We Ranked Mississippi’s 10 Best Seafood Restaurants And Here Are The Results
Sometimes narrowing down a list is genuinely difficult, and that was exactly the case this time. Mississippi has plenty of excellent restaurants, so take a look at why these particular ones stood out.
Seafood here arrives fresh, prepared simply without unnecessary tricks or plating games. Regulars know these places for the food alone, rarely caring about atmosphere beyond basic comfort.
Portions stay generous, matching the reputation these restaurants built through word of mouth rather than marketing. Nothing about the seafood feels rationed or held back to control costs.
Prices stay reasonable, reflecting a genuine focus on quality over unnecessary extras. These restaurants earned their spot on this list through consistency rather than flashy branding.
1. Mary Mahoney’s Old French House
Few restaurants in Mississippi carry this much history in their walls. The building dates back centuries and stands as one of the oldest structures on the Gulf Coast, with Creole and Greek Revival details still intact.
Out in the courtyard, a live oak known as The Patriarch shades the tables. The tree has outlasted hurricanes that flattened everything around it, which feels like a fitting mascot for a place this stubbornly enduring.
Food-wise, the kitchen leans into locally sourced seafood and premium filets. Back Room Crab Cakes, Stuffed Flounder, and Seafood Bienville anchor the menu, along with gumbo and sautéed crab claws that taste as if someone’s grandmother supervised.
Service runs quickly and is polished, which is impressive given how busy the dining rooms get. Weeknight and weekend evenings fill up fast, so reservations are strongly recommended for both dinner and brunch.
Atmosphere splits the difference between upscale and cozy. It works for a romantic dinner, a big family table, or someone eating alone with a bowl of gumbo and zero regrets.
There’s a private dining room, a bar on site, high chairs, and a kids’ menu. Dogs are welcome outside, and parking rarely turns into a headache.
Doors open Monday through Saturday, closed Sundays. Find it at 110 Rue Magnolia, Biloxi, MS 39530.
2. White Cap Seafood Restaurant
Beach Drive in Gulfport hides a seafood joint that quietly outperforms places with twice the hype. Simple nautical decor, a deck, and a wide view of the Gulf do most of the heavy lifting here.
The stuffed whole flounder gets a lot of attention, and rightly so. Grilled mahi mahi, stuffed shrimp, and oysters on the half shell round out a menu built for people who came hungry.
Starters deserve a mention too. Corn and crawfish bisque and homemade seafood gumbo both hit that slow-simmered Southern note, and the onion rings happen to be vegan.
Kids are genuinely welcome, with high chairs and a dedicated menu. Groups fit comfortably, and the vibe stays casual enough that nobody worries about sandy flip-flops.
Portions run big, which makes the price range feel like a bargain. Seafood platters arrive loaded with catfish, oysters, shrimp, scallops, crab claws, and stuffed crab.
Free wi-fi, a bar on site, and easy parking make it low-stress. Takeout works, though eating on the deck with the water in front of you is the whole point.
Saturday afternoons and evenings get packed. Tuesdays are closed entirely, so plan around that.
Head to 560 Beach Dr, Gulfport, MS 39507.
3. The Crawfish House
Ocean Springs runs on charm, and this bright little seafood spot fits right in. Crawfish platters, mahi tacos, and crab burgers headline a menu that refuses to take itself seriously.
Gator tacos exist here. So do bang bang shrimp, crab cakes, and a shrimp po’boy that disappears fast.
Chargrilled oysters have become something of a signature. The combo platter is big enough to split between two people, assuming both parties agree on sharing, which is never guaranteed.
Shrimp and grits pull in a steady crowd, and the hush puppies come out crispy outside and soft in the middle. Small details like that separate good from memorable.
The patio stays busy when weather cooperates, and dogs are allowed both inside and out. Live music adds energy on certain nights, and sports play for anyone who wants a game on.
College students, families, and tourists all mix here without friction. Late-night food and happy hour options keep the schedule flexible.
