Unearth The Voyage
Mississippi’s Gulf Coast hides some of the best seafood spots you’ve never heard of, and locals want to keep it that way. These aren’t fancy restaurants with valet parking – they’re weathered shacks, humble markets, and family-run joints where the shrimp is fresher than your morning coffee. Once word gets out, these places fill up fast, so now’s the time to explore before the secret spreads.
1. McElroy’s Harbor House (Biloxi)
Perched on stilts over Biloxi Bay, McElroy’s is part harbor-view hangout, part seafood shrine. Its history dates back decades, and locals swear by the sunrise views and breakfast-centric menu. Yes, seafood omelets and crab cake Benedict are real things here, and they taste even better than they sound.
During high season, tables fill fast, so aim for early visits. The wooden deck creaks under your feet as you walk in, but that’s part of the charm. Watching boats drift by while you crack into fresh Gulf shrimp is an experience you won’t find at chain restaurants.
2. Bozo’s Seafood Market (Pascagoula)
This no-frills market and restaurant hybrid has become a hidden legend among seafood lovers. With a blue-and-white exterior that wouldn’t turn heads anywhere else, it’s inside that everything changes. Fresh-off-the-boat seafood, gumbo, po’boys—the works are all here waiting.
Locals drive from afar because they know you won’t regret the detour. The smell hits you the moment you open the door: salt, spice, and something frying to golden perfection. Don’t expect fancy plating or Instagram-worthy décor. What you get instead is honest Gulf Coast cooking that hasn’t changed in generations, and that’s exactly why people keep coming back.
3. Taranto’s Crawfish (Biloxi)
If crawfish is your passion, Taranto’s is often called the Taj Mahal of mudbugs by those who’ve tried it. Simple setup, deep expertise, and a menu mostly devoted to crustaceans make this place a must-visit in crawfish season.
The owners know their way around a boil pot like nobody’s business. Spices are perfectly balanced, never too hot or too bland. You’ll find yourself cracking shells faster than you thought possible, fingers stained red, napkins piling up. It’s messy, loud, and absolutely worth every minute. Just remember: crawfish season is limited, so timing matters. Miss it, and you’ll be counting down the months until next year.
4. Quality Poultry & Seafood (Biloxi)
Don’t let the name fool you—Quality Poultry & Seafood is also among the small seafood shacks locals frequent for boiled shrimp, fried platters, and daily Gulf catch specials. It’s part market, part restaurant, all authenticity.
Walk in and you’ll see coolers stocked with the day’s haul alongside menu boards listing what’s cooking. The vibe is casual, almost industrial, but the food speaks for itself. Regulars know to ask what just came in that morning. Fried catfish comes out crispy and light, not greasy. Shrimp are plump and sweet. This isn’t a place you stumble upon by accident—you come here because someone who knows told you to.
5. The Crawdad Hole (Jackson)
Yes, Jackson—not right on the Gulf Coast, but this rustic, no-frills joint draws seafood lovers from miles away. What it lacks in fancy décor it more than makes up for in flavor. Called a hidden gem for a reason, especially for crawfish heads, gumbo, and that low-key charm.
The walls are covered in old license plates and faded photos. Picnic tables replace fancy chairs. But when that bowl of gumbo arrives, thick and dark and smoky, none of the décor matters anymore. People drive an hour just to eat here, and they’ll tell you it’s worth the gas money. It’s proof that great seafood doesn’t need an ocean view.
6. Half Shell Oyster House (Biloxi)
While Half Shell is better known than some of the other shacks here, it still fits the locals-first mold when you examine its oyster offerings. Its chargrilled oysters and Gulf flavors draw both fans of fancy dining and people who just want really good seafood in a laid-back setting.
The oysters come out bubbling with butter, garlic, and cheese—smoky, rich, and dangerously addictive. You can order them by the dozen and still want more. The atmosphere strikes a balance: casual enough for flip-flops, polished enough for a date night. Locals appreciate that they haven’t lost their roots despite growing popularity. It’s still a place where good food matters more than anything else.
7. Mary Mahoney’s Old French House (Biloxi)
This one straddles the line between hidden gem and iconic: a historic house turned seafood restaurant, dating back centuries. It’s elegant, sure, but locals still count it among their go-to spots, especially for classic Gulf dishes served in a setting dripping with history.
Caveat: In November 2024, the restaurant admitted to mislabeling imported seafood as local premium species in the past, and was fined and put on probation. So while it remains a beloved institution with beautiful architecture and Southern charm, some of its history is now under scrutiny. Still, the building itself—with ancient oak trees and brick courtyards—is worth seeing, even if trust needs rebuilding.
