In New Jersey, Christmas Eve dinner often starts at the fish counter, not the kitchen. Families who keep the Feast of the Seven Fishes tradition know that the best shrimp, clams, scallops, and whole fish go fast once December hits.
The smart move is calling in your order early at a market that has been doing this for years. Here are six long-running seafood shops across the state where holiday orders stack up quickly, so you can plan ahead and skip the scramble.
1. Keyport Fishery, Keyport, NJ
Some families in Monmouth County treat a December trip to West Front Street as part of the holiday itself. Keyport Fishery is a storied waterfront market that has served the bayshore for generations.
Glass cases hold fresh fish, shrimp, and crab on ice for anyone cooking at home. If you would rather not fry anything yourself, the take-out side handles soups, sandwiches, platters, and fried fish by the pound.
Those Christmas Eve fish platters are the real draw here. Plenty of households order them every single year, which is exactly why calling ahead matters.
Plan around the schedule. The shop is closed Mondays, opens at 9 AM the rest of the week, and stays open until 8 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Weekend afternoons get busy, while weekday mornings are calmer.
Parking is easy, with a free lot plus street spots. There is no restroom and no delivery, so this is a pick up and go kind of stop.
Call 732-264-9723 to get your order in.
2. Pete’s Fish Market, Plainfield, NJ
Old school is the best way to describe this Plainfield favorite, and that is a compliment. Pete’s Fish Market on East 2nd Street is a long-standing shop that sells both fresh fish and cooked seafood dishes.
For Seven Fishes families, it covers a lot of ground. Lobster, shrimp, and clams are common holiday picks, and the staff will prepare whole fish the way you ask.
That custom service is why loyal customers keep coming back each December. When you can request a fish cleaned and cut exactly how your recipe needs it, the cooking on Christmas Eve gets a lot simpler.
The market opens at 9 AM daily and closes at 5 PM on Sundays. Friday afternoons and Saturdays fill up, so a Monday or early weekday visit is easier for placing orders.
Call 908-756-1656.
3. Peter’s Fish Market, Midland Park, NJ
Bergen County shoppers who need fish on a regular Tuesday and on Christmas Eve often head to the same place. Peter’s Fish Market in Midland Park is an established shop with a wide range of fresh fish, shellfish, and prepared foods.
Many households use it as a weekly stop all year. When December arrives, those same regulars put in their holiday orders, and some have been doing it for decades.
Here is a practical tip. Big holiday orders have a lot of parts, so check your bags before you leave the counter.
Hours start early at 8 AM. The shop is closed Sundays and stays open until 6 PM on Thursdays and Fridays.
A free parking lot makes the pickup easier. Call 201-444-3331.
4. Popular Seafood Market, Newark, NJ
Ferry Street is the heart of Newark’s Ironbound, one of the busiest food neighborhoods in the state. Popular Seafood Market sits right in the middle of it at 129 Ferry St.
The focus is simple: a fresh selection of fish and shellfish. No fancy extras, just the raw ingredients for a big holiday table.
Families have relied on this shop for their Christmas Eve feast for decades. That kind of loyalty means December gets crowded.
Early birds have an edge, since doors open at 7 AM Monday through Saturday. The market is closed Sundays, so do not count on a last-minute Sunday run.
Free street parking is available, and the phone number is 973-344-7939.
5. Jody & Jodee’s Fishery, Neptune City, NJ
Grab a crab cake sandwich while you are placing your holiday order. That combo is a big part of the appeal at Jody & Jodee’s Fishery on Route 35.
This family-owned Jersey Shore market sells fresh, locally sourced raw seafood along with prepared meals. It has been run by the same family across generations, and shore residents treat it as a dependable stop.
Each December, plenty of locals buy and pre-order their Christmas Eve seafood here. Getting your name on the list early is the safe play.
The shop is open every day from 9 AM, with later hours until 7 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Sunday afternoons and weekend evenings run busiest, while weekday mornings are quieter.
There is a free lot and street parking. Reach them at 732-775-2718.
6. Ahearn’s Seafood Market, Waretown, NJ
Scallop lovers in Ocean County know this address on Wells Mills Road. Ahearn’s Seafood Market is an established shop offering fresh daily catches, including scallops and lobster.
Holiday crowds show up here with big orders. Scallops, shrimp, and fresh fish are popular choices for Christmas Eve dinners in the Barnegat Bay area.
Because demand climbs fast, place your order ahead. Inspect your seafood at pickup so any questions get sorted out right away.
The market is closed Mondays, open 9 AM to 6 PM Tuesday through Saturday, and 9 AM to 5 PM on Sundays. Weekday mornings are the quiet window.
There is no restroom or delivery. Call 609-693-3486.
Whichever market is closest to you, the lesson is the same across the state. Call early, know the hours, and your Christmas Eve table will be ready.
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