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The Mississippi Gulf Coast's cuisine speaks to the heart and soul of everything that makes this region feel so magical. When the locals feed you at their restaurants, they serve recipes passed down through the generations. Of course, knowing where to go to sample signature Gulf Coast dishes while you're in town is important. Here's your guide to iconic Mississippi Gulf Coast food!
This rich chocolate dessert features some variations of pudding, brownie, and whipped cream with a crushed cookie crust. Different versions sometimes feature layers with nuts and chocolate shavings.
Mary Mahoney's Old French House
There's nothing like a thick slice of Mary's famed mud pie while dining in one of the oldest estates along the coast. Mary Mahoney's does its mud pie and other desserts in New Orleans style. Make it memorable by asking to be seated in the courtyard under a canopy of majestic trees that have stood tall for centuries!
Enjoy a sweet treat on Gulfport's waterfront! The pie here is noted for being exceptionally rich and fluffy. Just be aware that the dessert menu rotates. If you have your heart set on the Mississippi mud pie, consider calling ahead to ask about the current day's selection of house-made desserts!
Welcome to Dill Country! Chefs in this region generally dip their dill slices in catfish batter to make them extra crispy and rich. They are then placed in the deep fryer to give them that signature crunch.
Find the fried pickles on the appetizer menu at Shaggy's! Each coin-shaped slice is breaded by hand before being fried up. These sizzling pickles are served with creamy ranch for that extra kick!
While many people come here for the steak, oysters, and Cajun-style shrimp dishes, you'll get the full experience even if you just come for some fried pickles and cocktails. The hand-battered, deep-fried dills here are out of this world.
While they're usually associated with Louisiana, po'boys are staples in Mississippi cuisine. The style served around here is the pressed po'boy, which is placed into a sandwich iron to create an easy-to-eat, panini-like treat. They are typically made with shrimp, oysters, or crab.
This has been the place for pressed po'boys in Mississippi for nearly 50 years! Served on French bread delivered from New Orleans, Lil' Ray's po'boy varieties include soft-shell crab, catfish, shrimp, oyster, grouper, and much more!
Pirate's Cove po'boys are made fresh with special New Orleans po'boy bread. The menu here feels limitless. Make your po'boy with shrimp, catfish, oyster, or a seafood combo.
The seafood traditions of the Mississippi Gulf Coast require no introductions! Catfish, walleye, and bass from the Mississippi River have become local staples. The bucket serves Gulf shrimp and crab at many of the best local restaurants.
Steve's Marina offers exquisite waterfront dining with Gulf views and a seafaring ambiance that will leave you dreaming about your next visit before your plate is cleared! People come for miles to indulge in Southern-inspired seafood dishes, including redfish and gumbo served with fried green tomato and onion rings. Come thirsty! The signature cranberry margarita goes wonderfully with the seafood dishes here.
Experience oysters any way you like them at Half Shell! We're talking doused in New Orleans-style smoky Cajun sauce, topped with bacon, or charbroiled over an open flame before being topped with white wine, butter, and garlic. Other legendary menu items include crab claws, crab and shrimp dip, and jalapeno hushpuppies served with homemade honey butter.
This iconic Mississippi Gulf Coast food still flies under the radar for most out-of-towners. Delta tamales differ from standard tamales because they're simmered instead of being steamed. They're also smaller, spicier, and have a thicker texture from cornmeal instead of masa.
You know the food will be good when the menu is written on a chalkboard! This beloved local eatery and "hole in the wall" is tamale heaven! Tamale Shak serves deliciously seasoned tamales in spicy and non-spicy pork flavors.
Doris' Hot Tamales has been serving what many consider to be the best Delta tamales in all of Mississippi for 50 years. These iconic individually wrapped tamales served here are packed with seasoned meat with a thick, delicious outer layer of cornmeal. If you want to push your limits with spice, simply ask for a little extra cayenne on yours!
Eating Your Way Through Mississippi's Gulf Coast
Tasting all of the iconic Mississippi Gulf Coast food is one way to learn about the culture. Another is to tour some of the area's famous landmarks and attractions. If you're putting together an itinerary, Space Center Mississippi, which NASA uses to test Space Launch System (SLS) rockets, is the perfect starting point!
