18 Ohio Seafood Restaurants That Prove Fresh Fish Can Happen Inland
Who says you need an ocean view to enjoy incredible seafood? Ohio might be landlocked, but that hasn’t stopped some seriously talented chefs from serving up the freshest catches you’ll find anywhere.
From coastal classics to bold Cajun flavors, these restaurants prove that distance from the shore means nothing when passion and quality are on the menu. Get ready to discover Ohio’s hidden seafood jewels that rival any beachside shack.
1. Jay’s Seafood Restaurant, Dayton
This place has been slinging the freshest catches in Dayton since forever, and honestly, they haven’t lost a single step. Jay’s Seafood Restaurant knows exactly what it’s doing, and you can taste that confidence in every bite. The fish arrives daily, and the kitchen treats it with the respect it deserves.
When you walk in, you’re greeted by a display case that looks like an aquarium had a fancy makeover. The menu changes based on what’s actually fresh, not what’s frozen in the back.
Their preparation style leans classic, letting the seafood shine without drowning it in unnecessary sauces or gimmicks.
2. Kai’s Crab Boil, Columbus
Where messy eating becomes an art form, you’ll find mountains of shellfish dumped right onto your table. Kai’s Crab Boil brings Louisiana’s finest tradition straight to Columbus, and they’re not playing around with portion sizes. Grab your bib and prepare to get gloriously dirty.
The spice levels here range from “I can handle this” to “why do I hate myself,” so choose wisely. Each boil comes loaded with corn, potatoes, and sausage swimming in buttery, seasoned goodness.
Your hands will smell like garlic and Old Bay for days, and honestly, that’s a badge of honor worth wearing proudly around town.
3. Hank’s Seafood Restaurant, Columbus
Though it’s technically a Charleston import, this spot feels right at home in Ohio’s capital. Hank’s Seafood Restaurant channels serious Lowcountry vibes with shrimp and grits that’ll make you question everything you thought you knew. The atmosphere screams Southern hospitality with a side of sophistication.
Their oyster selection rotates constantly, bringing in varieties from both coasts that you’d never expect to find in the Midwest. The she-crab soup is ridiculously creamy and packed with actual crabmeat, not filler.
Every dish feels like a little vacation to the Carolina coast without the hassle of airport security or sandy shoes.
4. Mitchell’s Ocean Club, Columbus
Are you ready to feel fancy while eating fish? Mitchell’s Ocean Club delivers that upscale steakhouse energy but swaps beef for beautiful seafood. The space itself feels like stepping onto a yacht, minus the seasickness and questionable captain.
Their raw bar program is absolutely killer, featuring oysters flown in multiple times weekly from both coasts. The Chilean sea bass practically melts on your fork, prepared with techniques that show real culinary chops.
Yes, you’ll spend some serious cash here, but the quality justifies every dollar when you’re savoring perfectly seared scallops that taste like butter had a baby with the ocean itself.
5. McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks, Cincinnati
However you feel about chains, this one actually delivers on its promises consistently. McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks operates with a daily changing fresh sheet that keeps things interesting visit after visit. The Cincinnati location maintains the brand’s reputation for quality without cutting corners.
Their fish arrives fresh daily, and the kitchen crew knows how to handle delicate proteins without overcooking them into rubber. The happy hour deals are legitimately good, making premium seafood accessible without requiring a second mortgage.
From cedar-plank salmon to cioppino loaded with shellfish, everything tastes like the kitchen actually cares about what lands on your plate tonight.
6. Pier W, Lakewood
When Lake Erie becomes your dining companion, the experience shifts from meal to memory. Pier W sits right on the water, offering views that make you forget you’re in Ohio entirely. The sunset here could convince anyone they’re dining on the Pacific coast.
This restaurant has been a Cleveland-area institution for decades, and they’ve perfected the art of elegant seafood preparation. The walleye, sourced from the very lake you’re overlooking, tastes impossibly fresh and sweet.
Their lobster bisque is velvety smooth and packed with chunks of actual lobster, not just flavored cream pretending to be fancy soup on an overpriced menu.
