50 Best Seafood Restaurants near Franconia

“this was the best experience i had for my birthday and 1st time being here and Timothy was our server and he did an excellent job with his smiles and friendliness and our wonderful bartender Jay zehring was very friendly and kept the smiles going and both were fantastic so whenever you go in greet Timothy and Jay and the drinks were very very good and food was excellent. the whole crew was very friendly and kind and greeted you will lots of smiles and the place is well cleaned and if you have never been to manchester lakes in springfield please do so. i rate them 5 stars 🌟“

“Have eaten here 4 of 5 days visiting DC. Fantastic food and great service. Highly recommend!“

“Visited yesterday for the first time and was so pleased with our experience. I had the Lobster roll and it was perfection! I also had my dog with me so we ate outside. They brought out an extra table/chairs so we could wouldn't have to wait for a table to open up. They were extremely accommodating and always checked on everyone to see if we needed anything. Will definitely be back!“

“Great food, great drinks, great atmosphere. It was a time!“

“We visited Dauphine’s for our wedding anniversary, and while the food and service were largely impressive, management’s staffing choices held the evening back from perfection.

The savory dishes were exceptional. The bread service and boudin balls were delicious starters, followed by a perfectly cooked catfish Creole and a rabbit tagliatelle that was expertly al dente. For dessert, the carrot toffee pudding special offered a great salty-sweet balance.

Our server, Adrian, was the highlight of the night. He provided excellent service despite being put in an impossible position by management as the only server for the entire upstairs area. While it was Easter Sunday and understandably busy, leaving one person to juggle that many tables is unacceptable. This lack of support led to significant wait times, especially when trying to order dessert.

The experience was capped off by a few misses: the bourbon slush was underwhelming, and the beignets were disappointing—dense and chewy rather than light and airy.

Adrian deserves a raise for his hard work, but management needs to staff appropriately so the service can match the high quality of the kitchen. A solid 4 stars for a lovely anniversary meal that just needed better pacing.“

“Thanks you so much #psychiczabaza“

“Can't believe it took me this long to eat here. Definitely worth it. Can't go wrong with anything u pick. The only think that competes with the food is the quality of the drinks. However both of those are outshine by the service. This place definitely makes it onto my standard rotation list.“

“Recommended, did not disappoint, had the Po Boy, very filling, parking can be a challenge, but overall, worth the travel.“

“One of the best places in Dc and right on the water!“

“We loved having dinner so much on Friday night that we had lunch on Saturday! Lobster roll was delicious. Great selection of raw oysters. PEI mussels were the best! Service was on point. Friday night Ashley was great and sorry I didn’t get our great servers name on Saturday. Manager Ronald Vasquez was so personable and made us feel like regulars. Wish we lived a bit closer because we would be. Highly recommend!“

“The food is delicious, fresh and flavorful. I love the ceviche vuelve a la vida is amazing. They really do seafood well. They have unlimited brunch on the weekends and the dishes always come fresh so it takes some time to get to the table. Since service is super slow, I would order as soon as possible. You can't beat the $35 price tag for food, $25 for bottomless cocktails (2 hr limit).
There's a covered patio/sidewalk, it's open so it can get hot during the summer.
Staff“

“This restaurant, since it opened, has been one of the most consistently excellent in the entire WDC area, and a favorite of mine. The oysters are the best available, the wine list is outstanding and quite international, and the food is always cooked to perfection--but it is expensive, just plan on that. I had Chilean seabass (very $$$) and my guest had a salad (all of their salads are original and terrific) and their wonderful New England clam chowder (which could use a bit more bacon, as another restaurant in town does....) And this is the only restaurant in Washington where I ALWAYS have dessert, their mini-triple creme brulees -- superb! Finally, we had a new waiter, Alex, who was simply the best, most knowledgeable and thoughtful I've experienced in Washington this year. Amazing, keep him!“

“Great restaurant. Nice event. Food and beverages are great.“

“My experience at Kayu was lovely. Chef Paolo does an amazing job of sharing his culture through his food. The menu was very approachable and interesting. Each dish felt nostalgic somehow even though it isn’t my own culture. The service was attentive and our waitress was able to match me up with the perfect cocktail for my mood and it was beautiful.

