We Ranked The Best Seafood Restaurants In Queens, New York And Here Are The Results
A seafood restaurant can coast on one great dish. A ranking cannot. The places that rose here had to keep delivering after the first crack of a shell or swipe of sauce. Queens made that test wonderfully difficult.
New York packs serious seafood talent into this borough, where grilled octopus, garlicky noodles, and messy crab feasts can all compete for the same dinner plan.
That range changed the order more than once. A polished dining room could lose ground to a casual counter if the fish tasted fresher or the seasoning hit harder.
Value mattered. So did consistency.
By the end, the strongest spots were the ones that made us stop comparing for a minute and simply keep eating. That is usually a very good sign.
8. Astoria Seafood, Long Island City, NY
Fresh fish picked by your own hand just tastes sweeter, and this market has turned that idea into an art form. The dinner menu here is basically lounging on ice right in front of you.
You point, they weigh it, and the kitchen fires it up.
Getting there is easy enough, since the family owned market sits at 37-10 33rd St in Long Island City, right on the edge of Astoria. The room feels busy and wonderfully old school.
Glistening piles of fish, clams, and octopus wait patiently for their big moment on the grill.
Scallops are the reigning royalty of the menu. Grilled ones arrive tender and lightly golden, with a buttery sweetness that makes you chew slower on purpose.
The casino style baked clams and colossal head on shrimp also deserve a seat at your table.
Branzino fans will be happy campers too. A bowl of fish soup or a plate of garlic bread makes a cozy sidekick for the main event.
Your wallet gets a break, with most meals landing between $20 and $80 per person. Doors open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 10 PM, and the place rests on Sunday and Monday.
Friday evenings and Saturdays bring the biggest crowds, so a Tuesday lunch is your peaceful ticket.
Seating is communal, so expect to share a table, and the room runs loud and smoky from the grill. Garlic bread comes free with the meal, and street parking takes patience.
Few places in New York make seafood feel this personal.
7. London Lennie’s, Rego Park, NY
Plenty of restaurants chase trends, yet one Rego Park legend has been setting the tide since 1959, with some of the waitstaff on board for more than forty years. It still feels like the kind of place where dinner is an occasion.
Think crisp service, a buzzing raw bar, and fish that tastes like it just clocked out of the ocean.
Point your GPS toward 63-88 Woodhaven Blvd in Rego Park. The kitchen hand selects seafood from the famous Fulton Fish Market, and daily specials show off whatever looks best.
Sushi and a raw bar stocked with oysters and clams keep the starters exciting.
Lennie’s Famous Baked Little Neck Clams are the house legend for good reason. They come out savory, garlicky, and gone in about four bites.
The Point Judith fried calamari and steamed crab and shrimp dumplings make excellent opening acts as well.
Main courses bring serious swagger. The Atlantic crispy whole sea bass shatters at the edges and stays silky inside, while the filet of Georges Bank lemon sole is delicate and bright.
Budget around $50 to $100 per person, since this is a sit down, dress a little nicer kind of night. Hours run Tuesday and Wednesday from 4 to 9 PM, Thursday from noon to 9 PM, Friday from noon to 10 PM, Saturday from 2 to 9 PM, and Sunday from noon to 9 PM.
Mondays are closed.
Dinner reservations are recommended, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings. Valet parking takes the stress out of arrival, and a private dining room handles big celebrations.
It is old school elegance with zero stuffiness, and Queens is lucky to have it.
6. Taverna Kyclades Astoria, Astoria, NY
Octopus lovers can officially call off the search party. A lively Greek taverna on Ditmars Boulevard treats the sea like family.
The ceiling glows Aegean blue, and the plates follow suit with sunny island flavors.
You will find it at 36-01 Ditmars Blvd in Astoria, where the energy runs high almost every night. Reservations are not accepted, so a line is part of the ritual.
Trust us, the wait is worth every minute.
