Let’s be real, if you’re staying on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and you’re not eating fresh seafood, you’re doing it wrong. The Gulf waters that stretch out just a few miles from Bayberry RV Park have been feeding this coastline for generations, and the restaurants (and markets) around Gulfport know exactly what to do with what comes out of them. Whether you want to crack into a steaming pile of boiled crawfish, slurp down charbroiled oysters, or fire up the grill at your site with shrimp you picked up fresh that day, you’ve come to the right place.

Here’s our guide to the best seafood spots within easy reach of Bayberry RV Park.

Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar New Orleans Vibes on the Gulf

Felix’s has been the first name in oysters in New Orleans for decades, and their Gulfport location on Beach Drive brings that same legendary energy right to the Mississippi Coast. Perched along the Gulf with an open-air patio and live music on the weekends, this place just feels like a coastal night out should feel. The menu covers all the classics, raw and charbroiled oysters, seafood gumbo, boiled crawfish, crab cakes, and po-boys, plus grilled and baked options for those who want something a little lighter. If you happen to be around on a Sunday, their brunch is not to be missed: think crab cake benedict and shrimp & grits with bottomless mimosas and a Gulf breeze. 

felixs.com/gulfport

Half Shell Oyster House: Gulf Oysters Done Right

Downtown Gulfport’s Half Shell Oyster House is a must if oysters are your thing,  and honestly, even if you think they’re not. The charbroiled oysters are cooked right in front of you at the oyster bar, with options ranging from classic raw on the half shell to New Orleans-style Cajun and Rockefeller. Their signature Seafood Stuffed Portabellas (loaded with lump crab, shrimp, chipotle peppers, and spinach) are a crowd favorite, and the Gulf shrimp and grits with smoky bacon cream sauce is the kind of dish you think about for days after.

The vibe here is Southern coastal, casual enough to come in after a day at the beach but polished enough to feel like a real night out. Happy hour daily, plus a solid cocktail and wine list. This is the spot for a proper sit-down seafood dinner without overdressing.

halfshelloysterhouse.com/gulfport

Shaggy’s Gulfport Beach: Seafood with a View

Right on Beach Blvd with an unobstructed view of the Gulf of Mexico, Shaggy’s is the ultimate laid-back coastal dining experience. The menu leans into the island vibe, think coconut shrimp, jerk shrimp bowls, blue crab claws fried or sautéed with remoulade, fish tacos, and oysters on the half shell. Their Captain’s Catch flounder sandwich and the royal red shrimp roll are both seriously worth ordering.

It’s a great spot for families, groups, or anyone who just wants to sip a cold margarita and watch the sun do its thing over the water. Open daily starting at 11am, so it works just as well for a long lunch as it does for dinner. Indoor and outdoor seating both available.

shaggys.com/locations/gulfport-beach

Sully’s: Steaks, Seafood & Live Music

Sully’s is one of those places that somehow manages to be a great steakhouse and a great seafood spot and a live music venue all under one roof. Located on 30th Ave in Gulfport, this mom-and-pop institution has been a local favorite since 2012, known for aged Angus steaks cut to order, Gulf seafood done right, and a tavern atmosphere that just makes you want to stay for another round. The spicy chicken and andouille pasta and boudin egg rolls are standouts on the dinner menu, and the ‘world’s greatest cheesecake’ has a cult following of its own. Live music runs almost every night, which makes a weeknight dinner here feel like a proper event. If you want something a little more lively than a quiet waterfront dinner, this is your place.

ilovesullys.com

Mama’s Seafood & Grill: Home-Style and Generous

Don’t let the strip-mall location fool you. Mama’s Seafood & Grill on Dedeaux Road is a family-owned gem that serves up big portions of made-from-scratch Southern seafood at prices that won’t make you wince. The menu bounces around in the best way, from fried fish plates, boiled crawfish in season, fried rice, egg rolls, burgers, and some of the best turkey necks and rib tips you’ll find anywhere in Gulfport. There’s a reason repeat visitors make a point to stop by every single trip.

It’s primarily takeout (there are a few tables), which makes it a perfect option if you want to bring a feast back to your site at Bayberry and eat by the fire pit. Order ahead and they’ll give you a time estimate that’s almost always right on.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063703143977

Patio 44: When You’re Ready to Treat Yourself

If you’re celebrating a birthday, an anniversary, or just the fact that you’re parked on the Gulf Coast with nowhere to be tomorrow morning, Patio 44 is your spot. This is Gulfport’s go-to for polished casual dining, a coastal seafood and steakhouse with a stunning patio view of Gulfport Harbor and Jones Park, a wine cellar stocked with 100+ bottles, and a chef-driven menu rooted in Creole and Southern Gulf Coast traditions.

The blackened redfish on the half shell with crawfish cream sauce and Gouda grits is a standout. The blue crab fondue makes a killer appetizer. And their cocktails are made with fresh-squeezed juices and premium spirits, none of the well-mixed stuff here. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.

https://www.patiofortyfour.com/

Pro Tip: Buy Fresh Seafood to Grill at Your Site

One of the best things about staying at Bayberry RV Park is that your site was literally built for this. Between the fire pit, the spacious concrete pads, and the outdoor setup, grilling fresh Gulf shrimp or crawfish at your own spot is completely doable and a whole lot of fun.

Your best bets for picking up fresh, raw Gulf seafood to cook yourself:

• Claw Daddy’s sells live and boiled crawfish by the sack, perfect for a backyard-style boil
• Danny’s Seafood often has fresh Gulf shrimp available, sometimes sourced straight from the harbor
• Keep an eye out for local roadside seafood trucks and markets along Highway 49 and Highway 90, which pop up especially on weekends during shrimp season
  
  

Season, grill, and eat under the Mississippi sky. That’s living the Gulf Coast dream.