Located inside the Durham Food Hall, the ready-to-eat menu highlights fresh seafood items like oysters, shrimp rolls, tuna melts, Calabash baskets and much more. With markets across the Triangle area, the Durham location is considered to be their restaurant -- while also a place for folks to pick up fresh fish to make at home. Ask the nice people behind the counter for advice on how to best prepare their offerings as well as details on how they celebrate the heritage of our bountiful coastline.
Share
Hours:
Monday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
A Hidden Gem Inside Durham Food Hall
What a surprise! We came for the seafood and had no idea Locals Seafood was tucked inside a full-blown food hall. with so many other delicious distractions (crunch wraps, Boba, curry-spiced Indian wraps, chili chicken wontons… we got a little carried away). But trust us, Locals Seafood is a star not to be missed.
The tuna melt was outstanding. They smoke it in-house, layering with banana peppers and pickled onions, and perfectly pressed. Add a side of waffle fries (my personal fave) and you’re golden. The fresh oysters were amazing too. Super briny and fresh (though here’s hoping oyster prices drop one day… we can dream). The coleslaw was crisp and lightly dressed, just right.
Prices were fair, portions generous, and the team at Locals couldn’t have been friendlier - cheery, helpful, and clearly passionate about what they serve.
Bonus: we wandered over to the Saturday farmers market just a block away for lemonade, live music, and more good vibes. An unexpectedly perfect weekend food adventure. Don’t skip it
Adolfo Lambert
May 25, 2025
5
We had the best 🦪 oysters that we ever had, this establishment gets fresh oysters every Week
My wife and I had a variety of the oysters that they are delicious, we also share their grilled fish and it was delicious, it comes either fries and a choice of shrimp. The staff is very friendly and efficient
Sascha
Apr 25, 2025
5
Superb soft shell crab sandwich, oysters, and roasted clams with ramps. All fresh and alive seconds before eating (and got to watch the transition). Nice guys prepping. Delicious.
Madeline German
Mar 22, 2025
5
10/10 no notes, but I'll add some because it's a review. These may be share plates, but it was hard to share, because they were insanely delicious. So fresh and flawless. You need to check this place out the next time you're in the area.
Caitlin Barrett
Jan 10, 2025
5
I always have the best experience here, Whether I’m grabbing a bite to eat or picking up something to cook at home. I usually call ahead to see what they have in stock and everyone is so helpful and friendly. I consistently show up with no idea what I’m doing or how much of something I need to feed my guests, and they always have great suggestions And I leave with exactly what I need. I can’t say enough great things about the Durham crew.
Polina Vee
Jan 5, 2025
5
Love this restaurant! It’s one of my favorites in the area. The food is always fresh and perfectly cooked, and the staff is so nice and friendly!
R H
Nov 4, 2024
5
Visited for the 1st this weekend and purchased catfish and head-on brown shrimp. Both were excellent! The 2 men in the market were really knowledgeable and patient. Gave us recipes and discussed the difference between red and black drum (and their favorite grilling recipes). Reasonable prices. Can’t wait to return!
Camille Obalola
Oct 8, 2024
5
I have purposely waited to share this review. Just as I paused and reflected after every bite I have been in reflection since I ate the tuna melt and smoked fish dip and crackers at the locals.
I'm a vegetarian who on occasion will eat fish due to the underwhelming options as a vegetarian that may exist on any particular menu. I have never preferred to eat fish over a well-prepared vegetarian option.
Fish was always a backup plan sometimes a hail Mary so that at least I could stomach my meal while others thoroughly enjoyed theirs. So when I saw Locals seafood and market in the Durham food Hall I took my time and ordering something that I thought would be simple and uncomplicated, palatable. As a vegetarian occasional pescatarian I've had plenty of tuna melts and tuna salad sandwiches in my life because it was the only option for a somewhat prepared dish that wasn't raw vegetables or raw roughage.
So when I took that first bite of the Locals' tuna melt, I was so shocked, that for the first time in a long time I had no words to describe what I was experiencing I chewed that first bite and evaluated my palate and had a very deep and emotional moment with myself with one question. Have I ever actually eaten a tuna melt before or had I been eating adulterated shredded paper.
The first word that came out of my mouth after 3 minutes of silence was refreshing the next word was clean. Even the Swiss cheese was subtle but clear.
I thought to myself if I had a complaint it would be that the bread might be too thick. That was a baseless assumption, because when I took that first bite the ratio of bread was actually perfect. The manner in which the bread was toasted allowed for it to be the vessel of transport but as soon as you begin to chew it gave way to the surprising fullness and freshness of the tuna.
I still don't quite have words or clear enough words to describe that sandwich. But I do have the words to describe the joy that I felt. I was literally dancing in my chair. If you have children you can remember or you can currently observe that when they have a food that just delights them their bodies starts to move and it is lead by their tummy they first begin to sway back and forth from their midsection and soon enough this sway or movement moves all the way down to their toes you can see the elation through their whole body. That's what happened to me a grown woman sitting at a table covered in meals. And I began to have my happy tummy dance. As you move through life as you near the closing chapters there's not many things that can surprise you or delight to you and that's what the Locals Seafood and Market did they surprised and delighted me.
And yes I will also mention the smoked fish dip and saltine crackers. Such a simple appetizer but it really made me question just as the tuna melt, have I ever had smoked fish dip and crackers. I can answer that definitively now I have. And I thoroughly enjoyed them at the Locals
Aaron Weber
Sep 24, 2024
4
A little pricey for lunch but the quality and quantity of food you get is great! I had a grilled flounder sandwich that was fantastic. I would definitely go back!
