If you're cruising the seawall looking for a solid meal with a side of ocean views, Nick's Kitchen and Beach Bar should be on your radar. We discovered it through Galveston Restaurant Week. They offered three course meals so diners could get a feel for what they offer. The portion sizes are insane. I never finish my meal, always take it to-go. You'll never leave hungry. Service is always warm and friendly. Our waiter, Aaron on our first visit was an absolute character. He kept the jokes coming. Nick's is part of the legendary Gaido family, an iconic seafood dynasty. read more

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We came here for appetizers after a long morning of driving 5 hours. We had the shrimp Mickey, chilled shrimp, calamari, spinach & artichoke dip, and my youngest had the sliders. The shrimp Mickey was amazing and an unexpected flavor. I was expecting something closer to scampi flavor but it had way more depth. The dipping bread was also spectacular! The artichoke dip had huge chunks of artichoke in it so they did not skimp! Chilled shrimp was nice and fresh! My older kids didn't love the calamari but I think they were just overwhelmed by the tomatoes. The creamy tomato sauce that came with it was so delicious I would buy it jarred! My youngest reported loving the sliders and the fresh fruit cup was good fruit not cheap fruit. The sole reason I didn't give 5 stars is because the hostess humiliated my oldest, albeit unintentionally. He has a brain issue and is small. When I tried to give him an adult menu the hostess was questioning him on his age and was visibly surprised he is a teenager. I tried to shut her up but it ruined the experience for him bc he doesn't want to discuss medical info to make people stop talking. I could see if I were trying to get an older child a cheaper kid's meal but that wasn't the case. I think she just needs better training to not grill people. Just let them eat. The waitress was amazing and the bartender made the drinks PERFECTLY! read more

Stopped in for a quick apps before dinner at home shared the shrimp Mickey and fried blue crab claws. Both were great but the shrimp Mickey was one of the best apps I've ever had it came with a garlic butter sauce that was so savory and delicious I could drink it. Luckily it came with some grilled super soft garlic bread to sop all of it up. Not even mentioning the huge juicy shrimp in the dish. Perfection read more

We arrived about 4 o'clock, nothing fancy, but we were quickly seated on a sunny Saturday afternoon. The view was great. The beach is right across the street. Service was excellent. Lisa was so friendly and efficient. The crab was fresh and delicious. The breading was perfect, light and tasty. read more

I've visited this restaurant multiple times because the food is honestly very good, and the kitchen staff always seem hardworking and respectful. The employees come across as humble people who are genuinely trying their best. However, something that has really bothered me every time I've gone is the behavior of one of the male chefs/managers in the kitchen. On several occasions, I could clearly hear and see him yelling aggressively at the cooks and speaking to them in a very disrespectful way. It created a very uncomfortable atmosphere, even as a customer sitting outside the kitchen area. It's disappointing because the food and the staff deserve better leadership. No employee should be constantly yelled at or treated poorly while trying to do their job. As a customer, it honestly leaves a bad impression watching hardworking kitchen employees be spoken to that way. I truly hope management looks into this, because respect toward employees matters just as much as good food. read more

I had a light dinner here last week while in town. The menu has a lot of similarities with its next door neighbor, Gaido's as Nick's is its little brother. Nick's offers a nice outdoor seating area on Seawall Blvd. that is also covered along with indoor seating, of course. Inside it's brightly lit with nice local art on the walls and a full bar. I ordered their Charles Brooks shrimp gumbo (bowl sized) for $11.49. It was delivered shortly after with a large slice of buttered french bread and some crackers and a mound of white rice in the roux. The protein was shrimp only as advertised. I thought the quantity and price were reasonable. The taste of the roux was good in my opinion and I rated the gumbo as a 3.5. However, It was good only at that price in my opinion. I added a hand spun vanilla milkshake for $7.50. With the cherry and whipped cream on top it was a good tasting shake. The waitress was nice and efficient. My exposure was limited here so my score maybe off but I rated this restaurant a 3. In a town that has many good restaurant options, I would return to Nick's but would also consider several others first. read more

