We were in the area for the kids field trip to Dix Park and stopped here for food at the recommendation of their teachers. I'm glad we took their advice. It is a small order counter and looks like cafeteria seating inside. We ordered 4 plates and clam chowder. We all shared and tried everything. Got catfish, cod, bass, shrimp, and flounder. All the fish was great but the cod and catfish are by far a family favorite. Shrimp was amazing. The clam chowder was perfectly seasoned. I am the only fan of hush puppies and I enjoyed them. If you like hush puppies they are made well crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. The coleslaw was the only damper on the meal. It tasted like wet cabbage no seasoning. If you've seen any of my other reviews you know I'm a fan of good coleslaw. So this was disappointing to say the least. And like all places I've visited we had the good southern hospitality. The man at the register was super nice and helpful with all the questions my son had. He's nine not super picky but always has questions. So thanks for patience with him. read more

See all

It's hard to count the number of times we've eaten here. We spent the last couple of months at the coast trying out calabash style seafood, but none compare to here. The freshness, small amount of batter, taste and amount for the price is hard to beat. Oh and the hush puppies.. wow! I could just fill up on these. Great job keeping the food here the best! See you again soon. read more

See all

I was here for an early dinner and was once again overwhelmed with the choices here. I had the shrimp and cod combo. Both were very nicely cooked. A ton of fries, hush puppies and yummy coleslaw came with the meal. The drinks are self serve and I was so thankful they had great sweet tea. The service was good and food came out fast and hot. There are only big tables inside but you can eat outside as well. I will return! read more

NC Seafood Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

See all

If you're searching for the quintessential North Carolina seafood experience - without leaving the Piedmont - look no further than NC Seafood Restaurant in Raleigh. Nestled beside the bustling State Farmers Market, this unpretentious eatery has become a beloved local institution for a reason: the fried Calabash-style seafood is simply delicious, and the portions are as generous as the Southern hospitality. The heart of NC Seafood Restaurant's appeal is its mastery of Calabash-style frying--a method that lightly breads seafood, allowing the freshness and flavor of the fish, shrimp, scallops, or oysters to shine through rather than being overwhelmed by heavy batter. Whether you're partial to shrimp, flounder, catfish, or oysters, the kitchen delivers each order piping hot and perfectly cooked--never greasy or overdone. The fried oysters and scallops are particular standouts, praised for their juiciness and mild, fresh taste. One of the most talked-about features of NC Seafood Restaurant is the sheer quantity of food you receive. Even a regular-sized platter can easily feed two hungry adults, while the large combo platters are often shared among three or more diners, with leftovers to spare. Each meal comes with a mountain of golden hush puppies--slightly sweet and oniony--plus thick-cut fries and a side of crisp coleslaw. Don't expect white tablecloths or fine dining at NC Seafood Restaurant. The atmosphere is laid-back and rustic, with cement floors and picnic table seating, both indoors and outside. Many guests enjoy the communal tables, which foster a friendly, down-home vibe and sometimes lead to meeting new people over a shared love of seafood. The service is fast and efficient: order at the counter, grab a number, and your food will be ready before you know it--even when there's a line out the door, which is a common sight during peak hours. For many families and visitors, a trip to NC Seafood Restaurant is a must whenever they're in Raleigh. It's become a tradition for locals and out-of-towners alike, especially after a stroll through the Farmers Market. The restaurant's commitment to quality, value, and that unmistakable Calabash flavor has earned it a loyal following and high praise as one of the best spots for fried seafood in the region. If you're craving fried seafood done right--light, crispy, and flavorful--NC Seafood Restaurant is a can't-miss destination. The portions are huge, the prices are fair, and the food is consistently fresh and satisfying. Whether you're a lifelong fan of Calabash-style cooking or trying it for the first time, you'll leave full, happy, and already planning your next visit. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a true taste of North Carolina's coastal culinary heritage. read more

See all

This is a definitely a must-visit spot if you're at the farmers market. You'll find it by walking past the farmers market - it's in a large building behind all of the booths. This place is popular, so be prepared to wait a bit in line and for your food. Seating is also difficult to find during peak hours. However, the amount of food you get for the price is hard to beat. I got the crab cakes - they were very, very fried but tasty with the tartar sauce! My partner ordered the fried shrimp and flounder. Both were delicious. read more

