Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Galveston

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in Galveston? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Vargas Cut & Catch

4.9

4.9 (1246)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Galveston

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of Galveston's historic downtown district, Vargas Cut and Catch is a contemporary Steak House serving USDA Prime Steaks and the Freshest Seafood available.

We look forward to serving you soon!!

Sincerely,
Paco Vargas and family

Street parking is complimentary after 6:00pm

Top review

ginger

Dined 7 days ago

Vargas is one of our favorite restaurants for celebrating a special occasion. the food is excellent and the service is wonderful. they go above and beyond to make you feel special. We will return as ofter as we can.

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Popular dish

Lobster Bisque

Rudy & Paco Restaurant & Bar

4.8

4.8 (3904)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Galveston

About the restaurant

Paco is the definition of the "All American Dream", awarded the 2019 "Faces of Diversity Award" by the National Restaurant Association. This prestigious award honors those who have achieved success through perservance and determination embodying the American Dream.

Rudy & Paco's offer the freshest seafood and steaks with a Central American flare. Come experience fine dining at its best with Paco and his staff.

We are honored to have the opportunity and privilege to serve you and your family.

~ Paco Vargas and Family

Lunch - Street parking is available, pay at parking meter or by App
Dinner - Street parking is free after 6 pm.

Dress code is strictly enforced for Dinner.
No shorts for men, women (including rompers) and children. Men must have a collared shirt (no t-shirts) and no hats.

Dress code for Lunch is casual with shorts acceptable but no hats.

Top review

Janisvip

Dined 1 day ago

Always a wonderful experience. We eat there every year when we come to Galveston. Food is excellent, staff very friendly and knowledgeable.

Number 13 Prime Steak and Seafood

4.8

4.8 (2324)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Galveston

About the restaurant

Welcome to Number 13 Prime Steak and Seafood, where every bite is a masterpiece! The only restaurant in Galveston awarded with the prestigious "Two Glasses" Best Of Award Of Excellence by Wine Spectator Magazine.
Nestled in the heart of the Pelican Rest Marina, our culinary haven, helmed by the talented Chef Diego Rueda, offers a journey of flavors.

Enjoy panoramic water views, creating an unforgettable dining experience where warmth meets sophistication, perfect for sharing moments.

Our commitment to quality resonates in carefully selected ingredients, ensuring each bite is a blend of freshness and flavor. From sizzling steaks to succulent seafood, our menu celebrates culinary expertise. Indulge in our award-winning wines, featuring ultra-rare and premium beef from around the world, fresh local seafood, and savor the most unique bourbon selection.

Number 13, is your lucky number for unparalleled dining.
Join us—where cuisine, views, and warm hospitality converge into magic.

Top review

Jonathanvip

Dined 4 days ago

Another great meal! Steak and oysters, with lots of great wine

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Popular dish

32 oz 30-Day Porterhouse

Popular dish

Thursday Prime Rib Night

Popular dish

Prime Rib & Eggs

1817 Steak & Seafare

4.8

4.8 (109)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Galveston

About the restaurant

Welcome to 1817 Steak & Seafare, nestled in Evia on Galveston Island, where culinary excellence converges with the freshness of sea and land. This upscale dining destination boasts panoramic lake views and stunning sunset vistas. We are committed to a scratch kitchen philosophy, using only fresh, never-frozen ingredients. Each steak is a prime, hand-cut selection from the choicest center cuts, ensuring the finest quality. Our seafood is sourced directly from the Gulf, delivering unmatched freshness. Complement your meal with our extensive selection of craft cocktails, premium spirits, and fine wines.

Due to high demand, we recommend reserving your table at least two weeks in advance. For bar reservations, please call us at 409-765-1817.

Top review

Steve

Dined 2 days ago

Fantastic food and service. Took a large group from a conference here and wasn't disappointed. Our server Elissa did a fantastic job and everyone enjoyed everything from appetizer's to dessert. Will definitely be back.

Shearns Seafood and Prime Steaks

4.5

4.5 (1478)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Galveston

About the restaurant

Shearns Seafood and Prime Steaks is pleased to now be available on Open-Table. As a perennial AAA Four Diamond award winning restaurant, Galveston's finest restaurant is unsurpassed both in cuisine and service with a spectacular view of the Moody Gardens Pyramids and back bay. Local Galvestonians flock to this Island oasis to enjoy the signature dishes of Executive Chef including prime beef, exquisite veal and lamb and the freshest gulf seafood available. The Shearn's Seafood and Prime Steaks experience is easily on par with Houston's finest restaurants at a much better value.

Dressy Casual attire required. No Shorts, Rompers, Tee Shirts or Tank Tops, Collard Shirts Required. Jeans are allowed on the dining room floor-no cuts offs or ripped jeans.

