Best Cheap Eats Seafood Restaurants in New York
27 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Bed-Stuy Fish Fry
High-volume neighborhood staple for fried fish, shrimp and soulful sides at true budget prices.
Notable Picks
8.5
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
The Livingston Street outpost of Bed-Stuy Fish Fry brings its fried fish and soul-food platters to Downtown Brooklyn with fast-moving lines and big portions. Regulars treat it as a reliable stop for whiting, shrimp and sides at prices that make weekday seafood cravings feel easy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fried whiting sandwich, Shrimp and fish combo platter, Baked or fried mac and cheese
What Makes it Special: High-volume neighborhood staple for fried fish, shrimp and soulful sides at true budget prices.
Harlem Seafood Soul brings Chef Tami Treadwell’s shrimp and grits, fish tacos and po'boys to a stall inside DeKalb Market Hall. The menu leans into wild-caught seafood and Southern sides, giving Downtown Brooklyn a soulful counter-service option inside one of the borough's busiest food halls.
Must-Try Dishes:
Garlic butter shrimp and grits, Fried mac and cheese bites, Fish tacos or seafood po'boy
What Makes it Special: Street-food-famous shrimp and soulful seafood dishes now served from a permanent stall in DeKalb Market Hall.
8.3
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Family-run since the early 1990s, Manuel's Fish Market is part old-school fish counter, part neighborhood kitchen, turning fresh whiting, shrimp, and scallops into generous fried seafood plates. Locals rely on it for affordable, made-to-order seafood baskets that taste far better than their modest setting suggests.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shrimp & Chips, Whiting, Scallops & Shrimp Combo, Fried Whiting Sandwich
What Makes it Special: Long-running neighborhood fish market turning daily catches into made-to-order fried seafood plates.
8.2
Established in 1992, A Taste of Seafood is a counter-service Harlem institution for fried fish, shrimp, and Southern-leaning sides served in generous portions. It’s the move when you want crispy whiting, crab legs, or a shrimp basket that lands hot, salty, and satisfying without feeling fussy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Whiting fish with two sides, 7-piece shrimp and chips, 2-piece jumbo snow crab legs
What Makes it Special: Long-running Harlem counter specializing in fried fish and shrimp.
8.2
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
Roy's Fish Market is a longstanding Upper East Side fish counter and sushi bar where fresh cuts of seafood are turned into generous, no-frills platters and rolls. Locals rely on it for high-grade sashimi, party trays, and quick takeout that emphasizes fish quality over dining room polish.
Must-Try Dishes:
Roy’s Special Combination (sushi, sashimi, rolls), Sashimi Deluxe, Spicy Tuna Roll
What Makes it Special: Neighborhood fish market with serious sushi at everyday prices.
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Hidden Gems Heaven
Bahary Fish Market and Restaurant doubles as a seafood counter and modest dining room where whole grilled fish, fried platters, and mezze-style sides lean Mediterranean. Regulars treat it as a neighborhood option for fresh, halal-friendly seafood dinners that feel more home-style than fancy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Whole grilled branzino, Fried seafood platter, Shrimp kebab plate
What Makes it Special: Seafood-focused Mediterranean spot where you can choose your fish from the counter and have it grilled to order.
8.1
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Maimon Marisco is a St. Nicholas Avenue seafood restaurant balancing Dominican and broader Latin-American plates, from baked clams and tilapia to big seafood soups and grilled fish combos. With EBT acceptance and delivery, it functions as an everyday seafood option for Fort George families and groups.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baked Clams, Seafood Soup, Fillet of Tilapia
What Makes it Special: A neighborhood marisquería where seafood soups, baked clams, and grilled fish are priced for regular weeknight use.
8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A no-frills fish market counter that’s about hot, crunchy fried-seafood plates at true neighborhood prices. The best experience is eating immediately—order one plate, pick your sides, and treat it like a quick utility stop, not a linger-and-chat meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Whiting plate, Flounder plate, Fried shrimp plate
What Makes it Special: Fried fish plates with real value and fast counter rhythm.
