Ed’s Lobster Bar: casual New England style eatery, great for two people to sit at the marble-topped bar for lobster, good wines, beautiful oysters. Fun for lunch, too. The dining room can feel a tad cramped. 222 Lafayette south of Spring St.
Mary’s Fish Camp: Super chill W. Village fish shack, with a little Florida Keys flavor (conch, anyone?) for fun. The lobster roll is fantastic, as is the view of the leafy W. Village corner upon which it sits. The u-shaped bar isn’t bad for watching all the action, and to not finish with the sundae is like going to Italy and not eating gelato. W. Village, 64 Charles at W. 4th
Marea: Ultra high-end, blow your socks off good and exacerbate your credit card debt fancy, but the seafood is impeccable, incredibly special, and occasionally worth a splurge. Midtown, 240 Central Park South
Luke’s Lobster: Straight from Maine, Luke and his lobsters aim to be accessible. Because Luke gets his lobster via his dad, who owns Portland Shellfish, he offers lobster rolls at a fraction of the Manhattan “market” price. As he says, the key to a great lobster roll is great lobster. This is one for lobster-loving purists on a financial diet. E. Village. 93 E. 7th St
Pearl Oyster Bar: This is the original, the place that set off all the others (Mary’s, Ed’s, etc) It’s a New England fish shack, tiny, good for two people or go alone for an indulgent lunch. W. Village, 18 Cornelia St.
Le Bernardin: It’s a 4-star seafood restaurant helmed by Eric Ripert. A tasting menu with wine set you back $225, but then you might try something like Nori-crusted skate with poached oysters and braised winter lettuces in a ponzu vinaigrette. This is a seafoodie experience that should not be taken lightly. Midtown, 155 W. 51st
at first bite 