A trip to Cox’s Bazar is not just about listening to the waves crashing on the beach or watching the sunset; a big part of it is also about enjoying the heavenly taste of fresh and diverse seafood. Millions of tourists flock to this beach town every year for seafood fries, spicy grilled shrimp, succulent lobster, roasted crab, or lobster. However, finding truly quality, fresh, and delicious food in the countless restaurants of Cox’s Bazar is a bit of a challenge. Therefore, this guide has been created with travel enthusiasts, families, and friends in mind, whereBest Seafood Restaurants in Cox’s Bazar. Every important detail is highlighted.
Choosing the right restaurant is very important, as the quality of food, serving style, cleanliness, and budget compatibility can change your entire travel experience. In this blog, we will discuss in detail 12 popular restaurants in Cox’s Bazar city, Sugandha and Kalatali beach areas, and Marine Drive and Inani.
Quick Comparison Table of the Best Restaurants in Cox’s Bazar
The following information table is arranged with information about the types, specialties, and atmosphere of restaurants located in different areas of Cox’s Bazar:
| Restaurant name | Location / Area | Best for whom | Dining environment and experience |
| Mermaid Cafe | Marine Drive / Himchhari | Premium dining and atmosphere | Eco-friendly, natural environment and sea view dining |
| Coral Station Restaurant | Beach area / Marine Drive | Seafood Grill & Family | Casual Dining and Fresh Seafood Experience |
| Salt Bistro & Cafe | Kalatali / Beach Area | Fusion seafood and continental cuisine | Modern cafe atmosphere and well-decorated environment |
| Sea Mount Beach Cafe | Beachfront area | Refreshments and beach dining | Sea breeze and cozy cafe atmosphere |
| Palongki Inani | Inani Beach, Marine Drive | Bengali and seafood fusion food | Quiet and spacious environment next to Marine Drive |
| Sea Lamp Beach Restaurant | Beach Point / Kalatali | Family and group dining | Casual dining near the beach |
| Sun Dancer Cafe | Marine Drive / Beach Area | Relaxed Cafe & Snacks | Informal cafe experience and light meals |
| Beach Salsa | Beach area | Live Grill & Seafood | Beach vibes and fresh grilled food |
| Seafood Cafe | Sugandha / Kalatali Road | Budget-friendly seafood | Casual dining for seafood lovers |
| Fly Dining Cox’s Bazar | Near Sugandha Point | Sky Dining Adventure | A thrilling experience 160 feet above the ground |
| Cox’s Bazar Sea Food Restaurant | Beach Road area | Traditional seafood recipes | Simple seafood serving |
| Chandni Lounge | Hotel / Recreation Zone | Couple Dining and Relaxation | Lounge atmosphere and comfortable environment |
(Note: Restaurant hours, menus, and food prices may change based on the season and tourist season. It is best to confirm locally or by calling their phone number before going.)
Thorough reviews of 12 popular restaurants in Cox’s Bazar
1. Mermaid Cafe
Mermaid Cafe is one of the well-known and traditional eco-friendly dining spots in Cox’s Bazar. Built with eco-friendly bamboo and wood decor, this cafe is particularly praised for the presentation and quality of its seafood dishes.
- Location: Near Marine Drive Road (towards Himchhari) and Beach Point.
- Food type: Grilled lobster, seafood platter, calamari fries, mussels, and fusion seafood pasta.
- Environment: A completely natural and aesthetic environment with sea breeze.
- Who is suitable for: Couples, families, and those who love a premium seafood experience.
- Advice: You can try their ‘Seafood Platter’ or ‘Grilled Lobster’. It is better to book in advance on weekends.
2. Coral Station Restaurant
Coral Station Restaurant, located near Cox’s Bazar Beach Road, is a favorite among tourists, especially for its fresh fish grill and barbecue.
- Location: Kalatali Beach Road area.
- Food type: Fresh grilled shrimp, coral, shrimp, and crab.
- Environment: Simple but clean family atmosphere.
- Who is suitable for: Large groups of family and friends.
- Advice: You can measure out your favorite fresh fish from the restaurant’s display and have it grilled with your favorite spices.
3. Salt Bistro & Cafe
Salt Bistro & Cafe has already gained a reputation for its modern cafe culture and quality fusion dining. It offers Western and Asian style seafood items.
- Location: Kalatoli Road, Cox’s Bazar.