NC Seafood Restaurant - Crab cakes - Seafood Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Picked my wife up at the airport and she wanted seafood and here we went. Being a Saturday it was quite bust but I found a table fairly quickly. We always split the seafood combo of scollops and shrimp. They are generous with the portions as well. We got four meals out of this. The scollops were big and flavorful and the shrimp were done perfectly. The hush puppies were a little sweet, just the way we like them. Bring your appetite. read more

See all

Very rude tone from the person who waited on my Mother here. She only wanted a take out order for fish and they require that you purchase an entire entree. The person stated "Can you imagine me selling only fish, I'd go out of business." This was the exchange. Extremely condescending to say the least. The appropriate and polite response to use would be: I'm sorry we don't offer that as part of our menu options" this would've been more professional and pleasant way to speak to a customer. Remember word of mouth is powerful. Be kind to customers because that doesn't cost you anything. read more

Someone should have told us that the servings are enough for two to three people. I can eat a massive amount but I couldn't get 1/3 through all this. We paid 22 dollars for each container. It was good too. Now, on the other hand, tomatoes at the farmers market are 5 dollars per pound. Crazy when you can get seafood cheaper than produce. Go here. Seriously. Take a friend. Order ONE item. Can't wait to go back. read more

First picture is before, second picture is what was left of these two meals. Let me start by saying I CAN PUT IT AWAY! And my wife and I both got regular sized meals, I got the captains platter and she got the shrimp platter and holy $h1t did they load them up!!! There was so much GOOD fried seafood on these platters it may be one of the best meals I've got for the money in my life! If you get two platters for two people don't buy another meal that day because you will not need it! The hushpuppies and coleslaw were also great! Deviled crab was elite. Not a bad thing to say. The vibe inside is very casual, self service picnic table vibe but man oh man is it worth it! read more

NC Seafood Restaurant - Leftovers - Seafood Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

See all

After shopping at the farmers' market, we worked up an appetite. We stopped here for some good food. There was a long line when we walked in, but it moved quickly. The seating is park-bench style, first-come, first-served. I recommend grabbing a seat as soon as you see one instead of waiting until after you order. The serving sizes were very generous. The fish was good, especially with the tartar sauce. This is a great spot if you want to try some local fish. read more

NC Seafood Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

The staff were ver friendly and help. The NC Seafood restaurant has a lot of great menu choices and the menu is very easy read, navigate, and plan your meal from. If you have a questions the friendly staff is eager to help The food is truely fantastic and portions are huge. We love eating there. You can also package a togo order if you need to take it on the road or home. Finally to price is absolutely right! read more

The food is super good omg and the shrimp plates are bigggg I recommend this place it gets really full though but fast service for me ! read more

NC Seafood Restaurant - Chicken Tenders - Seafood Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

We all enjoyed our meals! Everything was hot and delicious! Nice casual, laid back atmosphere. Love the picnic table touch. The staff were all helpful and friendly, all while constantly working hard, very busy. Shopping at the Farmers' Market? Check them out for lunch or dinner! read more

See all

This is definitely another classic Raleigh spot. It's located at the State Farmers Market BUT it's open everyday of the week! When you need that fried seafood fix, this place has exactly what you need. This time around I got the regular combo plate with fried oysters and crab cakes, yes there's an up charge for those, but I was feeling fancy today! Combo plates always come with hushpuppies, home fries and coleslaw. None of the fried food is too greasy, I'd say just the right amount. The service is always quick, I've never had to wait more than a few minutes for my food. There's picnic table seating both inside and outside. I'd recommend coming on the weekends so you can also take advantage of the Farmers Market! read more

NC Seafood Restaurant - Regular combo plate with fried oysters and crab cakes - Seafood Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

I came in a little before 1pm during the work week. I placed my order online so I wouldn't have to wait in line. I ordered the shrimp and flounder combo with no slaw. The food was hot and fresh. Unfortunately for me, my shrimp were not seasoned but cocktail dipping sauce pretty much took care of that. My flounder was not good and the cocktail sauce could not help it. It tasted like the grease it was fried in was old. I hadn't been in awhile as I no longer work nearby and based on this experience, I probably won't return. read more

