Now that summer is winding down, you might be feeling a bit melancholy about not being able to enjoy all of the wonderful seafood you had at the shore this summer. Well, fear not! Our readers are coming to the rescue to tell you about their favorite seafood spots right here in the Northwest.

Wyndmoor’s biggest catch

Captain Andrew Peszka has been something of a local legend in the Chestnut Hill area for decades. He started as a forerunner of the locally sourced food trend, selling fresh local produce in Chestnut Hill. He proceeded to build that venture into the popular Top of the Hill market. When he stepped back from that business due to a family illness, it left a void in the community, which had come to rely on the market for high-quality seafood, meats and produce.

Four years later, in 2018, Captain Andy’s Market opened at the corner of Willow Grove and Traymore avenues, as one of the keystone businesses in the development of the Wyndmoor retail corridor. Local shoppers celebrated the return of the local market and, eight years later, Captain Andy continues to live up to his reputation, delivering quality products for foodies across the area.

“Captain Andy’s is the best place for fresh seafood in the area. They have a wide selection of all types of finny fish and shellfish. The staff is uniformly friendly and helpful, and the store also has a great selection of fresh meats, prepared foods, produce and specialty items. This place cannot be beat!”

— Marc from Lafayette Hill

“When I’m on the run, picking up one of Captain Andy’s prepared foods is my go-to option. The bisques and chowders never disappoint. Their shrimp salads are as good (if not better) than any I’ve had at the shore. Their garlic shrimp salad is a great addition to a pasta salad or as the topper for a plate of pasta for a quick scampi-style dinner.”

— Carol from Oreland

Craving a crab cake?

You may recognize the name Capt’n Chucky’s Crab Cake Company from one of their many locations throughout the tri-state area and thought, “Oh, that’s a chain store.” But it’s not. It’s not even a franchise. Capt’n Chucky’s locations, including the one located in the Flourtown Farmer’s Market at 1800 Bethlehem Pike, are all family-owned, independently-operated stores which are part of a network, which is also family-owned.

Despite its regional presence, Capt’n Chucky’s is hyper-local. Their seafood products are made fresh in their production facility, located about a half hour away from Flourtown. The group also partners with other local businesses, including Marchiano’s Bakery in Manayunk, for other products.

Their signature Smith Island Crab Cake follows a traditional recipe from Maryland’s eastern shore — the epicenter of the blue crab world. Once you have tried a real eastern shore crab cake, known for jumbo lump crab meat and no fillers, you’ll be hooked.

“Let me let you in on one of my favorite little local secrets. ... Hidden in plain sight, in the old Springfield Hotel building, is the Flourtown Farmers Market — and it’s one of those places you can easily drive right past without realizing what a gem it is. One of my favorite shops inside is Capt’n Chucky’s. If you love crab cakes, you really need to know about this place. They usually have five or six different varieties to choose from, and they are so good. And that’s just the beginning — there’s steamed shrimp, dinners, soups, side salads, pastas and all kinds of delicious crab appetizers. Oh, and while you’re there... grab some Stock’s Pound Cake. Trust me on this one. The market is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday starting at 8 a.m. so grab a friend, make a little trip of it, and go discover one of those local spots that makes you wonder, “How did I not know about this?”

— Trish from Glenside

The entrees

Many restaurants offer seafood dishes and some made a lasting impression on our citizen reviewers.

At Bar Lizette, the cozy bistro-style restaurant in the heart of Mt. Airy, the shellfish are simply allowed to shine (7132 Germantown Ave.).

“The moules at Bar Lizette are not to be overlooked by diners looking for classic French cuisine in Northwest Philly. Bar Lizette doesn’t overthink this classic dish — just steamed mussels, herb and garlic sauce, toasted baguette — but the results speak for themselves. Briny, savory and herbaceous, pair it with a glass of Bordeaux blanc for a taste of the French countryside on Germantown Avenue.”

— Baird from Mt. Airy

Another shellfish experience was reported by Robin from Chestnut Hill, who gave a thumbs up to the “Amazing oysters!” at Picnic. The restaurant vibe is an open community dining experience in a revitalized, historic former brewery location in the Fishtown/East Kensington section of the city (2124 Martha St).

A relative newcomer to the scene is MOMA Mediterranean Kitchen at 24 East Keswick Ave. in Glenside. Opened in 2024, MOMA Mediterranean is the latest in an evolution of eateries from the owner of Trattoria MOMA, an Italian restaurant in Mt. Airy. The Glenside restaurant presents a menu with a fusion of Italian, Spanish, Israeli, Greek and Albanian cuisines. And, of course, a common thread in the Mediterranean culinary experience is seafood.

“I’ve recently discovered MOMA Mediterranean Kitchen in Glenside, and I have to say, it’s become one of those places I’m excited to go to. The food is fresh, beautifully prepared and full of flavor. The atmosphere is welcoming, and the service makes you feel like a regular — even on your first visit. It’s a wonderful little BYOB that feels personal and unpretentious. If you love Mediterranean food, with a twist, I highly recommend giving MOMA a try. You may just find your new favorite neighborhood restaurant!”

— Cory from Plumsteadville

On a roll – literally

After a successful bid on Shark Tank, Cousins Maine Lobster has exploded from a single food truck to over 85 locations nationwide. Their food trucks can be found at local festivals. They just introduced lobster roll flights, with three varieties to sample, and from our past reviews, we know local foodies love flights!

“I was at Supper Sessions in Mt. Airy and asked someone what food trucks they would recommend. They said ‘If you like lobster, you have to try Cousins — long line but worth it.’ Well, I took their advice and I was so grateful for the tip. The lobster rolls were absolutely delicious! More than I expected from a food truck and highly recommended.”

— Rich from Germantown

Join our group of citizen reviewers and add your opinion to the conversation. Check this page each week for a new review topic. Next week’s article will feature the result of our pizza poll.