Location: Galveston
Top Restaurants in Galveston
Galveston Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Galveston
More than 30 miles of beaches plus a wealth of cultural and historic institutions make this island a Gulf of Mexico vacation hot spot. If you go, don't forget your walking shoes: With 14 museums and 20 art galleries, plus several historic homes and mansions, there's a lot of ground to cover. Armchair pilots will love the Lone Star Flight Museum and those with more of a nautical interest can check out the Texas Seaport Museum. Families will enjoy the many child-friendly attractions, including Moody Gardens, with its replica of a tropical rain forest. It's easy to get caught up in all the activities, but don't forget to spend some downtime in the sun and on the beach.
Things to do in Galveston
1. Rudy & Paco Restaurant & Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 767 reviews
When visiting Galveston Island, you simply can't miss the Island's most unique dining experience, Rudy & Paco. Rudy & Paco features grilled seafood and steak with a South and Central American sabor. Relax and unwind with your favorite cocktail while enjoying delicious Antojitos. Rudy & Paco is located next door to The Grand 1894 Opera House, and is a great choice for pre-show dinner specials. Dinner: No shorts (men or women), hats/caps, or sleeveless shirts for men. Lunch: Smart Casual
Reviewed By Michael M
“Paco’s” as the locals call it, was highly recommended and did not disappoint! From the service (many thanks Samantha and the rest of the team) to the wine selection (can’t beat some of their bottle prices), to the wide range of food selections, the entire dining experience was 5 Star!! Recommend the calamari, one of the most unique preparations I’ve seen - Yum! Can’t go wrong with any of their entrees, but save room for dessert. The Cuatro Leches with the addition of the espresso ice cream and shot of Licor 43 was the bomb! (The bread pudding was pretty awesome as well!). When on Galveston Island, dinner at Paco’s is a must! Make sure you make reservations and don’t wear shorts, unless you want to sit at the bar.
2. The Steakhouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 446 reviews
Indulge in the Island's finest, award-winning cuisine at The Steakhouse, featuring USDA Midwest grain-fed beef, live Maine lobster and an award-winning wine list. Recipient of the prestigious AAA Four Diamond Award(R) since 2004 and selected as one of the "Top Ten Texas Steakhouses" by food critic Tom Horan, The Steakhouse is an extraordinary dining experience for any connoisseur. The Steakhouse was also voted Best Steakhouse on the Coast by Texas Monthly magazine and "Best Place for Steak" by readers of the Galveston Daily News.
Reviewed By aarrtt - Houston, TX
My husband and I stayed at The Villas of this property for my birthday last week. We had my birthday dinner served in our Villa suite, a romantic candlelit table set-up. The set up was wonderful; however, the meal was severely lacking. The bone in ribeye was not cooked to my request. The steak had a good flavor but I requested medium well and got medium rare. The $89 lobster tail was tough and inedible. The haricots verts w/shallots had no seasoning to complement the shallots. The only dish that was to our liking was the crab & lobster risotto. Not what I expected for $250 ducketts.
Come to think of it, my first visit here in early 2017 was not that great. My fish entree was tasteless and a fly flew in my martini.
3. Mama Teresa's Flying Pizza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 174 reviews
Reviewed By Tim O - Harker Heights, Texas
Slightly thin crust and personally like thicker but this is great Pizza for a good price. Really good cheese, great crust. Had good salad, garlic bread could use some work.
Make no mistake Pizza is their game and this is the best pizza I’ve ever seen in Texas.
4. Gaido's
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
The toast of the Texas coast. How can frozen fish be called fresh? The answer for anyone with snap is simple: it can’t. That’s why Gaido’s is the classic choice for fresh Gulf seafood. Patrons know Gaido’s is real, when others are clearly not. From red snapper and blue crab to white tablecloths crumbed with panache, there’s no denying Gaido’s is one-of-a-kind in a world of imitation. Now, after four generations of filleting, frying, grilling and baking, Gaido’s has grown into the picture perfect place of traditions– birthdays, anniversaries, retirements, reunions. As the largest fresh fish house on the coast, Gaido’s can serve up to 2,500 happy diners a day. -– for over 100 years – is truly the coastal classic.
Reviewed By Alimuca - Dubai
Went for lunch with my family. Service was really bad; took more than 15 minutes to get two diet cokes we ordered to start with. Then asked for some appetizers and they brought it after the main dish. Food quality was just “ok”, nothing spectacular. Overpriced for the quality you get, there are some better places in the city. I definitely wouldn’t eat there again.
5. Mario's Seawall Italian Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 814 reviews
Reviewed By Danyalle S - Kaufman, Texas
We have visited Mario's on each of our last 3 visits to Galveston and have gotten pizza each time because it's so good! We should probably try something different, but when you find pizza this good and you've got kids that will eat it, you...MoreThank you so much, Danyalle, for the excellent review! We're so glad you and your family can come and enjoy pizza with us each time you visit Galveston! We appreciate the kind words and look forward to seeing you again next time!
