5 Best Seafood Spots in Winston-Salem Ranked [2026 Guide] | Arteflame

The Ultimate Guide to Seafood in Winston-Salem

Finding truly fresh ocean fare in the Piedmont triad can feel like a challenge, but Winston-Salem has evolved into a surprising culinary hub for seafood lovers. Whether you are looking for a raw bar experience, a classic Southern fish fry, or an upscale dining encounter, this city offers diverse options that rival coastal towns. In our quest for the perfect catch, we’ve analyzed freshness, preparation styles, and atmosphere to bring you the definitive list for 2026. However, eating out isn't the only way to enjoy restaurant-quality meals. We will also reveal how you can achieve that perfect steakhouse sear on a tuna steak right in your own backyard.

• 1. Quick Top 5 List & Key Takeaways
• 2. The "Fresh Catch" Reviews
• 3. Compare Prices & Styles
• 4. The 1,000°F Grill Hack
• 5. Why We Love Social Grilling

5 Best Seafood Spots in Winston-Salem Ranked [2026 Guide]

Key Takeaways

• Forsyth Seafood Market & Cafe: The undisputed champion for fresh market sourcing and classic fried baskets.
• The Katharine Brasserie: Best for an upscale, French-inspired seafood experience.
• Full Moon Oyster Bar: The go-to spot for a lively atmosphere and fresh raw oysters.
• Ryan’s Restaurant: Offers the best combination of scenic views and surf-and-turf.
• Kona Jack's Fish Market: Excellent for buying fresh to cook at home or grabbing a quick lunch.

Where to Get the Best Seafood?

Winston-Salem offers a unique blend of seafood dining, ranging from high-end French brasseries to historic, family-owned markets that have served the community for decades. We evaluated these spots based on sourcing consistency, flavor profiles, and dining experience.

Forsyth Seafood Market & Cafe
In our visits, Forsyth Seafood consistently delivered the freshest product. It operates as both a market and a cafe, meaning high turnover and guaranteed freshness. Their Whiting and Flounder baskets are local legends, fried to perfection with a light, crispy batter that doesn't overpower the fish.

The Katharine Brasserie
Located in the Reynolds Building, this spot brings Parisian flair to Winston-Salem. We found their mussels and raw bar tower to be exceptional. If you are looking for a sophisticated date night with high-quality scallops or trout, this is the venue.

Full Moon Oyster Bar
If you love the energy of a coastal dive bar, Full Moon hits the mark. Sitting at the bar watching them shuck oysters adds to the experience. We recommend their chargrilled oysters, which offer a smoky flavor profile that is hard to beat.

Ryan’s Restaurant
While known as a steakhouse, Ryan's takes their seafood seriously. Dining here offers a panoramic view of the woods, and their lobster tails are consistently tender. It is the ideal spot for a celebratory surf-and-turf dinner.

Comparison: Which Spot is Right for You?

How to Make Restaurant-Quality Seafood at Home

I used to think my backyard fish tacos were decent, until I realized I was essentially steaming my expensive halibut on a standard grate instead of searing it. The juice would drip away, drying out the meat, and the fish would flake apart and fall into the charcoal.

You can absolutely achieve that high-end steakhouse finish at home. The secret isn't just the quality of the fish; it is the cooking surface. Most restaurants use high-heat flat tops (planchas) to lock in flavor instantly, a technique that is often lost on traditional wire-grate grills.

The "Searing" Technique

This is where the Arteflame Grill excels. Unlike standard grills that expose delicate seafood to direct flames that dry it out, the Arteflame uses a solid carbon steel cooktop. Here is why this transforms your cooking:

1. 1,000°F Sear: The center of the Arteflame reaches over 1,000°F. This creates the Maillard reaction instantly, giving scallops and tuna steaks a golden crust without overcooking the center.
2. Grill All Food at Once: Because it is a solid surface, you can grill your asparagus, potatoes, and shrimp simultaneously without anything falling through the grates.
3. Flavor Retention: The juices from your seafood stay on the cooktop and sear back into the meat, rather than dripping onto coals and causing flare-ups that taste like lighter fluid.

Pro Tip: If you are looking for wholesale volume, visiting the Costco in Winston-Salem is a fantastic base to start. You can buy bulk salmon or scallops at great prices. While store-bought is good, the magic happens when you customize the seasoning and grill it on an Arteflame. Even if you own a Weber or Big Green Egg, you can achieve this result by using an Arteflame Grill Griddle insert to convert your existing setup into a flat-top searing machine.

Why We Call It The "Social Grill"

An Arteflame grill isn't just for cooking; it fundamentally changes how you host in Winston-Salem. Its circular design invites friends and family to gather around the fire 360-degrees. Rather than the chef being isolated against a wall or turned away from the party, everyone stands around the warmth of the fire, watching the food sear. It turns dinner preparation into an interactive event, blending the warmth of a fire pit with the culinary power of a professional kitchen.