They have the best fried fish. The restaurant is always very busy at dinner time. There are plenty of tables & people will share tables when it's crowded. We're regulars on Friday afternoon. read more

Just a regular plate fed me and my adult son! They give you so much food. Perfectly fried. The place was packed last Saturday but service was very quick. Calabash style is the best way ever! read more

Hands down, the best! Everyone is so friendly and helpful. We went on a Sunday and the line moved really quick. They have ordering down to a science! The girl who took our order was helpful and the older gentleman at the register was so friendly! Now, the food! We ordered the 3 combo to share. The flounder was fried to perfection, the deviled crab was amazing and the fried shrimp, you just cant go wrong! So much food, you definitely dont leave hungry! read more

NC Seafood Restaurant - 3 Combo with Flounder, Deviled Crab and Shrimp which comes with homefries, hushpuppies and coleslaw. So fresh and so generous! - Seafood Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

The food isn't bad....but $3.00 for a small "self-serve" tea is almost sad. We've not been back since they raised prices during the pandemic.....claiming on their web site that they were doing everything they could and would do everything they could to bring back prices once the whole "Supply Chain" fiasco was resolved. Large shrimp platter went from $16.00 to $20.00.....now is $22.00. Drinks went from $1.69 to now $3.00. read more

Great seafood and even better value for dinner at the NC Seafood Restaurant at the NC Farmer's Market. We split the House Platter for $22 -- it came with oysters, flounder, scallops, a deviled crab and tons of shrimp, plus slaw, fries, and hush puppies. Everything was hot and delicious! We sat outside, which was perfect, and had fun checking out the Farmer's Market vendors before eating. Big portions and great price -- definitely recommend! read more

NC Seafood Restaurant - House Platter - Seafood Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

See all

Very very tasty. The inside was clean and the workers were kind efficient and quick. Make sure to beat the crowd because right after we ordered a huge line formed. The food was super fresh and relatively cheap for the quality you got. This was not my first time here and it won't be my last. read more

Walk up, order, get your drink, find a table, wait for your number to be called, and then stuff yourself with deliciousness!! This is a fun place to eat! It's different. It's simple. It's not a fancy place, but everything is good. Portions are huge. You may want to share or plan to take some home. It's basically feels like a warehouse. There are picnic tables and concrete floors. You order at the counter then wait for your number to be called. Everything is fried and served with French fries. It's good! read more

See all

Busy place on a Good Friday. Took my grandson for fish and chips. The fries were excellent, hot and crispy. I got the cod and it was a bit on the dry side. I also did not care for the coleslaw. I would have to try the shrimp or other fish item on the menu next time but would go back as long as I had someone to share my food with (it is also a lot of food!) Service was excellent and there was plenty of seating despite how packed it was and not too loud either . read more

We ate an early lunch and wanted a mid-day snack, so we came in to NC Seafood Restaurant to order a few seafood platters. It was a Sunday at around 4 pm and for such a weird time, there was still a good amount of people ordering/dining. We ordered two combo platters - one with oysters, jumbo shrimp, and scallops, and the other with catfish and oysters. Platters come with French fries, hush puppies, and cole slaw. They give you a generous amount of the sides, but I did not care for the fries. Everyone's favorite was the fried scallops, which were meaty and fresh. It was a good snack to share because I couldn't imagine eating all of this fried stuff myself. I saw they had deviled crabs so I'll have to try those next time I'm in town! read more

See all

People love it here, it was packed but the line moved quickly and not too long of a wait to get our food. Catfish was a nice size, and was really good the only downside was the bland coleslaw, but I think it's like that due to the fact of everyone not being able to consume spices.I went here when I was younger with my grandparents and the food tastes better than what I remembered in the past. It was a cool breeze in the building so you wouldn't be hot while eating.The picture is after I finished eating so it's a pretty filling plate . Love this place! read more

NC Seafood Restaurant - Catfish platter - Seafood Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

portions were great. we were surprised that tha fish was not skinned. very bland no spicy at all.

