Best Restaurants In Galveston, Texas

Hungry? Here’s the scoop on where to eat in Galveston, Texas!

Galveston, Texas, is renowned for its vibrant food scene that offers a mix of coastal cuisine, Southern classics, and international delights. With an array of seafood options and unique local dishes, Galveston has established itself as a haven for food lovers. Here are some of the best restaurants in Galveston, Texas.

Trying local food and locally owned restaurants is one of the highlights of traveling—plenty of them all over town in Galveston. Restaurants on the Island cater to locals and tourists alike, so you won’t go hungry in this part of the Gulf Coast!

A few of the Galveston restaurants listed here are located on the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier. But great food is everywhere, so don’t overlook restaurants that are not on the strand or near the water. The best restaurants anywhere can be off the beaten path. Warning—it’s hard to choose!!

Whether you’re looking for locally-owned restaurants or famous chain restaurants or for a quick bite, Galveston Island has your back!

Top Restaurants In Galveston, Texas

You’ll find burgers and barbecue, a chilling salmon dinner, fresh Gulf seafood, and some of the best Mexican restaurants in the Gulf of Mexico here. These are the restaurants in Galveston to put on your radar when visiting the Island. All are great for the whole family.

Did someone say barbecue? 

Galveston is renowned for its exceptional barbecue restaurants. Keep reading.

Mosquito Cafe

Come as you are to Mosquito Cafe to enjoy traditional homemade dishes and trendy plates with an international flair in its casual diner. Won the 2021 Travelers’ Choice Award by TripAdvisor.

Grotto (Inside the San Luis Resort)

It is one of the best Italian restaurants on the Island. For Italian dining, a wide variety of wines, and fabulous Gulf views, make a reservation at the Grotto. Ask your server about their wines and wine pairings. If they know their wines, you’ll know your dinner will be good!! The Grotto is located in the San Luis Resort. A few of us have stayed here, and if the restaurant is as lovely as their guest rooms, you’re in good hands. Happy Hour – Monday through Friday from 4:00-6:30 pm.

The Sunflower Bakery And Cafe

I love fresh vegetables and homemade sandwiches. Head here for breakfast, brunch, or lunch. Enjoy their new lunch menu and satisfy your sweet tooth with a grilled cinnamon roll! The Sunflower Bakery And Cafe is in Galveston’s East End.

Best BBQ Restaurants In Galveston

According to Texas Monthly, Galveston Island has some of the best barbecue restaurants in the Lone Star State. There are plenty of BBQ joints on the Island. Here are some of the best.

• Leon’s World’s Finest BBQ (pictured above) is the best barbecue joint in Galveston. It is located at 55th and Broadway. Call-in orders are welcome.
• Queen’s Bar-B-Que – A family-owned barbecue restaurant in Galveston. Located one block from the Seawall. Closed Sunday.
• Texas Pit Stop – Location-location-location (6612 Seawall Blvd). They have a drive-thru, too.

Cafe In The Park (Inside Moody Gardens Hotel)

Café in the Park is a casual, light, and airy restaurant located on the first floor of the Moody Gardens Hotel, offering a wonderful buffet of delectable breakfast options. It is only open to hotel guests. If you stay here, dine here—you’ll love it. If not, the hotel has plenty of other excellent casual restaurants open to the public. See below.

Moody Gardens Restaurants Open To The Public

Moody Gardens Garden Restaurant is a beautiful place to go the buffet route. The options are fantastic, and the salad bar presentation was equal to that! This restaurant is open to the public, and there are many options for kids, like spaghetti, chicken nuggets, macaroni & cheese, and more kid-friendly selections.

A must-try: Kale with butternut squash.

For other public dining options at the Moody Gardens Hotel, such as Pelican Grille on the golf course and a few others around the hotel, look for the list that says “Moody Gardens Hotel restaurants open to the public” at the hotel.

