Best Places to Eat 2026 Winners
AMERICAN
Under the Oak Café
9380 Central Ave., D'Iberville
(888) 752-9772
www.scarletpearlcasino.com/restaurant/under-the-oak-cafe
Specialty: Comfort-food classics, traditional Southern entrees and items for every taste
BAGELS
A Southern Bagel Company
19019 Pineville Road, Long Beach
(228) 363-4461
www.asouthbagelco.com
Facebook: A Southern Bagel Company
Specialty: Our two most popular dishes are the classic red lox and our Yankee biscuit. The red lox features an everything bagel with cream cheese, capers, red onions and lox. The Yankee biscuit comes on a jalapeno-cheddar bagel with jalapeno cream cheese, mango chipolata jelly and a sausage patty.
BAKERY
Sugar Pop Baking Co.
335 Coleman Ave, Waveland
(228) 467-9990
www.sugarpopbakingco.com
Facebook: Sugar Pop Baking Co
Specialty: The shop specializes in custom-order cakes and wedding cakes but offers pastries, cupcakes, breakfast pastries and more.
BARBECUE
Murky Waters BBQ - Gulfport
1320 27th Avenue, Gulfport
(228) 214-4420
murkywatersbbq.com
Facebook: Murky Waters BBQ - Gulfport
Specialty: We stay committed to slow smoking our meats daily and are known for authentic Southern barbecue, including tender brisket, classic ribs and pulled pork. The popular Murky Waters BBQ sandwich features a double-decker serving of pork and chicken.
BREAKFAST AND BRUNCH, VIETNAMESE
Rusty Pelican
6174 Beatline Road, Long Beach
(228) 868-5511
Facebook: Rusty Pelican
Tiktok: @RustyPelicanLB
Specialty: Our most popular Vietnamese dish is Phố Bớ, or beef pho. It is an aromatic broth made over 10 hours then poured over a bowl of noodles and served with slices of beef, bean sprouts, jalapeño and sauces. Our best breakfast options include our deluxe breakfast with pancakes, Vietnamese coffee and beignets.
BURGERS
The Project Lounge
208 Iberville Drive, Biloxi,
(228)-435-3030
the-project-lounge.menu-world.com
Facebook: The Project Lounge
Specialty: Our burgers steal the spotlight with their mouthwatering flavors; also make sure to try the delicious ribeye steak sandwich.
CAFÉ, COFFEE AND TEA
Coffee Culture
1113 Highway 90, Bay St. Louis; 1680 Kapalama Drive, Pass Christian
(228) 493-4666
coffeeculture.bsl
Facebook: Coffee Culture Bay St. Louis
Instagram: @coffeeculturecoffeeshop
Specialty: Our specialty is our iced latte, with 50-plus unique flavors you can add to make it fun! Top it off with cold foam, whipped cream and drizzle for that extra final touch.
CAJUN AND CREOLE
Bradley’s Cajun Quick Stop and Deli
7011 Beatline Road, Long Beach
(228) 206-6735
bradleyscajunquickstop.com
Facebook: Bradley's Cajun Quick Stop & Deli llc
Specialty: Boiled and steamed seafood, Cajun deli favorites, signature platters, po'boys and more.
CARIBBEAN
El Punto
1901 Denny Ave., Pascagoula
(228) 205-4360
www.elpuntoms.com
Facebook: El Punto Familiar
Specialty: We take pride in serving the most authentic and delicious Dominican dishes using fresh ingredients and recipes passed down through generations. Specialties include Caribbean classics like oxtail and seafood selections like fried whole red snapper stuffed with conch and shrimp.
CHINESE
Asian Paradise
116 Davis Ave., Suite D, Pass Christian
(228) 222-4583
asianparadisepasschristian.com
Facebook: Asian Paradise
Specialty: From our popular Thai basil chicken and kung pao shrimp to handmade gyoza and crab Rangoon, every dish brings authentic Asian flavors to your table.
DONUTS
The TatoNut Shop
1114 Government St., Ocean Springs
(228) 872-2076
Facebook: The Tatonut Donut Shop
Instagram: @thetatonutshop
Specialty: The original glazed TatoNut — sold the most out of any other donut. Two other top sellers are the blueberry cake donut and the Persian, which is TatoNut’s version of a cinnamon roll.
GREEK
Mr. Greek Restaurant
1670 Pass Road, Suite H, Biloxi
(228) 432-7888
Facebook: Mr. Greek Restaurant
Specialty: Authentic Greek food, including the Grecian combo plater — which comes with gyro meat, Grecian-style meatballs, stuffed grape leaves, eggplant casserole, a side Greek salad, Greek potato and green beans.
ICE CREAM AND FROZEN YOGURT
Serendipity Creamery
114 E. Third St., Suite A, Long Beach
(228) 206-0003
Facebook: Serendipity Creamery
Specialty: We have huge scoops, over 50 Hershey’s flavors (including vegan, no sugar added and dairy free), banana splits, sundaes and much more.
