clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
More Maps

Houston’s Perfect Rainy Day Restaurants

Where to Eat Excellent West African Food in Houston

Where to Dine and Drink in the Woodlands

More in Houston See more maps
A seafood tower at Gatsby’s Prime Seafood that’s loaded with lobster, crab, oysters, and shrimp, plus lemons for the squeezing.
Here’s where to find Houston’s most sumptuous seafood options.
Raydon Creative

19 Standout Seafood Restaurants in Houston

Havens in Houston serving up oysters, redfish on the half-shell, crabcakes, fried seafood, and so much more

by Brittany Britto Garley Updated
View as Map
Here’s where to find Houston’s most sumptuous seafood options.
| Raydon Creative
by Brittany Britto Garley Updated

Thanks to its proximity to the Gulf Coast and the discerning palates of the diners who inhabit it, Houston is a true seafood destination. In addition to top-quality Gulf Coast classics, like char-grilled oysters and shrimp en brochette, the city’s best seafood restaurants import fresh fish, crab, lobster, and more fruits of the sea from across the globe.

As such, Houston’s best seafood restaurants can satisfy pretty much any craving. The options are vast, which means it’s sometimes good to switch up the go-tos. Newer additions to this map include Gatlin’s Fins & Feathers, Gatsby’s Prime Seafood, and Lotus Seafood’s new Stafford location.

Whether in search of a laid-back spot for slurping freshly shucked oysters or a luxurious dinner of crab, uni, and lobster, these 19 establishments will definitely fit the bill.

Read More
If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Gatlin's Fins & Feathers

Copy Link

An ode to the fish fries in Independence Heights, pitmaster Greg Gatlin’s newest restaurant offers fried chicken and seafood staples, including expertly fried shrimp, oyster, and catfish combinations coming in the form of platters, po’boys, and more. Start with a bowl of Everything Gumbo, chargrilled oysters, or the spicy miso shrimp — then decide whether you’re in the mood for devouring some fish piece by piece or sandwiched between two pieces of fluffy bread.

302 W Crosstimbers St, Houston, TX 77018
(346) 800-4668
(346) 800-4668
A spread of fried chicken, potato salad, wings and more at Gatlin’s Fins & Feathers.
Gatlin’s Fins & Feathers specializes in fried fish and seafood dishes.
Becca Wright

Also featured in:

Captain Tom's Seafood & Oyster

Copy Link

With three locations in the Houston area, this beloved seafood spot is a favorite among seafood obsessives who want to dig into well-priced and perfectly shucked Gulf oysters, stuffed crab, and deep-fried shrimp. The micheladas, served in massive mugs and made with the beer of your choice, are essential. 

20525 Katy Fwy, Katy, TX 77450
(281) 829-6407
(281) 829-6407

Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette-Memorial

Copy Link

With two locations in Houston, Liberty is a perfect place to stop in for comforting seafood dishes and plenty of plates to share, including oysters, fried buttermilk lobster bites, and steamed mussels. Get selfish with the rich lobster bisque and Liberty’s “slab” iceberg wedge-style salad, and be sure to inquire about the specials, which often feature a delicious catch of the day.

963 Bunker Hill Rd, Houston, TX 77024
(713) 468-3745
(713) 468-3745

Also featured in:

1751 Sea and Bar

Copy Link

Hailing from San Francisco, chef Matthew Young brings fresh energy and creative dishes to this Heights seafood haven. There are chargrilled oysters dripping in seaweed butter and hollandaise, Land and Sea crispy fried oysters and sweet bread, and a delicious pumpkin crabcake that will make you rethink the dish. Be sure to try Young’s specialty — the whole fish, most recently a toothsome pompano — served over vegetables, all bathed in a creamy Malaysian-inspired sauce.

