Sugar & Rye has only been open a year, but it’s made a big splash in the Galveston community with indulgent Cajun-influenced dinner entrees and Southern brunch items, like biscuits and gravy with maque choux (a saucy corn and pepper mix from Cajun cuisine) and a brisket skillet breakfast, with more maque choux, potatoes, cotija and Mexican crema. The restaurant is located inside one of Galveston’s famed Victorian buildings, and the interior decor extends the same classy, Southern vibe as the food. 

You can’t get fresher seafood from Katie’s Seafood House, an oceanfront restaurant that catches its own fish straight from the Gulf of Mexico. Katie’s does right by the fresh seafood, too, offering immaculately-cooked boiled crab and shrimp, fresh oysters, and fried seafood platters. Stop by Katie’s Seafood Market, located in the same parking lot, to bring some of that fresh-caught seafood home.

Breezy, down-home comfort eats make this café a local hotspot for breakfast, lunch, and dessert. With specialties like chicken and biscuits as well as Texas blue crab cakes, revel in a stick-to-your-ribs mid-day meal, and bask in the sunny spring weather on an expansive patio.

If you want to impress, Vargas Cut and Catch is one of the most luxurious fine dining restaurants in Galveston. This downtown steakhouse offers, of course, expertly made prime and wagyu steaks, but it also pulls out the stops with a robust selection of seafood, demonstrated its Chilean sea bass and pan-seared scallops, topped with crab and served with a fragrant saffron risotto.

German cuisine may not seem like traditional beach fare, but Stuttgarden Tavern is worth a visit when exploring the island. The restaurant is spread across three floors and boasts a beer hall and rooftop bar with live music, plus guests can take in a game of pool or darts while enjoying pub food and draft beer. Check out the brat of the month, served on a Hawaiian roll and loaded up with a choice of different sauerkrauts, or visit on Thursdays for its Jaeger pork schnitzel.

Find artisan pizzas, chef specials like coconut shrimp, and vegan options at this long-time hangout on the Strand. Opt for outdoor seating — Yaga’s patio is one of the biggest in town, and the weekends bring live music from local bands.

When it comes to Italian food, Galveston’s got options, and Trattoria la Vigna is a standout among them. Enjoy its quaint and quiet environs, and find comfort in a traditional menu featuring dishes like spaghetti and clams and seafood risotto.

It’s no secret that Gulf oysters are abundant in Galveston, and you can find some of the freshest bounty at Black Pearl Oyster Bar. In addition to the fresh, well-shucked bivalves, the cooked preparations are equally stellar. Check out the oysters Haelen, with crab meat and cheese, oysters Rockefeller, and oysters diablo. If you’re an oyster newbie, check out the 12-oyster sample platter with all three.

Opened in 1944, Maceo Spice is a Galveston institution. True to its name, the shop has walls of fragrant spices and specialty blends, a deli counter with sliced meat and cheese, and pantry staples like olive oil, vinegar, pasta, and sauce. Guests will also find a solid menu of sandwiches during lunch. Be prepared, the muffuletta is big enough for two.

An island paragon, this upscale steakhouse features grilled meats and seafood with plenty of South American and Central American influences. Ceviche, plantain-crusted Gulf snapper, and a selection of steaks grace the menu. Pro tip: Wear pants if you’re going for dinner — shorts are only allowed during lunch and at the bar.

Though technically not a restaurant, Daiquiri Time Out is too good to be left off this list. The city’s premier cocktail bar features a seasonally rotating list of cocktails like the Floating World, a spicy mix of Gin Mare, Japanese Bermutto, sake, ginger syrup, sakura bitters, Chartreuse Végétal, and black pepper. Hungry after a few drinks? Enter a state of island bliss by stopping by the Crazy J’s food truck for burgers, fries, and the house-favorite blue crab grilled cheese on buttery brioche.

A local’s best-kept secret, Bambu serves up some of the best Mexican food on the island, including what could be Galveston’s best “surprise” burritos — a combination of scrambled eggs,  cheese, bacon, refried beans, and potatoes. The carne asada and barbacoa tortas are also worth the trip.

No matter where you are in Texas, indulging in platters of smoked meats is never a bad idea. This homey breakfast and lunch spot offers riblets and Cajun boudin by the pound, alongside hearty plates of brisket. Pork and oyster-packed sandwiches, and Cajun classics like etouffee, drummies, and jambalaya also highlight this low-key, Bayou-by-bay joint.

Dating back to 1976, Shrimp ‘N Stuff’s original location on Avenue O is attractive enough to make you peek inside without even knowing what’s on the menu. Rest assured, though, the crispy catfish po’ boy does not disappoint.

It might be a bit of a tourist trap, but who can say no to Bloody Marys and beer by the beach? With five different venues in one space, including a tiki bar, the Spot is a one-stop-shop for drinking and dining on the Seawall. Try the crispy fried coconut shrimp, and treat yourself to a giant pitcher of pina coladas. Know before you go, the Spot is always crawling with locals and visitors alike, so be prepared to wait an hour or more for a table on busy summer evenings.

A perennial Galveston favorite that’s been open since 1911, Gaido’s boasts white-glove service and a view of the sea. Splurge on dishes like pecan-crusted Mahi Mahi, crawfish asiago, and sample classic cocktails that are perfect for celebrating just about anything.

Everywhere on the island, someone is claiming to have the best seafood gumbo. It’s up to you whether or not to believe them, but the Gumbo Diner is the perfect place to kick off that quest. If gumbo isn’t your thing, the Gumbo Diner also has seafood platters and po’ boys, as well as an all-day breakfast.