The steak was a standout dish to me- the sourdough bread dipped in the sauce was perfect. All three desserts we tried were delicious.

It was a fantastic evening and we will definitely be coming back!“

“Hottest new seafood restaurant near DuPont Circle. Best Lobster Risotto I’ve had in my life! The Lobster Bisque was very creamy with large chunks of fresh meat. Topped it off with Key Lime Pie in a cup. The owners are very friendly and the service was excellent. Definitely a 5-star place!“

“Great atmosphere and vibe. Wish we had more restaurants like this in St. Louis, MO.“

“My daughter and son-in-law treated me for my birthday and what a treat it was! From the birthday champagne treat to the special popcorn to the dessert and all meals in between—nothing disappointed. The food was delicious. Filet mignon prepared to perfection. Lamb chops, braised beef, shrimp—all delicious. The sides; I could go on. My husband also enjoyed his meal. Our particular teenaged granddaughter loved her chicken tenders. Even our 2 year old granddaughter enjoyed her kids meal. Definitely will return. This was our first time but it won’t be our last. And last but not least—our server, Micaiah, was the best. Her recommendations were on point. Top notch and so professional!“

“The Sea Bass was a total suprise. More often than not I am dissapointed when I order fish. Not the case here. The presentation was superb. The blend of flavors, textures and colors was an epicurean delight. Our waiter/bartender Damany was thoughtful, always on point without being intrusive. The whole experience was one worth repeating.“

“Exquisite food paired with excellent service. To start, our server Monique was phenomenal, radiant and one of the best servers I have encountered in my dining experience. What a blessing for Moon Rabbit to have such a phenomenal service/front of house team!

We sampled quite a few different courses on a very well crafted and diverse menu. “From the Earth” we tried the Crispy Mountain salad which was flavorful and refreshing in between our heavier courses, “From the Sea” we had the sweet potato & crab as well as the Mochi Beignet which brought unique flavors with bold combinations. The options “From the Land” we had both the rabbit and the pork - both which were rich but not overly heavy, a very well curated combination of flavors that worked well together in each dish. The deserts were divine, I usually do not like sweets as I lack a sweet tooth however the deserts at Moon Rabbit are light and refreshing! We had both the Curry and Apple deserts - I’d highly recommend both!

I also had the best mocktails I have ever had in my life - I highly recommend the Jade to anyone seeking a slightly tart, mildly sweet, well balanced non alcoholic beverage to pair with these divine courses.

Of course a huge thank you to Moon Rabbit for curating a unique and affordable dining experience!“

“Food was amazing. Gets a little loud when busy but service was friendly and quick. Our table shared the lump crab dip which was AMAZING! I ordered 3 raw oysters and the waiter picked them. The names of the oysters are fun also. I got the bread pudding to go as well and it was delicious! I WENT BACK THE NEXT DAY TOO!!“

“From the moment we walked in, this was an exceptional dining experience. We ordered multiple plates, but the 22oz bone-in ribeye... It was absolutely heavenly--cooked to perfection, incredibly flavorful, and one of the best steaks I've had in a long time!

What truly made the evening memorable, though, was the outstanding service. Nadine and Kevin were wonderful and went above and beyond to make us feel welcomed and valued. Their hospitality made the experience feel special from start to finish.

And a special shoutout to Tek, who was hands down one of the best servers I've ever had. He was attentive, knowledgeable, personable, and made sure everything was perfect throughout our meal. I'll definitely be requesting Tek as my server on future visits.

Exceptional food, exceptional service, and an experience I'll be talking about for a long time. Highly recommend!“

“The food was phenomenal. It is a great atmosphere and the customer service was outstanding! I’d recommend trying all the different type of oysters on the menu!“

“The food is amazingly fresh and delicious.“

“Delicious! Loved the lobster roll!!“

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

While exploring Alexandria’s waterfront, we stopped for lunch at Vola’s Dockside Grill and it ended up being one of our favorite dining experiences of the trip.