Worthy Picks
7.9
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Seaflower Fish Market is a Broadway pescadería that doubles as a counter-service seafood spot, frying fish to order and turning conch, shrimp, and mixed seafood into stews and salads. Washington Heights regulars use it for quick fried platters, camarones mofongo, and take-home seafood.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sauteed conch meat, Seafood salad, Shrimp in garlic sauce
What Makes it Special: Fish-market freshness with Dominican-style seafood plates, mofongos, and stews served right by the counter.
#10
Tinos
7.9
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Family Friendly Favorites
Abitino’s Financial District outpost is a busy Broadway slice shop from a small NYC group that’s been operating since the early 1990s. It’s where commuters grab Plain Jane cheese slices, upside-down Sicilian squares, and loaded grandma cuts before heading back to the office or subway.
Must-Try Dishes:
Plain Jane Cheese Slice, Grandma Slice, Tony Roni Sausage and Pepperoni Slice
What Makes it Special: High-throughput Broadway counter specializing in classic NYC slices and a wide specialty-slice lineup.
7.8
Fjord Fish Market’s Park Slope outpost is a hybrid seafood market and takeout counter known for sushi-grade fish, affordable rolls, and prepared platters. It’s where neighborhood regulars grab under-$15 salmon-forward sushi, lobster rolls, and seafood dinners without committing to a sit-down restaurant.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lobster roll, Fjord Sushi Platter, Wild Seafood Platter
What Makes it Special: Seafood market with a strong sushi case and takeout-friendly prepared dishes.
7.8
Classic fish & chips counter‑style spot serving crispy battered fish and hearty sides at budget‑friendly prices. A go‑to for quick, satisfying seafood in Boerum Hill without pretense.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cod & Chips, Shrimp Basket, Tartar Sauce
What Makes it Special: Affordable, crispy fish & chips in classic style
7.8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
La Bala Fish Market runs as a casual Broadway counter where fried and grilled seafood combos come out fast and affordable. Regulars build plates around porgy, flounder, whiting, and shrimp with rice, salad, fries, and coleslaw for a budget-friendly seafood fix.
Must-Try Dishes:
Porgy, Rice and Salad Combo, Flounder, Fries and Coleslaw Combo, Whiting, Rice, Shrimp and Salad Combo
What Makes it Special: Straightforward fish market-counter hybrid turning out customizable seafood combos at low prices.
7.8
Vibes:
Hidden Gems Heaven
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A neighborhood fish market that functions like a practical seafood cheat code in Midtown: come here when you want real product quality more than a dining-room experience. The move is straightforward—buy fresh fillets or shellfish, ask for prep help if you need it, and treat it as your go-to for home cooking or quick fried seafood.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fried shellfish (to-go), Striped bass (market pick), Lobster (by the pound)
What Makes it Special: A real-deal fish market for fresh seafood in Midtown.
7.8
Thai Food Near Me is a compact Murray Hill spot built around fast combos, delivery, and a broad curry-and-noodle menu. Office workers and nearby residents rely on it for weeknight pad thai, drunken noodles, and house curries that land on the table or at the door quickly.
Must-Try Dishes:
Drunken noodles with beef, Green curry with chicken, Crispy red duck curry
What Makes it Special: Neighborhood workhorse for fast, affordable Thai curries and noodles.
#16
The Chubby Crab
7.8
The Chubby Crab is a counter-service Asian wok and Cajun kitchen where seafood boils, fried baskets, and rice bowls come built for takeout but work for quick dine-in. It’s a flexible Chinatown option when you want customizable crab-and-shrimp bags with bold sauces at relatively friendly prices.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chubby Crab seafood boil combo, Sample The Sea boil for two, Fit Shrimp bowl with rice or noodles
What Makes it Special: Casual Asian–Cajun seafood boils built for delivery, takeout, or low-key dine-in.
7.7
187th Fish Market & Seafood is a compact Belmont seafood spot where fresh fish cases share space with straightforward, fried-seafood plates. It’s the move when you want no-frills fish and chips or a seafood platter at neighborhood prices.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fish and chips, Fried shrimp with fries, Mixed fried seafood platter
What Makes it Special: Tiny fish market turning out simple fried seafood at low prices.
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A fish-forward Indian counter/utility stop that’s best approached like a daily-special shop: choose one primary fish preparation and keep sides simple so the flavors stay coherent. It’s not a destination dining room—more a neighborhood seafood-and-spice solve when you want quick, practical warmth.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fish curry, Fried fish, Fish biryani
What Makes it Special: Indian seafood comfort that works best as a simple, repeatable fish-and-curry stop.