- Food type: Singapore Chili Crab, Seafood Alfredo Pasta, Gambas (Spanish Prawns), Calamari Rings and Salt Special Seafood Platter.
- Environment: Air-conditioned, clean, and decorated with modern lighting.
- Who is suitable for: Those who want to try continental seafood beyond traditional Bengali fries.
- Advice: Their special seafood chowder soup is quite delicious with pasta or calamari fries.
4. Sea Mount Beach Cafe
Sea Mount Beach Cafe is a beautiful place to enjoy a light meal or seafood snack while sitting in the open air near the beach.
- Location: Area adjacent to the beach.
- Food type: Fish and chips, fried prawns, calamari, and hot drinks.
- Environment: Casual beach cafe vibe.
- Who is suitable for: Groups of young people and travelers hanging out after an afternoon walk on the beach.
- Advice: You can enjoy seafood snacks and tea and coffee just before sunset.
5. Palongki Inani
Located on the corner of Marine Drive in the tranquil setting of Inani Beach, Palanki Restaurant is very popular with tourists for its traditional Bengali cuisine and delicious seafood dishes.
- Location: Jalalpalong, Inani Beach, Marine Drive.
- Food type: Fresh seafood broth, fries, chutney, and Bengali thali.
- Environment: Spacious, open, and natural environment.
- Who is suitable for: Families and tourists going on long drives to Inani or Teknaf.
- Advice: This can be a great place for lunch while visiting Inani.
6. Sea Lamp Beach Restaurant
Sea Lamp Beach Restaurant is a casual dining option near the beach area.
- Location: Kalatali / Sugandha Beach area.
- Food type: Local-style fish fry, roasted shrimp, rice and stew.
- Environment: Simple, homey, and busy dining.
- Who is suitable for: Tourists looking for affordable lunch or dinner.
- Advice: Please confirm the size and price of the fish before placing an order.
7. Sun Dancer Cafe
Sun Dancer Cafe is a comfortable and relaxed dining spot for tourists.
- Location: Near Beach Road.
- Food type: Light seafood snacks, grilled fish, soups, and beverages.
- Environment: Calm and pleasant decor.
- Who is suitable for: Those who want to spend time in peace, avoiding the crowds.
- Advice:You can choose it for a light dinner or snacks at night.
8. Beach Salsa
Beach Salsa is known for its live barbecue and seafood preparations.
- Location: Beach area.
- Food type: Live grilled fish, spiced prawns, calamari sticks.
- Environment: Excellent lighting and open-air atmosphere for night dining.
- Who is suitable for: A young generation of friends and seafood lovers.
- Advice: In the evening, choose the fish according to your preference and decide on the spices.
9. Seafood Cafe
For tourists specifically looking for a varied seafood menu, the Seafood Cafe is a suitable place.
- Location: Sugandha Point area.
- Food type: Prawn curry, crab masala, fried squid, and various coral fish dishes.
- Environment: Casual and clean restaurant setup.
- Who is suitable for: Small family or traveler group.
- Advice: Along with the usual Bengali style, you can also check out seafood of Thai-Chinese preparation.
10. Fly Dining Cox’s Bazar
Fly Dining is Bangladesh’s first suspended restaurant, offering a completely different experience for tourists. Dining is served at a height of about 160 feet above the ground using a giant crane.
- Location: Sugandha Point (next to Hotel Sea Princess).
- Food type: Set course menu (which includes a premium seafood platter, pasta, steak, or chicken items).
- Environment: Thrilling and exciting sky dining.
- Who is suitable for: Adventure is a favorite among travelers, couples, and those celebrating special occasions.
- Advice: It is essential to follow safety rules, and it is best to book sessions in advance.
11. Cox’s Bazar Sea Food Restaurant
Among the local restaurants, it serves Bengali-flavored seafood dishes, mainly keeping the local foodies in mind.
- Location: Kalatali Beach Road.
- Food type: Deep-fried fish with local spices, shrimp dip, roasted crab, and seafood broth.
- Environment: Straightforward and simple dining.
- Who is suitable for: Tourists who are fans of local traditional cuisine.
- Advice: You can try fresh fried plantains or shrimp curry with hot rice.
12. Chandni Lounge
Chandni Lounge offers a comfortable restaurant and lounge dining environment.
- Location: Hotel or lounge zone adjacent to Beach Road.
- Food type: Mixed seafood, starters, fusion dishes, and drinks.
