Naples, Florida sits at the edge of some of the most productive fishing waters in the Gulf of Mexico, and the city's restaurant scene reflects that geography with extraordinary precision. From trap-to-table stone crab at white-tablecloth dining rooms to grouper sandwiches at dockside shacks that have been feeding locals since the Eisenhower era, the best seafood restaurants in Naples deliver Gulf-fresh catches that landlocked cities can only dream about.
Stone crab season runs from October 15 through May 1, and during those months Naples becomes ground zero for one of Florida's most prized delicacies. But outstanding seafood dining here is a year-round affair. Grouper, snapper, mahi-mahi, hogfish, and shrimp arrive daily from local fishing fleets, and the restaurants on this list have built their reputations on sourcing the freshest catch available.
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We have eaten at every restaurant on this list multiple times across seasons, and we update this guide annually. Whether you are planning a trip to Fifth Avenue South or looking for a waterfront sunset dinner, these are the ten best seafood restaurants in Naples for 2026.
Quick Navigation: Truluck's | The Dock | USS Nemo | Captain & Krewe | M Waterfront Grille | Kelly's Fish House | Swan River | Bayside | FISH | Hogfish Harry's | Stone Crab Guide | FAQ
1. Truluck's Ocean's Finest Seafood & Crab
If you eat stone crab in Naples and it did not come from Truluck's, you made a mistake. That is not an exaggeration. Truluck's operates its own fleet of stone crab boats and a private processing facility in Everglades City, which means the claws on your plate were swimming in the Gulf less than 24 hours ago. No middleman, no delay, no compromises on freshness.
The Naples location sits inside the Inn on Fifth on Fourth Avenue South, putting you steps from the energy of Fifth Avenue South. The dining room is polished and upscale without being stuffy — dark wood, white tablecloths, and a bar scene that hums with energy during season. Beyond stone crab, the kitchen turns out a stunning Florida grouper, seared diver scallops, and a lobster tail that could convert a vegetarian. The chocolate bag dessert — a hollow chocolate shell filled with berries and whipped cream, drizzled tableside with warm ganache — is worth the calories.
During stone crab season (October through May), reserve at least a week ahead for Friday and Saturday evenings. Off-season, the restaurant still excels with its fresh-sheet specials and remains one of the most consistent fine dining experiences in Collier County.
- Address: 698 4th Ave S, Naples, FL 34102
- Phone: (239) 530-3131
- Cuisine: Seafood, Stone Crab, Fine Dining
- Price Range: $$$$ (Stone crab market price, entrees $40-$75)
- Best For: Stone crab season, special occasions, business dinners
- Don't Miss: Fresh stone crab claws, chocolate bag dessert, lobster bisque
- Reservations: Highly recommended during season (Dec-Apr)
- Website: trulucks.com

2. The Dock at Crayton Cove
The Dock has been serving seafood on Naples Bay since 1976, and if you have spent any time talking to locals about where to eat, this is the place they mention first. Perched right on the water at Crayton Cove — the charming, slightly bohemian waterfront neighborhood at the west end of 12th Avenue South — The Dock delivers exactly what its name promises: fresh seafood, Gulf views, and the kind of unhurried Old Florida atmosphere that chains spend millions trying to replicate.
There are no reservations here. You walk in, put your name on the list, and wait at the bar with a rum punch while pelicans glide past the dock. When stone crab season arrives, The Dock sources excellent claws and serves them chilled with their signature mustard sauce. The raw bar keeps things simple with oysters, clams, and peel-and-eat shrimp. For entrees, the broiled grouper and the crab cakes have been crowd favorites for decades.
Sunset is the magic hour. Arrive 30 to 45 minutes before sundown, grab a spot on the outdoor deck, and watch the boats come in as the sky turns orange over the Gulf. It is one of the best free shows in Naples.
