You don’t need to sit in endless Jersey Shore traffic to find incredible ocean-to-table dining. In fact, Central Jersey has quietly built a reputation as an absolute powerhouse for fresh, innovative, and downright delicious seafood. From historic taverns to chic, modern raw bars, we’re showcasing Central Jersey’s 10 Best Seafood Spots.
These are the spots that will fill every seafood craving. Looking for the state’s best East Coast Oysters? Check. How about NJ’s Best Fish & Chips? Double check. Whole branzino and Main lobster prepared in exciting and unexpected ways? Triple check. So ditch the Parkway commute in search of Jersey’s Best Seafood. We’ve mapped out the absolute best spots for a spectacular maritime feast right in Central Jersey.
Listen to The Best of New Jersey Podcast!
The 10 Best
Central Jersey Seafood Restaurants
Featured from Middlesex County:
Salt Seafood & Oyster Bar
Where: 103 Church St, New Brunswick
Details: Salt is a hip, upscale seafood spot. Their raw bar features east and west coast oysters, crabs, shrimp, clams, and more. The restaurant improves itself each year, and offers both upper level and lower level dining. Their downstairs dining offers a speakeasy vibe, complete with lounge area and spacious six-seater bar. Current menu highlights include lobster bisque, seafood risotto, and seared diver scallops. But honestly, their raw bar, small plates, and entrees are so good, you can order something different every visit. That goes for their desserts, as well. Those with a sweet tooth will want to try the Old-Fashioned Fudge Brownie, Brûléed Basque Cheese Cake, and Rustic Peach Cobbler Pie for sure. But what really elevates the experience at Salt is the exceptional customer service. In particular, Chef Christian Graciano ensures each member of the wait staff is familiar with every dish on the menu.
| Visit their Website | Reserve a Table | Follow on Instagram | Follow on Facebook | Call 732-745-7258 |
Blue Point Grill
Where: Princeton
Details: For seafood lovers always in the mood for something different, the menu changes constantly at Blue Point Grill. That’s because they source fresh seafood from their nearby Nassau Street Seafood & Produce Company. Their oyster selection is second-to-none, with over a dozen rotating east and west coast options. In addition, they prepare exotic entrees such as Costa Rican Yellowfin Tuna, Icelandic Arctic Char, and Whole Greek Bronzini. They also source a few local options as well, including Barnegat Bluefish.
Boulevard Seafood Company
Where: Somerville
Details: Somerville may not be near the water, but that doesn’t stop Boulevard Seafood Company from offering fresh fish. They source much of their seafood from the nearby Fulton Fish Market, selected daily by their fishmonger. The restaurant focuses on innovative cuisine, including popular dishes like citrus cured organic salmon cakes and Cajun BBQ shrimp. Plus, there’s always something new to try from their daily blackboard specials. In addition to their large dining room, they also have a 6-seat chef’s table perfect for special occasions.
Gladstone Tavern
Where: Gladstone
Details: While the Gladstone Tavern is primarily known as an American restaurant, their masterful use of seafood in their dishes merits their inclusion in this list. This includes stand out starters like crab tots and grilled octopus. Meanwhile, their traditional entrees include grilled fish tacos, Jambalaya, Pan Roasted Wild Halibut, and the Tempura Shrimp Bowl. We also recommend the Za’Atar Salmon, with lemon tahini, tzatziki, falafel, and spicy hummus. The Gladstone Tavern is open for lunch and dinner (Tues-Sat), plus Sunday Brunch.
Limani Seafood Grill
Where: Westfield
Details: Limani is the Greek word for “Harbor”, which is a perfectly-fitting title for this authentic Mediterranean restaurant. Owner George Vastardis, born in the port city of Piraeus, designed the space to intentionally emphasize Limani’s seafood. For instance, the raw bar display is a marquee part of the restaurant. From the Baked Clams Casino to the Spicy Buffalo Style Shrimp, everything on the menu is packed with flavor. For dinner, we recommend either the Grilled Swordfish (with Chile lime sauce) or the Maryland Crab Cakes.
