6 minute read

Whether you’re looking to provide a themed feast, have a seafood recipe you want to try, or just love having a wide range of fresh ingredients at your disposal to improve your cooking, knowing where to source fresh seafood is a big deal, especially if you don’t have that supply locally available. As such, we’re going to look at some of the best fresh seafood delivery companies in the US, each of them specializing in a range of ingredients, packages, or practices that can make them a must-have partner in the kitchen.

Maine Lobster Now – The Pick For Quality Lobster

A store that specializes in wild-caught lobster, as well as freshly caught North Atlantic seafood, Maine Lobster Now can deliver cod, haddock, tuna, scallops, and crab all directly from Maine’s docks. A family-owned business that connects the customer directly to local lobstermen and Alaskan fishermen, giving them a direct supply of real Maine lobster, as well as responsibly sourced seafood, thanks to their dedication to sustainable practices. They also sell lobster dinner kits with chowder, sides, and other extras, all of which are highly traceable, so you can see exactly where your ingredients came from, making for a trustworthy supplier.

Pros

  • High produce variety
  • Good for bulk and family orders
  • Supports local providers

Cons

  • Premium prices on some goods
  • Higher delivery fees outside the Northeast

Wulf’s Fish – A Choice For Adventurous Chefs

A Boston-based provider that’s been in business for over a century, Wulf’s Fish provides restaurant-grade seafood even for those cooking from home. They provide a range of both wild-caught and responsibly farmed options, such as North Atlantic cod, monkfish, scallops, and oysters, as well as some rarer options like uni and roe. They also offer rotating “Fishmonger’s Choice” boxes, vacuum-sealed to be as fresh as possible, bringing some variety to long-term customers. Having built up a long list of direct relationships with small-scale fishers and aquaculture partners alike, their sources are provided in good detail.

Pros

  • Chef-quality ingredients
  • Detailed sourcing notes
  • Supports ethical fishing practices

Cons

  • Premium pricing and shipping costs
  • Rigid customization options on meal boxes

Vital Choice –  The Health-Minded Eater’s Pick

Based in Washington State, Vital Choice is a company that focuses on wild-caught seafood, such as Alaskan salmon, halibut, sablefish, and shellfish. They prioritize sustainability, as seen with their eco-friendly packaging, with clean and traceable sources to give their customers peace of mind. Customers can choose one-time deliveries as well as curated monthly subscriptions, as well as other products like canned fish and omega-3-rich nutritional supplements. A trusted name in northern seafood delivery, providing flash-freezing at sea to keep their deliveries as fresh and reliable as possible.

Pros

  • Great for health-minded customers
  • Good environmental credentials
  • Consistent portion sizes

Cons

  • A higher-budget option
  • Some customers have noted some quality inconsistencies

Honolulu Fish Company – Direct From The Pacific To Your Home

For those who have a taste for seafood from the Pacific, Honolulu Fish Company, based in Hawaii, has you covered. With a speedy delivery service that sees sashimi-grade wild fish delivered to you in 48 hours after being caught, they are vacuum-sealed and chilled, rather than frozen, to maintain the structural stability of the fish. They use responsible hook-and-line methods to catch a wide range, including ahi (yellowfin and bigeye tuna), mahi-mahi, opah, ono, and kampachi. Sourced directly from Hawaii’s local fisheries, with clear credentials for your purchase, they provide great ingredients for raw and grilled preparations.

Pros

  • Excellent freshness
  • Good for both raw and grilled meals
  • Transparent sourcing

Cons

  • Restaurant-grade pricing
  • Limited customization in order sizes

Fulton Fish Market – The Biggest Variety On The Market

Having originated as one of the most famous fish markets and cooperatives in New York City, Fulton Fish Market now operates one of the biggest online fresh-fish platforms in the United States. They sell over 150 species of fish and shellfish, which the customer can purchase à la carte, or with curated subscription boxes, such as freshly frozen seafood, live shellfish, and more curated bundles, like “Fulton’s Finest Hits” and “Just For Two”. Because Fulton Fish Market sources from a wide variety of different suppliers, the packaging, portion sizes, and products themselves can be a little inconsistent, but they typically always have what you’re looking for.

Pros

  • Huge product variety
  • Decent value packages
  • Reliable bulk and family orders

Cons

  • Order minimums can be pricy
  • Quality and packaging vary depending on suppliers within the market

Sizzlefish – For The Cost-Conscious Cooks

If the affordability of delivered seafood is one of your biggest concerns, then Sizzlefish might be the option worth considering. It offers a wide range of options that are individually portioned, such as salmon, haddock, cod, tuna, mahi-mahi, scallops, shrimp, and crab. This makes them a good choice for the health-conscious who want to manage their calorie intake with care. Aside from ordering on demand, you can also subscribe to weekly, biweekly, or monthly deliveries, and you customize those subscriptions greatly to fit your specific preferences.

Pros:

  • Very cost-effective
  • Portion-controlled packaging
  • Very flexible subscriptions

Cons:

  • Fewer luxury or rate options
  • Slower shipping than some

OceanBox – A Good Frozen Fish Provider

One of the big benefits of seafood delivery companies is that you can get fresh fish directly to your door. However, OceanBox, aside from fresh options, also offers a wide range of frozen seafood deliveries, as well, for those who prefer to keep a stock of salmon, halibut, cod, Mediterranean-caught bronzino, and shellfish on hand. They even provide hand-cut portions direct from their fishmongers, which can cut out a lot of the prep work when you’re trying to make a meal. They also offer a variety of specialty bundles, featuring wild-caught and sustainably sourced fish.

Pros

  • Wide variety of seafood items
  • Flexible subscription packages
  • Good balance of quality and convenience

Cons:

  • Not all of their goods are good for raw/sashimi cooking
  • Fewer premium or luxury options

Aside from your budget and your proximity to the suppliers, choosing based on what you want, specifically, is important. If you’re after lobster, for instance, then Maine Lobster Now may be the easy choice, but others can fit in different niches. Work out your wants, and hopefully, the suggestions above can do the rest.