- Address: 845 12th Ave S, Naples, FL 34102
- Phone: (239) 263-9940
- Cuisine: Seafood, Raw Bar, American
- Price Range: $$-$$$ (Entrees $22-$45)
- Best For: Waterfront sunset dining, casual seafood, first-time visitors
- Don't Miss: Stone crab claws (in season), raw bar, rum punch, broiled grouper
- Reservations: Walk-in only
- Website: dockcraytoncove.com
3. USS Nemo
USS Nemo is the restaurant that food critics write about and then hope nobody else discovers. Tucked into an unassuming strip mall on Tamiami Trail North in the Park Shore area, this 65-seat dining room has earned five TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards and a Hall of Fame induction — accolades that most waterfront restaurants with million-dollar views would envy.
The secret is chef-owner Nicholas Mercier's Pacific Rim approach to Gulf seafood. The signature Miso Broiled Sea Bass is the dish that built USS Nemo's reputation: a thick fillet lacquered with sweet white miso paste, broiled until the glaze caramelizes into a golden crust, and served over shiitake mushroom risotto. It is one of those dishes that sounds simple on the menu and then stops conversation when it arrives at the table.
The rest of the menu follows suit — crispy whole yellowtail snapper with Thai chili sauce, sesame-crusted ahi tuna, and a sushi selection that rivals dedicated sushi bars. The wine list leans toward whites and rosés that complement seafood, and the intimate atmosphere makes this an ideal date night destination. Reservations are essential during season; this tiny dining room fills fast.
- Address: 3745 Tamiami Trl N, Naples, FL 34103
- Phone: (239) 261-6366
- Cuisine: Pacific Rim Seafood, Asian Fusion
- Price Range: $$$$ (Entrees $35-$65)
- Best For: Foodies, date night, special occasions
- Don't Miss: Miso Broiled Sea Bass, crispy whole snapper, sushi platters
- Reservations: Required during season
- Website: ussnemorestaurant.com
If you want to explore more of Naples' top-rated dining beyond seafood, USS Nemo appears on nearly every best-of list for good reason.
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Browse Naples Hotels →4. Captain & Krewe Seafood Market
Captain & Krewe operates as both a retail fish market and a full-service restaurant, which tells you everything you need to know about their commitment to freshness. Located just off Fifth Avenue South on Third Street, this spot draws a loyal crowd of locals who come for stone crab claws in five different sizes — from medium to colossal — along with some of the best smoked fish dip in Collier County.
The market side lets you pick your own fish and have it prepared however you like — grilled, blackened, fried, or broiled. The restaurant side keeps things casual with paper-topped tables and a menu built around whatever came off the boats that morning. The lobster roll is generous and buttery, the grouper tacos are crispy and bright, and the New England clam chowder has won enough local competitions to fill a trophy case.
This is also one of the best values on this list. You can eat extremely well for under $30 per person, which is rare for downtown Naples. During stone crab season, their market prices tend to run a few dollars per pound less than the upscale restaurants, making Captain & Krewe the smart local's choice for taking claws home.
- Address: 3 Fourth St S, Naples, FL 34102
- Phone: (239) 263-1976
- Cuisine: Seafood Market & Restaurant
- Price Range: $$-$$$ (Entrees $16-$38, stone crab at market price)
- Best For: Stone crab takeout, casual lunch, fish market shopping
- Don't Miss: Stone crab claws (5 sizes), smoked fish dip, lobster roll, grouper tacos
- Reservations: Not needed for most visits
- Website: captainandkrewe.com

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5. M Waterfront Grille
M Waterfront Grille occupies one of the most enviable dining locations in all of Southwest Florida. Situated on the second floor of the Village on Venetian Bay, the restaurant's floor-to-ceiling windows frame a panoramic view of the bay that includes regular dolphin sightings — yes, dolphins swimming past while you eat dinner. It is not a gimmick; it happens almost daily, especially during the late afternoon.
