Denver may be hundreds of miles from the nearest ocean, but its seafood scene refuses to be landlocked. Thanks to rapid daily flights and smart sourcing, the city still lands briny oysters, crab legs destined for warm, melted butter, expertly-prepared market fish, and other coastal classics.
Chefs here are exacting about quality, helping shape an impressive seafood scene in a city known for its steakhouses. From sleek raw bars to neighborhood spots with lobster rolls and restaurants that have nailed the art of standout shellfish towers, here’s where to find the best seafood restaurants in the Mile High City and beyond.
Water Grill
A destination for seafood lovers, shellfish towers land on tables overflowing with lobster, crab, oyster, scallops, mussels, shrimp, and clams. Make sure to score other opening acts such as clam chowder, sushi rolls, or individual orders from the raw bar, including regional selections of East and West coast oysters. From there, seafood lovers can order daily whole fish specials, grilled or roasted, or go for a classic like crispy fish n’ chips or cioppino, and Italian-American fish stew.
The restaurant sources the seafood through its own fishmongering hub, King’s Seafood Distribution in Costa Mesa, California. From October through March, Water Grill celebrates spiny lobster season, prized for California crustaceans that are sweeter and meatier than their New England counterparts. 1691 Market St., Denver, watergrill.com
TK’s Surf and Turf Kitchen
Back in 2021, a 15-second TikTok of a lobster tail being dunked in butter alongside a plate piled high with shrimp, crab, and sausage at TK’s Surf and Turf racked up more than a million views. That clip turned the strip mall spot into a viral sensation that’s gained loyal fans…