The location is hard to beat. We were seated on the outdoor patio right along the waterfront with beautiful views of the marina, boats, and the Potomac River. It was the perfect setting to relax, enjoy the weather, and watch the activity on the water while having lunch.

We started with a selection of oysters on the half shell and were impressed with both the freshness and quality. The oysters were cold, clean, and flavorful, served with all the traditional accompaniments. For our main appetizer, we ordered the coconut shrimp, which was outstanding. The shrimp were large, perfectly cooked, crispy on the outside, and paired with a delicious dipping sauce that complemented the sweetness of the coconut coating.

To drink, I ordered a Bloody Mary that was every bit as good as the food. Nicely seasoned, refreshing, and garnished generously, it was the ideal waterfront cocktail.

What really completed the experience was the service. Our server was friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable without being intrusive. Food and drinks arrived promptly, and we never felt rushed despite the restaurant being busy.

Vola’s combines fresh seafood, excellent cocktails, attentive service, and one of the best waterfront dining locations in Alexandria. Whether you’re looking for oysters, seafood, drinks with a view, or simply a relaxing place to enjoy the riverfront atmosphere, this is a spot that should be on your list.

We’ll definitely be returning the next time we’re in Old Town Alexandria.“

“Great Drinks Good Lobster Tails stuffed with Blue Crab Great Asparagus Excellent Baked Alaska Excellent Service“

“The best experience. Great food. Service and atmosphere.“

“We had an amazing meal and great service. We had a group of 8. We were greeted promptly and received drinks quickly. An attentive but not overly so waiter gave us the specials and answered some questions before giving us some time to decide. The house oysters were crisp, cool and delicious. Meals came quickly and everyone was pleased. Drinks, water, used plates etc were quickly attended to by several members of the waitstaff. All said they would be happy to return. Thanks for a great experience.“

“Visiting from St Louis and so glad we came across Luke’s Lobster! We ordered Luke’s flight so we could try all three rolls. Each one was so delicious. We also got the lobster bisque and NE clam chowder. Very good!! Friendly service and neat atmosphere.“

“Absolutely love this restaurant. I come every time I'm in DC. Consistently great food and service!“

“The food was great and the atmosphere was nice. The staff were very friendly and professional. A bit pricey but well worth it.“

“Amazing lunch option with gluten free rolls.“

“I took my teenage boys here on our last night in DC during spring break. The staff is absolutely wonderful, so friendly, kind, fun, energetic, and genuine. The food is completely amazing and all three of us loved everything we ate (scallops, filet, chicken) but it was very much the staff that made the experience so enjoyable. Highly recommended. Beautiful restaurant.“

“What an experience! I came from Alabama on a work trip. My fellow employees and I were trying to find a seafood restaurant and stumbled upon this restaurant on a Wednesday. And boy did we hit the jackpot! The food was amazing first off. Second off, we had been wanting to do karaoke and there was a DJ! We sang at the table while we were eating and had such an amazing time. The atmosphere is phenomenal! We ended up dancing on the floor to a few songs before we left 😂 Thank you Hook & Reel for such an amazing experience. The next time we are in the area we are FOR SURE coming back!“

“Flight got delayed by two hours so I decided to stop by for food and a drink. SO glad I did! The lobster roll was phenomenal and very fresh. The clam chowder was pretty good as well. I ordered a patron reposado marg and a white sangria (don’t judge me) and I’d probably pass on the marg next time. I should have went with my gut and got a reposado espresso martini. Overall 10/10 will definitely come back again.“

“This seafood boil was an absolute culinary triumph! From the moment the steaming pot arrived at our table, the aroma of fresh seafood, spices, and garlic promised an unforgettable experience. The shrimp, crawfish, and mussels were cooked to perfection, tender and bursting with flavor, easily soaking up the rich, savory cajun-inspired sauce. Every bite was an explosion of taste, perfectly complemented by the corn on the cob and potatoes that were infused with the same delicious seasoning. The entire meal was a wonderfully interactive and messy affair, encouraging sharing and laughter, making it a truly memorable dining event.“