Tender grilled octopus is the must order, charred at the tips and soft as a whisper in the middle. Crispy fried calamari arrives in a generous heap that begs to be shared.
Shrimp Santorini and Mussels Santorini bring a tomato kissed richness that practically asks for bread.
Fresh fish options include branzino, red snapper, salmon steak, and grilled swordfish. The swordfish kebab is a smart pick for anyone who likes big bites without the bones.
Classic dips like tzatziki, taramosalata, and skordalia turn the table into a proper Greek spread.
Greens get plenty of love too. The Greek salad is crunchy and briny, and the sliced beet salad brings earthy sweetness to the party.
Vegetarian and vegan eaters will never feel like an afterthought.
Doors open weekdays from noon to 10 PM and weekends from 11:30 AM to 10 PM. Meals usually run $30 to $70 per person, and outdoor seating makes warm evenings extra lovely.
Show up on a weeknight for the shortest wait and the same big flavor, and leave room, because a complimentary dessert lands on every table at the end.
High chairs are available, so the whole crew can join the feast.
5. Sabry’s Seafood, Astoria, NY
Steinway Street carries the nickname Little Egypt, and one bite here explains why. This cheery Egyptian seafood house runs a kitchen rooted in the coastal traditions of Alexandria.
The fish is never frozen, and you can choose your catch straight from the display.
Swing by 24-25 Steinway St in Astoria any day of the week from 11 AM to 11 PM. Those generous hours make it a lifesaver for late lunches and even later dinners.
Sabry himself often works the kitchen, which regulars say is why the standard never slips.
Portions here are gloriously huge. The grilled calamari is smoky and tender, and the grilled scallops taste like the sea went to finishing school.
Grilled branzino arrives flaky and proud, ready to be the star of your table.
Tagine lovers should look for the shrimp version or the mixed calamari and shrimp combo. Each one simmers into a rich, warming dish that begs for something to scoop with.
Shrimp ala Sabry is the house signature, so ordering it feels like shaking hands with the kitchen.
Dips deserve their own applause. Creamy baba ganoush and silky tahini make perfect partners for grilled fish.
Order both and thank us later.
Expect to spend about $30 to $70 per person, which feels like a steal for the amount of food on the plate. High chairs are ready for little diners, and live music adds extra sparkle.
It feels like a taste of the Mediterranean coast right here in New York.
4. IBN Hamido Seafood, Astoria, NY
Choosing your own dinner from a gleaming counter feels like being a kid in a candy store, only with more fins. This Astoria counter runs on that simple and thrilling system.
Pick your fish, choose how you like it cooked, then grab a table when one opens.
The address is 31-29 Ditmars Blvd in Astoria, along a boulevard famous for its seafood. The space feels bright, airy, and a little beachy.
It serves halal food, which makes it a welcome choice for many families.
Egyptian style grilling is the star of the show. Branzino and sea bass come off the grill lightly charred with juicy, flaky flesh underneath.
Tiger shrimp can go grilled or fried, and either way they are hefty enough to need a strategy.
Craving crunch? The mixed fried calamari and shrimp platter is golden, light, and dangerously snackable.
Scallops and clams also wait on the counter for anyone who likes variety.
Sides here are far from filler. The Hamido salad, babaganoush, lemon potatoes, and seasoned fries all hold their own next to the seafood.
The garlic eggplant is a quiet hero worth adding to your order.
Hours run Monday through Thursday from noon to 9:30 PM and Friday through Sunday from noon to 10 PM. Reservations are not taken, and weekend afternoons get packed, so weekday visits are smoother.
Parking options include nearby lots and even valet, which is rare luck in Queens.
Fast service and bold flavors keep it swimming high in our rankings.
3. Hook & Reel Cajun Seafood & Bar, Howard Beach, NY
Bibs on, sleeves up, and dignity politely checked at the door. This cozy Cajun seafood boil spot sits in Howard Beach, far from the busiest crowds of the borough.
Here, eating with your hands is the whole point.