Grand Galvez Bar And Grill

According to Adeina, while on a trip to Galveston, she stayed at Hotel Galvez and said their restaurant, Galvez Bar And Grill, has all-you-can-eat shrimp for Sunday Brunch. Dinner is from 5-10 pm, and they also serve lunch. Reservations are best made online through OpenTable. The hotel location is on Seawall Blvd.

The Gumbo Diner

Adeina also had time to grab a bite to eat at The Gumbo Diner at 3602 Seawall Blvd. and said it did not disappoint! She went back for another meal. I’d say that’s a worthy kind of place to try! It’s open for all meals.

Fish Tales

For this one, head to Pleasure Pier at 2502 Seawall Blvd. On good days, ask to sit on the upper deck outside—you’ll get great views of Pleasure Pier. I also read that they serve outstanding margaritas.

A must-try: shrimp en brochette – a bacon-wrapped shrimp stuffed with cream cheese, shredded cheese, and a slice of jalapeno. Some call this Shrimp Kisses.

Fisherman’s Wharf Seafood Grill

One of the island’s first and finest seafood restaurants, and one of the best in Galveston, is Fisherman’s Wharf Seafood Grill, which serves excellent seafood and delicious fresh bread. And the views are not wrong either! Waterfront dining is at its best here. They always use fresh ingredients, and their food is delicious. The food must be good to have been in business all these years.

Fisherman’s Wharf is in the Historic Strand District. Views of the water and the Tall Ship Elissa are gorgeous! And if you’re in Galveston for a cruise, it is close to the Galveston Cruise Terminal.

It’s open every day of the week for lunch and dinner. Prior reservations are not required, but you may want to make a reservation online to ensure a seat.

Try the Greek salad, featuring mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, and Greek dressing, for a light meal.

A must-try: Gulf Red Snapper served with rice pilaf and fresh vegetables.

Shrimp N Stuff

Its location is 3901 Avenue O. It serves Southern-style fried seafood and al a carte and gets 4.4 stars.

Yaga’s Cafe (Traveler’s Choice 2021)

A place that mentions Peace, Love, and Soul. on its website is a place I would try! Another friend said the coconut shrimp with a Dirty Monkey (drink) is fantastic! They serve healthy meals, too! And afterward, you can go shopping right on the strand. Yaga’s Cafe won the 2021 Travelers’ Choice by TripAdvisor. Live music every weekend from 10 pm to 2 am.

Little Daddy’s Gumbo Bar

Check them out in the Galveston Arts and Entertainment District at 2107 Postoffice St. for some swamp-fried alligator. Happy Hour Mon-Fri from 3-7 pm.

Miller’s Seawall Grill

A friend told me that the crab Benedict is a must-try at Miller’s Seawall Grill. The view from the restaurant isn’t bad either! They do not take reservations at this time.

Katie’s Seafood Market

Katies’ Seafood, located at 1902 Wharf Rd., has been serving fresh seafood and boasts a 4.6 rating for over twenty years.

More – Where To Eat In Galveston, Texas

Don’t worry – there are plenty of family-owned restaurants on the Island, as well as these well-known chains. You won’t go hungry when you eat in Galveston!

• Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. is always a fun place to visit and the perfect spot for kids to have a great time.
• Joe’s Crab Shack, which serves delicate lobster.
• Landry’s Seafood Restaurant is a high-end restaurant.
• Rainforest Cafe is always a treat for dining among the animals.
• Saltgrass Steakhouse
• Tiki Bar 3204 Seawall Blvd.

One reader suggested these restaurants to try:

NICKS
Benno’s
Gypsy Joynt
Mario’s
Cajun Greek
Rudy & Paco’s
Saltwater Grill
Sonny’s Place

Another reader suggested these types of restaurants:

Mexican Restaurants, Asian restaurants, Fine dining, Italian, Oyster House, Delicatessens.

 

You’re only a hop, skip, and jump (okay, maybe 30 minutes) from a city with a zoo, an art trail, a pick-your-flowers farm, and a museum of Nolan Ryan. See Fun Things To Do In Alvin, TX.

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