Top review

Markvip

Dined on Aug 27, 2024

Great for a romantic dinner, business meeting or holiday meal. We watched a storm blow in from the Gulf as we ate, so beautiful. The food is great, the staff is friendly and helpful about the menu. Highly recommend it!

Hearsay on The Strand - Galveston

4.7

4.7 (1454)

$30 and under

American

Galveston

About the restaurant

Located on Historic Galveston Island, our On The Strand location offers an evocative ambiance perfect for unforgettable dining experiences, featuring creative American cuisine and handcrafted artisan cocktails. This coastal resort city boasts top attractions and distinctive museums, providing visitors with truly unique experiences.

Top review

Scrapper

Dined 3 days ago

Sat outside for brunch on a beautiful day. Day gave us exceptional service. My cappuccino even had a heart in the foam. Excellent food and service. Never disappoints.

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Popular dish

Texas Charcuterie Board

Popular dish

Charcuterie and Crudité

Popular dish

Crunchy Ahi Tuna Tacos

Riondo's Ristorante

4.7

4.7 (1073)

$30 and under

Italian

Galveston

About the restaurant

Riondo's serves a casual lunch and upscale dinner with unmatched hospitality on the strand in Galveston. Riondo's also provides a private banquet room for rehearsal dinners, small weddings and all your special occasion needs. Chef Rico provides housemade pastas, mozzarella cheese, artisan breads and Gulf Coast Fresh Seafood, Wagyu beef and local farm to market produce from Moon Dog farms. Located in the historical Strand District in Galveston, come enjoy a romantic night at Riondos.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 6 days ago

A very cool place, atmosphere & service was spot on! They where very knowledgeable:) also when I reserved on open table, they responded very quick to my message. Sat in the vault & that was a very coo spot Thank you I will always come here , when I am in town thx Cynthia

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Popular dish

Tiramisu Crepes

Grotto - Galveston - San Luis Resort

4.8

4.8 (1397)

$30 and under

Italian

Galveston

About the restaurant

Located inside the San Luis Resort Galveston, Grotto offers an Old Country trattoria ambiance & classic Italian cooking with recipes made on premises. Creations include many “Old World” signature dishes such as Neapolitan thin crust pizzas, Snapper Siciliano, Veal Parmigiana, Braised Pork Ragu & Pappardelle, Antipasta, and house-made pastas & fish selections. Enjoy Grotto’s famous Peach Bellini or an extensive collection of Italian and domestic wines while overlooking the pool at San Luis Resort.

Valentine's Day Dinner
Celebrate your love with a romantic three-course dinner with Gulf views, the finest wine, and an intimate ambiance.
($74.95 per person)

Top review

Michael

Dined 4 days ago

We had a wonderful experience at your restaurant last night. Everything was fabulous. I was however very disappointed in the Vic and Anthony’s crabcake. It seems you changed your recipe since the last time I had it. I remember it was basically strictly crab meat. This time there was a lot of breading added to the crabcake, which really took away from the fabulous taste I remember Vic and Anthony’s crabcakes were in the past. Hoping you change the recipe back because I won’t be ordering it again until you bring back the best crabcake that I’ve ever had. But it still was a wonderful experience thank you..

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Shrimp & Crab Capellini

Blake's Bistro

4.7

4.7 (75)

$30 and under

American

Galveston

About the restaurant

Enjoy laid-back ambiance with comfort food classics at Blake’s Bistro. From oversized sandwiches and authentic Tex-Mex to gourmet burgers and traditional breakfast favorites, this Galveston treasure only features the best for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Top review

Darrell

Dined on Aug 18, 2024

Friendly, personalized service. Consistently great food. A memorable atmosphere. Efficient customer service from Jerome Williams

The Steakhouse at San Luis

4.8

4.8 (686)

$50 and over

American

Galveston

About the restaurant

Indulge in the Island’s finest, award-winning cuisine at The Steakhouse, featuring USDA Midwest grain-fed beef, live Maine lobster, and an award-winning wine list. Recipient of the prestigious AAA Four Diamond Award® since 2004 and selected as one of the “Top Ten Texas Steakhouses” by food critic Tom Horan, The Steakhouse is an extraordinary dining experience for any connoisseur. Our high-quality cuisine and impeccable service are complemented by an elegant ambiance featuring hand-crafted mahogany woodwork, leather furnishings, and other luxurious amenities.

Valentine's Day Dinner
Celebrate your love with a romantic four-course dinner, expertly crafted cocktails, and a prestigious wine list at our award-winning Steakhouse.
($159 per person)

Top review

Rebecca

Dined 4 days ago

Everything was delicious! Everything from ambiance, to service was amazing. Cannot wait to come back again soon. Definitely recommend, absolutely loved the food and experience.

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Popular dish

New York Strip

Popular dish

Shrimp and Crab Cheesecake

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