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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

20 Standout Seafood Restaurants in Houston

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

by Lane Gillespie and Brittany Britto Garley Updated
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Here’s where to find Houston’s most sumptuous seafood options.
| Raydon Creative
by Lane Gillespie and 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 freshly caught 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, and their promise of wide culinary diversity means plenty of choices — from Cajun gumbo at Brennan’s of Houston and fresh sushi at Kata Robata to the buttery crawfish at Crawfish & Noodles or fried catfish at Lotus Seafood.

Though the options are vast, these 20 seafood establishments will definitely fit the bill.

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Gatlin's Fins & Feathers

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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, char-grilled 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

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Connie's Seafood Market & Restaurant

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Connie’s, originally opened in 1979, combines Mexican and Asian flavors for a seafood feast. Shrimp, garfish, squid, and octopus can be purchased by the pound and fried, grilled, and served with garlic or ranchero style, with tomatoes, jalapeño, and onion. Add the special fried rice, with shrimp, chicken, and pork for the perfect side.

2525 Airline Dr, Houston, TX 77009
(713) 868-2144
(713) 868-2144

Captain Tom's Seafood & Oyster

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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

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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

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La Fisheria

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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

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Gatsby's Prime Seafood

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The team behind Gatsby’s Steakhouse ventures into seafood at this swanky Montrose restaurant. Find seafood-centric entrees like steamed crab legs, 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

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Willie G's Seafood

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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

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Eugene's Gulf Coast Cuisine

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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

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Caracol Restaurant

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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

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Brennan's of Houston

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

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State of Grace

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One of the city’s finest spots to slurp oysters, State of Grace is a haven for seafood lovers. The menu changes frequently, but keep your eyes out for roasted or wood-grilled seafood, like octopus with crispy garlic, radish and peanuts or oysters mixed with salsa macha, as well as plates heaped with rich, luxurious pasta.

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

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Truluck's

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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

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Christie's Seafood & Steaks

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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 soup and salad menu.

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

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Kata Robata

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Thanks to top-quality proteins ranging from miso-marinated black cod 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 mac and cheese.

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

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Blue Onyx Bistro

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Galleria-area fine dining restaurant Blue Onyx Bistro calls itself a French-Asian bistro, which means edamame served alongside garlic-herb escargot for appetizers and panko-coated crab cakes alongside squid ink pasta. Don’t forget the sushi menu, with classic rolls and creative combinations like a surf and turf roll, with tempura lobster tail and ribeye steak.

4720 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77027
(713) 808-9518
(713) 808-9518

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Goode Company Seafood

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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

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Hai Cang Harbor

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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 clams in sate sauce, deep-fried oysters, or yee mein with crab meat, 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

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Crawfish & Noodles

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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, salt and pepper shrimp, and Vietnamese classics like pho, fried rice, and hotpot.

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

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Lotus Seafood

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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) 787-4888
(346) 787-4888
A person pours “crack sauce” on Lotus Seafood’s seasoned shrimp over rice.
Lotus Seafood is big on flavor.
Lotus Seafood

Pier 6

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Overlooking the Gulf, Pier 6 offers fresh catches with a remarkable view. Guests can munch on lobster benedict or seafood-laden croissants at brunch, and enjoy wood-grilled filets, Mediterranean shrimp salad, gumbo, fried po’ boys, and more for lunch. Dinner offers an even greater selection, with starters like crawfish empanadas and the Hot-Blooded grilled oysters, made with a zesty garlic, Sriracha, and habanero butter. Standout main courses include the chimichurri redfish, the chili-marinated grilled shrimp with turmeric rice, and its classic Tide-to-Fried platter consisting of potato-crusted snapper, crispy Gulf Shrimp, grilled oysters stuffed with crab gratin, 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

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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, char-grilled 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

Connie's Seafood Market & Restaurant

2525 Airline Dr, Houston, TX 77009

Connie’s, originally opened in 1979, combines Mexican and Asian flavors for a seafood feast. Shrimp, garfish, squid, and octopus can be purchased by the pound and fried, grilled, and served with garlic or ranchero style, with tomatoes, jalapeño, and onion. Add the special fried rice, with shrimp, chicken, and pork for the perfect side.

2525 Airline Dr, Houston, TX 77009
(713) 868-2144
(713) 868-2144

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

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 Montrose restaurant. Find seafood-centric entrees like steamed crab legs, 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, Brennan’s has been open in Houston for more than 40 years and is the definition of a local icon. Try the famed snapping turtle soup, shrimp remoulade, and classic gumbo. And go big or go home with the Gulf Fish Pontchartrain, a combination of jumbo lump crab, shrimp, and Louisiana oysters, served with 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. The menu changes frequently, but keep your eyes out for roasted or wood-grilled seafood, like octopus with crispy garlic, radish and peanuts or oysters mixed with salsa macha, as well as plates heaped with rich, luxurious pasta.

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 soup and salad 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 miso-marinated black cod 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 mac and cheese.

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

Blue Onyx Bistro

4720 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77027

Galleria-area fine dining restaurant Blue Onyx Bistro calls itself a French-Asian bistro, which means edamame served alongside garlic-herb escargot for appetizers and panko-coated crab cakes alongside squid ink pasta. Don’t forget the sushi menu, with classic rolls and creative combinations like a surf and turf roll, with tempura lobster tail and ribeye steak.

4720 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77027
(713) 808-9518
(713) 808-9518

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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

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 clams in sate sauce, deep-fried oysters, or yee mein with crab meat, 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, salt and pepper shrimp, 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) 787-4888
(346) 787-4888
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 benedict or seafood-laden croissants at brunch, and enjoy wood-grilled filets, Mediterranean shrimp salad, gumbo, fried po’ boys, and more for lunch. Dinner offers an even greater selection, with starters like crawfish empanadas and the Hot-Blooded grilled oysters, made with a zesty garlic, Sriracha, and habanero butter. Standout main courses include the chimichurri redfish, the chili-marinated grilled shrimp with turmeric rice, and its classic Tide-to-Fried platter consisting of potato-crusted snapper, crispy Gulf Shrimp, grilled oysters stuffed with crab gratin, 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

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