By Kate Cohen
The state of Florida is a beautiful peninsula surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. It makes sense that you’d find an abundance of fabulous seafood wherever you travel in the state.
Orlando is in a prime location to source fresh seafood from Florida’s coastal fishing regions daily, offering locals and visitors the chance to enjoy some of the finest catches in the country.
At Rosen Shingle Creek, we not only serve exceptional seafood dishes; we’re also perfectly located for guests who want to try the best aquatic cuisine the City Beautiful has to offer.
Here are five fabulous restaurants where you can find some of the best seafood in Orlando.
The Nauti Lobstah
The Nauti Lobstah is the perfect spot to savor your favorite Northeastern and New England seafood specialties.
This family-owned restaurant has recently been awarded the Critic’s Choice Best Seafood in Orlando by the Orlando Sentinel Foodie Awards and Chef Mike Rumplik was recognized as the Best Local Chef by Orlando Weekly readers in the 2024 Best of Orlando.
As former New Englanders, the Nauti Lobstah family found themselves missing the classic tastes of home while living in Central Florida. They set out to open a restaurant that would serve all the “ah’s” of traditional New England seafood: lobst-ahs, oyst-ahs, chowd-ahs, steam-ahs, and more.
Their most iconic menu item to date is the Biggest Lobster Roll in Florida, a photo-worthy two-foot-long lobster roll. Served on freshly griddled bread made by a local bakery and stuffed with a hefty 2 pounds of fresh Maine lobster meat, this epic lobster roll has become a viral sensation on social media and throughout Central Florida.
The Nauti Lobstah isn’t just a lobster joint. Their menu also features a variety of dishes starring seafood like shrimp, crab legs, grouper, Chilean sea bass, and so much more.
The Nauti Lobstah took the place of its beloved predecessor, The Catfish Place, several years ago. They still honor the former restaurant’s legacy by offering several catfish favorites, including All You Can Eat Catfish.
The Boathouse
There’s no shortage of great dining at Disney Springs, but when it comes to amazing seafood, The Boathouse tops the list.
This beautifully themed establishment offers waterfront dining overlooking Lake Buena Vista, a collection of fully restored Dream Boats from the 1930s, 40s, and 50s, and Amphicar tours that drive riders straight into the lake in a floating vintage car.
Their menu is just as special as the ambiance. Enjoy a selection of fresh seafood from the raw bar, including oysters on the half shell and wild caught Sea of Cortez shrimp, both served with a London dry gin cocktail sauce and cucumber mignonette.
In addition to market fresh fish like seared yellowfin tuna and Gulf of Mexico red grouper, The Boathouse is also known for specialty seafood dishes including Maine Lobster Tail Oscar, succulent Hand Breaded Coconut Shrimp, and a tender jumbo lump crab cake.
The Boathouse is also home to one of the most viral Disney drinks: The Duck Duck Razz. This aqua-blue cocktail is made with Stoli Razberi, peach schnapps, and blue curacao, topped with a rubber ducky that, yes, you get to take home.
Reel Fish
In the coastal south in the 1930s, fish camps were common establishments set up to provide workers and their families with fresh fish and hush puppies. Reel Fish in Winter Park aims to capture the same nautical spirit and authenticity for its guests with a menu of fresh, seasonal seafood.
As a guest, you’ll experience warm Southern hospitality as you dine on sustainably sourced fish from the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.
Their menu features seafood dishes like pecan-crusted rainbow trout served with slow-cooked green beans, and wild-caught Florida shrimp on top of creamy, cheesy grits.
Indulge in a Low Country Boil with fresh-caught Florida shrimp, scallops, Cedar Key clams, PEI mussels, snow crab clusters, and andouille sausage mixed with corn on the cob, redskin potatoes, and charred okra. Dip everything in drawn butter to take your feast to the next level.
Reel Fish is a great go-to for tasty starters, salads, entrées, sandwiches, golden-fried shrimp, oysters, fish, and clams.
They’re also serving up brunch on weekends from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with showstoppers like blue crab and sweet potato hash, or the opulent lobster benedict royale.
High Tide Harry’s
For nearly 30 years, High Tide Harry’s has been an Orlando seafood mainstay for locals and visitors alike.
This casual, family-owned seafood restaurant is great for seafood lovers of all ages, and there’s plenty on the menu for anyone who prefers their food sourced from land.
With hefty portions and the freshest ingredients offered at affordable prices, it’s no wonder locals just voted High Tide Harry’s as Orlando Weekly’s Best Seafood Restaurant for the fifth year in a row.
Order snow, king, and Dungeness crab by the pound, or order mussels, clams, and oysters from the raw bar. Get your fill of shrimp prepared in a variety of styles including fried, garlic, popcorn, and coconut. Perfectly cooked filets of mahi, salmon, grouper, tuna, and whitefish make fabulous entrées, especially when paired with your choice of tasty sides.
Enjoy a refreshing craft beer or cocktail with your meal, and if you’re feeling really thirsty, you can sip on a Fishbowl, named for the enormous vessel in which it’s served.
Wine 4 Oysters
Wine 4 Oysters is a love letter to culinary travel, adventure, and exploration.
The owners have traveled the globe in search of the best flavors and unique characteristics of oysters from around the world.
When you dine at either of the two Wine 4 Oysters restaurants in Orlando, you’ll be invited to taste the most exquisite oysters from their raw bar, each reflecting the unique culture and terroir of its homeland.
Whether you prefer your oysters raw, poached, or baked, Wine 4 Oysters has the perfect bite for your palate. If oysters aren’t your thing, peruse their menu for incredible dishes like mussels, jambalaya, shrimp or tuna tacos, and lobster risotto.
Wine 4 Oysters also has an extensive wine list to pair your seafood with the perfect vino from around the world.
Check out their fabulous happy hour Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for 30% off raw oysters and signature cocktails and $2 off draft and select wines.
Reel in Fresh Seafood at Rosen Shingle Creek
If you’re looking for delicious seafood without having to leave the comfort of your resort, there are several dining options at Rosen Shingle Creek from which to choose.
At Cala Bella, you’ll find “farm to fork” Italian cuisine with Mediterranean influences, brought to life with ingredients grown in our onsite garden, Emma’s Creekside Farm. The menu features seafood specialties like our Charred Octopus with a rich romesco, heirloom cherry tomatoes, and a fennel confit, topped with colorful bunching onions and mustard greens.
Our legacy steakhouse, A Land Remembered, features dishes like Seared Sea Scallops with a sweet corn puree, local mushrooms, and house smoked bacon, and the mouthwatering Jumbo Lump Crab Cake with a preserved lemon tartar and parsley salad.
Wherever you decide to catch your next meal, make Rosen Shingle Creek the place where you lower your sails and ride out the waves.
