If you’re a seafood lover in NYC, it’s safe to say you’re pretty spoiled. Not only is there some of the world’s best seafood restaurants all around the city, but you can easily scour some of the fresh, high-quality oceanic delights for yourself. There’s plenty of world-class fish markets around NYC to pick up the latest catch, including the world’s second largest one in Fulton Fish Market.
Next time you’re in search of some striped sea bass or you need some lobster to finish off your next big dinner, these are the places to go.
1. Lobster Place, Chelsea
Lobster Place resides inside the famous Chelsea Market, where you can stop and check out their offerings as you stroll through the namesake location. Their space includes an incredible fresh seafood counter, raw bar, sushi bar and live lobsters that can be ordered for dine-in or to-go. They’ve been serving the neighborhood for over 45 years, and they’ve even added a Michelin-acclaimed bar called Cull and Pistol Oyster Bar too.
Their fish market is open daily from 11 am – 8 pm, where you can shop the West side’s best of wild striped bass, caviar, or oysters. Learn more about Lobster Place and its offerings here!
Where: 75 9th Ave
2. The Fulton Fish Market, The Bronx
Founded in 1822, Fulton Fish Market continues to be the largest fish market in the United States. For over 200 years, it’s been providing New Yorkers and its finest restaurants the freshest seafood from around the globe. Each night, it comes to life as eager chefs and curious tourists come from all corners of the city to browse through the astonishing assortment of oysters, lobsters, and so many more sea creatures.
The whopping 400,000-square-foot market is in Hunts Point in the Bronx, and is truly New York’s fish market. Learn more about Fulton Fish Market and its history here!
Where: 800 Food Center Dr, The Bronx
3. Greenpoint Fish & Lobster Co, Greenpoint
Greenpoint Fish & Lobster Co made our list of best lobster rolls in NYC, and that’s truly only a small sample size of their incredible seafood. It feels like the esteemed Greenpoint neighborhood fish spot that it tries to abide by is successful, and their 5th generation fishmongers take extreme passion in what they catch and serve. According to their website “it’s not just the produce we sell, but how we sell it” and that means using all elements of the catch from the bones to the off-cuts.
You can stop in and browse their fresh range of sea bass to catfish, or you can plop a seat at their fish counter and have a chat about a meal that’s about to be made fresh in front of you. Learn more about Greenpoint Fish & Lobster Co here!
Where: 114 Nassau Ave, Brooklyn
4. Dorian’s Seafood Market, Upper East Side
Owner Dorian Mecir runs her unsuspecting gem of a fish market on York Ave which has absolutely top-quality seafood. When you walk through the front door you’ll probably be greeted by her, where she can help you decide between the day’s latest catches…like brook trout, gray sole, red snapper and sea bass to name a few. Alongside their extremely awesome hospitality and great selection, there’s also plenty of prepared meals to order like codfish cakes, salmon croquettes, smoked whitefish, seafood and specialty salads, and soups.
This spot is one of those cozy places where they’ll probably remember your order after a few visits! Learn more about Dorian’s Seafood Market and see their selection here.
Where: 1580 York Ave
5. Citarella, Multiple Locations
Citarella has multiple locations around NYC including the Upper West Side, Upper East Side, and Greenwich Village…making it one of the more accessible fish markets on this list. This spot is absolutely no frills, and they provide fresh fish, shellfish, and gourmet prepared seafood dishes that you know are high-quality. Citarella prides itself on its fishmongers who continue to catch the freshest items from the Long Island Sound and Atlantic, and are then transported right to store.
Their fresh—never frozen—seafood is handled precisely and that means “wherever you are, if you get a taste for succulent Nova Scotia lobsters, fresh PEI oysters, robust wild swordfish steaks, or seasonal Florida stone crab claws on a Tuesday, we can have it at your doorstep—fresh and ready to eat—on Wednesday.”
Learn more about Citarella and their products here!Where: Find your location here
6. Tin Building by Jean-Georges, Seaport
Housed in the Tin Building by Jean-Georges at Seaport, this food hall features a dedicated seafood section offering a variety of fresh options. You can select from a range of locally sourced, sustainably caught fish. For those seeking a more leisurely dining experience, the elegant seafood restaurant, Fulton Fish Co., provides a full raw bar, sushi, prepared seafood dishes, and more. Renowned for its modern and sleek ambiance, it stands out as more than just a fish market—it’s an immersive culinary destination where visitors can also explore other food offerings. Discover more about The Tin Building here.
Where: 96 South St
7. Fish Tales, Cobble Hill
This seafood market in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn is one of our favorite hidden gems, and sometimes you’ll even get to meet the family behind the greatness! Larry Tramontan opened Fish Tales back in 1996, and with the help of his family has continued to serve the freshest fish in Brooklyn. Their seafood is “for the sophisticated palate” and ranges from black cod and branzino to lobster and octopus…which is hand-picked from the Fulton Fish Market every morning at 2 am before their doors open for the next day. That’s literal dedication to the freshness. Learn more about Fish Tales and see their offerings here.
Where: 191A Court St, Brooklyn