These Unassuming Ohio Restaurants Serve Shockingly Good Seafood
Finding exceptional seafood in Ohio might seem like a tall order, but you’d be surprised at the hidden gems scattered across the state. From Cleveland to Cincinnati, unassuming spots are serving up fresh catches that rival coastal restaurants.
I’ve spent months tracking down these local favorites, and I’m excited to share the best places where landlocked dining meets ocean-quality flavors.
1. Pelican’s Reef
Bright colors and island vibes greet you before you even walk through the door at this Caribbean-inspired seafood haven. Located at 13001 Lorain Avenue in Cleveland, Pelican’s Reef brings tropical flavors to the Midwest in the most delightful way.
The owners clearly understand that great seafood doesn’t have to mean stuffy white tablecloths and sky-high prices.
Their jerk shrimp platter will transport your taste buds straight to the islands, with perfectly balanced spice that builds without overwhelming. The conch fritters are crispy golden pockets of heaven, served with a tangy dipping sauce that keeps you reaching for more.
Everything arrives piping hot and generously portioned, making it easy to understand why regulars keep coming back.
The casual atmosphere invites you to relax and enjoy your meal without pretense. Families pack the tables on weekends, and the friendly staff treats everyone like old friends.
If you’re craving seafood with personality and bold flavors, this unassuming spot delivers every single time.
2. Frank’s Fish And Seafood Carryout
Sometimes the best seafood comes from the most unassuming places, and Frank’s proves that point beautifully. This no-frills carryout operation at 1055 East 185th Street in Cleveland has been slinging incredible seafood for years, building a devoted following one order at a time.
The exterior might not win any architecture awards, but what comes out of that kitchen absolutely will win your heart.
Their fried catfish is the stuff of neighborhood legend, with a cornmeal crust that achieves the perfect crunch-to-tenderness ratio. The whiting is equally impressive, fresh and flaky with seasoning that enhances rather than masks the fish.
Portions are generous enough to satisfy even the heartiest appetites, and the sides hold their own alongside the main attractions.
Expect a wait during peak hours because word has definitely gotten out about this place. The staff works efficiently, but good food takes time, and Frank’s refuses to rush quality.
Cash is king here, so hit the ATM before you arrive.
3. Jocko’s World Famous Chicken & Seafood
Don’t be thrown off by the chicken in the name because the seafood here absolutely holds its own. At 3333 East 131st Street in Cleveland, Jocko’s has been feeding families and friends for decades with soul food that warms you from the inside out.
The dining room buzzes with conversation and laughter, creating an atmosphere that feels like Sunday dinner at your favorite aunt’s house.
Their fried fish is spectacular, with a seasoned coating that crunches audibly with each bite while the fish inside stays incredibly moist. The shrimp basket comes loaded with plump, juicy specimens that taste like they were caught yesterday.
Everything gets cooked to order, so patience pays off in flavor and quality.
Sides deserve special mention here because the mac and cheese and greens complement the seafood beautifully. Portions are enormous, so come prepared to take leftovers home or share with your dining companions.
The prices remain remarkably reasonable considering the quality and quantity you receive.
4. Boiling House
Messy, fun, and absolutely delicious describes the experience waiting for you at Boiling House. Located at 6005 Kruse Drive in Solon, this spot brings the Louisiana seafood boil tradition to Ohio with authentic flavors and communal dining vibes.
Roll up your sleeves because you’re about to get hands-on with some of the best seafood around.
The signature boils arrive in steaming bags packed with shrimp, crab, sausage, corn, and potatoes, all swimming in your choice of seasoned butter sauce. The garlic butter option hits that sweet spot between rich and flavorful, while the spicy Cajun blend brings serious heat for those who like it fiery.
Cracking shells and peeling shrimp becomes part of the entertainment, slowing you down to savor every bite.
Bibs are provided, and you’ll definitely need them as you work through mountains of perfectly cooked seafood. The casual atmosphere encourages lingering over your meal, chatting with friends while you tackle the delicious mess before you.
