A Fish Lover’s Guide to the
Best Seafood Restaurants in Columbus, Ohio

Finding a quality seafood restaurant can be tricky anywhere but especially in areas that aren’t right on the coast. The fish needs to be absolutely fresh, and it needs to be prepared properly too.

In this list of the best seafood restaurants in Columbus, you will find exciting spots for everything from fancy dishes at upscale restaurants to casual hangs at food trucks. But no matter what you choose, you will get top-quality service, eat incredible seafood, and have a great time!

Kai’s Crab Boil

Located in Olentangy Plaza, Kai’s Crab Boil is one of the best seafood restaurants in Columbus to get your fill of lobster, king crab, shrimp, crawfish, and more. Put on an apron and gloves if you prefer, and get ready for a sometimes messy but always delicious meal!

Customers rave about the Fried Calamari with Banana Peppers and all of the seafood offerings with your choice of potatoes, corn, egg, or sausage, and your preferred level of heat from “no heat” to “OMG.” They also offer a variety of drinks, from non-alcoholic sodas and lemonade to beers, wine, and cocktails.

Service options: Dine-in · Curbside pickup · No delivery

Address: 839 Bethel Rd, Columbus, OH 43214 • (614) 869-0652

Photo Credit: Kai’s Crab Boil

Bonefish Grill

Even though Bonefish Grill is a chain, it still makes our list of the best seafood restaurants in Columbus because of its fish-centric menu, kind and friendly staff, and prix fixe option for a more affordable dining experience. It is a great place for an anniversary dinner or birthday or to take an older crowd that prefers more traditional dining.

Some favorites include the Bang Bang Shrimp (crispy shrimp tossed in their signature creamy, spicy sauce), the Cod Imperial (cod stuffed with a blend of seafood, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, topped with lemon-caper butter), and the Mahi-Mahi & Shrimp (wood-grilled Mahi-Mahi paired with five jumbo shrimp brushed with a light citrus-herb marinade). They also serve highly-rated drinks like their Crushed Pineapple Martini (Malibu rum, St-Germain Elderflower liqueur, fresh pineapple, lemon and simple syrup) and the Smoked Old Fashioned (Woodford Reserve bourbon with Angostura bitters and a Bordeaux cherry, smoked with oak and served over a colossal ice cube).

Service options: Dine-in · Curbside pickup · Delivery

Address: 1930 Polaris Pkwy, Columbus, OH 43240 • (614) 436-0286

Photo Credit: Bonefish Grill

Windward Passage

As one of the best seafood restaurants in Columbus, Windward Passage starts getting busy as soon as it opens. But the food is worth the wait, and the service is outstanding. Don’t miss the Coquilles St-Jacques as an appetizer (fresh sea scallops in mornay sauce, topped with cheese, and rimmed with mashed potatoes). Other favorites include the Alaskan Crab Legs, the South African Lobster Tail, the Prime Cut Cod baked in white wine, garlic, and butter, and the Sauteed Crab Cakes.

Parking is very easy since Windward Passage is in the Arlington square mall.

Service options: Dine-in · Takeout · No delivery

Address: 4739 Reed Rd, Columbus, OH 43220 • (614) 451-2497

Photo Credit: Windward Passage

Mitchell’s Ocean Club

There are many reasons why Mitchell’s Ocean Club is considered one of the best seafood restaurants in Columbus. This upscale spot is where you want to be for a relaxing dinner where everything is taken care of and you can enjoy your meal knowing you’ll get fantastic service and top-notch food.

You will love the Chilean Sea Bass with broccolini, pearl onion, potato puree, and truffle vinaigrette, the creamy Butter Poached Lobster Bisque, the Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes with sweet and sour slaw, horseradish mustard aioli, and the Ocean Roll made with tuna, salmon, hamachi, avocado, and chili garlic oil.

But Mitchell’s Ocean Club is known for more than its seafood offerings. Don’t hesitate to try the Smoked Gouda Tater Tots, Sauteed Mushrooms, and Black Truffle Mac and Cheese, which are all customer favorites.

