Unearth The Voyage
Mississippi’s Gulf Coast hides some of the best seafood you’ll ever taste, served in no-fuss shacks where the focus is on fresh catches and bold flavors. From towering po’boys stuffed with Gulf shrimp to platters of fried oysters and bowls of rich gumbo, these spots prove that the best meals don’t need fancy dining rooms. Whether you’re craving boiled crawfish by the pound or chargrilled oysters with a view, these local favorites are worth every mile of the drive.
1. Bozo’s Seafood Market & Deli — Pascagoula
Walk into Bozo’s and you’ll understand why locals have been lining up here for decades. The counter-service setup keeps things simple—no waiters, no menus on tablets, just honest Gulf seafood done right. Order a po’boy and prepare for something that barely fits in two hands, stuffed with crispy shrimp or plump oysters that taste like they just left the water.
Gumbo here is thick, dark, and loaded with the kind of depth that only comes from patience and tradition. When crawfish season rolls around, grab a pound of boiled mudbugs to go. The vibe is pure working-class Gulf Coast: paper plates, cold drinks, and zero pretension.
2. Taranto’s Crawfish — Biloxi
Just a short drive from the beach, Taranto’s feels like stumbling onto a secret that only locals know about. This place doesn’t try to impress with decor—it wins you over with flavor. Crawfish platters arrive steaming hot during season, piled high and seasoned with just the right kick. Fried oysters come out golden and crunchy, perfect for dipping or piling into one of their famous stuffed po’boys.
Gumbo fans will find a bowl worth the trip on its own, rich and satisfying. The shack vibe is authentic: mismatched chairs, easy conversation, and food that reminds you why the Gulf Coast is seafood heaven. Check their hours before heading out—they keep it real and seasonal.
3. Desporte & Sons Seafood Market & Deli — Biloxi
Desporte & Sons has been a Biloxi staple since way back, blending a working seafood market with a deli that cranks out some of the coast’s best hot plates. You can browse fresh Gulf fish on ice, pick up shrimp to cook at home, then turn around and order a fried catfish plate or overstuffed po’boy for lunch. It’s the kind of spot where fishermen and families share the same line.
The deli doesn’t mess around—portions are generous, flavors are bold, and everything tastes like it was pulled from the Gulf that morning. Grab a side of coleslaw or hushpuppies and find a spot to dig in. Old-school doesn’t mean outdated; it means they’ve perfected the formula.
4. The Blind Tiger — Biloxi Beach
Right on the water with dock access and open-air seating, this Blind Tiger location captures everything great about Gulf Coast seafood shacks. The chalkboard menu shifts with whatever’s fresh that day—shrimp tacos loaded with crisp slaw, buckets of peel-and-eat shrimp still warm from the pot, and specials that depend on what the boats brought in. There’s even a “we’ll cook your catch” option if you’ve been out fishing.
The vibe is breezy and casual, perfect for sandy feet and salty air. Grab a cold drink, pick a spot with a view, and settle in. This isn’t fine dining; it’s the kind of meal that makes you forget about everything except the next bite.
5. The Blind Tiger — Bay St. Louis (Flagship)
The original Blind Tiger sits on the Bay St. Louis marina, serving up island vibes and Gulf flavor since day one. Sunset here is half the experience—grab a table on the deck, order a shrimp po’boy or burger, and watch the sky turn pink over the water. The menu keeps it simple: fresh Gulf shrimp, cold beer, and the kind of food that tastes better with a breeze.
Locals treat this spot like their backyard, and visitors quickly understand why. It’s laid-back without being lazy, casual without cutting corners. Whether you’re docking your boat or just passing through town, this is the kind of place that makes you want to stay an extra hour. Check their hours and plan your visit around golden hour.
