Diners' Choice: Best Ambience restaurants in Galveston

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambience 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 favourite 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 (1285)

$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

Rene

Dined 4 days ago

The food and service were outstanding. It is the kind of place worth driving 50 miles for dinner.

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Popular dish

Lobster Bisque

Rudy & Paco Restaurant & Bar

4.9

4.9 (3966)

$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

Jeff

Dined 4 days ago

Great dinner as always. Celebrated my wife’s 60th birthday. José and the rest of the staff were great. Next time we will try Vargas.

Number 13 Prime Steak and Seafood

4.8

4.8 (2387)

$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

BeckyTVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent wait-staff… our go-to Guy is Garrett. He is a rockstar with impeccable service and attention! Great menu both lunch, brunch, and dinner with lots of options. A must are the mussels and fried quail on the appetizer menu.

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Popular dish

32 oz 30-Day Porterhouse

Popular dish

Thursday Prime Rib Night

Popular dish

Prime Rib & Eggs

Riondo's Ristorante

4.9

4.9 (1125)

$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

EllenVIP

Dined 3 days ago

The service was excellent. Ruben our bartender took great care of us. Food was delicious. The best Happy Hour on the island.

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Popular dish

Tiramisu Crepes

The Steakhouse at San Luis

4.9

4.9 (723)

$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.

New Year's Eve at The Steakhouse
Ring in the new year with a exquisitely curated four-course dinner complete with Chilled Seafood, Filet and Lobster, and Dry Aged Prime Ribeye! Enhanced celebration with party favors and Champagne toast available for the 10 PM, 10:15 PM and 10:30 PM seating times. Plus, live music at San Luis Lobby Bar to dance the night away.
($175 per person)

Top review

Chris

Dined 7 days ago

My wife and I had a 8 PM reservation and we were seated by 8:10. This is upscale restaurant and there was a large party right next to us to celebrate a birthday. the noise level was not what I was expecting in a place like this. But our server Carlos was exceptional. He took us through the menu because this was our first time dining at this establishment. The food was unbelievable. The attention to detail was on point every step of the way. I would highly recommend to anyone who desires a fine dining experience. 10 out of 10

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Shrimp and Crab Cheesecake

Hearsay on The Strand - Galveston

4.7

4.7 (1492)

$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

Darlene

Dined 1 day ago

Molly was our server and she was fabulous! We were celebrating my birthday and she made it extra special!

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Popular dish

Texas Charcuterie Board

Popular dish

Charcuterie and Crudité

Popular dish

Blackened Salmon

1817 Steak & Seafare

4.7

4.7 (181)

$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

Annie

Dined 1 day ago

Our server was very attentive and outstanding. The steak was okay. The tuna was very good. Sides were good. Dessert was very good.

The Fancy at Hotel Lucine

4.6

4.6 (104)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Galveston

About the restaurant

An American Fine-ish Dining establishment where the menu is full of fancy comfort food with a French twist. Think dinner party hosted by your Aunt who summers in Provence and says Paris like “Pear-REE” – but also drinks beer only from a can with a koozie.

The Fancy at Hotel Lucine sits neatly at the intersection of 10th & Seawall Blvd - we're about as close to the water as a hotel can get without high tide lapping at your bedside.

Top review

SophiaVIP

Dined on Dec 11, 2024

Oysters and all food delicious! Ambiance .. . so good!!

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Experience

Brunch in The Fancy at Hotel Lucine

Experience

Christmas Eve Feast of Seven Fishes

Experience

New Years Eve Dinner

Blake's Bistro

4.9

4.9 (81)

$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

SteveVIP

Dined on Dec 7, 2024

Everything was quite tasty and the staff was friendly and helpful.

Grotto - Galveston - San Luis Resort

4.8

4.8 (1430)

$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

Vivian

Dined 6 days ago

The Grotto never disappoints! The food and service was excellent.

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Shrimp & Crab Capellini

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