- Environment: Soft music and comfortable seating arrangements.
- Who is suitable for: Couples or foodies looking for a quiet evening out.
- Advice: You can go here to relax after dinner.
Which seafood dishes should you definitely try in Cox’s Bazar?
Choosing a menu is an important aspect of enjoying the best seafood in Cox’s Bazar. Below are descriptions of several popular dishes:
- Prawns & Lobsters: Butter garlic prawns, sizzling prawns, or grilled lobster are the first choices of diners.
- Roasted Crabs and Spiced Crabs: Crabs fried in strong local spices or cooked in Thai spicy sauce are one of the attractions of Cox’s Bazar.
- Pomfret & Coral Fish: Fresh grilled Rupchanda or coral fish patties taste amazing with fried rice or on their own.
- Squid or Calamari (Calamari/Squid): Crispy fried calamari rings or chili garlic squid fries are very popular as starters.
- Lobster: For a high-quality and premium dining experience, you can order lobster baked with butter and garlic or cheese.
How to choose the best seafood restaurant?
There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing the right restaurant:
- Location and distance: If you are staying in Sugandha or Kalatali, you will find many options within walking distance. However, if you want a more exciting and peaceful atmosphere, choose the restaurants on Marine Drive or Inani.
- Freshness: The beauty of seafood is its freshness. Just look at the fish or shrimp on display at a restaurant.
- Cleanliness and Hygiene: It is safer to choose fish that are stored at the right temperature or in a live aquarium than food that is kept in the open.
- Family or group needs: For children and the elderly, it is better to avoid overly spicy foods and order soups, fried foods, or mildly spiced grilled foods.
What is the price of seafood in Cox’s Bazar? (Price Guide)
The price of seafood in Cox’s Bazar depends on a few factors:
- By Weight: Lobsters, large corals, or large ornamental fish are usually priced per 100 grams.
- Seasonality: Prices may increase slightly during the tourist season (November to March) due to high demand for food.
- Cooking Charges: Some restaurants add additional cooking costs to the price of raw fish, which is a good thing to know in advance.
(For a general idea: a seafood platter or grilled dish at a good cafe or restaurant can cost between 1,000 and 2,500 taka, while a premium experience like fly dining can cost between 3,500 and 8,500 taka per person.)
Essential tips for eating seafood in Cox’s Bazar
- Confirm price before ordering: After weighing the fish, make sure to clearly determine whether the total price and cooking charges or VAT are different.
- Check the freshness of the fish: You can tell if a fish is fresh by looking at its clear eyes and firm flesh.
- Avoid peak hours: On holidays, restaurants are most crowded between 8 and 10 pm. If you go a little earlier, you will get better service.
- Allergy Awareness: Those who are allergic to seafood should carry necessary medications with them and avoid overly spicy dishes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What are the best seafood restaurants in Cox’s Bazar?
Mermaid Cafe, Salt Bistro and Cafe, Palanki (Inani), and Live Grill restaurants are quite popular among tourists for good seafood in Cox’s Bazar.
2. Where can I find fresh seafood in Cox’s Bazar?
Several restaurants on Beach Road and open cafes on Marine Drive offer the option of grilling or frying fresh fish of your choice from live displays.
3. How much does it cost to eat seafood in Cox’s Bazar?
It is possible to eat seafood at a regular restaurant for between 400-800 taka per person. However, eating at a premium cafe or special platter can cost between 1,000 and 2,500 taka per person.
4. What kind of restaurant is good to go to with family in Cox’s Bazar?
To take your family, you should choose a place with spacious, airy spaces, good seating arrangements, and a clean environment, such as Salt Bistro, Palanki, or an honest family restaurant.
5. What should you keep in mind when eating seafood in Inani?
The number of restaurants in Inani is relatively limited, so it is necessary to keep in mind travel times and restaurant opening hours.
6. What should you check before going to a restaurant?
It’s wise to check the current food prices, service charges, restaurant cleanliness, and recent Google reviews.
Conclusion
Cox’s Bazar trip is enhanced by its delicious seafood. If you like premium ambiance and sea view, Mermaid Cafe or Palongki Inani; for modern fusion and western tastes, Salt Bistro & Cafe; and if you want sky-high thrills, Fly Dining, it can be a great choice. Choose the right place according to your preferences, budget, and location, and enjoy it safely and comfortably. Best Seafood Restaurants in Cox’s Bazar offer delicious food.
