Food & Drinks

Covered patio overlooking the bay. Crab-stuffed mushrooms, lobster bisque, and honestly the best crab cakes we've had on the island.

Casual and lively — order the Golden Tile Fish and the ridiculous melted-cheese garlic bread. Huge portions.

Newer spot with a great atmosphere and a patio right on the water. Go early — it fills up fast.

Long, narrow, a little noisy — but the food is outstanding. Chicken & sausage gumbo, bacon-wrapped shrimp, garlic parmesan toast.

Tile Fish Po-Boy and fried chicken BLT are both excellent — everything fresh. Pricier, but worth it.

A true Galveston landmark. Old-school Gulf seafood, linen napkins, James Beard America's Classics Award.

Seafood and steaks where the shrimp boats come in. Louisiana-leaning menu with harbor views.

An island staple for breakfast and lunch. Expect an hour wait for breakfast — it's a Galveston classic for a reason.

A solid dinner pick — steaks and seafood done right. Pricier side, but the experience holds up.

Plain outside, fine-dining plating inside. Every seat has a Gulf view. Shrimp & Quail Kisses is a winner.

Ave O leans fried seafood; the Strand location has a broader menu. Casual either way.

Pricier Seawall seafood with a consistent menu and a good view. Safe pick when the group can't decide.

Great shrimp out of a food truck on 61st — a local favorite. Quick, fresh, casual.

Boudin Balls, calamari, BBQ shrimp platter — genuinely great food. Cleanliness scores have been on the low side; worth knowing.

Long drive but worth a shot if you're West End. Fish & chips and boiled shrimp were generous and fresh.

High-dollar steakhouse — Alaskan King Crab straight from the Deadliest Catch boats. Pro tip: happy hour at the bar.

One of the most expensive spots on the island. The food is very, very good — save for a special occasion.

Fine dining with sweeping water views. Reservations recommended — one of the prettiest dining rooms on the island.

A Texas chain that knows what it's doing. Big portions, kid-friendly menu, safe bet for the group.

A handsome two-story space mixing old and new. Food is hit or miss, but the vibe and value work.

Solid island BBQ. Tamales are tasty but light on filling; brisket taco is good but slightly dry.

Not bad, not great. Middle of the road island BBQ.

We'd come here for happy hour over dinner. The waterfront patio with boats and cruise ships is the draw.

The best Italian on the island in our opinion. Everything made fresh, including the pasta — and you can taste it.

Upscale Italian on the Strand — two steps up from Carrabba's. Great menu, reasonable bill.

Upscale Italian with really good food and genuinely good pizza. Works for a nice dinner or relaxed lunch.

Small, crowded, loud — but a fun place with consistently good pizza and Italian dishes.

Old Italian deli with seats inside & out. Good food, but the real draw is the spice shop and the Maceo family story.

The pizza is better here than at their 61st St spot, with a nice ocean view. Bar appetizers are solid.

Classic spot for Italian and pizza. Long-running island favorite — the Seawall location edges it out.

Really enjoy the pizza here. Other Italian dishes are average — come for the pie.

Pizza is pretty good. The rest of the food — pass.

Tacos are off the hizzy and the margaritas are incredible. Three steps up from Torchy's. Perfect for a girls' night.

Great place to hear live music while you eat tacos. Laid-back vibe, solid food.

A Galveston staple for decades. Food slightly above average, drinks are good. Locals know this name.

Little Mexican eatery with a great breakfast. Parking can be tight.

Enjoyed breakfast here — the fajita meat had a nice flavor. Easy west-side spot.

Small Mexican spot on Stewart. Very good breakfast, not expensive, and intimate.

Average Mexican spot on the Seawall — great view, pretty good food.

Easy, casual Tex-Mex that does the classics — fajitas, enchiladas, queso. Popular with locals and cruisers.

A very good burger. Right up there with Mel's, if not better. If smashed patties are your thing, come here first.

Awesome décor. French dip and tortilla soup were both great, big portions. Bring your appetite.

Known for their burgers — very good. To-go only, no seating.

Known for burgers and bar food — plus a real craft beer list. Easy lunch spot on the Strand.

Great lunch spot. Judges, lawyers, and police all eat here. Many options, great vibe, reasonably priced.

Looks like a dive from outside, but inside is pretty cool. Large menu, good quality, popular local lunch spot.

Pleasant surprise — sports-bar atmosphere, sandwiches that feed two, top-quality proteins. On our repeat list.

Our burgers were overcooked, bun dry, expensive. We'd skip until they turn it around — plenty of folks like it though.

A must-go for breakfast. The food and the bakery are awesome. Get there early or you'll be in line — it's worth it.

Very cool spot tucked inside the historic Hotel Galvez. When you want breakfast to feel like an event.

Great little spot for breakfast or lunch. Small space, home-cooked quality. Always a nice time.

Old-fashioned drug store with a diner inside. Great backup when the popular breakfast spots are full.

Good-quality breakfast and lunch. Easy downtown morning combo with Maceo's across the street.

Pretty good bagel sandwiches with egg/bacon/cheese, plus a few lunch options.

One of the best views on the island. Pricey, but very popular with comfortable couches. You're paying for the experience.

One of the best Seawall views. Food above average, service inconsistent. Come for the rooftop.

Watch boats and cruise ships come and go. Above-average food, beautiful sunsets.

Great sunset views, food is pretty good, the bar is fun. Quieter than downtown.

Great location on the Seawall. Food hit or miss, service questionable — come for the view.

Beach bar on the West End with great ocean views. Food isn't great, but the location is the point.

Clean, prime Seawall location, large with a nice patio. Food average and overpriced — come for the location.

Good spot for a drink. Food hit and miss — the location is the draw.

Drinks are great, sunsets are beautiful. Food's average; service mixed lately. Worth a stop for the view.

Craft cocktails, upscale bar food, excellent coffee. Live music Fri/Sat, awesome patio with fire pits. Full vibe.

Craft cocktails and food out of a food truck on a huge open patio. Cheeseburger sliders maybe the best we've had.

The bomb, and the view is great. Happy hour: shrimp and lamb chops over Gouda grits at $10 a plate. Best we can remember.

Upscale feel, craft cocktails, nice atmosphere. Creamy asparagus soup and ribeye were on point.

Walk-up frozen daiquiri bar. Dozens of flavors, to-go cups — perfect between shopping and sunset.

A young yuppie hangout on the Strand. Good food and a good cocktail — easy spot for a couple of hours.

Fun Strand eatery with live entertainment on weekends. You'll sit longer than you planned.

Good food, very good drinks, Hawaiian vibe. Crawfish boils in season. Casual, easy hang.

Very cool pub and sports bar. Pizza above average and the Reuben is very good.

One of the few Greek spots on the island. Been around a while, food is very good.

Large two-story bar & grill near the cruise terminal. German bratwurst and beer plus American pub food.

Actual Thai — not Chinese — and many dishes are spicy. Excellent spring rolls. Don't come for fried rice.

A bit of a hole-in-the-wall but clean. Chicken wings and tenders both excellent. Going back for the soulful side of the menu.

Reviews mixed. Pricey, but a lot of locals love it. We're still on the fence — we'll try again.

Real old-island icon. The Puccetti family has run it forever. Famous muffuletta. An institution worth experiencing.

Great if you've got kids — animal décor, gift shops, rides. Food average and pricey — the experience is the point.

Forrest Gump-themed seafood on Pleasure Pier. Touristy and fun — a hit with kids who want shrimp and a Gulf view.

Quirky and divisive. Not our thing, but it has a real fan base.