Friday and Saturday evenings get loud and packed. Tuesdays are closed, and mid-week afternoons stay calm if you want quiet.
We take reservations, parking is easy, and the kitchen moves fast.
Stop by 1801 Government St #3942, Ocean Springs, MS 39564.
4. Jourdan River Steamer
Driving out to Kiln for dinner sounds like a detour until the river comes into view. Colored lights hit the water at night, and the whole setting shifts into something worth dressing up for.
Steaming is the specialty. Snow crab leg clusters, lobster, and shrimp come out seasoned with real precision rather than drowned in butter.
Hot crab dip makes a strong opening move. The ribeye holds its own against anything from the water, and Chicken Palermo gives non-seafood eaters a legitimate option.
Servers know the menu inside out and guide people through it without hovering. That matters when the ordering gets complicated.
Creme brulee closes things out, and there’s a full vegetarian menu plus organic dishes, which is unusual for a coastal steamer house.
Reservations aren’t optional here. The dining room fills up, waits happen, and Saturday evenings run at full tilt.
Doors stay closed Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday through Sunday, service starts in the late afternoon or early evening.
The atmosphere manages to be romantic and family-friendly at the same time, with high chairs and a kids’ menu alongside private dining.
Parking is free and plentiful, and there’s wi-fi if anyone needs it.
Find the place at 15152 MS-603, Kiln, MS 39556.
5. Thorny Oyster
Bay St. Louis has a way of making visitors reconsider their life plans, and this beachfront spot does not help. Coastal styling, an open feel, and a seafood tower that turns heads set the tone.
Grilled Gulf oysters arrive under a light sauce with melted cheese. Simple, correct, and hard to stop eating.
Bouillabaisse shows the kitchen’s range, while the lobster roll keeps things casual. Pasta Bordelaise and a wedge salad give vegetarians something real to order.
The Fish Caddy rotates with whatever the Gulf gives up that week. Mahi, large Gulf shrimp, and crab show up regularly.
Presentation gets attention here, but the food never feels fussy. It’s upscale without demanding a jacket.
Brunch runs Sunday mornings and wraps early, so late risers should set an alarm. Monday is closed, and Tuesday and Wednesday are dinner only.
Outdoor seating exists, dogs are welcome outside, and there’s a full bar plus a strong dessert lineup.
Groups fit well, and reservations are accepted, which helps on Friday and Saturday nights.
Parking includes free lots and street options, though beachfront spots go quickly on nice days.
The address is 104 N Beach Blvd, Bay St Louis, MS 39520.
6. Saltine Restaurant
Here’s a fun detail: this Jackson seafood spot operates inside a historic school building. The bones of the place give it character that no designer could fake.
Oysters Lafitte come wood-fired with crawfish tails and bacon piled on top. Ordering a half dozen and then immediately ordering more is a common sequence.
Blackened redfish stays a reliable pick, and the shrimp and grits earn their spot on the menu. Cajun seafood pasta brings the heat for anyone chasing it.
Southern cooking gets a modern treatment without losing its roots. Hush puppies, Brussels sprouts, and seared pork belly all share the same page comfortably.
Dessert deserves a mention, especially the cinnamon roll cheesecake. Yes, it’s as much as it sounds.
Sundays draw a brunch crowd, and Friday and Saturday afternoons through evenings stay busy. Mornings early in the week are the calm window.
Outdoor seating, dogs allowed outside, and a private dining room cover most situations. Catering and delivery are available too.
Look for it at 622 Duling Ave Ste. 201, Jackson, MS 39216.
7. Berry’s Seafood Restaurant
Antique farm tools hang on the walls, and a big tree stands inside the dining room. The whole building feels like a barn that decided to become a seafood destination.
The buffet is the main event. Crab legs, fried catfish, stuffed crab, frog legs, shrimp, baked seafood, greens, and soups keep the line moving all night.
A salad bar and Southern sides round things out. Mac and cheese, okra, French fries, and chicken tenders make this workable for picky eaters.