Located behind the main area for the Raleigh farmer's market. They have indoor seating with plenty of tables to sit at. I will say though, I came for lunch on a Saturday, and there were a lot of people so beware of the peak hours. Once inside, there is a lot of seafood options to choose from. We ordered the Captain's Platter and the House Platter. The plates were essentially the same thing with a difference in the fish and some small side items like oysters and scallops. The seafood itself was solid, but nothing crazy. What is crazy though is the portion sizes. There is enough food in one of these plates to last you one meal and have enough left over to finish another time. They absolutely fill the plate to the brim with fried shrimp, and a fried shrimp enthusiast, I was very happy. Overall I really enjoyed the place and its a nice change of pace to eat somewhere local. Each plate is good enough for 2 people, so plan accordingly. read more

NC Seafood Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

See all

I got a lil 2 way combo as a nice meal while taking a break from the farmers market. Its well located and bustling. Not the best fried fish, but the portions are massive, and at a great price. It lasted me 3 meals. It was just a bit plain for my liking. read more

Place is air conditioned. Very clean. Ordered lunch portion of fried shrimp, large portion of fried shrimp and New England Clam Chowder. The shrimp platers were HUGE!! The large one would have been enough for my wife and I. Chowder was good, but you're not in New England. Definetly go there for the fish. You won't regret it. read more

Peace, good day. This place is amazing. From the A1 customer service to the awesome food and the family vibes in this establishment. Just do yourself a favor and go enjoy. Two hour drive one way for some great food. read more

7/24/22: We've been here twice now. Both time, the place was packed. We take our food to go and just eat in the car. The cashier isn't the friendliest. She may be overwhelmed with the number of guests in the restaurant. I don't know. We've tried the whiting, founder, scallops, shrimp, and chicken strips. Even though you get a huge portion, a lot of my food is received soggy with the batter falling off. The seafood is fresh. It smells like they just caught it that day. Just wish there was a different coating that they'd use though. We will probably go back. I may order something else next time. read more

See all

Went in for the 1st time this week...great food and extremely generous portions. Friendly staff. Would definitely recommend and will go back again when visiting the farmer's market. read more

Love this place. Great catfish and shrimp! It is a new tradition for us to come every time we are in Raleigh for the 4-H state fair competition. read more

NC Seafood Restaurant - Catfish and trip combination platter with coleslaw home fries and hush puppies - Seafood Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Delicious seafood for a great price! I will definitely be back soon! Highly recommend for anyone looking for great seafood in Raleigh! read more

NC Seafood Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

I placed an order for shrimp and fish and the order was not cooked the way I requested. The fish was too hard to eat , almost burned and the shrimp wasn't cooked enough. I asked for the fish to be remade and the person that took the order and my money refused to correct their error or refund my money. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone! The person was so rude and has no idea of what customer service should be. Please spend your hard earned money with businesses that realize how important you are as customers! read more

Sadly disappointed in the food. The place was very clean, they had indoor and outdoor seating. The staff were friendly and it was quick. They were doing a lot of take out orders. The prices are very reasonable, in my opinion. The portions are huge. A regular plate is totally shareable. Unfortunately I was really let down by the taste of the food. I got the oysters and popcorn shrimp. Comes with slaw hush puppies and potato wedges. Bland. All bland. The oysters were not fried har enough and they tasted like literally nothing. Just texture. No salt on anything. Thru didn't even walk it by the salt. Maybe this was just an off day? read more

This place was so amazing. I tried the fried cod and I cannot wait to come back again to try the fried fish and flounder. It's a great way to end shopping from the farmers market. read more

See all

I placed an online order and it was ready on-time, but the positivity ends there. The food was mediocre at best. We tried a wide variety of fried seafood as well as some boiled shrimp. The shrimp made my family member sick, and the fried options were pretty bland. The crab cake and deviled crabs were gross - more filler than meat. We won't be back. read more

Good fish large portions, you won't be disappointed! Try catfish, or shrimp! You, really enjoy it! read more

Still loving it here! Food is cooked perfectly. Could use a little bit of salt to help enhance flavors but overall, 10/10. I'll be returning soon for some more delicious seafood. read more

See all