Seafood is a popular cuisine around the world, especially for those who live near oceans, seas, or rivers. From small shrimp shacks to upscale dining establishments, seafood restaurants offer a wide variety of dishes made with fish, shellfish, and other aquatic edibles. With so many options on most seafood restaurant menus, some dishes tend to be more popular and frequently ordered than others.
Appetizers
When starting a seafood meal, appetizers are often ordered to kick things off. Some of the most commonly ordered seafood appetizers include:
- Oysters – Raw oysters on the half shell, Rockefeller, or fried
- Shrimp cocktail – Chilled shrimp served with cocktail sauce
- Crab cakes – Pan-fried crab meat patties
- Ceviche – Raw seafood cured in citrus juices
- Lobster bisque – Creamy soup made with lobster stock
These appetizers allow diners to sample a taste of seafood before the main course. The briny flavor of raw oysters and shrimp cocktail are classic choices. Crab cakes and lobster bisque provide hearty portions of popular crustacean meat. Ceviche offers a unique starter of raw seafood cured in citrus. Appetizers set the stage for the upcoming meal.
Main Courses
For the main entrée, certain seafood selections stand out as customer favorites across all types of restaurants. Some most frequently ordered main courses are:
- Salmon – Grilled, baked, or blackened salmon fillets
- Shrimp – Grilled, fried, or stuffed shrimp
- Cod – Baked, fried, or grilled cod fillets
- Halibut – Pan-seared or crusted halibut steaks
- Lobster – Steamed whole lobsters or lobster tails
Salmon remains one of the most popular fish entrees, prized for its omega-3 content and flexible preparation methods. Shrimp also rank highly for their versatility in many styles of cooking. Mild white fish like cod and halibut satisfy customers wanting a delicate fillet. And classic steamed lobster or lobster tails are always a indulgent choice.
Sides
To complement the main course, certain seafood-appropriate side dishes tend to be frequently ordered at restaurants. Some standard sides include:
- Rice pilaf – Flavored rice like lemon-butter rice or coconut rice
- Roasted potatoes – Red potatoes or fingerling potatoes
- Vegetables – Steamed or sautéed options like green beans, asparagus, or broccoli
- Soup or salad – Caesar salad, garden salad, clam chowder
- Hushpuppies – Fried cornmeal batter
Starch options like rice pilaf or roasted potatoes are staples. Fresh vegetable sides and soup or salad selections emphasize lighter fare. And hushpuppies offer a classic fried side to soak up any drippings or sauces.
Desserts
For those wanting to indulge their sweet tooth, seafood restaurants typically offer an array of desserts. The most often ordered dessert menu items include:
- Key lime pie – The citrusy Florida classic
- Crème brûlée – The rich baked custard
- Cheesecake – Variations like chocolate or berries
- Ice cream – Vanilla, chocolate, or seasonal flavors
- Chocolate cake – Molten lava cake or chocolate layers
Tart key lime pie provides a refreshing taste of the tropics. Crème brûlée satisfies with its velvety vanilla bean custard. Cheesecake and chocolate cake options abound for heavier tastes. And a scoop of ice cream is always a crowd pleaser.
Beverages
To wash everything down, seafood restaurants offer full bars including a range of beverage choices. Top beverage picks include:
- Wine – Chilled white or red wine varietals
- Beer – Domestic, imported, or local craft beers
- Frozen drinks – Pina coladas, margaritas, daiquiris
- Soft drinks – Coke, Sprite, ginger ale
- Iced tea – Sweet, unsweet, flavored
Fine wines perfectly complement the seafood dishes. Customers also enjoy ordering a cold beer or two, either domestic or local. Fruity frozen drinks evoke a vacation mood. And classic soft drinks or iced tea refreshes the palate between bites.
Conclusion
While individual seafood restaurants may be known for their specialties, some universal favorites shine through across the board. Appetizers like oysters, shrimp cocktails and crab cakes whet the appetite. Salmon, shrimp, cod, and lobster remain go-to entrees on the main course. Standard side dishes range from rice to salads. Indulgent desserts like key lime pie and crème brûlée end the meal on a sweet note. And wines, beers, and frozen drinks pair everything together.
So for those wanting to order crowd-pleasers at any seafood restaurant, sticking with these frequently ordered items is a safe bet for deliciousness. Just don’t forget to save room for dessert!