A la carte options exist for anyone who doesn’t want to commit to unlimited plates. Stuffed crab and coleslaw travel well as takeout.
Everything stays hot and gets refreshed often, which is the real test of any buffet. The dining room is big, clean, and easy to navigate with a group.
Families do well here. There are high chairs, changing tables, and a kids’ menu, plus plenty of room for large parties.
Saturday afternoon into evening is the peak rush. Weekday hours stay noticeably quieter.
The kitchen serves Monday through Saturday and closes on Sundays. Coffee, tea, and dessert are all worth saving room for.
Pull into 2942 US 49, Florence, MS 39073.
8. Crescent City Grill
Hattiesburg gets a New Orleans accent at this Hardy Street mainstay. Warm woods and stained glass give the dining room a settled, comfortable elegance.
Catfish Plaquemine is the dish people plan their visit around. Mississippi catfish meets shrimp and seasoned sausage in a creamy jambalaya creole sauce.
Crabmeat wontons make an unexpected but excellent starter. Stuffed mushrooms and fried green tomatoes work just as well.
Shrimp etouffee, jambalaya, and flounder cover the Cajun classics. Mardi Gras Pasta and blackened chicken fettuccine handle everyone else at the table.
White chocolate bread pudding is the dessert to fight over. Ordering two is smarter than sharing one.
The place manages family-friendly and romantic simultaneously. High chairs, a kids’ menu, and changing tables sit alongside a private dining room and a full bar.
Hours run daily, with later closing on Friday and Saturday. Late-night food is available for anyone running behind schedule.
Delivery, curbside pickup, and catering are all available, though the atmosphere is half the appeal.
Visit us at 3810 Hardy St, Hattiesburg, MS 39402.
9. The Velvet Ditch Sports Bar & Seafood
Oxford locals know exactly where the name comes from, and it fits a spot on South Lamar perfectly. Sports bar energy meets a seafood kitchen that takes its job seriously.
Char-grilled oysters served velvet style are the standout order. They come out hot, seasoned properly, and gone in about four minutes.
Fried catfish here holds up against anything cooked in a Southern kitchen. The shrimp gets the same careful treatment.
Pork chops surprise people who came expecting bar food. The kitchen clearly has range beyond the fryer.
Decor is nicer than the sports bar label suggests. Televisions cover the games without turning the room into a stadium.
Doors open in the late afternoon most days and stay open past midnight Thursday through Saturday. Weekends start at eleven in the morning.
Game days pack the place, especially Friday and Saturday evenings. Mid-week afternoons are the quiet stretch.
Outdoor seating, catering, delivery, and curbside pickup all work. Parking downtown can be tricky, so allow extra time.
The crowd skews toward college students and visitors, and groups fit easily. Reservations are accepted, which helps on busy nights.
Track it down at 430 S Lamar Blvd, Oxford, MS 38655.
10. Shivers Creek Catfish House
A country fish house on Highway 27 might not look like a ranked destination, but the catfish argues otherwise. Crystal Springs keeps this one busy without any fuss.
Hush puppies and slaw have developed a serious reputation here. There’s even a menu item that’s just greens, a dozen hush puppies, and slaw.
Fried catfish comes as filets or whole, and there’s an all-you-can-eat filet option for anyone feeling confident. Blackened catfish is the move for people avoiding the fryer.
Fried shrimp and fried oysters get the same seasoning care. Redfish shows up too, blackened and worth ordering.
Shrimp salad gives a lighter option, and kids get their own smash burger and fried shrimp plates.
Prices stay reasonable, and portions run large. The tea selection is a small detail that regular Southern diners will appreciate.
Hours are limited, so timing matters. Closed Monday through Wednesday, dinner only on Thursday, full days Friday and Saturday, and Sunday lunch until three.
Friday and Saturday evenings fill up. Saturday mornings are the calmest stretch.
Dogs are allowed outside, there’s plenty of free parking, and takeout plus catering are available.
The address is 24188 MS-27, Crystal Springs, MS 39059.