Seafood has officially claimed its place at the head of the table in Houston. That might sound like a given for a city sitting mere miles from the Gulf coastline, but for years, the spotlight was on Texans' favorite protein: beef. Steaks reigned supreme while the bounty of the Gulf played a supporting role.
Tides are turning. Menus all over town highlight Gulf shrimp, oysters, snapper, and redfish. There's no need for seafood to be flown halfway around the world. Texas fishermen are bringing in the day's catch and sending it straight to local kitchens. The result is fresh flavor, a smaller carbon footprint, and a lot more coastal character on the plate.
Fresh seafood wins on taste alone. Pulled from the water and served within days, it keeps its natural juiciness and delicate texture. Freezing can disrupt the structure of fish and shellfish, draining moisture and leaving a rubbery bite once thawed. Fresh Gulf catch stays firm, flavorful, and full of nutrients, including protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.
From fiery Cajun crawfish boils to buttery, melt-in-the-mouth snapper, Houston chefs are celebrating the Gulf's range. The city's seafood scene is no longer an afterthought; it's a main act. When the water's this close, the flavor should be too.
Gatlin's Fins & Feathers
As the chef and pitmaster behind Gatlin's BBQ and Gatlin's Fins & Feathers, Greg Gatlin has long been a fixture of Houston's culinary scene, known for his classic Southern barbecue and community-driven approach. The chef recently competed on season six of The Food Network's BBQ Brawl, where he flexed his Houston showmanship against pitmasters from all over the country. gatlinsfinsandfeathers.com
Crawfish Cafe
Guests may hit up one of the locations of this popular restaurant for their crawfish bathed in tangy sauces, but they stay for the seafood. Crawfish Cafe has a menu full of tasty options, including redfish, oyster nachos, crawfish cheese bread, chargrilled blue crab, and so much more. crawfishcafe.com
Goode Co. Seafood
A Houston institution, Goode Company Seafood has been serving up fresh favorites for decades. Their Campechana, a seafood cocktail featuring shrimp, crab meat, and a special blend of pico de gallo, is a signature item and has even been featured in "100 Things You Simply Must Eat Before You Die" by Garden & Gun. goodecompanyseafood.com
Treebeards
Houstonians have been feasting on Treebeards' Southern-style food for nearly 50 years. With four locations, it is easy to get a plate of delicious classics, including shrimp étouffée, Treebeards' jambalaya, or seafood gumbo. Don't forget their popular dessert offerings, including carrot cake and bread pudding with whiskey sauce. treebeards.com