Seafood is a pretty standard cuisine in coastal states but you can find delicious seafood anywhere in the country, regardless of proximity to large bodies of water. With so many seafood restaurants to choose from, it's hard to know where to start. Fortunately, North Carolina has plenty of incredible restaurants serving up tasty dishes that will make seafood lover happy.

Using reviews, awards and accolades as well as first-hand experience, LoveFood compiled a list of the "best seafood restaurant" in every state, from shacks serving ultra-fresh dishes to lauded establishments with stellar cuisine.

According to the site, the top choice for all of North Carolina is Ridge Shrimp & Oyster. This Oak Ridge eatery is dedicated to crafting "hearty" meals, and the results speak for themselves. Ridge Shrimp & Oyster, which has a 4.8 star rating on Google and nearly 80 reviews, is located at 2205L Oak Ridge Road.

Here is what LoveFood had to say about this seafood spot:

"This nautical themed restaurant, complete with anchors and hanging fish decorations overhead, is known in Oak Ridge for serving up some of the best seafood in the area. It's a local gem, and diners love the old-school chalkboard menu and bountiful options available. Expect plenty of hearty fare including dishes like grilled scallops with Cajun cream sauce, while fried flounder, blackened catfish, and grilled orange barbecue mahi mahi. There are some great sides, too, like grits, coleslaw, and red potatoes."

See the full list at lovefood.com to read up on more of the best seafood restaurants around the country. You can also check out our previous coverage of the North Carolina eatery named the "best restaurant" in the entire state.

Mel Taylor