Chef Brian Roland's menu walks the line between creative and approachable, a style he calls Florida Fusion. The seafood-forward dishes draw on Gulf catches and global techniques: think pan-seared hogfish with mango beurre blanc, or sushi-grade tuna tartare with avocado and crispy wontons. The wine program runs deep, with an emphasis on coastal whites and lighter reds that pair naturally with seafood.
The atmosphere is refined but relaxed — this is Naples, not Manhattan — and the outdoor terrace is one of the most romantic spots in town for a sunset dinner. Dress is resort casual, and reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends during season.
- Address: 4300 Gulf Shore Blvd N, Naples, FL 34103 (Village on Venetian Bay)
- Phone: (239) 263-4421
- Cuisine: Florida Fusion, Seafood, Fine Dining
- Price Range: $$$$ (Entrees $38-$62)
- Best For: Romantic dinners, waterfront views, dolphin watching
- Don't Miss: Pan-seared hogfish, tuna tartare, key lime pie, sunset from the terrace
- Reservations: Strongly recommended
- Website: mwaterfrontgrille.com
6. Kelly's Fish House
Kelly's Fish House has been serving seafood on Fifth Avenue South since 1953, making it the oldest seafood restaurant in Naples. That is 73 years of filleting grouper, cracking stone crab, and outlasting every trend, recession, and hurricane that has hit Collier County. When locals say "Old Florida," this is what they mean.
The dining room will not win any design awards — wood paneling, nautical décor, and tables that have seen a few decades of service — but that is precisely the point. Kelly's trades atmosphere for authenticity. The fried grouper sandwich is a benchmark, the stone crab claws are impeccably fresh, and the early bird specials (available from 4:30 to 5:30 PM) offer some of the best value dining on Fifth Avenue.
Kelly's also serves as a living piece of Naples history. The walls are lined with photographs documenting the city's transformation from a sleepy fishing village to the upscale destination it is today. Families who have been coming here for three generations sit alongside first-time visitors, and everyone orders the same thing: whatever is fresh off the boat.
- Address: 1302 5th Ave S, Naples, FL 34102
- Phone: (239) 774-0494
- Cuisine: Traditional Seafood, American
- Price Range: $$-$$$ (Entrees $18-$40)
- Best For: Old Florida atmosphere, early bird specials, family dining
- Don't Miss: Fried grouper sandwich, stone crab claws, early bird specials
- Reservations: Accepted but not required
- Website: kellysfishhouse.com
Book a sunset cruise or fishing charter in Naples.
See Naples Tours →7. Swan River Seafood
Swan River takes the farm-to-table concept and applies it to the ocean. The restaurant operates its own on-site fish market, so the seafood on your plate and the seafood in the display case are one and the same — there is no middleman, no warehouse, and no frozen-then-thawed sleight of hand. What the boats brought in that morning is what the kitchen serves that evening.
The menu changes with the seasons and the catch, which keeps regulars coming back to see what is new. During stone crab season you will find excellent claws here. In summer, expect more emphasis on mahi-mahi, yellowtail snapper, and triggerfish. The preparations lean toward simplicity — grilled, broiled, or pan-seared with seasonal sides — because when fish is this fresh, the best thing a chef can do is stay out of the way.
The casual atmosphere and reasonable prices make Swan River a favorite among year-round Naples residents who want quality seafood without the fine-dining markup. The outdoor patio fills up quickly on pleasant evenings, so aim for an early arrival.
- Address: 3741 Tamiami Trl N, Naples, FL 34103
- Phone: (239) 403-7000
- Cuisine: Seafood, Fresh Catch, Market
- Price Range: $$-$$$ (Entrees $20-$42)
- Best For: Fresh daily catch, casual seafood, market shopping
- Don't Miss: Daily fresh catch specials, smoked fish dip, key lime pie
- Reservations: Recommended on weekends
- Website: swanrivernaples.com

8. Bayside Seafood Grill & Bar
Bayside has been a Venetian Bay institution for over 30 years, and it occupies the kind of location that real estate agents describe as "irreplaceable." The rooftop bar sits directly on the water at the Village on Venetian Bay, offering unobstructed views of the bay, mangroves, and some of the most spectacular sunsets in Naples.
