If you’re looking for fresh, local seafood, Saltbox Seafood Joint is where it’s at. Chef Ricky Moore was inspired by classic seafood shacks you find dotted along the coast. Moore’s passion for food comes through with each bite, and that’s why he is a James Beard Best Chef: Southeast Award winner.
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Hours:
Monday: Closed 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 – 8:00 PM Saturday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM Sunday: Closed
I have been in town three weeks and I hate that I just found out about this amazing place on my last night in town. The customer service was amazing and knowledgable young man at the register was a delight. The catfish, crab cakes, shrimp, and oysters were amazing. But what stuck with me was the potatoes. I am glad I went here last night with some friends and will definitely be coming back in a few weeks.
Karen Keys
Jul 22, 2025
5
The BEAUTIFULLY seasoned and cooked fried potato side was worth the price of admission! They weren’t just salted but SEASONED! The cole slaw and collard greens tasted like a person actually cooked them. No typical “straight out the can” predictably (non) flavored side dishes. My tongue was happy. But the catfish! THANK YOU, Chef Ricky and crew. When fish tastes good even without hot sauce, that’s GOOD!
Andrew Rubley
Jul 13, 2025
5
Our friends took us here on Friday and it was beyond anything I had imagined. As soon as you park, you get the smell of fresh seafood, like you have arrived at the local beach.
The building is small, shack like. When we opened the doors, there was a line and limited seating. The crowd was lively and full of locals acting like they didn’t want their secret to get out.
They have a chalkboard menu that changes daily to reflect the local catch from the North Carolina waters. Food includes: shrimp, muscles, flounder, grouper, mahi, soft shell crab, oysters and catfish.
I ordered the spicy mahi roll and it was amazing: from the Aroma, taste, crunch from the coleslaw. It perfectly hit the spot.
Chef Ricky Moore opened this spot in 2012. He graduated CIA school and was also a cook in the army. This place has been featured in Southern Living Magazine and won a James Beard award in 2022.
DO NOT MISS THIS SPOT NEXT TIME YOU ARE IN DURHAM!
David Danner
Jun 28, 2025
5
A piece of the ocean in the middle of Durham!
What a treat to have fresh seafood made to order in this restaurant. Counter service ordering, then sit inside or out.
The portions at lunch were plentiful, filling the paper take out boxes that all customers get, as well as our appetites.
Renee Tomcsi
Jun 23, 2025
5
Fish and shrimp were fried and seasoned to perfection. The Hush Honeys were the lightest and the best tasting I have ever had. Every single restaurant should cut their fries like they do. Beyond amazing food, the service was also on point. Will be back to try everything on the menu!
David Luhr
Jun 11, 2025
3
My wife and I ate here at lunch hour on a Tuesday. She had flounder plate and I had scallops plate. We could tell that the fish was quality and fresh, and that this was the reason for the high prices.
But, their execution was not up to par, which hurt the quality of the lunch. The fried food tasted a little greasy (maybe the frying oil wasn’t hot enough?) and we both felt it in our guts later in the afternoon. The slaw was not “tangy” as advertised, because someone put the oil in the dressing but forgot to add the vinegar! So we both put the slaw in the trash. Looks like they need someone checking quality!
And then, they tack on a 4% “S fee” (see picture) without telling you. What is that???
Ashieana Worley
Jun 8, 2025
5
This place is an indefinite 10 in my book. The customer service was great, the cashier, Tavion, made some great recommendations and was super personable and polite. Based on Customer Service alone, I would have come back. I happen to see this restaurant on a TikTok video and decided to try it out with my son after a track meet we were at got rained out. We got the catfish, the fried shrimp, the crispy potatoes, the honey hush puppies, and the collard greens. Everything was delicious. The catfish was delicate and flavorful, the shrimp were crispy and juicy, the honey hush puppies were the perfect combination of sweet and savory, the crispy potatoes were delicious, and I loved the peppers and onions in them, the tartar sauce, and the cocktail sauce were not your run of the mill versions and we’re so flavorful and delicious, and the greens were a home run. The aesthetic for the restaurant was very on team for the type of food they served and it was super clean inside and had a good size parking lot. When we came in there was no wait but quickly thereafter the line piled up and I can see why. If I had to give any criticism I would say I wasn’t a fan of the sweet tea, but wasn’t a big deal for me at all because I was able to grab a fountain drink instead so honestly not an issue for me at all. I’ve already recommended this place to several people and it’s only been about four hours since us being there. The next time we are in Durham, we will definitely be making another stop to try some other menu items and I can’t wait! I really want to thank this restaurant for such great food and service. I feel like the combination is that times a rarity when eating out so it was much appreciated.
