In our Must Do Things Around Greater Houston series, we take a look at Houston’s vast array of communities, neighborhoods and destinations to bring you five fun, tasty, surprising and enticing reasons you should give each one a visit.
About 40 miles southeast of Houston sits the peaceful, bayside town of San Leon, where time seems to sit still and the oysters are as fresh as they come.
The Seabreeze News dubbed it “a small drinking community with a large fishing problem,” so head here to spend a lazy day with cold brews and the local catch.
Check out these five other must do things:
5 Must Do Things in San Leon
Slurp down Gulf oysters at Pier 6
The brainchild of Raz Halili— second-generation oysterman and Vice President of his family’s world-renowned fishery oyster distributor, Prestige Oysters—this tide-to-table oyster house has become one of the hottest seafood spots in the Greater Houston area since opening in 2020.
At the kitchen’s helm is the uber-talented Chef Joe Cervantez (formerly of Brennan’s), who dishes out big and beautiful, freshly shucked oysters, both raw and hot smothered, plus seafood specialties like lobster rolls, chowder, and crispy red snapper.
Snag a seat on the gorgeous open-air patio to catch prime views and bayside breezes; and those who want to stay the weekend can check out the Pier 6 Bungalows, luxury waterfront condos open for booking.
Then slurp down more at Gilhooley’s
The buttery, garlicky, cheesy, bubbling bivalves at this San Leon standby are things of legend.
They’re known as Oysters Gilhooley, and you simply put them on your dining bucket list.
The vibe here is entirely old-school, longtime bartenders, picnic tables under the shade, ramshackle indoor dining, and a laid-back mix of locals and visitors 18-and-up.
Have dinner & drinks overlooking Galveston Bay at Topwater Grill
Off the beaten path by the April Fool Point Marina, this bayside seafood house is a local favorite, and for good reason.
Score a seat glider on the patio and dine on hot steamed deepwater Gulf shrimp, grilled fish tacos, drunken redfish, and whole stuffed flounder.
Then wash it down with a Rum Runner and some key lime pie.
Get a real deal dive bar feel at San Leon Beach Club
Over by Mooner Beach, the oldest bar in San Leon throws it back 50-plus years, hawking ice-cold beers and cheap booze, and everything you could want from a classic dive.
We’re talking jam sessions, dark, no-frills interior, quirky regulars, and a chill, beach town feel.
Take a rum-fueled distillery tour at Railean Distillery
Founded in 2006, Railean is the first legal rum distillery to get its start in Texas, opening its tasting room to the public back in 2013.
Today, you’ll find rum, agave spirits, vodka, and whiskey, plus fun stuff like live music, special events, and an on-site Buccaneer Bar, paying homage to an old neighborhood pirate bar that was destroyed by Hurricane Ike in 2008.
Distillery tours normally run on Saturdays, but you can stop by regular operating hours; Tuesday to Thursday 3pm to 8pm, Friday and Saturday noon to 9pm.
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