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I know Nick's is meant for seafood, but the Chicken Michael looked so good that I had to get it. The photo really doesn't do it justice but it was delicious, good portion size, & for $20 in this economy that's hard to beat. I'm not a big chicken breast fan so I was a bit worried this was going to come out dry and bland like I've experienced at other places, but I still wanted to give it a shot and I'm grateful I did. The chicken was juicy and sooo well seasoned. It had this buttery, lemony, caper sauce on top that tied it all together. I usually need additional sauce but this didn't need it & that's a compliment in my book. The garlic mashed potatoes were buttery and seasoned perfectly. I also had the fried calamari, jumbo shrimp, & mozzarella sticks (NOT frozen store bought) which were fantastic. Dare I say...the best mozzarella sticks I've had in a looooong time. They seasoned the batter & it made a big difference. According to the waiter, most of their items are made in house & it shows. Good service & a spacious place with LOTS of seating. I've been unfortunately let down by many spots in Galveston, but this is not one of them. I'd definitely come back. read more

Nick's Kitchen and Beach Bar - chicken michael - Seafood Near Me - Galveston, Texas

I'm a local so I visit this restaurant fairly often. The last two times I was in the service was slow and complacent. At one point a manager came to help the bartender and they were both complaining to each other instead of getting to the tickets. The manager moved at a glacial pace as well. I totally understand being in the weeds but there were maybe 20 people in the whole place and a better attitude or communication would have gone a long way. We were ready to order food and drinks but service was soooo slow we had one drink and left to eat elsewhere. Another lady came in from the pool to order 2 beers and she was rudely directed to order from the outside bar despite expressing the outside bar was too busy to accommodate her. Needless to say it'll be a while before I go back. Summer is upon us people, time to staff up and replace those who can't keep up. read more

Chose this over white-tablecloth and more expensive Gaudi's next door, heard they share the same kitchen. My son had the salmon, which was a healthy portion with a special sauce. But I was hugely disappointed in my fried oysters! Thought it would taste better at a seaside town, but not so. Oysters were chewy and probably not fresh at all. Not sure we totally got our money's worth this time. Service was okay, young staff that was just barely friendly. read more

Nick's Kitchen and Beach Bar - Fried oysters that were disappointingly chewy, but the salmon dish was very good and oddly enough included sliced squash as a side dish. - Seafood Near Me - Galveston, Texas

Stopped in for drinks on our walk back to the Airbnb and this place was absolutely popping. We were able to get seated fairly quickly and have our drinks out within 15 minutes of ordering. Our sever was Shannon and he was also beyond amazing and knew the vibes that we were going for. He made our experience awesome and well worth the stop read more

Walked in following a long day. Waitresses, management, and staff were all friendly. Service was quick, food hot-and excellent. Will go there again!!! read more

The location is right on the seawall and the beach is immediately across so it's part of your view along with the activity in the people driving and walking along the seawall. Great place on the Seawall. Great food! Great Service. Clean restrooms. Go! read more

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11/14/2025: What a great experience! Virginia was our server. She was great right out of the gate! We chose inside dining since it was still a little warm outside. The inside if really cool because they have a pool view right along the side of the restaurant. Apparently, it is a family-owned restaurant and motel. We did not sit on that side, but it was neat to see. They have outdoor seating that faces the ocean, regular table seating inside, booth seating inside, and an inside bar area. We were in between lunch and dinner, but we were very hungry. We decided on the Shrimp Bang Bang, gumbo, oysters, and friend pickles (don't judge! ;)) Everything was very good. I think my favorite was the Shrimp Bang Bang and the gumbo. The siracha sauce was very tasty. Virginia was super throughput our stay. Out glasses were always full, and the service was exceptionally gracious! I've passed this place so many times and never stopped in. So glad I finally got to try it. The restrooms were very clean as was the entire restaurant. $52 and change BEFORE tip. Don't forget to tip your waitstaff, especially when they are as great as Virginia. Keep it up Virginia. You made our stay so great! read more

