Many observant San Antonio Catholics abstain from meat during Lent, which is why we’re offering up this array of local seafood restaurants where folks can indulge while waiting out the weeks before Easter arrives.

While most of these places offer the quintessential fried fish option, they also serve up a multitude of other delights that you can enjoy without a side of guilt.

Southerleigh Haute South 5822 Worth Pkwy Unit 112, (210) 236-8556, southerleighhautesouth.com This new concept from the folks that brought you the aforementioned snapper throats, Southerleigh Haute South’s Southern-style menu includes a seafood and a full oyster bar. Photo via Instagram / southerleighhautesouth
JDubs Burgers and Grub 1017 N. Flores Street, (210) 267-2652, facebook.com/JDubs-Burgers-Grub-105970024823647 This brand new SA eatery offers a fish sandwich featuring tempura-battered cod and kicked-up Texas Tartar sauce for those looking to take a break from red meat for Lent season. Photo via Instagram / jdubs_burgers_and_grub
Niki’s Tokyo Inn 819 W. Hildebrand Ave., (210) 736-5471, facebook.com/nikis.tokyo.inn The freshest sashimi for your Lenten needs. Just settle in to Niki’s sushi bar and take your pick. Photo via Instagram / jetsetter2020
Costa Pacifica 434 N Loop 1604 W, (210) 491-4497, costapacificausa.com Known for margaritas and seafood, this morth SA joint has a huge menu of bites from the sea for your Lenten dining needs. Photo via Instagram / costapacificasa
Little Em’s Oyster Bar 1001 S Alamo St, (210) 257-0100, littleemsoysterbar.com This quaint 50-seat eatery offers six types of fresh oysters sourced from both coasts, as well as shrimp, ceviche, crab and lobster rolls. Photo via Instagram / littleemsoysterbar
SA Seafood 5222 De Zavala Rd #330, (210) 236-7777, saseafoodtx.com The newly-opened seafood spot serves up an extensive menu of crawfish, lobster, shrimp and other dishes exclusively in to-go containers, making it easy to take your Lenten eats on-the-go. Photo via Instagram / saseafoodtx
Mariscos El Marinero 1819 McCullough Ave., (210) 465-9178, mariscoselmarinerosa.com There’s something particularly awe-inspiring about this tower of seafood from El Marinero. With its blend of ceviches, this Sinaloa-style dish keeps us going back. Photo via Instagram / yspfitness
Señor Fish Seafood Bar 1915 Broadway Suite # 111, (210) 375-3730, facebook.com/senorfishseafoodbar Señor Fish specializes in Mexican twists on fresh seafood and boasts a casual dining environment with an intimate bar area. Photo via Instagram / senorfishseafoodbar
Fish City Grill Multiple Locations, N/A, fishcitygrill.com This West SA seafood-focused eatery boasts an impressive menu that includes shrimp, catfish, oysters, fish tacos and a variety of sandwiches. Photo via Instagram / fishcitygrill
Botika 303 Pearl Pkwy., Suite 111, (210) 670-7684, botikapearl.com Churashi at Botika means you’re noshing on fresh sushi-grade fish and other seafood. Grab a bowl next time you’re at the Pearl. Photo via Instagram / botikapearl
Cured 306 Pearl Pkwy #101, (210) 314-3929, curedatpearl.com Indulge in a pan seared king salmon filet and butternut squash hash at this Pearl-area eatery for a Lenten-approved meal. Photo via Instagram / curedatpearl
La Laguna Mariscos 23535 I-10, (726) 444-0750, mariscoslalagunagroup.com La Laguna Mariscos’s huge menu features tostadas, tacos, various seafood cocktails and over-the-top Micheladas with seafood garnishes. Photo via Instagram / jazzysauce24
Bliss 926 S. Presa St., (210) 225-2547, pinchboilhouse.com Dainty and bold is possible with these classic bites from Bliss. The Japanese hamachi is a staple on the menu, with its roasted jalapeno avocado pico de gallo, ponzu, ginger slaw, aji amarillo yuzu vinaigrette and we hope they never go away. Photo via Instagram / spinoza29
Pinch Boil House & Bia Bar 124 N. Main, (210) 971-7774, pinchboilhouse.com This house was made for boiling everything from crawfish to snow crab legs. We’re partial to the seafood feast which features a little of everything doused in their signature house sauces. Go get messy. Photo via Instagram / safood.e
El Bucanero Multiple locations, (210) 314-3929, bucanerosanantonio.com Three locations in San Antonio all with one similar theme: great ceviche. There’s plenty to choose from, but our only recommendation is to take a few friends and ask for more Saltines. Photo via Instagram / demaximoni
Smashin’ Crab 8910 Bandera Road, Suite 305, (210) 509-7702, smashincrab.com Get down and dirty with crawfish and shrimp boils, and keep tabs on Smashin’s newest location that’s about to open in Stone Oak. Photo via Instagram / mexa_pina
LA Crawfish Multiple locations, thelacrawfish.com A bit of a cheat if you consider all delicious phos are made with a hearty beef broth base, but you’ll want to ask for the Cajun variety sans Kiolbassa at this Houston-based joint that’s won over plenty of San Antonians. Photo via Instagram / lacrawfishsanantonio
Laguna Madre Seafood Co. Multiple locations, lagunamadreseafood.com If you’re physically near one of these locations, you’ll want to stop in for their fried or grilled plates. It’s the Bill Miller of the Sea and gets the job done. Photo via Instagram / lagunamadreseafood
Silo Terrace Oyster Bar 22211 I-10, Suite 1210, (210) 698 – 2002, siloelevatedcuisine.com Yes, the oysters are great and the view can’t be beat, but you’ll want to trust the cooks at Silo for their takes on everything frolm salmon to pan seared halibut. Photo via Instagram / siloterrace
Yellowfish Sushi Multiple locations, yellowfishsushi.com Chirashi bowls are chefs choice at Yellowfish and each is its own work of art. Trust your sushiologist. Photo via Instagram / la_aventurera_
Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery 136 Grayson St., (210) 455-5701, southerleigh.com Snapper throats! You read that right. Since Southerleigh’s opening three years ago (time flies!), the restaurant has offered these particularly buttery parts of the fish. Photo via Dan Payton
Sea Island Shrimp House Multiple locations, shrimphouse.com Warm up with some chowder at this San Antonio throwback. Photo via Instagram / seaislandshrimphouse