Forget ordinary seafood restaurants—this Pennsylvania spot lets you dine like a pirate.
Tucked in Scranton, Cooper’s Seafood House serves up plates of seafood inside a massive ship that looks ready to sail straight out of a storybook. Step inside, grab a seat, and suddenly dinner feels like part meal, part maritime adventure.
The ship is only the beginning. Cooper’s is packed with quirky nautical touches, historic character, and plenty of surprises waiting around every corner.
There’s even a giant blue whale hanging around the restaurant, because apparently a pirate ship wasn’t quite enough.
Then comes the food.
Hearty seafood dishes, classic favorites, and generous portions make this a place where the menu earns just as much attention as the wild setting.
If you’re craving a meal you’ll still be talking about long after the last bite, Cooper’s deserves a spot on your Scranton itinerary.
Step Aboard Cooper’s Famous Ship
Walking into a restaurant and finding yourself inside a massive sailing vessel sounds impossible, but Cooper’s makes it happen. The 110-foot replica ship became part of the restaurant during a huge expansion back in the 1980s.
This wasn’t just decoration tacked onto the walls.
The ship’s hold was transformed into actual dining and bar space where guests can enjoy their meals. Wooden beams curve overhead while nautical details surround you on every side.
The atmosphere feels authentic enough to make you forget you’re in landlocked Pennsylvania.
Families love taking photos near the ship’s features before sitting down to eat. Kids especially get excited about the chance to dine inside what looks like a real pirate vessel.
The ship offers multiple seating areas, so you can explore different sections during repeat visits.
This centerpiece sets Cooper’s apart from every other seafood restaurant in the region. No other dining spot can claim such an ambitious and entertaining architectural feature.
Discover Cooper’s Long Scranton History
April 24, 1948 marked the day Cooper’s Seafood House first opened its doors to Scranton diners. That’s more than seven decades of serving the local community.
Few restaurants anywhere can claim such staying power in an industry where many close within a few years.
The decades have given Cooper’s a genuine old-school personality that newer theme restaurants simply can’t replicate. Original customers have brought their children and grandchildren through these doors.
That kind of family tradition creates a special connection between the restaurant and the city.
While the pirate ship and other features came later, the core identity remains rooted in that 1948 beginning. Cooper’s survived changing tastes, economic shifts, and countless competitors.
The longevity speaks to quality food and service that keeps people coming back.
Local history buffs appreciate Cooper’s as more than just a place to eat. It represents a piece of Scranton’s cultural heritage.
The restaurant has witnessed the city’s transformation while maintaining its own beloved character.
Dine Inside a Former Railroad Station
Railroad stations tell stories of America’s transportation past, and Cooper’s keeps those stories alive. The restaurant incorporates an 1887 Erie and Wyoming Valley Railroad passenger station into its structure.
Passengers once waited in these same spaces before boarding trains heading across Pennsylvania.
Historic features remain visible throughout areas like the Train Room. Original architectural elements blend with the nautical theme to create something truly one-of-a-kind.
You can spot details from the railroad era if you look carefully while moving between dining areas.
This combination of railroad history and pirate ship fantasy shouldn’t work, yet somehow it creates magic. The building’s past adds depth and authenticity that pure theme restaurants lack.
Every visit becomes a little history lesson wrapped in entertainment.
Scranton’s railroad heritage runs deep, making this preservation especially meaningful. Cooper’s didn’t just build a restaurant but saved an important piece of local history.
The 1887 station now serves a completely different purpose while honoring its original character.
Dig Into a Seafood-Filled Menu
Fresh coastal flavors dominate the menu at Cooper’s, bringing ocean bounty to Pennsylvania’s mountains. Fish, shrimp, crab, lobster, and oysters give seafood enthusiasts plenty of choices.
The variety means you could visit multiple times and try something different each trip.
Each seafood option comes prepared with care and attention to flavor. Whether you prefer grilled, fried, or steamed preparations, the kitchen delivers.
Quality ingredients make the difference between ordinary seafood and memorable meals.
Not everyone in your group might love seafood, and Cooper’s understands that reality. The menu includes non-seafood dishes to keep everyone happy.
This thoughtful approach means families and mixed groups can all find something they’ll enjoy.
Portion sizes tend to be generous, giving diners good value for their money. Many customers leave with leftovers for another meal at home.
The commitment to quality seafood at reasonable prices has helped Cooper’s build its loyal following over the decades.
Order a Seafood Combination
Can’t decide between the lobster and the crab cakes? Combination platters solve that delicious dilemma.
These special plates let you sample several seafood favorites during a single visit. Instead of choosing just one entree, you get a taste of multiple preparations.
The current menu determines exactly which combinations are available. Lobster, shrimp, crab cakes, and other seafood specialties often appear together on these generous plates.
Each component gets proper attention from the kitchen despite appearing alongside other items.
