what cannot be said that hasn't been set already this is a classic restaurant that's been in business for a century. It's well loved well. Run and has stood the test of time for its menu and it service hands-down this is a phenomenal place to come for your special event occasion or birthday. I have returned your time and time again and have brought friends and family. Without hesitation this is a must do the only way that this place falls down is that it is so close to the water that is no doubt endured many storms. The interior is very clean, well maintained but in no way matches these level of service nor the menu nor the flavor that comes out of the kitchen. In other words from a form and function perspective, Gaido's style is very hodgepodge 1970's paneling and mixed together with some other elements from each decade following. For some this may be a dealbreaker and you'll want to avoid this restaurant for that very reason. It's not impressive. So don't use this restaurant for your first meeting. If you're trying to impress someone, this is a restaurant you take someone you've already established a relationship and you'll appreciate the excellent food and excellent service. You're a guest may think why did you bring me here. All that being said, this could quickly be remedied, with better lighting, newer lighting fixtures, and updated carpet and higher ceiling. I will return again and again here, but I always wince at the interior. The Service is the best on the island I've had. And that's why I come. And you should too. read more

Armando our waiter was amazing. This is a nice restaurant, the service top tier. Every course delicious. Beautiful dining room. Interesting history if the area, building the seawall. Food great. Best service we've had in a long time. read more

Gaido's - Fried platter. Gumbo. - Seafood Near Me - Galveston, Texas

Food was over priced and nothing to write home about. Our waiter was terrible. Over all I wasn't impressed with the place for the money we spent!!!! read more

Food was delicious. Service was top notch. The window seat and historical setting was a plus. read more

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Awesome place!! A must try!! it will be even better once they get the carpet replaced. It does smell like an over 100 your old restaurant. But the food and the servers make up for it. Trey was great--very funny and personable & also knowledgeable about the menu options and recommendations. Everything was delicious. I would skip on the dessert unless you get Keylime pie or the pecan option. The chocolate brownie thing was not that good. It was totally a super, super tall cake and kind of dry. I would get a wedge salad next time instead of a dessert. read more

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JUST had another great dining experience at the best restaurant in Galveston, Texas. The food is always the BEST . All the dishes are prepared fresh per your request. You want to get a different featured Entrée every time you go. This has been a family business since 1911. Family members are still involved in the operation of it today. If you want a truly fresh prepared meal that you will never regret indulging in, you must try GAIDO'S today . read more

If I have never reviewed Gaido's it is, I assure you, a grievous oversight and if a second review...well great establishments should receive repetitive accolades. In any case, over 48 years I have had the distinct pleasure of dining in what is truly a landmark dining establishment...and well deserved. Firstly, to sit across from the Gulf of Mexico is in and of itself a pleasure. Aside from the view is the interior which over the years has remained consistently presentable which is by no means a back-handed compliment but a real one...to maintain a pleasant dining environment on a beach front is quite frankly a laudable achievement. Secondly, I have eaten solo, as a couple and in a group and the fish (if there's another faire I truly have never tried it) prepared in many different manners (grilled, baked, fried, blackened etc) and very many selections is always reliable as well as the oysters both on the half-shell or grilled are truly always a pleasure. Lastly, the service is incredibly reliable and in my experience over at least 20 visits to the restaurant has always been reliable and pleasant however it is last weeks service by Trey the bartender which reminded me that I should leave a review of Gaido's as it was remarkable. Trey was not only an incredibly talented bartender, made my Rusty Nail with wonderful balance...slight touch of orange with a balance of scotch, a competent and efficient server (we sat in the bar hence he provided the table service) and most importantly a storyteller which for a bartender is a 'required' talent...what an absolute pleasure. Do not miss this dining experience! read more

incredible and will absolutely be back. Our waiter Trey was so nice and attentive. Food took a little while but it was worth it.

Crab stuffed shrimp followed by the key lime cheesecake...Phenomenal! Add the great service and you have a PERFECT Seafood restaurant!

