PHILADELPHIA, PA - While seafood is a year-round favorite in Philadelphia, there’s something about the warm summer months that makes oysters, ceviche, and all things chilled and briny especially craveable. From swanky rooftop lounges with stunning views to elegant neighborhood gems and riverside retreats, the city and its surrounding areas are making waves with seasonal seafood dishes and weekly specials that celebrate the best of the sea. Here's a guide to some of the top destinations for your summer seafood adventures.
Rooftop Views & Coastal Bites
- Assembly Rooftop Lounge (Center City): Perched atop The Logan hotel with unparalleled views of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Assembly is the perfect summer destination for refreshing coastal bites. Indulge in their renowned Lobster Roll, made with succulent Maine lobster, celery, chives, and lemon aioli on a toasted brioche bun, while soaking in the sophisticated, open-air ambiance.
- Location: 1840 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA
- Attico Rooftop (Avenue of the Arts): This colorful, plant-studded urban getaway on the 16th floor of the Cambria Hotel is an ideal spot for seafood-centric dishes. Enjoy a Daily Selection of Oysters with seasonal mignonette, classic Shrimp Cocktails, or the signature Angry Lobster Toast with warm buttered brioche and Korean chili mayo.
- Location: 219 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA
Globally-Inspired Flavors of the Sea
- Bolo (Rittenhouse Square): Chef Yun Fuentes’ Latin American dining room and rum bar offers a vibrant, seafood-rich selection of small plates. Highlights include a trio of ceviches (like Tuna con Coco and Snapper Nikkei), grilled Pinchos featuring octopus or scallops, and heartier mains like the Red Snapper Sancocho steamed in banana leaves.
- Location: 2025 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Oltremare (Rittenhouse Square): The new seafood-forward modern Italian restaurant from Chef-Owner Townsend Wentz showcases ultra-seasonal coastal fare. Start with Oysters with pear-ginger mignonette or Scallops alla Veneziana, then move to standout plates like Frutti di Mare with shrimp, calamari, and mussels in squid ink, or the delicate Jumbo Lump Crab Cavatelli.
- Location: 2121 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Alice (Italian Market): This hyper-seasonal American restaurant in the heart of the Italian Market presents an innovative seafood menu. Choose from Barnegat Bay Oysters with cucumber aguachile, Coal Roasted Oysters with garlic lager butter, Bluefin Tuna Crudo, or the impressive Grilled Whole Bronzino for two.
- Location: 901 Christian St, Philadelphia, PA
Refined Neighborhood & Waterfront Gems
- Jansen (Mt. Airy): Chef David Jansen’s award-winning New American restaurant offers refined seafood dishes with seasonal finesse. Start with House-Cured Salmon Gravlax or Octopus Fritto, and enjoy elegant entrées like Norwegian Salmon over a Mediterranean quinoa salad or Miso Glazed Cod with tempura eggplant.
- Location: 7402 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA
- Keating’s Rope & Anchor (Penn's Landing): Boasting beautiful waterfront views of the Delaware River from its location at the Hilton Penn’s Landing, Keating’s offers a seafood-forward American menu. Enjoy dishes like the Crab and Avocado Salad with lump crabmeat or the Grilled Bronzino with fregola in a white wine butter sauce.
- Location: 201 S Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA
Worth the Drive: A Bucks County Destination
- Stella of New Hope (New Hope, PA): This modern American restaurant, located in the Ghost Light Inn, offers 180-degree views of the Delaware River from its expansive outdoor patio. It’s the perfect summer destination to enjoy a standout seafood dish like their Diver Scallops served with pickled shallots, pancetta, and apple–sunchoke purée.
- Location: 50 S Main St, New Hope, PA 18938
Don't Miss the Weekly Specials!
For even more options, keep an eye on the weekly specials at popular spots like Red Owl Tavern, Square 1682, and The Twisted Tail, which often feature crowd-pleasing, seasonal seafood dishes.
Philadelphia and its surrounding areas are brimming with incredible options to satisfy your summer seafood cravings. Whether you’re looking for icy oysters on a rooftop, vibrant ceviche with a Latin flair, or elegant seared scallops by the river, the region’s talented chefs are serving up the best of the sea.