Look for it at 133-40 79th St, Suite H, in Howard Beach, a neighborhood with real Queens charm. Parking is refreshingly easy, with free lots and plenty of street spots nearby.
In New York City, that alone deserves a round of applause.
Boils arrive steaming hot and loaded with headless shrimp, mussels, eggs, potatoes, and corn. The Cajun seasoning clings to every piece, so licking your fingers becomes mandatory.
Lobster and crab bring extra luxury when the mood strikes.
Lighter appetites have options too. The clam chowder is creamy and comforting, and the fried calamari comes out crisp and fresh.
A cold lobster roll delivers sweet, chilled meat that disappears fast.
Fries with crab meat might be the most delightful plot twist on the menu. They blend a snack stand classic with a seaside splurge.
Kids will probably try to steal them from your plate.
Families get serious perks, including a kids’ menu, high chairs, and changing tables. Reservations are accepted, and live music can fill the room with extra energy.
Hours run noon to 10 PM Sunday through Thursday and noon to 11 PM on Friday and Saturday. Plan on about $50 to $100 per person, especially if lobster joins the lineup.
Saturday evening is the busiest time, so a midweek night is your chill move.
2. Oceanic Boil – Jackson Heights, NY
Napkins will be your best friend here, and that is a compliment. The decor is bare bones and unpretentious, which keeps every eye on the table.
Dim lighting and music set a relaxed mood for serious shell cracking.
Head to 84-20 37th Ave in Jackson Heights, one of the most flavorful neighborhoods in all of Queens. The menu leans hard into Louisiana style Cajun boils.
Seafood gets smothered in bold creole seasoning that soaks into every crevice.
Snow crab legs are the headliners, big and sweet with shells that crack without a fight. King crab, crawfish, and hefty headless shrimp keep the party going.
Choose from a lineup of sauces, then roll up those sleeves.
Plated dishes offer a tidier path. A whole branzino and a lobster roll show the kitchen can handle finesse.
Clam casino makes a savory starter worth fighting over.
Garlic noodles are the sneaky MVP of the side menu. They are slurpable, savory, and perfect for mopping up leftover sauce.
Garlic bread plays backup singer with equal enthusiasm.
Prices run about $20 to $60 per person, which makes it one of the friendliest deals on our list. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 3 to 11 PM, Friday from 2 to 11:30 PM, Saturday from noon to 11:30 PM, and Sunday from noon to 10:30 PM.
Late night cravings are fully covered.
Reservations are accepted, and high chairs are available for little crab crackers. Street parking is paid and a bit tricky, so the subway might be your smoothest ride.
1. Cap’t Loui Sunnyside – Cajun Seafood Boil, Sunnyside, NY
The top spot goes to a Cajun boil house that brings Louisiana swagger to Sunnyside. The concept is simple and joyful.
Seafood arrives by the pound, drenched in seasoning and ready for cracking.
The address is 43-10 Queens Blvd in Sunnyside, easy to reach along one of the main roads through Queens. Doors open every day from 11:30 AM to 11 PM.
Parking is tight, with metered street spots capped at two hours, so the subway is the easier ride.
Shrimp come plump and juicy, and crayfish soak up flavor like little sponges. King crab legs crack easily and reward you with sweet, tender meat.
The seafood boiler special is the move for anyone who wants a bit of everything.
Oyster fans, mark your calendar. Tuesdays have been known for $1 oysters, so check the current deal before you visit.
A crispy calamari basket makes a fine warmup too.
Carb lovers are covered with garlic noodles, garlic bread, and Cajun pasta. The lobster roll is a handheld treat for anyone who prefers less shell work.
Dessert gets playful with funnel cake fries and beignets.
Families will appreciate the kids’ menu and high chairs, and dogs are allowed outside. Reservations are accepted, though there is no delivery, so plan to dine in or take your feast to go.
Service moves fast, and the vibe stays casual and fun. It is a tasty finale that proves Queens takes its seafood very seriously.