11 Illinois Seafood Chains Locals Say Are Always Worth The Splurge
Illinois has a way of surprising you with its seafood scene. Tucked between neighborhood strip malls and busy suburban roads are chains that manage to bring a little coastal comfort to the Midwest.
I’ve sat in booths where the shrimp baskets arrived piled high, the fish dinners came out hot enough to fog the windows, and the staff greeted regulars like they’d been coming in for decades. These places make “seafood night” feel easy, a meal you can enjoy without planning ahead or dressing up.
Families stop in after long weeks, friends share platters, and everyone seems to have a favorite order. If you’re craving a simple, satisfying seafood fix without heading for the coast, these eleven Illinois spots are worth the drive.
1. Shaw’s Crab House, Chicago And Schaumburg
The dining rooms at Shaw’s lean classic, with white tablecloths, polished wood, and servers who know the menu cold. The Chicago location’s oyster bar hums at lunch, then swells into a dinner crowd that treats the room like a weekly ritual. Schaumburg draws families and business travelers looking for steady service and a celebratory feel.
Seafood anchors everything, from chilled Alaskan king crab legs to a dependable platter of fried shrimp and Lake Superior whitefish. The raw bar lists East and West Coast oysters by name, with clean shucks and briny liquor. Key lime pie remains the sweet exclamation.
The crab legs crack cleanly, shells parting with a satisfying snap. Lemon butter smells warm and bright. Diners leave full, unhurried, and a bit salty from the sea.
2. McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks, Chicago
Start with the food because the menu sets the tone. The daily printed list highlights the catch, like seared Chilean sea bass, grilled salmon, and shellfish platters on crushed ice. Crab cakes arrive with a crisp edge and tender center, anchored by a light mustard sauce.
The brand dates back to the Pacific Northwest, and its Chicago outpost mirrors that heritage with a market board and classically trained service. Multiple locations nationwide mean sourcing and preparation are standardized, with room for local seasonal touches.
Tip for navigating dinner: check the daily fish list first, then build sides like sautéed spinach or mashed potatoes around it. Reservations help on weekends near the Loop, when theatergoers swell the dining room.
3. Brown Bag Seafood Co., Chicago And Naperville
The first thing I notice is the chalkboard flow, where you pick a protein, choose a style, then a base. Lines move quickly, and the space feels breezy, more lakefront than downtown. Lunch crowds stack up, then thin as office folks drift back.
Seafood is the star, especially the grilled salmon over greens and the crispy shrimp tossed into a warm grain bowl. Tacos with blackened whitefish carry a light heat, and the lemon-dill sauce tastes like a Midwest summer.
I like the simplicity, the way the brown boxes keep everything neat and warm. The format rewards repeat visits, and the Naperville shop hums at early dinner with families sharing fries and slaw.
4. The Hampton Social, Chicago And Suburbs
Soft lighting and sandy tones set an easy mood, with woven chairs and pale brick that nod to coastal cottages. Weekend evenings draw groups celebrating birthdays, while suburban locations see a steady brunch-to-dinner rhythm. Music sits low enough for conversations.
Seafood keeps the menu grounded, from lobster rolls with buttery split-top buns to grilled mahi over citrus-kissed greens. A chilled seafood tower stacks oysters, shrimp, and crab claws with tidy precision. The crab cake appetizer has a delicate crust and gentle sweetness.
Expect a friendly pace and plates designed to share. Suburban sites like Skokie or Burr Ridge fill quickly on Saturdays, so an early arrival helps. Lunch brings a calmer room and easy parking.
5. Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, Westmont
There is a festive hum in Westmont, a big-room energy with roomy booths and fast-moving servers. Families gather for birthdays, and early dinners often start with baskets of hot bread. The dining room keeps a lively pace without rushing plates.
Seafood leans Gulf-inspired, with crawfish étouffée, shrimp brochette, and platters of fried catfish and oysters. The seafood gumbo has a dark, robust roux and a peppery finish. Grilled Atlantic salmon comes with crisped edges and a lemony glaze.
Guests plan for generous portions, often sharing the seafood platter and saving space for key desserts. Weekend waits are common, so joining the list early or arriving before six keeps things smooth.
