11 Illinois Seafood Restaurants Set To Steal The Spotlight In 2026
Illinois doesn’t exactly scream “seafood state,” but somehow it’s quietly nailing it. I’ve walked into places here where the crab tastes like it just swam up from the Atlantic and I’m still trying to figure out how that works.
Lobster rolls that make you forget the traffic, oysters that actually make me pause mid-bite, shrimp that snap in all the right ways. I’ve rounded up eleven spots that stick with you long after the last forkful. These aren’t fancy tourist traps or overhyped chains.
They’re the restaurants that make you tell your friends, “You have to try this,” and then immediately regret it because you’re going to want to go back the next day.
1. Shaw’s Crab House – Chicago
Right in the heart of downtown Chicago at 21 E Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60611, Shaw’s Crab House has been reeling in seafood lovers for decades with its classic charm and impeccable menu. This iconic establishment feels like stepping into a New England seafood shack, except with Chicago’s signature style and sophistication.
The oyster bar alone deserves a standing ovation, featuring varieties from both coasts that arrive fresh daily.
What makes Shaw’s truly special is its commitment to quality without the pretentious atmosphere. You can show up in jeans or a suit and feel equally welcome.
The crab cakes are legendary—golden, crispy exteriors giving way to tender, sweet crab meat that tastes like it was just plucked from Chesapeake Bay.
Their seafood towers are Instagram-worthy masterpieces stacked high with shrimp, oysters, clams, and lobster. The kitchen staff clearly knows their way around a fish fillet, preparing everything from simple grilled salmon to more adventurous preparations.
Service is attentive without being overbearing, and the knowledgeable staff can guide you through the extensive menu with ease, making Shaw’s a foolproof choice for seafood newcomers and connoisseurs alike.
2. Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab – Chicago
Located at 60 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, Joe’s Seafood brings a taste of Miami Beach’s legendary Joe’s Stone Crab to the Windy City. This upscale establishment perfectly balances elegance with approachability, making it ideal for both special celebrations and Tuesday night cravings.
The star of the show? Those famous stone crab claws served chilled with mustard sauce that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance.
Walking into Joe’s feels like entering a glamorous supper club from the golden age of dining. The atmosphere buzzes with energy, yet somehow manages to feel intimate and welcoming.
Beyond the stone crabs, their menu features an impressive selection of fresh catches prepared with creative flair.
The jumbo lump crab cakes are generous enough to share (but you won’t want to), and their grilled fish options showcase whatever’s freshest that day. Stone crabs are available seasonally, generally from October through May.
What really sets Joe’s apart is the attention to detail—from the perfectly chilled seafood platters to the warm, crusty bread that arrives at your table.
The staff treats every guest like a regular, remembering preferences and offering spot-on recommendations that never steer you wrong.
3. Bob Chinn’s Crab House – Wheeling
Sitting at 393 S Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling, IL 60090, Bob Chinn’s Crab House isn’t just a restaurant—it’s practically a Chicago-area institution that’s been serving up seafood excellence since 1982. This massive establishment can seat over 600 people, yet somehow never feels like a cafeteria thanks to thoughtful design and exceptional service.
The mai tai glasses are famously enormous, but we’re focusing on the food here, and boy, does it deliver!
Bob Chinn’s built its reputation on Dungeness crab, and one bite explains why people drive from neighboring states to get their fix. The garlic sauce is the stuff of legends, perfectly complementing the sweet, tender crab meat.
But don’t sleep on the other menu offerings—the Hawaiian ahi tuna is seared to perfection, and the shrimp scampi could convert even the pickiest eaters.
What makes this place truly shine is its consistency. You can visit on a random Wednesday or a packed Saturday night and receive the same outstanding quality.
The kitchen handles high volume without sacrificing flavor or presentation, which is no small feat in the restaurant world.
4. Boston Fish Market – Des Plaines
Nestled at 1225 E Forest Ave, Des Plaines, IL 60018, Boston Fish Market proves that exceptional seafood doesn’t require fancy tablecloths or sky-high prices. This no-frills gem focuses on what really matters: incredibly fresh fish prepared simply and served generously.
