The 8 Mississippi Seafood Shacks Worth The Drive When The Coast Gets Too Crowded
Beach traffic on the Mississippi coast can turn a simple lunch into a long wait in a hot parking lot. The good news is that some of the best fried catfish, boiled shrimp, and crab legs in the state are served far from the sand.
These inland spots are easy on the wallet, relaxed with kids, and usually quicker to get a table. Here are eight seafood stops that make the drive feel like part of the fun.
1. The Seafood Shack Hazlehurst, Hazlehurst, MS
Kool-Aid hush puppies. Read that again, because it is the kind of menu surprise that turns a quick lunch stop into a story the kids will tell all week.
Sweet, colorful, and fried golden, they sit right alongside the more traditional plates at this little counter in Hazlehurst.
The town itself is small, with fewer than 4,000 people, and it sits well north of the shoreline in Copiah County. That inland address is exactly the point.
You get catfish plates, crab leg clusters, and fried green tomatoes without fighting beach crowds for a parking spot.
Seasoning here leans bold but balanced, and prices stay friendly for families feeding several hungry travelers at once. Save room for a slice of pound cake, which rounds out a plate in classic Southern fashion.
The staff tend to chat and smile with guests, so the place feels more like a neighbor’s kitchen than a restaurant.
Plan your visit carefully, since hours are short. The shack opens Wednesday through Saturday only, closing at 6 PM midweek and 7 PM on Friday and Saturday.
Delivery is available locally, which helps if you are staying nearby and the little ones need downtime.
2. Seafood Shack Market & Deli, Moss Point, MS
Blink on Highway 63 and you might drive right past it. That would be a mistake, because this modest market and deli in Moss Point serves some of the most generous baskets in this corner of Mississippi.
Location makes all the difference. The spot sits inland in a quiet river basin, north of the packed Biloxi and Gulfport beach strip, so you still get fresh Gulf seafood without the resort-town chaos.
Shrimp, crawfish, and crab cakes headline the market side, which makes it handy for families renting a place with a kitchen.
On the deli side, the lineup is pure comfort. Fried shrimp and grilled shrimp give picky eaters and lighter appetites a choice, while fried okra, fried pickles, and the house shack fries make easy sharing plates for the table.
Portions run large, often more than enough for two smaller kids to split.
Friendly workers keep things moving at the counter. A restroom is on site, a small detail that matters a lot after a long ride.
Keep in mind the schedule: closed Monday through Wednesday, open Thursday and Sunday until 7 PM, and Friday and Saturday until 8 PM. No delivery, so plan to stop in.
3. Seafood Express, Meridian, MS
Gas station seafood sounds like a dare. In Meridian, it is a local habit, and one bite of a hot shrimp po’boy explains why.
Seafood Express sits inside a gas station on MS-39, about an hour and a half from the coast, with a counter and a small seating area. Orders come out fast, which is perfect when the backseat crowd is restless.
Fried shrimp po’boys run around eight inches, and a pound of boiled shrimp arrives piping hot, buttery, and garlicky with just enough spice to wake you up.
Catfish, oysters, and a pound of crawfish round out the seafood side. Chicken wings are on the menu too, a reliable backup for kids who are not ready for shellfish.
Most meals land between $10 and $20 per person.
Timing helps. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons get busy and there is usually a wait, while Saturday mornings are calmer.
Hours run Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 AM to 6:45 PM, with no service Sunday or Monday.
Parking is free and plentiful, and a restroom is available. Takeout works well if you want to eat at a nearby park and let everyone stretch their legs.
4. The Seafood Shack, Jackson, MS
Seven catfish fillets on one plate. That is the kind of portion that makes The Seafood Shack in Jackson a smart pick for families who arrive hungry after a day in the capital city.
Roughly 160 miles inland from the beachfront crowds, this lively market and restaurant on University Boulevard serves seafood platters, snow crab legs, and crawfish. The menu stretches to fit different tastes and budgets, so a teenager craving crab and a younger child who just wants fish and fries can both leave happy.
Most plates fall in the $10 to $20 range.
Ordering is counter style with no table service, and the atmosphere stays casual and busy. Outdoor seating gives wiggly kids a little more room.
Desserts are available, and catering is an option for larger family gatherings.
One practical note matters here: the restaurant does not have a restroom, so plan a stop beforehand. Takeout is a good choice if you would rather eat back at your hotel.
Hours run Tuesday through Saturday, 11 AM to 6 PM. Thursday through Saturday afternoons draw the biggest lines, while Wednesday and Thursday mornings tend to be quieter.