Nice view of the water, great service (Octilio?) and good food. I was skeptical about going here for the first time as I had heard they have lost some of its luster. Yes, it is a big restaurant but out server was very attentive. I thought the prices and portions were about what you would expect in Galveston. I thought the portion sizes were fine and the food was delicious. A nice place but casual/island attire is fine. Something on the menu for everyone. read more

We were a party of six. We ordered raw oysters for appetizers, and these were the smallest oysters I have ever gotten. The oysters inside were about the size of a nickel. I told waiter what's up with the size of the oysters. He bought us another dozen, but they should have never put those on the menu, as they were just too small. I would be embarrassed to serve those to a customer. The soup was the best thing I had for dinner. The Calamari was good, but nothing special. Three of us had the Seafood pasta did not taste very good and the shrimp that were blacked had a peculiar taste that was not very good. My grandson had the Salmon and he seems to like it. My other grandson had the Ravioli and said it was okay. I had heard so much about this restaurant and I came away very disappointed. Our dinner was $355.00 along with cocktails and drinks. read more

Gaido's - Me standing in front. - Seafood Near Me - Galveston, Texas

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I had a wonderful experience at this restaurant in Galveston. The food was great- hot and fresh. The service was fantastic. Our waiter was very attentive and enjoyable. The restaurant itself could use some updating imo, but I realize it is a family fave and others may like the retro/Aunties Parlor look and vibe. The food being great is more important. read more

When we sat down our waiter told us that Gaido's has never frozen their food in the 100+ years they have been open. The food is fantastic!!!!!! Crab dishes were delicious and the salad was fresh. So good we even ended the meal with the brownie cake! Atmosphere was relaxing, even had a view of the water from our table. If you are looking for seafood in Galveston, this is it!!! read more

Gaido's - Seafood Near Me - Galveston, Texas

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We visited Gaido's for the first time last night. Our party was seated at a table with an amazing view of the beach. Our server, Martin, was excellent and attentive. They brought out fresh bread to start. We shared the pecan crusted snapper. It was topped with lump crab meat and we had sides of asparagus and potato wedges. Our meal was delicious. For dessert we also had their decadent chocolate mousse. This historical spot is definitely worth a visit. read more

The key lime cheesecake was outstanding. Really everything seafood was a delight. Sean, a manager, came to make sure everything was fine and our server Martin was always there to make sure our meal was good and requests were handled well. The fantastic view of te Gulf and beach add to the elegant ambiance. Bathrooms were neat, clean, and well appointed. read more

Gaido's - Key Lime Cheesecake - Seafood Near Me - Galveston, Texas

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Gaido's remains a classy staple on the island. The fresh seafood is delicious and flavorful. The service is impeccable. I had not been to Gaido's in many years, but I went for lunch on a weekend. We were seated immediately. For an appetizer we enjoyed oysters with a stuffing. It had a smoky flavor. The oysters were small, but the stuffing complimented the oysters well. It was filling. For my entre, I had the shrimp and grits. I was warned by the waiter that I should only order it if I like blue cheese. I happen to love blue cheese, so I really enjoyed it. read more

Food and service was excellent as usual. Been coming to Gaidos for years and they have never disappointed. The pre-meal bread with olive oil is excellent. Some of the best bread in the restaurant business. Entrees served perfectly. Restaurants that can't prepare fresh asparagus properly should learn how. Tips are never an issue. Making the asparagus crunchy but chewable and removing the stringiness from the base of the asparagus shows they know what they are doing. Gaidos is an old world atmosphere that still serves people properly. We always have to eat here at least once when we visit. read more

The food and service was awesome!! We had a table by the window...great view. However, the only downside was a moldy/mildew smell when we first entered...and when we were taken to our table and we walked through a small dimly lit room that looked like it was maybe a cocktail seating area that was between the front desk and the dining room the smell was very very strong. Not sure if it was the carpet or what, but it was strong and affected my allergies. Something REALLY needs to be deep cleaned or replaced!!! read more

Great food and service! Chelsea was a super waitress and very knowledgeable of the menu, drinks and the history of Gaidos. We began with the crab cake starter then the bone in Ribeye dinner and finished with the double chocolate mousse. Everything was delicious and I'm sure we will be back again. A great way to start our 30th wedding anniversary!!! Thank you Gaidos!! read more

Had high expectations for this Galveston iconic restaurant, sadly to say I was a bit disappointed with the food. We started out with the sautéed crab claws, very salty. For a main course, we ordered the combination platter that came with red snapper, shrimp, and scallops with asparagus. Sadly it was over cooked the snapper was a small piece and very dry. The second dish was the grilled scallops, mixed vegetables, and rice, it was okay but nothing to write home and tell mom about. Over-all we found the food to be salty for our taste. Unfortunately we will not return. read more

