Shore people know their seafood, so it says a lot when they point the car away from the ocean to buy it. Some of the best fish counters in New Jersey sit on highways, river roads, and busy downtown streets miles from any boardwalk.
These six markets stock everything from lobster tails and soft shell crabs to homemade crab cakes, chowders, and fish salads. If you cook seafood at home, or just want a better dinner than the usual tourist fare, this list is for you.
1. Woolley’s Fish Market and Seafood House, Howell Township, NJ
Route 9 is better known for traffic than for soft shell crabs, but Woolley’s makes a strong case for pulling over. The market sits at 655 US-9 in Howell, a straight shot inland from the Monmouth County beaches.
Shellfish is the big draw here. The cases usually carry clams, shrimp, scallops, and lobster, and the fresh fish and soft shells in season give home cooks plenty to work with.
Woolley’s also doubles as a casual eatery. Prepared dishes like crab cake sandwiches and soups mean you can grab lunch while your order gets wrapped.
Hours are generous, 9 AM to 7 PM every day of the week. Weekend afternoons and Friday evenings get busy, so a weekday morning is the calm window.
Parking is free in the lot and on the street.
2. River Road Clamhouse, Egg Harbor City, NJ
Clams come in sizes, and River Road Clamhouse takes that seriously. The market keeps a range of clam sizes on hand, so you can pick littlenecks for the grill or bigger ones for chowder.
Beyond the clam bins, the family-owned shop stocks fresh and frozen fish, crab, lobster tails, and shrimp. House crab cakes round things out for anyone who would rather skip the prep work.
The location is part of the charm. It sits at 2115 River Rd in Egg Harbor City, well inland from the Atlantic City casinos and beaches, which makes it an easy stop on a back-road route home.
A few practical notes help here. There is no restroom, Sunday hours run only 11 AM to 4 PM, and Friday and Saturday afternoons draw the biggest crowds.
Monday morning is the quietest time to shop.
3. Medford Seafood Market, Medford, NJ
A seafood shop that does not smell like a seafood shop is rare, and Medford Seafood Market is known for exactly that kind of tidiness. The store is clean and attractive, with friendly staff behind the counter.
The fish selection is wide, but the prepared items are where many shoppers fill their bags. Breaded oysters, crab cakes, clams, and soups make it easy to put a seafood dinner together with very little effort.
The market sits at 560 Stokes Rd in Medford, on the edge of the Pinelands in Burlington County. I like this one for anyone heading home from the shore toward the Philadelphia suburbs.
Plan around the schedule. It is closed Mondays, opens at 10:30 AM Tuesday through Saturday, and keeps shorter Sunday hours from 11:30 AM to 4 PM.
4. Nassau Street Seafood & Produce Co., Princeton, NJ
Princeton gets plenty of attention for its campus, yet this Nassau Street market quietly feeds a lot of the town. It works as both a sustainable seafood counter and a lunch spot known for its sandwiches.
The fish case covers familiar favorites like salmon and scallops, along with less common picks such as Portuguese sardines. That mix makes it a fun place to try something new for dinner.
Since produce is part of the name, you can grab more than just the main course in one stop.
The shop opens early, at 8 AM Monday through Saturday and 9 AM on Sunday. There is a free parking lot, which counts for a lot on Nassau Street.
Tuesday and Thursday midday tend to be busiest, while Saturday evening is the calmest.
5. Pete’s Fish Market, Plainfield, NJ
Holiday seafood orders are a tradition in a lot of New Jersey homes, and Pete’s Fish Market in Plainfield is a long-standing name for that job. Lobster, shrimp, and clams are steady sellers, especially when the family is coming over.
The crabs are meaty and the clams are on the sweet side. When crayfish are in season, they show up here too, which is not something every market carries.
Prepared seafood dishes are also available for nights when cooking is off the table.
You will find Pete’s at 205 E 2nd St, open daily from 9 AM, with Friday hours stretching to 6:30 PM. Friday afternoon is the rush.
There is no restroom, so plan a quick in-and-out trip.
6. Freeman’s Fish Market, Maplewood, NJ
Homemade poke at home starts with good fish, and Freeman’s stocks sushi-grade salmon and tuna for exactly that. It is a favorite counter for cooks who want quality raw fish without leaving Essex County.
The fresh fish selection is extensive. Clams, oysters, scallops, and shrimp fill out the case.
Then there are the prepared foods. House fish salads, including tuna, shrimp, and lobster, sit alongside crab cakes and seasonal clam chowders, which makes lunch an easy decision.
Freeman’s is at 155 Maplewood Ave in the town center and is open 8 AM to 7 PM Monday through Saturday, plus 10 AM to 6 PM Sunday. Delivery is offered, a rare perk on this list.
Evenings are the quietest time to stop in.
From Howell to Maplewood, these markets prove the coast does not have a monopoly on great seafood. Save the list for your next fish dinner.
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