7. Blue Point Grille, Cleveland
Did someone say oysters? Blue Point Grille serves them by the dozen with a selection that changes faster than Cleveland weather. Located in the Warehouse District, this spot brings serious coastal credibility to Ohio’s north shore. The raw bar alone is worth the trip downtown.
Their fish preparation leans toward letting quality ingredients speak for themselves, which is exactly what good seafood deserves. The crab cakes are mostly crab with minimal filler, held together by skill rather than breadcrumbs.
Whether you’re grabbing a business lunch or celebrating something special, the atmosphere strikes that perfect balance between polished and approachable without feeling stuffy or pretentious at all.
8. Marble Room Steaks & Raw Bar, Cleveland
This former bank vault now houses some of Cleveland’s most impressive seafood, and the irony isn’t lost on anyone. Marble Room Steaks & Raw Bar occupies a stunning historic space with soaring ceilings that make every meal feel like an event.
The architecture alone deserves your attention before you even glance at the menu. Their raw bar program rivals anything you’d find in coastal cities, with pristine oysters, clams, and shrimp cocktail displayed like edible jewelry.
The lobster tail is massive and cooked to perfection, sweet and tender without that rubbery texture that ruins lesser preparations. Everything here screams celebration, from the ambiance to the plating to that final delicious bite.
9. Alley Cat Oyster Bar, Cleveland
Though tucked away in a narrow space, this joint packs more flavor per square foot than places ten times its size. Alley Cat Oyster Bar feels like stumbling onto a secret that locals have been hoarding for years. The vibe is casual, friendly, and refreshingly unpretentious about its serious seafood game.
They rotate through oyster varieties like a sommelier curates fine bottles, each one shucked to order and served ice-cold. The lobster roll is generously stuffed with sweet meat and just enough mayo to bind without drowning the main attraction.
For a small spot, they punch way above their weight class, proving that great seafood doesn’t require white tablecloths or inflated egos behind the line.
10. Jolly Roger Seafood House, Port Clinton
Located right on the shores of Lake Erie in Port Clinton, Jolly Roger Seafood House is a no‑frills, fast‑casual seafood spot that draws locals and visitors alike for its generous platters of fresh Lake Erie perch and walleye.
You order at the counter, take a number, and wait while the fish is breaded in plain sight through a window into the kitchen. With indoor booths and outdoor patio seating overlooking the lake, it’s perfect for a relaxed meal with waterfront views.
The menu is straightforward, fried fish dinners, waffle fries or onion rings, coleslaw, maybe a lobster bisque, but the quality and portion size deliver, making it a solid pick for seafood inland that tastes like it came from the coast.
11. Kingfish, Fairlawn/Akron area
However far Akron sits from any ocean, this restaurant makes distance completely irrelevant through sheer commitment to quality. Kingfish operates with the confidence of a coastal establishment, flying in fresh catches that arrive in pristine condition.
The kitchen treats every fillet like it matters because here, it absolutely does. Their menu changes seasonally, keeping things interesting for repeat visitors who crave variety beyond the same old salmon.
The preparation styles range from classic to creative, always executed with precision that shows real culinary training. From perfectly seared tuna to buttery Chilean sea bass, each dish demonstrates why Kingfish has become the Akron area’s go-to spot for serious seafood cravings.
12. Cincy Seafood, Cincinnati
When you need seafood without the fuss, this spot delivers exactly what you’re craving minus the pretension. Cincy Seafood keeps things straightforward with generous portions and prices that won’t make your wallet cry.
The atmosphere is pure neighborhood joint, where regulars know the staff by name and everyone’s welcome. Their fried shrimp is addictively crispy, seasoned with just enough spice to keep things interesting without burning your face off.
The catfish comes out hot and flaky, paired with sides that actually taste homemade. It’s not trying to be fancy or Instagram-worthy, just honest-to-goodness good seafood served by people who genuinely care about feeding you well and sending you home happy.