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Iconic Galveston spot, friendly service and good food. The owner Nick even stopped by our table. We even bought shirts to rep this place from our visit to Galveston. Very family friendly. We went on a rainy day and there was a fair amount of people inside so it felt cozy. read more

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Handled our party of 12 indoors w ease and grace. Had some great drinks, fresh seafood and great desserts there and everyone enjoyed our time. The food, service and ambiance were outstanding. Very busy but very good! read more

Love Nick's for happy hour! Great deals and such a convenient and fun location on the sea wall right next to Gaido's. Nice views of the water from the outdoor patio if it's not too hot and the nearby traffic doesn't bother you. We've found this to be a reliable option for drinks and seafood. Doesn't get too crowded and the price is right. read more

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Horrible Waiter He wouldn't listen . Messed up orders . Not patient at all . We were trying to ask questions . He wasn't even busy . Just Rush Rush Rush !!!!! GM wouldn't much better . read more

Next door to the famous and historic original Gaidos, this is their more casual restaurant. Nick Gaido, a chef himself, per the Internet, now owns the family business. We sat on the patio area and enjoyed watching the Gulf and the activity on Seawall Boulevard. Shared a plate of fried shrimp--so lightly battered and fresh! Others had "bam bam shrimp" and some kind of seafood bisque. All was reportedly excellent. We shared the "famous" Gaidos crustless pecan pie. It was good and fun to try. Be sure and make a trip to the restrooms to see the cool pool at Gaidos Inn next door. Also lots of cool old photos on the walls. Service was friendly and accommodating. I doubt anyone could go wrong at this place. read more

Great casual coastal atmosphere and good food. I had not eaten here in many years, but someone told me that the Galveston BLT was delicious. I ordered it and was not disappointed. It was loaded with blackened shrimp, bacon, lettuce and tomatoes. The sauce was flavorful. The bun was soft and toasted. You can choose between fries and their house made chips. I chose the chips. They were crispy and light. The service was the only thing that could be improved. The server was not very attentive, but I suspected he might be new. He didn't seem to know the menu very well, and we had to repeat our order to him many times. read more

Nick's Kitchen and Beach Bar - Galveston BLT and chips - Seafood Near Me - Galveston, Texas

Just got kicked out of an empty bar for dog not barking but letting us know he wanted more kibble. He doesn't actually bark but blips.... We feel the bartender wanted us out so she can close early cuz no one else was there and she kept hanging up on what we assume was to go order calls from 8pm on, people at tables seemed to not care and wanted to pet him. So our food is now cold, I was charged for a baked potato when they ran out of mashed.... was told to go outside and finish.... Full price for cold food yay!! Not happy about being told to finish food outside that's rude, instead of having a conversation or give a discount for being told to leave. Won't recommend or be back to this place, not dog friendly at all, but yet there was a kid screaming at the top of their lungs that was louder than our dog.... read more

We went to Nicks for Christmas Eve drinks and appetizers. It was THE best FRESH seafood we have enjoyed in 2 weeks in Galveston. The drinks were great! The prices were good because we happened to catch Happy Hour. We sat at the gorgeous bar and had fresh oyster and grilled oysters but the calamari was EPIC... best I have ever had! Everything was fantastic with 1 exception...the bartender was CRANKY! She was clearly not happy to be there and didn't even make an effort to get over whatever was bothering her on Christmas Eve. We tried to have a friendly conversation with her but that wasn't happening. But we had a wonderful time despite her horrible attitude. She made a great Margarita. As I said the food was fantastic and the drinks were perfect for a Christmas Eve cheer! read more

Nick's Kitchen and Beach Bar - Grilled Oysters were fantastic and the fresh Oysters were even better! - Seafood Near Me - Galveston, Texas