Manisit Das
May 25, 2025
5
I have been going to this place for years now (just realized I have never reviewed it on Google)! The best place to find seafood in the Triangle, and if you enjoy good seafood you must try this James Bear Award winning chef Ricky Moore’s food! Their sweet tea is great too!
Nikhila Doyle
May 7, 2025
5
The oysters were delicious and they loaded up my roll! Next time I would probably get a platter instead of a roll though, the bread got a little soggy and wasn't really necessary to enjoy the oysters
Liz Templeton
Apr 28, 2025
5
Absolutely delicious stop for a hearty portion! We loved the mahi, scallops, and especially the hush honeys!
Beautiful patio space and plenty of seating indoors. Clean bathrooms with changing tables for mommas!
Anna
Apr 16, 2025
5
Fresh, seasoned just right all three meals are served with thin fried potatoes, peppers, onions and vinegar based coleslaw.
Sherry Dillahunt
Apr 16, 2025
5
Excellent food! Excellent service! The word restaurant decor, very attractive! Hate that we missed meeting our native New Bernian.
allymc
Mar 25, 2025
5
Listen, if you're looking for seafood that feeds the soul, this is your place. I always get the catfish roll, when it's in rotation. The tarter sauce is HOMEMADE! The hush honeys are a blessing! The coleslaw is fresh and tangy. And it never disappoints. My parents tried the flounder for the first time, and raved all night long. They were in love with the fried potatoes..Words can't do the flavors justice. Go and see for yourself! Everything is made to order so plan to arrive accordingly. And the customer service is in point. Big Shout out to the young man with locks at the register. So kind and hospitable.
T Stone
Jan 8, 2025
5
Whenever I get a chance to satisfy my NEED for some fresh NC Seafood when in Durham, this is my go-to. Fresh, made to order, locally sourced from the NC Coast seafood. I especially love the oysters or bay scallops. A generous portion every time to match the made to order Price. I LOVE the 'lemony coleslaw' - it's just the perfect side to cut through the richness of fried food. The tartar sauce, cocktail sauce and I think she said honey mustard were all tasty and fresh. Usually go with the fresh fried potatoes but occasionally get the collards or cauliflower. EVERYTHING is just a notch above plain old seafood.
Andrew
Nov 19, 2024
5
Some of the best fish I've ever had... Came with a really good amount of meat, but the side is a little small given it was a $2 upcharge. Was about $30 - little steep.
Marlohe Muse
Sep 10, 2024
5
This is one of those places that there should be a line out the door. The food is amazing. What I love about it is a gentleman who owns it has his own fishing fleet so the menu changes seasonally just like the fishes do. We eat our fish grilled for health and flavor. I had the sea trout and it was incredible. Brian had the flounder. I normally do not like flounder but this flounder was incredible. They have collard greens. I appreciate the music. Fun but not too loud. We will be back. Really enjoyed this place. Highly recommend!
Callie Williams
Sep 3, 2024
4
Saltbox has always had a towering reputation so I expected a lot, and for the most part, they delivered! The catfish was well spiced/cooked, and I’m not sure what they put on the hush puppies but they were 10/10. My main gripe is that it is very expensive for an extremely casual eatery. I can understand seafood being naturally more expensive and inflation etc, but charging $2 for a little plastic cup of water seems a smidge excessive
