Half Shell? Mary Mahoney’s? Where are you taking a first-time MS Coast visitor to eat?

Scott Watkins
·4 min read

It’s no secret that those on the Coast know their food.

The region is home to hundreds of local restaurants and, each year, welcomes dozens more. With so many options coming in so many different flavors from Bay St. Louis to Moss Point, and so many places in between, it can be difficult to pick one for dinner night.

And what if you’re tasked with bringing a first-time visitor to the area? Where would you take them? Would it be somewhere representative of Coast cuisine, or would it be your favorite restaurant? That’s the question we posed to the Mississippi Gulf Coast Foodies Facebook group.

We got over 100 responses with dozens of different restaurants highlighted. So, if you have friends or family in town for the weekend, give this list of the most popular responses a look to help you decide where to take them for their first Mississippi Gulf Coast meal.

Kaytlin McCormick of Ocean Springs serves Juanita Moore, left, and Joyce Addison, both of Latimer, at Half Shell Oyster House restaurant in Biloxi on Monday, Aug. 8, 2016.
Kaytlin McCormick of Ocean Springs serves Juanita Moore, left, and Joyce Addison, both of Latimer, at Half Shell Oyster House restaurant in Biloxi on Monday, Aug. 8, 2016.

Half Shell Oyster House

Though it’s the only restaurant on the People’s List that isn’t exclusive to South Mississippi, it was the most popular suggestion given.

Half Shell has a location in Gulfport and two in Biloxi where it serves a deep menu of oysters, seafood, chicken and pasta. It’s also the go-to restaurant of St. Martin football coach Ty Smith.

Plaques hang near the doorways of each dining room inside Mary Mahoney’s listing the celebrities who have dined in that room. One of the plaques listing celebrities like Emeril Lagasse hangs in the restaurant on Friday, Jan. 27, 2023.
Plaques hang near the doorways of each dining room inside Mary Mahoney’s listing the celebrities who have dined in that room. One of the plaques listing celebrities like Emeril Lagasse hangs in the restaurant on Friday, Jan. 27, 2023.

Mary Mahoney’s Old French House

The next-most popular suggestion was the restaurant inside one of the oldest buildings on the Coast and is found in Biloxi on Rue Magnolia. The restaurant itself is around 60 years old and encapsulates everything grand about Coast dining. It’s far from casual, so pick your battles here, but the menu is loaded with rich seafood and steaks that draw rave reviews and have been bringing people back for years.

User Steve Andrews said “Mary Mahoney’s represents the Gulf Coast better than anybody. Food, architecture and ambiance.”

The pirogue plate at Bacchus on the Beach in Pass Christian, Mississippi.
The pirogue plate at Bacchus on the Beach in Pass Christian, Mississippi.

Bacchus on the Beach/Bayou

Bacchus on the Beach in Pass Christian is in my personal top three of places I bring guests. It has a cost-friendly menu, is located across the street from the Sound and the food is genuinely fantastic. Bacchus brings that Louisiana kick to its Cajun and Creole offerings and pairs it with a great drink menu. On that menu is one of the most popular drinks in the Lower Six counties: the Nectar of the Gods.

The Bayou version is newer and is located in Ocean Springs.

“We’d head up the Coast and stop at Bacchus on the Beach for more adult beverages, sitting on the huge outside porch. We’d enjoy the fried green tomatoes and then the wedge salad, which is most likely the best one you’ve ever had,” said user Gabrielle Williams.

The Chimney’s Restaurant

The Chimney’s fits a particular theme for the Coasties who take their guests out: elegant and steeped in seafood. Located in Gulfport, The Chimney’s combines the Old White House feel with dishes of pasta, fish, steak and more. It’s also a great place for alcohol-consuming, so wins all around here.

Bozo’s Grocery and Bozo’s Too

The Pascagoula seafood market and restaurant was brought up several times by locals and is also brought up multiple times per day by my wife (fun fact). In the market, they’ll hand you a styrofoam box and you tell them what concoction of seabugs, fish and sides you wish to have stuffed in that box and then you walk out a happy human. Next door is Bozo’s Too, the sit-down version of the establishment.

What else do they suggest?

A lot, actually. There are very few instances where you can go wrong dining out in South MS. But in case you’re still stumped, here are some of the other restaurants locals suggest.

  • The Reef, Beach Blvd. in Biloxi

  • The Toasted Yolk, Howard Ave. in Biloxi

  • Tarantos, John Lee Rd. in Biloxi

  • Captain Al’s, Magnolia St. in Gulfport

  • Pirate’s Cove, Menge Ave. in Pass Christian

  • Coterie, Beach Blvd. in Long Beach

User Mary Potts on Coterie: “Authentic Cajun, fabulous oysters and seafood combined with excellent service, a great view and a classy yet casual atmosphere.”

  • Murky Waters, 27th Ave. in Gulfport and Government St. in Ocean Springs

  • Jourdan River Steamer, MS-603 in Kiln

  • Cheryl’s Steakhouse, Bienville Blvd. in Ocean Springs

  • The Sicilian II, Pass Rd. in Biloxi

See here for the full list of suggestions from local Coasters.