The menu is straightforward and reliable — exactly what you want from a restaurant you visit regularly. The grouper sandwich (grilled, blackened, or fried — your call) is consistently excellent. The coconut shrimp are crispy without being greasy. And the raw bar turns out solid oysters, clams, and shrimp cocktail. It is not trying to reinvent seafood; it is trying to serve it well, and it succeeds.
The rooftop bar is the real draw for many visitors. Grab a seat at sunset with a frozen mojito and a dozen raw oysters, and you will understand why people move to Naples. It is also a popular spot for weekend brunch — the Bloody Mary bar and seafood omelets draw a loyal crowd.
- Address: 4270 Gulf Shore Blvd N, Naples, FL 34103 (Village on Venetian Bay)
- Phone: (239) 649-5552
- Cuisine: Seafood, American, Raw Bar
- Price Range: $$-$$$ (Entrees $18-$42)
- Best For: Rooftop sunset drinks, casual waterfront dining, raw bar
- Don't Miss: Rooftop bar at sunset, grouper sandwich, coconut shrimp, raw oysters
- Reservations: Recommended for dinner, walk-in for bar
- Website: bfrg.com/bayside
9. FISH Ristorante
FISH takes a Mediterranean approach to Gulf seafood, blending Italian cooking techniques with the freshest local catches from Naples Bay and Ten Thousand Islands. Located at the Village on Venetian Bay — the third restaurant from this shopping village to make our list, which tells you something about the dining concentration there — FISH pairs waterfront views with live music nightly, creating an atmosphere that feels like a seaside trattoria on the Amalfi Coast.
The branzino (whole roasted European sea bass) is a showstopper, deboned tableside with practiced elegance. The frutti di mare pasta overflows with shrimp, clams, mussels, and calamari in a white wine and tomato broth. And the early bird specials, available from 4:00 to 5:30 PM, make FISH one of the most accessible fine-dining experiences on the bay.
Live music adds energy without overwhelming conversation — think acoustic guitar and light jazz, not a full band. The outdoor terrace is prime real estate during sunset, so arrive early or reserve specifically for a terrace table.
- Address: 4360 Gulf Shore Blvd N, Naples, FL 34103 (Village on Venetian Bay)
- Phone: (239) 263-3474
- Cuisine: Mediterranean Seafood, Italian
- Price Range: $$-$$$$ (Entrees $26-$55, early bird from $22)
- Best For: Live music dining, early bird specials, Mediterranean seafood
- Don't Miss: Whole roasted branzino, frutti di mare, early bird specials, terrace at sunset
- Reservations: Recommended, request terrace seating
- Website: fishnaples.com

10. Hogfish Harry's
Hogfish Harry's brings a Keys-meets-Gulf-Coast energy to Naples that feels like a welcome departure from the city's more buttoned-up dining rooms. The restaurant takes its name from the hogfish — a reef dweller prized by spearfishers for its sweet, lobster-like flavor — and the crab-stuffed hogfish is the signature dish you should not leave without trying. A tender hogfish fillet is stuffed with lump crab, baked until golden, and finished with a citrus beurre blanc that pulls the whole dish together.
The atmosphere is tropical and laid-back, with island-inspired décor, Jimmy Buffett on the speakers (naturally), and a bar that mixes strong rum drinks with genuine enthusiasm. Beyond the hogfish, the menu covers solid ground: fish tacos, peel-and-eat shrimp, conch fritters, and a blackened mahi sandwich that competes with the best in town.
Hogfish Harry's hits a sweet spot between casual beach bar and quality seafood restaurant. It is the kind of place where you walk in wearing flip-flops and walk out having eaten one of the best meals of your trip.
