Gator’s Seafood Restaurant

Reviews

• Mark E.

  star star star star star 17 July 2026

  Family-owned and run restaurant with excellent, friendly service.  Our server, grandson of the founder, was kind, always there to fill our drinks and great with helping with selection.  Our meals were generous portions and very good seafood.  Don't be hesitant to try the mullet options on the menu.  The backbone mullet appetizer was a fun, good-tasting way to start the evening.  Would highly recommend traveling the extra minutes to have dinner here.

• Sheila L.

  star star star star star 4 July 2026

  Such a quaint place and fantastic food.  Not an extensive menu but absolutely delicious.  The grits are the best I've ever had.

• Renee A.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 30 June 2026

  I wanted to loved this restaurant. Family owned, fun trip down with the oaks and Spanish moss, a swing. It was a miserable experience. Our group of 10 didn't arrive at the same time and I swear this lady- the owner I think- said that if our last 2 didn't show up she was going to make us "start over"- I guess that meant get up, but we had already ordered tea and 2 appetizers. The hostess never ask if our whole party was there. She sat them when they walked in! We walked in about 7-8 minutes after the first 3 arrived. We were there for about 5-10 minutes before the last 2 people arrived and we had our order ready. In fact, the apps weren't delivered until after our whole party arrived. So we did not hold her table up. And if she was so worried- why did they seat us! Why is that my fault. She said when you're only open 4 hours you have to move the tables quickly. Oh. Ok. Great. Thanks for making us feel welcome. When we finish eating, are you going to flip us out of our chairs? When you have two toddlers, you also move quickly- I understand the concept and had no plans of Camping. We waited and waited for the table to be cleared after dinner by bus boys or waitress. We had a celebratory box of cupcakes to eat and then we wanted to get outta there. Look- nobody knows a ticking time clock like a mom in a restaurant. So I got up and asked her very nicely if we could have the table cleared. She told me the waitress was busy with her other tables- which was basically a no. Apparently it didn't dawn on her to send a busboy or how about do it yourself. As a business owner, I do it ALL- even when I've Paid an employee to do something. Pretty irritating- but sometimes ‍. I love a business that's cash only, open select hours, neat atmosphere, handed down recipes- we were so prepared with our cash!! But this lady does not carry on her family's tradition of hospitality- let's backed up- she doesn't give a shit. And the look on her face when I told her the hospitality was really miserable, said it all- don't care.  Sure- carry on lady! Do you.  My real complaint is no veggies on the menu- no fresh peas, Lima's - nothing. No milk for kids, Tea was *super weak*- how in the world do they get away with being successful with that batch of tea they make! A disgrace. Beer with fried catfish would have been so good. Dinner felt like lead bricks on the car ride home. It was so sad but this place- as good as it apparently once was, sucked. Come on into 2019 and add some broccoli or fresh summer peas from our Navarre Farmers Market, get rid of Cruella, and put a millennial up there who is not as mean and crotchety as you. You can go serve at church or something.

• Jersey M.

  star star star star star 28 June 2026

  An unexpected gem discovered on the way to the Gulf. Took a minor detour after seeing the great reviews the restaurant had, though I was unsure if they were current. Let me affirm: as of 2017, and surely into 2018, Gator's Seafood Restaurant is deserving of five stars. The road leading up to the building is a bit dark, but the parking lot is illuminated and charming with string lights hanging above willow trees.
  
  And the food is fantastic, with generous portions.

• Ron H.

  star star star star star 24 June 2026

  A hidden gem!!!  This is the best seafood restaurant in the area and it is only open on Friday and Saturday nights through part of the summer.  The seafood is second to none and the service could not be any better.  Review the history of Gator's on the back of the menu.  This is a very, very special place and family.