Going to Galveston for the day, what's good to eat there? Seafood preferred.

Upscale or casual? Lunch or dinner?

Gypsy Joint or Shark Shack for a casual meal on the Strand

Casual and late lunch, early dinner.

BLVD Seafood has become one of my favorite casual lunch spots in Galveston

also, while it's not the most active forum, there are usually a couple of threads on the Gulf Coast board about Galveston Restaurants.

+1 on Benno's. My wife and I skipped class and went there on first date.

For dinner, Trattoria La Vigna downtown. If you're lucky they will have blue crab ravioli special. Mama mia!!!!

+1 for Rudy and Paco's. Dress is casual (shorts allowed) for lunch. Will probably need reservations for dinner. Shrimp 'N Stuff is good for casual mostly fried seafood. Their shrimp salad is delicious.

Pier 6.

OP asked about Galveston....not San Leon.

Lots of good suggestions already. I love Rudy and Paco's but Gaido's is also good. Lot of history there. We went after Christmas and had a great meal.

I also recommend Gumbo Bar.

texasaggie2015 said:

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It's been years, but I always enjoyed Shrimp 'N Stuff.

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Came here to post Shrimp n Stuff.

Shrimp n stuff
The spot
Some of the restaurants on the bay side by the cruise terminal are good - the Greek spot (can't think of the name)

Pretty sure the Greek restaurant (Olympia Grill) at Pier 21 closed, as did their new place in League City. Their restaurant on the seawall is the only one still open.

Agasaurus Tex said:

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Pretty sure the Greek restaurant (Olympia Grill) at Pier 21 closed, as did their new place in League City. Their restaurant on the seawall is the only one still open.

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This is correct. Closed in 2019 I think. Damn shame. Was our favorite spot for the family sitting outside on the patio in good weather

Lots of good stuff on here. I am a fan of the Cajun Greek. Not on the water, but the food is good. Nothing special, but has always been a solid choice.

Also don't think I saw Watermans listed yet.

Milwaukees Best Light said:

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Lots of good stuff on here. I am a fan of the Cajun Greek. Not on the water, but the food is good. Nothing special, but has always been a solid choice.

Also don't think I saw Watermans listed yet.

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How is Waterman's these days? Haven't been in three or four years.

It used to be our go-to for a nice evening out when in Galveston. Then it seemed to go downhill a bit ... service was bad and the food seemed average for the prices. But the atmosphere was always great.

Probably been just as long for me, maybe longer. Probably just a bad batch of townies working when you went last.

EclipseAg said:

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Milwaukees Best Light said:

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Lots of good stuff on here. I am a fan of the Cajun Greek. Not on the water, but the food is good. Nothing special, but has always been a solid choice.

Also don't think I saw Watermans listed yet.

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How is Waterman's these days? Haven't been in three or four years.

It used to be our go-to for a nice evening out when in Galveston. Then it seemed to go downhill a bit ... service was bad and the food seemed average for the prices. But the atmosphere was always great.

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it is definitely over priced, but, hey, still nice place if you are in that area. Service was good when we went this summer.

Maceo Spice and Import Company for lunch

Close to the Strand is Fisherman's Wharf, Katie's Seafood and Willie G's. I like BLVD Seafood on the sea wall

Have you ever driven 25 minutes to get to a good restaurant?

SjAg said:

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Have you ever driven 25 minutes to get to a good restaurant?

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Pretty sure that's the whole basis of the Michelin Star system, is it not? 1 star is stand out, 2 star is worth driving for, 3 star is special trip should be made?

Have not been to the restaurant but we have bought shrimp from Katie's before. What is the issue there?

Recreational fishermen are not a fan of the owner of Katie's.

Was on the Strand yesterday.

Avoid hubcap grill. Four margaritas with no obvious tequila in it was $60.

Mama Theresa's Italian food was good. Would go back. Very casual.

Guido's is good.

The Spot for a burger…

I like the Black Pearl Oyster Bar. Pretty casual.

You didn't say when you are going, so perhaps this is late...

But I'll echo a couple of places that were already mentioned.

We always enjoy Shrimp N Stuff. It's not fussy or terribly expensive and fried seafood when you are on the island feels right.

Also The Spot is in a great location and the burgers are very decent. If the weather is agreeable, sitting on the 2nd floor deck looking out onto the gulf is worth going up those ridiculous stairs and through the crowded dining room.

We had a GREAT dinner at Vargas Cut & Catch last summer.

Ag_07 said:

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Rudy and Paco's for nice dinner

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Love going here.