6. Shaggy’s — Biloxi Beach
Shaggy’s on Biloxi Beach is where flip-flops are dress code and chargrilled oysters are practically mandatory. The beachfront location means you can walk straight off the sand and into a seat, still smelling like sunscreen and salt water. Gulf oysters come hot off the grill, topped with butter and garlic that drips down your fingers. Fish tacos are packed with fresh catch, and the platters are big enough to share—or not.
The crowd is a mix of tourists and locals who know good seafood when they taste it. Service is friendly, the vibe is easy, and the menu delivers every time. Open daily with hours that actually accommodate beach schedules, Shaggy’s makes it simple to fuel up between waves.
7. Shaggy’s — Pass Harbor (Pass Christian)
The Pass Christian location is where Shaggy’s started back in 2007, and it still feels like the heart of the operation. Right on the harbor with breezy deck seating, this spot is perfect for post-beach unwinding. The menu mirrors its Biloxi sibling—same great Gulf shrimp, same satisfying po’boys, same easygoing energy that makes you want to order another round and stay awhile.
Pass Harbor adds a quieter, more tucked-away feel compared to the busier beach strip. Families, couples, and solo diners all find their groove here. The seafood is consistently fresh, the portions generous, and the view never gets old. Swing by after a day on the water or make it your reason to visit Pass Christian in the first place.
8. The Reef — Biloxi
The Reef spreads across two levels right on the beach, blending casual eats downstairs with live-music nights upstairs. Firecracker shrimp pasta is a crowd favorite—spicy, creamy, and loaded with Gulf shrimp that have a little kick. Fried flounder arrives crispy and golden, paired with sides that soak up every bit of flavor. The menu balances classic coastal fare with a few creative twists that keep regulars coming back.
Upstairs, the live-music vibe turns dinner into an event, especially on weekends. Downstairs keeps it chill for families and anyone who just wants great food without the noise. Verified hours and menus make planning easy, and the beachfront location means you’re never far from a sunset view.
9. Snapper’s Seafood — Biloxi
Snapper’s has that old-school beach shack energy that feels like stepping back in time—in the best way. Open from breakfast into the evening, this spot on the Mississippi Sound serves up po’boys that could feed two and fried crab claws that disappear faster than you’d think. Gumbo here is rich and smoky, the kind that warms you even on a hot day.
The location right on the water gives every meal a backdrop worth savoring. Locals swing by for lunch between errands; visitors make it a destination. The menu isn’t fancy, but it doesn’t need to be—fresh Gulf seafood, simple preparation, and portions that respect your appetite. Check their active hours and plan to arrive hungry.
10. Off the Hook Seafood & Cajun Grille — Pascagoula
Off the Hook is small, beloved, and runs on limited hours—so check the schedule before you make the trip. This lunch spot, with a few dinner nights sprinkled in, serves fried crab claws that crack open to reveal sweet, tender meat and grilled triggerfish that’s perfectly seasoned and flaky. Gumbo here has that deep, slow-cooked flavor that tells you someone’s been tending the pot all morning.
The space is cozy and unpretentious, the kind of place where regulars greet the staff by name. It’s not a quick in-and-out stop; it’s a meal worth planning your day around. Portions are hearty, flavors are authentic, and the Cajun influence shines through every dish. Pascagoula locals guard this gem fiercely, but visitors are always welcome.
11. Claw Daddy’s — Gulfport
When crawfish season hits, Claw Daddy’s becomes ground zero for mudbug lovers across the coast. Sacks to go make it easy to bring the boil home, but eating on-site means diving into a pile of spicy, perfectly seasoned crawfish while they’re still steaming. Shrimp and snow crab round out the menu, all boiled with that Louisiana-style kick that keeps you reaching for more.
The shack vibe is authentic and lively—picnic tables, paper towels by the roll, and the kind of atmosphere where messy hands are a badge of honor. Confirmed hours and active listings mean you can plan your visit with confidence. Whether you’re a seasoned crawfish peeler or a first-timer, Claw Daddy’s delivers the full Gulf Coast boil experience.