Parking is free in the lot and on the street.
5. Seafood Shack & More, Petal, MS
Funnel cake fries and bubble tea are not what most people expect from a seafood shack. Petal’s Seafood Shack and More leans happily into the unexpected, and kids tend to notice right away.
The small Pine Belt town sits more than 70 miles north of the Gulf Coast resort strip, making it a calm alternative to beach traffic. Here the seafood is hand-battered with a signature spice blend, then fried crisp.
Choices include fish, shrimp, and oysters, plus steaming boiled shrimp, crab legs, and crawfish.
Shrimp po’boys are a standout because they are built on proper po’boy bread, and the catfish fillets earn their own loyal following. Sides go beyond the basics with homemade gumbo, crispy eggrolls, coleslaw, and hushpuppies.
Families on the move will appreciate the flexible service. A drive-through, curbside pickup, and takeout make it easy to grab dinner without unbuckling car seats, though dine-in is available in a casual, quiet room.
Expect to spend about $10 to $20 per person.
Hours are limited, so check the calendar. The kitchen opens Thursday through Saturday from 3 PM to 8 PM.
Free parking and a restroom make a quick sit-down stop simple.
6. LandShark Seafood & Catfish, Oxford, MS
About 300 miles separate Oxford from the crowded coastline, yet crawfish boils are serious business here. LandShark brings Cajun-inspired flavor to the rolling hills of north Mississippi, and it does so with families clearly in mind.
Kids get their own menu, and the open-air feel with upbeat music keeps the mood light. Pets are welcome in the outdoor seating area, a bonus for road trips that include the family dog.
Counter service keeps food arriving quickly.
Fried catfish and shrimp are favorites, and the lunch catfish and shrimp combo is a solid value. Seafood lovers can go bigger with a snow crab cluster, Royal Red shrimp, or the shrimp mac.
Hushpuppies and fries are both vegan, which helps families with dietary needs. Wings round things out for non-seafood eaters.
Budget around $10 to $30 per person. Fridays from afternoon into evening get packed, while Sunday daytime and weekday mornings stay quieter.
The restaurant opens 11 AM to 9 PM every day except Tuesday. Curbside pickup, delivery, and takeout give extra options after a long day exploring the Ole Miss campus or the historic town square.
Parking is free and usually easy to find.
7. Toney’s Grill and Seafood Market, Vicksburg, MS
Picture a platter piled with fried catfish, oysters, shrimp, a stuffed crab, hush puppies, and fries. That single plate sums up the generous spirit of Toney’s, sitting just off US-61 in historic Vicksburg.
Perched near the Mississippi River bluffs and more than 150 miles from the Gulf, Toney’s pairs nicely with a day touring the national military park. Unlike several stops on this list, it offers full table service, so parents can actually sit back while friendly servers handle refills and questions.
Young children are well covered. High chairs and a kids’ menu are available, and the cozy, casual room handles groups without fuss.
Fried pickles, boudin balls, and a blooming onion make fun starters to share.
Grilled redfish gives a lighter option for those skipping the fryer, while boiled shrimp, crab legs, gumbo, and Cajun seafood dishes fill out the menu. Portions run big and most meals cost $10 to $20 per person.
Dessert is a strong finish.
Toney’s is open Tuesday through Sunday, staying until 10 PM on Friday and Saturday. Friday evenings bring the biggest crowds, while weekday mornings are calm.
Free parking is plentiful.
8. Berry’s Seafood Restaurant, Florence, MS
Antique farm tools line the walls at Berry’s, giving this Florence favorite the feel of a country barn turned family dining room. Kids love spotting the old equipment, and grown-ups love the all-you-can-eat snow crab legs.
Florence is a small Rankin County town of around 4,500 people along Highway 49, well inland from the beaches. Berry’s offers both a large seafood buffet and a la carte ordering, which makes it ideal for families where everyone wants something different.
The buffet spread covers fried fish, catfish, stuffed crab, okra, mac and cheese, fried green tomatoes, greens, salads, and chicken tenders for younger eaters. Bang bang shrimp is a popular menu pick, and banana pudding makes a classic finish.
Sweet tea here has a strong local following.
Families get thoughtful extras, including high chairs, changing tables, a kids’ menu, and free Wi-Fi. Reservations are accepted, a real advantage on busy Friday and Saturday evenings.
A private dining room works well for reunions.
Expect about $20 to $30 per person. Berry’s opens Monday through Saturday at 10:30 AM, with a short afternoon break on Friday and Saturday, and stays closed Sunday.