Any month out of the year, locals and visitors alike can enjoy a variety of decadent and fresh seafood dishes in Philly—but there’s nothing like chowing down on the crustaceous cuisine in the summer.
Here are some local summer spots to enjoy your next bite.
The Prime Rib
Every Wednesday (at the bar), visitors can indulge in The Prime Rib’s ongoing Bubbles & Pearls Happy Hour promotion. Running weekly from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., guests can enjoy $2 oysters, a $19 Prime seafood duo, plus $10 wine and champagne selections. Those who’d rather sit for a more coursed-out dinner experience can also indulge in seafood-focused dishes like the colossal shrimp cocktail, lobster bisque, jumbo lump crab cakes and much more. Reservations can be made via OpenTable.
900 Packer Ave., philadelphia.livecasinohotel.com
Oltremare
This sea-food-focused locale recently opened, and is the latest creation from chef Townsend Wentz. Appetizer highlights include oysters with pear-ginger mignonette ($4 each); Scallops alla Veneziana ($21) with preserved lemon purée, parsley, fennel, uni butter, and breadcrumbs; and Hamachi Crudo ($19) featuring blood orange and Calabrian chile salsa verde.
Guests can also order up larger plates like Frutti di Mare ($32), Jumbo Lump Crab Cavatelli ($32), Grilled Branzino ($32) and Roasted Salmon ‘Ribollita’ ($32) served over zucchini, cannellini beans, and focaccia croutons.
2121 Walnut St., oltremarephl.com
Oyster House
Oyster House is a fan favorite when it comes to seafood dishes in Philly, but this summer, the locale is offering something extra special with the return of their “Summer Steams.” This special is available throughout the sunny season on Wednesday evenings (through Aug. 27) and includes one whole steamed Maine lobster, sides of U-peel shrimp, potatoes, corn on the cob, and Old Bay butter for $45. The restaurant is also offering a special Bluecoat & Blueberry cocktail ($15) with Bluecoat gin, blueberries, basil, and lemon to pair with the lobster special.
Early reservations are highly recommended for the dinner-service series, and can be booked via OpenTable.
1516 Sansom St., oysterhousephilly.com
Square 1682
Tuesdays at this Rittenhouse locale are officially dubbed “Buck-A-Shuck & Bubbles.” Every week, from 5 to 8 p.m., diners can indulge in $1 oysters and $8 pours of bubbly. Reservations are encouraged and can be made via OpenTable.
121 S 17th St., square1682.com
Walnut Street Cafe
Those craving seafood dishes in Philly are in luck: Walnut Street Cafe has recently unveiled its Summer Crab Fest culinary series. Running through July and August, the Crab Fest menu features Maryland Cream of Crab soup, a Crab Cake Sammy with French fries; a Crab Cake side with roasted red pepper remoulade; a Crab Cake Benny on an English muffin with breakfast potatoes; and Crab Dip with Vermont cheddar, Old Bay, green onion, and corn tortilla chips.
All items are available on both the lunch and dinner menu at this all-day cafe (with the exception of the Crab Cake Benny, which is available for weekend brunch only.) Reservations can be booked via Resy.
2929 Walnut St., walnutstreetcafe.com
Wilder
Every summer, Wilder brings out their Buck-a-Shuck oyster special, and 2025 is no different. Every Wednesday (between 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.) $1 oysters will be available (until they sell out) and $9 Brazilian lemonades. This offer is only available in their lounge, bar, and patio areas.
2009 Sansom St., wilderphilly.com
Red Owl Tavern
Mussel fans, this one’s for you. Every summer Monday from 5 p.m. to close, guests can enjoy 1.5 lbs of PEI mussels simmered in a different broth (that rotates weekly) with a side of golden fries for just $25. Reservations can be made via Opentable.
433 Chestnut St., redowltavern.com
The Twisted Tail
During The Twisted Tail’s Social Hour (available at the indoor bar everyday from 4 to 6 p.m.) locals can enjoy Buck-a-Shuck Oysters (a half dozen oysters for $6) served with vodka cocktail sauce, hot sauce, and mignonette. Those who want to stay for dinner can also enjoy dishes like Scallop Ceviche ($13), made with jalapeño, tomato, citrus, and truffle, served alongside crispy corn chips, and the Grilled Swordfish ($30), paired with chipotle-mango sauce, frisée, celery, and sherry vinaigrette.
509 S 2nd St., thetwistedtail.com
Michael
This spot is for all those looking to take a trip (about 20 minutes outside of Philly) to the charming New Jersey town, Collingswood. Michael is a new wood-fired, seafood-driven BYOB specializing in coastal Italian cuisine setting up shop there. The restaurant officially changed from Nunzio by Chef Michael DeLone to Michael earlier this month. The locale offers a tableside whole fish service, plus, a raw/chilled section ($14 – $22) with items like tuna crudo and chilled shrimp, a “Sea” section ($36 – $49) offering cioppino, Dover sole, branzino, and fluke, and much more.
706 Hadden Avenue, Collingswood, michaelcollingswood.com