- Address: 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd Ste 4400, Naples, FL 34109
- Phone: (239) 263-4645
- Cuisine: Tropical Coastal Seafood
- Price Range: $$-$$$ (Entrees $18-$38)
- Best For: Casual tropical dining, hogfish lovers, island atmosphere
- Don't Miss: Crab-stuffed hogfish, fish tacos, conch fritters, rum cocktails
- Reservations: Accepted, not always needed
- Website: hogfishharrys.com
Stone Crab Season Guide
Stone crab is to Naples what lobster is to Maine — the defining seafood, the thing visitors plan entire trips around. Here is what you need to know.
Season dates: October 15 through May 1. Florida law sets these dates to protect the species during breeding season. Outside this window, you will not find fresh stone crab anywhere.
How it works: Fishers trap stone crabs, harvest one claw (the crabs regenerate them), and return the crab to the water. This sustainable practice means stone crab is one of the most environmentally responsible seafood choices you can make.
Sizing and pricing (2025-2026 season estimates):
| Size | Weight per Claw | Market Price per Pound |
|---|---|---|
| Medium | 2.75-3 oz | $45-$55 |
| Large | 3-4 oz | $55-$70 |
| Jumbo | 4-5.5 oz | $75-$95 |
| Colossal | 5.5+ oz | $95-$130 |
Best stone crab restaurants on this list: Truluck's (owns its own boats), Captain & Krewe (best market prices), The Dock at Crayton Cove (best atmosphere), and Kelly's Fish House (best value).
Pro tip: Stone crab claws are always served pre-cooked and chilled. They are cracked tableside and served with mustard sauce and drawn butter. If a restaurant serves them warm, they are reheating pre-cooked claws — not ideal. The best spots serve them properly chilled.
For a complete guide to planning your Naples visit, including where to stay and what else to do, check out our guide to the best hotels in Naples.
Book a hotel within walking distance of Fifth Avenue and the waterfront.
Browse Naples Hotels →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best seafood restaurant in Naples Florida?
Truluck's Ocean's Finest Seafood & Crab is widely regarded as the best seafood restaurant in Naples, particularly during stone crab season (October through May). They operate their own fishing fleet and processing facility, guaranteeing the freshest stone crab claws in Southwest Florida. For a more casual experience with waterfront views, The Dock at Crayton Cove is the longtime local favorite.
When is stone crab season in Naples?
Stone crab season in Florida runs from October 15 through May 1 each year. The peak months are November through March, when the claws are largest and most abundant. During season, nearly every seafood restaurant in Naples offers stone crab, but Truluck's, Captain & Krewe, and The Dock at Crayton Cove are consistently the best sources.
Where can I get waterfront seafood dining in Naples?
The best waterfront seafood dining in Naples is concentrated in two areas. Crayton Cove offers The Dock at Crayton Cove with direct Naples Bay views. The Village on Venetian Bay has three excellent options: M Waterfront Grille (fine dining), Bayside Seafood Grill & Bar (casual with a rooftop bar), and FISH Ristorante (Mediterranean-style with live music). All four offer outdoor seating with water views.
What are the most affordable seafood restaurants in Naples?
Captain & Krewe Seafood Market offers the best value for quality seafood in downtown Naples, with entrees starting around $16 and stone crab priced below most upscale restaurants. Kelly's Fish House on Fifth Avenue South has early bird specials from 4:30 to 5:30 PM that provide excellent value. Bayside Seafood Grill & Bar and Hogfish Harry's also offer quality seafood meals under $30 per person.
Do I need reservations at Naples seafood restaurants?
During peak season (December through April), reservations are essential at USS Nemo, Truluck's, M Waterfront Grille, and FISH Ristorante — book at least a week ahead for weekend evenings. The Dock at Crayton Cove does not accept reservations at all; plan to arrive early and enjoy the bar while you wait. Captain & Krewe, Kelly's Fish House, and Hogfish Harry's are generally easier to walk into without a reservation, even during season.
Looking for more Naples dining? Explore our guide to the best restaurants in Naples for a broader look at the city's culinary scene, or check out the best brunch spots in Naples for morning dining.
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