In Newport, Oregon, the commercial fishing industry is an integral part of the community fabric, and it’s also the heartbeat of the local food scene. Talk to local restaurateurs, and they’ll tell you that the best and freshest seafood isn’t trucked in from elsewhere. In Newport, it’s pulled straight from the Pacific, offloaded at the docks, and delivered directly to fish markets, restaurants, or even sold right off the boats.

Newport is the Dungeness Crab Capital of the World®, so it’s no surprise that the sweet, delicate meat of Dungeness crab is found in abundance. Served whole, folded into chowders or pasta, formed into crab cakes, or heaped on mac and cheese, it’s a local favorite in many forms. Lingcod and rockfish are also coastal staples – versatile, accessible, and frequently featured in fish markets and on daily specials at restaurants throughout town. Razor clams, pink shrimp, and oysters round out the lineup, offering a briny taste of Oregon’s marine ecosystems. Depending on tides and timing, the day’s catch may shift, but the quality remains consistent. Seasonal offerings like salmon, albacore tuna, and halibut add variety as the months go on.

Newport’s Historic Bayfront is a great place to start if you’re looking to buy a fresh catch. Commercial fishing boats come and go throughout the day, and seafood is occasionally sold right off the vessels. Among them is the Chelsea Rose, a floating seafood market where shoppers can find crab, shrimp, and whatever else has come in that week.

A few blocks away, Fish Peddler’s Market has earned a loyal following for its wide selection of wild-caught fish and shellfish. A little further away is South Beach Market, another favorite, known for both fresh seafood and house-prepared specialties like candied salmon and fish and chips.

If dining out is the goal, Local Ocean delivers a quintessential dock-to-table experience. With windows overlooking the bay and a menu that changes with the boat’s haul, it’s one of Newport’s most well-known food experiences. Don’t forget to browse their seafood market before you leave. Clearwater Restaurant is another standout, celebrated for its halibut, oysters, and perfectly cracked crab.

In Newport, seafood isn’t just a dish, it’s part of the town’s rhythm. Whether you’re buying fresh fish straight off the dock or enjoying a bowl of chowder with a view, you’ll find that the connection between ocean, community, and cuisine is unmistakable.