Groups especially love this place for celebrations and gatherings.
5. Star’s Sea & Soul Food
Soul food and seafood unite beautifully at this neighborhood treasure that locals guard like a precious secret. Star’s Sea & Soul Food sits at 3615 Lee Road in Cleveland, serving up comfort food with serious seafood chops.
The moment you walk in, aromatic spices and welcoming smiles make you feel right at home.
Their salmon croquettes are ridiculously good, crispy outside with tender, flavorful fish inside that tastes nothing like the canned variety. The catfish dinner comes with fish so fresh and perfectly fried that you’ll wonder why you ever settled for less.
Each plate arrives with classic soul food sides that round out the meal beautifully.
The owner often works the dining room, checking on guests and making sure everyone leaves satisfied. That personal touch elevates the entire experience beyond just a meal into something more meaningful.
Prices stay incredibly fair, making it easy to become a regular without breaking the bank. The portions are substantial, so arrive with an appetite or plan to take home tomorrow’s lunch.
6. Jay’s Seafood Restaurant
Classic American seafood gets the spotlight at this longstanding favorite that’s been serving Dayton for generations. Jay’s Seafood Restaurant operates at 225 East 6th Street, where consistency and quality have built a reputation that speaks for itself.
The old-school atmosphere transports you back to when seafood restaurants focused purely on great food rather than trendy concepts.
Their walleye is outstanding, featuring the mild, flaky fish that Ohio waters are famous for, prepared with a light hand that lets natural flavors shine. The perch dinner runs a close second, with multiple fillets that disappear faster than you’d expect.
Both come with coleslaw and fries that hit all the right nostalgic notes.
The menu hasn’t changed much over the years because when you’re doing things right, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel. Regulars have their favorite seats and usual orders, but newcomers always receive a warm welcome.
Service is efficient and friendly without being overbearing. If you appreciate straightforward, well-executed seafood without fuss or frills, this place delivers exactly that experience every single visit.
7. Li’s Seafood Boil
Asian flavors meet Louisiana tradition at this fusion spot that’s redefining what a seafood boil can be. Li’s Seafood Boil calls 6196 Cleveland Avenue in Columbus home, bringing creative twists to familiar favorites.
The modern, clean interior reflects the innovative approach the kitchen takes with every dish.
Their signature boils incorporate Asian spices and seasonings that add complex layers of flavor you won’t find at traditional boil houses. The garlic butter blend gets enhanced with hints of ginger and lemongrass, creating something entirely new and completely addictive.
Dungeness crab, king crab legs, crawfish, and shrimp all get the royal treatment here, cooked to precise doneness that preserves texture and taste.
The sauce options range from mild to volcanic, so choose according to your heat tolerance and don’t be shy about asking for recommendations. Everything arrives piping hot in those classic seafood boil bags, ready for you to dig in with your hands.
The combination of quality ingredients and bold flavoring makes this spot stand out in Columbus’s competitive dining scene.
8. Arthur Treacher’s Fish & Chips
Nostalgia and quality collide at this rare survivor of a once-popular chain that’s kept the tradition alive. Arthur Treacher’s Fish & Chips operates at 292 East 200th Street in Cleveland, serving the same recipe that made them famous decades ago.
The retro vibe isn’t manufactured; this place genuinely represents a piece of American fast-food seafood history.
Their battered fish is exactly what you remember or wish you could remember, with a light, crispy coating that shatters beautifully around tender white fish. The chips are proper thick-cut fries with fluffy interiors and golden exteriors, perfect for dunking in malt vinegar.
Everything tastes like it should, honoring the original recipes while maintaining consistent quality.
The menu stays simple because they’ve mastered their specialty and see no reason to complicate things. Prices remain shockingly reasonable for the portion sizes and quality you receive.
Eating here feels like stepping back in time to when fast food meant something different, when recipes were perfected rather than constantly changed. If you’ve never experienced authentic Arthur Treacher’s, this might be your last chance.