Where to Eat Beyond the Boardwalk in Kemah and Seabrook

Munch on Damn Fine fried pies and coffee or loaded Liege waffles. Knock this rare Native American tasting menu restaurant off your bucket list, and experience seafood at its finest

Kemah, Texas may be known for its flashy boardwalk and a sea of Landry’s restaurants, but locals know this laid-back bayside city, roughly 30 miles southeast of Houston, has a lot more going on. Just a five-minute drive from the neighboring town of Seabrook, Kemah is home to some of the best seafood in the region, a sail-up tiki bar, a standout Thai joint, and one of the most innovative Native American tasting menu restaurants in the country. So while traveling out to Kemah might feel like a journey, once you’re there, you’ll wonder why you don’t come more often. Whether you’re looking for something sweet, soulful, or smoked, Kemah’s food scene is worth the trip. Use this map as a guide to some of the best restaurants in the Kemah area.

If you’re willing to travel a little farther south — 20 more minutes — you’ll hit San Leon, home to seafood staples like Pier 6, Topwater Grill, and the beloved dive Gilhooley’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar.

For all the latest Houston dining intel, subscribe to Eater Houston’s newsletter.