It may surprise you to learn that, for a city situated in a landlocked state, Phoenix truly delivers when it comes to seafood. While many might think the words Arizona and seafood don’t belong together, these spots prove naysayers wrong. From buzzy, high-end Scottsdale restaurants to places that own fishing boats, here are 15 of the best seafood restaurants in metro Phoenix.
Lucca Coastal Kitchen
Though this seafood restaurant resides in Chandler, the goal is to transport diners to the Mediterranean seaside. Visually, the warm lights, crisp white linens, and terracotta walls start the journey.
Then, the plate brings you in with plenty of coastal Italian fare such as fried calamari, crabcakes served with lemon aioli, and the Pasta Frutti di Mare, a dish piled high with squid, shrimp, clams, mussels, spinach, pomodoro sauce, and parmigiano pecorino. Also, don’t skip signature plates such as the Alaskan Halibut, Branzino Picata, Roasted Salmon, or Chilean Sea Bass.2475 W. Queen Creek Rd., Ste. 5, Chandler, luccachandler.com
Chula Seafood
Chula Seafood’s mission is to bring high quality seafood to the desert at all four of its Arizona locations. Chula even owns a fishing boat that brings in fresh fish from Point Loma in Southern California. After each haul, the seafood gets transported in a refrigerated van from California to Scottsdale. Any other, non-California seafood on the menu flies in from other parts of the world.
Classic dishes include the Lobster Roll, Fish and Chips, Hatch Chile Tuna Melt, and Fish Tacos. One of Chula’s most epic creations is the California Burrito, which comes filled with a choice of grilled fish or shrimp, crispy fries, guacamole, baja sauce, and spiced Oaxaca cheese. The menu is rounded out by poke, the Tuna Tostada, and plenty of cocktails to pair with it all. Multiple locations, chulaseafood.com
Salt Cellar Restaurant
Since 1971, the Salt Cellar has been serving excellent seafood in an underground dining room. Enter on the ground floor, and then head down an antique staircase for three flights and into a rustic wood-lined restaurant. The idea is to give diners the sense of a New England seafood restaurant, right down to the food, which comes mainly from the East Coast.
Overall, The Salt Cellar offers a robust stock of live Maine lobsters and fresh Alaskan king crab legs. Appetizers include Shrimp Cocktail, Escargot en Caps, Oysters Rockefeller, and Mussels in Butter Sauce. Additional specialties include Shrimp San Remo, Faroe Island Salmon Oscar, and Crispy Florida Black Grouper. 550 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdale, saltcellarrestaurant.com
Ocean 44
The award-winning Ocean 44 is another concept from the Scottsdale-based Prime Steak Concepts group, which also runs Steak 44, Dominick’s Steakhouse, and others. In keeping with its dedication to high-quality seafood, Ocean 44 offers an expansive, 18-foot raw bar complete with fresh crab legs, oysters, and select fish.
Also enjoy four types of caviar, the opulent Wood Roasted Shellfish Tower, Crispy Shrimp Deviled Eggs, Chicken Fried Lobster Tail, and Pepper Crusted Big Eye Tuna. The high-end establishment is just a few steps from Scottsdale Fashion Square’s luxury wing, so we aren’t surprised there’s a strict dress code. 4748 N. Goldwater Blvd., Scottsdale, ocean44.com
Catch
Since opening in 2025 at Scottsdale Fashion Square, Catch has generated a buzz. It comes straight from the New York City-based hospitality group of the same name, and the dimly-lit restaurant feels upscale and luxurious. One of the restaurant’s most impressive features is a massive wine cellar secluded behind heavy red curtains, and yes, you can take a peek.
As for the menu, it leans Japanese and there’s even a section called “From Japan to Scottsdale.” Start with an order of the Crunchy Rice Cakes, Crispy Shrimp, and Shrimp Cocktail, then dig into an Ahi Tuna Pizza, Miso Glazed Sea Bass, and Whole Branzino. The menu also features plenty of sushi and steaks. 7014 E. Camelback Rd., #612, Scottsdale, catchrestaurants.com
Marisco Boys
Straight from the team behind Taco Boys, Marisco Boys focuses on Mexican-style seafood spiked with spices and seasonings used to prepare Sonora and Sinaloa cuisine. Served with salsa negra, menu items like the Aguachile and Crudo showcase this approach perfectly.
Ceviche is a specialty here too, with five variations to choose from. A favorite is the Ceviche de Kampachi, which features cucumber, tomato, red onion, mango, serrano, lime juice, and micro cilantro. And, in homage to its brother concepts, Marisco Boys also serves a variety of tacos. 2026 N. 7th St., Phoenix, mariscoboys.com
Maple & Ash
The Scottsdale outpost of steakhouse chain Maple & Ash opened in 2019, and it’s been a hot spot ever since. The setting oozed luxury, and with seafood options such as two types of caviar, Hamachi Crudo, Yellowfin Tuna Tartare, Lobster Dumplings, and a fancy Wild Blue Prawn Shrimp Cocktail, it’s easy to eat in style too.
One of Maple & Ash’s most stunning menu items comes in the form of the Fire-Roasted Seafood Tower, which includes all the raw bar items seafood lovers dream about, but kissed with flame and loaded with garlic butter and chili oil. On the entree side, opt for the Mediterranean Branzino or Slow-Roasted Sea Bass. Pro tip: ask for the off-the-menu “pasta back,” a side of fresh pasta spiked with leftover juices from the seasoned seafood. 7135 E. Camelback Rd.., Scottsdale, mapleandash.com
J&G Steakhouse
Perched on the top floor of the posh Phoenician hotel, J&G Steakhouse is well known for its sweeping views of Phoenix in addition to an excellent steak and seafood programs Executive chef Jacques Qualin leads the kitchen, a former trainee under legendary chefs Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Daniel Boulud.
