The Regal Seagull Guidebook
Food scene
This is our favorite place for seafood on the island! The reason they've been around forever is their quality and consistency. You won't go wrong with a po'boy. Don't forget a side of crab balls. There's plenty of parking in back. (call ahead/pick-up available)
162 locals recommend
Shrimp N Stuff
3901 Avenue OThis is our favorite place for seafood on the island! The reason they've been around forever is their quality and consistency. You won't go wrong with a po'boy. Don't forget a side of crab balls. There's plenty of parking in back. (call ahead/pick-up available)
Solid Mexican food on the east end. Long-time Island favorite. Good for large parties, they can get you in and served quickly.
88 locals recommend
The Original Mexican Cafe
1401 Market StSolid Mexican food on the east end. Long-time Island favorite. Good for large parties, they can get you in and served quickly.
TOTALLY walkable from the Regal Seagull. It's really hard to describe The Spot, other than it's THE Spot. It's 5 venues in one...a delicious burger joint, ice cream joint, bar joint, bakery joint...it's got the best dining views on the island, because it's directly across the street from the Gulf and the water is visible from nearly every table there. It's VERY busy, VERY popular, so be prepared to wait. Walk towards sewall and make your way to the left. It's right on the other side of that 4 story hotel...which happens to be owned by...THE SPOT! (order ahead/pick-up available)
327 locals recommend
The Spot
3204 Seawall BlvdTOTALLY walkable from the Regal Seagull. It's really hard to describe The Spot, other than it's THE Spot. It's 5 venues in one...a delicious burger joint, ice cream joint, bar joint, bakery joint...it's got the best dining views on the island, because it's directly across the street from the Gulf and the water is visible from nearly every table there. It's VERY busy, VERY popular, so be prepared to wait. Walk towards sewall and make your way to the left. It's right on the other side of that 4 story hotel...which happens to be owned by...THE SPOT! (order ahead/pick-up available)
Pub grub and drinks, 2 blocks away. If you're looking for the nearest bar, this is it. Just walk towards the gulf, 2 blocks and it's on your right.
37 locals recommend
Brick House Tavern + Tap
3502A Seawall BlvdPub grub and drinks, 2 blocks away. If you're looking for the nearest bar, this is it. Just walk towards the gulf, 2 blocks and it's on your right.
Undoubtedly the most well-known Seafood Restaurant on the island, and with good reason. Excellent food, excellent service. Fancy date nights, for sure. PRO-TIP, the adjoining restaurant (Nick's...."Nick GAIDO") is owned by the same family, uses the same kitchen, has practically the same menu...but is over half the price. Pick what type of experience you want. Fancy dress and stellar table service, Gaidos. Flip Flops and shorts, Nick’s.
183 locals recommend
Gaidos Seafood Restaurant
3828 Seawall BoulevardUndoubtedly the most well-known Seafood Restaurant on the island, and with good reason. Excellent food, excellent service. Fancy date nights, for sure. PRO-TIP, the adjoining restaurant (Nick's...."Nick GAIDO") is owned by the same family, uses the same kitchen, has practically the same menu...but is over half the price. Pick what type of experience you want. Fancy dress and stellar table service, Gaidos. Flip Flops and shorts, Nick’s.
There are three Mario's on the Island. Way far west, East, and Central. We prefer the central location on 61st street (but the seawall location has views of the gulf). Great Italian food, especially pizza and calzone. Super kid friendly. If you have younger children, be sure to ask them for some pizza dough. It'll keep the kids entertained for hours. Great place for larger groups.
37 locals recommend
Mario's Ristorante
2202 61st StThere are three Mario's on the Island. Way far west, East, and Central. We prefer the central location on 61st street (but the seawall location has views of the gulf). Great Italian food, especially pizza and calzone. Super kid friendly. If you have younger children, be sure to ask them for some pizza dough. It'll keep the kids entertained for hours. Great place for larger groups.
