Georgia Seafood Restaurants Locals Love More Than The Tourists Do
Georgia’s coastline hides some of the best seafood joints you’ve probably never heard of, and that’s exactly how the locals like it. While tourists flock to the same old spots with long lines and inflated prices, smart eaters know where the real magic happens.
These under-the-radar restaurants serve up fresh catches with zero pretension and maximum flavor, earning them fierce loyalty from those who live here year-round.
1. Sunbury Crab Company, Midway
Where the shrimp boats actually dock is where you want to eat, and I’m telling you this place gets it. Sunbury Crab Company sits right on the water in tiny Midway, serving catches so fresh they’re practically still waving goodbye to the ocean.
You order at the counter, grab a picnic table, and prepare for crab legs that crack open like butter. The boils here are legendary among locals who drive from Savannah just for that perfectly seasoned steam.
No frills, no fancy plating, just pure coastal Georgia realness on a paper plate.
2. The Shrimp Factory, Savannah
This spot has been feeding Savannah since before half the city’s current restaurants even existed. The Shrimp Factory occupies a converted cotton warehouse on River Street, and locals sneak in through the back entrance to avoid tourist crowds.
Their lowcountry boil comes piled high with perfectly spiced shrimp, sausage, and corn that’ll make you forget every chain restaurant exists. The river views don’t hurt either, especially when you’re cracking shells and watching boats drift by.
Tourists walk right past it, chasing Instagram spots while smart folks feast inside.
3. Skipper’s Fish Camp, Darien
How do you know a seafood place is legit? When the fishing boats tie up right outside and the menu changes based on what came in that morning. Skipper’s Fish Camp in Darien operates on marsh time, meaning things move at the pace of the tide and nobody’s rushing you.
Their fried shrimp are massive, lightly breaded, and cooked to golden perfection that crunches without being greasy. Locals pack the screened porch every weekend, swapping fishing stories over platters of mullet and hushpuppies.
Pure coastal Georgia soul lives here.
4. Georgia Sea Grill, St. Simons Island
Though St. Simons attracts plenty of visitors, locals guard this gem fiercely because the chef actually knows what to do with fish. Georgia Sea Grill elevates coastal cooking without getting pretentious, which is harder than it sounds.
Their grilled mahi gets kissed with just enough seasoning to enhance, not mask, the natural sweetness. The sides rotate seasonally, and everything from the slaw to the grits tastes like someone’s grandmother is back there supervising.
Reservations fill up fast with islanders who refuse to eat seafood anywhere else.
5. Coastal Kitchen Seafood And Raw Bar, St. Simons Island
Are you brave enough to eat oysters where the locals eat them? Coastal Kitchen’s raw bar slaps down the freshest bivalves on the coast, shucked to order and served with mignonette that’ll make you weep.
The menu reads like a greatest hits of Georgia waters: local shrimp, blue crab, and whatever the boats brought in. Regulars belly up to the bar on weeknights, chatting with staff who remember their usual orders.
The vibe stays casual, but the seafood quality rivals spots charging double the price.
6. Jinright’s Seafood House, Brunswick
When Brunswick locals crave comfort food from the sea, they head straight to Jinright’s without even discussing alternatives. This family-run spot has been slinging platters since forever, and the recipes haven’t changed because they never needed fixing.
Their crab cakes are all lump meat with barely any filler, pan-fried until crispy outside and tender within. The portions could feed a small army, and the prices make you wonder if they forgot to update the menu since 1995.
Unpretentious excellence lives in every single bite here.
7. Fiddler’s Seafood, St. Simons Island
However many seafood spots St. Simons has, locals keep returning to Fiddler’s because consistency matters more than hype. This place doesn’t chase trends or reinvent classics, they just cook Georgia seafood the way it’s meant to be cooked.
Their grouper sandwich comes thick-cut and grilled, tucked into a soft bun with fixings that complement rather than compete. The staff recognizes regulars by name, and the kitchen never rushes an order just to flip tables.
Sometimes the best restaurants are the ones that simply refuse to mess up the basics.
8. Bubba Jax Crab Shack, Savannah
Did you know the best crab shacks smell like Old Bay before you even walk through the door? Bubba Jax embraces the messy, hands-on glory of coastal eating, with paper-covered tables and bibs hanging by the entrance.
Their snow crab legs arrive steaming hot in mountains that require serious commitment to conquer. Locals love the no-nonsense approach: pick your seafood, choose your spice level, and get ready to work for your supper.
Tourists stumble in by accident, but locals know this spot delivers serious flavor without trying too hard.
9. Jonah’s Fish & Grits, Tybee Island
Hence the name, this Tybee treasure understands that grits belong with seafood at every meal, not just breakfast. Jonah’s serves up Southern coastal fusion that makes perfect sense once you taste it, even if it sounds wild on paper.
Their shrimp and grits come loaded with local catch swimming in rich, savory gravy that soaks into creamy stone-ground grits. The portions lean generous, the flavors lean bold, and the atmosphere leans toward packed with islanders every single morning.
Skip the beachfront tourist traps and eat where Tybee locals actually fuel up.
10. The Crab Trap, St. Simons Island
Though the name sounds touristy, locals flood this place because the seafood speaks louder than any marketing ever could. The Crab Trap sits waterside with views of the marsh, serving up platters that showcase Georgia’s coastal bounty without unnecessary fuss.
Their steamed blue crabs arrive perfectly seasoned, requiring nothing but a mallet and patience to extract every sweet morsel. The sunset views are stunning, but regulars come for the quality seafood that tastes like it was swimming hours ago.
Smart islanders eat here before the dinner rush hits and tourists discover the secret.
