Best Seafood Restaurants in University Village
3 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Blue Ribbon Brasserie
Iconic late-night SoHo brasserie for fried chicken, marrow, and a serious raw bar.
Notable Picks
8.8
Bruce and Eric Bromberg’s Blue Ribbon Brasserie has anchored SoHo’s late-night dining scene since 1992, pairing a deep raw bar and bone marrow with what many consider some of the city’s definitive fried chicken. High multi-platform ratings and thousands of reviews over three decades support its status as a reliable go-to for chefs, industry regulars, and night-owl diners alike.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fried Chicken with Mashed Potatoes & Collard Greens, Beef Marrow with Oxtail Marmalade, Seafood Plateau with Oysters & Shellfish
What makes it special: Iconic late-night SoHo brasserie for fried chicken, marrow, and a serious raw bar.
8.6
Mermaid Oyster Bar brings a polished coastal raw bar to MacDougal Street, with rotating oysters, lobster rolls, and seafood plates in a narrow, warmly lit space. Locals lean on it for happy hour shellfish, date-night seafood dinners, and reliable service that keeps the room humming.
Must-Try Dishes:
Happy Hour Oysters, New England-Style Lobster Roll, Lobster Knuckles & Knuckles
What makes it special: Greenwich Village raw bar with serious oysters, lobster rolls, and a coastal vibe.
Worthy Picks
#3
The Otter
7.9
Tucked inside The Manner hotel, The Otter does New England-leaning seafood with a chef-y twist, from crab agnolotti under Ritz crumbs to swordfish frites in a glossy peppercorn sauce. A dim, Art Deco-inspired room and a seafood-focused cocktail list make it feel like a quietly ambitious SoHo hideaway.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crab Agnolotti with Ritz Crumble, Swordfish Frites au Poivre, Scallop Crudo
What makes it special: Hotel dining room where playful, high-low seafood dishes meet moody Art Deco design.