When you think of top-tier fresh seafood, you usually think of the beach or at least somewhere near the coast. Especially in North Carolina the Calabash area is considered the pinnacle of seafood. So when I came across this list of the best seafood in every state, well I figured it would be in Calabash. If not there then somewhere else on the coast. Perhaps Wilmington or the Outer Banks? But nope. Not this list. It was created by a website called 24/7 Wall Street. They created a list of the best seafood in every state including North Carolina. So how exactly did they do this?
According to the article, they ” consulted lists, ratings, and reviews from websites including Guide Michelin, Eat This Not That, Food Network, Gayot, Eater, and Time Out, as well as numerous local and regional sites.” What was considered a “seafood restaurant”? Well, sushi and “informal seafood shacks” were omitted from the list. The establishments included can be anything from fancy white tablecloth restaurants to casual restaurants. Some offer fried fish or shrimp, others have a range of flavors including Mexican, Portuguese, Chinese, or New American. They also mention that regional trends are represented- think Cajun crawfish, Maryland crabs, New England chowder, and Maine lobster.
Hungry yet? So if such emphasis is put on regional fresh seafood, and the best seafood in North Carolina isn’t in Calabash or the coast at all, where is it? Keep reading to see the best seafood in NC as well as some of our neighbors. You can read the full 24/7 Wall Street list here. Do you disagree? Let me know! I’d love to know what your favorite is. Just don’t shoot the messenger if you don’t agree.
