I Spent A Lot Of Time Chasing The Best Seafood In Coastal Georgia — These 12 Spots Were Totally Worth It
Georgia’s coastline is a hidden gem for seafood lovers, where fresh catches meet that signature Southern charm.
From the historic streets of Savannah to the peaceful shores of the Golden Isles, local chefs turn the Atlantic’s offerings into truly memorable meals.
Get ready to discover some of the best seafood spots along Georgia’s scenic coast. You’re in for a delicious ride.
1. Georgia Sea Grill (St. Simons Island)
Tucked away on St. Simons Island, this culinary gem has been delighting palates since 1997. Their secret? Garden-fresh ingredients that elevate seafood classics to art forms.
The wasabi-pea crusted tuna literally changed my life during my honeymoon visit last summer. Don’t leave without trying their legendary crab-stuffed hushpuppies, a perfect marriage of crispy exterior and succulent crab meat.
2. Skipper’s Fish Camp (Darien)
Perched along the Darien River, Skipper’s isn’t trying to be fancy – and that’s precisely its charm. Local shrimpers deliver their catch directly to the kitchen, ensuring peak freshness you can taste in every bite.
Rustic wooden tables on the deck offer the perfect vantage point for watching the sun paint the marshes gold while you devour platters of perfectly fried Georgia shrimp. The hushpuppies? Absolutely addictive.
3. The Grey (Savannah)
History and haute cuisine collide in this restored 1938 Greyhound terminal. James Beard Award-winner Mashama Bailey infuses Southern traditions with global influences, creating dishes that tell stories.
I still dream about the fried mullet I had here three years ago. The oyster platters arrive like edible art installations – meticulously arranged and bursting with briny perfection.
The space itself, with its preserved Art Deco details, adds another layer to the dining experience.
4. Coastal Kitchen Seafood & Raw Bar (St. Simons Island)
Water views and Low-Country cuisine create the perfect coastal dining symphony here. Chefs transform local catches into comfort food masterpieces that honor generations-old recipes.
The redfish arrives with crispy skin and tender flesh that flakes at the touch of your fork. Their shrimp and grits? Creamy, buttery perfection studded with plump local shrimp.
When the evening breeze rolls in off the water, there’s simply no better place to be.
5. Crabdaddy’s Seafood Bar & Grill (St. Simons Island)
First impressions matter, and Crabdaddy’s unassuming exterior belies the seafood magic happening inside. Regulars know to start with the clam chowder – a velvety, briny bowl of comfort that sets the stage for what’s to come.
Back in 2019, I brought my seafood-skeptic brother here. The scallops converted him instantly! Perfectly seared and butter-bathed, they practically dissolved on contact.
The shrimp platters arrive overflowing with golden-fried goodness.
6. Fiddlers (St. Simons Island)
Rustic-chic vibes meet culinary excellence at this island favorite. Wooden beams and nautical touches create the perfect backdrop for serious seafood indulgence.
The fried shrimp tacos arrive with just the right amount of crunch and zing, topped with a secret sauce they absolutely refuse to share the recipe for (believe me, I’ve tried!).
Garlic-roasted oysters emerge bubbling from the kitchen, filling the air with an aroma that makes waiting practically torturous.
7. ECHO Restaurant (St. Simons Island beachfront)
Ocean views aren’t just a bonus here – they’re part of the main course. As the island’s only true oceanfront restaurant, ECHO delivers scenery as magnificent as its seafood.
Waves crash rhythmically beyond the windows while servers deliver platters of sunshine-yellow paella studded with local seafood treasures. Their shrimp and grits transcend the ordinary with a secret blend of spices that dance across your palate.
The salt-tinged breeze complements every bite perfectly.
8. Dorothy’s Cocktail & Oyster Bar (St. Simons Island)
Sophistication meets playfulness at this island gem where oysters take center stage. The sleek marble bar invites you to perch and watch the shucking show – a mesmerizing display of skill and precision.
I nearly fainted when I first tasted their Southeast Asian-inspired crab curry last spring. The fusion of delicate crab meat with aromatic lemongrass and coconut milk creates a flavor harmony that’s simply transcendent.
Their craft cocktails, often garnished with edible flowers, complement the seafood beautifully.
9. Iguana’s Seafood Restaurant (St. Simons Island)
No-frills seafood perfection awaits at this community favorite, where Georgia shrimp gets the royal treatment. The menu offers an entire shrimp section with preparations ranging from classic fried to zesty buffalo and tropical coconut.
Don’t overlook the sides – they’re far from afterthoughts. The cheese grits arrive creamy and decadent, while the collard greens offer the perfect tangy counterpoint to the richness of the seafood.
Portions are generous enough to ensure doggie bags are the norm.
10. Wolf Island Oyster Co. (St. Simons)
Cozy and unpretentious, this oyster haven feels like dining in a friend’s stylish living room – if that friend happened to be an oyster-shucking virtuoso. The menu is deliberately small, allowing each item to shine with pristine quality.
The freshly shucked oysters arrive nestled in ice, glistening like jewels. When I brought my dad here during his first Georgia visit, he declared them “the closest thing to heaven on earth.”
Southern hospitality flows as freely as the mignonette sauce, with staff happily explaining oyster varieties to newcomers.
11. River House Seafood (Savannah Riverfront)
History seeps from the brick walls of this riverfront establishment housed in an 1820s cotton warehouse. Massive windows frame postcard-worthy views of cargo ships gliding along the Savannah River.
The pan-seared scallops arrive caramelized to golden perfection, nestled atop creamy risotto. Their jumbo lump crab cakes contain so little filler you’ll wonder how they hold together – until you take that first heavenly bite.
The centuries-old heart pine floors creak pleasantly beneath your feet as you savor each morsel.
12. Desposito’s Seafood (Thunderbolt)
Time stands deliciously still at this Thunderbolt peninsula institution. Since the 1960s, locals have flocked here for no-nonsense seafood served without pretension – just newspaper-lined baskets of fried goodness.
The building may be weathered, but that’s part of its authentic charm. Last summer, I watched my five-year-old niece experience her first Low Country boil here – her eyes widening at the mountain of shrimp, corn, potatoes, and sausage tumbled directly onto our table.
The deviled crab has remained unchanged for decades, because perfection needs no improvement.