The casual atmosphere means you can bring the whole family without worrying about kids getting too loud or messy.
The menu reads like a greatest hits album of seafood classics. Their fried clam strips are crispy golden perfection, and the fish and chips could give any British pub a run for its money.
What’s remarkable is how they manage to keep prices reasonable without cutting corners on quality or portion sizes.
Behind the counter, you’ll find a retail fish market where you can purchase fresh seafood to cook at home. This dual approach shows their confidence in their product—they’re not hiding anything behind sauces or elaborate preparations.
The staff knows their stuff and can offer cooking tips if you’re buying raw fish. Whether you’re dining in or taking seafood home, Boston Fish Market delivers honest, delicious food that keeps locals coming back week after week for their seafood fix.
5. Boston Fish Market – Wheeling
Over at 412 N Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling, IL 60090, you’ll find Boston Fish Market’s second location, offering the same commitment to freshness and value that made the original so popular. This spot serves the northern suburbs with the kind of straightforward, quality seafood that’s become increasingly rare in our overly complicated culinary landscape.
Sometimes simple really is best, and this place proves it daily.
The Wheeling location maintains the winning formula: fresh fish, generous portions, and prices that won’t require taking out a second mortgage. Their seafood platters are perfect for indecisive diners who want to sample a little bit of everything.
You’ll get shrimp, scallops, fish, and more, all cooked to golden perfection.
What customers love most is the consistency between both locations. Whether you visit the Des Plaines or Wheeling spot, you’ll receive the same quality and service.
The casual vibe makes it perfect for a quick weeknight dinner when nobody feels like cooking. Plus, the retail market section means you can grab fresh salmon or shrimp for tomorrow’s dinner while enjoying tonight’s meal, making it a convenient one-stop shop for seafood enthusiasts throughout the week.
6. Calumet Fisheries – Chicago
Tucked away at 3259 E 95th St, Chicago, IL 60617, Calumet Fisheries is a throwback to simpler times that’s been smoking fish since 1948. This tiny shack on the Calumet River doesn’t have indoor seating or fancy amenities—just a small window where you order and pick up some of the best smoked fish you’ll ever taste.
It’s the definition of a hidden gem, though locals have known about it for generations.
The smoked salmon and shrimp are absolute must-tries, infused with that perfect smoky flavor that only comes from traditional smoking methods passed down through decades. Watching the smoke billow from the building is part of the experience.
You can literally see your food being prepared the old-fashioned way.
Don’t expect a quick in-and-out visit, especially on weekends when lines can stretch around the building. But trust me, the wait is absolutely worth it.
Bring cash (they strongly prefer cash, and card availability can sometimes be limited) and patience, and you’ll be rewarded with seafood that tastes like Chicago history. Many customers buy extra to take home and freeze, because once you’ve tried Calumet’s smoked fish, regular seafood just doesn’t hit the same anymore.
7. Jonah’s Seafood House & 2601 Oyster Bar – East Peoria
Way down in East Peoria at 2601 N Main St, East Peoria, IL 61611, Jonah’s Seafood House brings coastal dining to central Illinois with style and substance. This restaurant proves you don’t need to be near an ocean to serve exceptional seafood—you just need dedication, quality suppliers, and skilled chefs who respect their ingredients.
Jonah’s checks all those boxes and then some.
The oyster bar is a particular point of pride, featuring rotating selections from various regions so you can taste the difference between East Coast and West Coast varieties. For oyster newbies, the staff provides patient guidance without making you feel silly for asking questions.
Beyond bivalves, their menu showcases creative preparations that elevate familiar seafood dishes.
The crab-stuffed mushrooms are dangerously addictive, and their seafood pasta dishes rival anything you’d find in coastal cities. What makes Jonah’s special for the East Peoria community is how it’s become a destination dining spot, drawing visitors from surrounding towns who want a special night out.
The atmosphere strikes that perfect balance between upscale and comfortable, making it suitable for anniversaries, business dinners, or just treating yourself to something special on an ordinary Tuesday evening.
