Seafood dominates the Rizhao table, as you would expect from a port city facing the Yellow Sea. The local specialties lean toward simple preparations — steamed or grilled — that let the freshness of the fish, crab, and shellfish speak for itself. The morning seafood market near the harbor is worth visiting both for atmosphere and for understanding what's in season.
The beach areas have their own strip of seafood restaurants that cater to summer visitors; quality varies and prices inflate in high season. The best strategy is to eat where locals eat, slightly away from the main beach zones.