A plate piled with oysters, crab legs, or golden fried shrimp feels even more surprising when the Rocky Mountains are somewhere beyond the dining room. Colorado may sit far from the coast, but several low-key restaurants are proving that seafood cravings do not require a plane ticket.
Behind modest storefronts and casual counters, diners can find everything from buttery lobster and fresh oysters to messy seafood boils and crispy fish baskets. The surroundings might not scream special occasion, which only makes the food more satisfying when it arrives. These 9 Colorado restaurants let the seafood do the bragging.
1. Max Gill & Grill (Denver)
Not every seafood dinner in Denver needs white tablecloths and a fancy speech about the catch. Max Gill & Grill works better as a neighborhood stop where oysters, lobster rolls, and fish and chips share the table with easy conversation and a laid-back mood.
The menu gives people plenty of ways to play it safe or branch out. A plate of fresh oysters can start things off clean and briny, while crab cakes and mussels bring richer flavor without getting too heavy…