Top Five Dallas Restaurants for Seafood Lovers

A partnership between local restaurateurs Tracy Rathbun and Lynae Fearing, this sophisticated yet laid-back spot receives shipments of fresh fish several times a day to supply both the kitchen and the on-site market—with salmon from Scotland, halibut from Nova Scotia, and scallops from Maine. The “Tempura Lobster Spoon” riffs on the “Lobster Shooter,” a dish made famous by Rathbun’s husband, local celebrity chef Kent Rathbun, during his time at the now-closed Abacus.

It’s one of those rare places where you can’t order wrong. The crab cakes are more crab than cake, and the fish tacos will transport you straight to the tropics.

With its iconic white tablecloth ambiance, Ocean Prime in Rosewood Court has been a go-to for special occasions since opening in 2009—and locals often rank it among the city’s best restaurants. It’s the kind of place where you can settle into a booth, order a crisp martini and a shellfish tower from the raw bar, and enjoy intimate conversation and classic fine-dining service.

The menu features favorites like crab cakes, lobster bisque poured tableside, and a variety of steaks. For those in a sushi mood, there’s also a solid selection of maki and nigiri. Although Ocean Prime has 21 locations across the country, this is the only one in Texas.

A family-owned neighborhood staple since 1988, this cozy Cajun spot sits inside a hot pink house marked with a neon lobster—and it’s almost always packed. (During crawfish season, when Nate’s doesn’t take reservations, “packed” barely covers it.)

The ceilings are low, the walls are covered in charming kitsch—license plates, swordfish replicas, neon signs. Regulars rave about the crab-and-shrimp étouffée, blackened catfish, po’ boys, and gumbos. The service is famously warm, making guests feel more like they're at a dinner party than in a restaurant. Nate’s also features live bands every Thursday and blues musicians every Sunday.

Any lobster roll connoisseur knows what it’s supposed to be: a toasted bun overflowing with generous chunks of lobster, enhanced only by drawn butter. Unfortunately, too many places serve up imposters—lobster salad mixed with mayo disguised as the real thing.

At Urban Seafood, with its beachy blue, white, and wood-toned décor, you’ll find the real deal: a buttery lobster roll paired with crispy, salty fries. It’s also the perfect place to belly up to the bar with a friend for a dozen oysters and a bottle of white.

With locations in New York, Miami, and Aspen, Catch has a reputation as a place to see and be seen—and the Dallas outpost in Uptown is no exception. A faux olive tree rises from the center of the dining room, while bartenders mix drinks at lightning speed for the stylish crowd.

But the food more than holds its own. Fish is flown in daily from Tokyo, and the menu balances spectacle with substance. The rainbow sashimi pizza is a must: a mosaic of raw fish slices shaped like a pie, with serrano for heat and truffle-tomato aioli for earthy depth.