Awesome food! I think I got the chargrilled oysters. They are very well flavored. There is a classical environment, perfect for nice dinners read more

Gaido's - We love Gaido's! I've been coming here since I was a kid and it's so awesome. - Seafood Near Me - Galveston, Texas

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I had heard about Gaido's being one of the " must visit" restaurants in Galveston and they weren't wrong! The food here is amazing! My personal favorite was the " crostini with crab". The sauce had some Parmesan cheese mixed in and it was absolutely to die for! Next, we tried the red snapper with grilled vegetables and the fish was also one of the best I have tasted in a long time! It was the birthday of one of our family members and the host was kind enough to offer us a dessert!! I really loved my experience there! My one piece of feedback would be to lower the AC in the restaurant! It was so cold we couldn't wait to leave by the end of it :( wish I had brought a jacket lol read more

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Had a take-out order that was very disappointing. Snapper was not cooked properly and portion was very small. They failed to fill my shrimp order. Salad had one-1 small tomato. Absolutely a pathetic meal and waste of money. read more

Excellent service. Always some of the best seafood and steaks. We had steaks, redfish, seafood tower and as always were very satified. Despite always being packed the ambience is bustling but quiet. Some dress up patrons and some beach patrons. Cannot go wrong here. read more

Waited 1.15 hours for a table even after making reservations. After ordering $15 drinks were that were served out of regular glasses instead of the glass the drinks were intended for because they said they 'were out', we finally left. This establishment used to be somewhat upscale. However; it's definitely gone downhill. Maybe enforce a dress code; no baseball caps, flip flops and daisy dukes. read more

This was our second visit and it was just as amazing as the first time. We started with Shrimp Cocktail which was some of our favorite shrimp cocktails. My husband had the gumbo which had a decent amount of shrimp. He had the fried shrimp dinner with potatoe wedges. The shrimp were lightly breaded and not greasy at all. I had the crab stuffed shrimp with extra crab on the top which was the special of the day. A bit pricey but worth it. I tried the Parmaesan crusted tomatoes and loved them. Great side to go with any meal. We had Kevin as our waiter and he did a fantastic job. This is one of our favorite places in Galveston. Every time we are here, we will have dinner here one night. read more

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The ambiance is always enjoyable , However, Quality has definitely gone down. Ive been coming here for the past 16 yrs. Sorry but I won't return. Much better options on the island read more

I have been to Gaido's numerous times and have always raved about them. Three weeks ago I took a group and the food was unbelievably awful. I never dreamed you could make such a mess of fish. We were greeted at 5:00 with "do you have a reservation?" When we said no, the look on their face said multitudes. Will I return there -- doubtful. read more

The service was impeccable, the food was exceptional and the ambiance is unchanged. I had the crab stuffed shrimp with asparagus and my husband had the seafood gumbo. The bread with herbs and olive oil prior to the meal was very tasty. I wouldn't change anything! read more

The food was great. But the restaurant makes you feel like you stepped back in time.

Million dollar views to go with good food and great service is hard to beat. My wife loved the bread with olive oil and maybe pesto(?). She ordered the seafood pasta and I had the red snapper that was crusty with grilled vegetables. She really enjoyed her dished and I think I like mine but think it would have been even better if I got it blackened. We both agreed we would go again read more

I've been to this restaurant so many times through my life and it is consistently good. The special today was a pan seared red snapper topped with lump crab meat and asparagus. What a treat. Our waiter, Alex was very nice and made our meal very enjoyable. Love this place, brings back memories of my grandmother and the summers we spent with her in Sea Isle. To top it off, the sponge cake with white chocolate, whipped cream, berries and raspberry drizzle was to die for!! Will have to get back to Texas soon and do this again. read more

My first time here and this place was fantastic. Our server Alattin was awesome and very knowledgeable about the menu. He was very quick and attentive and made our special day the best! I would definitely ask for him next time I come!!!! Our dishes were amazing. The red snapper ceviche was incredibly huge and delicious. I had it as an entree and had PLENTY leftovers. We also got the chef's special of the day which was pecan encrusted red snapper and my god that was absolutely unbelievable!!!!!!!! Literally 10/10 perfection. Would totally come back here again, If you're looking for some real good sea food, this is it! read more

Gaido's - Red snapper ceviche - Seafood Near Me - Galveston, Texas

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Best place on the island for a peach Bellini. Food was excellent. We went back the next day for dessert which was another peach bellini.