191 Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77007
(832) 831-9820
(832) 831-9820
1751 Sea and Bar’s octopus okonomiyaki, octopus topped with mirin, mayo, and pickled ginger, over a cabbage bacon hot cake.
Head to 1751 Sea and Bar for an innovative seafood experience.
Willie Garley

Also featured in:

La Fisheria

Copy Link

At this Downtown Houston seafood stalwart, ceviche, pan-seared pompano in butter-lime sauce, and sweet corn tamales with bacon and shrimp await, along with top-notch margaritas and plenty of cold beer.

213 Milam St, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 802-1712
(713) 802-1712

Also featured in:

Gatsby's Prime Seafood

Copy Link

The team behind Gatsby’s Steakhouse ventures into seafood at this swanky new restaurant. Find catches of the day like delicate branzino filets, sea bass, crab cakes, and New Bedford Scallops. If looking for a smorgasbord of delights from the ocean, try the seafood tower. It’s a work of art.

1212 Waugh Dr, Houston, TX 77019
(712) 485-0039
(712) 485-0039
Gatsby Prime Seafood’s sea bass, served with a side of lemon and a remoulade sauce.
Gatsby’s Prime Seafood is Houston’s newest restaurant serving up ocean fare.
Raydon Creative

Also featured in:

Willie G's Seafood

Copy Link

A seafood splurge if there ever was one, Willie G’s is the place to ball out with an over-the-top feast. Start with Gulf or East Coast oysters, served freshly shucked or grilled with Thai chili and coconut milk (among other options), then feast on hamachi crudo, sushi rolls, and lavish seafood towers piled high with king crab, lobster, oysters, and cocktail shrimp. As far as the entrees are concerned, crawfish etouffee and West African salt prawns served with fried rice are solid options.

1640 W Loop S, Houston, TX 77027
(713) 840-7190
(713) 840-7190

Also featured in:

Eugene's Gulf Coast Cuisine

Copy Link

With seafood classics like shrimp en brochette, tasso and garlic butter-topped oysters, and redfish stuffed with blue crab, this restaurant formerly known as Danton’s Gulf Coast Seafood is better than ever. Kick off the evening with oyster shooters, laced with Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce or lime and cilantro.

1985 Welch St, Houston, TX 77019
(713) 807-8883
(713) 807-8883

Also featured in:

Caracol Restaurant

Copy Link

A seafood feast packed with coastal Mexican flavors awaits at chef Hugo Ortega’s seafood-focused restaurant. Start dinner with red snapper ceviche served with pineapple, coconut, and habanero, then dig into heartier offerings like fire-roasted lobster served with beans and rice, and pan-seared scallops, served with roasted cauliflower, red chard, and a lemon chipotle cream sauce.

2200 Post Oak Blvd #160, Houston, TX 77056
(713) 622-9996
(713) 622-9996

Also featured in:

Brennan's of Houston

Copy Link

An offshoot of New Orleans legend Commander’s Palace that’s been open in Houston for more than 40 years, Brennan’s is the definition of a local icon. Try the famed snapping turtle soup, shrimp remoulade, and filé gumbo. And go big or go home with the Gulf Fish Borgne or Pontchartrain, a combination of jumbo lump crab, shrimp, Louisiana oysters, Parmesan-mushroom rice, and Brennan’s Creole butter.

3300 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006
(713) 522-9711
(713) 522-9711
Brennan’s Gulf Fish Borgne, with crab, shrimp, and oysters, topped in a Creole butter.
Brennan’s is a perfect place to experience Seafood with a Louisiana flair.
Sabrina Miskelly

Also featured in:

State of Grace

Copy Link

One of the city’s finest spots to slurp oysters, State of Grace is a haven for seafood lovers. In addition to the stellar selection of bivalves and starters like the blue crab hushpuppies, consider blackened swordfish with greens and a brown butter sauce, redfish on the half-shell, or diver scallops served with lobster veloute, okra, and eggplant.