8. Don’s Dock Seafood – Des Plaines
At 1220 E Northwest Hwy, Des Plaines, IL 60016, Don’s Dock Seafood has been a neighborhood favorite for years, offering the kind of reliable, delicious seafood that keeps families coming back generation after generation. There’s something comforting about a restaurant that doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel—it just serves excellent seafood in a welcoming environment where everyone feels like a regular, even on their first visit.
The menu covers all the classics you’d expect from a quality seafood spot. Their fried shrimp baskets are perfectly crispy without being greasy, and the fish sandwiches are generously portioned with fresh, flaky fish.
What stands out is the freshness—everything tastes like it was swimming recently, not sitting in a freezer for months.
Don’s Dock maintains that neighborhood restaurant vibe where staff remember your name and your usual order. It’s not trying to be trendy or chase the latest food fads, which is exactly what makes it so appealing.
Sometimes you just want good food without the fuss, and that’s Don’s specialty. The prices are fair, the portions are generous, and the quality is consistent, making it a reliable choice for satisfying those seafood cravings any day of the week.
9. King Crab House – Chicago
Located at 1816 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614, King Crab House specializes in Cajun-style seafood boils that’ll have you reaching for extra napkins and forgetting all about your table manners. This lively spot brings Louisiana’s seafood boil tradition to Chicago with authentic flavors and a fun, casual atmosphere.
If you’ve never experienced eating seafood from a plastic bag poured directly onto your table, you’re in for a delightfully messy treat.
The concept is simple but brilliant: choose your seafood (shrimp, crab, crawfish, clams, or mix them all), pick your spice level, and select a sauce. Everything comes out steaming hot in a bag, ready to be dumped out and devoured with your hands.
The garlic butter sauce is dangerously good, and even the mild spice level has some kick.
What makes King Crab House perfect for 2026 is how it turns dinner into an experience. Groups gather around tables covered in butcher paper, cracking shells, sharing food, and laughing at the inevitable mess.
It’s interactive dining at its finest. The casual, energetic atmosphere makes it ideal for celebrations, date nights, or just when you want to have fun with your food while enjoying seriously delicious seafood.
10. Half Shell – Chicago
Perched at 676 W Diversey Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60614, Half Shell brings a slice of the South to Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood with its New Orleans-inspired seafood and laid-back atmosphere. This spot captures that Big Easy spirit where good food, good times, and good company matter most.
The moment you walk in, you can almost feel the Louisiana humidity (okay, maybe that’s just the steam from the kitchen, but still).
Their po’boys deserve special recognition—overstuffed sandwiches with perfectly fried shrimp or oysters on crusty French bread that’ll transport you straight to the French Quarter. The gumbo is rich and flavorful, packed with seafood and just the right amount of spice.
Every dish shows respect for traditional Louisiana cooking while using quality ingredients that shine through.
What sets Half Shell apart is its neighborhood tavern vibe. It’s the kind of place where you can pop in for a quick bite or settle in for a long, leisurely meal with friends.
The staff is friendly without being intrusive, and the casual atmosphere means you don’t have to dress up or put on airs. Whether you’re craving classic seafood preparations or want to explore Cajun and Creole flavors, Half Shell delivers authentic taste without requiring a plane ticket to Louisiana.
11. Oceanique – Evanston
At 505 Main St, Evanston, IL 60202, Oceanique represents the pinnacle of fine seafood dining in the Chicago area. This intimate, upscale restaurant has earned its reputation as one of the region’s best seafood destinations through unwavering commitment to excellence.
Founded by Chef Mark Grosz, Oceanique continues its fine-dining legacy, showcasing pristine seafood with French technique and artistic presentation that’ll make you pause before taking that first bite (but only briefly, because it looks too good to resist).
The menu changes with the seasons and what’s freshest available, which means you might discover something new on each visit. Preparations are creative without being gimmicky, allowing the quality of the seafood to remain the star.
The tasting menu is an adventure for adventurous eaters who want to experience the full range of the kitchen’s capabilities.
Oceanique’s intimate setting makes it perfect for special occasions when you want to impress someone or treat yourself to something extraordinary. Service is polished and professional, with staff who can discuss each dish’s components and wine pairings with genuine knowledge.
Yes, it’s pricier than other spots on this list, but the experience justifies every penny, making it the perfect choice for milestone celebrations in 2026.