7.7
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
A seafood market that doubles as a fast, cooked-fish counter when you want something cheap and direct. The win is keeping it simple: one fried fish order, one side, and you’re done—more utility than destination, but strong at the price point.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fried whiting, Fried shrimp, Salmon by the pound
What Makes it Special: A fish-market counter that can turn seafood into a fast, low-cost meal.
#20
Wings & Seafood
7.7
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A casual neighborhood counter where seafood shows up in the fried-fish-and-wings universe, not as a destination raw bar. Keep the order focused—one wing flavor plus one fish option—and you’ll get the cleanest, most repeatable meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Honey lemon pepper wings, Garlic Parmesan wings, Catfish
What Makes it Special: Fast counter spot pairing fried fish with wing-house energy.
7.6
Bamboo Seafood Restaurant is a late-hours Cantonese spot known for affordable roast meats, lobster specials, and big tables in the back for groups. It feels closer to an old-school neighborhood canteen than a polished banquet hall, but the pricing and portions keep regulars coming back.
Must-Try Dishes:
Salt-and-pepper shrimp or squid, Roast pork by the pound, House special Cantonese lobster
What Makes it Special: Budget-friendly Cantonese seafood with late hours and big tables.
7.6
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
A neighborhood fish market that locals use for straightforward fresh-seafood buying, with a practical, no-frills setup. Best for home cooks who want reliable staples and seasonal picks—shop with a short list, then add one “looks-best-today” impulse item.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fresh fillets (daily selection), Shrimp (by the pound), Clams or mussels (when available)
What Makes it Special: A classic Bay Ridge fish market for fresh seafood shopping.
#23
Midtown Catch
7.6
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Part seafood market, part takeout counter, Midtown Catch serves ultra-fresh fillets and prepared plates in a compact Sutton Place space. Regulars rely on it for expertly sourced fish, daily specials, and hearty classic preparations.
Must-Try Dishes:
Stuffed filet of sole with crabmeat and spinach, Seafood salad with squid, octopus, and shrimp, Seafood party platter specials
What Makes it Special: A neighborhood seafood market that also turns out restaurant-level cooked plates at the counter.
#24
Royal Seafood
7.6
Vibes:
Hidden Gems Heaven
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A Bensonhurst seafood market that functions like a neighborhood power-up for smoked fish, roe, and take-home seafood staples. It’s less about dining in and more about leaving with a smart bag: one premium seafood pick and a couple of smaller add-ons.
Must-Try Dishes:
Smoked fish selections, Caviar/roe (varies by stock), Pickled herring-style prepared items
What Makes it Special: Seafood-market quality with strong smoked fish and roe options.
7.6
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Operating since the early 1980s, Sea & Sea Fish Market is a Harlem mainstay for raw and cooked seafood, steaming crab legs, lobster tails, shrimp, and whiting to order. It runs more like a classic fish market than a sit-down restaurant, but the cooked-to-order trays have the loyal following of a neighborhood kitchen.
Must-Try Dishes:
Steamed crab legs and lobster tail, Fried whiting with fries, Steamed shrimp with corn and potatoes
What Makes it Special: Old-school Harlem fish market steaming and frying seafood on demand.
7.6
Terrace Fish & Chips is a narrow Pearl Street counter spot specializing in fried and grilled seafood platters built around flounder, shrimp, and scallops with fries or rice. Regulars lean on it as an inexpensive, no-nonsense way to get a hot seafood plate at lunch without leaving the Financial District.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fried flounder with fries, Classic fish and chips, Grilled salmon and shrimp platter
What Makes it Special: Straightforward fried and grilled seafood platters at true FiDi lunch-break prices.
7.5
Vibes:
Hidden Gems Heaven
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A straightforward Cropsey Ave seafood market for stocking fresh fish and shellfish for home cooking. The win is simplicity: pick one whole fish or shellfish lane and plan the cook method before you shop so you leave with exactly what you need.
Must-Try Dishes:
Whole fish for steaming or roasting, Fresh clams and shellfish (varies by day), Shrimp for quick stir-fries
What Makes it Special: No-frills market focus for fresh fish and shellfish buys.