10 Seafood Spots in Da Nang Where Locals Actually Eat

Da Nang and “Secret” Seafood Spots Locals Don’t Want You to Know

There’s a truth that any Da Nang local will admit: the best seafood restaurants in this city are never on the official tourist map. They are found in winding alleys near My Khe beach, under dilapidated tin roofs in Hoa Khanh market, or on plastic tables set right by the water’s edge at Tho Quang fishing port — where fish, just landed at 4 AM, are cleaned and sold by 6 AM. As someone born and raised in Da Nang, I’ve spent over 10 years “exploring” the culinary nooks and crannies of this city. And today, I’m going to break the “unwritten rule” of the locals — sharing with you the top 10 delicious and affordable seafood restaurants in Da Nang that we frequent, along with “insider” tips to help you eat the right dishes, at the right price, at the right time.

Why is Da Nang Seafood Completely Different from Elsewhere?

Before diving into the specific list, I want to explain something many tourists often overlook: Da Nang’s seafood is delicious not by chance, but because of its geography.

The city is located right next to the East Sea with fishing grounds stretching from Da Nang Bay down to the Son Tra Peninsula. Tho Quang fishing port — one of the largest in Central Vietnam — receives tens of tons of seafood daily from offshore fishing vessels. This means: the fish, shrimp, squid, and crab you eat in Da Nang are usually less than 12 hours from the sea. This is something not every coastal city can boast.

Furthermore, Da Nang locals have very “strict” palates. They don’t accept stale seafood, they don’t accept spices that overpower the freshness of the ingredients, and especially, they don’t accept “unfair pricing” prices — because they know exactly what the real price is at the wholesale market. This strictness has created an extremely high-quality and competitive seafood culinary ecosystem.

[!NOTE] Locals in Da Nang have a saying: “A restaurant with many motorcycles with license plates starting with 43 is a good one.” License plate 43 belongs to locals — it’s the most reliable sign you won’t find on any review app.

Top 10 Delicious and Affordable Seafood Restaurants Locals in Da Nang Frequent

1. Ba Than’s Restaurant — The “Legend” of Tho Quang Fishing Port

If you can only have one seafood meal in Da Nang, come here.

Ba Than’s Restaurant is located right next to the entrance of Tho Quang fishing port, has been around for over 30 years, and has never needed a fancy sign. The owner — a woman in her 60s with hands calloused from decades of handling fish — started the restaurant when the port wasn’t even expanded. The special point: all ingredients are sourced directly from boats that docked early in the morning, without intermediaries, without cold storage.

Must-order dishes:

• Steamed Grouper with Ginger and Scallions: The grouper here is large, with firm, naturally sweet flesh. Ba Than has a secret to steaming at the right temperature so the fish doesn’t dry out, and the steaming liquid permeates every fiber of the meat.
• Salt and Chili Fried Mud Crab: Da Nang’s green mud crabs have thin shells, plenty of roe, and are fried with salt and chili in the Central Vietnamese style — spicy but not overpowering the sweetness of the crab.
• Grilled Lobster with Cheese (if you want to “splurge”): The price is 30-40% cheaper than restaurants on Pham Van Dong street.

Estimated Price: 150,000 – 480.000đ (≈$19)/person depending on dishes. Address: Tho Quang fishing port area, Son Tra District. Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM (but arrive before 11:30 AM for the freshest items).

2. Co Lien’s Grilled Squid Restaurant — Chuyên Gia Mực Một Nắng

Da Nang locals clearly distinguish between “fresh squid” and “sun-dried squid.” Sun-dried squid — meaning squid dried under the sea sun for about 4-6 hours — has a completely different chewy texture, sweetness, and rich flavor. And Cô Liên is the best sun-dried squid maker I’ve ever known.

The eatery is located on Ngo Quyen Street, near My Khe Beach. Cô Liên personally dries the squid every morning on her rooftop, without using industrial dryers. When grilling, she uses charcoal instead of a gas stove — the smoky aroma blends with the squid, creating a flavor that cannot be replicated by any modern equipment.

Must-order dishes:

• Charcoal-grilled sun-dried squid: Dip it with her homemade green chili sauce — this is her secret recipe, not sold separately.
• Stir-fried “jumping” squid with sa tế: Fresh squid cleaned on the spot, stir-fried with Da Nang-style sa tế — mildly spicy, fragrant with lemongrass.
• Grilled octopus with scallion oil: Few places make this dish as well as Cô Liên.

Reference prices: 80,000 – 300.000đ (≈$12)/dish. Address: Ngo Quyen Street, Son Tra District.

[!TIP] Call ahead to reserve if you’re visiting on the weekend. The eatery only has about 8-10 tables and often runs out of sun-dried squid before 8:00 PM.

3. Bai But Seafood — The Secret of Son Tra Peninsula

This is a name that even many Da Nang residents don’t know, as the eatery is located in a rather “hidden” spot — at the end of a coastal trail in Bai But, on Son Tra Peninsula.

