The Mississippi Gulf Coast is famed for its seafood! If you're coming to Gulfport, you do not want to miss out on the incredible shrimp dishes featuring authentic regional flavors. Whether you're looking for a fancy sit-down dinner or to grab some peel-and-eat shrimp from a local seafood shack that locals love, there are many options. Here's where to find the best shrimp in Gulfport, MS, that diners can enjoy!
Voted the best outdoor dining spot in Mississippi, Shaggy’s Gulfport Beach is the perfect place to bring the family for elevated fare and some of the best shrimp in Gulfport, MS. While the firecracker shrimp tacos here are legendary, diners can also enjoy yummy picks like oysters, flounder sandwiches, cheeseburgers, and more. A fan favorite is the jumbo shrimp hand-battered platter served with fries and house-made hush puppies. Shaggy’s also offers gorgeous water views in a casual atmosphere.
Shrimp Basket is known for its hearty portions and great prices. Enjoy golden fried shrimp caught by local shrimpers at this local gem. Menu highlights include the Boom Boom Shrimp, featuring popcorn shrimp tossed in an in-house sauce, crispy coconut breaded shrimp served with orange marmalade sauce, shrimp and grits, tail-on shrimp, low-country boils, shrimp cooked your way by the pound, and a seafood platter that combines popcorn shrimp with oysters, flounder, and stuffed crab. Guests can also look forward to a hearty list of sides, including fried okra, Southern slaw, sweet potato fries, and homemade onion strings. The dessert menu at Shrimp Basket features funnel cake fries served with raspberry, caramel, or chocolate sauce.
Half Shell Oyster House brings Southern flavors and hints of New Orleans to Gulfport for an upscale dinner. Reservations are highly recommended for weekend visits. For shrimp lovers, the crab and shrimp au gratin dishes featuring blue crab meat and locally sourced Gulf shrimp in a creamy blend of five cheeses are a great way to start. Other shrimp options from the menu include smoky bacon shrimp and grits, hand-battered and dusted Gulf shrimp fried in seasoned corn flour, and seafood gumbo. The amazing sides include jalapeño hush puppies, Cajun boiled mashed potatoes, and sweet potato with honey butter.
At this popular spot on the shore, you can choose from golden-fried or boiled shrimp by the pound served with potatoes and corn. A rich shrimp scampi dish is made with white wine and angel hair pasta. Captain Al's even offers a popular brunch on the weekends that features Nola BBQ shrimp and grits and a seafood omelet made with sautéed shrimp.
The fried shrimp and oyster starter platter at Felix’s is a classic choice. You can also select everything from shrimp tacos to shrimp BBQ pasta. This is also notably one of the only places to get authentic wild-caught pink shrimp caught off the waters of the Florida Keys outside of places like Key West. Felix's is famous for its happy hours and brunches.
There's no denying that the Mississippi Gulf Coast is one of the best places in the country to sit down for a seafood feast. The best part is that all the best restaurants here serve locally caught shrimp that come straight off boats owned by local fishermen. If you're specifically chasing down Royal Reds that combine everything you love about shrimp with hints of lobster and scallops, this is also one of the best spots in the country for that!