Last Updated on July 7, 2023
The Secret Coast of Mississippi is a lesser-known culinary hotspot with influences from all over the globe. These gulf coast communities boast the freshest seafood, Cajun flare, as well as delicately prepared steaks and BBQ.
Part of the allure of Coastal Mississippi is the large selection of Mississippi Gulf Coast waterfront restaurants where you can enjoy the best cuisine the coast offers alongside a beautiful Gulf view.
Fat Bottom BBQ
Located in Biloxi, Fat Bottom specializes in BBQ, so good you’ll have a… well, you know. Enjoy the views of the Mississippi Gulf Coast while you chow down on their in-house smoked meats.
Fat Bottom BBQ uses pecan wood to impart a distinctive flavor to all their smoked goods. They also use a special dry spice rub that makes you want to lick your fingers, no matter the company.
The menu ranges from fully loaded fries topped with pulled pork, sausage, homemade queso, and bbq sauce to sandwiches, brisket, sausage, chicken, and of course ribs.
Wash your delectable bites down with a cold beer or perfectly mixed cocktail, like their extreme Bloody Mary, garnished with, you guessed it, smoked meats.
Fat Bottom BBQ’s vibe is laid back and cool, with a wooden bar and flooring and funky accent colors. Choose a seat inside or outside to enjoy a view of the water just a few feet away.
Brady’s Steak & Seafood
Traveling with a group and can’t decide between steak or seafood? Brady’s Steak and Seafood is the place for you. Located in Pascagoula, this restaurant offers raw oysters, premium steaks, and fresh seafood. Don’t miss out on their crab cakes, made with lump blue crab and topped with a homemade remoulade sauce.
They also have an assortment of appetizers (try the fried crab claws), as well as burgers, tacos, pastas, and salads. Even the pickiest of eaters will be able to find something delightful at Brady’s.
The atmosphere is light and airy, with white shiplap walls and wooden tables and chairs. Grab a seat outside, which overlooks the Pascagoula River, and order a cocktail from their fully stocked bar. Their expert bartenders can mix up anything you like.
Shaggy’s
If you’ve ever visited coastal Mississippi, you’ve certainly heard of Shaggy’s. Shaggy’s has many locations along the coast, including Biloxi, Gulfport, and Brandon, but their original location is in Pass Christian. Shaggy’s has been called the “best seafood dive” and has been at the top of best outdoor dining in Mississippi.
Opened in 2007 after the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina, Shaggy’s became a beacon of hope. Shaggy’s offered a place where locals and visitors alike could come together, laugh, and connect over good food and a gorgeous waterfront view. Locals love visiting Shaggy’s for its welcoming atmosphere, positive vibe, and role as a home and vacation spot at the same time.
Shaggy’s owner Ron Ladner also started ‘Shaggy’s Angler Camp’, which centers around teaching local kids the sport of fishing. Their commitment to being a positive force in the community is viscerally felt when stepping into Shaggy’s restaurant.
While there, indulge in several delicious bites, sauteed royal red shrimp, fresh fish tacos, delicately prepared gulf fish, crab, and lobster mac n cheese, and their seafood platter. All are exceptional choices when dining at Shaggy’s.
Don’t miss out on their large assortment of ice-cold blended drinks and cocktails. I recommend trying Shaggy’s Rum Punch and the Miami Vice, which combines a pina colada and strawberry daiquiri in one.
Shaggy’s has a beachy, Key West vibe that’s fun and bright; it is reminiscent of a tropical island. Shaggy’s is exactly what you would expect and want from a waterfront restaurant on your coastal vacation.
Bacchus On The Beach
Also located in Pass Christian, Bacchus On The Beach is just a hop, skimp, and jump from Shaggy’s. This beachside restaurant specializes in an assortment of Cajun fare, including oysters, crab croquettes, and seafood au gratin.
From the patio, you can see the water and boats floating by. The service at Bacchus is friendly and very efficient, adding to the overall positive experience.
On Monday’s Bacchus offers a pork special, a frenched bone-in pork chop with jalapeno cheddar cornbread and collard greens. If you happen to be there on a Monday, don’t miss out on the special.
