Best Seafood Restaurants in Upper East Side-Lenox Hill-Roosevelt Island
2 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Sea Salt
Mediterranean seafood and meze with a well-used sidewalk patio that shines during happy hour.
Notable Picks
#1
Sea Salt
8.5
Sea Salt NYC is a Greek-leaning Mediterranean restaurant known for grilled seafood, meze, and cocktails served on a busy First Avenue patio that is popular during happy hour. It’s a go-to for after-work drinks that can easily turn into a full dinner built around branzino, lamb, and classic Greek salads.
Must-Try Dishes:
Grilled Octopus, Whole Branzino, Lamb Chops
What Makes it Special: Mediterranean seafood and meze with a well-used sidewalk patio that shines during happy hour.
Worthy Picks
#2
Barbaresco
7.5
Barbaresco is a neighborhood Italian restaurant where seafood dishes like wood-fired branzino and sea bass share the menu with pastas, salads, and a sizable wine list. It functions as a comfortable Lenox Hill standby when you want a sit-down Italian meal that can lean fish-focused without feeling formal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wood-fired Branzino, Octopus Salad, Sea Bass with Pistachio Chermoula
What Makes it Special: Cozy Italian dining room where seafood specials share space with pastas.