This Beloved Seafood Spot in Texas Sits Right on the Sand

Bright-blue tables tucked among shrubs and sand. Sitting outside, you can see the ocean for miles.

That’s Seahorse Bar and Grill in Surfside Beach, Texas.

This bar has more than 200 feet of beachfront dining outdoors.

In the shade on a sunny Texas day, these tables let you have the best of both worlds: fresh air from the water, and the grill’s inside decor style.

What’s in Store For You at Seahorse?

Seahorse is an oceanfront venue with a seasonal bar downstairs.

Happy hour food is available — perfect for unwinding with coworkers after work.

There’s WiFi, too, if you want to work with a view.

Seahorse is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. On Saturday, they’re open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on Sunday, they close an hour earlier, at 8 p.m. On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, they’re open from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Expect to spend around $20–$30 per person — a little above average, but nothing that’ll break the bank.

Saturdays get crowded fast, so if you prefer a quieter visit, weekdays are your best bet.

There is Ocean Avenue Public Access right next to the bar and grill.

Parking is limited, since Seahorse is near the beach. But there are a few parking spaces near the restaurant.

Appetizers

You can’t go wrong with fries. Seahorse has a Loaded Fries appetizer for $12. This is no small pile of fries, either.

You’ll get a large stack of fries, with queso, ground beef, pico de gallo, sour cream, and jalapenos.

If you like to go for something a little more classic, there’s a Chips and Queso option for $10. These are homemade tortilla chips (homemade — always a good sign!) and warm queso.

Who loves cheese? Seahorse also has Mozzarella Triangles. These are perfect if you love a crispy crunch of the outside and gooey cheese on the inside. As usual, they’re seasoned with Italian herbs and spices and served with a cup of marinara.

The grill also has a Fried Calamari appetizer that’ll satisfy your need for something crispy. It comes with marinara sauce, too. This one’s a little more expensive, at $15.

They have a Shrimp Boil that’s a half a pound of boiled peel-and-eat shrimp. It comes with sausage, corn on the cob, and potatoes. Cocktail sauce comes on the side for dipping.

Want a vegetarian option? Seahorse offers a Veggie Nachos appetizer. These tortilla chips are topped with queso, of course, as well as shredded lettuce, black beans, sliced jalapenos, pico de gallo, and sour cream.

They aren’t lacking in appetizers here at Seahorse! You can get House Nachos that include ground beef and cilantro. Or order the Boudin Balls (in sets of six), hand-battered and fried, with remoulade sauce.

Last but not least, choose the simple but classic Chips and Salsa. They have homemade tortilla chips and salsa. A refreshing snack as you sit by the waves!

Seafood Dishes at Seahorse

First up on Seahorse’s grilled seafood items is the Blackened Catfish. Their grilled seafood dishes range from $24-$35, so plan accordingly.

This catfish filet is topped with crawfish and a New Orleans sauce. You get two sides, too.

In the mood for shrimp? Get the Grilled Shrimp, with cajun rice and your choice of a side. You’ll get eight jumbo shrimp — plenty to satisfy.

Seahorse also has Grilled Mahi, with mango salsa or pico de gallo, or Grilled Salmon, with any two sides.

Looking for something a little different? There’s a Texas Redfish, or a Gulf Snapper. Seahorse has quite a few house sauces, so it’s worth asking your server which pairs best with your choice.

On to the fried seafood! These are in the $20-$30 range, overall.

Opt for a Fried Catfish Basket, with fries, coleslaw, and either cocktail or tartar sauce. A go-to!

One popular option is the Coconut Shrimp. These’ll be served with fries and a sweet pineapple chili dipping sauce.

Here’s one thing I really like about this grill and bar: They know how to do theming well. For example, in their Fried Seafood section, they skipped right past typical names and went for ocean-themed names for a couple items.

The Treasure Chest is exactly what it sounds like. Your waiter or waitress will bring out hand-breaded jumbo Gulf shrimp, oysters, and fried catfish filets, with fries, coleslaw, and cocktail or tartar sauce.

The Captain’s Chest adds a stuffed crab to this mix!

One of my favorites, though, is this name: Yankee Fish. An inside joke for us Texans. This item includes Guinness beer-battered cod with fries and cocktail or tartar sauce.

Prefer to keep things simple? No problem!

Order the Fried Fish and Shrimp, or the Stuffed Crab. Or get a basket of fried Gulf shrimp or oysters.

If you’re like me, you’re hunting for the word, “taco,” on the menu. You’re in luck!

Seahorse has three options for taco-lovers: Fish Tacos (Mahi), Shrimp Tacos, and Veggie Tacos. The veggie ones include grilled bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, corn, black beans, lettuce, and tomato.

Beef and Chicken

Not everyone is craving seafood when they’re next to ocean views. If you’re a beef or chicken fan, you’ll want to fill up on your favorites.