A little bit further west, on Stewart road. Growlers available to go. If you're not a Bud (or Naty) Light kind of beer person, check them out. They have plenty of outdoor seating if you'd like to drink there, otherwise get a growler to go and enjoy it on the beach
87 locals recommend
Galveston Island Brewing
8423 Stewart RdA little bit further west, on Stewart road. Growlers available to go. If you're not a Bud (or Naty) Light kind of beer person, check them out. They have plenty of outdoor seating if you'd like to drink there, otherwise get a growler to go and enjoy it on the beach
You will literally feel like the ladies at this homestyle Mexican Restaurant are your abuelitas (grandmothers) too. So friendly, stellar service (especially given how busy it gets). Great place for breakfast.
19 locals recommend
MI Abuelitas Homestyle Mexican Restaurant
1728 45th StYou will literally feel like the ladies at this homestyle Mexican Restaurant are your abuelitas (grandmothers) too. So friendly, stellar service (especially given how busy it gets). Great place for breakfast.
Delicious spot for weekend brunch, and killer bakery for when you've got a carby-sweet tooth.
271 locals recommend
The Sunflower Bakery & Cafe
512 14th StDelicious spot for weekend brunch, and killer bakery for when you've got a carby-sweet tooth.
Delicious BBQ two blocks away! You won't be disappointed (OR SWEATY FROM YOUR WALK!) Just do it!
39 locals recommend
Queen's Bar-B-Que
3428 Ave SDelicious BBQ two blocks away! You won't be disappointed (OR SWEATY FROM YOUR WALK!) Just do it!
This bar and restaurant, opened in 1944, is the second oldest continuously operating eatery on Galveston Island. Get the “shrimp burger,” a shrimp po’boy on a hamburger roll, or a beer mug full of raw shucked oysters in cocktail sauce. The gumbo, only served on Fridays, comes in your choice of shrimp, crawfish, or both.
25 locals recommend
Sonny's Place
1206 19th StThis bar and restaurant, opened in 1944, is the second oldest continuously operating eatery on Galveston Island. Get the “shrimp burger,” a shrimp po’boy on a hamburger roll, or a beer mug full of raw shucked oysters in cocktail sauce. The gumbo, only served on Fridays, comes in your choice of shrimp, crawfish, or both.
Great bar food during the day, at night they move the tables out for a pretty hoping bar scene complete with live music.
102 locals recommend
Yaga's Cafe
2314 Strand StGreat bar food during the day, at night they move the tables out for a pretty hoping bar scene complete with live music.
Sightseeing
We take the kids to La King's at least once a week for candy and ice cream. A legit, old school candy shop and soda shop. You can watch them make their delicious candies while you walk through the shop.
163 locals recommend
La King's Confectionery
2323 Strand StWe take the kids to La King's at least once a week for candy and ice cream. A legit, old school candy shop and soda shop. You can watch them make their delicious candies while you walk through the shop.
Big clean family friendly beach. TBH, there's so much sand real estate up and down the island. Stewart beach is very busy, very popular. What kind of Beach experience are you looking for? Something close in with lots of people to watch? Pretty much any of the beach access area along Seawall east of 61st will do ya. If you want to go where the locals go to escape the crowds...go west (See Sunny's)!
113 locals recommend
Stewart Beach
401 Seawall BlvdBig clean family friendly beach. TBH, there's so much sand real estate up and down the island. Stewart beach is very busy, very popular. What kind of Beach experience are you looking for? Something close in with lots of people to watch? Pretty much any of the beach access area along Seawall east of 61st will do ya. If you want to go where the locals go to escape the crowds...go west (See Sunny's)!
Many of the beaches in West Galveston, down 8 mile road, are where the locals go to get away from the crowds of the Seawall. Sunny Beach is a little beach that you can drive your car directly onto (if you're not into carrying all your stuff down from the seawall). Just a short drive west.
14 locals recommend
Sunny Beach
2704 8 Mile RdMany of the beaches in West Galveston, down 8 mile road, are where the locals go to get away from the crowds of the Seawall. Sunny Beach is a little beach that you can drive your car directly onto (if you're not into carrying all your stuff down from the seawall). Just a short drive west.
Such a fun little time on the island...amusement rides, food, snacks, and people watching. The Pier features 16 different rides, including the second-tallest swing in Texas. About a 15 min. walk from the Regal Seagull!