ITALIAN
Salute Seafood & Italian Restaurant
1712 15th St., Gulfport
(228) 864-2500
www.saluteitalian.com
Facebook: Salute Italian & Seafood Restaurant
Specialty: Our guests love our eggplant gondola, which you can find on our lunch and dinner menus. Thin-sliced eggplant, Italian battered and fried golden brown, is topped with sauteed shrimp and crawfish in our homemade creamy alfredo sauce.
JAPANESE
Sakura - Long Beach
100 Jeff Davis Ave., Long Beach
(228)-265-5056
sakuralongbeach.com
Facebook: Sakura Japanese cuisine sushi&hibachi
Specialty: Our restaurant offers a wide array of authentic Japanese favorites, such as tuna rolls, hibachi chicken, steak teriyaki, shrimp tempura and vegetable yaki udon.
KOREAN AND THAI
Long Beach Market and Deli
20110 Pineville Rd, Long Beach
(228) 864-1933
www.lbmarketanddeli.com
Facebook: Long Beach Market Deli
Specialty: LBM&D puts a unique twist on traditional Asian cuisine. With our infusion of sweet, spicy and savory, you're sure to find a dish you'll love. The kogi sandwich and kogi po’boy are our own creation.
MEXICAN
Juan Tequila’s - Long Beach
306 Beach Blvd., Long Beach
(228) 867-2906
juansrestaurants.com
Facebook: Juan tequilas - Long Beach
Specialty: Juan Tequila's specializes in authentic Mexican cuisine, with house specialties that include pineapple fajitas, stuffed avocado, camarones a la diabla and carne asada.
PIZZA
Brooklyn Pizzeria
51 Hardy Court, Gulfport
(228) 864-6555
Facebook: Brooklyn Pizzeria (Gulfport)
Specialty: Authentic New York-style pizza — the most popular is the large 20-inch pizza with customers' choice of topping(s).
SANDWICHES
Harbor View Cafe
504 Jeff Davis Ave., Long Beach
(228) 867-8949
www.harborviewcafelb.com
Facebook: Harbor View Cafe
Specialty: Our menu highlights fresh ingredients and familiar favorites, with specialty sandwiches that include the Malibu, featuring chicken topped with ham, pineapple and Swiss on a sweet bun; the T.B.A., featuring turkey, bacon, avocado and Swiss on a croissant; and the classic club, BLT, Reuben, patty melt, several types of po’boys and more.
SEAFOOD
Jourdan River Steamer
15152 Mississippi 603, Kiln
(228) 255-7333
www.jrsteamer.com
Facebook: Jourdan River Steamer
Specialty: Fresh fish, live Maine lobster pulled right out of the tank, jumbo king crab the size of an arm, royal red shrimp (the real royal reds from the Gulf of Mexico, not imported), Dungeness snow crab, mouth-watering certified angus beef steaks, not-your-everyday pastas, freshly shucked Gulf oysters, etc. — and, of course, no fried food.
SOUL FOOD
Dunk’s Southern Style Buffet & Catering LLC
4402 E. Aloha Drive, Suite 14, Diamondhead
(228) 254-5044
dunksouthernstyle.weebly.com
Facebook: Dunk's Southern Style Buffet
Specialty: Dunk’s Famous Fried Chicken is seasoned to perfection — crispy, tasty and curated with bold flavor. Every bite delivers that true homestyle feel that keeps you coming back because one piece just isn’t enough. It’s the experience you didn’t know you needed, and you’ll be telling everyone, “Let’s go eat at Dunk’s!”
SOUTHERN
Lancaster’s
1409 Bienville Blvd., Ocean Springs
(228) 447-4050
www.lancastersos.com
Facebook: Lancaster’s Ocean Springs
Specialty: Our sassy salad is always a favorite pick, featuring boiled shrimp, crawfish and jumbo lump crab. Our fried chicken is also great any way you order it, and we have bone-in chicken that will have you thinking you’re back at mama’s table. We open at 8 a.m. for a home-cooked breakfast with amazing omelets.
SPANISH/CENTRAL AMERICAN
El Valle Latino Grill
12100 Highway 49 North, Suite 310, Gulfport
(228) 731-3249
elvallelatinogrill.com
Facebook: El Valle Latino Grill
Specialty: Our menu features a wide variety of traditional dishes, including pork specialties, quesadillas, fajitas, plantains, seafood, chicken, enchiladas, carne asada, pupusas and much more.
SPORTS BAR
Coastal Daiquiri Bar & Grill
501 Jeff Davis Ave., Long Beach
(228) 206-1100
www.coastaldaiquiri.com
Facebook: Coastal Daiquiri Company
Specialty: The Coast's premiere daiquiri bar! Daiquiris are derived from premium mixes made with real fruit.
STEAKHOUSE
The Rack House Steaks & Spirits
1301 26th Ave., Gulfport
(228) 206-2744
www.rackhousesteaks.com
Facebook : The Rack House Steaks & Spirit
Instagram: @therackhousesteakandspirits
Specialty: The Rack House surf and turf is expertly seasoned and grilled to perfection, delivering bold, rich flavor in every bite. It’s topped with Gulf blue crab meat, Caribbean lobster meat and shrimp, then finished with a decadent white wine cream sauce. This dish perfectly combines classic steakhouse tradition with elevated coastal flavors.