6. Legal Sea Foods, Chicago Marina City
Brand origins trace to a Cambridge fish market, growing into a New England chain known for tight sourcing and a famous clam chowder. The Marina City location brings that lineage to the riverfront, folding Midwest rhythms into East Coast habits. Staff speak fluently about oyster provenance.
Food centers on pristine seafood, like broiled lobster tails, tuna sashimi, and that creamy, thyme-scented New England clam chowder. Grilled sea scallops arrive lightly caramelized, nestled beside seasonal vegetables. The raw bar feels disciplined and cold, the way it should.
Logistics are straightforward. Dinner near the theater rush gets busy, so reservations help. Riverwalk foot traffic swells in summer, and lunch seating on weekdays runs quicker than weekends.
7. Ocean Prime, Chicago
A small curl of steam rises from a hot plate as the waiter sets down the Chilean sea bass. The room smells like toasted butter and lemon. The lighting feels like dusk, soft and deliberate.
Ocean Prime is a national brand, and the Chicago location leans into elegant seafood plates. The sushi section turns out precise rolls, while the broiled sea bass with a soy glaze flakes apart like warm pastry. A shellfish tower arrives glinting with ice and careful geometry.
Weeknights near River North bring a suited crowd that lingers. Reservations steady the experience, and the kitchen keeps timing tight for pre-show dinners. Service remains polished without hovering.
8. Bonefish Grill, Illinois Locations
You notice the open kitchen glow and tidy booths, a calm look that suits both weeknight dinners and small celebrations. Suburban locations spread across Illinois attract steady families and date-night pairs. Servers explain specials with easy confidence.
Seafood standards shine, especially the wood-grilled rainbow trout and the famed Bang Bang Shrimp, crisp and gently spicy. Seasonal fish lists rotate, with lemon-basil sauces or mango salsas pairing to keep things bright. Sides like garlic mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables complete the plate.
Visitors tend to book earlier on Fridays. Curbside pickups stay busy, and dining rooms fill from 6 to 7. Checking the seasonal menu online first helps you choose the grill prep and sides ahead of time.
9. Red Lobster, Chicago And Suburbs
The endless basket of warm Cheddar Bay Biscuits sends up buttery steam, and that scent drifts table to table. Booths wrap the room in familiar wood tones, and families settle in without fuss. Weekend afternoons see steady traffic from late lunch into dinner.
Seafood choices run broad, from Ultimate Feast platters with snow crab legs to hand-breaded shrimp and grilled Atlantic salmon. The create-your-own combo makes it simple to customize portions. Sides like baked potato and coleslaw add a comfortable, old-school touch.
Folks return for birthdays and casual milestones. I always time my visit midweek when waits are shorter, and the kitchen hits a relaxed stride. Online waitlists help on busy suburban nights.
10. Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab, Chicago
The brand’s Miami roots peek through the tuxedoed service rhythm and the chilled case of stone crab claws near the host stand. The Chicago location feels grand yet steady, a place where tables hum quietly and plates land precisely.
Seafood leads, especially seasonal Florida stone crab served cracked with mustard sauce, plus sea bass, Dover sole, and a cold seafood platter. The crab claws are firm and sweet, with clean breaks that make the meat slide free. Sides like hash browns carry a crisp, golden surface.
Dinner reservations are essential during stone crab season. Late lunches work for a calmer room, and the kitchen keeps pacing tight for theater nights. Service remains unflappable.
11. Kona Grill, Oak Brook
Spring brings lighter plates and brighter garnishes, and the Oak Brook dining room mirrors that mood with sunlight across the banquettes. Patio doors open on blue-sky days, and the space turns gently breezy. People settle into an easy, weekend pace.
Kona Grill is a national brand with a broad seafood range, from sushi rolls to miso-sake sea bass and shrimp tacos. The sea bass comes silky, glazed and just set at the core. Poke bowls offer clean textures, with cool rice and fresh tuna.
The reaction is a comfortable exhale, the kind that follows a well-timed meal. Families drift in early, while shoppers from Oakbrook Center appear closer to dinner. Online reservations smooth the flow.