662 locals recommend
Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier
2501 Seawall BlvdSuch a fun little time on the island...amusement rides, food, snacks, and people watching. The Pier features 16 different rides, including the second-tallest swing in Texas. About a 15 min. walk from the Regal Seagull!
It’s the hottest coolest time in Texas for a reason. Second cousin to its New Braunfels counterpart. Not nearly as big, but loads of fun.
481 locals recommend
Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark
2109 Gene Lucas BlvdIt’s the hottest coolest time in Texas for a reason. Second cousin to its New Braunfels counterpart. Not nearly as big, but loads of fun.
Miniature golf course with 36 holes and waterfront views. Bring cash and sunscreen!
99 locals recommend
Magic Carpet Golf
9030 Seawall BlvdMiniature golf course with 36 holes and waterfront views. Bring cash and sunscreen!
Enjoy the Rainforest and Aquarium Pyramids, MG3D Theater and 4D Theaters, Discovery Museum, 20,000 Leagues Interactive Adventure and the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat. During summer, check out the white sand water park, Palm Beach! Great for families!
620 locals recommend
Moody Gardens
1 Hope BlvdEnjoy the Rainforest and Aquarium Pyramids, MG3D Theater and 4D Theaters, Discovery Museum, 20,000 Leagues Interactive Adventure and the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat. During summer, check out the white sand water park, Palm Beach! Great for families!
If the natural beaches and water and large crowds aren't your thing, and you’re not feeling the thrill seeking adventures of the Schlitterbahn water slides, or you want the “beach experience” while keeping a closer eye on smaller toddlers, Palm Beach at Moody Gardens is your spot.
36 locals recommend
Palm Beach At Moody Gardens
1 Hope BlvdIf the natural beaches and water and large crowds aren't your thing, and you’re not feeling the thrill seeking adventures of the Schlitterbahn water slides, or you want the “beach experience” while keeping a closer eye on smaller toddlers, Palm Beach at Moody Gardens is your spot.
The Witchery is a brick and mortar storefront nestled in the heart of Galveston Island’s historic downtown. Housed in the old “Central Drug Store” building on infamous Post Office Street, owners Clyde and Kimberley Wood have created a mystical atmosphere that customers say “just feels good.”
11 locals recommend
The Witchery
2116 Postoffice StThe Witchery is a brick and mortar storefront nestled in the heart of Galveston Island’s historic downtown. Housed in the old “Central Drug Store” building on infamous Post Office Street, owners Clyde and Kimberley Wood have created a mystical atmosphere that customers say “just feels good.”
Bars & Nightlife
Texas' oldest LGBTQIA bar, opened in 1969. Non-pretentious, friendly bar with some strongly poured drinks. Great drag shows on the weekends.
8 locals recommend
Robert's Lafitte
2501 Avenue QTexas' oldest LGBTQIA bar, opened in 1969. Non-pretentious, friendly bar with some strongly poured drinks. Great drag shows on the weekends.
Another old school favorite dive. Most well known for locals who refuse to leave the island during a tropical storm, rather sitting out on the Poop Deck watching the storms roll in!
34 locals recommend
THE POOP DECK
2928 Seawall BlvdAnother old school favorite dive. Most well known for locals who refuse to leave the island during a tropical storm, rather sitting out on the Poop Deck watching the storms roll in!
Ike’s seven-foot high-water mark is displayed prominently on the wall near the front entrance of O’Malley’s Stage Door Pub, a dive on Post Office Street downtown. Be sure to check out the retro photos of pin-up models pasted to the wall, uncovered during post-Ike reconstruction. The owners say the scantily clad models appear to date from the ’40s, when a gambling pit thrived on the second floor.
18 locals recommend
O'Malleys Stage Door
2022 Postoffice StIke’s seven-foot high-water mark is displayed prominently on the wall near the front entrance of O’Malley’s Stage Door Pub, a dive on Post Office Street downtown. Be sure to check out the retro photos of pin-up models pasted to the wall, uncovered during post-Ike reconstruction. The owners say the scantily clad models appear to date from the ’40s, when a gambling pit thrived on the second floor.