“We've dined at Patsy's American on several occasions and consistently appreciate the quality, service and atmosphere.“

“Delicious! Loved the lobster roll!!“

“This was a separate occasion but every time I come to the falls church Masons, I always have a pleasant experience. I actually haven’t been here in a quite a while, but this time I came for dinner with my mom, my husband and my son (6 months old). There was a promo and the cashier helped us in figuring in the promo for all our orders. The food was delicious as always, and the young man that brought our food was so kind. I love coming here cause they always have a promo, or something special happening. The service and food is always through the roof amazing.“

“Great meal recently at Cucina Morini !!! The food, service and drinks were all on point !! See the photos for our recommendations !!! You can order half orders of pasta !! Perfect if you want to try different things.“

“their lobster salad was amazing! And as someone who's had NOLA gumbo, theirs ranked up! Would definitely visit again“

“Delicious! Greetings from Finland with love.“

“The heart and soul of falls church! Always tasty and super accommodating for gluten free“

“went on a saturday afternoon, not too packed, amazing service very helpful, comfortable and nice atmosphere, amazing food, 10/10 recommend you go to your nearest location 😁“

“Flavor was redundant, but you definitely get what you pay for. The crab cakes were the best thing on the menu and we loved how it was actually a crab cake! A lot of places call a piece of fried bread with some crab meat ij it a crab cake, but not Vola's, they are the real deal! Matisse was our waitress and she was great!“

“Live music phenomenal crowd, phenomenal vibe great crowd“

“That Fresh salad is everything!! All in all, we love Mikes!!“

“Great Service!!! Lobster Roll was a nice segue from a regular fish sandwich.“

“Returning to Washington from a France worn down by its own melancholy — a nation led by a presidential couple seemingly disconnected from l'esprit de grandeur — was a relief. The Monocle, nestled just a short pas de géant from Capitol Hill, felt like an antidote. Walking through its doors, I immediately felt transported, like one of the CIA operatives from Lioness Psy-Ops, covertly meeting allies in a safe haven of quiet luxury. Opened in October 1960 by Connie and Helen Valanos, The Monocle has seen more political deals sealed over its crab cakes than perhaps in the chambers of Congress themselves. As the Washingtonian noted, “The Monocle is a better restaurant than it’s given credit for,” serving dishes like “pan-fried Chesapeake Bay oysters baked in a light curry sauce” that feel like culinary diplomacy at its finest. What strikes one immediately is the duality of the space: half public house, half refined eatery. In the restaurant's more elegant quarters, I chose a glass of Sancerre, its mineral brightness pairing effortlessly with the signature crab cakes — plump, golden, and loaded with chair de crabe so sweet it could make a New Englander weep. A red wine-braised New York strip followed, its sauce reminiscent of the old-world simplicity one finds in France’s brasseries, yet undeniably American in its confident presentation. The maître d’, Nick Selimos — a fixture here for nearly three decades — greeted every guest with the kind of warmth that makes even the most hardened lobbyist feel comme chez soi. “There’s nothing more satisfying,” said John Valanos, the owner, “than having someone say, ‘We’ll come back ourselves.’” And come back they do — senators, staffers, and curious tourists alike. Sipping a digestif, I glanced at the black-and-white photos adorning the walls — Kennedy, Nixon, and other Washington titans. It’s said JFK dined here regularly during his Senate days. As The Washington Post humorously observed, "Intentions are spoken here, alliances formed, and deals sealed," all over dishes that balance simplicity and sophistication. Leaving The Monocle, I felt reconnected to the vibrancy of Washington, its pulse steadied by the legacy of places like this — where history, gastronomy, and a touch of joie de vivre blend into something unforgettable.“

“I made my first order last week. 10/10 on the quality of the meals, taste and literally so easy to order. Can’t wait to pick out next weeks dishes.“