13 Coastal Mississippi Restaurants Serving Seafood With Stunning Water Views
Mississippi’s Gulf Coast is a treasure chest of seafood, where the day’s freshest catches are served with a side of stunning waterfront views.
Picture yourself slurping oysters as the sun dips below the horizon, or digging into shrimp while fishing boats sway in the harbor.
These coastal gems blend flavor and scenery so perfectly that every meal feels like a little vacation.
1. McElroy’s Harbor House – Biloxi’s Harbor Gem
Perched above Biloxi’s Small Craft Harbor, McElroy’s offers a front-row seat to bobbing boats and sparkling waters. The covered balcony provides the best vantage point for savoring their legendary seafood platters and hearty gumbo.
Locals swear by the po’boys that come stuffed with Gulf treasures. I’ve spent countless lunches here, nursing coffee while watching fishermen return with their catches, making this spot feel like Mississippi’s coastal heart.
2. The Reef – Three Stories of Gulf Panoramas
Standing tall on Biloxi’s beachfront, The Reef treats diners to unobstructed Gulf of Mexico views from three different levels. The crowning jewel is the Sky Bar where the horizon stretches endlessly before you.
Chargrilled oysters sizzle on plates while waves lap just yards away. Sunset transforms the space into a golden paradise, especially when paired with their zesty shrimp tacos that pack a flavorful punch worth writing home about.
3. White Pillars – Elegant Beach Dining with Historic Charm
Housed in a stately building across from Biloxi Beach, White Pillars marries Southern elegance with farm-to-table philosophy.
The restaurant’s graceful veranda frames postcard-worthy beach views that complement Chef Austin Sumrall’s artfully plated Gulf treasures.
Once my anniversary dinner spot, I watched pelicans dive into waves while savoring their perfectly seared red snapper.
The building’s 1905 bones add a touch of nostalgic grandeur that elevates every meal beyond mere dining to a coastal celebration.
4. Shaggy’s Gulfport Beach – Barefoot Luxury on the Sand
Vacation vibes flow freely at this colorful Gulfport hangout where sandy feet and sunset toasts are equally welcome. The sprawling deck practically hovers over the Gulf, creating an immersive beach experience without leaving your table.
Royal Red shrimp – deep-water treasures with sweet, lobster-like meat – steal the show here. Families gather around weathered wooden tables while pelicans patrol offshore, creating a laid-back atmosphere that embodies coastal Mississippi’s unpretentious charm.
5. White Cap Seafood Restaurant – No-Frills Gulf Goodness
A Gulfport staple since 1929, White Cap delivers straightforward seafood excellence with Gulf views that require no embellishment. Platters heaped with golden fried shrimp arrive alongside briny oysters on the half-shell that taste of the very waters you’re gazing upon.
The breezy outdoor seating area offers front-row seats to the gentle Gulf waves. Their seafood gumbo, dark and rich with coastal flavor, has remained unchanged for decades – proving that sometimes tradition trumps trends.
6. Beach Blvd Steamer – Casino-Adjacent Coastal Luxury
Neighboring Island View Casino, Beach Blvd Steamer elevates seafood with pecan-wood grilling techniques that infuse delicate flavors into ocean treasures. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame Gulfport’s shoreline while diners crack into steamed clusters of crab legs.
Maine lobster shares menu space with local Royal Reds, creating a north-meets-south seafood celebration. During my last visit, a summer thunderstorm rolled across the water, nature’s dinner theater accompanying our feast of buttery shellfish and coastal delicacies.
7. Steve’s Marina Restaurant – Long Beach’s Sandy Sanctuary
Practically built on the sand, Steve’s Marina offers panoramic Gulf views that make you feel like you’re dining on a boat. The redfish, a local specialty, comes perfectly blackened with a side of endless horizon. Seafood pasta loaded with Gulf shrimp and crab has locals returning weekly.
The outdoor patio catches refreshing sea breezes that somehow make everything taste better, while pelicans dive dramatically offshore, providing natural entertainment between bites of their legendary po’boys.
8. Shaggy’s Pass Harbor – The Original Waterfront Wonder
The first in Shaggy’s family, this Pass Christian treasure sits directly above the harbor waters, with boats gently rocking below the wraparound deck. Every seat guarantees water views – a rarity even among waterfront establishments.
I celebrated finishing my first marathon here, nursing sore legs while demolishing their famous Shaggy Burger topped with fresh Gulf shrimp.
The easygoing crowd mingles with salty air, creating an atmosphere where time slows down and coastal living takes center stage.
9. Bacchus On The Beach – Pass Christian’s Cajun Coastal Haven
Cajun influences reign supreme at this Pass Christian waterfront spot where chargrilled oysters sizzle with garlic butter and parmesan. The patio offers uninterrupted water views that stretch to the horizon, perfectly complementing their seafood-forward menu.
Gulf fish arrives daily from boats visible from your table, ensuring peak freshness. The restaurant’s relaxed vibe makes lingering easy, especially when afternoon turns to evening and the bay waters reflect golden sunset hues across your table.
10. 200 North Beach – Historic Bay St. Louis Landmark
Housed in a 1903 building with stories etched into its walls, 200 North Beach combines historical charm with breathtaking bay views.
The upstairs balcony offers a bird’s-eye perspective of Bay St. Louis while serving up raw and charbroiled oysters harvested from nearby waters.
Grilled Gulf fish arrives with seasonal vegetables that complement rather than compete with the seafood’s natural flavors.
After dinner, the upstairs lounge beckons with live music and craft cocktails, extending the waterfront experience well into the evening hours.
11. Trapani’s Eatery – Italian-Creole Fusion with Sunset Spectacles
Trapani’s blends Italian heritage with Creole flair in Bay St. Louis, where the upstairs Blue Marlin Bar seems custom-designed for sunset appreciation.
Their tuna nachos, a creative twist on the traditional, have developed a cult following among locals and visitors alike.
My cousin’s wedding rehearsal dinner here remains legendary, with soft-shell crab entrees served as the bay transformed into a canvas of oranges and purples.
The fusion menu reflects Mississippi’s cultural melting pot, while the setting captures its natural splendor.
12. Aunt Jenny’s Catfish Restaurant – Fort Bayou’s Hidden Treasure
Ancient live oaks draped in Spanish moss create a storybook setting for Aunt Jenny’s, perched along Fort Bayou in Ocean Springs. While catfish reigns supreme here, their seafood plates showcase the diversity of Mississippi’s waters.
The all-you-can-eat catfish comes with perfectly crispy hushpuppies that disappear from baskets almost magically.
Dining on the deck feels like being in a Southern painting – moss-draped trees frame the peaceful bayou waters, where occasionally an osprey dives for its own fresh catch.
13. Parrish’s Restaurant & Lounge – Long Beach Harbor’s Classic Cornerstone
Nestled in Long Beach Harbor, Parrish’s offers classic seafood dishes served with generous portions of water views. Strategic seating by the windows guarantees a constantly changing tableau of bobbing boats and harbor activities.
Their seafood platters arrive piled high with Gulf treasures, while steaks satisfy land-loving appetites. The restaurant’s longevity speaks to their consistency – both in food quality and in maintaining that perfect perch overlooking one of Mississippi’s most picturesque small harbors.
