The Fulton
Seafood · Financial District-Battery Park City, New York City
Restaurant in New York City, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Market-Driven Pier Seafood
Chef
Lei Jiang
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
The Fulton is the better pick when seafood needs an occasion setting, not when the goal is takeout or a quick neighborhood meal. Its Pier 17 location gives dates, family dinners, client meals a stronger sense of arrival than many downtown seafood options, while Mermaid Oyster Bar, Saint Julivert Fisherie, Marea are the smarter comparisons for more casual, intimate, or higher-spend plans.
About The Fulton
The Fulton is a seafood restaurant in New York City, with Lei Jiang as chef/owner. Consider it when you want a seafood-focused meal, using the hours, dress code, recognition to decide whether it fits your plans.
The decision point is simple. Choose The Fulton when seafood is the priority and a smart-casual New York City meal is the brief. If you are comparing styles, look at other restaurants by mood and timing rather than assuming one venue fits every seafood plan.
Seafood for a planned New York City meal
Lei Jiang is chef/owner, the venue has a clear seafood identity. Recognition from Opinionated About Dining adds a useful trust signal for readers comparing it with other choices. The Fulton is listed as Opinionated About Dining Casual in North America Recommended for 2026 and ranked #795 in 2025.
That does not make it the automatic pick for every seafood plan. If you are comparing options, Mermaid Oyster Bar is a natural cross-shop. Marea is another useful comparison.
Use the hours and dress code to plan
The Fulton is a seafood restaurant with dinner service Monday through Sunday, lunch service on Saturday and Sunday, a smart-casual dress code. That makes it reasonable to consider when seafood is the shared preference and the timing fits the hours.
For readers mapping a broader New York City stay, pair this with our full New York City restaurants guide, especially if seafood is only one meal in the trip. The decision set changes depending on the brief: Lure Fishbar is another option to compare, while Saint Julivert Fisherie is also worth considering when you want another seafood-focused setting.
Know Before You Go
- Good for: seafood-focused meals in New York City where smart-casual dining fits the plan.
- Less ideal for: diners who are not looking for seafood or who want a venue with a different style.
- Timing: dinner runs Monday through Sunday from 5–9 PM, with Saturday and Sunday lunch listed from 11:30 AM–3 PM.
- Dress code: smart casual.
- Cross-shop: compare with Marea, Mermaid Oyster Bar, Saint Julivert Fisherie when deciding among seafood-focused options.
Planning details
- Location
- Northeast corner of Pier 17, 89 South St, New York, NY 10038
- Website
- thefulton.nyc
- Phone
- (917) 633-4221
The take
The Take
The Vibe
The Fulton leans into the Seaport’s long maritime history while skipping the formality of white-tablecloth seafood houses. It trades rigid menus for a market-driven rhythm: what the boats bring in each morning shapes the day’s plates. The tone is intentionally more casual and responsive than Midtown institutions, but rooted in the heft of local tradition—an East River address that wears its history openly. The result is a waterfront seafood place that feels tied to the catch and to the neighborhood’s story rather than to a constructed, stationary menu.
Best For
The Fulton is best for diners who want a seafood-first experience anchored to place and season. Located on Pier 17 at the Seaport, it suits visitors and locals seeking a waterfront meal that follows the day’s catch rather than a fixed tasting. Because Chef Lei Jiang runs a supply-driven program, the restaurant particularly rewards those who enjoy staying flexible and ordering what’s freshest. It’s a strong choice for an attentive seafood dinner in Lower Manhattan when you want an experience tied to the water and the market.
Ordering Tips
Ask about the day’s catch and follow the server’s recommendations—The Fulton’s menu is explicitly shaped by what arrives each morning. When available, try the house-signature items called out in the listing: whole black sea bass, sea scallops, and the longevity noodles with lobster. Because the kitchen prioritizes supply-driven cooking, expect rotating preparations and be prepared to pick dishes based on freshness rather than a static menu.