Great service (thank ou, Roxanne), tasty food and drink, and generous portions. I had Mahi Mahi tacos, and it was enough for two. The magarita was a delicious addition. Hope to come back when I have room for the pecan pie. read more

Nick's Kitchen and Beach Bar - Mahi Mahi tacos and a cervasarita. - Seafood Near Me - Galveston, Texas

You won't be disappointed! My Hubby n I shared the mahi mahi, It was delicious! Fish cooked perfectly, very flavorful rice and the veggies were some of the best I've ever had! Along with the beautiful side salad we had plenty to eat! Mom had clam chowder and southwest salad which was also delicious! Can't wait to try something else from the menu next time we're in Galveston read more

I've been coming to Nick's for years, and dine there frequently. Their staff are amiable, the setting is clean and beachy, and the food is always very good! They have the best house-made ranch dressing I've ever tasted, and all their seafood items are fresh and seasoned perfectly. I'm happy to say I'll continue to dine at Nick's, and enjoy every meal I order there! read more

We came across Nick's Kitchen and Beach Bar while on vacation, and what a wonderful surprise! The food was absolutely delicious--I had the blackened fish tacos, we also tried the calamari, and my kids loved the popcorn shrimp. Everything came out super fast and was incredibly fresh. The mojitos are a must-try--so refreshing and perfectly made. On top of the great food and drinks, the atmosphere was light, fun, and very family-friendly. A fantastic spot to relax and enjoy a great meal! read more

The service and food was excellent! I ordered The Texas Redfish Pontchartrain Blackened redfish topped with 4 grilled shrimp, sautéed mushrooms, scallions, mild green peppers, and Asiago cream sauce! So good and huge portions. The restaurant was clean and cute. The parking is shared with Guaidos so it's hard to park but will be back! read more

Nick's Kitchen and Beach Bar - Texas Redfish Pontchartrain Blackened redfish topped with 4 grilled shrimp - Seafood Near Me - Galveston, Texas

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I'm not huge on seafood but they are doing it right here. Everything was good. Great service and I would most definitely comeback or recommend this place. Food: I wish they had chicken and sausage Gumbo. The shrimp gumbo is good but I prefer chicken and sausage. That's just my preference. The fried seafood platter was really good. One suggestion. Replace shrimp ball with boudain ball or at least offer that option. The service was great. Quick and on the ball. We will definitely be back. Very fresh seafood. read more

Nick's Kitchen and Beach Bar - Seafood Near Me - Galveston, Texas

I basically came here to have some fish tacos and chill. I sat at the pool bar for almost 3 hours. Everything was good. I probably paid 120 bucks in my drinks. Then the manager basically told me I need to leave I explained up in here all day had no problems. I explained I have military service. Obviously, he didn't give a shit. He basically threw me out and told me I had to leave. Because I didn't pay some $25 cover yet I had been here all day This place is disgusting on how they treat military. Please don't support them. Please don't be here. I can't say how disappointed I am in this establishment and the way they treated me read more

Been here a few times, to eat and swim. Recently I was told there's a $25 per person "pool fee" in addition to a food order. I mean, I guess I understand but $25 seems steep when we are also ordering food and drinks for 3 people over a couple of hours. So $75 for 3 people to swim for 2 hours. The food is good - better than expected, but them getting your order correct can be quite challenging. The last 2 times I went there (both times on a Monday at lunch = not busy) at least 1/2 our order was incorrect and the guy that brought the order just stood there looking hella confused until we just said "it's fine, we will eat what you brought us." The drinks are fine.... Nothing really unique or special but good enough The pool and hot tub are always in good, clean condition & it's a very nice environment. I do feel the wait staff could use better training and customer service skills ... smile, sound excited, look like u enjoy your job, and maybe care about the customer experience more. I guess bottom line, the atmosphere/ environment and the cooks in the kitchen are what I go here for, not necessarily the customer experience & "friendliness of the staff". read more