Fresh fish is flown in daily, and the extensive raw bar features plenty of oysters. From the menu, choose from items such as Tuna Tartare, Peekytoe Crab Cake, Mero Sea Bass, and Slowly Baked Salmon. One of the most decadent dishes you’ll find is the J&G Lobster Shells & Cheese. Made with aged cheddar and topped with hearty chunks of Maine lobster.
Want a little theater with your meal? Guests who order the Dover Sole can watch as the whole fish gets filleted at the table, and subsequently served with grenobloise, a classic French brown butter and lemon sauce. 6000 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale, jgsteakhousescottsdale.com
Buck & Rider
Since opening its first location in Arcadia in 2015, Buck & Rider has been known for flying seafood from around the world. Once the goods are in, the team picks it up from the airport in a refrigerated van and delivers the seafood to the now three Arizona locations. No matter which location you’re visiting, you can expect the same great dedication to seafood.
Taste the freshness in shareable dishes such as Baja Shrimp Ceviche, Smoked Trout Dip, Tuna Crispy Rice, and charbroiled oysters. Also consider top entrees like the Shrimp Scampi Risotto, Diver Scallops, and Fresh Blue Crab Cakes made with Louisiana blue crab. Multiple locations, buckandrider.com
Ocean Prime
Located on the main drag of North Phoenix’s posh High Street shopping center, Ocean Prime has attracted fans due to stellar cuisine and chic, lounge-like atmosphere. As part of the decades-old Cameron Mitchell Restaurants group, the company has grown to include 20 locations from all over the country.
But just because there are many Ocean Primes, doesn’t mean it doesn’t deliver. Order a “Smoking” Shellfish Tower for dinner with a show. More standard fare graces the menu as well, such as the Jumbo Lump Crab Cake and Surf N Turf, served with scallops and braised short rib. Choice entrees include Lobster Linguine, Chilean Sea Bass, Teriyaki Seafood, and Dutch Harbor King Crab Legs. Diners also can look forward to sushi and craft cocktails. 5455 E. High St., #115, Phoenix, ocean-prime.com
Bluewater Grill
The Central Phoenix location of Bluewater Grill is the only outpost located outside of California, and we are so happy it’s here. The original restaurant launched in 1996 in Newport Beach, and the Phoenix location opened in 2009.
Here, all the fish is purchased directly from fishermen. Bluewater even has its very own swordfish harpoon boat, Pilika. Kick things off with appetizers like Crispy Calamari Fritti, Firecracker Shrimp, and Baked Crab & Artichoke Dip. Entrees include Cedar Plank Salmon, Cajun Grilled Australian Barramundi, and Blackened Swordfish. There’s also an entire section dedicated to fried fish and another to lobster and crab. Enjoy these fruits from the sea in the contemporary space, under modern art installations and full-sized, mounted swordfish on the wall. 1525 E. Bethany Home Rd., Phoenix, bluewatergrill.com
High Tide Seafood Bar
Following a seven-year stint at the Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club, executive chef Eric Emlet teamed up with Chris Glass to create and launch the Gilbert restaurant in 2015. The opening brought things full circle for the chef, who grew up with saltwater and fresh water fisherman.
Now with three locations, High Tide is notable for its daily-delivered seafood, flown in straight from the bays. Starters include a Crab Cake, Ceviche, and Crab Garlic Cheesy Bread. Sip on a bowl of Lobster Bisque or New England Clam Chowder, and follow it with something from the restaurant’s signature steam pot menu. Options include Cippino, Spicy Seafood Pasta, Shrimp Scampi Pasta, and the Tide Roast, which includes crabs, clams, shrimp, and crawfish that’s all simmered in a cream sauce spiked with lobster, citrus, brandy, and tomato. Multiple locations, hightideseafoodbar.com
Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen is part of the Pappa’s Restaurant Group, which was started in Houston back in 1967. The food here is inspired by New Orleans’ lively French Quarter, which means plenty of fresh fish and Cajun classics. Think Crawfish Etoufee, Crawfish Platter, and Blackened Catfish. Fried seafood is also a specialty here, be that oysters, crab, shrimp, or even chicken. 11051 N. Black Canyon Hwy., Phoenix, pappadeaux.com
Jing Scottsdale
One of Scottsdale’s buzziest restaurants, Jing Scottsdale, opened its doors in March of 2026, the fourth location run by Jing Hospitality Management Group. There’s nothing subtle about this spot. The restaurant features a stunning, massive chandelier hanging over the curvy bar that’s lit up in different colors. The booths are bright, the floor pretty enough to photograph, and the overall vibe leaning clubby.
Just as dynamic is the Asian fare delivered to the tables. Try the signature Tuna Pizza, topped with ponzu aïoli, yuzu soy, crispy capers, and truffle oil. Diners with a mighty appetite might want to order the Josper Roasted Shellfish Platter, an epic meal of Alaskan king crab, Skull Island tiger prawns, Boston middleneck clams, Prince Edward Island mussels, half a Maine lobster, and Kusshi oysters. 10605 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, jingrestaurant.com
Lure Fish House
Lure Fish House boasts coastal vibes with blue chairs and booths, highlighted by white ceilings and tables and a ton of natural light. The Scottsdale outpost of the California-based chain prides itself on sourcing seafood that is either wild caught or responsibly farmed.
Dive into the vast raw bar, steamy bowls of chowder, plenty of oysters on the half shell., and epic seafood towers. Some of Lure’s signature dishes include the Miso Glazed Salmon Bowl, New England Lobster Roll, Trout Almondine, and Tequila Lime Shrimp Pasta. 8877 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, lurefishhouse.com