3258 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098
(832) 942-5080
(832) 942-5080

Also featured in:

Truluck's

Copy Link

Known for its meaty, pre-cracked crab claws, Truluck’s flagship captures the elegance of seafood. Start with a cold course, like the claws or the shrimp cocktail at its bar with the musings of a live piano performance before moving to the dining area for dishes like the rich, soul-warming lobster bisque or jumbo lump crab cake. You can’t go wrong with entrees like the miso-glazed seabass, served with crab fried rice, or the sesame seared tuna. Be sure to cement the night with a slice of its moist carrot cake.

5350 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77056
(713) 783-7270
(713) 783-7270

Also featured in:

Christie's Seafood & Steaks

Copy Link

Open for more than 100 years, Christie’s is a legendary name in Houston’s seafood scene. The menu is extensive, with everything from oysters Thermidor to boiled Gulf shrimp and blackened catch-of-the-day. The oyster stew, a creamy bowl full of tender oysters that was reportedly President George H.W, Bush’s favorite, is a must on the starters menu.

6029 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77057
(713) 978-6563
(713) 978-6563

Also featured in:

Kata Robata

Copy Link

Thanks to top-quality proteins ranging from fresh red snapper to uni imported from Hokkaido, Kata Robata reigns as one of the city’s top sushi restaurants. Order the octopus crudo, and super-fresh sashimi options like seared bluefin toro and madai garnished with Kaluga caviar. And if you can’t get enough of shellfish, order the lobster and crab ramen or the comforting miso lobster and crab mac and cheese.

3600 Kirby Dr suite h, Houston, TX 77098
(713) 526-8858
(713) 526-8858

Also featured in:

Goode Company Seafood

Copy Link

An ode to the bounty of the Gulf Coast, Goode Company’s seafood dishes span a wide range of culinary influences. From creamy smoked redfish dip and redfish beignets to Mexican-style shrimp cocktail, Mesquite-grilled oysters, and catfish po’ boys, there’s something on the menu here that will satisfy any seafood craving.

2621 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX 77098
(713) 523-7154
(713) 523-7154

Also featured in:

More in Maps

Hai Cang Harbor

Copy Link

With a truly extensive menu of Vietnamese-inflected seafood dishes that change with the seasons, Hai Cang is the definition of a seafood destination. Try surf clams in XO sauce, tamarind king lobster, or kung pao squid, and keep an eye out for seasonal favorites like geoduck sashimi and curry-sauced crabs.

11768 Bellaire Blvd #2452, Houston, TX 77072
(281) 564-4288
(281) 564-4288

Also featured in:

Crawfish & Noodles

Copy Link

Arguably the most iconic establishment in Houston’s thriving Viet-Cajun crawfish scene, the mudbugs are always buttery and spicy at this James Beard Award-nominated seafood spot off of Bellaire Boulevard. The crawfish is stellar, of course, but look deeper into the menu for stunners like tamarind crab, Cajun-style clams, and Vietnamese classics like pho, fried rice, and hotpot.

11360 Bellaire Blvd #990, Houston, TX 77072
(281) 988-8098
(281) 988-8098

Also featured in:

Lotus Seafood

Copy Link

With now five locations across the Houston area, Lotus Seafood is always around when a seafood craving strikes. Head to the largest and newest location in Stafford to experience its outdoor patio, hookah lounge, and full bar. It’s impossible to go wrong with the fried shrimp, oysters, or catfish, and the market-priced snow crab and crawfish are solid. Add a couple of sides of Louisiana fried rice for a true Houston experience, and don’t forget the “crack sauce,” a buttery, spice-filled dipping sauce great for all bites.

2903 S Main St Ste A, Stafford, TX 77477
(346) 414-0618
(346) 414-0618
A person pours “crack sauce” on Lotus Seafood’s seasoned shrimp over rice.
Lotus Seafood is big on flavor.
Lotus Seafood

Pier 6

Copy Link

Overlooking the Gulf, Pier 6 offers fresh catches with a remarkable view. Guests can munch on lobster rolls or fried oyster tacos at brunch, and enjoy wood-grilled filets, lobster cob salad, gumbo, fried po’ boys, and more for lunch. Dinner offers an even greater selection, with starters like crawfish empanadas, and main courses like chili-marinated grilled shrimp with turmeric rice, crispy red snapper served with etouffee, and its Tide-to-Fried platter consisting of potato-crusted snapper, crispy Gulf Shrimp, cornmeal fried oysters, fries and shaved coleslaw. 

