Who says the Midwest doesn’t have great seafood? Whether you’re looking for an upscale oyster bar for date night or a casual crab boil that’s kid-friendly, Chicago has got you covered.
King Crab House
Seafood at breakfast? Why not! At Chicago’s oldest crab house, you can eat like a king (pun very much intended) every weekend at the restaurant’s famous brunch. Enjoy scrumptious offerings like lobster eggs benedict and make sure to wash the meal down with bottomless mimosas, offered between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. If you’d rather grab dinner, King Crab sells oysters for just 75 cents each at the bar (with the purchase of two drinks per person). Popular entrees include the Maryland-style crab cakes and shrimp alfredo, and for those not in the mood for seafood, the steak and hamburgers are crowd pleasers, too!
1816 N. Halsted St., Chicago
Two Lights Seafood & Oyster
Featuring a dreamy color palate the includes mint green dining chairs, white marble counters and cutesy nautical quotations on the walls, Two Lights is the kind of spot you would want to visit simply for the Instagram photos alone. Luckily, the food is pretty inviting as well. Classics like clam chowder and cod sandwiches are offered alongside more contemporary dishes like tuna poke tacos and salmon tartare. Make sure to save room for gooey butter cake or one of the restaurant’s signature cocktails.
227 W. North Ave., Chicago
Brown Bag Seafood
Tucked discreetly across the road from Maggie Daley Park, this casual eatery serves up a wide variety of seafood faves along with healthier options. Brown Bag has a similar system to Chipotle — choose a protein (like curry fish cakes or grilled shrimp), then decide if you want it served as a sandwich, in a taco or as part of a quinoa bowl. Unique side dishes like buffalo bleu cheese tater tots and three varieties of cole slaw will take your meal to the next level. The restaurant also boasts an impressive kids’ menu that includes salmon teriyaki and a grilled chicken sandwich.
Various locations in Chicago
GT Fish & Oyster
If having a Michelin starred head chef doesn’t bring you into this River North hot spot, the tantalizing list of small plates certainly will. Share items like shrimp bruschetta, snapper ceviche and octopus with fingerling potatoes or make the evening decadent by trying a selection of caviar (hello, fancy date night!). And if you really feel like splurging, GT has a variety of seafood towers featuring oysters, clams, lobster and more.
531 N. Wells St., Chicago
Lowcountry
If you’re in the mood for a taste of Cajun and a family-friendly atmosphere, Lowcountry is the place to go. Picnic tables topped with red checkered table cloths will transport you straight to the bayou, and so will the restaurant’s seafood boil style menu. Diners can choose between four different seafood combos (depending on the size of their group) or select ala carte. Brown bags full of shrimp, mussels and crab smothered with hot sauce will give restaurant-goers a true taste of the south. If you still have room after devouring a seafood feast, warm beignets and deep-fried Oreos are the perfect way to cap off your trip to the low country.
3343 N. Clark & 1132 S. Wabash, Chicago
Know a great seafood place? Share your favorites in the comments!
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