Best of Washington, D.C.
The best seafood in Washington, D.C.
Start with Municipal Fish Market in The Wharf for steamed crabs or cooked seafood, Hank's Oyster Bar in The Wharf for raw oysters and beach seafood classics and Oyster Oyster in Shaw. Here are all 4, with what to get at each.
- Municipal Fish MarketThe Wharf · market-stall
Get: Steamed crabs or cooked seafood
An open-air fish market since 1805, with fresh fish, crabs and cooked seafood.
- Hank's Oyster BarThe Wharf · Chesapeake crabs and oysters
Get: Raw oysters and beach seafood classics
A local raw bar with several branches; the Wharf one sits on the water.
- Municipal Fish Market at The Wharf
Open-air fish market · Fresh fish, crabs and cooked seafood
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Ask Chef for morePlan my Washington, D.C. food tripPlan it with your groupThe best seafood in Washington, D.C.: questions people ask
Where is the best seafood in Washington, D.C.?
Chef Amazing’s picks start with Municipal Fish Market (The Wharf), Hank's Oyster Bar (The Wharf) and Oyster Oyster (Shaw). All 4 places are on this page with what to get, where they are and a map.
What should I order?
At Municipal Fish Market, get steamed crabs or cooked seafood. At Hank's Oyster Bar, get raw oysters and beach seafood classics.
Which neighborhood is best for seafood in Washington, D.C.?
Most of these are in The Wharf. The map on this page shows every one, numbered like the list.
How does Chef Amazing pick these?
From Chef Amazing’s city guide and lists for Washington, D.C.: the places critics, chefs and locals keep recommending, checked and kept current, with what to order at each. Nobody pays to be on them.
More in Washington, D.C.
Seafood in other cities
Places change: check hours before you go. Pins come from addresses and OpenStreetMap and can be a little off. Updated November 7, 2026.