13. Swampwater Grill, Cincinnati region
This Louisiana transplant brings authentic Cajun heat to Ohio with zero apologies for the spice levels. Swampwater Grill channels serious bayou energy, from the decor to the seasonings that’ll make your taste buds stand at attention. If you can’t handle heat, maybe reconsider your life choices before ordering here.
The crawfish étouffée is rich, spicy, and loaded with tail meat swimming in a roux that took hours to perfect. Their jambalaya packs sausage, shrimp, and chicken into every forkful, seasoned with that Creole magic that makes everything taste better.
The portions are generous enough to share, though you probably won’t want to once you start eating this ridiculously flavorful food.
14. Creole Kitchen, Columbus area
Hence the name, you can expect serious New Orleans flavors transported straight to central Ohio. Creole Kitchen doesn’t mess around with watered-down versions of classic dishes, bringing authentic Louisiana cooking to Columbus.
The seasonings are bold, the portions are huge, and the vibe is pure Southern hospitality. Their gumbo is dark, rich, and packed with seafood and sausage in every spoonful of that perfectly thickened broth.
The po’boys come on bread that’s actually crispy outside and soft inside, stuffed with fried shrimp or catfish dressed properly. Every bite tastes like someone’s grandmother is in the back kitchen, making sure nobody leaves hungry or disappointed with bland, boring food that insults Louisiana’s culinary heritage.
15. Omar’s Seafood & Grill, Cleveland region
Where family recipes meet fresh catches, you’ll find cooking that tastes like home if home was delicious. Omar’s Seafood & Grill operates with that family-owned warmth that chain restaurants can never replicate, no matter how hard they try.
The staff treats you like extended family, which means honest recommendations and generous portions. Their grilled fish options showcase simple preparation that lets quality shine through without unnecessary complications or fancy sauces.
The shrimp scampi is garlicky, buttery, and absolutely worth soaking up every last drop with bread. Nothing here is fussy or pretentious, just solid seafood cooked by people who’ve been doing this long enough to know exactly what works best every single time.
16. Don’s Lighthouse Grille, Cleveland region
Though the lighthouse theme could easily veer into cheesy territory, this place keeps it classy while staying fun. Don’s Lighthouse Grille offers waterfront dining that makes you forget you’re in Ohio rather than some coastal tourist town. The views are spectacular, especially when the sun starts setting over the water.
Their Lake Erie perch is a regional specialty done right, with a light breading that crisps up perfectly without overwhelming the delicate fish. The crab cakes are surprisingly good for being this far inland, packed with sweet crabmeat and minimal filler.
The whole experience feels like a mini vacation, where good food meets great scenery, and you leave feeling relaxed and satisfied beyond just being full.
17. Mallorca, Cleveland region
When Spanish and Portuguese flavors collide, magic happens on your plate in unexpected and delicious ways. Mallorca brings European coastal cuisine to Cleveland with authentic preparations that transport you straight to the Mediterranean.
The atmosphere feels warm and inviting, like dining at a friend’s place in Barcelona. Their seafood paella is loaded with shrimp, mussels, and clams nestled into saffron-infused rice that’s crispy on the bottom. The grilled octopus is tender and charred perfectly, served with potatoes and paprika that add smoky depth.
Every dish reflects careful attention to traditional techniques while using the freshest seafood available, proving that landlocked locations can absolutely nail coastal European cooking with proper skill and dedication to quality ingredients.
18. Windward Passage Restaurant, Columbus
Are you ready to set sail without leaving Columbus? Windward Passage Restaurant creates that seaside escape feeling with nautical touches that enhance rather than overwhelm the dining experience. The menu reads like a coastal tour, offering everything from New England classics to Southern specialties.
Their clam chowder is creamy and loaded with tender clams, tasting like it came straight from a Boston harbor shack. The fish and chips feature flaky cod in a crispy beer batter that stays crunchy even after sitting for a few minutes.
The whole operation runs smoothly, with friendly service and consistent quality that keeps locals coming back whenever they’re craving seafood but don’t feel like cooking it themselves at home tonight.
