Seafood in Southlake has meant different things at different times. It meant family celebrations at the old-school spot with plastic bibs and cracking crab legs, or that one date where you discovered oysters weren’t your thing. Now, with so many options, it’s easy to get lost. So we’re here to make sure you’re doing Southlake seafood right. Below, you’ll find our 2026 picks for the best spots, from classic to contemporary.
Dino’s Steak and Claw House
$$$ | (817) 488-3100 | WEBSITE
They do not make restaurants like Dino’s Steak and Claw House anymore. I know this for a fact, because historical gems with this kind of character are increasingly rare. The experience here is simple: you walk into a cozy lounge area with warm lighting and a welcoming atmosphere, and it’s up to the attentive staff to make your evening special. Remington and Sky provide excellent service with genuine smiles, and Ryan the piano player can play all the tunes—locals clearly enjoy the happy hour vibe.
The chef has perfected the Dino’s Lobster bisque, which is described as close to heaven, and even though parking can be challenging, let’s not dwell on that. I very much think you should visit this spot for a special occasion while ordering the celebratory Tiramisu. The sea bass and scallops are cooked to perfection, and they’re currently serving as a hidden gem in Grapevine.
Maria del Mar
$ | (682) 237-7215 | WEBSITE
Maria del Mar is a Tex-Mex fusion spot where the flavors of authentic Mexican cuisine and bold Texas tastes collide in the most delicious way. Watching the tender, juicy beef in the birria tacos practically melt off the bone makes me feel like I’m witnessing some kind of culinary magic.
That’s exactly why I wish I had ordered a second plate of their cheese enchiladas to go—the rich, gooey cheese and perfectly spiced sauce are so comforting and vibrant, I sometimes feel like they’re taking over my senses. It’s probably just the spirit of the chili relleno telling me to save room for the flan.
Palapas seafood bar
$$ | (217) 222-5804 | WEBSITE
If you’re familiar with Sinaloa-style seafood, it’s probably because of the vibrant coastal flavors that define the region. But Palapas Seafood Bar also has a bunch of other great dishes in its arsenal, from mezcal cocktails to standout snapper. One of my personal favorites is the camarones cucaracha, where the shells are so soft they can be eaten whole. It’s moving to see a chef/owner and friendly waitress who prepare everything to order, even when the place is bustling.
I won’t say what makes the atmosphere so great, but I can tell you that the clean, delicious food here shows care for every detail – usually a hearty plate of seafood like the one you can order from Palapas right now.
Thai Taste
$ | (940) 536-8053 | WEBSITE
Is it just me or is everyone rediscovering Thai Taste right now? I also recently hopped on this unhinged curry-and-rice train, and my only regret is that I didn’t pair it with takeout sooner. There’s so much about this place that just makes perfect sense (basically every dish, the idea that chicken could be this tender every time, the portion sizes themselves, etc.) – but if there’s one thing that makes it feel essential, it’s how fresh and comforting all of the food tastes.
Which is exactly why you shouldn’t visit Thai Taste without some pineapple curry of your own in front of you – I’d go with the basil chicken, or for an even more classic choice (to go with such reliable service), the beef pad see eiw.
Hillside Fine Grill
$ | (972) 317-9711 | WEBSITE
I don’t know about you, but I could eat catfish every day of the week. But in the case of Hillside Fine Grill, we get to enjoy it fried or grilled with a side of their creamy mashed potatoes, and sip an Old Fashioned crafted by their friendly bartenders.
Grab a seat in their upscale yet cozy dining room, order the Creole Cajun Pasta or the Firecracker Shrimp Tacos, and let your dining companion steal a bite of your Reuben sandwich with extra sauce while this wonderful gathering spot’s family-like atmosphere and attentive service unfold.
Krab Kingz Seafood Restaurant
$$ | (817) 393-3393 | WEBSITE
Is the drive to Southlake worth it for seafood fanatics? Does it matter? When you dig into Krab Kingz’s loaded platter with snow crab clusters, shrimp, sausages, corn, and red potatoes, everything – and I mean everything – in your dining expectations will suddenly become more satisfying. To honor that Cajun-inspired craving, I’d recommend tackling their super delicious pound of shrimp with spicy sauce before diving into the crab platter.
You can’t appreciate friendly staff treating you like family with an empty plate. I’ve tried.
Catfish & Co
$ | (817) 581-3912 | WEBSITE
This restaurant is so goddamn delicious, and that Cajun catfish fillet – with its crispy coating and perfect seasoning – is a f*cking revelation.
So grab some friends from Louisiana, order a healthy amount, and let the flavors transport you as you enjoy the fried pickles alongside the baked potato, then dive into those hush puppies described as a ‘little basket of heaven.’ As a drink pairing, I’d go with the peach frozen margarita, several baskets of those heavenly hush puppies, and the renowned fried fish from Catfish & Co, an exceptional seafood spot in Southlake.
Mac’s On Main
$$ | (817) 251-6227 | WEBSITE
There are a handful of restaurants I return to repeatedly for special occasions, and all of them have that certain magic. Like the perfect filet Oscar and whatever the second glass of cabernet was called. The Sunday brunch also somehow snuck in there, and, to this day, it’s burned in the back of my brain. And understandably so, seeing as how this place serves sea bass so tender it practically melts, alongside lamb that’s cooked to perfection.