Sea Level
Sea Level in Pass Christian has a lovely relaxed, breezy vibe, perfect for a casual afternoon lunch or sunset dinner. At Sea Level, you can grab a spot at an umbrella-shaded picnic bench and stare out over the water.
Sea Level is a great family restaurant offering lawn games like cornhole and 45 flavor assortments of “snoball” cones to cool off. Enjoy made-to-order hot dogs, fish tacos, and hamburgers while at Sea Level.
The Blind Tiger
After hurricane Katrina, The Blind Tiger was the first restaurant to open waterside. Inspired by the owner’s travels to the Bahamas and Caribbean, The Blind Tiger is a tropical oasis with a breezy, open-air concept. Taste everything from fish tacos, royal red shrimp, smoked tuna dip, burgers, and fresh-cut fries at The Blind Tiger.
It’s a great place to stop for lunch and relax with your friends and family. The Blind Tiger’s eclectic decor, oceanfront views, and fresh food make it a restaurant you won’t want to miss when passing through Bay St. Louis.
Cuz’s Old Town Oyster Bar & Grill
Cuz’s Old Town Oyster Bar and Grill boasts the freshest seafood and best seafood platter around. Every morning shipments of fish and vegetables arrive at Cuz’s, ensuring that your meal is as fresh as can be and full of flavor. Then, of course, you must try their Seafood Platter, which comes stocked with fried fish and shellfish.
Accompany your meal with a cold draft beer on the patio.
Patio 44 Gulfport
Patio 44 Gulfport prides itself in casual elevated dining. Their menu centers around seafood and steaks with a creole flair. While there, I recommend trying their blackened Mississippi catfish served with a Cajun cream sauce and deliciously cheesy grits. Another local favorite is their pasta jambalaya featuring andouille sausage, ham, grilled chicken, tender vegetables, and a house-made sauce.
Before, during, or after dinner, indulge in their extensive bar’s cocktail options. Their bartenders can make anything to your liking. I recommend tasting their Buffalo Negra cocktail. Savor the bourbon-based drink with ginger beer, balsamic syrup, and fresh basil.
Felix’s
If you’re searching for oysters in Gulfport, Felix’s is the place to be. First established in New Orleans in the 1940s, Felix’s has expanded, opening more locations, including Gulfport, Mississippi. Rest assured, you’ll be getting the freshest oysters on your plate, as they are harvested right from the Louisiana oyster beds and transported to the restaurant.
Felix’s is constantly coming up with creative ways to serve their oysters, offering a wide range of preparation styles. Try their Oysters Bienville, followed by a cup of delicious seafood gumbo.
The Chimneys
Quaint, historic, and delicious dining are the words that describe The Chimneys restaurant in Gulfport. Dine waterside in a historic house converted into a lovely restaurant, complete with a fireplace and bar. Choose a spot inside next to window paned double doors, allowing you to see the gorgeous waterfront, or grab a seat outside.
Sunday brunch is a delightful experience at The Chimneys, where you can share a platter of homemade pastries such as beignets, scones, and turnovers alongside bottomless mimosas. Then try their fluffy seafood omelet or crab cakes topped with fried eggs.
Steve’s Marina Restaurant
Steve’s Marina Restaurant is a Long Beach hotspot, and it’s easy to see why. This two-story restaurant overlooks the beautiful boat-filled marina. Steve’s serves a mean rum punch and well-prepared seafood.
Try the pecan-crusted snapper. The portion sizes are large, and the incredible hospitality makes you want to go back again and again. Steve’s Marina restaurant is a must-visit when in Long Beach.
Parrish’s Restaurant & Lounge
For delicious craft cocktails in Long Beach, check out Parrish’s Restaurant and Lounge. Their restaurant strives to deliver a memorable family experience at an affordable price while sourcing ingredients from local vendors. Overlook Long Beach Harbour while listening to live music available on Friday and Saturday nights.
Don’t miss out on their weeknight happy hour from 4-7, where you can grab signature cocktails like their Perfect Parrish Peach. For dinner, enjoy crawfish etouffee or a lighter option, like a lightly fried po-boy. Leave some room for their decadent, homemade bread pudding.