My significant other was looking forward to going to Gaido's while we were in town. I have also been to the restaurant over the years. This trip was pretty disappointing. We ate in the bar area at a table since there was a wait. It was on a Wednesday night so wasn't really expecting that. The disappointing part was the food. I ordered a blackened platter of sea scallops, shrimp and catfish. He ordered a platter as well but fried. His had catfish, oysters and shrimp. The menu said "seafood selection" so we asked what that was and she said oysters and scallops. He did not get the scallops. However, he said his food was all overcooked and rubbery. He ordered potato wedges and I tried one. I asked for them to bring out ranch and it literally tasted like the potato wedges at Jack in the Box. Back to my plate, I bit into my catfish and there was something hard like a broken plate or glass. I spit it out on my plate. I was really looking forward to the sea scallops. They were so small...more like bay scallops. I live in San Leon and he lives in La Porte so we are always eating out in the League City area. We eat delicious seafood at high end restaurants often. I would have thought being so much closer to the Gulf, the seafood would have been better. We will pass next time and try some of the newer places instead. read more

We visited the night before a cruise. We walked from our room to the restaurant. We had the seafood tower. We enjoyed the oysters. They were very fresh and tasty. The shrimp were just ok. The claws were very small. And we didn't care for the crab salad. Would ask for just the crab next time. Stuffed shrimp we would skip. Our kiddo enjoyed her pasta. We would try it again. read more

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The food was ok. The bread was the best part. The place was nice. Seafood could have been more fresh.

A lot can happen in more than 110 years, and Gaido's has bore witness to the City of Galveston's ups and downs from its familiar Seawall location since San Giacinto Gaido established the business in 1911. To label it a fine dining stalwart is basically scratching the surface. My family had the privilege of eating at this island icon this evening as part of a family friend's son's 40th birthday celebration. The celebrant, who's a godson of my parents thus making him my godbrother, had his fancy shindig in what was once the exquisite Pelican Club, which provided a venue for high rollers near and far to eat, drink, and be merry from 1936 to 2020. It may have been an '80s themed party, but for me at least, I felt like a member of the Rat Pack living it up in some Hollywood supper club. Before we arrived at the establishment, I assumed that we were going to be treated to a sit-down, three-course dinner. Many people don't like to be wrong, but I was happy I was when I noticed a buffet setup in the space's foyer. As we and the guests waited to occupy the Rhyne Room, the waitstaff went around with delicious appetizers such as chicken almondine and shrimp and cheese cream puffs. These two items alone could've been all there was to eat, and I wouldn't have mind. Okay, let's talk about the buffet. Honestly, I don't know where to begin. All I know was that I died and my soul flew up to culinary heaven. You can't get any better than a plate consisting of garden salad, steamed and buttered asparagus, mahi mahi, and an entrée that I - as a poultry connoisseur - consider Gaido's pièce de résistance: the Chicken Ponzini. I took my time and savored each and every dish. And yes, I went for seconds. Point of fact, I know the namesake of the Chicken Ponzini. Father Tom Ponzini was a good friend of my late favorite aunt. Aly, Rhie, and Jaden did an outstanding job tending to each and every one of us. I was really pleased with how Rhie, who also worked the bar, made sure the Dr. Peppers and Cokes kept flowing for my teetotaler parents. Cin cin, Gaido's! read more

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Food was delicious - but service was even better! They were so attentive to my gluten allergy!! Experience was comfortable, inviting and accommodating! read more

We had a very nice anniversary dinner with friends. We go to Gaido's for our anniversary every year. The restaurant week menu was a good deal so I tried that. Salad or gumbo, main course and dessert for a little more than the price of a main course. The waiter was attentive and did a good job. As always Gaido's is fairly quiet and offers an elegant dining experience as long as you avoid holiday and special event weekends. The only issue we encountered was the check was split 50/50 but the suggested tip amount for 20% was still showing the amount for 100% of the check. We were busy talking and just entered the suggested amount without much thought which was actually a 40% tip. I went back the next morning and the manager "Ju***" agreed to give me a gift card to adjust the tip amount to the correct 20% value. Good customer service. read more