First-time visitors especially benefit from ordering a combination. You’ll discover which preparations you like best for future visits.
The variety also makes for great photos to share with friends and family.
Combination platters represent solid value since you’re getting multiple premium items together. Sharing becomes easier when the plate already includes diverse options.
Groups sometimes order several different combinations and pass dishes around the table for a true seafood feast.
Find the Giant Blue Whale
Look up from your plate and prepare for a surprise. A 26-foot blue whale replica hangs overhead, creating one of the restaurant’s most talked-about features.
The massive marine mammal joined Cooper’s during the same 1980s expansion that brought the ship.
The whale’s enormous size makes it impossible to miss once you notice it. Children point and stare while adults grab their phones for pictures.
This unexpected ceiling decoration adds another layer of wonder to an already unusual dining experience.
Blue whales are the largest animals ever to live on Earth, and this replica helps people understand that incredible scale. Seeing the size up close beats reading about it in a book.
Educational value meets entertainment in a way that sticks with visitors long after they leave.
The whale has become such an iconic part of Cooper’s that many regulars would feel something was missing without it. First-time guests sometimes don’t spot it right away.
Keep scanning the ceiling throughout your meal for the best views.
Check Out the Lighthouse and Nautical Decor
A 45-foot lighthouse rises inside the restaurant, proving Cooper’s commitment to its maritime theme runs deep. This isn’t subtle decoration but a bold architectural statement.
The lighthouse joins the ship, whale, and countless other nautical touches throughout the space.
Themed dining areas transport guests to different coastal settings without leaving Pennsylvania. Rope, anchors, ship wheels, and maritime artwork cover virtually every surface.
The attention to detail creates an immersive environment rather than just a restaurant with a few decorations.
Every corner offers something new to discover during your meal. Families with young children appreciate having so much to look at and discuss.
The elaborate theming keeps everyone entertained between courses.
Cooper’s feels more like a maritime museum crossed with a theme park than a typical seafood house. The investment in creating this atmosphere sets expectations high and delivers on them.
Other restaurants might have a nautical painting or two, but Cooper’s went all in with complete transformation of the space.
See the Restaurant’s Famous Office Connection
Fans of The Office television series have extra reasons to visit Scranton’s Cooper’s Seafood House. The restaurant celebrates its connection to the city’s most famous show with themed displays and merchandise.
Scranton became known worldwide thanks to the sitcom, and local businesses embraced that fame.
An Office-themed gift shop fills one section of the restaurant with memorabilia and souvenirs. Visitors can browse items related to their favorite characters and episodes.
The shop gives fans a chance to take home a piece of Scranton’s television legacy.
The connection makes sense given both The Office and Cooper’s are Scranton institutions. The show put the city on the map for millions of viewers who might never have heard of it otherwise.
Cooper’s recognized the opportunity to honor that cultural impact.
Taking photos near Office displays has become a must-do activity for many visitors. The combination of pirate ship dining and sitcom nostalgia creates an experience you can’t replicate elsewhere.
Cooper’s understands its role in Scranton’s identity.
Stick Around for Drinks and Entertainment
Cooper’s offers way more than just sit-down dinners with seafood entrees. Multiple bars serve drinks throughout the restaurant and ship.
Outdoor seating becomes available during warmer months for those who prefer fresh air with their meals.
Live music performances add energy and excitement to certain evenings. The entertainment schedule changes regularly, so checking before your visit makes sense if you want to catch a show.
Musicians and bands create a festive atmosphere that transforms dinner into an event.
The restaurant even operates its own brewery, giving beer enthusiasts local options to sample. Craft beer pairs nicely with seafood for those who enjoy that combination.
Having brewery operations on-site shows Cooper’s dedication to providing a complete dining and drinking experience.
Weekend visits often feature special events that draw crowds beyond the regular dinner rush. The combination of food, drinks, and entertainment means you might end up staying much longer than planned.
Cooper’s becomes a destination where the whole evening unfolds rather than just a quick meal stop.
Plan Your Visit
Cooper’s Seafood House sits at 701 N. Washington Ave., Scranton, PA 18509.
The address puts you right in the city where finding the restaurant becomes straightforward. Plugging the address into your phone’s map application will get you there without confusion.
Calling ahead at 570-346-6883 helps answer questions about current hours and availability. Hours can change for holidays or special events, so confirming before making the drive saves disappointment.
The staff can also provide information about wait times during busy periods.
Checking the restaurant’s current menu, upcoming events, and parking details before arriving improves your experience. Knowing what’s available helps you plan what to order.
Event schedules let you time your visit to catch live music or other entertainment.
Budget extra time beyond just eating your meal. The ship, railroad history, whale, lighthouse, and Office memorabilia all deserve attention.
Rushing through Cooper’s means missing much of what makes it special. This isn’t a quick fast-food stop but a full dining adventure worth savoring.
