While seafood is lovingly enjoyed year-round, there’s truly no better time to indulge in some delicious oceanic fare than in the summer. From oysters and seafood ceviches to lobster rolls and table-side dover sole service, we’ve rounded up the best spots to visit in Philadelphia (and its suburbs!) for fresh, seafood-centric plates, including Assembly Rooftop Lounge, At The Table, Bolo, Jansen, Oltremare, Panorama, Red Owl Tavern, Stella of New Hope, Square 1682, and The Twisted Tail.
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Assembly Rooftop Lounge, Center City’s swanky year around rooftop lounge boasting unparalleled views of the Art Museum, City Hall and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, is the perfect summer destination to enjoy refreshing coastal bites. Guests can indulge in Assembly’s renowned Lobster Roll ($21) made with succulent Maine lobster, celery, chives, lemon aioli, espelette pepper served on a brioche bun and a side of potato chips. Enjoy this specialty dish every day from 4 pm until the kitchen closes, 10:15pm on the weekdays and 11pm on the weekends.
Reservations are always encouraged and can be made here.
Hours of operation: Sunday through Thursday 4pm – 10:30pm; bar closes at 12am; Friday and Saturday 4pm – 10pm; bar closes at 2am; Happy Hour is Sunday through Thursday 4pm – 5pm
1840 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy • 215.783.4171 | Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
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At The Table, Wayne’s venerable and award-winning fine-dining restaurant from chefs Alex Hardy and Tara Buzan-Hardy, is a seafood-lovers dream when it comes to refined and high-quality ocean fare. À la carte offerings include Grilled Swordfish ($48) with Greek orzo, stonefish salsa, compressed pineapple, and cilantro yogurt, Yellowtail Tuna ($22) with roasted beet tartare, horseradish, lemon parsley salad, and cured egg yolk, and Beer Battered Cod Tacos ($24) with pico de gallo, pickled jalapeños, avocado, and chipotle aioli. At The Table’s Chef’s Six Course Tasting Menu also features an ever-evolving array of seafood-centric plates, currently offering Grilled Spanish Octopus with chorizo & corn succotash, ginger mint aioli, and pickled red onions.
Folks can also take a seat at At The Table’s four-top raw bar and watch the restaurant’s vast selection of oysters be shucked right before them – and indulge in raw bar offerings such as the Oyster Ensemble ($19) with three signature oysters, yellowfin tuna sashimi, and poached jumbo shrimp, or The Seafood Royale ($100), comprised of a dozen signature oysters, U10 shrimp cocktail, yellowfin tuna sashimi, cold poached lobster tail, and fancy lump crab salad & claws.
Reservations are highly encouraged and can be made via Tock.
Hours of operation: Tuesday through Saturday 5pm – 10pm, Happy Hour Tuesday through Thursday 5pm – 7pm
118 W Lancaster Ave, Wayne, PA | 610.964.9700 | Website Instagram Facebook Twitter
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Bolo, Chef Yun Fuentes’ Latin American dining room and rum bar nestled in bustling Rittenhouse Square, offers a comprehensive selection of seafood-centric small plates and dishes across its ever-changing seasonal menu. To start, folks can treat themselves to a plethora of ceviches including Tuna con Coco ($21) with young coconut, pickled fresno, and coco leech de tigre, Shrimp en Sofrito ($19) accompanied by charred tomato sofrito, avocado, corn nuts, and cilantro, or Snapper Nikkei ($22) with lemongrass-ponzu, chile serrano, and sesame oil; or pinchos (skewers) such as Pescado (mahi mahi, $11), Vieiras (scallops, $12), or Pulpo (octopus, $15). For a filling main course, guests can choose between seafood platillos including Chilean Sea Bass ($45) with coconut-ginger pitipuas and avocado purée, and Lobster Mofongo (MP) with coco-garlic lobster and green plantain timbale.
Reservations can be made via Resy.
Hours of operation: Monday through Sunday, 5pm – 10pm for dinner, Saturday 10pm – 12am for late night, and Monday through Friday, 5pm – 7pm for happy hour
2025 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 | Website Instagram
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Jansen, Mt. Airy’s contemporary and award-winning New American restaurant by Chef David Jansen, has recently debuted an all-new summer dinner menu curated by Chef Jansen and team, which includes a variety of must-try seafood specials. Choices include (but certainly aren’t limited to) Tuna Bon Bon ($20) withavocado, plum aioli, watercress purée, red pepper threads, and tempura crunch and Sauteed Mahi Mahi ($38) withlobster fontina pierogi, braised cabbage, and spring onion lobster soubise. Exclusively available Thursday through Sunday, the restaurant has also recently introduced their Dover Sole Table-side Service for Two to the menu, served with truffle fumé cream and seasonal accompaniments – Jansen’s seasonal answer to the restaurant’s beloved Beef Wellington for Two served in the fall and winter, and critically-acclaimed by Philadelphia Inquirer food critic Craig LaBan.
Reservations are highly encouraged and can be made via Resy.
