I Traveled Mississippi’s Coastal Route To Try 13 Fish-And-Chips Spots (4 Had Calm, Breezy Waterfront Views)
Driving along Mississippi’s Gulf Coast feels like flipping through a postcard collection that somehow smells like fried fish and sounds like waves hitting sand.
I spent three days bouncing between highway stops and harbor-side tables, chasing down every place that served something close to fish and chips, which in this part of the country can mean anything from classic pub batter to Southern-fried catfish with a mountain of fries.
Some spots were tucked into strip malls with parking lots full of pickup trucks, while others perched right on the water where the breeze did more seasoning than the kitchen ever could.
By the end of the trip, I had worked through thirteen different versions of fried fish and fries, gained a few pounds, lost track of how many times I asked for extra tartar sauce, and confirmed that four of those stops came with views calm enough to make me forget I was supposed to be moving on to the next town.
1. Tony’s Family Restaurant, Waveland
My day in Waveland kicked off at Tony’s Family Restaurant, the kind of old-school stop where the menu reads like a road trip checklist.
The restaurant sits at 720 US 90, Waveland, MS 39576, and it is the kind of place you can spot easily from the highway when hunger suddenly hits.
I ordered a fish and chips plate that came out in a basket big enough that I briefly considered sharing before quickly changing my mind.
The fish arrived in thick golden strips, with a crunchy exterior that gave way to soft, mild fillets that took well to a squeeze of lemon.
The fries leaned more toward crispy than fluffy, perfect for dragging through tartar sauce while I watched a steady stream of locals pick up takeout bags.
At one point, a regular at the next table leaned over just to tell me that the fried seafood had saved many lazy weeknight dinners, and I believed every word.
By the time I paid the bill, I had already decided Tony’s would be my first recommendation for anyone entering the coastal route from the west.
2. Lester’s Seafood, Bay St Louis
Rolling into Bay St Louis, I could practically follow the scent of the fryer straight to Lester’s Seafood.
The restaurant sits at 1248 US 90, Bay St Louis, MS 39520, tucked into a small strip that hides the fact that the kitchen is turning out serious coastal comfort food.
I went for a fish and chips style plate, and the server just smiled in the way that told me I had chosen correctly.
The fish arrived in generous fillets, coated in a light, shattering crust that somehow stayed crisp even after an enthusiastic bath in malt vinegar.
The fries came in a heap that made me briefly question my life choices, then completely ignore that doubt as soon as I tasted the first one.
Around me, families were trading bites of shrimp, oysters, and those same fried fish fillets, and the whole dining room had the low murmur of people who know they picked the right place.
I walked back out to the parking lot, thinking that if every stop on this route hit this level, my waistband was in real trouble.
3. Cuz’s Old Town Oyster Bar & Grill, Bay St Louis
By the time I turned toward Old Town Bay St Louis, I was ready for my first true waterfront fish and chips moment.
Cuz’s Old Town Oyster Bar & Grill sits at 108 S Beach Blvd, Bay St Louis, MS 39520, close enough to the water that the breeze practically seasons the air on its own.
I grabbed a table where I could see the water beyond the street, then ordered their take on fish and chips, which hit the table looking photo-ready.
The fish arrived in thick, golden pieces, with a batter that clung tightly and stayed crisp from first bite to last.
The fries were the sturdy kind, built to handle repeated dips in tartar sauce without falling apart halfway to my mouth.
As I ate, the late afternoon turned softer, the breeze cooled down, and conversations from the bar mixed with gulls overhead in a way that felt almost scripted.
This was one of those plates that made me linger longer than planned, just to finish the fries, which I absolutely did.
4. Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar, Gulfport
Cruising into Gulfport, I aimed straight for the harbor and walked right into Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar with serious expectations.
The Gulfport location sits at 942 Beach Dr, Gulfport, MS 39507, perched by the marina so you can watch boats shifting in their slips while you stare down your plate.
I ordered fish and chips and got a platter that looked almost too neat to disturb, with tidy fillets arranged beside a mound of fries.
The batter had that perfect balance between crisp and airy, cracking just enough under my fork but never sliding off the fish underneath.
