As an island destination, a getaway to Port Aransas, Texas practically guarantees you’ll be feasting on fresh seafood dishes at one of its many waterfront eateries. In addition to catering to seafood lovers, the culinary scene in Port Aransas offers Créole and Cajun favorites as well as worldwide cuisines. The laid-back island lifestyle means you barely have to shake the sand from your toes before heading to a nearby restaurant to refuel. Perfect for enjoying a meal before heading to the beach or satisfying your hunger after you’ve worked up an appetite out on the water, these casual restaurants in Port Aransas are a must-try during your island getaway.
Virginia’s on the Bay
Enjoy the experience of dining just steps from the water from your dockside table at Virginia’s on the Bay. Watch the boats going in and out as you dine on dishes from the land and sea. Start your meal out with an order of hush puppies to share before moving on to your entrée. The peel and eat shrimp and oysters on the half shell are favorites here, and if you’re dining with a group, this is a great place to try a Cajun Boil. For anglers who have landed their own fresh catch after a day out fishing in Port Aransas’ teeming waters, the chefs at Virginia’s are happy to prepare it for you grilled, blackened, or fried, and served up along with delicious side dishes. Be sure to save room for a slice of their key lime pie!
Moby Dick’s
Housed in a tiki-style building, the atmosphere at Moby Dick’s is tropically festive. Welcoming to families, a pirate theme is pervasive throughout, and an array of video games are available for kids to play while waiting for their order. The menu at Moby Dick’s features burgers, sandwiches, salads, seafood baskets, seafood boils, and platters from the land and sea. For non-seafood lovers, there are a variety of chicken and steak dishes. The seafood combos are a favorite here, offering a little taste of everything. Kids will enjoy ordering from their own separate meu, and everyone can save room for their chocolate eruption mousse cake, drizzled in chocolate, and topped with whipped cream. Let your conversation linger long after the final bite has been taken over one of the tropical drinks Moby Dick’s is so well known for. Drinks such as the volcano bowl and giant margarita are made for two and are perfect for sharing!
Coffee Waves
Get your most important meal of the day at Coffee Waves, one of the best coffee houses in the area. Their beans are roasted weekly in small batches by local roasters, providing the perfect caffeine boost to power through the day. Along with regular coffee options, they also offer chai and specialty coffees that will get your day off on the right foot. Snag a table in this charming café to enjoy a breakfast croissant or panini, made fresh. If you’re stopping for a mid-day caffeine boost, consider treating yourself to a scoop of their mouth-watering gelato, made onsite. Between coffee, breakfast and 18 flavors of gelato for dessert, Coffee Waves has got you covered!
Seafood & Spaghetti Works
If your group is divided between pasta and seafood, Seafood & Spaghetti Works may be the answer. This eatery not only serves up dishes that cater to a wide range of tastes, but it is also housed in a pleasant building reminiscent of a beach house with tall cathedral ceilings and fans that keep the breeze circulating. Catch the latest sports game on the big screen TV as you dine, or simply enjoy the company and pace of being on vacation. This family owned and operated eatery has been a mainstay in Port Aransas for 40 years and is sure to quickly become a favorite. Start your meal out with an order of crab cakes for the whole table to enjoy before moving on to your main course. As the restaurant’s name suggests, the menu here is varied with an array of sandwiches, pizzas, burgers, steaks, seafood, and classical Italian dishes. Their classic spaghetti is a favorite, and for seafood lovers, the shrimp with lemon cream sauce is a must-try. Wash it down with a cold beer, specialty drink, margarita, or glass of wine as you enjoy serene views of the marsh. And if there’s any room left, you won’t regret treating yourself to an order of their bread pudding with whiskey sauce!
Spend your days enjoying the sea, sand, and sun in Port Aransas, but don’t forget to pause and refuel at these Port Aransas casual dining spots! Seeking accommodations nearby? The Port Aransas vacation rentals we offer at Sandcastle Resort Condominiums offer all the comforts you’ll need to enjoy life along the beachfront in Port Aransas. Contact us to learn more!
