Nestled along the picturesque Gulf Coast of Texas, Galveston’s offers sun-kissed beaches and a delectable array of dining options – especially on the West End. The island is known for its Southwestern, Mexican, coastal, and Cajun flavors – all perfect for an island lunch outing!
While you may be busy with building sand castles, taking boat tours, and beach hopping during the day, you don’t want to skip out on the delicious midday meals you can find in restaurants all over town.
Join us as we explore the top lunch spots in Galveston that promise to tantalize your taste buds when you stay at a Sand ‘N Sea beach house rental.
Lunch on the West End of Galveston
West End Marina & Restaurants
Photo Credit: The West End Marina
- Address: 21706 Burnet Dr, Galveston, TX
- What to order: The Seafood Platter of Gulf oysters, crispy shrimp, and fish with a side of fries.
- Price point: $$
Beautiful views, tasty food, and live music are all on the docket at West End Marina & Restaurants. The casual seafood restaurant overlooks Galveston Bay and offers two different eateries. The downstairs Sandbar Grille and Palapa upstairs both offer indoor and outdoor seating.
The menu here is heavy on the fish, with a splash of Southern favorites like fried pickles and chicken fried steak. Try the Cajun nachos topped with shrimp, sausage, chicken, beans, queso, and pico de gallo for the ultimate coastal Southwestern fusion of flavors.
Way West Pizza & Grill
- Address: 16708 Termini-San Luis Pass Rd STE B, Jamaica Beach, TX
- What to order: The Texas-style poutine Beach Fries topped with bacon jam, queso, jalapenos, and barbecue sauce.
- Price point: $
Way West Grill & Pizzeria in Jamaica Beach is the Galveston West End’s go-to spot for delicious delivery. The family-owned restaurant is open for lunch, and dinner orders are conveniently dropped off at your vacation rental.
The build-your-own pizza on a regular or cauliflower crust is an obvious choice, but the eatery also cooks up burgers, sandwiches, tacos, salads, and a slew of sides (the mango habanero hot wings and fried mac and cheese bites are a must-try).
Nate’s West End Steak & Seafood
- Address: 17515 Termini-San Luis Pass Rd, Galveston, TX
- What to order: Seafood Pasta with mussels, crab, and Gulf shrimp atop saucy angel hair noodles.
- Price point: $$
When you’re looking for the best lunch spots in Galveston on the West End, don’t skip Nate’s West End Steak & Seafood. The casual steakhouse offers weekday lunch specials, including smothered hamburger steak, fish tacos, and a BLT sandwich.
The rest of the menu includes seafood appetizers like bang bang shrimp and mini crab cakes, burgers, sandwiches, and hefty entree platters.
Waterman’s Restaurant
- Address: 14302 Stewart Rd, Galveston, TX
- What to order: Shrimp and Grits or the Shrimp Creole Pasta
- Price point: $$$
Just outside of Galveston Island State Park and right on the water, Waterman’s Restaurant offers stunning views of Lake Como from a breezy outdoor dining patio. The eatery is only open for lunch on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, but you can dine in for a sunset dinner throughout the week.
You’ll want to trade the swimsuit and flip-flops for resort wear at this low-key but stylish spot. The salads, steaks, and seafood-heavy menu offers something for every taste bud. Special lunch menu standouts include a jalapeno pineapple burger, the po-boy and gumbo, and the red drum and shrimp combo.
Lunch in Downtown Galveston
Gaido’s Seafood
- Address: 3828 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX
- What to order: Shrimp and grits with blue cheese and a smoky chipotle sauce.
- Price point: $$$
Established in 1911, Gaido’s Seafood serves up the freshest Gulf and Bay catches from their family-friendly beachfront Seawall location. The Southwest and Creole-infused menu includes dishes like Crawfish Asiago tossed in fettuccine and Shrimp Peques wrapped in bacon and stuffed with cheese and jalapeno.
The Spot
- Address: 3204 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX
- What to order: Hot Honey Chicken sandwich with a citrusy slaw.
- Price point: $$
The Spot on the Seawall makes a fun lunch stop or happy hour on a beach day, with five eateries and bars in a casual, breezy venue. The seafood tacos here are a favorite — try the Crispy Baja stuffed with white fish and pineapple mango salsa or the Ahi Poke Tuna with fresh avocado and a Thai vinaigrette.
