Is there anything better than cracking open a perfectly steamed blue crab on a table covered in brown butcher paper? True South Jerseyans know you can avoid hours of Parkway traffic and still get an authentic taste of the coast. The entries on our list of The 10 Best South Jersey Seafood Restaurants prove just that!
These top coastal cuisine spots don’t rely on over-complicated techniques and heavy seasonings. Instead, they let the raw freshness of the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay do the talking. From indulgent bacon-wrapped stuffed shrimp and decadent lobster ravioli to hyper-customizable, fiery low-country boils, these are the undisputed top seafood restaurants South Jersey has to offer in 2026.
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The 10 Best
South Jersey Seafood Restaurants
Featured from Burlington County:
Blue Claw Seafood & Crab Eatery
Where: 4494 Burlington Pike, Burlington
Details: The Blue Claw offers a year‑round taste of being down the Shore — without the traffic. Tables are covered in paper, inviting guests to roll up their sleeves and have fun cracking open their crabs. Along with fresh blue claws, the menu features Snow crab, Dungeness crab, shrimp, scallops, lump crab cakes, fried clams, fried oysters, and more. Popular appetizers include Buffalo Garlic Shrimp, Crab Dip and Stoner Fries, while guest favorites include the fried Scallops basket, the Oyster Po’ Boy sandwich, and of course, their signature Blue Claw Crabs. These crabs can be ordered cleaned or dirty, cold or steamed, plain or seasoned, making every order fully customizable. (Crabs are priced individually, with additional charges for cleaning or steaming.) For a bigger spread, their “Feast” options include a mix of blue crabs, snow crabs, dungeness crabs, corn on the cob, and classic sides.
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Bait Box Restaurant
Where: Greenwich
Details: This seasonal waterside spot is the talk of the town when it reopens each year. Owned and operated by the husband and wife team of Scott & Karen Gifford, the Bait Box is right on the Cohansey River. They offer indoor dining, but locals really love the outdoor bar, known as The Outboard Bar. Between the atmosphere and the drinks, it feels like sitting at a bar in the Caribbean. Bait Box is a fun summer spot for drinks, food, and outdoor music. We recommend the seafood sampler for dinner, and homemade chocolate layer cake for dessert.
Barnsboro Inn
Where: Sewell
Details: This is a historic year for the Barnsboro Inn, as the tavern is celebrating 250 years of operation. That’s right, the Barnsboro is as old as America itself, first opening in 1776. A section of the tavern still features parts of the original log cabin used when it was first built. While their menu primarily consists of American cuisine, they have a handful of seafood options, including their Chef’s Catch specials. Previous standout specials include Shrimp & Grits, as well as different variations of dishes featuring monkfish.
Crab Cove Seafood
Where: Haddon Township
Details: This casual spot is all about fried and boiled seafood. Fried favorites include Whiting, catfish, shrimp, oysters, flounder, and calamari. Likewise, their popular seafood boils range from half pound to 1 lb combos with corn on the cob and potatoes. These customizable boils feature any mix of snow crab legs, shrimp, mussels, crabs, crawfish, lobster tails, scallops, and more. It’s the ultimate way to choose your own seafood boil. But it just might be their signature Blue Crab Combos with housemade Old Bay seasoning that steal the show.
Grabbe’s Seafood Restaurant and Crab House
Where: Westville
Details: Grabbe’s Seafood Restaurant is famous around the country for their crabs, which they ship nationwide. But their crab cakes and stuffed shrimp are also popular picks off the main menu. Their clambake menu is another crowd-pleaser, featuring lobster tail, crab legs, and whole crab options. (And will make anyone who brings them the toast of a party.) When it comes to crabs, we suggest ordering a dozen of their fan-favorite Blue Claw crabs served garlic style. (Size options may change depending on their fresh selection for the day.)
John’s Seafood
Where: Paulsboro
Details: This family-run seafood spot has been a staple in town since 1995. Even 30 years later, owners John and Cindy Fergone treat new and returning customers alike as if they were family. Their famous boiled and fried platters serve up the freshest seafood around, including a number of stuffed options. For instance, they serve stuffed shrimp, stuffed salmon, and stuffed flounder. But we recommend the Hog Shrimp Platter, which consists of 5 jumbo shrimp stuffed with scallops and wrapped in bacon. Indulgent? Yes. Necessary? Also yes.
Kunkel’s Seafood & Steakhouse
Where: Haddon Heights
Details: This combination steakhouse and seafood restaurant is the perfect BYOB spot for indulgent marine cuisine. They serve classic dinner appetizers such as clams casino, grilled oysters, calamari (including Fiery Thai Calamari), and steamed mussels. For dinner, their seafood and pasta combos are particularly popular, from the Crab & Pasta to their Lobster Ravioli. For something a little different, try the Louisiana Pan Seared Red Snapper. If you’re stopping by for Sunday brunch, it customary to start with the Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding.
Library IV
Where: Williamstown
Details: Library IV started out as a classic steakhouse, but quickly expanded its menu to offer upscale seafood as well. The current menu offers a bounty of fresh seafood such as steam clams, raw oysters, and BBQ Bacon Wrapped Shrimp. As for entrees, their most popular options are the classic twin lobster tails (South African lobsters) and the salmon stuffed with jumbo lump crab meat. They also offer a handful of land and sea combos. This includes their filet Mignon and lobster tail combo, and 6oz filet and fried shrimp combo.
Haase’s Crabs
Where: Leesburg
Details: The crabs simply can’t get any fresher at Haase’s. That’s because their own boat — the Donna Lyn — goes out and catches fresh hard crabs daily in the Delaware Bay, while their market sells soft and blue crabs alongside a curated selection of products. They even have shedding tanks onsite to produce soft shell crabs. The market offers these crabs, as well as oysters and clams, for purchase to take home and prepare. Haase’s also carries a selection of crab seasonings, so patrons have everything they need to prepare dinner.
The Red Eyed Crab
Where: Port Norris
Details: While the crabs are of course the stars of the show, this spot has plenty of other seafood options. From broiled shrimps and scallops to stuffed flounder, there is always something fresh to try at The Red Eyed Crab. They even offer popular combo options such as Chicken and Shrimp Scampi, and Prime Rib & Crab Imperial. We’re also big fans of The Split Ditch, a 6oz filet topped with crab cake and Alfredo sauce. When crabs are in season, their signature Crab Pot — with snow crab and dungeness clusters — is an absolute must.
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