In Chicago, seafood restaurants might not be the most obvious dining destinations, even though they’re located in an area that’s been nicknamed the Third Coast. Despite the distance from the ocean, some of the best
restaurants in Chicago serve freshly shucked
oysters, tender lobster flown in from the East, and
flaky whole branzino. In Chicago, seafood come in many forms—sometimes disguised as something else entirely. There’s the old-school oyster bar at
Shaw’s Crab House, devastatingly fresh sushi at Iron Chef Morimoto’s
Japonais, or the glorious
cioppino at Riva, all certain to satisfy those hankering for oceanic fare.