Rudy & Paco Restaurant and Bar
- Address: 2028 Postoffice St, Galveston, TX
- What to order: Shrimp Tacos a la Paco stuffed with blackened Gulf shrimp and drizzled with a raspberry chipotle sauce.
- Price point: $$$
Upscale Rudy & Paco Restaurant and Bar is open weekdays for lunch in Galveston on Postoffice Street. The menu is infused with Central and South American flavors, from Ropa Vieja, a shredded beef dish flavored with onions and bell peppers served with rice and beans, to Paquito Taquitos, customizable with beef or grilled chicken. Reservations are strongly recommended at this popular local favorite.
Yaga’s Cafe
- Address: 2314 The Strand, Galveston, TX
- What to order: Death Burger, a blend of Black Angus chuck, brisket, and short rib topped with bacon, mushrooms, chili, and more.
- Price point: $$
The colorful and festive Yaga’s Cafe is full of island vibes on The Strand. With indoor and patio dining, the casual restaurant is a great people watching spot, perfect for watching island life go by while you enjoy a house margarita.
The Yagatizers menu features mouthwatering small plates of crab cakes, spicy jalapeno bites, crawfish risotto croquettes, and seafood flautas. You can’t go wrong with the Funky Fajitas or Cuban Panini for lunch mains. Yaga’s also has a gluten-free menu and a handful of vegetarian options.
BLVD Seafood
- Address: 2804 Avenue R 1/2, Galveston, TX
- What to order: BLVD Wild Texas Shrimp cooked your way and served with rice pilaf.
- Price point: $$
BLVD Seafood is a popular spot on Seawall Boulevard with a modern coastal vibe. Known for its loaded D-LUX Bloody Mary, the restaurant is open for lunch Monday through Saturday and a special midday Sunday brunch.
Try the Shrimp and Fish Platter for a taste of local Gulf Redfish or the Fried Seafood Sliders topped with a remoulade.
Mosquito Cafe
- Address: 628 14th St, Galveston, TX
- What to order: Filet Mignon Tacos in corn tortillas with homemade salsa and chipotle sauce.
- Price point: $$
Mosquito Cafe is a staple for lunch in Downtown Galveston and a favorite amongst locals. The upscale-eclectic eatery is located in an 1870s house in the historic part of town and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
For a light lunch, the salad menu features the Mosquito Caesar with hickory-smoked, peppered bacon and homemade croutons and a Thai Chicken Salad tossed in a tamari sesame vinaigrette. Or, for big appetites, the Pasta Pesto Bowl and Asian Filet Beef Bowl are favorites.
Fisherman’s Wharf
- Address: 2200 Harborside Dr, Galveston, TX
- What to order: Shrimp Kisses wrapped in bacon and stuffed with jalapeno jack cheese.
- Price point: $$
Located on the Galveston Channel close to The Strand, Fisherman’s Wharf is known for its great seafood. The casual waterside eatery is open daily for lunch.
You can also order local specialties like Gulf red snapper or grilled redfish on the fresh catch menu. The lobster bisque in a sourdough bread bowl is also a standout.
Sunflower Bakery & Cafe
- Address: 512 14th St, Galveston, TX
- What to order: Southern Corn Cakes topped with rice, black beans, roasted chicken, avocado, sour cream, and pico.
- Price point: $$
Sunflower Bakery & Cafe is one of Galveston's best downtown lunch spots and a local favorite. Open for breakfast and lunch, the casual eatery also offers a tempting bakery counter full of sweet goodies.
If you’re in the brunch mood, you can’t go wrong with loaded Belgian waffles or huevos rancheros. Daily lunch specials are served Monday through Wednesday and include a barbecue rib platter and a seafood platter loaded with jumbo shrimp, crab cake, Galveston Bay oysters, salmon, and snapper.
Lunch and Stay in Galveston
Whether it’s Tex-Mex, fresh seafood, or the quintessential combo of the two – fish tacos — Galveston is packed with delicious places to grab lunch.
Looking for a place to stay while you’re here? Sand N’ Sea Properties has vacation rentals perfect for couples, families, and big groups. Our West End beach homes are the perfect laidback escape on the Texas coast!
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