Galveston, Texas, is an island city with a fascinating past and a relaxed restaurant scene. Once a significant port in the 19th century, it was known as "The Wall Street of the South." Wealthy residents constructed numerous Victorian mansions, some of which exist today as museums. The city also has a history of pirate legends and pivotal moments in the Texas Revolution.
Today, Galveston Island, about 50 miles southeast of Houston, blends historical charm with modern attractions, creating an inviting vacation spot for food lovers. Whether you're craving seafood straight from the Gulf or a refined dining experience with coastal views, Galveston offers a variety of restaurants that reflect the island's unique character and flavors.
When Kel suggested we take an April road trip to Galveston for the weekend, I said, "Let's go!" As with Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth, I hadn't given the Texas Gulf Coast much thought during my early years in the Lone Star State.
As I've broadened my horizons, I've grown interested in exploring the vacation-oriented Texas Coast. In this story, I'll share all the Galveston restaurants I picked for my first trip to the island and what I enjoyed most about them.
Table of Contents
Galveston Restaurants
The Original Mexican Cafe
The first restaurant I picked for our weekend in Galveston was The Original Mexican Cafe, a fifth-generation, family-owned Tex-Mex favorite in the East End Historic District. Established in 1916, "The Original is the longest continually operating restaurant on Galveston Island still at its original location," according to their website.
When we arrived, it was about 1 p.m. on a Friday, and it felt like we had the place to ourselves. The biggest surprise on a menu filled with Mexican classics was a blurb about Original's emphasis on serving fresh food made from quality ingredients, including 90% lean meat, Wisconsin cheddar, skinless chicken, and olive oil.
I ordered a skinny margarita and grilled mahi mahi fish tacos on flour tortillas topped with a mango pico to celebrate my long-awaited arrival on Galveston Island. They were served with rice, beans, and a jalapeno pepper sauce on the side. The freshly prepared mango pico de gallo livened up the otherwise mildly flavored fish. I also ordered a savory chicken enchilada smothered in a red ranchero sauce and cheese.
Meanwhile, Kel got the large taco salad packed with fresh ingredients, including chicken, lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese, guacamole, and sour cream in a crispy tortilla shell. Other standard fare included chile con queso, stuffed jalapenos, nachos, quesadillas, and fajitas.
The Original Mexican Cafe will appeal to diners looking for a casual spot to grab Tex-Mex food and tasty tequila cocktails at a reasonable price. It's located in the residential East End, away from the hubbub of the Strand District (by the cruise terminals) and beaches to the south.
1401 Market St, Galveston, TX, theoriginalgalveston.com
The Fancy
Dinner at The Fancy in Hotel Lucine was a highlight of our weekend in Galveston. I'd learned about the mid-century modern hotel's history and recent renovation in Texas Monthly. The Fancy, Hotel Lucine's "American fine-ish dining" restaurant, opened in November 2023 and serves French-influenced coastal cuisine.
We began with a stellar zero-alcohol cocktail called the Knight's Watch, made with Ritual Zero Proof Gin, fresh lemon, housemade blackberry syrup, and egg whites. Fresh oysters with a cantaloupe mignonette followed.
I ordered the roasted Gulf snapper with crispy potato scales in a soubise sauce (French onion sauce) for my main course. Kel got the shrimp cocktail, and we shared sides of broccolini with bacon and squash in a lemon vinaigrette. I was over the moon with my entree. The good times continued with two divine desserts: cherry butter cake with a bruleed top and a warm chocolate tart with torched meringue (think s'mores).
The Fancy's seaside location, attractive interior, and deliciously prepared food make it the ideal spot for date nights, Instagram influencers, and anyone looking for upscale coastal cooking without breaking the bank.
Hotel Lucine, 1002 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX, thefancytx.com
Star Drug Store
I was up bright and early Saturday morning, thinking about breakfast in downtown Galveston's Strand Historic District. My first stop was Red Light Coffee Roasters for a coconut and vanilla foam cold brew (yum!).
Then, I headed six blocks east to Star Drug Store, the oldest drug store in Texas. The building was constructed in 1886 and later renovated by a druggist in 1906. It opened as a pharmacy in 1909 and has survived multiple disasters, including a significant fire and three hurricanes (1900, Alicia, and Ike). The porcelain neon Coca-Cola sign is one of the oldest in existence, and the display windows feature old pharmacy items.
When the doors opened at 8:30 a.m., I stepped inside with others who'd arrived early and grabbed a red cushioned seat at the U-shaped counter in the center of the room. The music was fun, ranging from The Beatles and Everly Brothers to Bob Marley.
