The 20 Best Seafood Restaurants in Houston
Like many other major cities in the United States, Houston is a fantastic place for eating out due to the diversity of the restaurants in the city. There is something to suit all budgets and occasions. Although Texas is generally associated with steakhouses and Tex-Mex food, these are not the only options. Houston has a vast array of restaurants serving both locally and internationally inspired cuisine. One option is to dine in one of the many seafood restaurants, epically if you are a fan of fish and seafood. Here are the 20 best seafood restaurants in Houston in 2019.
20. Bernadine’s
Bernadine’s is a relative newcomer to the line-up of Houston’s seafood restaurants, but it has already earned an excellent reputation. The menu is described as being a love letter to the Gulf Coast, and features dishes using the catch of the day. The most impressive appetizer is the I-10 Tower, which is ideal for sharing and features crab claws, oysters, and pickled shrimp. A Southern theme features through the entrée list, but the list of dishes changes seasonally according to what is available.
19. Bayou City Seafood & Pasta
For those who want to dine somewhere casual, Bayou City Seafood & Pasta in Upper Kirby is an excellent choice. While the pasta dishes are obviously inspired by Italian cuisine, the seafood section of the menu is Cajun-inspired. The portions are large, so many people opt to share a meal with their fellow diners and simply add some sides. One of the most popular options on the menu is the seafood jambalaya. This restaurant has a happy hour with reduced wine and beer, so this is the ideal time to visit if you have a limited budget but want to sample some of the best seafood in Houston.
18. Tony Mandola’s
Tony Mandola first began cooking Italian food on the Gulf Coast during the 1980s. He is now a well-known name in the restaurant industry. This restaurant has a style that you would expect to see in the French Quarter in New Orleans. The menu is a combination of classic Italian fish and seafood dishes alongside Southern and Cajun favorites. You can also order wood-fired pizzas, one of the best of which is the gumbo pizza that combines Italian and Cajun flavors.
17. Masraff’s
A favorite among locals living in the Galleria neighborhood of Houston, this is an elegant and premier restaurant. Despite the high-end style, it is surprisingly affordable. The team at this restaurant is committed to using only the best and freshest ingredients, and they pay attention to detail in the preparation of their dishes. They serve classic fish and seafood dishes that have flavorsome twists with international inspiration. Guests can dine indoors or out on the patio if they prefer. A sommelier is on hand to offer advice regarding the perfect wine pairing for your chosen meal.
16. Goode Co. Seafood
The unusual railroad setting makes this a unique place to dine. Goode Co. Seafood specializes in Gulf Coast seafood, such as oyster Po’ boys and stuffed crab. This restaurant is also known for its mesquite grilling, which is a technique used in the preparation of many of the dishes on the menu. The entrees come in generous portions with an abundance of side dishes. There are two locations from which you can choose, The flagship restaurant is in Westpark, and the second restaurant is in Upper Kirby.
15. Connie’s Seafood Market & Restaurant
You will find this Mexican seafood eatery in The Heights neighborhood of Houston. Connie’s Seafood Market & Restaurant has an eclectic style and a great atmosphere. The interior features neon lights, glass block counters, and vivid walls. These features make dining here feel like a quirky experience. Despite the fun nature of the restaurant, the quality of the food is taken very seriously. Customers are even allowed to pick their own fish before it is prepared. It is worth noting that this is one of the most affordable seafood restaurants in Houston, so it is ideal for seafood lovers on a budget.
14. Christie’s Seafood & Steaks
Regardless of whether you have meat lovers or seafood enthusiasts in your dining party, there is something for everyone on the menu at Christie’s Seafood & Steaks. Located in Galleria, this well-established restaurant has been open since 1917. Originally, it was a simple food and drink stand before becoming a proper restaurant in Houston. Now, it is a family-friendly restaurant that is known for its fresh shrimp platters and homemade tartar and remoulade sauces. In addition to the seafood, they also serve top-quality steaks and there are many more options on the menu.
13. Rudy & Paco’s
Rudy & Paco’s is a Latin American inspired seafood joint that is changing the fine dining scene in Galveston’s historic district, says Thrillist. Open for both lunch and dinner service, this restaurant offers a different experience depending on when you choose to dine at this venue. Lunch is a more casual affair where you can enjoy a stylish version of fish tacos or other tasty bites along with tropical drinks. Dinner is more formal, but there is still a great vibe. Some popular options from the entrée menu include Ahi tuna with cognac mustard sauce, fiery shrimp diablos, and plantain-crusted red snapper. It doesn’t matter if you are not a seafood fan because they also serve steak and several other meat options.
12. Number 13 Prime Steak & Seafood
There is something for everyone on the menu at Number 13 Prime Steak & Seafood, regardless of whether you are a meat-lover or a seafood fan. Its location is by the Pelican Rest Marina, and it boasts an indoor dining room and a two-story, island-style terrace. This seafood and chophouse screams luxury, both in terms of the décor and the food on offer. A highlight of the menu for many people is the iced seafood tower, which includes shrimp cocktail, oysters, tuna tartare, mussels, scallops, and either king crab or lobster.