Seahorse has plenty of variety in this department!

Let’s start with the sandwiches.

Get a Fried Chicken Sandwich for $15. Seahorse notes this sandwich has “Texas-sized” chicken breast. Enjoy!

The sandwich is served on a toasted sourdough bun and comes with fries.

For our Smokey Mountain counterparts (we see you!), there’s a Nashville Chicken Sandwich for $16. It’s topped with spicy Nashville sauce, so have a cup of water nearby. It also has coleslaw and pickles.

The ribeye is more expensive ($31), as is to be expected. Flame-grilled!

You’ll want to pay attention to the Kickin’ Chicken. This is a grilled chicken breast with bacon, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, and pickles, with a chipotle aioli or jalapeno ranch sauce.

If you can’t choose between shrimp and chicken, you don’t have to. There’s a Fried Shrimp and Chicken option for $22.

You also have the usual home cooking dishes, including Chicken Fried Chicken, Chicken Fried Steak, Chicken Tenders, and Chicken Wings.

They’re about $15-$20 each. One unique thing about these familiar dishes is that, at Seahorse, you have your pick of sauces.

With the Chicken Tenders, you can select from ranch, honey mustard, or gravy sauces. The Chicken Fried Chicken and Chicken Fried Steak have your typical white gravy.

Chicken Wings has lots of choices for a sauce: Mango Habanero, Barbecue, Buffalo, Nashville Hot, Sweet ’n Spicy Barbecue, Spicy Korean, or Honey Hot. Experiment to find what you like!

It’s great that a grill and bar at a beachfront property is serving up Texas home cooking favorites, too. It’s something that speaks to the heart of hungry Texans.

No matter where they are, they’re at home.

Worth noting: Seahorse describes the Chicken Fried Steak as a ‘Texas-sized’ beef cutlet — so don’t be surprised if you’re taking some home.

Burgers, Salads, and More

Seahorse isn’t a grill with one or two burgers. You’ll have options, if you’re craving a big burger.

Let’s start with ones that have fun, themed names!

Get a Cowboy Burger, with American cheese, grilled onions, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and sweet and smoky barbecue sauce, for $16.

Or order the Big Kahuna Burger for $20. It’s got two burger patties, with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and American cheese.

The SBG Burger has lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and American cheese.

Or go for the Heatwave Burger (we know it when summer hits in Texas!), with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, jalapenos, pepper jack cheese, and chipotle aioli or jalapeno ranch sauce.

Do you like spicy foods? Keep it going, with the Cheesy Jalapeno Burger ($16). Or if you have a weakness like me for mushrooms and onions, the Mushroom Swiss Burger ($16) will be your pick.

Want a vegetarian option? There’s a Veggie Burger, a little cheaper, at $14, that’s a chipotle black bean patty, with lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles.

The salad selection is limited — just three options — and prices run a bit high at $12–$17 each. But you have three basic choices: Cobb Salad, Caesar Salad, or House Salad.

Sides? We can’t forget them! At Seahorse, your pick of sides (or add-ons) are: a Basket of Fries, Coleslaw, Fried Okra, Sauteed Mushrooms, a Bowl of Guacamole, Green Onion Sausage, and Grilled Onions.

We’re not done yet! Other sides include Mashed Potatoes, Loaded Mashed Potatoes, Corn on the Cob, Cajun Corn, Green Beans, a Side Salad, Mac ’n Cheese, Cajun Rice, or Onion Rings.

Beyond these sides, Seahorse has a variety of sauces, such as the Pontchartrain Sauce, the Etouffee Sauce, or the New Orleans Sauce, of which you can order extras.

Seahorse’s desserts are many of the popular items you’d find at a diner or family-run restaurant on a road trip. They have Blueberry Cheesecake (I can’t pass up a cheesecake), for $8. They also have a Classic Cheesecake, a Key Lime Tart, and a Chocolate Eruption.

Do you always look for ice cream on a dessert menu? They have vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry, in a cup, for about $3 each.

Desserts stay pretty reasonable on pricing, so don’t forget to order it before you head out.

But what’ll the kids eat?? If you have picky eaters, never fear. Seahorse has several kids’ menu options, including chicken nuggets, a catfish filet basket, a fried Gulf shrimp basket, a hamburger, a cheeseburger, and a grilled cheese sandwich.

How do we get there? Type Seahorse Bar and Grill Surfside into your Maps app.

Where: 310 Ocean Dr, Surfside Beach, Texas 77541

Seahorse Bar and Grill is good about posting on their Facebook page whenever there’s a new dish to try or if hours change.

The next time you’re in Surfside Beach, stomachs rumbling, check out this oceanside bar and grill. Look for those bright-blue tables outside, by the beach and the water.

Can’t miss it!

Follow along on Facebook and pull up directions on Google Maps before you head out — because ocean views and fresh seafood are always worth the drive.