Service options: Dine-in · Takeout · No delivery

Address: 4002 Easton Station, Columbus, OH 43219 • (614) 416-2582

Photo Credit: Mitchell’s Ocean Club

Del Mar SoCal Kitchen

Whether you’re going to Del Mar SoCal Kitchen for brunch, happy hour, or any other meal, you are sure to leave happy and satisfied. It is a great spot for special occasions like Father’s or Mother’s Day, and a favorite of large groups thanks to the accommodating staff.

If you have a hard time picking from the extensive menu, go with the customer favorites. The Fried Oysters are one of their most popular appetizers with their pickled pepper relish and lemon aioli, and so are the Shrimp Pasta with sweet garlic tomato sauce, parmesan, and Calabrian chili oil, the Fisherman’s Stew with jumbo prawns, mussels, clams, scallops, tomatoes, and the Salmon with sesame sticky rice, snap peas, sprouts, mushrooms, and ginger soy saffron.

They also have several vegan and vegetarian options and will go above and beyond to accommodate patrons with gluten intolerances. All of this gets them a well-deserved spot on our list of the best seafood restaurants in Columbus.

Service options: Dine-in · Takeout · No delivery

Address: 705 N High St 1st Floor, Columbus, OH 43215 • (614) 670-5228

Photo Credit: Del Mar SoCal Kitchen

Cajun Boil Bar-161 Location

You can expect large portions, reasonable prices, and plenty of flavors at Cajun Boil Bar-161! It’s a great spot to try unusual dishes like Gator Bites (breaded and fried Alligator tenderloin served with boom boom sauce) and Fried Catfish, or more traditional boils like the A1 with 1/2 lb each of snow crab legs, shrimp, and all-meat sausage, or the A2 with lobster tail, shrimp, black mussel, and more.

They also offer a variety of drinks as well as decadent desserts, if you have any room left! Options include Beignets, Tempura Cheesecake, and Deep Fried Oreos.

Service options: Dine-in · Takeout · Delivery

Address: 1748 E Dublin Granville Rd, Columbus, OH 43229 • (614) 423-8767

Photo Credit: Cajun Boil Bar

Marino’s Seafood Fish & Chips

This unassuming spot is not only kid-friendly and clean with plenty of parking, but it also happens to be one of the best seafood restaurants in Columbus. At Marino’s Seafood Fish & Chips, you won’t spend a fortune on delicious fish and chips, hush puppies, or crab cakes. They also offer soups made fresh every day and daily specials.

Service options: Dine-in · Takeout · No-contact delivery

Address: 1216 W 5th Ave, Columbus, OH 43212 • (614) 481-8428

Photo Credit: Marino’s Seafood Fish & Chips

Lee’s Seafood Boil-Columbus

Make sure to show up hungry at Lee’s Seafood Boil because you won’t want to leave anything on your plate. Customers absolutely rave about the Hush Puppies, Lobster Bisque, and Fried Catfish Po Boy. One taste and you will be transported down South with authentic flavors and generous portions.

As with the other seafood boils in our list, get ready to get dirty, and remember it’s part of the fun!

Lee's Seafood Boil

Service options: Dine-in · Curbside pickup · No-contact delivery

Address: 1446 Bethel Rd, Columbus, OH 43220 • (614) 592-1888

Photo Credit: Lee’s Seafood Boil-Columbus

Shrimp Lips Seafood and Chicken

What’s not to like at Shrimp Lips Seafood and Chicken? The Lobster Mac and Cheese has plenty of lobster pieces, the melt-in-your-mouth Fried Gator, and the lightly breaded Shrimp Basket are firm favorites that have customers coming back for more. If you’re looking for big meals, try their Blackened Salmon Pasta, the Full Combo with snow crab, jumbo Shrimp, Cajun corn, potato, sausage, and egg, or their Fish Meals served with fries and hush puppies.

Keep in mind that they require IDs with credit card payments. Still, it’s a minor inconvenience and doesn’t detract from the fact that Shrimp Lips Seafood and Chicken is one of the best seafood restaurants in Columbus.

Service options: Takeout · No-contact delivery · No dine-in

Address:1624 Parsons Ave, Columbus, OH 43207 • (614) 230-2554

Photo Credit: Shrimp Lips Seafood and Chicken

Joanna Steven
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