Photo Credit: Visit Galveston
Get the scoop on where to eat in Galveston Texas
Trying local foods and restaurants is one of the highlights of traveling! On our latest trip to Galveston, even my children exclaimed that the food was one of the things they enjoyed most. In this article, you’ll find where to eat in Galveston Texas, and hopefully, you’ll find a favorite.
This list comprised several members of Texas Travel Talk when they visited Galveston, plus some of which was extensively researched. Warning – it’s hard to choose!!
Related: 5 Tips For Eating As A Family On The Road
Gulf Red Snapper served with rice pilaf and fresh vegetables.
Where To Eat In Galveston Texas
From burgers and barbeque to a chilling salmon dinner and some of the best restaurants on the Gulf of Mexico, here are restaurants in Galveston you’ll want to put on your radar when visiting the Island. All are great for the family.
Did someone say barbecue?
Galveston is known for having some of the best barbeque restaurants in Texas. Keep reading.
Related: Family Summer Getaways In Texas
Fisherman’s Wharf Seafood Grill
One of the first restaurants on the Island and one of the best seafood restaurants in Galveston is Fisherman’s Wharf Seafood Grill, which offers great seafood and yummy fresh bread. And, the views are not bad either! Waterfront dining at its best! You’ll always find fresh seafood and delicious food. Head here for a special occasion to dazzle your partner or for family dining on any day of the week.
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 reservations online to guarantee a seat.
Before your meal arrives, a bag of fresh, hot bread is brought to your table and served with whipped butter. The soft, flavorful bread melts in your mouth. The bread lovers in our family could have dined just on this!
The food was beautifully presented, which for some reason, made the meal even better. The Greek salad I had, mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, and Greek dressing, was the perfect light meal.
Writer’s Recommendation: Gulf Red Snapper served with rice pilaf and fresh vegetables.
Cafe In The Park In Moody Gardens Hotel
Cafe in the Park is a casual, light, airy restaurant located on the first floor of the Moody Gardens Hotel and is only open to hotel guests. If you stay here, dine here – you’ll love it. If not, the hotel has plenty of other nice casual restaurants open to the public. See below.
The breakfast buffet was arrayed with a vast choice of delectable breakfast options. All regular foods such as eggs, biscuits and gravy, potatoes, cereals, and juices were there. The spread of fresh fruit and fresh pastries first caught my eye. Have you ever seen Kolaches on a breakfast buffet before? Tiny little smoothies and cream-filled crepes with raspberry sauce were also all the rage with my kids. This dish ranks very high on the breakfast buffets we have ever had.
My husband and I made time for an evening date and enjoyed the supper buffet. It is equally delicious!
Leon’s BBQ Brisket. Photo Credit: Visit Galveston
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) tops the list for the best barbeque joint in Galveston. Located at 55th and Broadway. Call-in orders are welcome.
- Queen’s Bar-B-Que – A family-owned barbeque 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.
Moody Gardens Restaurants Open To The Public
We have previously enjoyed the Garden Restaurant’s menu options, but we feasted on the buffet on this occasion. Usually, we are not huge fans of a buffet but would instead choose a meal to be served at our table. However, this time, we found that Moody Gardens Garden Restaurant is a beautiful place to go the buffet route. The options are fantastic! This restaurant is open to the public.
I am not a huge meat eater, so I was excited when I saw the salad bar. Everything was tasty, but wow, that kale with butternut squash was out of this world. I filled my plate from this section several times. My husband equally raved over the meat selection. Everything was perfectly cooked and seasoned to perfection.
It’s A Family Buffet!
At first glance at the buffet, my husband and I exchanged looks. It looked fantastic, but what would our picky eater kids eat? And then I spotted a section just for them. Everyone left with full tummies and happy with spaghetti, chicken nuggets, macaroni, and cheese…everyone, including one of my family members, was satisfied. Mom’s happy moments!
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, visit Moody Gardens Hotel restaurants open to the public.
Hotel Galvez Bar And Grill
According to Adeina, while she was on a trip to Galveston, she stayed at Hotel Galvez and said their restaurant, Galvez Bar & Grill, has excellent gumbo, and the key lime pie “was to die for! So be sure to save room for dessert! They also offer Sunday Brunch and all-you-can-eat shrimp.
Dinner is from 5 pm to 10 pm, and they also serve lunch. Reservations are best made online through OpenTable. The hotel location is 2024 Seawall Blvd., Galveston. Read what Adeina had to say about staying at Hotel Galvez.
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 “where to eat in Galveston, TX” kind of place to try! Open for all meals.
Miller’s Seawall Grill
Okay, I heard from a friend that the crab benedict is a must-try at Miller’s Seawall Grill. Seems like the view on the seawall isn’t bad either! They do not take reservations at this time.
Yaga’s Cafe
A place that mentions Peace. Love. Soul. on its website is a place I would try! The same friend mentioned the above restaurant also said the coconut shrimp with a Dirty Monkey (drink) at Yaga’s Cafe is fantastic! They serve healthy meals too! And afterward, you can go shopping right on the strand.
Grotto Ristorante
For Italian dining and great gulf views, make a reservation at the Grotto located on the Seawall.
Photo Credit: Visit Galveston
The Sunflower Bakery And Cafe
I do love fresh vegetables and homemade sandwiches. With their new lunch menu coming soon, head here for breakfast, lunch, and your sweet tooth! Find them in Galveston’s East End.
Photo Credit: Visit Galveston
Katie’s Seafood Market
For over 20 years, Katies’ Seafood has provided fresh seafood, and their ratings are high.
Photo Credit: Visit Galveston
More – Where To Eat In Galveston Texas
Don’t worry – there are plenty of restaurants on the Island, including these well-known names. You won’t go hungry when you eat in Galveston!
- Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., which is always fun to visit
- Joe’s Crab Shack, which serves some major fine lobster
- Landry’s Seafood House that’s a high-end restaurant
- Rainforest Cafe is always a treat to dine among the animals.
- Saltgrass Steakhouse
- You can always go for the all-you-can-eat seafood buffet at Golden Corral on Seawall Blvd.
Let us know where to eat good crawfish in Galveston, TX! Eating crawfish seems to be a popular meal in the Gulf!
You’re only a hop, skip, and jump 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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