There’s no exact address, no reliable Google Maps, you have to ask locals or have a local driver guide you. But once you arrive, you’ll understand why people go to such lengths to find it: you sit and eat seafood right on a rocky outcrop overlooking the sea, with the salty wind blowing and waves crashing at your feet. The view is so stunning that many people forget they are eating.

Signature dishes:

• Grouper grilled in banana leaves: Grouper (black sea bass) wrapped in banana leaves and grilled over charcoal — the fish meat retains its full sweetness and doesn’t dry out.
• Snail steamed with lemongrass: The Son Tra snails are small but have a crispy, exceptionally sweet meat due to the clean seawater environment.
• Steamed crab with beer: Simple but authentic.

Reference prices: 120,000 – 420.000đ (≈$16)/person.

[!WARNING] The road to Bai But is quite narrow and steep, not suitable for 7-seater cars or large tourist vehicles. It’s recommended to go by motorbike or with an experienced local driver.

4. Co Ut Eatery — The Snail Paradise of Da Nang Locals

If you ask Da Nang locals “where is the best place to eat snails?”, 7 out of 10 people will say “Co Ut.” The eatery is located on Le Van Hien Street, in a densely populated residential area, with no striking exterior — but every evening from 5:00 PM, a long line of motorbikes parked along the sidewalk is the clearest testament to its quality.

Co Ut specializes in snails and bivalves, with over 20 different preparation methods. What sets this place apart is the homemade dipping sauces — each type of snail has its own unique dipping sauce, mixed according to a family recipe.

Must-try dishes:

• Snail stir-fried with coconut milk: Small snails stir-fried with fresh coconut milk and lemongrass — both creamy and fragrant, you’ll remember it after one bite.
• Red snail steamed with ginger: Red snails (also called razor clams) have crispy meat, steamed with just enough ginger to remove any fishiness without losing their sweetness.
• Clams stir-fried with garlic and chili: Fresh clams, stir-fried quickly over high heat until the garlic is golden and fragrant.
• Blood cockles grilled with scallion oil: Large Da Nang blood cockles, rich in “blood,” grilled to perfection.

Reference prices: 50,000 – 216.000đ (≈$8)/plate. Address: Le Van Hien Street, Ngu Hanh Son District. Opening hours: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM.

5. Tran Restaurant — “Market Prices, Restaurant Quality”

This is the only eatery on the list with a spacious atmosphereg “fancy” but still maintain affordable prices. Located on Tran Bach Dang street, near Dragon Bridge, Nha Hang Tran is the choice for Da Nang office workers who want to eat seafood after work without sitting at plastic tables on the sidewalk.

The restaurant’s strength is its live seafood tank system on-site — you choose your seafood, weigh it, and then specify how you want it cooked. No worries about being given dead seafood instead of live.

Signature Dishes:

• Grilled Salted Chili Tiger Prawns: Large tiger prawns, evenly grilled, with Da Nang-style green salted chili.
• Steamed Pomfret with Soy Sauce: White pomfret steamed in Chinese style — with ginger, scallions, and sweet soy sauce.
• Assorted Seafood Hot Pot: Broth made from fish bones and shrimp paste, characteristic of Central Vietnam.

Estimated Price: 200,000 – 600.000đ (≈$24)/person.

[!TIP] Ask the staff about “group combos” — the restaurant often has combos for 4-6 people that are better value than ordering individual dishes, but they are not listed on the menu.

6. Chu Hung Seafood Restaurant — King of Steamed Mackerel Rolls with Rice Paper

This is a dish that Da Nang locals consider the “soul” of local cuisine, but few tourist restaurants serve it: steamed mackerel rolled with rice paper and fresh herbs. And Chu Hung makes this dish the best in the city.

The restaurant is located in a small alley on Hoang Dieu street, near Con Market. There’s no clear sign, just a crudely handwritten board saying “Steamed Mackerel - Fresh Seafood.” But from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM, the place is always packed — with office workers, laborers, and local residents.

The authentic local way to eat: Spread a wet rice paper on your hand, place a lettuce leaf, herbs, a few slices of green banana and starfruit, pick up a piece of perfectly steamed mackerel, roll it up, and dip it into a small bowl of fermented shrimp paste mixed with garlic, chili, and lime. Each bite is a burst of flavors: sweet, sour, spicy, salty, and aromatic.

Estimated Price: 80,000 – 180.000đ (≈$7)/person (extremely cheap). Address: Alley on Hoang Dieu street, Hai Chau District.

7. K20 Area Casual Eateries — The Secret of Ngu Hanh Son Locals

K20 Area (in My An Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District) is a residential area for fishermen — where fishing families have lived for decades. And here, there are affordable seafood eateries where prices are only 1/3 of those in restaurants along Pham Van Dong street, but the freshness is comparable.

There’s no specific name for each eatery — locals just refer to them by the owner’s name or house number. But if you go into the K20 area in the evening, follow the grilling smoke and the noise, and you’ll find them.

