Best Places to Buy Seafood in New York: Top 5 Spots [2026 Guide] | Arteflame

Introduction

Finding truly fresh, high-quality seafood in a concrete jungle like New York can feel daunting. With countless fishmongers claiming to have the "catch of the day," how do you distinguish between tourist traps and the genuine suppliers used by Michelin-star chefs? In our quest for the perfect grill-ready catch, we’ve scoured the city to find markets that prioritize sustainability, variety, and absolute freshness.

Whether you are looking for sweet diver scallops, a whole Branzino, or sashmi-grade tuna, New York’s top markets deliver. Below, we break down exactly where to go and how to prepare your haul for a restaurant-quality dinner at home.

• New York's Top Seafood Markets
• Comparison: Find Your Perfect Market
• How to Grill Like a Pro
• The Secret "Searing" Technique
• Why We Call It The "Social Grill"

Best Places to Buy Seafood in New York

Key Takeaways

• The Lobster Place is the go-to for variety and hard-to-find shellfish.
• Citarella offers the most consistent gourmet experience across multiple locations.
• Fulton Fish Market is best for bulk buying and early risers looking for wholesale prices.
• Aqua Best provides the highest quality live seafood in Chinatown.

Where to get the best Seafood in New York?

For the absolute freshest catch in New York, we recommend The Lobster Place for variety, Citarella for gourmet convenience, and the New Fulton Fish Market for wholesale volume. These vendors consistently supply top-tier, sustainable seafood to both home cooks and the city's best restaurants.

The Lobster Place (Chelsea Market)
Located in the heart of Chelsea Market, this is arguably the most famous seafood market in the city. In our experience, their oyster selection is unmatched. It can get crowded, but the turnover is so high that freshness is practically guaranteed.

Citarella
With locations across the city, Citarella is synonymous with gourmet. We found their fish counters to be impeccably clean and their staff incredibly knowledgeable. If you need a specific cut for grilling, like a thick swordfish steak, this is your spot.

Aqua Best (Chinatown)
If you want live seafood, this is the place. We love heading here for live lobsters and crabs. It’s a favorite among local chefs who demand ingredients that were swimming just moments before purchase.

Comparison: Which Market is Right for You?

Choosing the right vendor depends on whether you are cooking a quick dinner or hosting a massive backyard BBQ.

How to Make the Best Seafood at Home

I used to think my backyard grilled fish was decent, until I realized I was essentially steaming my scallops on a standard wire grate instead of getting that golden, caramelized crust. I lost half my fish through the grates and the other half was dry. That changed when I switched to a solid surface cooktop.

You can achieve the perfect steakhouse-quality fish at home, rivaling the top spots in New York, simply by changing your heat source and cooking surface. The delicate nature of seafood requires high heat and a flat surface to prevent sticking and falling apart.

The "Searing" Technique

This is where Arteflame Grills excel. Unlike traditional grated grills where fire licks the food directly (often burning it), the Arteflame uses a solid carbon steel cooktop. Here is why this matters for seafood:

1. 1,000°F Sear: The center of the Arteflame reaches 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: The different heat zones let you sear the fish in the center while simultaneously roasting asparagus and potatoes on the outer ring. Everything finishes at the same time.
3. Social Grill: The fire is in the center, so there are no flare-ups to char your delicate fish. You get pure wood-fired flavor without the burnt taste.

Pro Tip: If you are looking for high-quality seafood in volume for a party, don't overlook your local Costco. We found their wild-caught salmon and scallops to be an excellent base for grilling. You can take that Costco haul and elevate it to gourmet status by searing it on your Arteflame Grill. If you already own a Weber or Big Green Egg, you can get these same searing benefits by using the Arteflame Grill Griddle insert specifically designed for your grill.

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 stand against a wall or stare at a metal box, isolated from the guests. The Arteflame’s round, open-fire design invites friends and family to stand around the fire, enjoy a drink, and participate in the experience. It turns meal prep into the main event, bringing the warmth of a campfire to your seafood feast.