Hours of operation: Tuesday through Thursday from 5 – 8pm and Friday – Saturday 5 – 9pm
7402 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA | 267.335.5041 | Website Instagram Facebook X
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Oltremare, the new seafood-forward modern Italian restaurant from Chef-Owner Townsend Wentz, boasts all-new ultra-seasonal coastal cuisine as Chef Sean O’Brien takes over culinary operations just in time for summer. Highlights from O’Brien’s all-new seasonal menu include Roasted Scallops ($18) with heirloom cherry tomatoes, charred corn, serrano pepper, and salsa verde, Vongole ($20) with little neck clams, n’duja, white wine, and sourdough gremolata, Crab Cavatelli ($22/32) fashioned withpeas, fava beans, and cherry tomatoes, and Swordfish alla Griglia ($32) accompanied by fennel, mussels, n’duja, and tomato saffron broth.
Reservations can be made via Resy.
Hours of operation: Tuesday through Sunday from 4:30pm – 10pm.
2121 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 | 445.223.2093 | Website | Instagram
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Panorama, Philadelphia’s premier wine bar in the Penn’s View Hotel boasting a Guinness World Record custom-built wine keeper offering over 120 wines on tap, boasts Italian seafood classics. Guests can savor the vibrant flavors of the Branzino ($38) with braised cauliflower, white wine, a touch of cream, and garnished with parsley & caper. This dish pairs perfectly with the Shooting Blancs ($34) flight featuringfive 1.5oz tastes of white wine.
Reservations can be made on OpenTable.
Hours of operation: Tuesday through Thursday 5pm – 9pm, Friday 5pm – 10pm, Saturday 3pm – 10pm, Sunday 3pm – 9pm
14 Front St | 215.922.7800 | www.pennsviewhotel.com/panorama
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Red Owl Tavern, the contemporary kitchen and bar located across from Independence Hall in Old City, has recently rolled out new summer dishes with seafood plates spanning their revamped dinner menu. Selections include appetizers such as Charred Octopus ($19) with heirloom tomato salad, lemon vinaigrette, and romesco, and Spicy Crab + Artichoke Dip ($20) with garlicky spinach fondue, hot cherry peppers, and focaccia; as well as entrées including Steelhead Trout ($29) with spring peas, asparagus, guanciale, mint, and lemon, and Ahi Tuna ($35) fashioned with spicy crab rice, charred broccoli, chili crisp, and crispy garlic.
Reservations are encouraged and can be made via OpenTable.
Hours of operation: Monday through Tuesday 8am – 9pm, Wednesday 8am – 3pm, Thursday and Friday 8am – 10pm, Saturday 9am – 10pm, Sunday 9am – 3pm
433 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106 | 215.923.2267 | Website Instagram Twitter Facebook
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Stella of New Hope, Bucks County’s modern American restaurant located in the Ghost Light Inn with 180 degree views of the Delaware River, is the perfect summer hot spot to indulge in a delectable seafood dish on the large outdoor patio. Available on the dinner menu, guests can enjoy the Pan Seared Dorade ($40) with orange-honey roasted butternut squash & beets, crispy quinoa, and lemongrass velouté.
Reservations are encouraged and can be made here.
Hours of operation: Thursday 5 – 12am, Friday 5 – 2am, Saturday 8 – 2am
50 S Main St, New Hope, PA 18938 • 267.740.2691 • Website • Instagram • Facebook
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Square 1682, the modern American upbeat kitchen located on the ground level of the Kimpton Hotel Palomar, has proudly launched a freshly-minteddinner menu curated by the restaurant’s new Executive Chef Patrick Czerniak, boasting oceanic fare and seafood staples. Available Tuesday through Thursday from 5 – 10pm and Friday and Saturday from 5 – 11pm, guests can help themselves to plates such as Crispy Octopus ($18) with romesco and olive tapenade, Hamachi Crudo ($19) with yuzu, jalapeño, and sesame, Salmon Panzanella ($34) accompanied by warm croutons, pea tendrils, heirloom tomatoes, gigante beans, and balsamic vinaigrette, and Fregola Cioppino ($28) with mussels, clams, shrimp, and sourdough bread.
Reservations are highly encouraged and can be made via OpenTable.
Hours of operation: Breakfast Monday through Friday 7am – 11am; Brunch Saturday 8am – 3pm and Sunday 8am – 2pm; Lunch Monday through Thursday 11:30am – 2pm and Friday 11:30am – 3pm; Dinner Tuesday through Thursday 5 – 10pm and Friday & Saturday 5 – 11pm; Bar Sunday & Monday 9am – 2pm, Tuesday through Thursday 9am – 10pm, Friday & Saturday 9am – 12am
121 S. 17th Street | (215) 563-5008 | Website Instagram Twitter Facebook
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The Twisted Tail, Headhouse Square’s restaurant, bar and live music venue, is embracing the flavors of the season with delicious seafood essentials. During The Twisted Tail’s social hour, offered every day from 4pm to 6pm, guests are invited to grab a seat at the large indoor bar and enjoy Buck-a-Shuck Oysters (1/2 dozen oysters for $6) served with vodka cocktail sauce, hot sauce and a mignonette. Offered at dinner, every day from 4pm to 10pm, guests can enjoy refreshing Scallop Ceviche ($13) composed of jalapeno, tomato, citrus, truffle and served with crispy corn chips, or the Whole Grilled Brook Trout ($26) with arugula, toasted almonds, radish, and drizzled with orange vinaigrette.
Reservations are encouraged and can be made here.
Hours of operation: Monday – Thursday 4 pm – 10 pm; Friday 4 pm – 12 am; Saturday 11 am – 12 am; Sunday 10 am – 10 pm
509 S. 2nd St. • 215.558.2471 • Website • Instagram • Facebook • Twitter
– Alana Shapiro