When it comes to the culinary world, there are few things more boujee than a seafood tower.
Ok, maybe the foie gras macaron from the Plaza hotel, but that’s a whole different story.
See Also: The Most Decadent Raw Bars On The Island: From Oysters To Lobster
Simply put, seafood platters are at the top tier of the culinary hierarchy. Pun very much intended.
From oysters to lobster, caviar to crab legs, these larger-than-life platters are the pinnacle of all things seafood.
If you’re looking to indulge in the crown jewels of the sea, we’ve got you covered.
Keep reading for the most decadent seafood towers in NYC.
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797 3rd Ave, Manhattan/Website
While many come to this Midtown institution for the steak, we’re obviously in it for the seafood. Plus, you can never go wrong with some DIY surf and turf action. If you’re looking to dabble in some of our city’s freshest seafood, we recommend getting the Smith’s Bouquet for two. But if you’re absolutely obsessed with shrimp cocktail, freshly shucked oysters, and melt-in-your-mouth lobster, you must order the Wollensky’s Grand Bouquet for four. We promise it won’t let you down.
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5 Beekman St, Manhattan/Website
Any meal helmed by chef Daniel Boulud is destined to be an unforgettable one, and an experience at Le Gratin is no exception. Located in the famed The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel, this city-renowned French restaurant serves some of the highest quality seafood in town. If you’re seafood lovers like us, you’re going to want to do brunch with the girls at Le Gratin. We’re insanely addicted to the Fruits De Mer platter which comes with Beausoleil oysters, Carolina shrimp, crab, mussels, and the option of a whole 1.25lbs lobster. Diners can choose from a small or large platter, but do we even need to tell you which is the superior option?
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298 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn/Website
It’s no coincidence that this New Orleans-style eatery serves the premier seafood in Brooklyn—perhaps in all of New York City. While everything on the menu is drool-worthy, it would be illegal to come to an oyster bar and not treat yourself to a seafood platter. And if you’re schlepping over the bridge, ball out on the La Maison Plateaux: the Crème de la crèm of crustaceans. This heavenly seafood tower comes with 6 East Coast oysters, 6 West Coast oysters, 3 littleneck clams, 3 topneck clams, 4 shrimp, Jonah crab, Half Dungeness, and Half Lobster. It’s definitely on the pricey side, but you’re getting a lot of schuck for your buck.
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123 W 52nd St, Manhattan/Website
Surprise, surprise! This world-renowned, seafood-centric chain serves some of the best seafood in the game. You’ll probably run into the Brad’s and Chad’s of the world when dining here, but that’s ok. Incredible seafood with a side of navy pin-striped suits? You don’t have to twist our arms. You can’t go wrong with anything raw on the menu (sushi, oysters, chilled crab meat cocktail), but if you’re here to feast, you must order the “smoking” shellfish tower. This entirely customizable platter is one of the most impressive in the city, plus it’s incredibly insta-worthy.
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112 Reade St, Manhattan/Website
You probably wouldn’t think a local Tribeca nook would have some of the most delicious seafood in the city, but you know what they say about assuming. We like to keep it PG here, but *insert the saying here* There quite literally must be something holy in the water at this neighborhood gem, because the seafood is out of this world. When it comes to towers, diners have the option of The American (all oysters and clams), La Tour (all seafood), or the Omakase. If you’re adventurous like we are, definitely take the leap of faith with the omakase. YOLO!
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233 Park Ave S, Manhattan/Website
It probably comes as no surprise that this seafood-focused eatery is home to one of our favorite towers in the city. Besides, if “ocean” is in the name, you know it must be the real deal. Diners can choose from the shellfish plateau (one tier), the seafood tower (two tiers), or the Oceans La Tour (three tiers). The Oceans La Tour might do some damage to your wallet ($195), but the quality of the seafood is truly priceless. The decadent, three-tier tower comes with oysters, ceviche, tuna gomae, tuna sashimi, jumbo shrimp cocktail, mussels, clams, calamari, peekytoe crab, Alaskan king crab, and lobster.
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89 South St, Manhattan/Website
When it comes to seafood, or any genre of food that is, Jean-Georges never misses. So, naturally, the Fulton is one of the most celebrated restaurants in the city. If you’re dining at this refined waterfront eatery, it is absolutely mandatory that you order the royal seafood plateau. Don’t be fooled, this lavish tower isn’t your average seafood platter. In fact, it comes with 10g of Kristal Kaviari caviar. Yes, you heard us correctly. A seafood tower with caviar? Talk about modern luxury.
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80 Spring St, Manhattan/Website
This iconic french brasserie may be famous for its steak frites and escargot, but it is criminal to come here and not order a seafood platter. It’s like going to Carbone and not ordering the veal parmesan—significantly less talked about than the spicy rigatoni, but the real MVP of the menu. Diners can choose from the Le Grand ($145) or the Le Balthazar platters (195), which are both equally as delicious as they are aesthetically pleasing. After all, it’s all about doing it for the gram, right?
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372 Fulton St, Brooklyn/Website
This historic New York landmark doesn’t mess around when it comes to food, especially seafood. When we’re at our local bar we order a G&T, so naturally, when we’re at a raw bar, we order the G&T Chilled Seafood Platter Royale. This awe-inspiring platter comes with a whole main lobster, fluke crudo, one dozen oysters, clams, shrimp cocktail, and the option of 30g of Kaluga caviar. Topped with classic garnishes, the tower pays homage to old-school seafood platters, while adding its own unique spin with the crudo and caviar.
Photography by: Courtesy Getty Images
