There’s nothing like the smell of salt air and the sound of waves to make me hungry. Last spring, I set off on a mission to chase the USA’s coastlines, hunting for the freshest seafood and the towns that serve it best. From rocky cliffs to sandy dunes, these shores delivered plates I’ll never forget—and a few sunburns to match. This wasn’t just a food trip; it was a love letter to the ocean’s edge. Here’s my coastal food journey—grab a bib and come along.
USA Travel Food: Seafood Worth the Trip
The ocean’s bounty is unreal, and these dishes proved it. I didn’t just eat—I savored every bite like it was a gift from the sea:
- Maine Lobster Rolls: Red’s Eats in Wiscasset piled a toasted bun with chilled lobster meat—no mayo overload, just butter and a sprinkle of salt. It was sweet, succulent, and spilling over the edges.
- Gulf Shrimp: The Hangout in Gulf Shores, Alabama, dumped a steaming pile of spicy boiled shrimp on my table. Peeling them was a sticky, joyful mess—cayenne heat, briny goodness, perfection.
- Oregon Clams: I dug razor clams at Netarts Bay myself, then fried them up at a roadside stand—crisp, tender, with a squeeze of lemon. They tasted like the wild Pacific.
- Extras That Stuck: Maine’s oysters at Eventide—icy, briny, with a kick of mignonette. Gulf Coast crab claws—sweet meat, garlic butter. Oregon’s Dungeness chowder—creamy, chunky, soul-warming.
City Stops: Where the Coast Meets the Plate
Maine’s Portland was my first love. It’s a working waterfront town, lobster boats bobbing, gulls screaming overhead. I walked Commercial Street, dodging fish crates, and slid into Eventide Oyster Co. for those oysters. The bartender shucked them fresh, and I slurped them down with a local IPA, the harbor glinting outside. I stayed a few days, renting a bike to pedal the Eastern Promenade—wind in my hair, salt on my lips—before grabbing a lobster roll that made me question every sandwich I’d ever eaten.
Gulf Shores, Alabama, was next—a sun-soaked contrast. It’s all flip-flops, beach bars, and sand between your toes. The Hangout was my shrimp spot; I ate on a picnic table, watching pelicans dive, kids building castles nearby. I wandered the beach after, collecting shells and burning my shoulders, then hit LuLu’s for a crab melt—gooey, rich, with a sunset view. It’s a loud, lazy kind of place, and I soaked it up.
Cannon Beach, Oregon, was wilder, moodier. Haystack Rock loomed like a sentinel as I slurped clam chowder at Mo’s—big chunks, steaming bowl, ocean roaring outside. I’d dug those Netarts clams the day before, knee-deep in muck with a local guide who laughed at my rookie shovel skills. The town’s artsy—galleries, driftwood sculptures—and I spent an afternoon beachcombing, finding agates as the tide crept in. It’s raw and quiet, the kind of coast that makes you feel small.
The Coastal Vibe
Each spot had its own rhythm, and I fell into it. In Portland, I hiked to Portland Head Light, fog curling around the lighthouse, then warmed up with chowder at a diner where the waitress called me “hon.” Gulf Shores was a party—live music at The Hangout, neon lights, and a guy playing guitar on the pier. I danced barefoot, shrimp-stuffed and happy. Oregon’s coast was introspective; I walked Ecola State Park’s cliffs, waves crashing below, then sat by a fire pit at my campsite, clams sizzling in a pan. The food tied it all together—fresh, honest, straight from the water.
Tips for Coastal Foodies
If you’re chasing seafood too, here’s what I learned:
- Timing’s Key: Summer for Gulf warmth, fall for Maine’s quiet, spring for Oregon’s green.
- Gear Up: Waterproof shoes for clam digging, sunscreen for the Gulf, a jacket for Maine’s chill.
- Cash Handy: Roadside stands love it—$20 got me clams and a story.
- Ask Around: Locals know the freshest catches—Gulf fishermen tipped me to LuLu’s.
Why the Coast Calls
This trip was about more than seafood—it was the freedom of the shore, the taste of salt on everything, the way each town felt tied to the water. Maine’s rugged charm, Alabama’s lazy heat, Oregon’s wild edge—they fed my cravings and my wanderlust. Whether you’re a lobster fiend or a shrimp addict, the USA’s coasts have you covered. Pack your appetite, leave room for seconds, and go.