113 6th St, San Leon, TX 77539
(281) 339-1515
(281) 339-1515
A pan of Street of New Orleans oysters in shrimp sauce with mushrooms, bell peppers, sherry and bread crumbs, pictured with a bottle of hot sauce. Behind it a view of the water.
Pier 6 knows its seafood.
Isabel Protomartir

Also featured in:

More in Maps

© 2023 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Link copied to the clipboard.

Gatlin's Fins & Feathers

302 W Crosstimbers St, Houston, TX 77018

An ode to the fish fries in Independence Heights, pitmaster Greg Gatlin’s newest restaurant offers fried chicken and seafood staples, including expertly fried shrimp, oyster, and catfish combinations coming in the form of platters, po’boys, and more. Start with a bowl of Everything Gumbo, chargrilled oysters, or the spicy miso shrimp — then decide whether you’re in the mood for devouring some fish piece by piece or sandwiched between two pieces of fluffy bread.

302 W Crosstimbers St, Houston, TX 77018
(346) 800-4668
(346) 800-4668
A spread of fried chicken, potato salad, wings and more at Gatlin’s Fins & Feathers.
Gatlin’s Fins & Feathers specializes in fried fish and seafood dishes.
Becca Wright

Captain Tom's Seafood & Oyster

20525 Katy Fwy, Katy, TX 77450

With three locations in the Houston area, this beloved seafood spot is a favorite among seafood obsessives who want to dig into well-priced and perfectly shucked Gulf oysters, stuffed crab, and deep-fried shrimp. The micheladas, served in massive mugs and made with the beer of your choice, are essential. 

20525 Katy Fwy, Katy, TX 77450
(281) 829-6407
(281) 829-6407

Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette-Memorial

963 Bunker Hill Rd, Houston, TX 77024

With two locations in Houston, Liberty is a perfect place to stop in for comforting seafood dishes and plenty of plates to share, including oysters, fried buttermilk lobster bites, and steamed mussels. Get selfish with the rich lobster bisque and Liberty’s “slab” iceberg wedge-style salad, and be sure to inquire about the specials, which often feature a delicious catch of the day.

963 Bunker Hill Rd, Houston, TX 77024
(713) 468-3745
(713) 468-3745

1751 Sea and Bar

191 Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77007

Hailing from San Francisco, chef Matthew Young brings fresh energy and creative dishes to this Heights seafood haven. There are chargrilled oysters dripping in seaweed butter and hollandaise, Land and Sea crispy fried oysters and sweet bread, and a delicious pumpkin crabcake that will make you rethink the dish. Be sure to try Young’s specialty — the whole fish, most recently a toothsome pompano — served over vegetables, all bathed in a creamy Malaysian-inspired sauce.

191 Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77007
(832) 831-9820
(832) 831-9820
1751 Sea and Bar’s octopus okonomiyaki, octopus topped with mirin, mayo, and pickled ginger, over a cabbage bacon hot cake.
Head to 1751 Sea and Bar for an innovative seafood experience.
Willie Garley

La Fisheria

213 Milam St, Houston, TX 77002

At this Downtown Houston seafood stalwart, ceviche, pan-seared pompano in butter-lime sauce, and sweet corn tamales with bacon and shrimp await, along with top-notch margaritas and plenty of cold beer.

213 Milam St, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 802-1712
(713) 802-1712

Gatsby's Prime Seafood

1212 Waugh Dr, Houston, TX 77019

The team behind Gatsby’s Steakhouse ventures into seafood at this swanky new restaurant. Find catches of the day like delicate branzino filets, sea bass, crab cakes, and New Bedford Scallops. If looking for a smorgasbord of delights from the ocean, try the seafood tower. It’s a work of art.

