.jpg)
Home to Keesler Air Force Base, the charming coastal city of Biloxi, Mississippi, is rich with history. Established in 1699 by French explorers, Biloxi has drawn on the cultural and culinary influences from Native American, French, and Spanish heritages to create a haven for food enthusiasts.
Today, Biloxi’s dining landscape is as varied as its history and offers a delightful mix of restaurants to tempt even the most discerning palate. From fresh-caught seafood to steaks and down-home southern cooking, casual eats at the beach to sleek dining rooms, there’s a little something for everyone near Keesler AFB!
1) Shaggy’s Biloxi Beach
For fun, food, and some of the best sunsets in the heart of Biloxi, it’s hard to beat Shaggy’s. Sitting right on the beach, Shaggy’s offers sweeping coastal views as you slip into island time on the Gulf of Mexico.
Relax with the perfect margarita or a delicious fish taco in hand as you soak up the sun on the boardwalk and listen to the surf. Perfect for casual lunches or laid-back dinners with friends old and new, Shaggy’s is a beloved favorite with locals and vacationers.
Photo from Shaggy's Biloxi Beach
2) Sapphire Supper Club
If you’re in the mood for an elegant and upscale evening, Sapphire Supper Club is the place to be. Modeled after classic supper clubs from the 1930s and 40s, Sapphire offers a decadent menu, signature cocktails, and world-class wines with a nightly backdrop of live music that will transport diners to a bygone era.
3) Taranto’s Seafood
A bit off the beaten path, Taranto’s can best be described as one of the most charming, hole-in-the-wall eats in the area.
Part restaurant, part seafood market, diners can treat themselves to crawfish, gumbo, shrimp boils, blue crabs, and po’boys. But the best part? Taranto’s offers party-sized options to go!
Crawfish boil. Photo from iStock.com/Carolyn Broussard
4) Captain Al’s
Brunch-seekers, get your cameras ready when you order one of Captain Al’s legendary Bloody Marys. Part brunch, part cocktail, diners can build their own Bloody or choose from one of five options, with shrimp, lobster, crab, bacon, sausage links, steak tips, okra, olives, pickled green beans, and more as garnishes.
Six mimosas and a number of signature cocktails are on the menu, and they pair perfectly with some of the best brunch dishes in the area, including shrimp and grits, biscuits and gravy, oyster samplers, crab cake benedicts, and more.
5) Half Shell Oyster House
It wouldn’t be a trip to the Gulf Coast without oysters, and Half Shell serves up some of the best oysters in the area. A particularly well-loved option among diners is the oysters and salad combo, offering a half-dozen oysters paired with a delicious side salad. Raw, grilled, baked, or fried, there’s no wrong way to get your oyster fix at Half Shell’s.
Photo from Half Shell Oyster House Facebook
6) BR Prime Steakhouse
Nestled inside the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino, BR Prime Steakhouse welcomes diners to a posh setting with glittering chandeliers, a sleek bar, and a sweeping floor-to-glass wine display. BR pairs amazing food with modern glamour exceptionally well to transform mere dinners into truly special occasions.
7) Pug’s Pizza
While pizza certainly isn’t the first cuisine that pops to mind when you think of top eats in coastal Mississippi, Pug’s Pizza will surprise you. With authentic San Marzano tomatoes and dough made fresh daily, word is quickly spreading about one of Biloxi’s newest restaurants.
Diners love Pug’s foldable, New York-style slices, and with the cutest little mascots you could hope for, Pug’s is quickly becoming a top dog on Biloxi’s restaurant scene.
Photo from Pug's Pizza Facebook
8) McElroy’s Harbor House Seafood Restaurant
McElroy’s is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. It has been serving hearty seafood dishes to hungry diners since 1974. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina completely destroyed the restaurant, but McElroy’s came back stronger than ever and rebuilt.
Now featuring a charming twenty-nine-foot pier and beam supports, McElroy’s has risen to new heights, quite literally, and offers some of the best seafood in the area with unmatched views of the Gulf.
9) Nana J’s Soulful Kitchen
Although Nana J’s does have a Facebook page, you’re better off doing it the old-fashioned way and going to read the daily specials on the chalkboard in person.
Once there, you’ll be greeted with the mouthwatering aroma of savory southern cooking and a rotating menu featuring baked chicken, meatloaf, smothered and fried pork chops, collard greens, mac and cheese, fresh-baked cornbread, and more. At Nana’s, dessert is complimentary, but like every dish on this from-scratch menu, once it’s gone, it’s gone!
With a delicious mix of fine dining, casual eats, beach spots, and family-friendly options, there’s something for every taste near Biloxi. The biggest challenge? Trying to decide which restaurant to try first!
Are you moving to the Keesler AFB area? See homes for sale or rent below.