11. La Fisheria
Despite the rather French-sounding name of this seafood restaurant, it is actually a Mexican seafood venue. One of the best items on the menu is the Vuelve a la Vida soup, which contains lots of spice and an abundance of mussels, shrimp, octopus, and oysters. Other options you might see on the menu include seafood tacos, charred octopus served with garlic and yucca, lobster with black beans and rice, and traditional Mexican ceviche. The meals are hearty and full of flavor, while the restaurant has a great vibe. It is an excellent place for people to dine out with their family or a group of friends.
10. Lotus Seafood
When this restaurant first opened in Westchester in the 1990s, it was a ‘you buy, we fry’ shop. It has come a long way since then, as it now serves some of the best seafood in Houston. Lotus Seafood is particularly well-known for its shrimp and crawfish fried rice. This is smothered in garlic butter sauce and has more shrimp in it than you can imagine. In addition to the original Westchester location, there are also locations in Northwest and Southwest Houston. This means that you can easily access a Lotus Seafood Restaurant from wherever you are in Houston.
9. Eugene’s Gulf Coast Cuisine
An old school style Creole and Cajun restaurant, the familiar flavors of this Southern cuisine is what appeals to its returning diners. Typical dishes you can expect to see on the menu include platters of oysters, seafood gumbo, crawfish etouffee, catfish Po’ boys, and fried clams. If you visit this venue on a Sunday, you can enjoy your meal while the music plays as they have a Sunday jazz & blues brunch.
8. Brennan’s of Houston
Brennan’s of Houston is popular with both tourists and locals alike, says Vacation Idea. It is the sister restaurant to Commander’s Palace in New Orleans. Most of the menu is traditional Creole dishes with a modern twist, such a gumbo, turtle soup, and shrimp and grits. Also featured on the menu are some dishes inspired by Texan flavors, including venison and steaks. If you love Southern-style seafood, then you will love this restaurant. It is a high-end option, so it is ideal for celebrating a special occasion.
7. SaltAir Seafood Kitchen
SaltAir Seafood Kitchen has a globally inspired menu. Therefore, you can enjoy a vast array of flavors from the light spices of the Moroccan-spiced redfish to tuna poke or saffron fettuccine with jumbo crab meat. Chef Brandi Key is a master of balancing flavors, so you will not be disappointed no matter what you choose. If you want to give SaltAir Seafood Kitchen a try, you will find this establishment in the Upper Kirby area of Houston.
6. Caracol Mexican Seafood Kitchen
Gayot ranks Caracol Mexican Seafood Kitchen as one of the best seafood restaurants in Houston. This is part of a food empire run by husband and wife team Chef Hugo Ortega and Tracy Vaught. Their other restaurants include Mexican eatery Hugo’s and the Southern restaurant Backstreet Café. The dishes on the menu at Caracol are inspired by coastal Mexico. Along with the flavorsome seafood dishes, the desserts at this restaurant are delightful.
5. Eddie V’s Prime Seafood
Located on Queensbury Lane, Eddie V’s Prime Seafood has earned an excellent reputation for the way it prepares and serves fresh fish and seafood. It is also known for its extensive wine list. There is an amazing raw bar, and they serve steak and other meat dishes for those who are not fans of seafood.
4. Holley’s Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar
Known by the locals simply as Holley’s, this restaurant has Chef Mark Holley at the helm. It is located in Midtown and has several special features in addition to the main menu, such as a caviar service and a rad bourbon program. The restaurant is famous for its freshly shucked oysters, Crudo, and ceviche. However, there are plenty of creative dishes on the menu from which you can choose. This is a great venue to visit at brunch as diners can enjoy scotch bloody Marys along with tasty bites.
3. Gilhooley’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar
Although this restaurant serves dishes other than oysters, it is the oysters that bring customers back time and again. They are some of the freshest oysters served anywhere in Houston, and they come in various forms. One of the simplest options is oysters with a squeeze of lemon, but the house specialty is Oysters Gilhooley, which are oysters brushed with garlic butter and Parmesan that are cooked in a wood BBQ pit.
2. Reef
Ever since this restaurant was opened, it has been on the lists of the best seafood restaurants in Houston. At the helm of this modern restaurant is Chef Bryan Cashwell, who uses seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. Due to this approach, the menu is continuously changing. Regardless of what the menu features during your visit, you can guarantee that your meal will be flawlessly executed. In addition to the exceptional food, this restaurant is known for its extensive wine list that includes more than 400 labels.
1. PESKA Seafood Culture
According to Thrillist, the best seafood restaurant in Houston is PESKA Seafood Culture. This fine-dining venue is so swanky that there is even a seafood sommelier to guide you through the menu. Other points worthy of note about this restaurant are its impressive raw bar, an in-house fish market, and the globally-inspired flavor profiles of the dishes. Some examples of the meals on the menu include butterflied red snapper with two sauces, lobster cappuccino with white truffle foam, and miso bacalao.