1212 Waugh Dr, Houston, TX 77019
(712) 485-0039
(712) 485-0039
Gatsby Prime Seafood’s sea bass, served with a side of lemon and a remoulade sauce.
Gatsby’s Prime Seafood is Houston’s newest restaurant serving up ocean fare.
Raydon Creative

Willie G's Seafood

1640 W Loop S, Houston, TX 77027

A seafood splurge if there ever was one, Willie G’s is the place to ball out with an over-the-top feast. Start with Gulf or East Coast oysters, served freshly shucked or grilled with Thai chili and coconut milk (among other options), then feast on hamachi crudo, sushi rolls, and lavish seafood towers piled high with king crab, lobster, oysters, and cocktail shrimp. As far as the entrees are concerned, crawfish etouffee and West African salt prawns served with fried rice are solid options.

1640 W Loop S, Houston, TX 77027
(713) 840-7190
(713) 840-7190

Eugene's Gulf Coast Cuisine

1985 Welch St, Houston, TX 77019

With seafood classics like shrimp en brochette, tasso and garlic butter-topped oysters, and redfish stuffed with blue crab, this restaurant formerly known as Danton’s Gulf Coast Seafood is better than ever. Kick off the evening with oyster shooters, laced with Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce or lime and cilantro.

1985 Welch St, Houston, TX 77019
(713) 807-8883
(713) 807-8883

Caracol Restaurant

2200 Post Oak Blvd #160, Houston, TX 77056

A seafood feast packed with coastal Mexican flavors awaits at chef Hugo Ortega’s seafood-focused restaurant. Start dinner with red snapper ceviche served with pineapple, coconut, and habanero, then dig into heartier offerings like fire-roasted lobster served with beans and rice, and pan-seared scallops, served with roasted cauliflower, red chard, and a lemon chipotle cream sauce.

2200 Post Oak Blvd #160, Houston, TX 77056
(713) 622-9996
(713) 622-9996

Brennan's of Houston

3300 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006

An offshoot of New Orleans legend Commander’s Palace that’s been open in Houston for more than 40 years, Brennan’s is the definition of a local icon. Try the famed snapping turtle soup, shrimp remoulade, and filé gumbo. And go big or go home with the Gulf Fish Borgne or Pontchartrain, a combination of jumbo lump crab, shrimp, Louisiana oysters, Parmesan-mushroom rice, and Brennan’s Creole butter.

3300 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006
(713) 522-9711
(713) 522-9711
Brennan’s Gulf Fish Borgne, with crab, shrimp, and oysters, topped in a Creole butter.
Brennan’s is a perfect place to experience Seafood with a Louisiana flair.
Sabrina Miskelly

State of Grace

3258 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098

One of the city’s finest spots to slurp oysters, State of Grace is a haven for seafood lovers. In addition to the stellar selection of bivalves and starters like the blue crab hushpuppies, consider blackened swordfish with greens and a brown butter sauce, redfish on the half-shell, or diver scallops served with lobster veloute, okra, and eggplant.

3258 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098
(832) 942-5080
(832) 942-5080

Truluck's

5350 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77056

Known for its meaty, pre-cracked crab claws, Truluck’s flagship captures the elegance of seafood. Start with a cold course, like the claws or the shrimp cocktail at its bar with the musings of a live piano performance before moving to the dining area for dishes like the rich, soul-warming lobster bisque or jumbo lump crab cake. You can’t go wrong with entrees like the miso-glazed seabass, served with crab fried rice, or the sesame seared tuna. Be sure to cement the night with a slice of its moist carrot cake.

5350 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77056
(713) 783-7270
(713) 783-7270

Christie's Seafood & Steaks

6029 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77057

Open for more than 100 years, Christie’s is a legendary name in Houston’s seafood scene. The menu is extensive, with everything from oysters Thermidor to boiled Gulf shrimp and blackened catch-of-the-day. The oyster stew, a creamy bowl full of tender oysters that was reportedly President George H.W, Bush’s favorite, is a must on the starters menu.

