The 10 Best Seafood Restaurants in Corpus Christi

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best seafood corpus christi

Corpus Christi has some of the most delicious seafood in the Texas Gulf, which is why you MUST explore this list of the best seafood restaurants while you are in this bayside beach town!

Known for being locally owned and having the most delicious food in the community, these restaurants are the hometown heroes of the Corpus Christi community.

You can’t call yourself a true seafood connoisseur until you’ve tried them!

Map of the best seafood in Corpus Christi

Our personal favorite: King Seafood

The red-basket dishes from King Seafood are the perfect, greasy dish for any deep-fried lover! King’s makes the seaside comfort dishes you expect from seafood, like their shrimp po’boy or their classic fish and fries, all at an affordable cost.

King Seafood offers a variety of choices including family options so you can buy for you and your loved ones in bulk. These meals not only include fish, but they also come with oysters, shrimp, and even a side of their delicious fries! (Perfect for grabbing food on your way home)

Since King Seafood is mainly a take-out restaurant, there is not much seating. If you plan on visiting, you may want to go during the hours they are not busy or by yourself. You can always call ahead and ask how many people are there, just know that King’s does not take reservations.

The most popular: Black Diamond Oyster Bar

Black Diamond Oyster Bar elevates seafood to a new level. Of course, traditional seafood lovers can get all their favorites like fish and shrimp, ahi tuna, and oysters on the half shell. But at Black Diamond, they also have original options like their one-of-a-kind oyster sandwich and tasty tuna nachos! Oh, and did I mention their shrimp and crab queso?

Black Diamond Oyster Bar has live music every weekend and outdoor seating so you can enjoy the warm, Corpus Christi weather. They also welcome pets both indoors and outdoors so you and your best friend can enjoy an afternoon meal together!

Black Diamond Oyster Bar is modestly priced but because of the popularity, they can get packed during the weekends! Unfortunately, they do not take reservations so you might prepare yourself for a wait!

Best fancier seafood: Yardarm

Good things come at a cost, so before you discount Yardarm because it is expensive, you should know it is worth every penny. This family-owned restaurant has been the hidden gem of Corpus Christi for the past forty years and is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience the best seafood in Corpus Christi.

With a view of the bay and food that will make your taste buds dance, your expectations for seafood will rise after you taste their delicious seafood for the first time. Yardarm also has a wide menu of hand selected wines from all across the globe, and the servers are more than happy to make recommendations to make your experience even more prestigious and personal.

  • Address: 4310 Ocean Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78412
  • Website: Yardarm Website

Best family eats: Saltwater Grill

The Saltwater Grill is a casual, family-friendly seafood restaurant on the south side of Corpus Christi with some of the nicest seafood inspired dishes you can find. This is the perfect restaurant for a charming night out with the fam, minus all the glitz and the glam.

The dishes at Saltwater Grill are mouthwatering masterpieces, like the crab stuffed flounder, which is pan-seared and topped with a lemon sauce. Their exquisite dishes and casual atmosphere make Saltwater Grill a good place for special occasions – they are happy to take reservations and have plenty of private seating to host your in-house events.

Because of the wide selection at Saltwater Grill, it is definitely one of the best seafood restaurants in Corpus Christi. And if you’re looking for a deal, you can always go at lunch time when there are discounted meals!

Best Oysters: The Water Street Oyster Bar

The Water Street Oyster Bar is a family-owned oyster bar with the best oysters in town, guaranteed! If oysters are not your thing, no worries! There’s tons of other seafood on the menu, like their mesquite grilled salmon and classic surf and turf.

Water Street Oyster Bar is a staple in the Corpus Christi community, serving top-quality oysters for over 35 years. They are also located downtown on Water Street, right between the Centennial House and the Art Center of Corpus Christi, so it is the perfect location for anyone interested in exploring downtown.

If you’re on a budget, you may want to skip Water Street Oyster Bar. But for our money, it’s worth every bite!

The hometown favorite: Catfish Charlie’s

Catfish Charlie’s is a Corpus Christi hometown favorite. This family-friendly restaurant has been open for 40 years and was even voted “Best of the Best” in Corpus Christi’s Caller Times.

Catfish Charlie’s serves more than just catfish, too. They are known for their Cajun style frog legs, fried shrimp, and complimentary hush puppies! If you’re looking for affordable, fresh seafood at the end of a full-filled day, Catfish Charlie’s is your go-to restaurant.

Best chain location: Landry’s Seafood House

If it’s the experience you’re chasing, you should check out the breathtaking Landry’s Seafood House. The seaside restaurant is located on the water and is without a doubt some of the best seafood in Corpus Christi.

Landry’s serves traditional seafood dishes plus their signature house specials, like southern fried fish or fresh catch pontchartrain. Although Landry’s can be expensive, they have fantastic happy hour specials which make dining on a budget completely possible!

Happy hour means discounted appetizers including their fish tacos, popcorn shrimp, New Orleans crawfish bread, fried calamari, and many more all for under $10!

Best cheap seafood: Hornsby’s Seafood and Mo

When convenience is key, stop searching frantically for the perfect seafood and just head to Hornsby’s Seafood and Mo at the corner of Agnes Street and S 19th Street.  This walk-up stand has something for every seafood lover, all made to-go!

Hornsby’s has plenty of fresh seafood on their menu to choose from, including classic fish & shrimp combos and their well-praised fish sandwich. It’s totally affordable, but that doesn’t mean it skimps on quality. Hornsby’s takes pride in the quality of their fish! And after countless fantastic dishes here, we’ve got to agree!

Best Tex-Mex Seafood: Taqueria Express and Seafood

It might not be a traditional take on seafood, but Taqueria’s Express’s Tex-Mex twist is the perfect Corpus Christi seafood experience.

Taqueria Express and Seafood will satisfy your seafood craving and give you a little taste of Corpus Christi too. The wide variety of food makes it great for all kinds of seafood lovers – the traditional fan can enjoy their classic fried fish, whereas the bold taste-tester can explore their wild side and dive into the  fried stuffed avocado with shrimp or maybe their unique shrimp quesadilla.

No matter what you decide to get, the wide variety of seafood makes it the perfect restaurant for both adventurous and picky eaters! The price point of Taqueria Express and Seafood is reasonable which makes this an ideal place for large families or quick bites. However, because the Taqueria has limited seating, you might want to take the drive-thru and bring your food home if you have too large of a group. Reservations cannot be made!

The best view: Pier 99 Restaurant

Take some time out of your week to visit Pier 99 Restaurant, and I guarantee you will thank yourself. The seafood is decadent, and the atmosphere is welcoming. Not to mention the perfect view of the USS Lexington to create an unforgettable dining experience!

In general, Pier 99 is also one of the better value restaurants on the list, but just know those lower prices come with some serious hit or miss service. (We’ve had some crazy long waits here, and they always seem to be short staffed for some reason.)  In any case, just knowing the final bill won’t break the bank helps savor your time. And did we mention that awesome view?

Pier 99 Restaurant also has the only official canine menu in Corpus Christi, so your best bud can get their very own meal. Featured food is handmade and unique, like their Lady and the Tramp which is beef and actual (dog-friendly) noodles!