A trip to the Texas coast should come with a plate of fresh Gulf catch at some point, and Port A does not disappoint on that front. From upscale coastal dining to a spot that hands you back your own catch grilled just right, this small island packs in a real range of options. Here are five spots that consistently rank among the best seafood in Port Aransas, each with its own take on what fresh really means.
Tortuga’s Saltwater Grill
For a step up from the usual casual seafood shack, Tortuga’s brings an upscale coastal menu without losing the island’s easygoing feel. Expect Gulf Coast seafood alongside hand-cut steaks, sushi-inspired starters, and a Sunday brunch locals talk about year-round. The wine and cocktail list runs deep, too, making this a solid pick for a date night or a celebration dinner.
- Location: 429 N Alister St, Port Aransas, TX 78373
- Phone: (361) 749-2739
- Browse Menu
Seafood & Spaghetti Works
Family-owned since 1978, this spot started as a water-slide complex before an oil spill wrecked that summer’s tourist season, turning it into a restaurant instead. Nearly five decades later, it is still serving Gulf seafood alongside house-made pasta, pizza, and steaks in a spacious dining room built for groups. Signature dishes like Richard’s Fish, topped with blue crab, avocado, and bacon, showcase the seafood-and-Italian mashup that keeps the menu interesting.
- Location: 910 TX-361, Port Aransas, TX 78373
- Phone: (361) 749-5666
- Browse Menu
FINS Grill & Icehouse
Right on the harbor next to Deep Sea Headquarters, FINS built its reputation on the “you hook ’em, we cook ’em” tradition, preparing guests’ own fresh catch, grilled, fried, blackened, or garlic-style. Beyond that, the menu covers homemade crab cakes, hand-cut onion rings, and the Port A Burger, a local favorite piled with queso and fried pickles. Indoor and outdoor seating both overlook the boats coming and going from the marina, making it an easy stop after a morning of fishing.
- Location: 420 W Cotter Ave, Port Aransas, TX 78373
- Phone: (361) 749-8646
- Browse Menu
Virginia’s On the Bay
Open since 1996, this two-story waterfront spot puts you right on the harbor with views of the lighthouse, the ship channel, and, if you time it right, dolphins playing in the water below. Peel-and-eat shrimp, fresh Gulf fish, and a Cajun boil round out a menu built for lingering over a sunset, and the open-air dining room means the harbor breeze is part of the meal. Save room for the Key Lime Pie, a house specialty that diners come back for.
- Location: 815 Trout St, Port Aransas, TX 78373
- Phone: (361) 749-4088
- Browse Menu
Castaway’s Seafood & Grill
Castaway’s has earned its stripes the hard way. Founded in 1993, the restaurant lost its original building to Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and reopened exactly one year later, on August 25, 2018, in a new location just across the street. Hand-battered fried seafood, a made-from-scratch gumbo, and jumbo grilled shrimp with a house seasoning keep both locals and visitors coming back, and a pet-friendly patio means the whole crew, four-legged members included, can come along.
- Location: 337 N Alister St, Port Aransas, TX 78373
- Phone: (361) 749-5394
- Browse Menu
Book Your La Mirage Resort Condominium Today
Seafood restaurants in Port Aransas cluster close together downtown, and staying nearby means less time driving and more time actually eating. Our direct beachfront rentals put you close to every restaurant on this list, so a night out does not eat up half the evening in transit.
If your trip comes together fast, our last-minute rentals can still get you a spot close to the action without months of advance planning. If you’re after seafood in Port Aransas, TX, or just a home base near the harbor, book your stay with La Mirage today!
