Saltbox Seafood Joint
Seafood restaurant · Durham
2637 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, Durham, NC 27707
Highlights
James Beard award winner serving fresh, local seafood.
James Beard award winner serving fresh, local seafood.
"A seafood-focused restaurant featuring daily, seasonally driven menus that highlight North Carolina's coastal catch and simple, ingredient-forward preparations." - Regan Stephens
"Associated with chef Ricky Moore, who is a 2025 James Beard Foundation semifinalist in the 'Outstanding Chef presented by Hilton' category; the nomination recognizes the chef's work at this Durham seafood-focused establishment." - Erin Perkins
"Cited as a Durham must-try when visiting the area, recommended for seafood lovers and included among local dining highlights." - Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel is a writer with more than eight years of experience editing and writing for both brands and online publications—with a particular focus on travel, fashion, and lifestyle. She’s also the founder of the travel site justpacked.com. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"Saltbox is the kind of place you want to bring people to without telling them anything about it—just walk up to the unassuming roadside box, and watch as they freak out after one bite of lightly fried and incredibly fresh seafood. There is simply no better seafood in the region, and when presented on a humble roll, everything from North Carolina striped mullet to king mackerel shines. Enjoy the accompanying honey-drizzled hush puppies, along with the house tea and a lemon punch combo drink, and take it all to one of their picnic tables out front." - eric ginsburg
"With a James Beard award under his belt, chef Ricky Moore is becoming well known across the South for his classic seafood meals, but the Bull City has been a fan of Saltbox since its original days as a little shack on Mangum Street. The new spot on Durham-Chapel Hill Boulevard has more seating but the same menu that has folks lining up outside the door. The offerings change daily as the fresh catch comes in from the coast, but options often include sea bass, blue crab, mahi-mahi, oysters, and more. Diehard fans know to stalk Saltbox’s social media to see when the rare lobster roll days are announced." - Matt Lardie