Shannon server is so rude, his attitude was not it. He picked and chose who to treat with respect. Don't recommend. Choose a struggle Shannon. read more

Went to Nick's because I wanted to sit outside by the pool. The reviews looked good and was not far away from where I was staying. The shrimp quesadillas were pretty good but what they don't tell you is that it's $25 to be at the pool bar even though the restaurant and pool are linked. They are both serviced by Nick's kitchen and bar but the pool bar is only available to guests of the Gaidos Seaside Inn unless you pay the $25 fee but would not stay there. Seems deceptive. read more

Nick's Kitchen and Beach Bar - Hotel - Seafood Near Me - Galveston, Texas

Why have we never been to Nicks before? No clue, but glad we did. We did not have a reservation but were seated promptly. We opted to sit outside, nice breeze, great music...nice view of the beach. We started off with the seafood stuffed jalapeños, they were very good! Portion size was great for an appetizer...cream cheese, crab stuffing, dipped in ranch. I mean do you need anything else really? Soooo tasty, and not too spicy. We ordered the Seawall blt, fresh shrimp, avacado, crispy bacon and all that a blt entails but elevated with remoulade sauce. We ordered with a side of fries. I ordered the chicken Michael, garlic, lemon, capers, wine sauce...it was very good. Nice crispy breading on chicken together with the lemon butter sauce...yummm! Served with a huge portion of mashed potatoes. Portion size was huge. We both had apricot iced tea, was very refreshing. Great dining experience, service was great...will definitely be back soon. read more

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Wife and daughter took me in town for my birthday. Figured we'll try it out. Wife and myself ordered the seafood plate. Catfish, stuffed shrimp, etc. The stuffed shrimp was wrapped in bacon (didnt say it on the menu). Wife don't eat pork. Her Catfish was not done. Manager got mad cause we said that. Mind you we eat seafood all the time. The service of the waiter was good. The food was not so great. I sure that we won't be going back, when we come in town. read more

Oysters were great, food overall was great. Loved sitting on the patio by the beach. Also dog friendly. Definitely will be back

Great service, hats off to Madison for taking great care of us. Loved the fried oysters in cornmeal with amazing fries as an appetizer. Gaido's pasta was rich and plentiful. Blackened Fish with cream sauce and crawdads and shrimp was great. Pecan pie a la mode was stellar. read more

Nick's Kitchen and Beach Bar - Blackened fish in cream sauce with shrimp and crawdads and Gaidos pasta with a side of grilled vegetables. - Seafood Near Me - Galveston, Texas

Happy hour! Good prices and great onion rings! Relaxed outside setting watching the waves come in and the cars go by. Our server, Anna, fit right in with our group laughing and smiling the whole way. I wish they had more patio type furniture, we were much more comfortable than those at tables. Fun time, will return! read more

Crab cakes were pretty good, and salmon was too. Great spot for family with indoor and outdoor seating.

Despite the mixed reviews, Nick exceeded our expectations during our impromptu trip to Galveston. The food, service, and ambiance were spot on. We ordered fish and shrimp tacos, both of which were fresh and flavorful. Just a heads-up: the portions are generous (Texas-sized), so be prepared to share or take home leftovers if needed. read more

Nick's Kitchen and Beach Bar - Shrimp tacos - Seafood Near Me - Galveston, Texas

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Happy Hour The food was Great! More then I could eat and I order off the Happy hour menu Set outside and it was wonderful read more

Yesterday we visited Nicks for the first time in quite awhile and was extremely pleased with our visit! It happened to be Galveston Restaurant week and had the special which included Gumbo, Redfish, and NU Cheesecake for dessert! The ambience was casual and we had hit it for an early dinner after a photo shoot at Beachtown. Luckily our timing was on point because it got very busy before we had left. Definitely the visit and all our entrees were fresh and prepared as desired. read more

Nick's Kitchen and Beach Bar - Redfish Pontchatrain - Seafood Near Me - Galveston, Texas