There is a moment at J&J Seafood Bar and Grill when the outside Atlantic Avenue bustle fades, and all that matters is the shimmer of oysters on ice and the clink of wine glasses at the bar.
Locals know that first forkful of “just out of the ocean” seafood can turn an ordinary Tuesday into a little coastal holiday while enjoying fresh oysters, seafood pastas, stuffed lobster, and more at this intimate Delray Beach spot. 🦪🌴
How J&J Seafood Bar and Grill won Delray Beach’s hearts
J&J didn’t become a Delray Beach favorite by trying to be the flashiest spot on Atlantic Avenue. It won loyal fans by acting like a neighborhood seafood clubhouse with great skills in the kitchen.
Regulars rave that the menu reads like a love letter to the ocean—brimming with a raw bar, daily fish, and seafood-forward specials—yet the room itself feels unpretentious, cozy, and genuinely welcoming, more like a local bistro than a scene. 💙🐟
Diners point to dishes like the rich swordfish special, whole fish, and tower-style platters as proof that the team in the back knows exactly how to treat top-quality seafood, balancing buttery sauces, bright citrus, and thoughtful spice in ways that keep plates wiped clean.
J&J’s reputation as a true Delray Beach gem is also built on consistency: visitors mention returning year after year to find familiar faces behind the bar, a stable core menu, and nightly specials.
That blend of comfort and quality food has turned this small spot into one of the most recommended restaurants in the area, frequently landing it high on lists of must-try Delray Beach seafood stops. 🍷🦐
J&J has also leaned into its role as a cozy date-night and celebration spot, with locals calling out anniversary dinners, birthday toasts, and “first night in town” meals that turned into traditions.
When a restaurant earns that much emotional real estate—becoming the backdrop for so many milestones—it tends to live rent-free in the hearts (and cravings) of locals for a very long time. ✨
Food Highlights
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Fruits of the Sea: This showstopper pasta dish combines lobster tail, clams, shrimp, mussels, and scallops over linguini in a vibrant lemon-rose sauce. Guests praise it for its perfectly cooked seafood and a sauce that’s indulgent yet bright enough to keep every bite craveable. 🍋🍤
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Pan-Seared Fish over Champagne Risotto: A standout entrée, this dish features delicately seared fish atop creamy Champagne-infused risotto, often cited for its elegance and depth of flavor.
Diners call it a restaurant highlight thanks to the contrast of crisp-edged fish and silky, aromatic risotto, making it a date-night favorite for those who like their seafood refined but not pretentious. 🥂🐟
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J & J Tower: A favorite for sharing, the J & J Tower loads the table with a chilled bounty from the raw bar—think oysters, clams, shrimp, and other rotating seafood treasures.
It’s beloved for turning dinner into an event-worthy feast, ideal for groups or couples who want to sample the breadth of J&J’s raw-bar strengths in one dramatic presentation. 🦪
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Shrimp Scampi: A menu mainstay, the shrimp scampi comes with plump shrimp tossed in garlicky, buttery sauce, often served over pasta or paired with crusty bread.
Guests highlight it as a perfectly balanced scampi—bright, garlicky, and aromatic—that feels both familiar and elevated, ideal for those craving a timeless seafood favorite done right.
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Seafood Mac: Not your average comfort-food side, this dish folds tender seafood into a creamy, cheesy pasta base that regulars call “heaven on a plate.”
Fans love the luxurious blend of rich cheese and briny seafood, making it a go-to for those who want something indulgent and memorable that still feels like classic comfort food with a coastal twist. 🧀🌊
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Seafood Trio: This combo plate typically offers a rotation of three different seafood preparations, giving diners a chance to taste multiple specialties in one order.
It’s a popular pick for first-time visitors and indecisive seafood lovers, who appreciate being able to sample several house favorites instead of committing to just one main course.
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Pan-Seared Snapper / Yellowtail Snapper: These snapper dishes show off the kitchen’s skill with whole or filleted fish, cooked to achieve crisp skin and moist interior.
They’re praised as go-to choices for fresh, simply prepared fish, letting the natural sweetness of the snapper shine with subtle sauces and light sides that don’t distract from the main event.
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Fried Calamari & Baked Oysters: Calamari arrives lightly fried and tender, while the baked oysters deliver rich, briny bites under bubbly toppings.
Together, they’re beloved as shareable bar bites that pair perfectly with a cold beer or crisp white wine and set up the rest of the meal with a satisfying crunch and coastal flair.
Atmosphere
The atmosphere at J&J Seafood Bar and Grill feels like a compact, lively bistro tucked along Atlantic Avenue, with an inviting raw bar, close-set tables, and a gentle hum of conversation and clinking glasses.
It’s intimate without feeling cramped, making it ideal for date nights, relaxed celebrations, or catching up with friends over oysters and wine. 🍷
Service is often described as attentive and friendly, with staff who guide guests through the menu and daily specials, adding to the sense of being in capable, welcoming hands.
Overall, it offers a laid-back, slightly upscale coastal vibe where the focus stays firmly on fresh seafood, good company, and unhurried meals.
Bottom Line
J&J Seafood Bar and Grill is Delray Beach’s low-key seafood powerhouse, perfect for raw-bar fans, pasta lovers, and whole-fish devotees alike.
Visit for ultra-fresh seafood, intimate bistro vibes, and dishes like Fruits of the Sea and seafood mac that keep locals coming back, year after year. 🦪🍤
Address:
634 E Atlantic Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33483
📞 (561) 272-3390
🕔 Tue–Thu 11:00 AM–3:00 PM, 4:30–9:00 PM; Fri 11:00 AM–3:00 PM, 4:30–10:00 PM; Sat 11:30 AM–3:00 PM, 4:30–10:00 PM; Sun–Mon closed