Coastal Cuisine

As one could imagine, coastal regions throughout the United States have a long history of preparing fresh seafood dishes. The most prominent varieties of US coastal cuisine are the following:

New England Coast

  • Features a variety of seafood dishes drawing from early colonial and Native American traditions

  • Prominent dishes include Lobster Roll, New England Clam Chowder, Clam Pizza, Fried Clams, Boiled Lobster and Clambake

  • Read more about New England cuisine here

Chesapeake

  • Combines southern culinary influences along with local ingredients, most notably crab, rockfish and oysters

  • Common dishes include Crab Cakes, Crab Fries, Raw Oysters, Steamed Crabs and Rockfish

  • Old Bay seasoning is an integral part of this cuisine, especially for seafood boils

  • Read more about Chesapeake cuisine here

Lowcountry

  • Refers to a strip of coastline running from South Carolina, also known as the “Gullah Corridor”

  • Gullah or Lowcountry cuisine evolved from the food that slaves on coastal plantations ate, and these culinary traditions have been preserved by their descendants to this day

  • Read more about Lowcountry cuisine here

Floribbean

  • Prominently features local seafood and foods prepared with Caribbean culinary techniques

  • Common dishes include Conch Fritters, Key Lime Pie, Cuban Sandwiches, Fried Snapper and Stone Crabs

  • Characterized by light, fresh flavors and a Caribbean culinary influence

  • Read more about Floribbean cuisine here

Creole

  • This cuisine is a mix of French, Spanish, Native American and African cooking styles

  • Popular dishes include Seafood Gumbo, Jambalaya, Po’ Boy Sandwiches, Red Beans & Rice, Étouffée

  • Common ingredients include carrots, bell peppers, celery, garlic, cayenne, filé powder, thyme, okra, Andouille sausage, fresh seafood

  • Read more about Creole cuisine here

Pacific Northwest

  • “Farm-to-table” style cuisine, focused around local and seasonal ingredients

  • Seafood such as salmon, halibut and Dungeness are featured heavily

California Coast

  • Characterized by fresh, simple preparation of dishes that use local and sustainable ingredients

  • Incorporates many fusion elements from Asian, European and Latin American cuisine