The fries leaned classic and dependable, exactly what I wanted while I worked through the fish and stole glances at the water outside.
A light breeze slipped in every time someone opened the door, carrying just a hint of salt and reminding me that the Gulf was only steps away.
I left thinking that if every coastal city had a harbor spot like this, I would plan far more road trips than is strictly reasonable.
5. Shrimp Basket, Gulfport
Back inland a bit in Gulfport, Shrimp Basket gave me the kind of casual, no-fuss stop that always ends up in my repeat visit notebook.
This location sits at 9265 Highway 49, Gulfport, MS 39503, and it looks exactly like the sort of roadside seafood joint where you know the fryer is always busy.
Instead of overthinking things, I ordered a fried fish basket with fries, basically the Gulf Coast’s answer to fish and chips.
The fillets were lightly breaded, more coastal than pub style, but every bite had a clean, fresh flavor that made the plate disappear faster than I expected.
The fries were hot, salty, and clearly cooked to order, which meant I had to pause occasionally to let them cool before going back in.
I watched a mix of travelers and locals filter in, some still in beach gear, all of them clearly very familiar with the menu.
On a long coastal drive, this is the kind of place where you top off your energy, your mood, and maybe your to-go box too.
6. Shaggy’s Biloxi Beach, Biloxi
When I hit Biloxi, I knew Shaggy’s Biloxi Beach had to be one of the waterfront stops where I slowed my pace on purpose.
The restaurant sits at 1763 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS 39531, right across from the sand, with an elevated deck where the breeze does half the work of resetting your whole day.
I ordered their fish and chips plate and settled in at an outdoor table where I could see waves rolling in while my food arrived.
The fish came in generous portions, with a batter that stayed firmly attached and delivered a satisfying crunch that never turned soggy.
The fries did their job beautifully, soaking up lemon, sauce, and a little bit of sea air as I alternated between bites and just staring at the horizon.
At one point, I realized I had paused mid-meal simply to listen to the mix of beach noise and low conversation, which is always a good sign.
If you are counting calm, breezy waterfront views along this route, this spot easily earns one of those four coveted mentions.
7. McElroy’s Harbor House, Biloxi
For a different angle on Biloxi’s water, I followed Beach Boulevard until McElroy’s Harbor House practically appeared in front of my windshield.
The restaurant sits at 695 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS 39530, raised over the harbor so you can look straight out over the boats while you eat.
I ordered a fried fish platter that checked every box for a Gulf Coast spin on fish and chips, complete with fries and plenty of lemon wedges.
The fish was mild and flaky inside, with a seasoned crust that had just enough texture to stay interesting from first bite to last.
The fries came out hot and plentiful, which is convenient because this is the kind of view that encourages slow, lingering bites.
From my table by the window, I watched the light shift on the water and tried to pretend I did not still have several stops ahead of me.
By the time I left, I had no doubt this counted as one of the four calm, breezy waterfront views I would be talking about later.
8. Woody’s Roadside, Biloxi
Just a little farther along Biloxi’s main stretch, Woody’s Roadside gave me a slightly more laid-back, roadside-grill take on the fish and chips idea.
The Biloxi location sits at 1894 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS 39531, close enough to the shoreline that you can easily pair a meal here with a beach walk before or after.
I ordered their fish and chips after spotting more than one plate headed out of the kitchen that looked too good to ignore.
The fish fillets came out in sturdy pieces with a crisp, golden coating that sealed in plenty of moisture and flavor.
The fries were the kind that stay crunchy even after they cool a bit, which worked perfectly with the steady stream of dipping sauces on the table.
At one point, I caught myself doing the classic I am totally finished move, then quietly reaching back for just one more fry.
Woody’s felt like the kind of reliable stop where you could meet friends, split baskets, and still argue over who got the best piece of fish.
9. Castaways Bar & Grill, Ocean Springs
Crossing into Ocean Springs, I let the coastal vibe slow everything down a notch and pulled into Castaways Bar & Grill for another round of fried comfort.
Castaways sits at 2114 Bienville Blvd, Ocean Springs, MS 39564, with a big patio that makes it easy to stretch out and relax between bites.
