10 Texas Seafood Shacks Worth The Drive Every Time
Texas might be famous for BBQ and Tex-Mex, but along its sprawling coastline sits some of America’s best seafood joints. These unpretentious shacks serve up the freshest catches straight from the Gulf waters to your plate.
Whether you’re craving buttery grilled oysters, spicy crawfish boils, or perfectly fried shrimp, these 10 coastal gems prove that sometimes the tastiest seafood comes from the most humble kitchens.
1. Gilhooley’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar – San Leon
Hidden in a nondescript building with a gravel parking lot, Gilhooley’s feels like a secret you’ve stumbled upon.
Their legendary Oysters Gilhooley – fresh oysters roasted over pecan wood with garlic butter and parmesan – have earned national acclaim.
No frills, no kids allowed (seriously, it’s adults-only), and credit cards are accepted. The somewhat surly service is part of the charm that keeps seafood lovers returning for over four decades.
2. Topwater Grill – San Leon
Perched right on the water with boats docking at its doorstep, Topwater Grill epitomizes the phrase “boat to plate.”
The sprawling deck offers stunning Galveston Bay views while you devour their famous fried shrimp basket or blackened redfish.
What makes this place special is watching fishing boats pull up to the adjacent market to sell their morning catch.
That same fresh fish might land on your plate hours later, prepared simply to let the natural flavors shine.
3. Shrimp N Stuff (Avenue O) – Galveston
A Galveston institution since 1976, this family-owned spot serves what many locals consider the island’s best fried shrimp. The original Avenue O location might look like a simple corner store, but inside it’s seafood paradise.
I still remember my first visit during a beach trip ten years ago. After one bite of their crispy golden shrimp with homemade cocktail sauce, I’ve made it a tradition to stop by whenever I’m within 50 miles of Galveston.
4. Benno’s on the Beach – Galveston
Beachfront dining doesn’t get more literal than Benno’s, where your toes can touch the sand while cracking into boiled crab clusters. This open-air seafood haven sits on the Seawall, making it perfect for people-watching.
Their Cajun-style seafood platters come piled high with crawfish, shrimp, crab, corn and potatoes. The paper-covered tables and plastic bibs signal the delicious mess you’re about to make – exactly what beach dining should be.
5. Stingaree Restaurant & Marina – Crystal Beach
Reaching Stingaree requires a ferry ride to Bolivar Peninsula, but the journey enhances the reward. Two-story views of the Intracoastal Waterway provide the backdrop for their famous Oysters Jubilee and barbecued blue crabs.
After Hurricane Ike destroyed the original building in 2008, locals waited anxiously for its rebuilding. I joined the celebration when they reopened – the entire community showed up, proving this place is more than just a restaurant; it’s the peninsula’s beating heart.
6. Snoopy’s Pier – Corpus Christi
Built from a bait stand and a 600-foot fishing pier purchased in 1980, Snoopy’s wooden deck stretches over Laguna Madre’s waters. Pelicans and seagulls hover nearby, hoping for scraps while you devour what many consider South Texas’s best fried fish sandwich.
The adjoining bait stand was converted into this beloved restaurant decades ago, and the fishing heritage remains evident.
Kids love tossing leftover fries to fish swimming below the deck while parents enjoy cold beers and Gulf breezes.
7. Crazy Cajun Seafood Restaurant – Port Aransas
Walking into Crazy Cajun feels like entering a Louisiana backyard boil. Newspapers cover the tables instead of cloths, and seafood arrives in metal buckets rather than on plates. Their spicy crawfish and shrimp boils have drawn devoted fans for decades.
The walls adorned with fishing memorabilia and dollar bills tell stories of countless beach vacations. Back in 2015, I spent my anniversary dinner here, happily making a mess with crab legs while wearing the obligatory plastic bib – still one of my favorite dining memories.
8. Virginia’s on the Bay – Port Aransas
Sunset views over the harbor make Virginia’s a romantic choice despite its casual atmosphere. Their specialties include flounder stuffed with crabmeat and shrimp, best enjoyed on the waterfront deck while watching fishing boats return to port.
Unlike many seafood shacks, Virginia’s offers a touch of refinement without pretension. The family recipes have remained unchanged for generations, and regulars know to save room for their famous key lime pie – tart, creamy, and the perfect ending to a Gulf Coast meal.
9. The Boiling Pot – Rockport
Forget plates – at The Boiling Pot, your Cajun seafood feast arrives dumped directly onto your table. The communal dining experience has everyone wearing plastic bibs, wielding wooden mallets, and getting deliciously messy with peel-and-eat shrimp and crab legs.
The restaurant survived Hurricane Harvey’s direct hit in 2017, quickly rebuilding to serve its community. Their resilience mirrors Rockport itself – tough, unpretentious, and determined to keep serving fantastic seafood no matter what storms come their way.
10. King’s Inn – Riviera (Baffin Bay)
The middle-of-nowhere location makes King’s Inn a true destination restaurant. Operating since 1935 down a long, empty road near Baffin Bay, this legendary spot serves family-style seafood feasts starting with their famous tomato-avocado salad dressing.
The straightforward menu focuses on whatever’s fresh that day, typically fried seafood platters with sides.
My grandfather first brought me here when I was eight, and the ritual remains unchanged: arrive hungry, order “the works,” and prepare for seafood bliss.