Sea Market: Specialty seafood market in Destin with fresh catches and prepared seafood
Overview of Sea Market
Sea Market is a specialty food shop located at 16055 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Ste 109 in Destin, United States. As a seafood market in Destin, it focuses on fresh-caught fish, shellfish and prepared seafood options, and is especially known for its seafood boils and made-to-order steaming. Sea Market is ideal for visitors and locals seeking high-quality seafood to take home, a ready-to-eat seafood feast for road trips or beach picnics, and for groups looking for catering-style orders. The shop is a good option for anyone searching for the best seafood market in Destin or specialty food near Emerald Coast Pkwy.
What Sea Market offers
Sea Market centers its offer on fresh seafood selections and thoughtful, hands-on service. The owners and staff prepare a wide range of items such as shrimp, crab, mussels, scallops, oysters and live crayfish. Beyond raw product, Sea Market provides prepared options including seafood boils with corn, sausage and potatoes, steamed seafood and vegetables, and house specialties like crab cakes. Meats such as ribeye steaks and Berkshire pork chops also appear among the available choices, making the shop a versatile specialty food destination.
Practical services include on-site steaming and reheating, careful packing for travel (customers have reported successful long drives home with hot, well-packed orders), and customized seasoning or sauce choices—John’s Cajun seasoning and Araya’s homemade sauce are frequent favorites. For those arranging larger gatherings, Sea Market accepts group orders and can prepare quantities suitable for events; customers have reported ordering seafood for groups of 40 with excellent results.
For transactional needs the market accommodates requests to book seafood boils in Destin, check prices for seafood in Destin, and find deals on seafood in Destin. Customers can also inquire about seafood market near Emerald Coast Pkwy options when planning pick-up or catering.
Menu and specialties
Sea Market’s selection can be described as a mix of fresh market catch and chef-driven prepared items. Typical categories include:
- Fresh seafood: shrimp (including large, non-mushy varieties), scallops, mussels, oysters, and an assortment of fish selected daily.
- Live options: live crayfish for customers who prefer to cook at home or enjoy a boil.
- Prepared and heated items: boiled crawfish, seafood boils with corn, sausage and potatoes, steamed seafood and vegetables finished with butter.
- House specialties: handcrafted crab cakes, signature sauces and seasonings (notably John’s Cajun and Araya’s sauce), and well-regarded steak and pork chops when available.
Sea Market serves a range of customers including families, beachgoers, and visitors seeking a quick, high-quality seafood meal. Popular choices include the seafood boils in Destin, fresh oysters, and their take-home crab cakes. The shop also accommodates special requests and can steam food to order, making it easy to book seafood boils in Destin for pickup.
Customer experience — what visitors say
Reviews consistently highlight the freshness of the seafood, the welcoming attitude of the owners (John and Araya), and the value for money. Customers praise Sea Market for the quality of the catch—many items are described as tasting like they were caught the same morning—and for the friendly, personalized service where staff remember regulars and take time to explain options. Multiple reports note that orders are steamed to perfection and packed carefully for travel, including long drives.
Positive themes include generous portions, expert seasoning choices, and a clean, odor-free shop environment. Several reviewers emphasize that the owners go beyond simple transactions by offering samples, sauces, and cooking advice. The market’s crab cakes, live crayfish and large shrimp receive particular acclaim.
On the critical side, a few visitors mentioned that the shop can be busy and that wait times may occur, especially when potatoes or other sides need extra cooking time. One account described a slightly longer wait while potatoes finished cooking, but noted that the final product was hot and delicious. Overall the criticisms are minor and balanced by frequent remarks about patience and attentiveness from staff.
Practical tips for visitors
Sea Market’s hours are Monday through Saturday 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Sunday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, which makes it convenient for morning shopping or late-afternoon pick-up. Because the shop is popular, it is advisable to call ahead for specialty items, live crayfish, or larger catering orders. For boiled crawfish and seafood boils it is helpful to book seafood boils in Destin or call to confirm availability and expected pick-up times.
Customers traveling with hot food should request careful packing for travel—this is a service Sea Market regularly provides for long drives. The shop works well for families and groups, and it is suitable for beach picnics, vacation rental meals or event catering. Expect friendly, patient interactions with staff who are happy to explain fish varieties and seasoning choices. For the best selection, visiting earlier in the day may offer the most options from the daily catch.
Summary of opinions
- Excellent seafood quality and freshness, with consistent praise for shrimp, scallops and oysters.
- Warm, personable service from owners and staff who provide cooking tips, sauces and steaming on request.
- Great value for money and well-packed orders for travel; frequently recommended for both locals and tourists.
- Neutral: Popularity can lead to short waits, especially when sides need extra cooking time, but the final product is usually worth waiting for.
- Neutral: Limited space means active engagement at the counter; customers should be prepared to ask questions and take their time selecting.
Frequently asked questions and how to choose specialty food in Destin
Common questions revolve around price, preparation time and suitability for groups. Approximate expectations: customers can compare seafood market in Destin options by checking freshness and service like steaming for pick-up. For those wondering where to find the best seafood market in Destin, Sea Market is frequently recommended for freshness and friendly service. Visitors looking for seafood boils in Destin or boiled crawfish in Destin should consider calling ahead to reserve or confirm estimated pick-up times.
People searching for fresh shrimp in Destin or crab cakes in Destin will find Sea Market’s offerings competitive in quality and price. For larger gatherings, queries like seafood for catering in Destin and seafood market near Emerald Coast Pkwy are relevant: Sea Market accepts group orders and can prepare quantities suitable for events when arranged in advance. Those comparing seafood market in Destin choices should prioritize freshness, the availability of steaming and packing for travel, and staff knowledge—areas where Sea Market consistently receives strong feedback.
In short, for anyone searching for a reliable specialty food in Destin option that combines fresh seafood, prepared meals and personalized service, Sea Market is a top choice. Call ahead for large orders, special items or to confirm the timing for popular dishes like crawfish boils and crab cakes.