The Gulf Coast, which encompasses part of Southern Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, is known first and foremost for its white sand beaches, palm trees, and resort communities. During the winter and spring months, visitors from up North make the trek down south for the chance to sip margaritas beside the Gulf of Mexico, explore the historic Spanish-influenced architecture, or try their hand at water sports: waterskiing, tubing, or even snorkeling.

These oceanfront cities are also known for their vibrant culinary scenes, among which you’ll find quite a few similarities — restaurants along the Gulf shoreline typically serve a combination of Cajun, Creole, and Southern-inspired comfort foods. That means you’re bound to eat your fair share of gumbo, jambalaya, and po’boys. Food is colorful, flavorful, and filling. It’s also fresh, given the abundance of seafood in the Gulf of Mexico.

With the help of review sites like Tripadvisor, Yelp, and Google, as well as local blogs and magazines, we’ve curated a list of the 10 tastiest restaurants in the region, prioritizing finds closest to the water so you can enjoy the scenery while you eat.

Cabbage Key Inn and Restaurant in Pineland, Florida

The bar at Cabbage Key Inn and Restaurant in Pineland, Florida, was ranked among Tripadvisor’s top five “hidden gems” in 2025, per The News-Press. It has quite a few other claims to fame, too, like allegedly being the inspiration for Jimmy Buffett’s “Cheeseburger in Paradise.” On the menu, you’ll find the famous house cheeseburger, along with shrimp, scampi, ribeyes, and a special “your catch of the day” deal. In other words, fishermen bring in their fresh catch, and the chefs at Cabbage Key take it back to the kitchen to prepare.

“It’s nice to acknowledge [Buffet] spent time here, and if we’re one of the places that inspired him, we’re honored,” said the owner, Rob Wells, in an interview with The News-Press, speaking to the singer’s ties to the area. “For more than 80 years, Cabbage Key has welcomed locals and travelers seeking a taste of old Florida … We’ve always said Cabbage Key is a place you have to find on purpose — and that’s part of what makes it so special.”

Those looking to spend the night at the Cabbage Key Inn will have several options to choose from. There are rooms available in the historic main inn, as well as several on-site cottages, some of which date all the way back to the 1930s. When you get up in the morning, keep in mind that there’s also a hearty breakfast menu: smoked salmon, French toast, hotcakes, and more.

This is an excerpt of a post by Sarah Caskey originally published on Islands.com.