My Favorite Places To Eat In Galveston

5 Places You Must Eat in Galveston

Earlier this year, my husband and I spent six months in Galveston, Texas. During our time there, we tried a lot of different restaurants. Some were outstanding, some were so-so and some were bad. I will skip over the so-so and the bad, and share my five favorite places to eat in Galveston.

Mario’s Pizza

Oh my yum. Mario’s Pizza is my favorite place to eat in Galveston. They make the best gluten-free pizza I have ever had. The crust is made from scratch and it actually tastes like a normal pizza crust. Anyone who is gluten-free understands what a MAJOR deal this is.

best places to eat galveston — Gluten-Free Pizza at Mario’s

My husband is very picky about his pizza and he loved their regular (wheat) crust as well. There are two Mario’s locations in Galveston, one on 61st and one on the west end of the island. Both locations deliver. I should also mention they have a huge Italian menu, beyond the pizza.

Home Cut Donuts

Thanks to pregnancy cravings, I stopped into Home Cut Donuts one morning for a wheat-filled tasty treat my stomach would hate me for later. It was worth every bite. These donuts are legit. It is no wonder Home Cut Donuts has been around for 50 years! I suggest the traditional glazed or the chocolate covered coconut.

best places to eat in galveston 3 — This was my fav! Glazed chocolate coconut donut!

Even my dogs loved the donuts. The smell alone made them go crazy when I got home with my bag (don’t judge a pregnant lady and her cravings!). I followed the one bite for me and one bite for you rule and shared a glazed donut with me puppers. There is always a line for hot donuts in the morning, so come early and get your carb on.

best places to eat in galveston 2 — The “I smell those donuts” face.

Willie G’s

Willie G’s is located on the water on The Strand. It is a great place to go sit outside, sip a few cocktails and watch the cruise ships and dolphins go by. If it is too hot to sit outside, the inside dining (more formal) is nice and cool.

best places to eat in galveston 4 — Sippin’ my virgin pina colada while during a pregnant happy hour visit.

The food here is always good (trust me, we ate here a lot). My husband is a very picky gumbo eater, and he preferred the gumbo here over the other more famous gumbo options on the island. This is the best place to go whether you want surf or turf.

best places to eat in galveston 6 — Watching the sunset from Willie’s G’s patio. Not included in the photo- dolphins.

Sugar Bean Coffee and Cream

I accidentally found Sugar Bean Coffee and Cream one day while I was looking for a place to walk my dogs. “What a great accident,” said the pregnant lady to herself when she saw the mint chocolate chip ice cream. It is away from the tourist areas on the island, but simply adorable. The ice cream is not homemade, but the ambiance of the cafe is exactly what non-touristy Galveston should be. There is a small lake behind it with a walking path that you can use to “walk off” the calories. If you prefer homemade ice cream, or don’t want to wander off the beaten path, Hey Mikey’s Ice Cream on the strand is pretty good too.

The Grotto

Yes, like Willie G’s, The Grotto is a chain. BUT, I swear, The Grotto has the best Cioppino I have ever had. And before I got pregnant, I made my husband come here like once a week so I could stuff my face with this delicious seafood stew. If you enjoy fresh Gulf snapper, jumbo lump crab, shrimp, mussels, clams & calamari you will become quickly obsessed with the Cioppino that combines all into a spicy stew.

best places to eat in galveston 5 — My Dad enjoying the Cioppino during a visit to Galveston.

Grotto has other great Italian and seafood. The Grotto is located inside the San Luis Hotel. If you drive here, you can take advantage of the free valet parking.