Brennan’s Fish House, the 2026 Best Seafood Winner, is Known for Staple Dishes

Best Seafood: Brennan’s Fish House

Known for its staple dishes like perch, walleye and crab cakes, Brennan’s Fish House in Grand River reels diners in with its Fisherman’s Platter, a seafood spread comprised of its most popular dishes. 

The family-owned restaurant was opened in 1973 by Tim and Betty Brennan, and recipes like the Fisherman’s Platter have been passed down ever since.

“All those special recipes that Tim and Betty Brennan created really put the name and flavor profiles behind the whole Brennan name, which has helped us survive after all these years,” says Alysha Muehlheim, general manager. “None of the recipes have been changed. I think that people really appreciate that, respect that and love that, with the world changing so much.”

Here’s a look at what the Fisherman’s Platter entails:

The Staples. Two pieces of butterflied shrimp, fresh scallops, two pieces of locally sourced Lake Erie yellow perch from King Fishery, one piece of flaky cod and a jumbo lump crab cake are lightly coated in Brennan’s signature all-purpose flour blend, seasoned with the restaurant’s top-secret spices and fried to a crisp, golden finish.

The Sauces. A trio of classic accompaniments, including a zesty cocktail sauce with a lively horseradish zip, creamy house tartar sauce and a fresh lemon wedge, add layers of tangy, savory and refreshing flavor to every bite.

The Sides. The dish is completed by house-made coleslaw and fries. The coleslaw features a creamy mayonnaise base seasoned with subtle notes of celery seed, creating a crisp and flavorful complement to the meal. The fries are cut fresh in-house from whole potatoes.

“Our coleslaw is sweet but not overly sweet, and for every order, we cut the potatoes and drop them in the fryer,” Muehlheim says. “They’re like fresh cut fair fries.”

102 River St., Grand River, 440-354-9785, brennansfishhouse.com