Here I went straight for their English-style fish and chips, something I had heard about from more than one overly enthusiastic local.
The fish came in long, beautifully fried fillets with a batter that tasted faintly of herbs and stayed crisp from end to end.
The fries had just enough softness inside to balance that crunch, especially once I dragged them through tartar sauce and a scatter of salt.
With live music humming in the background and conversations drifting across the patio, the whole scene felt pleasantly unhurried.
I left with the quiet satisfaction that comes from finding a place that blends pub-style fish and chips with easy coastal energy.
10. KnuckleHeads, Ocean Springs
Downtown Ocean Springs gave me a change of pace at KnuckleHeads, a spot that feels half neighborhood hangout and half serious seafood operation.
The restaurant is at 522 Washington Ave, Ocean Springs, MS 39564, right in the middle of a strip where it is almost too easy to wander in just to look at the menu.
Their fried fish plates and fish and chips specials show up often enough on social feeds that I knew exactly what to order before I sat down.
The fish arrived with a crunchy exterior that gave a little peppery kick, which I appreciated more with each bite.
The fries leaned hearty and satisfying, clearly meant to hold up under a good dousing of vinegar or a shameless amount of sauce.
At the next table, a group argued over whether the fish, the shrimp, or the swamp dog deserved the loudest praise, and no one seemed eager to give ground.
For me, KnuckleHeads landed firmly in the worth parking and staying awhile column of this coastal route.
11. Aunt Jenny’s Catfish Restaurant, Ocean Springs
A little off the main drag, Aunt Jenny’s Catfish Restaurant gave my trip one of its most memorable old-fashioned stops.
You will find it at 1217 Washington Ave, Ocean Springs, MS 39564, in an 1800s home tucked under enormous oak trees that make the whole place feel wonderfully tucked away.
While the menu is famous for all you can eat catfish, the fried filets served with fries easily scratch the same fish and chips itch.
My plate arrived piled high with thin, delicate catfish pieces that somehow stayed crisp despite my habit of overdoing it with the tartar sauce.
The fries were simple and comforting, ideal for chasing every last crumb of breading around the plate.
Eating there felt less like a quick restaurant stop and more like being invited into a long-running local ritual that happens to involve bottomless baskets of fried fish.
I walked out feeling full in the best possible way and quietly grateful that this route still has places that hold onto traditions.
12. Bozo’s Seafood Market & Deli, Pascagoula
By the time I reached Pascagoula, Bozo’s Seafood Market & Deli was waiting with the kind of reputation that makes you instantly more hungry than you were five minutes earlier.
The main location sits at 2012 Ingalls Ave, Pascagoula, MS 39567, and it looks part seafood market, part deli, and entirely like a place that does not cut corners on freshness.
Fish and chips plates here lean into that Gulf mindset, with fried fish portions that taste as if they barely had time to leave the boat.
The batter is light but assertive, giving each bite a satisfying crunch before you reach the tender fish underneath.
The fries arrive in a cheerful tangle that makes it almost impossible to stop picking at them once you start.
While I ate, I watched a steady procession of locals picking up po-boys, seafood by the pound, and big bags of to-go orders.
It felt less like a simple restaurant stop and more like dropping into the heartbeat of Pascagoula’s seafood culture.
13. Brady’s Steaks and Seafood, Pascagoula
I wrapped up my coastal route at Brady’s Steaks and Seafood, which turned out to be the sort of place that quietly overdelivers on everything it does.
Brady’s sits at 3801 Magnolia Street, Pascagoula, MS 39567, set close enough to the river that the drive in already feels pleasantly removed from the usual highway bustle.
While the menu ranges from steaks to platters, I zeroed in on a fried fish plate that mirrored the spirit of fish and chips with a Southern accent.
The fish arrived alongside shrimp and a crab cake, so my quick taste plan turned into a slow, methodical clean sweep of the entire plate.
The fries served as the constant anchor, soaking up every stray crumb and drop of sauce until the platter looked carefully polished.
Around me, big family tables and relaxed couples worked through their own seafood feasts, clearly in no hurry to leave.
Ending the trip here felt right, as if the whole coastal route had been building toward one last excuse to order fried fish and pretend I would start eating light tomorrow.