The breakfast menu is typical diner fare. I kept it simple with scrambled eggs, bacon, cheese grits, and a pancake (the grits were underwhelming). And because I was on vacation, I got a Barq's root beer float with vanilla ice cream.
510 23rd St, Galveston, TX, galvestonstardrug.com
Monarch Restaurant (Grand Galvez Hotel)
Galveston's Hotel Galvez was built for one million dollars in 1911 along Seawall Boulevard with prime views of the Gulf of Mexico. The pink luxury hotel was nicknamed "Queen of the Gulf," a title all the more apropos after its recent $50 million renovation. Now named the Grand Galvez and a part of The Autograph Collection by Marriott, it's home to Monarch Restaurant. Hotel guests and the public can grab breakfast, lunch, dinner, or Sunday brunch here.
We began our Saturday lunch with a refreshing blackberry lemonade with local Texas Tail Vodka. The distillery offers tours, but we didn't have time on this trip. Our server also dropped off some complimentary corn muffins. Appetizers include quesadillas with braised pork and caramelized onions, bacon-wrapped shrimp with ancho-chili glaze, and salads.
I ordered Shiner-braised short rib dip with roasted tomato jam and brie on a French baguette and au jus. The bread was soft with a flaky crust, the beef was tender, and they were generous with the gooey brie. Other sandwiches include a cheeseburger on brioche, bourbon BLT, a Texas pulled pork on a jalapeno cheddar bun, and po'boys.
Heartier fare suitable for dinner includes Cajun chicken pasta, Gulf shrimp and grits, a 16-ounce cowboy ribeye steak, and the catch of the day (prepared almondine, Pontchartrain, or Creole style). There's also the signature Oysters Galvez (grilled in the shell with red chili compound butter) and Oysters Rockefeller, a NOLA classic.
After lunch at Monarch, we explored the historic photos and artifacts in the hotel's gorgeous new lobby. With its sizeable red crystal Baccarat chandeliers, the swanky Founders Bar looked like the place to be on any evening.
Grand Galvez Hotel, 2024 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX, grandgalvez.com
Little Daddy's Gumbo Bar
After an afternoon of sightseeing at the Naval Museum and Moody Mansion, we headed to downtown Galveston for dinner. I'd left Saturday night to chance, and since we didn't have a reservation, some of the more popular spots had too long a wait. We went super casual instead, taking a table at Little Daddy's Gumbo Bar, which was busy but could seat us immediately.
If you're in the mood for Cajun food like fried alligator, gumbo, crawfish etouffee, and po'boys, this restaurant is for you. I thoroughly enjoyed the generous portion of chicken, shrimp, and sausage jambalaya I ordered.
We crossed the street for dessert, and I got a scoop of chocolate peanut butter ice cream from Hey Mikey's.
2107 Postoffice St, Galveston, TX, littledaddysgumbobar.com
Travel Tip: Drive to Galveston Island State Park an hour before sunset for a quiet walk in nature and pretty views of the setting sun.
Sugar & Rye
Sunday morning brought sunshine, a walk on the beach, a salted caramel and coconut latte at the 1911 Espresso Bar at the Grand Galvez, and a hunger for brunch. My pick to continue our Sunday Fun Day was Sugar & Rye, a cute Southern coastal restaurant in a historic pink house at the edge of the Arts & Entertainment District.
Inside, guests are greeted by a giant moose head named Theodore with disco-ball nose piercings. His handsome head is mounted on a wall lined with green palm frond wallpaper. We were promptly seated at the far end of a wooden bar. I loved all the windows, allowing natural light to fill the dining room.
The brunch menu features Southern hits, including biscuits and gravy, chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, and red beans and rice. By this point, I was starting to feel like Galveston was an extension of New Orleans.
I'd already scoped out their Instagram and had my eye on the lemon blueberry pancakes with honey ricotta and a choice of side. Upon arrival at our table, Kel poured maple syrup over the pancakes, and we went to town. Sugar & Rye serves brunch Wednesday through Sunday and dinner nightly.
2401 Church St, Galveston, TX, sugarandryegalveston.com
Gaido's
Galveston's oldest restaurant, Gaido's, was established in 1911 by San Giacinto Gaido along Seawall Boulevard, opposite the beach. Known for serving the best Gulf-caught seafood, Gaido's has upheld this reputation for over 110 years.
We arrived at 1 p.m. for our Sunday lunch reservation and were seated by a window. Sadly, despite all the glass, the typically full parking lot blocks your view of the sea.