Venue details
Ambiance
Nautically-themed space with giant sea monster murals, dock line lighting, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the river, and an outdoor patio.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
View
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Large
Signature Dishes
- whole black sea bass
- sea scallops
- longevity noodles with lobster
Planning details
Location
Northeast corner of Pier 17, 89 South St, New York, NY 10038 · Directions
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- Saint Julivert Fisherie, Seafood, $$$
- Lure Fishbar, Seafood, Seafood
- Mermaid Oyster Bar, Seafood, Seafood
- Marea, Seafood, $$$$
- Vernick Fish, Seafood, Seafood
Restaurant context
How It Compares
Saint Julivert Fisherie is the better choice for a smaller, more intimate seafood dinner, especially if the group values a neighborhood feel over waterfront scale. The Fulton works harder for celebrations because the Pier 17 setting gives the meal a broader sense of occasion, booking is easier than the city's more constrained rooms.
Lure Fishbar and Mermaid Oyster Bar are better casual cross-shops. Pick Lure Fishbar for a classic downtown seafood mood, Mermaid Oyster Bar for oysters and a lower-pressure night. Choose The Fulton when the setting needs to feel planned rather than spontaneous.
Marea is the higher-spend comparison at $$$$, and it is the better fit for a polished seafood dinner where luxury service and a more formal New York dining signal matter. Vernick Fish is useful as an out-of-metro seafood comparison, but for New York City plans, The Fulton's advantage is simple: waterfront occasion value with easier access than the hardest reservations.
Explore New York City
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full The Fulton guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare The Fulton
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Fulton | New York City | Seafood | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #795 | ; |
| Saint Julivert Fisherie | New York City | Seafood | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2025 Michelin Bib Gourmand2025 OAD Casual in North America2025 Michelin Plate2024 Michelin Bib Gourmand | $$$ |
| Lure Fishbar | New York City | Seafood | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Recommended2025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #603 | ; |
| Mermaid Oyster Bar | New York City | Seafood | 2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #8672024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #838 | ; |
| Marea | New York City | Seafood | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #1372026 Forbes Recommended2026 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence2026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #1782025 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence2025 Forbes 4-Star2025 Michelin Plate2024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #101 | $$$$ |
| Vernick Fish | Philadelphia | Seafood | 2026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2026 James Beard Award Semifinalists2026 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #4772025 James Beard Award Semifinalists2025 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence | ; |
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How The Fulton NYC compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Fulton good for solo dining?
It can be, if you want a seafood-focused meal in New York City. Plan around the dining hours and the smart-casual dress code. Lure Fishbar is another option to compare if you are deciding between restaurants.
What are alternatives to The Fulton in New York City?
Marea, Mermaid Oyster Bar, Saint Julivert Fisherie are useful comparisons when deciding among seafood-focused options. Choose The Fulton when you want a New York City seafood restaurant associated with Lei Jiang.
Can I eat at the bar at The Fulton?
Confirm seating options directly when booking, plan around the restaurant's hours. If you want to compare seafood options, Lure Fishbar is another restaurant to consider.
What should I order at The Fulton?
The cuisine is seafood, so it makes sense to focus your order there. If you want to compare seafood-focused meals, Marea is another relevant option.
Can The Fulton accommodate groups?
If you are planning for multiple diners, confirm availability and seating directly with the restaurant. Mermaid Oyster Bar is another option to compare if your group is deciding among restaurants.
What should a first-timer know about The Fulton?
Go in expecting a seafood restaurant in New York City with Lei Jiang as chef/owner. The Fulton is recognized by Opinionated About Dining, including a 2026 Casual in North America Recommended listing and a 2025 Casual in North America ranking of #795. Saturday and Sunday lunch windows are listed, along with nightly dinner service.
How far ahead should I book The Fulton?
Use the hours when planning: dinner is Monday through Sunday from 5–9 PM, lunch is Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 AM–3 PM. Marea is another seafood restaurant to compare if you are planning a New York City meal.
