East Texas might be landlocked, but Tyler's seafood scene brings Gulf Coast flavors straight to your plate. From hole-in-the-wall catfish joints to upscale grills serving perfect salmon, our local restaurants know how to handle everything from crawfish to red snapper.
These ten spots represent the best seafood Tyler has to offer, spanning from family-owned favorites to date-night destinations. Whether you're craving authentic Louisiana-style crawfish or perfectly blackened catfish, these local establishments deliver the goods without the coastal drive.
📍 All 10 Locations
⚡ Quick List
- Aspen Creek Grill — Upscale Salmon Perfection
- Clear Springs Restaurant — Fresh Fish Daily
- Wade's Place — Louisiana-Style Excellence
- The Catch — Casual Gumbo Haven
- The Farmhouse Restaurant — Country Catfish Comfort
- Jumbo Seafood — Crawfish Season Champions
- Uncle Jacks Kitchen — Family Seafood Tradition
- Dakotas Steak & Chop House — Steakhouse Snapper Surprise
- Marisco's Dj's – Don Juan Seafood — Mexican Seafood Fusion
- Laughing Crab — Boiled Crawfish Specialists
1. Aspen Creek Grill
✨ Best for: Upscale Salmon Perfection
📍 Tyler · ⭐ 4.0 · 301 reviews · $$
Aspen Creek Grill elevates Tyler dining with their perfectly grilled Atlantic salmon that flakes into buttery, herb-kissed perfection. The restaurant draws anniversary couples and business dinners with its polished atmosphere and consistently excellent service. Their shrimp and grits blend creamy Southern comfort with plump Gulf shrimp, while the prime ribeye proves they're not just about seafood. The dining room buzzes with celebration energy most nights, filled with locals marking special occasions over white tablecloths and wine glasses.
Must-Order:
Grilled Atlantic SalmonShrimp and GritsPrime Ribeye Steak
Insider Tip: Make reservations for weekend evenings, as this popular spot fills up quickly with both locals and visitors celebrating special occasions.
2. Clear Springs Restaurant
✨ Best for: Fresh Fish Daily
📍 Tyler · ⭐ 4.2 · 221 reviews · $$
Clear Springs Restaurant has built a loyal following around their blackened catfish that arrives with a spicy, charred crust giving way to flaky white meat inside. The Caesar salad topped with grilled shrimp transforms a simple starter into a satisfying meal, with perfectly seasoned shrimp nestled among crisp romaine. Families fill the comfortable dining room nightly, drawn by the consistent quality and friendly servers who remember regular customers' favorite dishes and drink preferences.
Must-Order:
Blackened CatfishGrilled SalmonCaesar Salad with Grilled Shrimp
Insider Tip: Visit during weekday lunch hours for the freshest daily specials and shorter wait times than busy dinner service.
View Clear Springs Restaurant →
3. Wade's Place
✨ Best for: Louisiana-Style Excellence
📍 Chandler · ⭐ 4.4 · 146 reviews · $$
Wade's Place in nearby Chandler serves up the most authentic crawfish étouffee this side of Louisiana, with a dark roux base loaded with tender crawfish tails and the holy trinity of Creole cooking. The blackened redfish arrives with a perfect spice crust that doesn't overpower the delicate fish beneath. Date night couples and celebrating families pack this cozy spot, where servers keep tea glasses perpetually full and the kitchen consistently delivers on both seafood and their excellent grilled ribeye.
Must-Order:
Crawfish ÉtouffeeBlackened RedfishGrilled Ribeye
Insider Tip: Visit on weeknight evenings for the most relaxed dining experience and ask about the daily catch specials from local suppliers.
4. The Catch
✨ Best for: Casual Gumbo Haven
Tripadvisor📍 Tyler · ⭐ 3.9 · 194 reviews · $$
The Catch draws seafood-craving families with their rich, dark gumbo packed with shrimp, crab, and andouille sausage ladled over perfectly cooked rice. Their blackened catfish sports a proper spice coating that adds heat without overwhelming the tender fish, while the crawfish étouffee delivers authentic Louisiana flavors. The casual atmosphere welcomes kids and adults alike, with generous portions that guarantee leftover containers heading home with satisfied diners.
Must-Order:
Seafood GumboBlackened CatfishCrawfish Étouffee
Insider Tip: Visit during weekday lunch hours to avoid the dinner rush and enjoy the same great food with faster, more attentive service.
5. The Farmhouse Restaurant
✨ Best for: Country Catfish Comfort
📍 Van · ⭐ 4.0 · 163 reviews · $$
The Farmhouse Restaurant in Van specializes in golden fried catfish platters that arrive piping hot with cornmeal coating that shatters to reveal flaky fish inside. Their grilled salmon offers a lighter option, perfectly cooked and simply seasoned to let the fish shine. This family favorite fills up with multi-generational dining groups who appreciate the hearty portions, friendly service, and comfortable atmosphere that makes everyone feel like regulars.
Must-Order:
Fried Catfish PlatterGrilled SalmonChicken Fried Steak
Insider Tip: Call ahead on Friday and Saturday evenings as this local favorite can get busy during peak dinner hours.