Local Specialties:

• Sun-dried Mackerel: Mackerel dried for just one day under the sea sun, then grilled over charcoal — the meat is rich and not fishy.
• Salted Fried Baby Prawns: Small but sweet baby prawns, fried with salt until crispy, you can eat the shells.
• Tuna Sour Soup: Cooked in the Central Vietnamese style with pineapple, tomatoes, and tamarind — refreshingly sour and naturally sweet.

Estimated Price: 60,000 – 240.000đ (≈$9)/person.

8. Son Thuy Seafood — A Gathering Spot for Hoa Khanh Locals

If you want to eat seafood like Da Nang’s working class — not the tourist style — head to the Hoa Khanh area, Lien Chieu District. This is an industrial area with a large population and very affordable seafood eateries serving from morning till night.

Son Thuy restaurant is located on Nguyen Luong Bang street, famous for its morning seafood congee and fried and stir-fried seafood dishes for lunch. This is where factory workers and office staff in the Hoa Khanh area eat daily — guaranteed delicious and no overpricing.

Signature Dishes:

• Morning Seafood Congee: Congee cooked with fish bone broth, with added squid, shrimp, and clams — a filling and warming breakfast.
• Fried Basa Fish with Garlic: Simple but extremely delicious.with white rice.
• Stir-fried Squid with Celery: A familiar dish for locals, rarely found in tourist restaurants.

Estimated Price: 40,000 – 144.000đ (≈$6)/person.

9. My Khe Seafood Night Market — Late-Night Dining Da Nang Style

Da Nang locals have a habit of eating late at night — and along Vo Nguyen Giap Street (My Khe beachside), from 9:00 PM onwards, dozens of roadside seafood stalls start to get crowded. This is a characteristic late-night dining culture you shouldn’t miss.

No single stall stands out significantly — all are fresh, delicious, and affordable. The secret is: choose the stall most crowded with locals, avoid those with staff trying to lure you in from the street.

Most popular dishes at night:

• Steamed Crab with Lemongrass: Fresh green crab, steamed with lemongrass and ginger.
• Grilled Squid with Satay: Large squid, grilled over charcoal, brushed with satay.
• Clams Steamed with Lime Leaves: Refreshing, served with toasted bread.
• Salt and Chili Grilled Shrimp: Simple but essential.

Estimated Price: 100,000 – 360.000đ (≈$14)/person. Ideal Time: 9:00 PM – 11:30 PM.

[!WARNING] Some stalls along My Khe beach may engage in “dishonest weighing” or charge tourists higher prices than listed on the menu. Always ask for the price before ordering and request that the seafood be weighed in front of you.

10. Tho Quang Wholesale Seafood Market in the Morning — A True Local Experience

This isn’t a restaurant in the conventional sense — but it’s the most authentic seafood experience you can have in Da Nang.

Every morning from 4:00 AM to 7:00 AM, the Tho Quang fishing port wholesale market area transforms into its own world: boats dock, fishermen unload fish, traders bid, and Da Nang housewives jostle to buy the freshest seafood at wholesale prices. Around this area, there are a few small eateries serving fishermen — fish banh mi, fish porridge, fish noodles — priced from only 20,000 – 60.000đ (≈$2) per serving.

If you wake up early and want to buy fresh seafood to cook yourself (or have a nearby eatery cook it for you), this is the ideal spot. Prices here are 40-60% cheaper than at regular retail markets.

[!TIP] Bring a cooler bag with dry ice if you plan to buy seafood to take home. And don’t haggle too aggressively — fishermen have worked all night at sea, and the prices they offer are usually very fair.

Guide to Getting to Seafood Restaurants in Da Nang

Why Not Use Regular Taxis or Grab?

This is a common problem for many tourists: you book a Grab to a seafood restaurant down an alley, the driver doesn’t know the way, GPS leads you astray, and you spend 20 minutes circling residential areas. Or worse, a taxi driver “takes advantage” and brings you to another restaurant where they get a higher commission.

The best solution is to use the shuttle service from Faifo Express — a team of local Da Nang drivers who know every alley, every eatery, and most importantly, have no incentive to take you to the wrong place.

Benefits of Using Faifo Express to Explore Da Nang’s Cuisine

Faifo Express’s Da Nang airport shuttle service isn’t just for airport pick-up/drop-off. They offer daily and half-day car services, perfect for culinary journeys like this:

• Local drivers: Know which restaurants are good, which are “tourist-oriented shop$1,” and which roads are congested at certain times.
• Clean, air-conditioned cars: After a satisfying seafood meal, all you want is to relax comfortably in the car on your way back to the hotel.
• Fixed prices, no extra charges: No worries about being overpriced like with some traditional taxi drivers.
• Reservation assistance: Drivers can call ahead to book tables for youif needed, as they are often acquainted with the restaurant owner.

If you plan to combine seafood with t