Your guide to 11 of the best seafood dishes in Birmingham

seafood dishes
Our stomachs are already grumbling. (Automatic Seafood / Facebook)

We may be landlocked here in Bham, but that doesn’t mean we should miss out on the yummy goodness of seafood dishes this summer. Here are our favorite seafood dishes—from casual dining to high-end—and where to find them around town.

1. Grilled Oysters—Automatic Seafood and Oysters

automatic seafood
Can we just order everything off the menu? (Automatic Seafood / Facebook)

It only seems right that we add the best of the best to this seafood guide. With the chef ranked as Best of the South at the James Beard Awards, you know anything you try here is going to be your new favorite.

2. Crab cake—Juniper

A crab cake and cocktail sounds like the perfect combination. Grab your friends and head to Juniper ASAP. 

3. Shrimp and avocado salad—Chez Fonfon

seafood dishes
Forget traveling to Europe this summer because we have a taste of France in Bham. (Chez Fonfon / Facebook)

Sitting on the patio of a French cafe sounds like our go-to summer lunch spot. Make sure you try Chez Fonfon’s shrimp and avocado salad for the perfect light and fresh summer dish.

4. Shrimp and grits—The Fish Market

seafood dish
We love this Southern classic. (The Fish Market / Facebook)

We love our shrimp and grits here in the South, so of course, it had to make the list. Along with other southern classics, like Po’ Boys, The Fish Market will take you back to dinner at your grandma’s.

5. Broiled seafood platter—The Bright Star

the bright star
Why pick one type of seafood when you can have it all? (The Bright Star / Facebook)

Get a little bit of everything with the broiled seafood platter at The Bright Star. Including snapper, scallops, shrimp, oysters, lobster and crab, there’s no better way to get fulfill your seafood cravings.

6. Oysters Rockefeller—Half Shell Oyster House

Half Shell Oyster House
Picture perfect and even better to taste. (Half Shell Oyster House / Facebook)

You can’t not get oysters at a restaurant that has them in their name. With so many different kinds, it may be hard to pick which half shell you want.

7. Grilled gulf grouper—Ocean

seafood
You don’t need to head to the Gulf to taste grouper. (Ocean / Facebook)

With this summer heat, we may be wishing our toes were in the sand at the Gulf. But Ocean is bringing the Gulf right to Bham with their grilled grouper dish.

8. Sea scallops—Vino

Sitting on a patio in English Village with a glass of wine and some yummy sea scallops on a summer evening sounds like a dream to me. 

9. Flounder cakes—Real & Rosemary

flounder cakes
We know your new favorite dish. (Real & Rosemary / Facebook)

These flounder cakes are my go-to order at Real & Rosemary no matter the season. Paired with smashed potatoes and green peas, I may not be able to order anything else.

10. The fish taco—Soho Social

fish taco
Words can’t express how much we love fish tacos. (Soho Social / Facebook)

As the perfect spot to hang out with friends over drinks, make sure you save room for their fish tacos. You can even try it as a sandwich!

11. Ahi tuna tacos—Taco Mama

What’s better than a fish taco—and on top of that, one from Taco Mama? Pair with a margarita and it’s a taste of summer.

  • Where: Crestline Village, The Summit, The Waites, Edgewood, 119 Birmingham, Vestavia, Trace Crossings
  • When: Hours vary
  • Website | Facebook | Instagram

Did we miss your favorite Bham seafood dish? Tag us @BhamNow on social media to let us know!

Selah Vetter
Selah Vetter
Articles: 233