Where to Cook Your Catch in Port Aransas Reading Time: 5 minutes

With fantastic inshore fishing and easy access to the Gulf of Mexico, Port A is rightfully a popular destination for anglers. Redfish, delicious Snapper, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, and Tuna all bite in these waters depending on how far offshore you go. But what do you do with all that fish after the trip? If you want to eat your catch fresh, you can head to one of the hook-and-cook restaurants in Port Aransas.

A sunset view of the Intracoastal Waterway in Port Aransas, with the city buildings and the harbor visible on the left side of the photo while the channel separates it from the other shore on the right.

We’ve compiled a rundown of five restaurants in Port Aransas where you can bring your spoils from your hunt. Visit any of these and you’ll get to have your fish grilled, seared, or blackened to perfection. When you’re ready, let’s dive into the list!

Table of contents:

  1. Hook and Cook Restaurants in South Padre Island
  2. Port Aransas: A Hook and Cook Hotspot

Hook and Cook Restaurants in South Padre Island

Castaway’s Seafood and Grill

Address: 337 N Alister St, Port Aransas, TX 78373

With a relaxed, coastal vibe, Castaway’s is a restaurant that’s perfect for families or hanging out with friends. Their main expertise is, of course, seafood, though they offer a variety of other meals on their menu. The restaurant sits just down the road from Port Aransas harbor, only a short drive away once you’ve docked your boat.

An aerial view of the Port Aransas Municipal Harbor and multiple boats going in and out of it, with the rest of the city visible in the distance.

Before bringing your fish to Castaway’s, make sure it’s ready for the pan or it’ll cost you double the price. If you go fishing with a charter captain in Port Aransas, they’ll typically clean your catch for you and prepare it for cooking.

For $29.50 per pound, Castaway’s offers a Blackboard Special, which includes blackening your fish and serving it with a few sides. Or the restaurant can grill, fry, or blacken your fish for $14.50 per pound and you can order any additional sides separately.

FINS Grill and Icehouse

Address: 420 W Cotter Ave, Port Aransas, TX 78373

Situated on the Port Aransas waterfront, right by the harbor, FINS Grill and Icehouse is a family-friendly restaurant with a diverse menu. They’ll serve you fresh seafood, juicy burgers, sandwiches, tacos, and all kinds of sides. Of course, you’re also welcome to bring your own catch for FINS to cook to perfection.

If you’re bringing your hard-earned fish, make sure it’s filleted first. Whether you reel in Redfish, Snapper, or some Mahi, the restaurant can fry, grill, or blacken your catch at $13.99 per pound. With that, you can order a few side dishes and you’ll be eating a meal fit for kings. Afterwards, maybe have a beer or two to wash everything down.

Virginia’s on the Bay

Address: 815 Trout St, Port Aransas, TX 78373

Virginia’s on the Bay is an indoor-outdoor waterfront restaurant that offers a fantastic view of the harbor. Watch the boats roll up to the dock as you enjoy a range of delicious meals. The restaurant is family-friendly and you can even pull up with your own boat and park it for dinner.

A closeup shot of two grilled Mahi Mahi fillets on a white plate, along with a side of rice, asparagus, and a sliced lemon.

Virginia’s on the Bay will cook your catch for $15 per person, with the portions weighing between 8 and 10 ounces. You can have your fish grilled, blackened, or fried, and served family style, along with any side dishes you opt for. Just make sure your catch is cleaned beforehand.

As for other things on the menu, peel-and-eat shrimps are a popular choice. There are also several “land-based” options, including steaks, burgers, sandwiches, and more. Once you’re done with the main course, go for one of Virginia’s tasty desserts. What better way to end the day?

Seafood and Spaghetti Works

Address: 910 TX-361, Port Aransas, TX 78373

With a vast selection of meals on their menu – most with an Italian twist – Seafood and Spaghetti Works offers something for everyone. So whether you’re a seafood lover or you simply want to eat some hearty pizza, they’ll have you covered. The atmosphere in the restaurant is mellow and great for dining with family and friends.

As with most places in Port Aransas, make sure to clean your catch before bringing it to this restaurant to cook. Seafood and Spaghetti Works can prepare your fish a number of ways for $18.99 per pound. They’ll serve it with delicious new potatoes, vegetables, as well as a soup or salad.

Trout Street Bar & Grill

Address: 104 W Cotter Ave, Port Aransas, TX 78373

Another restaurant you’ll find right along the Port Aransas Municipal Harbor, Trout Street Bar & Grill is all about fresh seafood. The restaurant pairs a relaxed island ambience with exceptional food, aimed to suit casual diners and families alike.

A view of docked boats in Port Aransas, with calm coastal waters and clear skies.

Trout Street Bar & Grill will cook your catch for $11 per person, which includes 1 pound of fish for each diner. You can order any side dishes you’d like to eat from their a-la-carte menu. And, you guessed it, make sure your fish is cleaned before bringing it to the restaurant!

By the way, this restaurant features several decorations every angler will find interesting. The state record Blue Marlin, which weighed 972 pounds, is mounted to the rear of the building. Meanwhile, you’ll find the state record White Marlin mounted in the dining room! Pretty cool, huh?

Port Aransas: A Hook and Cook Hotspot

A view of the Lydia Ann Lighthouse in Aransas Pass at sunset, with orange skies reflecting and darkening the water surface in focus, and the lighthouse visible to the right of the image.

Port A isn’t a big place but, for its size, the restaurants you’ll find there offer plenty of varied, delicious food. And with the city serving as a charter fishing hub, it has no shortage of restaurants that’ll cook your catch, even beyond our list. Now that you know where to go, the only thing left to do is to find a captain you like and reel all that fish in! Once you’ve got that sorted, book a table for right after your trip.

Please note that the prices in the article were current at the time of writing and are subject to change.

Have you been to any of the Port Aransas hook-and-cook restaurants on our list? What’s your favorite way to have your fish prepared? Let us know in the comments below!

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