6. Grotto Ristorante
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 266 reviews
Inspired by classic Southern Italian cooking, Galveston's newest Italian restaurant Grotto features delicious veal, chicken, seafood and house made pastas. Grotto's food and breath-taking décor are complimented by beachside views in Galveston Island's premiere resort and hotel. Wine connoisseurs will be impressed with the extensive collection of Italian and domestic selections. With our winning combination of impeccable service, superb cuisine and passion for detail, Grotto is the perfect restaurant in Galveston for Italian dining.
Reviewed By billstl2017 - Saint Louis, Missouri
We love the Grotto as it offers many choices from wood fired pizza to pastas to complex Italian dishes. Also, the Sunday night family style special of Fried Chicken and Pasta is a great deal-great value also. My favorite is the Chopino. which is assorted fresh seafoods stew.
7. Miller's Seawall Grill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Our beach front location and fresh fare makes Miller's Seawall Grill a Galveston favorite for locals and visitors alike. While we prepare meals, our guests relax and enjoy the atmosphere and views. Our full menu is available all day. We offer traditional American breakfast favorites like French toast, omelettes, waffles, pancakes and steak and eggs. We also serve sandwiches, po-boys, burgers, salads, soup and gumbo. Miller's also serves traditional entrees, like chicken fried steak, ribeye steaks, chicken, liver&onions and pork n stuffing.Enjoy our seafood selection of: shrimp, oysters, flounder, snapper, salmon, lump crab. Our bar serves beer and wine, along with our signature bloody mary, margaritas and mimosas. Miller's also offers takeout.
Reviewed By Pamela B - Saint Charles, Missouri
My husband and I both got the fried shrimp and they weren't cleaned. You could see the string of black on the back of the pieces. I only had a couple after I removed that and they weren't good. The hushpuppies were pretty good, but yeah, it was gross. My kids liked their food so I'm not giving this a terrible.
8. Mosquito Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By paj0756 - The Woodlands, Texas
Blessed with a parking spot in front. Short order line. Exceptionally personable Host and Order taker. His tag said, Happy Birthday Squirrel. This was our third visit, and we’ll keep returning, when in Galveston. Outstanding menu. We had the Pecan Crusted Brie, with grapes, Chicken Salad on Croissant, and Shrimp Tacos. Both served with Apple, Nuts and Greens; super dressing. Water was our beverage, but the draft beer and wine selection is excellent. Desserts are made across the street, at Patty Cakes. WOW!!!
9. Blvd. Seafood
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 403 reviews
Reviewed By Julie O
BLVD was a great experience for our party of 8. When we first walked in as first timers we were a bit underwhelmed by our greeter and the noisy diner appearance. Once we were seated and our waiter, Joel, took over the experience totally changed. Informative, happy, knowledgeable and just an all-round great waiter he made our evening wonderful. Food was great too.
10. Galvez Bar & Grill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 269 reviews
Galvez Bar & Grill, located in the historic Hotel Galvez, specializes in fresh, local seafood purchased at Galveston's Pier 19 and Texas regional cuisine. Diners can enjoy Texas-sized Po Boys, fresh fish served blackened, grilled and fried as well as steak and other items on its grill menu. The bar offers an extensive menu featuring slides, flatbread pizzas and prohibition inspired cocktails.
Reviewed By Candi W
I booked a reservation through Open Table for Brunch with Santa on Dec. 17. I couldn't have been more disappointed! Mostly frustrated for this waste of time, where I could have chosen to eat anywhere else. But I chose this event because of Santa.This was a day for my 2 year old granddaughter to see Santa. My son and I had been building her up for this for a couple of weeks.
We thought Santa would at least walk around to say hello and interact with everyone. He did not!! The only walking he did was to keep walking to go on break or whatever.
In fact, we arrived at 12:30, and my granddaughter was so excited.
One of the staff members said, "oh you just missed him." So my son and I checked in and were seated. We took turns getting our food. We wanted to at least enjoy the meal. But still no Santa. I caught a glimpse of him sitting in a chair in the lobby. We heard bells jingling and my granddaughter got excited again. I saw Santa walking through the buffet area again. We waited another 30 minutes, and he never came back.
I called the waitress over for the check. By that time, Santa was clearly absent so I asked when he was coming back. She said she'd ask. When she came back and told us he was not returning, I couldn't wait to get the hell out of there.
So for two hours to eat at the price I paid for two glimpses of Santa, you can bet I'll never be back, for this event or any other. No announcement, no message from the waitress like, oh you might want to get up from your table and go see Santa now - no nothing.
My son and I were more disappointed than my granddaughter, as she didn't know he was gone. But we attended this whole event just for her. The waitress brought an elf toy over to her because Santa wasn't coming back.
So $100 down and we got food and an elf.
For $4.99 I could have gotten her a happy meal and a toy at McDonald's!!!
