams and cream of crab soup appear alongside wood-grilled octopus, mussels, and red snapper. Blacks Restaurant Group’s Southern-leaning seafood sister Pearl Dive is also a prime place to stock up on chilled and broiled oysters, clam chowder, and more.

4883 MacArthur Blvd NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 342-9101
(202) 342-9101

Ivy City Smokehouse

1356 Okie St NE, Washington, DC 20002

This neighborhood tavern is an extension of the smokehouse and production facility of local seafood company Profish, which means products here are never frozen. The smoked fish platter has already become an iconic appetizer around town, but Ivy City also offers one of the city’s best crabcakes.

1356 Okie St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 529-3300
(202) 529-3300

Hank's Oyster Bar (Multiple locations)

1624 Q St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Homegrown chain Hank’s Oyster Bar from chef Jamie Leeds dishes out lobster rolls, mussels, and fried clams in a festive, casual atmosphere. They even have their own variety of oyster cultivated for them. There are Hank’s outposts in Dupont, the Wharf, and a newly-relocated Alexandria location.

1624 Q St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 462-4265
(202) 462-4265

Mariscos 1133

1133 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Mexico-born restaurateurs Alfredo and Jessica Solis (El Sol, Mezcalero, and Anafre) gave Logan Circle a color-soaked seafood spot last year that bounces all around Latin America. Mariscos, which means “seafood” in Spanish, offers a treasure trove of fresh fish, crustaceans, and bivalves prepared raw, fried, and grilled. Made-to-order citrusy ceviches, jicama slaw-topped oyster po’boys, and other Latin dishes harken back to Alfredo Solis’s days running downtown’s Ceiba for Passion Food Hospitality.

1133 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 836-4107
(202) 836-4107
A seafood gratin skillet comes with oysters, lobster, crab meat, and Cuban bread.
Scott Suchman/Mariscos 1133

Fiola Mare

3050 K St NW, Washington, DC 20007

There are two seafood-focused spots from chef Fabio Trabocchi: at the Wharf, Del Mar offers shellfish-studded, Spanish paella along the southwest waterfront, while Fiola Mare has been serving a stylish crowd at another waterfront (this one in Georgetown) since 2014. Both are splurge spots: here, consider a variety of crudo dishes, seafood brodetto, or the simply grilled seafood selection.

3050 K St NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 628-0065
(202) 628-0065

Estuary

950 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001

CityCenterDC’s Estuary returned in spring 2022 after a long pandemic pause, sans opening celeb chefs and Maryland natives Bryan and Michael Voltaggio. Seafood is still a star at this luxe locavore restaurant, offering dishes like XO bucatini pasta with poached lobster and herb bread crumbs from chef de cusine Ria Montes and senior sous chef Sean Tew.

950 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 844-5895
(202) 844-5895
Estuary at Conrad Washington DC

Brine

1359 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002

This H Street NE hotspot offers an abundant seafood menu stocked with lobster rolls, East and West Coast oysters, peel-and-eat shrimp, and crab cakes. The 3-year-old nautical venture from Aaron McGovern and Arturas Vorobjovas puts a Cajun spin on oysters Rockefeller with broiled andouille sausage, red pepper corn succotash, parmesan, and corn bread crumble. Happy hour runs 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. A second Brine arrived in Dupont this year.

1359 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 591-1739
(202) 591-1739
Brine runs a whole lobster special on Wednesdays.
Brine/Facebook

Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

750 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005

This Miami favorite made its way to D.C. where it cemented itself as a power restaurant near the White House. It serves stone crab claws and high-end fish and shellfish options to the downtown Washington crowd. Snacks are discounted at cocktail hour, but those deals aren’t as seafood-focused as the regular menu.

750 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 489-0140
(202) 489-0140

Rappahannock Oyster Bar (Wharf)

1150 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024

This Virginia-based restaurant company restored a historic oyster shed at the Wharf complex for its flagship restaurant. Besides the signature oysters from the raw bar, order larger plates like oyster po’boy sandwiches, whole branzino, or seared scallops.

1150 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 484-0572
(202) 484-0572

The Municipal Fish Market at The Wharf

1100 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024

Around since 1805, this historic hub for fresh seafood (both cooked and raw) changed in recent years with the construction of the Wharf development, but vendors such as Jessie Taylor Seafood continue bringing the best of the sea to D.C. Find blue crabs, scallops, catch of the day deals, and more at the various stalls. (Long-running local purveyor Captain White’s Seafood City opened up at a new location in Oxon Hill after setting sail from the fish market.)

1100 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 484-2722
(202) 484-2722

Salt Line

79 Potomac Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003

Chef Kyle Bailey oversees this Navy Yard eatery, which draws in large crowds on game days at Nationals Park (a spacious outdoor bar that spins out raw oysters, summery drinks, and fried clams helps). The restaurant draws its influences from New England, with a menu of clam chowder, oysters, and crispy skin rockfish. The Salt Line expanded to Ballston in 2021, and a Bethesda location joined the fold this summer.

79 Potomac Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 506-2368
(202) 506-2368

The Point D.C.

2100 2nd St SW, Washington, DC 20024

Warm crab doughnuts are a hit menu item at The Point, a massive seafood showpiece in the developing Buzzard Point neighborhood with waterfront views and a patio that overlooks where the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers meet. A wood-burning grill and oven turns out grilled whole fish and wood-roasted Chesapeake oysters topped with blue crab-miso butter.

2100 2nd St SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 948-2522
(202) 948-2522
The point’s savory doughnuts are stuffed with crab dip and coated in Old Bay John Rorapaugh/Leading DC

Related Maps

Fish Market Restaurant

105 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314

Around since 1976, this Old Town stalwart keeps seafood lovers satisfied with peel-and-eat spicy shrimp, lobster bisque, premiere raw bar selection, and blackened mahi-mahi sandwiches. The splurge-worthy Admiral’s platter ($48.99) features shrimp, scallops, salmon, and a crab cake alongside seasonal veggies and potatoes. To celebrate its decades-long run thus far, its Anchor Bar offers “throwback” prices on oysters and clams from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

105 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 836-5676
(703) 836-5676

Related Maps