The menu is tough to categorize – but if I were still keeping a dining journal, I’d put it in the Upscale Neighborhood Gem section (alongside those rare finds where every dish feels carefully prepared). For this restaurant, you need an evening that’s equally intimate and memorable, so I suggest Mac’s on Main, where you can get crab cake appetizers, apple galette, or steak and eggs with filet mignon. They’re open for dinner in Southlake.
Dirty Cajun Seafood Kitchen
$$ | (682) 503-6339 | WEBSITE
If you’ve never tried Louisiana-style seafood in Southlake, it’s worth visiting for the blackened catfish Caesar salad alone (the dressing, the crispness, and especially the perfectly seasoned fish are your sweet spots). Could you just get fried seafood anywhere in Texas? Yes, you could, but then you’d miss out on all the flavorful drama that unfolds when fresh scallops meet a hot skillet. If, like me, you’re also tired of overpriced fine dining right now, order the fried oyster po-boy.
It’s all the casual energy this place seems to crave, even in suburban Texas, and Vanessa would be proud of you. I’d go with the chicken and shrimp jambalaya and a side of crawfish from Dirty Cajun.
Mariscos el Malecon Bar and Grill
$$ | (817) 576-4520 | WEBSITE
While my appetite may not be as demanding as Gus the Dachshund-Jack Russell’s, we’re still able to come to some basic agreements. Namely, this is my stomach, and I’m just living with it. As such, I intend to keep it satisfied. A good way to do that is to feed it food that feels like a celebration, like the shrimp and octopus cocktail or part of a sushi bazuka from Mariscos el Malecon. Little does it know, it doesn’t require much of a stretch because overordering is pretty much inevitable here.
This Southlake spot also offers a complimentary soup and lively atmosphere, but my appetite has made it clear that it prefers the rich horchata and flavorful ceviche, savoring them tirelessly from first bite to last, only occasionally getting distracted by the live music.
Red Lobster
$$ | (972) 659-0104 | WEBSITE
It should go without saying, but I’m recommending the salmon New Orleans that showcases the kitchen’s well-placed faith in quality seafood, rather than the standard fried options that illustrate some chains’ misplaced faith in frozen fish. Now, I’ve always known the “Cheddar Bay Biscuits” recipe by heart and mentioned them in casual conversation, but a recent revisit opened my eyes to a whole new restaurant.
It was just as satisfying, but less for the predictable decor and hotel-adjacent location, and more for the generous portions and friendly service, which are varying degrees of impressive depending on your expectations for chain dining. Round out the experience by ordering something that also only improves through careful preparation, like seafood pasta.
If your first memories of it are also eating basic shrimp scampi, then the salmon New Orleans with its rich sauce and perfectly cooked fish from Red Lobster will feel like a whole new dish.
Acquario Italian Seafood
$$$ | (817) 431-8323 | WEBSITE
I recently revisited The Godfather, and then watched Goodfellas the very next night. Usually, I might question my life choices after devoting six hours in a short timespan to mobster movies featuring pasta-heavy scenes and characters named Paulie. But I don’t regret a minute of it. Well, I regret almost all of Goodfellas’ runtime, but the first film was more than compelling enough to make up for it – namely because watching Marlon Brando hold court while eating is extremely captivating.
It’d be easy to pair this with a red sauce and seafood-heavy spot from our Italian Delivery Guide, but instead, embrace the theme of the movies by treating yourself. Specifically, by getting help in the kitchen from Acquario Italian Seafood, a Southlake Italian spot that serves ready-to-eat comfort food with all the cooking done for you, so you can get the satisfaction of enjoying crab cake appetizers or braised beef pasta yourself.
Sweetie Pie’s Ribeyes
$$ | (817) 428-3773 | WEBSITE
Sweetie Pie’s Ribeyes is a stand-out Fort Worth restaurant where everything from the 4oz filet with mashed potatoes to the squash casserole can save you from a series of unsuccessful attempts at making ‘something special’ for dinner. Steak enthusiasts, please take note. This is an example of the right kind of dining narrative.
One saves through perfectly cooked seared steak with the best crust ever and the other saves through piping hot yeast rolls and bacon vinaigrette that are simultaneously savory, rich, and comforting. Enjoy these legends together for maximum satisfaction.
The Classic Cafe at Roanoke
$$$ | (817) 430-8185 | WEBSITE
When a restaurant has been serving the same community for three decades, it’s a good indication that the place could be pretty special. The Classic Cafe at Roanoke certainly is. In this local gem, the friendly staff and top-notch service create a cozy ambiance that makes every meal feel like a celebration.
Their traditions shine through in southern inspired upscale fare, but that doesn’t keep the kitchen from preparing dishes like shrimp & okra fritter and red trout with fresh ingredients that would impress any critic. For the signature experience that they offer for date nights and family gatherings, the kitchen prepares tenderloin, which arrives perfectly cooked and beautifully presented.
The welcoming atmosphere and fantastic service make me think this might be one of the most important dining experiences in Southlake. While you probably can’t find this level of consistency everywhere in town, the Classic Salad and Gazpacho are very strong stand-ins when you’re craving something vibrant and fresh.