View The Farmhouse Restaurant →
6. Jumbo Seafood
✨ Best for: Crawfish Season Champions
📍 Tyler · ⭐ 4.0 · 70 reviews · $$
Jumbo Seafood lives up to its name during crawfish season, serving boiled mudbugs by the pound with perfect seasoning that penetrates the shells without overwhelming heat. Their fried catfish basket delivers restaurant-quality fish with crispy coating and tender interior, while the jumbo shrimp po'boy packs fresh Gulf shrimp into crusty bread. Local families crowd in during peak crawfish months, cracking shells and making memories over newspaper-covered tables.
Must-Order:
Boiled Crawfish PlatterFried Catfish BasketJumbo Shrimp Po'boy
Insider Tip: Visit during crawfish season (typically March through June) for the freshest mudbugs, and don't be afraid to ask about daily fish specials.
7. Uncle Jacks Kitchen
✨ Best for: Family Seafood Tradition
📍 Tyler · ⭐ 4.7 · 31 reviews
Uncle Jacks Kitchen has earned its stellar reputation through consistently excellent fried catfish platters featuring golden, crispy fish with perfectly seasoned cornmeal coating. The Gulf Coast shrimp basket showcases plump, sweet shrimp fried to perfection, while their seafood combo plate lets diners sample multiple offerings. This family celebration destination fills with birthday parties and special occasions, where generous portions and warm service create lasting memories for Tyler families.
Must-Order:
Fried Catfish PlatterGulf Coast Shrimp BasketSeafood Combo Plate
Insider Tip: Arrive early on Friday and Saturday nights to avoid the dinner rush, as this local favorite fills up quickly on weekends.
8. Dakotas Steak & Chop House
✨ Best for: Steakhouse Snapper Surprise
Tripadvisor📍 Tyler · ⭐ 3.3 · 126 reviews · $$$
Dakotas Steak & Chop House surprises diners with their grilled Gulf red snapper that rivals their famous steaks for quality and presentation. The upscale atmosphere attracts anniversary couples and special occasion diners willing to splurge for perfectly prepared seafood alongside their renowned prime ribeye. White tablecloth service and carefully crafted dishes make this the choice for Tyler's most important celebrations, where every detail reflects the premium price point.
Must-Order:
Grilled Gulf Red SnapperPrime Ribeye SteakHerb-Crusted Rack of Lamb
Insider Tip: Make reservations for weekend evenings well in advance, especially during holiday seasons when the restaurant fills up with celebration diners.
View Dakotas Steak & Chop House →
9. Marisco's Dj's – Don Juan Seafood
✨ Best for: Mexican Seafood Fusion
Tripadvisor📍 Tyler · ⭐ 4.2 · 33 reviews · $$
Marisco's DJ's brings authentic Mexican seafood flavors to Tyler with their towering shrimp cocktail loaded with plump shrimp, avocado, and spicy cocktail sauce. Fish tacos arrive with perfectly seasoned white fish tucked into soft tortillas with fresh toppings, while the seafood molcajete presents a sizzling stone bowl filled with mixed seafood and authentic seasonings. Families seeking generous portions and bold flavors pack this casual spot where sharing dishes is encouraged.
Must-Order:
Seafood MolcajeteFish TacosShrimp Cocktail
Insider Tip: Come hungry – the portions are generous and perfect for sharing if you want to try multiple authentic Mexican seafood dishes.
View Marisco's Dj's – Don Juan Seafood →
10. Laughing Crab
✨ Best for: Boiled Crawfish Specialists
📍 Tyler · ⭐ 3.0 · 81 reviews · $$
Laughing Crab specializes in crawfish boils that transport diners straight to Louisiana bayou country with perfectly seasoned mudbugs, corn, and potatoes. Their blackened catfish delivers proper spice without overwhelming the delicate fish, while the seafood gumbo offers a rich, satisfying bowl filled with Gulf treasures. Parents appreciate the kid-friendly seasoning levels that please adults while remaining manageable for younger palates during casual family dinners.
Must-Order:
Crawfish BoilBlackened CatfishSeafood Gumbo
Insider Tip: Visit during weekday lunch hours to avoid weekend crowds and enjoy the same great food with faster service and shorter waits.
Tips for Finding Great Seafood in Tyler
Crawfish Season Timing: Plan your crawfish restaurant visits between March and June when local suppliers get the freshest Louisiana mudbugs. Many Tyler seafood spots offer daily specials during peak season.
Weekday Lunch Advantage: Hit seafood restaurants during weekday lunch hours for fresher daily catches and better service. Most kitchens receive morning deliveries, making lunch the optimal time for fish specials.
Family vs Date Spots: Choose casual spots like Uncle Jacks and Jumbo Seafood for family dinners, while upscale options like Aspen Creek and Dakotas work better for romantic occasions and business meals.
Reservation Strategy: Book weekend tables at popular spots like Aspen Creek and Wade's Place well in advance. Friday and Saturday nights fill up quickly with local celebrations and special occasions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How We Picked These Spots
We selected these restaurants based on consistent quality, local reputation, and authentic flavors that bring Gulf Coast seafood to East Texas. Our rankings consider food quality, service reliability, and value, with input from longtime Tyler residents who know where to find the best catches.
Every restaurant on this list has a full profile on our site with photos, hours, reviews, and insider tips.
Last updated: February 2026