6029 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77057
(713) 978-6563
(713) 978-6563

Kata Robata

3600 Kirby Dr suite h, Houston, TX 77098

Thanks to top-quality proteins ranging from fresh red snapper to uni imported from Hokkaido, Kata Robata reigns as one of the city’s top sushi restaurants. Order the octopus crudo, and super-fresh sashimi options like seared bluefin toro and madai garnished with Kaluga caviar. And if you can’t get enough of shellfish, order the lobster and crab ramen or the comforting miso lobster and crab mac and cheese.

3600 Kirby Dr suite h, Houston, TX 77098
(713) 526-8858
(713) 526-8858

Goode Company Seafood

2621 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX 77098

An ode to the bounty of the Gulf Coast, Goode Company’s seafood dishes span a wide range of culinary influences. From creamy smoked redfish dip and redfish beignets to Mexican-style shrimp cocktail, Mesquite-grilled oysters, and catfish po’ boys, there’s something on the menu here that will satisfy any seafood craving.

2621 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX 77098
(713) 523-7154
(713) 523-7154

Related Maps

Hai Cang Harbor

11768 Bellaire Blvd #2452, Houston, TX 77072

With a truly extensive menu of Vietnamese-inflected seafood dishes that change with the seasons, Hai Cang is the definition of a seafood destination. Try surf clams in XO sauce, tamarind king lobster, or kung pao squid, and keep an eye out for seasonal favorites like geoduck sashimi and curry-sauced crabs.

11768 Bellaire Blvd #2452, Houston, TX 77072
(281) 564-4288
(281) 564-4288

Crawfish & Noodles

11360 Bellaire Blvd #990, Houston, TX 77072

Arguably the most iconic establishment in Houston’s thriving Viet-Cajun crawfish scene, the mudbugs are always buttery and spicy at this James Beard Award-nominated seafood spot off of Bellaire Boulevard. The crawfish is stellar, of course, but look deeper into the menu for stunners like tamarind crab, Cajun-style clams, and Vietnamese classics like pho, fried rice, and hotpot.

11360 Bellaire Blvd #990, Houston, TX 77072
(281) 988-8098
(281) 988-8098

Lotus Seafood

2903 S Main St Ste A, Stafford, TX 77477

With now five locations across the Houston area, Lotus Seafood is always around when a seafood craving strikes. Head to the largest and newest location in Stafford to experience its outdoor patio, hookah lounge, and full bar. It’s impossible to go wrong with the fried shrimp, oysters, or catfish, and the market-priced snow crab and crawfish are solid. Add a couple of sides of Louisiana fried rice for a true Houston experience, and don’t forget the “crack sauce,” a buttery, spice-filled dipping sauce great for all bites.

2903 S Main St Ste A, Stafford, TX 77477
(346) 414-0618
(346) 414-0618
A person pours “crack sauce” on Lotus Seafood’s seasoned shrimp over rice.
Lotus Seafood is big on flavor.
Lotus Seafood

Pier 6

113 6th St, San Leon, TX 77539

Overlooking the Gulf, Pier 6 offers fresh catches with a remarkable view. Guests can munch on lobster rolls or fried oyster tacos at brunch, and enjoy wood-grilled filets, lobster cob salad, gumbo, fried po’ boys, and more for lunch. Dinner offers an even greater selection, with starters like crawfish empanadas, and main courses like chili-marinated grilled shrimp with turmeric rice, crispy red snapper served with etouffee, and its Tide-to-Fried platter consisting of potato-crusted snapper, crispy Gulf Shrimp, cornmeal fried oysters, fries and shaved coleslaw. 

113 6th St, San Leon, TX 77539
(281) 339-1515
(281) 339-1515
A pan of Street of New Orleans oysters in shrimp sauce with mushrooms, bell peppers, sherry and bread crumbs, pictured with a bottle of hot sauce. Behind it a view of the water.
Pier 6 knows its seafood.
Isabel Protomartir

Related Maps