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a overhead shot of a whole roasted pompano fish topped with lime slices and flanked by a margarita and various sauces
Whole roasted pompano from La Fisheria
La Fisheria/Facebook

11 Stunning Whole-Fish Dishes to Order at Houston Restaurants

Head-turning platters of snapper, branzino, and flounder are fun to share, or not

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Whole roasted pompano from La Fisheria
| La Fisheria/Facebook

Thought common in many cuisines, it’s not always easy to find whole-fish dishes in Houston. Still, a handful of restaurants offer everything from snapper a la plancha and fried flounder to whole-roasted pompano, and even a sushi dish made with tiny two-inch fishes.

With nothing going to waste, these dishes are perfect for sharing, or keeping all to yourself. Below, find 11 of the best whole-fish dishes in the city.

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Superica

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In addition to Tex-Mex staples like steak nachos and tacos al carbon, Superica serves Gulf red snapper on the bone. The picture-perfect fish offers meaty bites and pops of color thanks to fresh avocado and tangy tomatillo salsa.

Phat Eatery

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Phat Eatery takes barbecue to the next level with its Ikan Bakar, a popular Malaysian dish. Here, a whole golden pomfret is barbecued and served with spicy sambal sauce that seriously packs a punch.

La Fisheria

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At this seafood-centric restaurant in Downtown, there are two delicious whole-fish dishes. Choose from the pampano al limon, a pompano that’s pan-seared and served with lime-spiked butter sauce, or the mojarra frita, a whole tilapia that’s fried until crisp. 

The Original Ninfa's on Navigation

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In lieu of sharing a platter of fajitas, try Ninfa’s drunken snapper, a whole Gulf red snapper roasted in the restaurant’s wood-fired oven and served with mushrooms and tequila-lime butter.

Journey to the bountiful coast of the Mediterranean with chef Travis McShane’s whole fresh fish offering at Ostia, a portion large enough for two diners. The fresh catch varies depending on seasonality — currently it is a roasted branzino atop a bed of tomato sauce and capers — and is prepared in the restaurant’s stone deck oven.

Le Colonial

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At Le Colonial, soups and curries are vibrant and colorful, but few dishes cause a head-turning moment like the Ca Chien Saigon, or crispy red snapper. The fish, decorated in a spicy garlic glaze, is presented whole, then fileted tableside.

Ouzo Bay

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With seafood flown in daily from around the globe, Ouzo Bay is one of Houston’s premier destinations for whole fish. Options like Hawaiian kona kampachi from the Pacific and wild-caught dover sole are de-boned then served simply with olive oil. Feast on the fish as-is, or add Mediterranean salsa verde or a champagne reduction with Siberian caviar for an extra boost of flavor.

Nobie's

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This cozy Montrose restaurant serves up a crispy whole fried snapper complete with braised black beans, garlic sauce, salsa de aguacate, and a side of puffy spiced fry bread, made in house.

The Toasted Coconut

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In addition to a lively, tropical vibe and festive tiki cocktails, this Montrose bar boasts a serious dining menu, including whole fried snapper. Accompanied with corn tortillas, the fish is enhanced with spicy salsa macha and shaved vegetable salad.

Kata Robata

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Famed for its vast menu of fresh fish offerings from around the world, Kata Robata puts a unique spin on whole fish with its kohada sushi. The entire fish — albeit a tiny one at just two inches in length — is put to use in this dish, with the exception of the head. Give it a try for $6 per piece.

Hai Cang Harbor Seafood Restaurant

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A visit to Hai Cang in Chinatown is well worth the trek for a sampling of the restaurant’s fresh seafood haul, including Dungeness crab, prawns, lobster, and whole flounder. A hearty portion for one person, the flounder is fried and served with soy sauce.

Superica

In addition to Tex-Mex staples like steak nachos and tacos al carbon, Superica serves Gulf red snapper on the bone. The picture-perfect fish offers meaty bites and pops of color thanks to fresh avocado and tangy tomatillo salsa.

Phat Eatery

Phat Eatery takes barbecue to the next level with its Ikan Bakar, a popular Malaysian dish. Here, a whole golden pomfret is barbecued and served with spicy sambal sauce that seriously packs a punch.

La Fisheria

At this seafood-centric restaurant in Downtown, there are two delicious whole-fish dishes. Choose from the pampano al limon, a pompano that’s pan-seared and served with lime-spiked butter sauce, or the mojarra frita, a whole tilapia that’s fried until crisp. 

The Original Ninfa's on Navigation

In lieu of sharing a platter of fajitas, try Ninfa’s drunken snapper, a whole Gulf red snapper roasted in the restaurant’s wood-fired oven and served with mushrooms and tequila-lime butter.

Ostia

Journey to the bountiful coast of the Mediterranean with chef Travis McShane’s whole fresh fish offering at Ostia, a portion large enough for two diners. The fresh catch varies depending on seasonality — currently it is a roasted branzino atop a bed of tomato sauce and capers — and is prepared in the restaurant’s stone deck oven.

Le Colonial

At Le Colonial, soups and curries are vibrant and colorful, but few dishes cause a head-turning moment like the Ca Chien Saigon, or crispy red snapper. The fish, decorated in a spicy garlic glaze, is presented whole, then fileted tableside.

Ouzo Bay

With seafood flown in daily from around the globe, Ouzo Bay is one of Houston’s premier destinations for whole fish. Options like Hawaiian kona kampachi from the Pacific and wild-caught dover sole are de-boned then served simply with olive oil. Feast on the fish as-is, or add Mediterranean salsa verde or a champagne reduction with Siberian caviar for an extra boost of flavor.

Nobie's

This cozy Montrose restaurant serves up a crispy whole fried snapper complete with braised black beans, garlic sauce, salsa de aguacate, and a side of puffy spiced fry bread, made in house.

The Toasted Coconut

In addition to a lively, tropical vibe and festive tiki cocktails, this Montrose bar boasts a serious dining menu, including whole fried snapper. Accompanied with corn tortillas, the fish is enhanced with spicy salsa macha and shaved vegetable salad.

Kata Robata

Famed for its vast menu of fresh fish offerings from around the world, Kata Robata puts a unique spin on whole fish with its kohada sushi. The entire fish — albeit a tiny one at just two inches in length — is put to use in this dish, with the exception of the head. Give it a try for $6 per piece.

Hai Cang Harbor Seafood Restaurant

A visit to Hai Cang in Chinatown is well worth the trek for a sampling of the restaurant’s fresh seafood haul, including Dungeness crab, prawns, lobster, and whole flounder. A hearty portion for one person, the flounder is fried and served with soy sauce.

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