Lukas’ Seafood & Grille
Where: Warren
Details: Run by three brothers and a close family friend, Lukas’ offers fanciful dishes such as Seafood Crepes Champagne. This signature entree comes with crabmeat, lobster, scallops, shrimp, caviar, sauteed spinach, and béchamel sauce. (A white sauce typically famous in French cuisine.) One other unique menu item is the Horseradish Salmon, with saffron risotto, asparagus, mushrooms, and roasted pepper sauce. Lukas’ ambience is chic yet cozy, and works just as well for lunch as it does for dinner dates.
Metropolitan Seafood & Gourmet
Where: Lebanon
Details: The fish doesn’t get any fresher than at Metropolitan Seafood & Gourmet. This spot is primarily a specialty market, but they also happen to offer a can’t-miss takeout menu. So it’s not only a place for fresh fish, bread, cheese, and desserts, it’s also a great dinner option. They have raw bar selections including oysters, clams, and crab, as well as hot apps like Popcorn Rock Shrimp. For a first-time visit, we recommend ordering the soft shell crab “club” sandwich or their Famous Fish and Chips. Both are local fan favorites.
Mistral
Where: Princeton
Details: Mistral is all about artistic expression, from the plating to the cuisine. Chef Scott Anderson’s sophisticated yet approachable menu presents curated small plates influenced by global flavors. Alongside him, Chef Victor Donadio infuses the flavors of his family’s farms in Colombia and Argentina into many dishes. This leads to exciting fusions such as Crispy Salmon Bites with spicy Japanese mayo, Shrimp Bao Buns with Korean BBQ sauce, and Grilled Rainbow Trout with capers, brown butter and almondine sauce.
The Portuguese Fisherman
Where: South River
Details: Portuguese and Spanish dishes combine at The Portuguese Fisherman. Open since 1976, locals rave about their rotating daily specials. The fusion menu serves unique options like Stuffed Flounder with crab meat and Portuguese style Salt Cod with fresh peppers. (Aka the “Bacalhau Assado” on the menu.) But we recommend starting with the Clams Portuguese or Cod Croquettes and ordering The Fisherman’s Platter as an entree. This large platter includes a 6oz lobster tail and scallops, as well as jumbo shrimp.
Sea World Seafood
Where: Ewing
Details: This causal, unassuming spot is a hidden gem of the Trenton community. Sea World Seafood is particularly popular for their King Crab legs, salmon burgers, and daily specials. But the menu is always adding something new depending on what fresh catches come in, from cod and whiting to porgies. This is also the spot to visit for fish sandwiches and steamed hoagies. (We recommend either the whiting or salmon steamed hoagie.) Order the snow crab platter and you’ll be the talk of any summer party all season long.
Click Here To See More Best of New Jersey Lists.
Central Jersey Seafood FAQs
Salt Seafood & Oyster Bar in New Brunswick is a top Raw Bar choice, complete with a speakeasy-vibe lower level. In Princeton, Blue Point Grill offers a fantastic, constantly rotating selection of East and West Coast oysters sourced locally.
Metropolitan Seafood & Gourmet in Lebanon is a premier specialty market that doubles as a takeout spot. They are famous for their soft shell crab “club” sandwich. Likewise, Sea World Seafood in Ewing operates as a market and takeout spot, beloved for their King Crab legs.
Mistral in Princeton blends global flavors in curated small plates like Shrimp Bao Buns with Korean BBQ sauce and Crispy Salmon Bites. Meanwhile, The Portuguese Fisherman in South River fuses Portuguese and Spanish flavors and is known for its shareable Fisherman’s Platter.
Boulevard Seafood Company in Somerville sources their catches daily from the nearby Fulton Fish Market. This ensures top-tier freshness despite being miles from the ocean.
Top (Hero) Photo: © Salt Seafood & Oyster Bar / Instagram
