How to Serve Great Seafood in Denver

How Denver restaurants can make seafood feel like a summer vacation—even when we’re 1,000 miles from the coast.

Let’s face it—seafood in Denver is a special kind of treat. While our culinary scene is known for bison burgers, green chili, and craft beer, diners still crave fresh, craveable seafood, especially in the summer.

Even though we’re landlocked, more than 60% of U.S. consumers are eating seafood weekly—and local diners are no exception. In fact, because it’s less expected here, a standout seafood dish can create a memorable guest experience that sets your menu apart.

The key is to offer seafood that feels fresh, fun, and indulgent, while staying operationally smart and profitable. From elevated crab cake sandwiches to fried seafood baskets with a Colorado twist, let’s dive into how Denver restaurants can hook more diners this summer.

Crab Cakes with Colorado Character

In Denver, crab cakes aren’t just a menu item—they’re an opportunity to impress. With diners willing to pay for quality and presentation, a well-executed crab cake sandwich can evoke beachy vibes and add variety to your menu.

Ideas for localizing crab cakes:

• Add a regional spin: pair your crab cake with green chile aioli, hatch chile slaw, or smoked paprika remoulade.
• Use Empire’s Treasure® Crab Cakes to save on labor, and top them with ingredients that reflect Denver’s love of bold flavors—think pickled red onions, poblano relish, or chipotle ranch.
• For brunch, serve a crab cake benedict with Colorado-style potatoes or sweet corn cakes.

Mile High Fried Seafood Platters

A classic fried seafood basket can be a showstopper when given a modern, Denver-style update. Think mountain lodge meets East Coast seafood shack.

Try this in your summer menu:

• Create a fried seafood tower with hushpuppies, local craft beer-battered cod, and seasoned fries. Bonus: it’s perfect for Instagram.
• Offer a Fish Fry Friday with a rotating lineup of fried seafood and sides—sweet potato fries, elote corn, or honey-lime slaw.
• Feature a Denver beer in your batter (local favorites: Odell, Great Divide, or Ratio Beerworks).

Seafood Strategy in a Landlocked Market

With high seafood costs and variable supply chains, pricing can be tricky. But Denver diners are savvy—they’ll pay for quality if it feels worth it.

Smart seafood pricing strategies for Denver operators:

• Educate FOH teams to explain “market price” with confidence, focusing on sourcing and preparation.
• Offer smaller, shareable seafood plates for happy hour or patio season—perfect for pairing with a Colorado rosé or microbrew.
• Use Performance Foodservice Denver’s Brilliance® Oils to keep fried seafood crispier and reduce waste from frequent oil changes.

Why Seafood in Denver Works

Seafood feels like an escape. And for many Denver diners, that’s exactly the appeal. A crab cake sandwich or shrimp platter isn’t just food—it’s a taste of the coast, right here in the Rockies.

Local restaurants that lean into that contrast—the mountain air meets seaside flavor—can create dishes that feel exciting, memorable, and sharable. Especially when plated with style and paired with your best patio seating.

Let Performance Foodservice Denver Help You Make a Splash

From Empire’s Treasure® Crab Cakes to World Dock Seafood® white fish, we’ve got everything you need to deliver standout seafood—without the coastal location.

Connect with your Performance Foodservice Denver rep for sourcing solutions, pricing flexibility, and inspiration to help you hook more summer guests—one crab cake at a time.

FAQ’s 

1. Can I serve high-quality seafood in Denver without paying coastal prices?

Yes. Through Performance Foodservice Denver, you can access expertly sourced, frozen-at-peak seafood options like Empire’s Treasure® Crab Cakes and World Dock Seafood® white fish. These offer consistent quality and value without the unpredictability of fresh, coastal freight.

2. What seafood dishes perform best on Denver menus?

Crab cake sandwiches, fish and chips, shrimp tacos, and seafood platters are local favorites—especially when given a Colorado twist (like green chile aioli or beer batter made with a local brew). These dishes feel indulgent but approachable and are great for lunch, dinner, or happy hour menus.

3. How should I price seafood in Denver to protect my margins?

Offering seafood dishes at market price or with tiered sizes (small/large options) helps absorb cost fluctuations. Emphasize perceived value with great presentation, smart pairings (like fries or slaw), and staff education on sourcing and quality.

4. Are there any seafood menu items that require less labor?

Yes! Products like Empire’s Treasure® pre-made crab cakes or beer-battered seafood cuts save prep time while still allowing you to personalize with sauces, garnishes, and plating. That means faster execution and lower back-of-house labor costs.

5. How can I build diner confidence in ordering seafood in a landlocked city?

Transparency and storytelling help. Train servers to talk about your sourcing—like wild-caught Bay Winds® Orange Roughy or locally beer-battered cod—and how it's stored and prepared. When guests feel confident about the quality and origin, they’re more likely to order (and come back).