Seafood highlights include fresh oysters, Gulf shrimp, pecan-encrusted mahi mahi, blackened yellowfin tuna, and fried catfish. I ordered the American red snapper Michael, prepared with Parmesan flour and pan-sauteed. The fish was tender, lean, and quite delightful. Kel and I shared a side of bright green asparagus.
Diners looking for an alternative to seafood are also in good hands at Gaido's in Galveston. The restaurant offers a 16-ounce bone-in black Angus ribeye steak, a 14-ounce double-cut pork chop, chicken parmesan, and pesto fettuccine, to name a few dishes.
I was too full for dessert; however, that didn't stop me from looking over the dessert menu, which feared ten mouthwatering options. A chocolate brownie cake with Hey Mikey's Vanilla Ice Cream, housemade cheesecake, and a pecan crunch with bourbon sauce were but three of the choices.
After lunch, Kel and I perused the many photos on the walls around this historic Galveston restaurant. Old black-and-white photos showed how the Great Galveston hurricane of 1900 led to the construction of the Seawall, which has helped protect the island for more than a century.
3828 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX, gaidos.com
Number 13 Prime Steak and Seafood
Kel and I spent the afternoon exploring the Rainforest Pyramid and Aquarium at Moody Gardens before driving to dinner at Number 13 Prime Steak and Seafood. There are many fantastic-looking steakhouses in Galveston. I picked Number 13, in part, for its location at Pelican Rest Marina on Offatts Bayou. From the docks, you can catch a glimpse of the Moody Garden pyramids.
Beyond the location, I was attracted to Number 13's menu and effort to source only the highest-quality, seasonal ingredients. They have an on-site herb garden, use Linz Heritage Angus Beef and A5 Japanese Wagyu, and buy fish from Katie’s Seafood Market on Pier 19. They do all their butchering and have an in-house dry-aging program.
The dinner menu is so long your eyes will glaze over at all the delicious food. Starters include Alaskan king crab dip, baked camembert with bourbon praline sauce, and brown butter scallops. There's caviar, fresh oysters, and tuna poke.
You can choose a 32-ounce porterhouse or a 28-ounce cowboy ribeye among the steaks. I ordered a 6-ounce center-cut filet mignon with shallot sauce, served with a roasted head of garlic. While I didn't need the extra calories, plenty of luxury toppings are available, including lobster tail, bone marrow, foie gras, king crab, truffle butter, and caviar beurre blanc.
We shared a decadent side of truffled sweet corn with a fried egg. Fingerling duck fat potatoes and lobster whipped potatoes also sounded appealing. To conclude our steakhouse dinner, we tried their signature s'mores dessert, torched tableside.
7809 Broadway St, Galveston, TX, number13steak.com
Sunflower Bakery & Cafe
On Monday morning, as our weekend in Galveston was concluding, we stopped by Sunflower Bakery & Cafe to pick up some freshly baked pastries. Lisa and Harry Blair, both graduates of the Culinary Institute of America, run the family-owned restaurant. They opened for business in 1999 and rebuilt it after Hurricane Ike flooded their building in 2008.
I walked out with a chocolate croissant and a piece of pumpkin chocolate chip bread. Both were delicious, and I wouldn't hesitate to return for more the next time I'm in town. Sunflower also serves a full breakfast and lunch menu.
512 14th St, Galveston, TX, thesunflowerbakeryandcafe.com
Fisherman's Wharf
After checking out of our rental cottage and loading up the car, we drove to the Galveston Railroad Museum to squeeze in one final sight before we hit the road. After walking through train cars and the old rail station, we grabbed an early lunch on the back patio of Fisherman's Wharf at Pier 22.
It was a cloudy morning. However, that didn't take away from our view across the Galveston Channel. The 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA was nearby, and the USS Texas, a WWI-era battleship undergoing refurbishments, could be seen in the distance. I enjoyed a tasty fried flounder sandwich while Kel got a shrimp po'boy. Both were served with an excessive amount of French fries.
2200 Harborside Dr, Galveston, TX, fishermanswharfgalveston.com
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, Galveston’s dining scene offers an array of choices that reflect the island’s history and coastal charm. From the casual, family-friendly atmosphere of The Original Mexican Cafe to the upscale cuisine at The Fancy, each restaurant provides a taste of Galveston’s diverse flavors. Whether you’re enjoying fresh Gulf seafood at Gaido’s or savoring a hearty breakfast at Star Drug Store, you’ll find that the island’s eateries are as captivating as its storied past.
