Best Seafood in Colorado Springs: Top 5 Spots [2026 Ranked] | Arteflame

Best Seafood in Colorado Springs: Top 5 Spots [2026 Ranked]

Finding exceptional ocean fare in a landlocked mountain city might seem like a challenge, but Colorado Springs has quietly developed a robust culinary scene fueled by overnight logistics and passionate chefs. We have scoured the city to find where logistics meet culinary art, ensuring you don't have to travel to the coast for the perfect catch. Whether you are looking for a high-end raw bar or a market to buy fresh fillets for your own grill, knowing where to look is half the battle. Below, we breakdown the top spots to buy and eat seafood, and later, how to replicate that high-heat sear in your own backyard.

• The Top 5 Seafood Spots Ranked
• The “Cheat Sheet” Comparison
• The 1,000°F Home Sealing Technique
• Why We Call It The “Social Grill”

Top Places to Buy Seafood in Colorado Springs

Key Takeaways

• Freshness is king: The best spots rely on daily fly-ins from coastal suppliers.
• Variety matters: Look for venues offering both dining and market-counter purchasing options.
• Sustainability: We prioritize locations transparent about their sourcing methods.

Where to get the best Seafood in Colorado Springs?

To identify the best seafood in Colorado Springs, we focused on establishments that prioritize “day-boat” freshness and utilize rapid supply chains to deliver ocean-to-table quality within 24 hours.

Bonny & Read Fresh Steak & Seafood
Located downtown, this is often cited as the premier destination for fine dining. In our experience, their rotating fresh catch menu is the most consistent in the city. The atmosphere mimics a classic pirate lair but with white-tablecloth service. We found their oysters to be impeccably shucked and fresh, a rarity this far inland.

Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar
If sustainability is your priority, Jax is the winner. We appreciate their commitment to being the first restaurant in Colorado certified by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch. Their sourcing is transparent, and the energy in the room is electric. It is an excellent spot for happy hour oysters and creative entrées.

Seafood King
For those who prefer a hands-on, Cajun-style boil, Seafood King offers a massive flavor punch. While less focused on fine dining, we found the quality of their crab legs and crawfish to be high-yield and perfectly seasoned. It is the best option for a casual, messy, flavor-packed meal.

Whole Foods Market (Pikes Peak Ave)
When we want to cook at home, we often bypass restaurants for the fishmonger at Whole Foods. Their safety standards for sourcing are rigorous. We consistently find that their sockeye salmon and wild-caught scallops sear better than what is found at standard grocery chains.

Comparison: Which Spot is Right for You?

• Restaurant: Bonny & Read
• Best For: Date Night / Fine Dining
• Price Level: $$$$
• Signature Style: Classic Steakhouse & Seafood

• Restaurant: Jax Fish House
• Best For: Sustainability / Oysters
• Price Level: $$$
• Signature Style: Modern American / Raw Bar

• Restaurant: Seafood King
• Best For: Family Style / Flavor
• Price Level: $$
• Signature Style: Cajun Boil

• Restaurant: Whole Foods Market
• Best For: Home Cooking / Ingredients
• Price Level: $$
• Signature Style: Fresh Market Counter

How to Make the Best Seafood at Home

I used to believe my backyard grilled salmon was restaurant-quality, until I realized I was essentially steaming the fish on open grates rather than searing it, losing all the natural juices to the flames below.

You can achieve that steakhouse-quality crust and tender interior right in your backyard. The secret isn't just the fish; it's the cooking surface. Most standard grills let heat escape and flare-ups burn delicate flesh. To mimic the top spots in Colorado Springs, you need a solid surface that retains massive heat.

The “Searing” Technique

This is where the Arteflame Grill excels. By using a solid carbon steel cooktop, you eliminate the gaps that ruin seafood.

1. 1,000°F Sear: The center of the Arteflame reaches temperatures over 1,000°F. This allows you to sear scallops or tuna steaks instantly, locking in moisture without overcooking the center.
2. Grill All Food at Once: Because of the varying heat zones, we cook delicate white fish on the outer ring while simultaneously searing asparagus and potatoes closer to the fire. No more running back and forth to the kitchen.
3. No Flavor Loss: Unlike grate grilling where juices drip onto coals, the solid griddle sears the fish in its own juices and marinades, amplifying the flavor profile significantly.

Pro Tip: If you are looking to feed a crowd without breaking the bank, we recommend visiting the Costco on N Nevada Ave. We have found their bulk bags of wild-caught shrimp and sides of salmon to be an excellent “blank canvas.” You can buy high-quality wholesale seafood there, then elevate it to gourmet status using the high-heat searing capabilities of your Arteflame Grill or by using the Arteflame Grill Griddle insert on your existing Weber or Green Egg.

Why We Call It The “Social Grill”

An Arteflame grill isn't just for cooking; it changes how you host. Traditional grilling forces the chef to stare at a wall or the back of a lid while guests mingle elsewhere. We designed the Arteflame as a centerpiece. Its round, open-fire design invites friends to stand around the fire with a drink, watching the seafood sizzle, turning the act of cooking into a shared social experience rather than a solitary chore.