The Best Seafood in Phoenix, by the Record
The best seafood in Phoenix, by the professional record: Foodist Awards, AZ Central, and Phoenix New Times have all weighed in, and their honors are what rank this list. Chula Seafood comes out on top.
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Rank 1. Chula Seafood
Seafood
The family owns a 68-foot harpoon fishing boat that works the Pacific for swordfish, which is a more convincing sustainability pitch than a wall decal. This fast-casual seafood spot in Uptown Plaza keeps the fish never-frozen and the menu wide, running from poke bowls and swordfish tacos to grilled oysters and a lobster BLT on weekends. The chef earned a James Beard semifinalist nod in 2026, which is notable for a counter-service fish place.
- Foodist Awards 2024 · Finalist: Thai Peanut Poke Bowl · Standout Signature Dish
- Foodist Awards 2025 · Finalist · Phenomenal Fast Casual Concept
- AZ Central The 100 Best Metro Phoenix Restaurants
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Rank 2. Marisco Boys
Seafood
A Modelo in a champagne chiller tells you everything about the vibe here. From the team behind Taco Boys, this seafood restaurant on North 7th is the dressed-up counterpoint to a casual taqueria, built for date night rather than a paper-plate lunch. The menu runs from a cold bar and ceviches to tacos and things grilled over mesquite charcoal, and the molcajete arrives with shrimp and octopus in hot or cold form.
- Phoenix New Times The top 50 restaurants in Phoenix right now
- AZ Central The 100 Best Metro Phoenix Restaurants
- Phoenix New Times 2025 · Best New Mexican Restaurant · Best of Phoenix
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Rank 3. Buck & Rider
Seafood
Seafood flown in daily from both coasts and the Sea of Cortez keeps this polished seafood restaurant on Camelback Road from feeling like a landlocked afterthought. The dining room leans comfortable and upscale, the kind of place where booths fill with date-night couples while the bar handles happy hour with enough seriousness to earn a Best Happy Hour nod from Phoenix New Times. The cocktail list gets the same care as the fish.
- Foodist Awards 2024 · Finalist: Voodoo Fried Rice · Best Dish in a Supporting Role
- Phoenix New Times 2024 · Best Happy Hour · Best of Phoenix